Zombies'n'S**t Ep. 46

9- We Remember 11-We Made Them Remember

I grumbled as we walked through the streets until we reached a plaza of sorts.  We were passing by a store when I caught a glimpse of something black and long and awesome.  I veered away and stepped through the shattered front window.  It must have been a clothing store, because there were racks scattered everywhere and clothes covering the floor in a dusty carpet.

"John?  What are you doing?"  Sophia asked from behind me.  I ignored her and stepped up to what I had seen.  There was one coat hanging from a rack, relatively undamaged.  It was a trench coat.  Or overcoat.  Whatever.  It was long and black and looked cool.  I plucked it from a hanger and whipped it dramatically around my shoulders.  It sat on me a little loose and hung around the back of my calf.  I flicked the bottom out and spun to face Sophia.

She was cautiously stepping through the same window.  When she looked up at me, she covered her mouth.  "What?"  I snapped.  "Trench coats are so cool.  Everybody looks good in a trench coat."  She made a choked sound.  I glared at her, "Are you laughing at me?"  She shook her head but didn't say anything, her eyes sparkling.  I lifted my chin and marched past her.

The moment she was behind me, I heard her lose it.  She started laughing- hard.  I turned an imperious look at her and sniffed disdainfully.  She took a while to get her snickers under control, but she finally straightened and walked to me.  "Ya done, giggles?"  I asked, haughtily.  She nodded, smiling.

I strode confidently in the direction we had been heading, my new coat flapping and snapping behind me in the brisk morning wind.  I heard her suppress more laughter and start after me.  Whatever.  I know I looked cool.

The area we were in was covered in a pall of dust and ash, giving the world a gray feeling.  Like we were in an old black and white film.  I paused to consider that.  How did I know what that was like?  Sophia came up next to me, her smile gone, "What's up?"  I opened my mouth to tell her about my thoughts when I caught a glimpse of something colorful in this world of gray.

I frowned and walked to it (I swear to god, I heard her roll her eyes).  I came upon a dusty, tattered and stained flag.  It sparked a memory.

The same flag flapping and snapping proudly in the sun, with a backdrop of baby blue.  A wispy white cloud scuttling across the sky.  A lazy heat toasting my skin pleasantly.  Then another memory invaded my mind.

The flag drooping at half mast.  People surrounding it.  Some weeping, some swearing and shaking their fists at the sky.

I don't know what compelled me, but I leaned over and picked up the banner with reverence.  I looked around until I spotted the pole.  I walked to it and attached the flag to the rope.  A few of the grommets were missing, but I managed to hoist it aloft.

The wind grabbed it as it had my coat and it flicked and snapped just like in my memory.  I thought about it for a second and pulled it down halfway and stepped back, looking up at it in wonderment.  I felt Sophia's hand grasp my shoulder.  I looked at her and she smiled sadly up at me.

"I remember."  I whispered.  She nodded but didn't say anything, just looked into my eyes.  I looked back up at the symbol of my people and swallowed thickly.  "I remember pride.  Horror.  Pain-"

"What else," she prompted after I broke off.  My head dropped and my shoulders sagged, "I don't know.  I just had flashes of memories, I think.  Phantom sensations."

I looked up at her again and saw her smile at me with something I couldn't place.  She touched my face and it felt inexplicably comforting.

I shook my head and started off, "We shouldn't stay out too long. No telling who might see us and attack."

She took a deep breath, "Right."  We walked away from the rising sun, away from the symbol of the person I used to be.

I don't think she saw the tear that slid down my cheek.

Author's Note

Just for today I want to make a statement. For my fellow Americans, this day on September 11, 2001 the Two Towers fell to religious extremists. Although tragedy has struck our nation many times and others have suffered similarly, we should all remember this one fact: we still stand united.

I don't have to repeat the story to those who know. If you don't, look it up or ask. We were stung and we made damn sure to kick their ass up about their ears. We were bowed, but unbroken.

Allow a moment for all the fallen heroes. Not just from this conflict, but those who fought throughout our collective history. All our heroes would rather be home with their families, instead, they withstood horrors we could only imagine. As they say: All gave some; some gave all. Our heroes aren't all literal soldiers, like our police, firefighters, EMTs and all those who give themselves for their people.

The old Soldier/Marine Poem:

"And When he gets to heaven,

To Saint Peter he will tell;

One more Soldier reporting, sir.

I've served my time in Hell!"

--PFC. James A. Donahue, USMC. 1st Marine Division, H Company, 2nd. Battalion, 1st. Regiment

To my father and grandfather: You are my heroes.

Semper Fi

Reviews

[Joshua Carl Cruz]

righteous standing. support our troops. good chapter btw. keep going!