Writing Prompt

“Please tell me the reports are wrong,” Leila said as she stared at the newly arrived reports in front of her.

Damage assessments, radiological samples of the surrounding areas following the naval exchange, increases in alert statuses within the US, deployments of strategic aircraft, and troops movements all indicated the preparation for a massive strike. She looked at the map displayed on the screen.

“We all wish, but the situation is what it is,” Dianna said calmly and she periodically peeked at the map. “Nuclear weapons were exchanged, there’s no doubt about that. We need to prepare accordingly for the consequences, but we need to do it right. They’re preparing as well.”

“What do you recommend?” Yessica asked anxiously, although she thought knew the answer already.

“Immediate dispersal and deployment of our strategic bombers, and complete deployment of our missile and strategic artillery divisions. Arm them all. Begin pre-launch sequences for ground-based ICBMs and give release orders to all forces with tactical nuclear capabilities. It won’t give them permission to use weapons, but they’ll have the weapons ready to use once you say the word. Last but not least...we need to evacuate.” Dianna said firmly, but also reluctantly.

The heads around the table turned to Leila and Yessica.

“Evacuate?” They both asked with uncertainty.

“Yes, evacuate. Like it or not, we are practically in a state of war that is set to turn into a strategically nuclear one at any moment. We need to evacuate High Command and the Generalissima immediately to the Sabagotá Complex so that, should the worst happen, we can continue to issue orders and continue government operations.”

The heads watched in fear, but nodded in agreeement.

Leila looked at Yessica, then shook her head.

“So you’re saying I have to issue the order to prepare for a nuclear war?” Leila asked in disbelief.

“Technically, no. We’re asking her,” Dianna motioned to Yessica, who continued to stare at the screen where US and Shirazi units were displayed.

“Her?”

“Correct. By Thalia’s order before she died, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, she also received custody and authority over the nation’s nuclear arsenal.” Dianna stated.

Yessica leaned back and shook her head, and then sat back forward and grabbed her pen and began signing a handful of papers off to her side.

“I am giving you all the orders to disperse and arm our strategic forces. I am giving full release authority. I am giving the order for the missile and strategic artillery divisions to deploy to their firing points. I am giving the order for the Ministry of Civil Defense to begin emergency preparations for imminent attacks. I am giving an order for all key political and military personnel to evacuate to their designated wartime facilities until further notice.” Yessica said shakily as she passed the paper orders to Dianna, who immediately passed them off to be disseminated accordingly.

As everyone began to stand up, Leila stopped and shot out of her seat.

“Wait!” Leila snapped loudly, and the bodies soon sank back in their chairs. “You’re not even going to discuss it with me? You’re just gonna make that call?”

“Leila, this is war. It’s a military matter now. What the fuck do you plan on doing if not this? You can’t talk American ICBMs out of the air. If you can somehow convince the President not to do anything stupid fine by me, but for now, we need to prepare for the worst. Now let’s fucking go, the car is waiting to take us to Sabagóta.” Yessica said loudly, and ushered the others to leave.

Leila stood glaring for a moment, then hurriedly gathered her things and took off with the others to the motorcade.

“Madam President, we have Air Force One on line one.” A young lieutenant said to Leila as she sank into an officer chair in the main conference room of the deep bunker.

“Thank you Lieutenant.” She replied warmly, and pressed a button on the black phone at her side.

“Leila,” President Ravenwood said sternly, “what are you doing over there? Do you have any idea of the consequences of your actions?”

“I am acting in the best interests of my nation.” Leila said anxiously, shifting around in her chair in hopes it would ease some of the tensions built up inside her.

“You need to stop this. We’re monitoring your troop movements, your strategic deployments, everything. All my advisors are telling me is that as of right now, I should strike all your strategic targets and eliminate the possibility of an attack,” he continued, and in the background i heard the muffled commotion from those around him telling him not to say anymore, “Tell me why I shouldn’t do this.”

“We are acting in defense of our nation.” Yessica snapped angrily before Leila could answer. “Your ships entered our territorial waters first. We told them to turn back and they refused, so we engaged. It was your ship to use the first nuke, not ours.”

