Nation: part 1

This is the first of a series, hope you like it!

The sound of water slapping the hull of the ship mingled with the rest of the crew's mutterings. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, the water changing from midnight black to a cool aquiline blue. Mindy rested her head against the railing, feeling her stomach heave with every turn of the waves. Andrew was doing just fine, looking out over the waters and laughing every time the spray touched his face. If he was a few years older, Mindy might have been afraid that he'd want to join the navy, or run away to join some sailing company. But for right now he was content to stay at his mother's side, no matter where she might take him.

“Girl,” a big man grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to turn around and look into his face. Most of it was covered with a large bushy beard, big lips sticking out underneath an even bigger nose. His skin was sun tanned from the sea, but the scars on his arms and hands gave away the secret of “ease” that could be had upon the waves. “How many times have I told you to stay away from the edge?” his voice was raspy, like those big lips hung onto every word he said before they were able to pull free.

“I can't,” Mindy gulped down the bile already reforming, “Unless you want me to vomit on the others.”

“I'd rather they be covered in vomit than chains,” he whispered, grabbing her arm and shoving her toward the cabin, “Get out of the light!”

“Aye aye captain!” Andrew saluted the man, before taking his mother's hand and leading her toward the inside of the ship. The captain shook his head, his eyes concerned as they followed the two. A mother and her six year old son. What were they doing at a time like this? Why couldn't people just stay where they belonged?

It was damp inside the vessel, even a cargo one like this, where the shipments should have been kept dry. Mindy kept her head down and clung to the walls so the heaving of the ship didn't send her sprawling. They had to make their way down a narrow hallway of stairs before they would reach the main holding, where 13 other people were mingling with each other. The stench was wretched, and Mindy almost threw up the remnants of whatever was in her stomach. Even Andrew wrinkled his nose in disgust. Many of the other passengers were sitting next to the wall, some holding their heads, others their stomachs, and some were just staring into space.

Mindy sat down next to the doorway, where occasionally a breeze of fresh air might wiggle its way down into their holding. “Mom,” Andy whispered, “Are we close to finding dad?”

“Hopefully soon,” Mindy whispered, stroking his hair, “Hopefully soon.” Andy closed his eyes and rested his blond head on her lap. Mindy knew that he wanted nothing more than for her to gather him in her arms, kiss his forehead and tell him that dad was coming home in fifteen minutes and that he should be patient. She couldn't do the last step, but she gathered him up and kissed him just the same, “Are you afraid?” she asked.

“No,” he shook his head, “I'm not afraid of anything anymore.”

“Nothing?”

“Nope.”

“Not even the soldiers with their big guns?”

“They can't hit me, I'm too little and fast.”

“What about the politicians, who smile and say things that they don't mean, like we should understand and trust them, when we know they're just going to stab us in the back?”

“Mommy, they lie.” Andrew shook his head like that made them less terrifying,

“They can't hurt me when they lie. I always know that they're lying, no matter what they say.” He said the last part fiercely, closing his eyes and clenching one of his hands into a fist. Mindy knew what he was thinking of. The man with the greased back hair and practiced smile, teeth so white it was like they blinded you just by looking directly at them. “Your husband will be returned safely to his homeland, Miranda. You don't have to be concerned. We are just strengthening the nations borders.” or later, once she'd learned the truth, “Go home, Miranda. Your husband is no longer a threat to this nation.” As if he'd ever been a threat in the first place. He'd had permanent residency, he'd lived there for 8 years. The only thing he'd ever been guilty of was being a foreigner.

Mindy put her head down, resting it on Andy's. He smiled and held her tightly. “ They can't hurt me when they lie. I always know that they're lying, no matter what they say.” He was a smart, brave little boy.

The ship jolted, thrusting a few of the passengers into one another. Mindy gulped, feeling the bile rise again in the back of her throat. She did NOT like being at sea. She wanted to go home, the image of her yellow house, blue blinds and flower ridden garden made her sick. Everything had been empty when they'd left. Every inch, every shamble of the place that made it look like home had been sold. She could still remember the look on her mother's face, the horror of what her daughter was about to do. “How could you? What right do you have to do that to your son??” but she'd had her reasons.

Mindy squeezed her eyes shut tighter. Andy rubbed her arm, humming softly to himself. He was getting too old, too old to be her little boy. “Mommy,” he whispered, “What do you think they really did to daddy?” Mindy shook her head. She didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to tell him what she thought they might have done.

It had been sometime in October. A Saturday, the TV making ridiculous noises as Andrew sat and took in every word and image. The house lit with that bright yellow sunshine that only happens on particularly clear days. Mindy couldn't help the smile, even as she tried to push the memory away and held Andrew more tightly. It'd been beautiful that day, she'd been moving through the kitchen, grabbing the papers lying about on the counters. A few newspapers crumpled into little balls and thrown into a corner, most of the others were bank notices or other bills. They'd finally all been paid off. All of them. Mindy hummed softly to herself as she sent them through the shredder, leaving nothing but long, white paper lines to fall into the trash bin.

