Nation part 3

Okay everyone, sorry it's late, but here's part 3. Also, remember that the purpose of this blog is so that I can get feedback on my writing! It's still a rough draft, so if you all could give me storyline feedback, character feedback, and voice feedback, that would be great. Enjoy the story!

Mindy had no idea what the man was saying. He, of course, was oblivious to the fact that both Mindy and Andrew were just nodding and smiling as he rambled. The words kind of sounded like giant flying insects of nonsense rambling out of this mouth. Mindy imagined trying to bottle the words, catch them in a jar because they sounded like butterflies.

So, she was officially losing it.

“Mom?” Andy leaned close to her, his dark eyes studying the man, “What's he saying?”

“I don't know.”

More mindless jumble came out of his mouth. Things that should have been English words but were too garbled to really be anything. But, he looked upset. The truck began to slow down. Mindy kind of felt like she was in a covered wagon from back in the pioneer days. The truck had that same fabricy type feel to it, and it was definitely rocky enough to be one. Pulling back some of the fabric by the rear, she looked outside. They were pulling over to the side of the road. A large hill extended above them, rippling like the ocean on ground. “What's that?” Andy whispered, peeking out himself.

“Probably rice fields,” Mindy said. She'd only ever seen pictures of them before, but that's what she thought they were. The truck continued to slow until it stopped right by the edge of one of the ripples. A straw cone popped up from behind one of the ripples, bobbing as it got closer. A little man in tight woven black clothing whistled as he approached the truck, a long stick slung over his shoulders with two baskets hanging off either side, like a scale. He smiled when he approached the truck, calling out in Chinese.

The bearded man Chuckled and answered, throwing back the curtain that protected the back of the truck. He hopped out and embraced the other, laughing and making sure the baskets didn't tip over. The two men exchanged rapid words in Chinese, giving all the more impression of having flapping flurries flying out of their mouths. The new man was obviously younger than their rescuer, and his eyes were black and glittered mischievously. “Ho!” he called, leaning around his companion, one arm slung casually over the stick as though it weighed nothing at all, “What're you doing hiding in there?”

“You speak English?” Mindy crawled out cautiously, holding a hand out to keep Andrew in the truck.

“So does Bai,” he replied, his accent barely affecting his speech at all, “He's very proud of it.” The bearded one, Bai, tried to say something in English, but Mindy felt a headache begin and stopped listening.

“Who are you?” She asked instead.

“I'm one of the few people on Earth that actually don't want the different Nations to kill each other. How about you?”

“I'm Miranda.”

“Nice to meet you.” The man tipped his straw hat, grinning. He swung the scale around, resting it on the ground and rubbing his shoulders. He'd been standing so straight, it'd looked like there'd barely been any weight on them at all, but the baskets were full of rice; thick soggy rice. His shoulders red and rubbed raw. Mindy hesitated, then stuck out her hand. He shook it graciously, smiling. “My name's Jian. This is my uncle Bai. He fancies himself an English speaker. What brings you to China?”

“I'm looking for my husband,” Mindy took a deep breath, she knew it wasn't always wise to just tell people what she was looking for, but it also took too much time sometimes to be elusive. “I have to find him.”

“And you know for sure that he's here?” Jian's face was friendly, but his tone made her straighten her back a little bit.

“He has to be,” she whispered.

The real search had begun in San Francisco. It hadn't taken too long to sell everything they had, people were grabbing at everything they could possibly hold, the family that bought their house looked like they hadn't been living under a roof in weeks. The money they paid for it was scrap, of course, but Mindy accepted it graciously. She could only hope that it would be enough.

Andrew hefted his backpack, looking up at his mother with tear stained cheeks, “Mommy, where are we going?” he hiccuped, trying to get a hold of himself. Mindy dropped to her knees next to him, grabbing the little body and pulling him close.

“I'm so sorry,” she whispered, he cried into her shoulder, his entire body shaking. He was still just a baby. Just a little baby. . .how could she do this? Her mother's words drifted into her mind again, accusing and angry. She shoved them away.

“We're going to find daddy, okay? We're going to find him and bring him home.”

“Where did they take him?”

“I don't. . . I don't know. I plan on finding out.”

“Okay.” He didn't ask the question that any adult would have. He didn't ask how she was going to find him, how she was going to figure out where he could have gone. He had total faith that she just would. Mindy took a deep breath, ruffling his hair.

“Let's go sweetie.”

“Are we ever going to come back?” he looked over his shoulder at the little house, grasping her hand with all his strength. Mindy couldn't help but feel how weak and little it was.

“I don't know.” Would they ever be able to come back? Wouldn't they just come and take Jason away again if they did? It didn't matter, they had to get him back first. She'd worry about the other bits later.

