We have arrived! It is the last writing prompt of 2023. We have made it. There were a few skipped prompts due to holiday or illness but over all it ended up being only a handful of days where I didn’t write. I’m kind of proud of that. So let’s see what comes out with the last prompt of the year shall we? Timers at the ready one more time for 2023 and of we go.
It seems oddly appropriate that this year ended with a violent themed prompt. which again is odd as it has been a really fun week for me and I have been in a good mood all week. The brain is a mysterious little machine.
Friday, December 29th: They were all gathered in one place.
They were all gathered in one place. It was rare. Usually they each had their own districts to manage, their own people to support. To gather like this was risky. Even leaving their trusted lieutenants in charge carried some risk. If they were found all together and catastrophe struck the consequences could be dire. I watched from the sidelines knowing my part was minimal.
I was not in charge of security. I was not in charge of anything except making certain that there were sealed water bottles available during the discussion and that no one disturbed them. There were others set to watch, to guard. There were video cameras to search and spy. There was even someone designated to inspect the seals on the water bottles to make certain there were no additions made to them that could affect those in the room.
I just did the lifting and delivery of the palettes. Even attempting to take off the over wrap and put the bottles within easy reach on the table had been frowned upon. Now I watched the hallway. Anyone who came in this direction from elsewhere I sent in another direction. In truth, I wasn’t even outside the door to the meeting room. There were at least five people like me set to guard meeting rooms. The one I was guarding was empty.
I didn’t find that out until I tried to set out the water bottles. They were inspected and left. Then the guards left. My room was a decoy. It had all the trappings but none of the people. I was only trusted to protect an empty room. I tried to decide if I was insulted or relieved at the thought, and spent my time oscillating between the two.
I didn’t want the weight of worry that being involved meant, but to know I was only trusted with empty space stung just a little bit.
I sent three people on their way, pretending that an important meeting was taking place and could not be disturbed. I watched, I waited and eventually I heard sounds I didn’t expect. It sounded like the popping of fireworks and my first thought was to wonder if there was a celebration I missed. Then there was the sound of glass shattering. The radio clipped to my waist came to life and a voice ordered me, ordered everyone to hold their positions.
I didn’t know if the message was really meant for the person guarding the actual meeting or everyone. I didn’t know if the decoys were still needed. But I stayed. I swallowed hard and waited. The sounds of popping continued and I realized it was gunfire.
I couldn’t decide where it was coming from. ‘Outside somewhere,’ I thought with some relief.
The relief faded as two men in all black clothing, wearing black ski masks and garrying weapons came around the corner. I eyed the large machine guns with wide eyed fear, but it was one of the smaller pistols that fired. I felt the punch of pain and crumpled around it. I hit the tiles, the men moved past me and jerked the door open. They saw the empty room and moved on. They wasted no more time with me. I was not worth their attention.
The incident took seconds and then the men were gone and I was left alone with the pain. It was enormous and consuming. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was in a different place. There was no pain, just a drifting sensation. Everything was white and I wondered if this was the afterlife. Then I heard the beeping and realized it was a hospital.
I blinked, my eyes crusted with sleep. I opened my mouth but my tongue felt thick and my throat dry.
Ten til Midnight 