“We are acting on behalf of the Free World. Something you all will never understand, but one day you will .” The President snapped angrily.

“Some day we will.” Yessica chuckled before disconnecting the line.

Leila stared at Yessica in disbelief before bolting from her seat. Before she could snap at her sister, an Air Force officer burst into the room and whispered something to Dianna, whose face gave a grim look.

“Our radar is picking up several unidentified objects approaching from the sea. Preliminary detection systems indicate cruise missiles. They’re believed to be targeted for our ballistic missile warning stations. Also, the Americans are scrambling their bombers.” Dianna muttered blankly.

Leila and Yessica looked at each other, their faces pale.

“We have to attack,” Leila said to Yessica, who was still stunned by the news. “Now!”

Quickly, Yessica snapped out of her trance and nodded, and motioned for the officer carrying a black briefcase to come over. Much like their American and Russian counterparts, this case contained everything needed to authorize the release of strategic weapons.

She picked up the phone on the desk and pressed several buttons then waited for a moment.

“Generals, this is Field Marshal Velez. We are skipping standby phases. Attack orders will arrive momentarily,” She said calmly as she flipped through a book from the case. “As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I am giving Attack Order 74ZE. I repeat, Attack Order 74ZE has been issued. Do your duty to our nation. Goodbye.”

She set the handset back down and sank into her chair, and everyone else sat in silence. There wasn’t much to say in the last 30 minutes before history changed forever.

Do you not see it ahead of us? It taunts us, calls to us, begs for its destruction.

Look out neatly the shirts are folded, the pants look perfect. The workers spent such careful time in this display, and it shows.

It must be destroyed.

Woe be it to the retail slaves! Show no mercy on their displays. In truth, we know the item we seek is not here, nor is it in that mysterious dimension known only as “the back,” for we asked one of the workers, and they speak the truth. It is not our truth, though, so we must destroy.

We are the cat eyeing the Christmas tree.

We are the toddler heading to the jenga game.

We are the soul sucking destroyers of dreams, a hurricane of humanity.

Are you open?

I look around at my friends. Comrades. We’ve all gathered for an important mission. Boris wearing a faded shirt that barely covers his hairy stomach. Tiffany and Stephanie (don’t get them confused!) in matching miniskirts and heels that are inappropriate for today’s assignment. Alphonso Romeo in his usual army getup that strains against his muscles. And me, Roxy, in my jeans and sweater.

We wait for Captain Eli’s command, patiently. On his signal we march and attack the evil multicoloured Aliens who are holding little Buddy hostage. We are filled with rage at his kidnapping- he gives the best hugs.

“We must attack, now!” commands our brave and revered captain. Immediately we rush forward. In waves, we attack the Aliens and knock them to the ground. We storm the tower where Buddy is being held and-

“Eli, Dinner’s ready!” calls Josephine from the kitchen. “Coming mom!” he runs downstairs.

Alas, our mission is put on hold. Stephanie and Tiffany- wait, did I get them mixed up again?- lean against Boris’ paws, giving their rubbery legs a break (but not literally, because they don’t want to end up like Brittany) and Alphonso Romeo uses his kung-fu grip to tear down a Lego block from the tower to sit on. I can hear buddy wagging his tail and the scattered Aliens trying in vain to stand upright again.

I stand and face the door, waiting for our fearless leader’s return. Or for his sister Zoë to come in and take us girls back to her dollhouse.

Adelaide settled on talking to her shadow, who was very wise. The girl enjoyed the company of others but it was never as refreshing as the sickening comfort of the dark friend that sunk into her bones. “What will I do, shadow?” she asked, making sure to maintain politeness. ~you have no choice but to play with his feelings too, young adelaide ~, grinned the abyssal presence. “But, shadow, would that not be rather rude?” ~to reject your love was insulting too, dear~ it reminded, lacing what seemed to be fingers with hers. ~we shall coat our words in honey and then stab his back, and when he is vulnerable we can torture him slowly~ Adelaide’s shadow was growing aroused by the mention of sin with each syllable, a tongue-like shape hanging out of the hole in its “face” When the creature noticed the discontentment in Adelaide’s reaction he recollected himself quickly. ~oh, sweet untainted adelaide. you know i could never do something to harm you! after all, i am a but part of you giving some much needed advice. these thoughts are your thoughts and you must act on them at once!~ The girl, whose age a delicate 9, grinned in realisation. “We must attack now” she breathed, her rosy cheeks pinned in a deadly smile. She felt her companion slide into her bones and she gave a satisfied shudder.