They'd made their way to San Francisco. Mindy was hoping that they'd be able to find transportation to where ever they needed to go from there. She knew that there was a government office holding there, a special place for someone sent specifically from D.C. to watch over larger cities. What she planned on doing with that government office building was still a mystery to her, which was beginning to be a problem. Everything was too sporadic, too unorganized. She needed to figure out exactly what she was doing or she would get herself and her son killed.

They walked through the streets, the skyscrapers soaring above them, people everywhere milling about as car horns honked and people clamored amongst themselves. Andrew stayed close, holding her hand. Mindy picked up a city map on a street vendor as they wandered, hoping to find a cheap hotel where they could stay for a few days while they figured this all out. She'd sold everything when they'd left home, the government tracked phone signals to their owners anyway, so her phone's gps and other apps would've been useless if she wanted to remain hidden. Besides, all the useful websites had been blocked anyway.

Mindy followed the map until they found a run down little motel. It was dirty, the “Vacancy” sign missing half it's letters. Business hadn't been booming for places that depended on travel for a while. Most of the smaller hotels had gone out of business years ago. Mindy couldn't help but wonder if this place had been full of people at one point. Squeezing Andy's hand for reassurance, they approached the building.

The lady at the front counter smiled when they walked in. She looked exhausted, large black circles around her eyes and wrinkles sagging down her cheeks. But her eyes were radiant and clear, moon shaped classes perched on her nose, “May I help you ma'am?” she asked cheerfully.

“We'd like a room, please,” Mindy said, trying to smile back.

“Of course, how many nights will you be staying with us?”

“I'm. . .” Mindy hesitated, sighing, “A week.” A week should give them
enough time.

“Alright, let's get that calculated up for you.” Mindy paid for the room and allowed herself to be escorted to the tiny one-bed room. It had a bathroom, but Mindy couldn't help but wonder if she should clean it herself before letting Andrew anywhere near it. The sink was dirty and the carpet was covered in sand, dirt and grass. The sheets were the only pristine looking ornament in the entire room, which was something of a comfort, and there was a little TV across from the bed. The women kindly asked if there was anything they needed, and Mindy told her no. She left, shutting the door with a sound click.

Andrew immediately fell on the bed, exhausted. He'd been sleeping in a car for the past few days, his poor little body couldn't take anymore. Mindy stroked his soft hair, listening to him breathe. He looked so much like Jason, blond hair, shining blue eyes if they'd been open. The perfect picture of what the standard “white” beauty would be. But that hadn't stopped them from taking Jason. Mindy couldn't help but wonder if they'd come for Andy next, claiming he was half alien. Would they take him and leave her all alone?

No, that's why she'd brought him with her. They'd never take anything from her again.

“Mommy?” Mindy jumped.

“Yes?”

“I love you. Don't leave, kay? Don't go away.”

“I won't sweetheart.”

“Promise forever,” he held out his hand, pinky up, Mindy linked her little finger through his. Her throat choked up, Jason used to play this game all the time. They'd started when the two of them had been dating, then Jason used it as a bargaining tool to make Andy do his schoolwork.

“I promise forever.” Mindy kissed his forehead, within seconds Andy had fallen back asleep.

Standing, Mindy pushed the baby under the blankets, tucking him in. A flick of the switch brought the room to darkness, making her fumble for her keys. Silently praying that Andy would sleep through the night, she slipped out the door.

San Francisco was still bright, even at night. Cars still wizzed down the streets, though they looked more brilliant, not as dusty and dull. The buildings were lit up too, brightening the black sky. Mindy pulled out her map, following the streets until she found a large white building, the American flag hanging limply from a tall pole. Most of the windows were dark by this time of night, but there was an emergency contact office open at all hours. Mindy approached cautiously, crossing and uncrossing her fingers.

She hadn't lost all hope in government. She knew that there were some really good things they were able to accomplish, and the reason everything was going down hill was because the world was going to hell. China had become the biggest rival for world power, it already dealt with most of the world's trade, almost having a monopoly on over sea businesses. They were leaving the US alone for now, most people assumed they had some sort of alliance going on that wasn't openly discussed. Europe was in an ever going explosion, some countries randomly coming together and attacking, while others had completely gone into isolation, refusing to have any contact with anyone. Everywhere seemed to be preparing for world wide war, but nobody openly talked about it. The “Alien removal” had just been another step in that direction, trying to prepare for a stupid war.

Mindy took a deep breath, then pushed her way into the office. A women sat there, typing rapidly on a computer. She approached cautiously, and for a moment the secretary didn't notice she was even there. When she did, she jumped slightly, then smiled broadly and gestured to a seat.

“Can I help you ma'am?”

“I. . .I have a question. About some of the new policies being implemented.”

“Well, we have all access to the policies right here, I'm sure I can answer any questions you have.”

“The. . .the American Boarders law, the one that removed all aliens from our boarders. . . “

“Yes?” she was still smiling. Mindy forced herself to sit straight. It was ridiculous that she was feeling so nervous, she was just asking questions, they were still allowed to ask questions.

