reading helter skelter

The Flight.

The dust and sand swirled in mini tornadoes across the floor of the court. The goal posts stood on both sides, creaking and groaning under the pressure of Mother Nature's afternoon breath. Sanchos lay on the sandy floor and looked into the sky. Clouds seemed to be moving at a flurry in tandem with the gust of winds sweeping across his face. He seemed to be floating, but yet still rooted to the spot as he took in all that was happening. Suddenly there was a sound that echoed from the distance. It sounded like pebbles hitting the tin roof of old Mr Guan's abode when Sanchos and the others used to disturb him when sanchos was much younger. It sounded just like that, except that there must have been a pebble storm around to create such a constant rat-a-tat echoing across the empty village.

"Get up Sanchos. Now."

The stillness of the night was broken as Sanchos rolled across his mattress and sat upright, squinting to adjust his eyes to the gloom around. Where had the court went? The wind and the sand too had dissappeared though the steady rat-a-tat still sounded in the distance and seemed to be getting louder by the minute. He could see the staunt outlines of his father and brother, briskly crossing the little room and stuffing things into a bag at the far end of the matress. Suddenly everything became clear. It was time.

"We have to go now. Gather your things and wait outside in five minutes time."

That was the order that started Sanchos looking around for his little bag that Father had gotten him days before. Being a young boy, Sanchos did not have anything particularly important, and in those days in the village, football was the only thing the boys talked about. So soon after two minutes of quick deliberation, Sanchos dropped the bag and carried his football outside.

Father and Brother soon met Sanchos outside with their belongings and silently they crept through the village. Sanchos really did not see the point in doing so, since most of the kids had already left a few days ago, bound for a new life elsewhere, other kids to meet, and better fields to play football in. Their family was one of the last to leave the village, as Sanchos had overheard Father tell Brother days ago that he was "getting us our of here in a faster way." Sanchos did not understand what that had meant of course, but that was the beauty of being young; you don't understand, you don't suffer the consequences. Life couldn't be any simpler.

Soon the three of them came to the little brook separating the village from the sheep, or more commonly known as Kalda's Secret to the village children, due to the many secret caves and holes in the area. There across the brook was a battered jeep waiting for them amongst the silence of the sleeping sheep. They crossed the brook easily and got to the jeep. brother climbed into the back first to help Sanchos get on. When the both of them were safely inside, Father got Sachos aside to speak to him.

"Now i want you to listen carefully. The bad men are coming, they are coming with their guns and we must run away from them fast. Whatever happens, i want you to always stick with your brother. You understand?"

Sanchos nodded in mute agreement. Another law in life, agree first, ask quietions later. So within a minute they were off, the sudden revving of the engines scaring the sheep from their peaceful slumber. By now the rat-a-tats were getting loud, and by the time the jeep managed to mount the nearest hill, screams suddenly penetrated the night, and firelight started to dance about in contrast to the darkness of the night. Sanchos clambered to the edge of the jeep to get a better look, but it was too late. The rolling hills shielded the boy's eyes from the blaze that was burning below, and as Sanchos slumped back down next to his brother, soon falling back into a world of new friends, bigger fields and bleak innocence, the three of them took flight across the shadows of the night, away from the bad people, into a new life.

-Josh 9/06.

cheers.

post by joshua at 4:27 AM (x)