Children of War - Chapter 1, An Unforgiving Moment
Dan's POV cont'dWhen I opened the door, I saw approximately four armed men at my doorstep."Is everything okay?" I asked."We need to inspect your house" one of them said."Uhh," I scratched the back of my neck "okay."The four men stepped inside and began looking through the rooms and checking for things... I don't know what... Or who they were looking for. Everything about us was legitimate. We paid our taxes and kept all of our files and papers valid. I only hid my children because I didn't want anything to happen to them."Do you have any children" one of the soldiers asked."Uhh, yes... Yes I do" I stuttered a bit."Where are they now?" He asked."They're out and about... Playing around" I replied."Do you happen to know where they are?" He asked."No" I shook my head."You are a father and you don't know where your kids are?" he questioned."Pretty much" I shrugged my shoulders."What kind of father are you?" He asked rhetorically before leaving to go inspect another room.I sighed. I was a good father... Or so I thought. I cared for my children everyday, I made sure they were healthy and happy, I taught them the important things in life and I am there for them. If that doesn't make me a good father, then I don't know what will.My wife, Angela was sewing a sweater for Tom. Or so she made it look like she was sewing a sweater for Tom. I needed to look like I was doing something productive, but I wanted to keep an eye on these guys. In fact, they shouldn't even be here! I have rights. I have eight rights collectively, we all do, and I cherish them and memorize them, as they are all we have here;1. The right to own/buy property2. The right to make an income, as long as 30% is taken as tax money3. The right to speak your mind, provided it is not about political matters4. The right to defend yourself from outlaws5. The right to have governmental protection6. The right to medicine7. The right to water (does not specify if it is clean or sanitary)8. The right to education (up to grade 6, as 7-12 must be government approved)These were the soul rights of all citizens who lived in the Republic of Florida. When I was a kid, there were 16, but when our new leader was sworn into oath, he stripped many of our rights. As for the eighth right, my children have never seen a classroom. I don't trust the way this country would teach my children. It's bad enough that on March 1 (Florida independence day) all citizens must go to a bigger nearby town and speak their pledge to the republic. I used to like this country, but now, with soldiers barging into my home and disturbing my family, I'm not liking it so much."So... Why are you here?" I ask one of the soldiers.There was no answer.I ask again.No answer."Can you at least look at me an
respond!?" I yell at him.The soldier turns around and approaches my slowly, to the point where we were only about half an inch away from each others' faces. He stared at me and growled. It made me shiver and I broke eye contact, staring at the ground in defeat."You don't say another word until we're gone, okay?" He spoke harshly.I still didn't look at him."Okay!!??" He speaks louder."Yes sir" I speak softly.I really wanted these guys out of my house, but how? I could just wait until they leave, or I could do something about them. I liked the first idea the best, it had the better outcome. It's like an illness, you can't always fight it, you just have to let it pass.After the soldiers finished inspecting the house, they went outside. I got scared as that was where my children were hiding, in the barn. I swiftly followed them. This was my property, and I have the right to know what goes on in it... Or do I? That isn't one of the eight rights, but still. Even if I don't have that right, I have the responsibility."Be careful with that!" I got upset.They were rummaging through my stuff recklessly as if they didn't care that it wasn't theirs. I wanted them to leave. This never happened before, what the hell is up with this? What's happening? One day it's all normal and things are great and the next I have the Florida Militia breaking down my door snooping through my house."What the hell is going on?" I snapped. "You never do this, never! Why now? What's happing right now?" I demanded to know.One of the soldiers turned around and approached me. "You need to let us do our jobs. Now, get out of my way."He shoved me to the side. I just about lost it but I had to keep it cool, I didn't want to end up dead. My wife and children need me."Honey," Angela called."Yes, dear?" I replied."Come inside please" she insisted."Alright, I'll be right there!" I responded.I walked up to the back door of my house, opened the door and walked in. I closed the door behind me and wiped off my feet on the carpet."Is there something wrong?" I asked."Do you know where Tom and Jeffrey are?" She whispered."They're hiding under the hay, in the barn. There's a small trapdoor that they can hide under" I replied quietly, making sure I wasn't heard.Angela sat down and sighed in stress. I sat down too, feeling a bit stressed myself. I wiped my eyes and rested my elbow on the table. We both sat there for a moment, wondering what would come next. I hoped for the soldiers to leave. I didn't know what they are searching for, but whatever it is, I hope it isn't here.I got up to use the washroom, as I finished I washed my face so my thick fur shined. My grey raccoon fur shined quite well, as well as Angela's and Tom's. Jeffrey's fur was darker, more brown than grey, but even his raccoon fur was thick.I suddenly heard screaming,
and immediately reacted. I rushed outside to see what was going on, and it was a sight I did not want to believe. Angela, Tom and Jeffrey were on the ground while the soldiers aimed their assault rifles at them."I knew you were hiding something, Daniel!" One of the soldiers shouted.I realized that the same soldier had talked to me each time. He was a bull. A big buff bull who towered over everyone. This bull was a real bully."L-let them go! P-please!" I cried."You lie to us, tell us to leave, follow us around... And you expect us to just walk out of here like nothing ever happened!?" He snorted."You're in my-" I was interrupted when the bull fired several rounds into the air with his fully-automatic assault rifle. He then pointed his weapon at me, and I raised my arms in the air."Don't test my patience" he said. "You two kids! Yeah you! Get the fuck up!" He yelled at Tom and Jeffrey. "UP!" He looked at my wife, Angela and said; "you too, lady! Get up!" He grabbed her and threw her on her feet."T-take it e-easy! D-don't h-hurt them p-please!" I begged."KEEP QUIET DAMNIT!" He yelled at me, pointing his rifle at me.The bull then withdrawn two pistols from one of the other soldiers and walked over to Tom and Jeffrey. "There's only one bullet in each gun," he handed them the weapons.Angela and I were then lined up side-by-side on our knees while the soldiers made sure we sat still.The bull looked at Tom and Jeffrey and spoke "shoot them!"There was a moment of silence. I could hear Tom and Jeffrey beginning to cry."Let me get this clear! If you don't shoot them in the head! Then I will! And If I have to do it! Then I'm gonna shoot you too!" The bull exclaimed. "You have one shot! No 'missing' you're at point blank range!"Tom stood in front of Angela, and Jeffrey stood in front of me. Slowly they raised their weapons up to our faces and held them there. No words were spoken. I could see Jeffrey's face, he was devastated, and his hand was shaking like I've never seen before."I love you, dad" Jeffrey said so quietly even I could barely hear him. But his words were like harmony to my ears. He never said that to me enough, and quite frankly, he may never that again.Two shots were fired simultaneously.