Desolation Separation

Chapter 5: Bogs and Bays

Art Credit: strawberry-birb on tumblr!
https://strawberry-birb.tumblr.com/post/183203645566/amp

Chapter 5: Bogs and Bays

It's so unbelievably humid, a certain state had to escape his doom of turning into a puddle and quickly evaporating in the streets. He drove in his black early 1900's style car- a horrible choice considering his circumstances and got out of the city. Crossing the bridges over swamps littered with alligators, he hurriedly sped through freeways to marvel over the passing landscapes.

Earlier that day, Texas was sitting in his cozy office chair in a suit and tie and was given coffee from his friend Oklahoma, holding a cup of his own. Oklahoma sighed, stated he had to depart and head back to the onslaught of newfound chaos in his state- now his home country. Texas smiled and wished him goodbye.

A snazzy man continued to drive, exited his state and traveled swiftly through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana- and finally Texas. He looked sharp and very sweaty but bore bad news he hid away with a smile. A kind of smile where it never falters, a look of a politician used to wasting his days away playing bingo with the elders and dealing with rebellious city kids pretending to be Californians with their skateboards. Though- his mind trickled with sweat for more ways than just humidity, he bore news that could potentially lead to the death of millions. He risked himself by visiting Texas in this state, potentially getting himself dragged into another civil war. He much rather had watched from the sidelines. That's what he was hoping to achieve.

A black car parks in front of the capital building. Overlooking the lot, Texas heard the slamming of the car door. The click-clack of soles hitting the pavement in rhythmic fashion could be heard before the front door opened.

Outside his door, Texas heard the shout of men down below in response to the arrival to the mysterious person who had finally arrived. Almost instantaneously, the men silenced and Texas heard the footsteps ascend the wine carpeted stairs outside of his door. He looked away from his work and stared at his door, expecting a knock- instead the door opened, revealing Florida. Florida poked his head and torso out from behind the door, as if waiting for permission to come in.

"How's it going, friend?" Florida spoke in a sympathetic way, as if Texas was a child who fell ill. Florida looked behind himself before shutting the door urgently. The state locked it.

Texas picked up his phone, his finger hovering over the button to call in his guards.

Florida swiftly put his index finger in front of his mouth, "Don't call in your guards. You never know if they're moles." He spat out in a hushed whisper.

Texas squinted in suspicion but withdrew his hand from the button and set down the phone.

"Do you have cameras in here?"

"Yes, but I can turn them off. If you try to do anything you know I'd grind you into a pulp.

Florida scoffed. "You let Oklahoma mosey up here without this maltreatment! You know me!"

Yeah, I know both you and Oklahoma. And I know Oklahoma isn't a rat faced weasel.

Florida weakly chuckled.

"Anyhow," Florida started, lightly tugging at his collar. "You should turn off the cameras."

The camera in the corner turned off, its red light fading out. Florida coughed into his fist.

"How long until they find out?"

"10 minutes tops. Make it short."

Florida looked at his hands resting on his lap. "I'm staying neutral in this war- I hope you understand that." Florida glanced at Texas, catching his eyebrow raising. "Because of this, I luckily get to know things about both sides of this war."

"Hold on. War?" Texas stated, his speech coated in fear. Florida nodded in response, sweat trickling down his spine.

"America and the states have officially declared war. As of right now there's no mention of any other countries providing support but considering the massive military loss, oil loss, and just the sheer amount of people not being American citizens anymore- it wouldn't be surprising if a few, if not hundreds of countries began to provide support."

Texas held his head in his hands as Florida continued to ramble almost incoherently. "I've heard word by Georgia that America wants him and Virgina to ally together to take you down. I have no clue other than their proximity to North Carolina. They suspect that South Carolina will follow in North's lead, after all." Florida got up and leaned down in front of Texas' desk, standing on his toes at eye level. Texas lifted his head to make eye contact, looking into the sweltering mix of fear in the man's eyes. It wasn't fear as in a fear of a monster in the closet, but rather fear as to what's to come. Florida had the look as if he had seen nuclear bombs drop in front of him and knew that bombs were going to be flung down in other pastures. And to Texas, seeing that terrified him to his core. "You need to understand that it isn't just going to be signing contracts. You will be invaded, your people will die. I don't think your 'newfound country...'" Florida said with air quotes, "will survive this. I've heard that Georgia, Virgina, and the rest of the country will throw everything they have at you. Nothing will ever be the same after this." Florida spat out in fear. Florida saw what Texas was doing as naive and far too rash of a decision to be made so quickly. He thought the entire revolution was a shame to the American honor. Though, unlike with many states- he cared for what were his fellow people.

Florida got up from the ground and turned his back to Texas.

"If you don't believe me, you will once you see your citizens dying on the pavement."

Florida gently closed the door behind him.