“Hey, shredder-butt,” Jason kissed her on the cheek as he passed, “Enjoying your morning?”

“Why yes,” Mindy grinned, sending another bill through the machine, it was oddly satisfying. “Some people never live to see this moment.”

“Yeah,” Jason sighed, turning away, “I know.” Mindy paused, then continued shredding. She shouldn't have said anything. Jason was acutely aware of everything everyone was going through. She bumped into him, jabbing her shoulder into his upper back.

“No sad faces!” she kissed him, then skipped away.

“Oh, fine then,” he laughed, walking after her. The living room was messy, toys strewn around and the cushions lying in haphazard positions from where Andrew had arranged them as a sort of tent. He huddled inside them, waving his remote as the cartoon characters ran around screaming.

“They'll get you!” He yelled, his tiny little body getting into every action. It was in the middle of a battle scene, and he was actually quivering from excitement.

“Don't burst a muscle,” His father teased, peeking under the barricade, “How would you fight off the bad guys then?”

“My brain.” Andrew smiled, “It's strong.”

“Not if you keep watching these shows,” Mindy groaned, “They'll melt your brain into putty.”

“Noooo! They're brain builders! I know how to battle the king of snakes now!”

“Sure you do,” Jason laughed. A knocking sounded at the door. Andrew hid his face into on of the pillows, making a satisfying smacking noise. Jason threw back his head and laughed again, “Does this mean you don't want to answer the door, Andy?”

“The shooow. . .”

“I'll get it,” Mindy headed down the hallway, family pictures smiled from a burgundy table by the door. She looked through the peep hole, but could only really see a uniform. Something cold settled into her belly, and the breath in her lungs seemed to freeze. Why would someone in a uniform be here? They'd just finished paying all their debts. There was no reason for anyone in the government to be here. She opened the door, aware of the slight squeal of the hinge. “Yes?” she tried to smile at the man standing there, but felt like the muscles in her mouth only slightly twitched.

He was an older gentleman, his hair slightly gray on the sides and wrinkles around his eyes and jawline. He was well built, his shoulders way broader than Jason's, who would be as comparable as a tree limb to a barrel. He had brown hair, but it barely showed under the green uniform cap that he wore. His uniform was decorated with metals, and a small pistol hung at his belt.

“Mrs. Moore? Is your husband home?” He spoke with a clipped, brisk, professional tone. His voice a low baritone. Mindy hesitated.

“Y-yes he is. May I ask why you're here?”

“No, Ma'am. Our business is with your husband.” He stepped forward, gently, but firmly, pushing her out of the way. She stepped back into the house, feeling her body begin to shake a little. A few years ago she might have protested his entering her home without permission, but this was not a few years ago. This was now.

Jason came around the corner, looking surprised when he saw the officer there, “Can I help you?”

“Mr. Moore?”

“Yes?”

“You are in violation of The United States Purification act. As a Non-Citizen of this country I must require that you come with me until further notice.”

“What?” Mindy said, rushing to her husband she grabbed his arm, “What do you mean? He's a permanent resident, we have the papers if you want to check them over. . .”

“The rules have changed. Mr. Moore, please come with me.”

“You can't be serious?” Jason looked from the officer to Mindy and back again, “This is a clear violation of my rights! I . . .” The front door opened, two more officers stood there, each with a rifle. Mindy took a deep breath, feeling the blood drain out of her face.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Sir,” the first officer repeated, “You are coming with us. Please do not struggle. Anything you do can, and will, be held against you.”

“This is insane,” Jason said. Two steps forward brought the man within reach of Jason, he backhanded him across the face, sending the small man staggering backwards.

“You will not be so disrespectful of an American Government official. Please come with me.”

“No! He will not be coming with you!” Mindy stepped forward and the officer slapped her, she spun smashing into the table and sending the family pictures crashing to the floor. Glass shattered everywhere, digging into the palms of her hands.

Jason lunged for her, crying out but the officer grabbed him, spun him around and slammed him against the hallway wall. One of the other men pulled out handcuffs and snapped them onto Jason's wrists.

“You can't do this!” Mindy said, pulling herself back onto her feet. She wanted to lunge at him, kicking and screaming, but before she got a chance one of the other men shoved her to the side making room for the officer and her bound husband to be lead through. Jason struggled but the officer just slammed his head against the wall. “What are you doing!” Mindy yelled.

“Teaching the alien some respect.” The officer said. He turned his head to her, smiling slightly, “You might want to think about the people you want to be associated with, Miss Ibori. This is a time of great distress within our country. You'll want to be careful.” He shoved Jason out the door, blood slightly seeping from beneath his hairline, and slammed the door behind him.

Mindy stared after them, feeling her head spin.

“Mommy?” Andy whispered, he was peeking from around the corner of the play room, his eyes wide, “Mommy, where are they taking daddy?”