Goodbye
James gazed in awe as the planes soared over his house, swooping so low he could almost see the pilot’s face.
He had always been enthralled by warfare. His father was in the army and James hadn’t seen him for about a year. Since his father's departure, James had always kept a photo of him under his pillow. Every night, before falling asleep, he would take the photo from under the pillow and stare at it whilst always trying to fantasise what it would be like in his father’s shoes.
Moreover, what James found most enticing were fighter planes. He knew everything he needed to know about them, but still, it was always a treat when he actually spotted one. It was not uncommon for his mother to find James transfixed to the windowsill, gaping at the planes soaring overhead. Somehow, they had always made it to the shelter in time.
But what happened on the night that James would always remember with dread was unprecedented.
His mother, Karen, burst into the room, and ran over to James, who, as always, was standing behind the closed window staring wide-eyed at the aircraft shooting through the air. “James, move!” she said, seizing his arm. James was brought out of his stupor as both him and his mum rushed through the door, praying that they would manage to reach the shelter before the planes did.
"Why do you always disobey me?!? I told you to come downstairs as fast as you can when the sirens ring!" his mum said angrily, spittle flying out of her mouth.
"But I-I," James stammered guiltily.
"Never mind now, keep moving!" said his mum, "Pray that we reach the shelter in time!" She led the way downstairs, and James followed, shame welling up inside him.
They went down the stairs two or three at a time. When they were halfway through, Karen slipped and momentarily lost the grip on her son’s arm. James was already at the bottom of the staircase before realizing what had occurred. He rushed back to aid his mother, who, despite having steadied herself by grabbing the rail lining the stairs, had twisted her ankle.
Her face paled in agony, but said “James, the key, get the door key, it's behind your father's photo! I’ll soon…” She was interrupted by a huge resounding crack overhead. As one, James and his mother stared upwards, in time to see the collapsing ceiling. James staggered back to avoid the oncoming debris, but almost at once started forward again, intent on helping his mother in any way he could.
She looked at him, and their eyes locked for a split second. "I love you," she whispered, as huge chunks of stone collapsed on her head.
“Mum!!” he screamed, but at the same time, something hit his head, and he was knocked unconscious, left to the mercy of the world.
***
James woke up. It felt as if his own body had turned against him as pain seared throughout him, rooting him to the spot. Then a blast of realization hit him. “Mum!” he croaked, throat parched with thirst. He made to stand, but a gentle hand pushed him back down. His eyes were blinded with tears as he heard someone say,” Stay where you are. Here, drink this.”
"No, let me up, help me stand," James said.
"You're not in a condition to go anywhere," the stranger replied gently, and James knew that he must be severely injured. He wiped his eyes and took the bottle he was offered as he stared at the stranger kneeling beside him. He was looking at James with pitiful eyes.
“Mum,” James whispered once more.
The outlander’s eyes sparkled with his own tears. “I’m sorry,” he replied, “There was nothing I could do for her. It’s a miracle that I managed to drag you out alive.”
Such a bittersweet comfort. There he lay, alive but broken, as those he loved had been taken away from him. James felt his eyes prickle with tears, and a sob escaped him. He cried of guilt, fear and grief. An overwhelming sense of hopelessness threatened to engulf him, but then he fell unconscious out of sheer exhaustion.
He woke up again at dawn. Realising that his saviour was sound asleep, he tried to sit up and managed, painfully. He tried to gather his thoughts, but his mother’s death was still fresh in his mind; he broke down again as fresh tears streamed down his face.
A long time passed before James was able to steady himself. He took gulps of air, yet every breath he took was pain. He glanced around, and noticed that he was in an unnatural place. An eerie, almost scary silence filled the air. No birds sung. No sirens whirred. He could not see another living thing apart from the stranger and himself. To the north, he could see a colossal fortified city that stretched out for miles without end. Gigantic buildings loomed over smaller houses. A sort of dreary sound seemed to be emanating from the distant city; James could almost imagine it sneering at the helplessness of the vulnerable human staring at its power. To the south lay what James took to be an assortment of villages. Compared to the city in the opposite direction, these villages were like a nest of fieldmice that knew they were doomed to die at the hands of the farmer's cats. To the west and east, nothing. An abyss swallowed in the shadows of the rising sun.
James struggled to keep his thoughts away from the terrible ordeal he had just endured, but he knew one thing. He wanted answers. As soon as the stranger woke up, he would badger him until he managed to string together the whys and whats twirling around in his head.
A wave of exhaustion hit him. It's as if the air raid drained me of every ounce energy had James thought. His eyelids began to stoop, and before he knew it, James had once again toppled into oblivion.
Gender:
Points: 955
Reviews: 24