~good girl adelaide ~

“What the hell do you mean?” I shout back over the noises bombarding my ears through my headphones.

“Now! Attack, now!” She yells again, using her controller to press fire, the bullets coming out rapidly from her gun.

I fight off some of the dummies, kicking, firing my gun, trying to get closer to my partner in the battlefield, who was being preoccupied by a particularly large dummy.

“I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN! I’M FUCKING — FIGHTING THEM OFF WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?” I scream back at this point, she shoots a quick glare at me before she looks back at her screen.

“We must attack,now! See that opening?” She points at the screen, but quickly goes back to press her controller, “FUCK! Ugh, Just get inside, okay? I’m holding some of them off now but it won’t be long till they have the opening covered so do me a fucking favor and RUN!”

I roll my eyes at her nagging, pushing my joystick forward as I run. Kicking a few dummies and avoiding their attacks as I slip through the opening she wanted me to get through.

“I’m in,” I tell her.

“Great, now get to the heart, we get the heart, we—“

“—We win the game, I know. I’ve played this game before, in case you forgot.”

“Whatever,” She mutters, probably intending for me not to hear. I don’t acknowledge it though, I just roll my eyes, running my character through the cave to the heart.

I’ve memorized this map with the millions of times that I’ve played this game, at this point, it was like it was implanted into the back of my head.

I spot the soft glowing of the heart, wrapping around the corner of the cave. I make a run for it, not forgetting the three guards standing around the heart to protect it.

I reload my gun. Stepping around the corner to face the three guards, shooting... one.. two..

.. GAME OVER.

“Fuck!” She yells. “Again?!”

She throws off her headphones and looks at me.

I roll my eyes, “Okay, sorry! Geez, it’s just a stupid game.”

“A game we spent 60 dollars respectively on. I’m not keep losing at this level,”

“Then how about YOU go and tru diving into the heart? Why does it always have to be me?”

“You know what? Fine, how about I dive. I never said it had to be you.”

Before we could even start a new round, our mom comes into the room, make up, and a red lip on. “Hey guys, we should get going in a few minutes. Finish up the game and get to the car, okay?”

“Okay,” We both say. The look of defeat growing on our face.

“How long have you been playing that stupid game, you STILL haven’t won?” Mom asks jokingly, but it makes us groan. She laughs in reply, “Just get dressed, we’re leaving in ten.”

“We can’t fight back Will!” I yelled back.

“Now or never!” He said shrugging me out of the way.

“You don’t even know what your doing!” I said.

But Will ignored me and continue to walk up the stairs with the bag of rocks.

“Could you just listen! Just-this-once-Will!”

He stop mid step before turning slowly towards me.

“What?” He said bluntly after a few seconds.

“Look...I get that your angry but your not even thinking straight-

But before I could continue, he cut me off walking down the stairs and pushing me upagainst the wall.

I started to panicked when I realize just how bad Will wanted this.

But three inches from my face, Will was dead calm.

“I never ask you for anything before...and I did listen to what you had to say.”

“So do me a favor. And butt-out!”

And with that he turned and walked away.

“So that’s it?” I ask after adjusting everything that just happen.

“Your gonna go?” My voice started to shake.

“Seriously that’s it?” I ask again but he didn’t hear me once he reach the top of the stairs.

Walking away from the wall, I followed him to the parking lot.

“Are you freaking kidding me Will?”

He started unlocking the door to the gray van.

“Y-you said....that you were gonna create balance that you-you wouldn’t...”

But he already closed the car door in my face and started starting up the car.

“What hell Will! Don’t do this!”

He started to pull off when I got in front of the car.

“Move.” He said.

