A Shout Shook The Silence

Just another ordinary day, in the ordinary town where everyone was making their way around and enjoying themselves. He smiled to himself as he saw a child pick a flower for her mother. It was a snowdrop. A pure, pristine snowdrop. He always linked those to purity and youth. The perfect gift for her mother from this little five year old. ''Theus! How's my mate doing?'' He turns to find the grinning face of Zach, his co-worker. They both live in this small town and are both a part of the security force. ''Zach, my man! Good to see you!'' he slaps Zach's back, ''I'm grand, thank you! And yourself?''

Zach laughs, ''Busy, as per usual!''

''How's the wife?''

''Ah...'' Zach's expression saddens slightly, ''She's seen better days, Theus... That headache she has won't leave her, no matter what remedies we try!''

''Have you taken her to Silky?'' Silky is the healer around here. They all call her Silky because her hair and skin look silky-smooth.

''Hmm... No. I didn't actually... I'll do that today! Thanks, bro!'' Zach slaps Theus's back. ''Good God, Zach! are you trying to cripple me?''They both laugh but then quieten down. ''I'll see you later, Theus!'' Zach smiles and leaves with a friendly wave.

Theus walks around the small town, looking at the stalls, buying a few things here and there because he wanted to spread his cash around. It sickens him, the amount of money he is given to protect this town but they can't spend one penny on these people who are starving to death on the streets. He passes a little boy, who must be seven or eight, getting some money for food. This child is so skinny you could crush his frail body with the lightest embrace... He stops the child and gives him one hundred gold pieces, ''Go and get some proper food, dear one.'' The child's face lights up and he runs, getting some food on the way past. Theus's mouth curves into a smile. He loves that. Making a poor child's day, or even year.

The town suddenly goes errily quiet as a black SUV with blacked out windows appears. Theus's eyes widen at the sight. It's the President... He runs and searches for Zach and Timmothy. Once he finds them, he hissws, ''It's the President! Come on!'' The three run towards the square, afraid of what this surprise visit could mean.

As the President takes to the platform, there are continous, repeating echoes of his arrival.

''Why's he here?''

''What have we done now?''

''A new law being issued?''

''Ugh, no one likes him. Can't he stay away?''

''Quiet, please, my fellow citizens.'' The murmurs quieten until it's so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

''Thank you. I'm sorry about the unshedueled visit but I have a new law to enforce in this own.'' Suddenly, it's like the crowd took a collective inhalation, holding their breath.''

''I have been told that the market here... Is a black market. Meaning it is selling merchandise illegaly. I am colsing this down and whoever is a part of this, will receive a severe punishment. A public whipping or a tentious torture. We will decide. This law is enforced from this moment forward.''

SILENCE

No one could believe what was just declared by the President. People here can't afford food from the business part of town, only the rich folk do that. Suddenly, a shout shook the silence.

''You can't do this! This is our way of life! Our way to stay alive!''

Theus didn't realise that the shout of anger and pure hatred came from his own lips until Zach hissed at him, ''Theus! You wanna die?!''

Another shout. Then another. Then another and the whole crowd started to rebel. Guards from the President's mansion started attacking people to, what they claim as, calm the riot. The President was looking up at the crowd, the riot in his streets, allowing his guards to break innocent bones and bruise harmless faces. Theus looks around frantically, spots his wife and three year old child and runs, taking and locking them in the safety of their home. Once he's put them out of danger, he runs and joins the riot, trying with all his might to protect the innocent people.

After all has quietened down, the President and his guards crafted from the hands of Satan gone, the wounded and dead surround Theus, broken and bloodied. He inhales deeply through his mouth, trying to calm himself as he hears te cries of now orphaned children. He spots the snowdrop, now battered and torn apart, remembering the mother and child earlier... As his eyes full with hatred and an uncontrollable lust for the President's cold blood, three words come to mind...

THIS ISN'T OVER.