Uprising

Chapter 1: Thomas

We were playing on a sandy landing surrounded by large boulders that jutted out from the mountain. My family lives below in a deserted valley with several others who had managed to build a small compound away from the destruction caused by the pandemic that plagued the earth just 30 years ago. My older brother, Eric, and I would often head up the narrow gravel path to that ledge and spend the entire day up there goofing off. It was yet another humid day and I could feel the golden rays of the sun beating down on me as I rushed the old red rubber ball. Dodging around my older brother, Eric, I kicked the ball straight past him and into the makeshift goal. The sweat beading up on my skin did little to cool me off, I gathered my shirt and lifted it to wipe my brow. I noticed Eric had done the same just before some of the other kids rushed up the pathway shouting for us to run. That was when the first bomb went off.

Men dressed completely in black were forcing the kids into giant gunmetal grey armored tanks while others slaughtered anyone who tried to oppose them. Military helicopters continued their airstrike as our friends, neighbors, and family ran for safety. I could feel Eric tugging at my shirt screaming for me to move but I was in shock. I watched as two of the men talked by the vehicles then one pointed right in my direction. I stumbled back landing on my ass, Eric tried to help me up and when I got back on my feet, flight mode finally kicked in.

We took off running for our lives, Eric kept telling me not to look back. That was hard to do as the screams of the other kids rang out above the gunshots and explosions. The men were gaining on those of us that had managed to evade the initial attack on the valley. Like me, Eric knew we couldn't outrun them so he yanked on my shirt pulling me towards the woods. I followed behind my brother as he jumped over rocks and logs, zig zagging pass trees but it was clear exhaustion was getting the best of him. His pace slowed and his head swiveled wildly looking for a place to hide us.

Eric ran down an embankment spotting a small alcove under some boulders and fallen trees, "Get in Tommy!" It was a whisper but the command was clear.

I crouched down crawling as far back under the rocks as I could, "But we both won't fit." Eric was quiet as he covered me in leaves and twigs.

"Just stay quiet Tommy and don't leave this spot, no matter what." His voice was low but there was a serious tone to it that did little to calm my fears. Just before leaving me there, Eric piled more brush and branches to completely conceal the opening to the alcove.

I heard the leaves crunching beneath his feet as he bolted away and the sound of a nearby bullet rang out from the barrel of a gun. I could feel my heart stop. I covered my mouth to keep from crying out as the tears welled up in my eyes. Every fiber in my body itched to run and search for Eric but I forced myself to stay put.

It seemed like only seconds later a howl pierced my ears, separated only by the brush and branches. I tried to slide further back but there was nowhere else for me to go as the covering Eric used to hide me was ripped down revealing a figure completely clad in black. Paralyzed in fear as gloved hands reached for me, dragging me out from beneath the rocks. I was carried back to the clearing and I saw for the first time the destruction these people have caused. Bodies were strewn about and fires burned our homes at the sight of it all I started to fight and struggle against my captor's hold. I managed to break free for a brief moment, sprinting off only to be tackled to the ground by two men. A third one walked over to me as I tried to wrestle my way free again. He bent down, hovering over me and forced my head to the side. I could feel the sharp scratch of a needle as it punctured my skin followed by a calmness as the cool liquid was injected. The last thing I remember was being picked up from the ground and thrown into one of their vehicles littered with the bodies of other unconscious kids and then it all went black.