“No.”

“No really like seriously move.”

“No Will.”

....

“Damnit MOVE!” He screech hitting his hand on the wheel.”

“NO!” I argued back.

“You promised. And you lied Will. And this-“ I said waving my hand to our surroundings.

“This Will! What your doing? Is bullshit. And you-are bullshit. I mean how do you expect me to just let you go off and-and I just...”

“When I went off the handle- you always stop me from doing any stupid shit. But it’s like your blind to yourself. Do you really not see what dumb thing your about to commit right now? And what comes after it? Just because you tell me to fuck off? I won’t. Because after all you did for me Will. I won’t let you go.”

Will signed in the car.

“Look I see where your coming from. But it’s still not your decision...it’s mine. I’m gonna fight back. Wether you try to stop me or not, I won’t let you get in my way. Hell I’d go on foot if I have to. Now...move.”

I didn’t move.

He got out the car and did something I never thought he’d actually do ever, and punch me in the face.

Twice!

“Shit Will! I think you just broke my nose!” I said keeping my head up so the blood won’t come dripping down.

“We must attack, now!” The virions made their way past her tonsils and ventured into the dark depths of her craw. The lazier ones snuggled into the dark mucoid folds of her pharynx while the more determined virions made their way further down into her larynx. The rebels of the lot went against gravity towards her Eustachian tubes. These troublemakers had no qualms about the pain they were going to cause their ignorant little female host who would notice their presence only two days later.

Their ancestors had bestowed upon them a gift somewhat like that of a Trojan horse. Sneakily, they invaded their unsuspecting victims using their structurally complementary appendages to latch onto the respiratory receptors of their favourite species. They favoured the young who lacked hygienic boundaries and the old who were immunocompromised.

Three days later, after complaining of a sore throat, ear pain and a runny nose, the little girl was diagnosed with influenza.

“We must attack now!”

The battle cry sounds from every platform Every pulpit, every political party The battle cry sounds from every mouth From every hardened heart

We must attack and attack and attack.

Attack everyone who is different Everyone who disagrees The left attack the right And the right attacks the left

Every tribe, nation and tongue Must attack until we are all undone

Unmade

Attack on every rampart And on every webpage On every social media post

Attack every skin color Every ideology Every belief Every idea Every failure Every success

Attack until there is nothing left No one left to attack

The enemy was closing in and there was nothing we could do. We were stuck and there was nothing I could do to save my team. The only action we could take is attacking back. I don’t like violence. I know what you’re thinking. If I don’t like violence, then why did I join military? I joined because my parents were never proud of me and everything I did was never good enough. I heard the men coming in and I had to take action now. “We must attack, now!” I screamed. All the soldiers awoke and quickly gathered their guns to fight back. We marched forward until we say the enemy in the distance, and we waited for them to approach. Once they realized we were ready for them to fire, they waited. “What is going on” I heard one of my soldiers whisper. “I think they are trying to catch us off guard. Whatever you do, keep your guard up.” I whispered back, making sure the opposing team doesn’t here. “I see you heard we were coming in your direction.” General Dorball, the general of the enemy team, spoke. “Yes, sir. What is it to you, why do you think of attacking us at such an hour?” I answer. Before I had time to think, the opposing general fired a shot, and my men were falling to the ground one by one, leaving me with only 400 men left. I couldn’t think, I could only hear gunshots, and then there was nothing. I couldn’t see nor hear anything anymore. Then it hit me, I have been shot.

Demons are everywhere. Hidden in the corners of the darkest places; Carefully, pleasurably reading emotions on our faces. Hungry for souls to take to darkness. They tell us to look at our goal and then see how far it is. We try to stay away but do you know how hard that is? Tempted and lured in so many directions were pulled Lied to as they laugh about how easily were fooled. Don’t let them rule. Remember the smallest of lights can brighten the darkest of rooms. We must attack now our deepest of demons. Remember that Gods there and he doesn’t ever stop seeing us. He will show us the way as long as we follow. So spit your sins out, no don’t ever swallow. Spit it back up in the face of evil and move forward. Look up for Jesus and to Him move torward.