“Where do they take them?”

“The official statement is that they are sent back to their home countries.”

“But. . .” back to their home countries? “I have. . . a few friends that were sent home. They would have contacted me if they'd just been sent home.”

“I cannot tell you why your friends haven't contacted you.” She shrugged, Mindy noticed she didn't suggest that Mindy try to contact them.

“Are you sure they are sent home? I saw some of them taken, and it wasn't in a kindly manner.”

“Don't be silly, ma'am. The United States government only has its people's best interests at heart.” But, according to them, Jason was no longer one of the United State's “people”. Mindy sat back in her chair, trying to think quickly. “Is there anything else I can help you with, ma'am?”

“Yes, the man they took was my husband. I have rights. I have a right to know where they took him, where he is now, and how to contact him.”

“I don't think that's possible, miss.” The warmth was beginning to leave the woman's tone. She looked away from Mindy, rummaging with the papers on her desk. Her hands trembled slightly, but she compensated by tapping her nails on the desk, “The location of immigrants. . .”

“He's not just an immigrant! He's my husband!You can't just break families like this!”

“People do it all the time.” the women stood up. “I think it's time for you to leave now, Miss.”

“It's Mrs.” Mindy stood up, “have they really sent the immigrants home?”

“Yes.” the women looked away.

“Ah, Ms. Renalds, you're here late this evening.” A man with slick, black hair stepped through the door. It was the first thing Mindy noticed, just how smoothly he'd brushed the hair back, giving it a glossy “new car” type of gleam. He wore a crisp business suit, carrying a briefcase in one hand. He smiled at Mindy, nodding politely. “Welcome to the government office, Ma'am, is there any way we can be of assistance?” Miranda wanted to scream at him. Had he heard what she'd said before?

“I. . .”

“Her husband was one of the immigrants that got relocated after the law was passed,” the woman said.

“Ah, truly unfortunate. Of course, you realize, Ma'am, that because of the relocation you are no longer legally married? All marriages to non-Citizens were annulled after the law was passed.”

“No,” Mindy shook her head.

“I'm afraid it's true. The law was quite specific. The threat to the nation and to our citizens could not be ignored. There are too many nations that require their citizens loyalty, and there are too many wars going on to make that a comfortable thought. Do you understand?” His tone was calming. As though he were talking reasonably.

“You're. . . You're not making any sense!”

“Am I not? Miss, I don't know you, but I do know the laws, this country, and its proud history. We need to unite as Americans, we need to make sure that our boarders are secure. This nation began under an isolationist theory, that of staying out of world affairs, and we've radically changed the position our founding fathers would have wanted. We're trying to protect the people of this country by putting a little more of that back into play.

“This is an immigration country,” Mindy chocked down her panic. She was terrified, something about the man's crisp appearance and his soft voice made her feel like a young disobedient child. But his words, his words were nonsense. How could anyone believe what he was saying? Everything that came out of his mouth sounded so. . . reasonable. But everything he was saying was absolute rubbish. “All of our ancestors are immigrants!”

“Not anymore. Miss, we must ask that you leave the premisses.”

Mindy stood up slowly, her hands shaking, and she tried to bite her tongue to keep herself from shouting, taking a deep breath, clearing her head, “You can't keep doing this to people,” she said, trying to mimic the man's tone, smooth, self assured, quiet. “Eventually they're going to figure out what rubbish this is, and they're going to put a stop to you.”

“What is your name?” he asked, slightly cocking his head to the side, reminding Mindy horribly of a rooster.

“It's Miranda,” the secretary said, “Miranda Moore, or. . . Ibori. Miranda Ibori. I just looked it up in the files.”

“Your husband will be returned safely to his homeland, Miranda,” He reached out to put his hand comfortingly on her shoulder, but she jerked back, she bit her tongue harder to keep back the tears, “You don't have to be concerned. We are just strengthening the nations borders.”

“You're a bastard,” she whispered. “A bloody bastard.”

“It says here that she has a young son, Andrew, about 6 years old this last May.”

“Where is your son Miranda?” the man leaned over the desk, looking at the files, “It looks like you're a long ways from home.”

“She sold her house 3 days ago, gave away everything she doesn't have on her.”

“How do you know all this?” Mindy whispered, “How could you possibly have that recent of records? That sale was between me and the new owner of that house.”

“Everything is our business, Miss Ibori.”

“She's traveled long distance, with a minor, and didn't purchase a permit or tell anyone where she was going. She's in violation of Code 683 of the Citizen Protection Act.”

Mindy realized a second too late what they were doing, she backed up, reaching for the handle of the door. It was locked.

“Miranda, please sit down. Where is your half-breed son?” Once again, that voice did not match the words.

Mindy turned around, pulling frantically at the door.

Why had she left Andy alone?