Desolation Separation

Chapter 1: Rowdy Cowboys

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Chapter 1: Rowdy Cowboys

Texas was the next country to leave The Union. Texas and North Carolina had always been good friends as they were both Southern and have had histories of being rebellious in general. Texas always told NC that he would follow suite with him, and to take his word for it.

When they were young, NC acted as Texas' older brother. He was the first to declare independence from King George, and so the large state admired NC for his determination for freedom- the same way he personally had with Mexico. Texas always told The Tar Heel State he could leave the states whenever he wished, but rather declared that since NC was the oldest one in line that he would do whatever he did.

When The Civil War came into play, Texas left the Union once more- surprisingly before NC made the choice to. NC felt guilt for leaving him to fight for so long without support- so he gave it his all once he finally joined the confederacy. Although the southern states regret their actions entirely, NC was glad that he protected his little brother. So you, as the reader may be questioning why North Carolina is doing this again, although he had seemingly made this mistake in the past. It isn't a mistake though. It's what he has to do to survive. It's what you have to do after a hundred years of political corruption within a country. Millions of lives have been lost, primarily lives from Fort Bragg- that North Carolina couldn't let continue at an exponential rate that it had been under American rule.

The day after North Carolina declared independence, he sat in his bedroom within the state capital building. He fiddled with a small America doll that was sold every Fourth of July which ironically was a couple days away. Texas stood outside his so-called brothers bedroom and knocked- soon hearing a "come in," from inside. He opened the door and ducked while entering the room. Texas' height was oftentimes bothersome.

"I heard that you're leaving the Union," North Carolina said while looking down at the doll. He looked at the taller Freed State and put the America doll into a small chest, then put the chest under his bed. He made contact with his sibling country and watched as Texas sat down next to him.

"Of course I would," Texas started off and looked over at the smaller one. "You're a brother to me, I've said over and over that I would follow in your footsteps." North Carolina smiled a little.

"You know, although I've seemed cocky and very well- outspoken about this whole shebang, I still feel like state congress and I made a rash decision." He spoke softly, now fiddling his fingers instead of with the doll.

Texas scoffed. "You've been wanting to leave the country for fifty years. You've been waiting for this moment for a generation. North Carolina citizens have been waiting for this, you've made a smart decision. And Texas has always followed you in your footsteps. I've always admired you and I'm glad to have shaped Texan culture to appreciate your state- well country now- just as much as I have." Texas bumped his shoulder into his close companion.

"You may be more of a southern hick than I am, but you sure have a way with words." North Carolina laughed.

"What does that mean!" Texas exclaimed, jumping out of the bed to face his brother.

———

After a long and friendly talk, Texas left North Carolina's bedroom. North Carolina felt hot, his arms were burning. North Carolina quickly took off his jacket to see that the sewn on American flags were now giant holes in his clothing, the burnt smell now permeating throughout the small room. North Carolina coughed and walked away from his bed, and took a couple steps forward to dump his jacket on his closet floor. He left the door open, and looked around his room.

It was a dirty room, he couldn't lie about that. His twin bed frame was a dirty metallic gold that rested long ways against the wall dead center of the room. North Carolina used the thing more like a couch rather than a bed. To the left of his bed was a old circular wooden bed stand. On top was a mess of old used tissues, a slender and futuristic lamp, and a jumble of army magazines. Although magazines were incredibly out of date; he still found himself reading them over and over, admiring the yellowed pages and old smell of cigarettes. North Carolina took it all in and looked out the square window to his left. He felt disgusting- not because of his previous actions, but rather he had allowed himself to collect such a mess. He really should start cleaning up. Instead, he walked over to the window and opened it, letting the smoke flow out of the room.

He started to question why his clothes magically were set on fire. Soon, it hit him- it was the obvious reason.

Whenever a state leaves a country, the spirit of the country changes to accommodate this factor, their personality and culture, their flags and all- warps to adjust to what was lost. And for North Carolina, although he was a state, he has lost connection to the host spirit of the country that he was once apart of. The American flag burnt up into flames because the new found country had completely disconnected to his past.

North Carolina felt strange. His face was tingling and losing feeling over his left eye. He turned towards a mirror and saw the words on his flag warp from the old dates, May 20th 1775- the date when the Mecklenburg was signed, to July 1st 2119. The date below his eye, the oh so famous date when North Carolina officially declared independence, April 12th, 1776. That date now changed to July 2nd, 2119. The new dates now have represented America signing the Declaration of Independence from America, to its official separation from the Union.

Out of shock and amazement, North Carolina rushed outside to see the congressmen talking to each other. He called out to them and they marveled over their little friend signaling that they had officially gotten what they wanted- true freedom. America had recognized that North Carolina was its own country.

The entire rest of the night was spent partying. The new country celebrated with Texas included, and by the end of the night they sat together once again on the front steps of the capital building. North Carolina watched the fancy low flying cars wiz by, noting the large skyscrapers littered throughout the city.

"So," Texas started off. "Does this mean my flag will change too?"

North Carolina shrugged. "I don't think so. Your flag doesn't have anything noting your connections to America other than the colors- but even then, I don't think it means much."

"Yeah, you're probably right."

The two continued to look out into the city when a man erupted out of the capital building. He was panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face.

"North Carolina, Texas," He said out of breath, looking at both of them. "California is succeeding from the Union."

North Carolina and Texas looked at each other in shock.

"California?" The Tar Heel State said in surprise.

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