This is not a silent night.
The rumble of a thousand soldiers tortures the peaceful tranquility of the night. Hundreds of camel caravans carry Crimson Brigade soldiers through the fifth ring of the Benevolent district, and out of the capital. The thousands of soldiers carry rifles, flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and other high-powered military equipment.
"Is there a war going on that I just don't know about?" asks a man with a red bird feather tattoo in the middle of his chest.
A woman with the same tattoo on her ankle stands beside the man. She holds a pair of binoculars over her eyes. A red-billed homing pigeon obediently perches on her shoulder.
"This is unprecedented," she says.
The two sit on the ledge of a five story housing unit, which gives them a scenic view of the rapidly departing troops.
"We have to inform Byrd and Twister. That's got to be all of them" says the man.
"Indeed. They've been trickling out of here furtively since last week, but tonight..." the woman pauses.
She removes the binoculars from her face.
"It's as if they're making an announcement" she finishes.
"Announcement? You think they've caught on to our espionage?" the man asks.
The moonlight illuminates the hazel eyes of the woman, who tucks the binoculars inside of her bag. She waits for the final caravan of soldiers to depart into the night before standing.
"That's the thing. I don't think the announcement is for us" she says.
"Relay our discovery to Twister and Byrd by tomorrow. I'm going to take two other Nationalist and trail behind them. We need to know where they're headed" she continues.
The woman nudges her head towards the pigeon on her shoulder.
"As soon as we figure out their destination, I'll send Scarlet over with a letter."
***
Amara and Byrd plod through golden sand that reaches their ankles. Amara examines the rows of five story housing units lined on the sides of a long stretch of sand. Paint peels off of the surface of the homes, rust eats away at the gutters, and windows are boarded with wooden planks.
"These homes. They remind me of the homes I used to live in back home" says Amara.
"And where's home?" asks Byrd.
"Laissez Faire" answers Amara.
Byrd's eyes light up.
"Are you serious? Laissez Faire is the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world! I thought everyone there lived in a mansion?!" asks Byrd.
Amara smiles at Byrd's incredulity and sighs.
"You can't believe everything you read in brochures. Even the richest countries in the world have their slums. Money just makes it easier to shine light on the beautiful parts and leave the other parts shrouded in shadow" says Amara.
Byrd nods and emits a humble laugh.
"You're right. I should have guessed that. But wait, if you're from Laissez Faire, then what are you doing here in Mao country?" asks Byrd.
Byrd looks towards Amara, but only sees a scorpion dip underneath a hole in the foundation of a housing unit. She spins back around and catches Amara staring at a mural on the side of a home. Byrd eyes the mural and instantly feels her body heat increase a couple degrees.
YOU ARE READING
Walking Dollar Bills
AdventureA story about four people, who make a deal with the devil, and end up with the power of God. This is "Walking Dollar Bills" Forget becoming a millionaire or even a billionaire. Jeff who? What happens when your wealth doesn't come from assets or skil...
