Short Stories/Poems

War. This Damn War.

The year is 2027

A mother and her son are the only ones left in the dark concrete box. Everyone else has left. They couldn't take it anymore. The constant shaking of the earth, but no insight on what is causing it. They all left. They all died.

The mother holds he son close. She knew it wasn't long before they had to leave too. The food was running out. The guard said he'd be right back. But, she's lost count of how many weeks ago it was when he left. She's worried about her boy. He's only 8. He doesn't understand what's happening yet. She has to make sure he's safe. But time is running out.

"Momma. My tummy hurts. I'm so hungry." The little boy whined. He's cuddled close to her side. "I know baby. I know." She rocks him, harshly. She's scared. So is her beloved son. "Hey. Let's..." She gulps "let's play a game. Hide and seek." Her son perks up. Forgetting his earlier complaints. "Okay, I'll count first." He goes to the corner of the concrete hell. "1...2...3...4" He counts to the rhythm of the booms outside. The mother stands up. Her legs ache. They've been inactive for months. "Okay, don't peek" He giggles "13...14...15..." He continues, shifting his weight. "I'm ready." She calls. The son turns, but keeps his eyes closed. "Okay....FOU- oh wait, it's the wall." He walks closer to her. "FO- nope, another wall." He almost reaches her, then the door swings open. Light pours in like an unwelcomed house guest. The little boy runs forward and squeezes his mother's legs. "HEY! You guys have to come with me! Right. Now." A man in bulky armour yells at them. The little boy screams and cries. The mother picks him up and runs out of the door, following the unknown soldier. "Go! Go! Go!" He's waving his hand for them to run ahead, towards a helicopter.

Bombs, gunshots, screaming. All of these noises. The little boy keeps his head buried in his mothers neck. The mother's eyes are still adjusting to the piercing light. Her ears are ringing. Her heart is beating loudly. "Into the chopper. We're getting you out of here." The mother runs onto the helicopter, and doesn't let go of the shaken boy. "Here." Another soldier on the ride hands her a big blanket. She wraps her son in it, then holds him close again. The helicopter lifts off the ground.

"How long we're you guys in there?" The boy has fallen asleep, they gave him food to ease his panic. the mother's dirt covered face is aching from the sunlight. She closes her eyes, and stretches her neck to lay her head on her sons. "Let's see. What year is it?" The soldier smiles. "You're safe now." He looks out the side. Fires reach for the helicopter, but fail. Bombs are still being dropped. Little dots of people run around frantically. The mother takes a deep breath.

A loud beeping noise startles her awake. "Shitshitshit." The pilot curses under his breath. "One of our engines failed. We have to land." The other soldier stands behind him. They scream at each other over the loud noise of the situation. "No! We can't land! Not here! Get us over that building!" The pilots struggles to keep the air craft afloat. "Sir, we wont make it! We have to land! I'll call for them to send us another chopper. We have to protect the citizens!" The pilot carefully tries to land the helicopter. The mother squeezes her eyes shut, and holds her son close to her chest. "Careful! Turn turn tu-" A loud crash fills the air. The mother strains herself trying the hold her son. The helicopter spins out of control, debris from the building they hit flies through the open spaces. A large glass piece hits the pilot. He dies instantly. "Keep your heads down!" The soldier covers up the two with another blanket, and his body. He knows he won't make it. But, he has to keep them alive. "Take this! Call out for home base to send another chopper!  Don't trust anyone in a blue suit!" The helicopter crashes.

The soldier didn't survive. The mother crawls out of the pile of metal and fire. Her son is hurt. "Micheal! Micheal, breathe! Keep your eyes open, baby. You'll make it, I'll get help." A small piece of metal is sticking out from the right side of his chest. It missed his heart, but he could still bleed out. "Momma....it hurts, momma." His voice is hoarse, and his breath is short. "I know. I know , just hang on!" She frantically pulls out the walkie talkie from the ruble. She pushes down the button,  "hello?!" Her voice is quiet, but sharp "hello! Is anybody there?" She pauses "please! The helicopter crashed! They're both dead! My son! He's hurt! Please, someone!" She yells, but no one replies. "SOMEONE!?" She screamed into the tiny black rectangle. Her son starts to panic. His inhaler. He needs his inhaler. "Hold on, baby. Someone will come for us, okay? Just hang on a little longer." Static comes from the radio. A muffled voice can be heard. "H....o?......ma......am?...wh........" It stops. She picks it up again "hello! Hello?" She waits. "Ma'am?" The voice calls back. "Yes! Yes, I'm here! Please, we need help!" He responds "did you say the....copter....shed?" She tried to make out what he said. "Yes, the helicopter crashed. They're both dead. My son, he's hurt real bad. Please send someone!" The static plays for a few seconds. "Hello?" She's getting antsy. "Ma'am" It's a different voice. "Can you tell us where you are?" She looks around. A sign. Thank god. "Yes, yes. Right outside Cloveland. Please, hurry."  "A chopper is on its way ma'am. Please.....ay cal..." She puts the radio down, and holds her son. "Momma?" He hugs her. "Someones coming. Stay calm. Breathe with me. Follow my chest. Like we practiced. In........and out..........in........and.." She here's blades in the distance. "Keep breathing." She turns around, a helicopter comes closer. She waves her arms in the air. "Hey! Down here, hey!" Wait. Blue. Oh no.

Bullets. So many god damn bullets. The son died. She was hit, so many times. She pretended to die so they would go away. Then help came.

She carried her son onto the helicopter. They wrapped him into a blanket, and the soldiers said a prayer for him. The mother stayed silent. This damn war. She thought. You took away the only thing I love in this world.

She never did forget her son. She hopes that he's playing hide and seek with his daddy, up in the clouds. And, on rainy days, he's splashing in the puddles. You don't need your inhaler anymore, baby. You can breathe on your own now. She drops in onto his grave.

I'll see you soon, my angel.