Back to Simple Stories 

Scene 1 

Blade stretched in the warm morning air.  It was a long, deep, and satisfying stretch.  The best he had in weeks. The steadily climbing sun made Blade shake off the morning chill and start to look around at his surroundings. Everything looked good. It was sure to be a wonderful day. 

The rainfall from the previous evening had made everything look fresh and even new. Across the way, some of his neighbors looked like they did not receive the downpour that he had. But Blade had to admit, it was a strange rain. Usually the rain fell straight from the sky, but this had been different. The rain had actually come at an angle. Blade could not quite figure it out, but either way, the rain was welcomed. It had been a dry spring and any water was a blessing. 

Since he had taken care of his needs, Blade thought he would see what was taking place with his neighbors. The first one he saw was Daisy. Blade shuddered at the sight of her. Then to hide his embarrassment he quickly turned so she could not directly see him. Daisy was the prettiest, smartest, and nicest person he had ever known. He knew she could not feel the same as he. She could never love him as much as he loved her. Blade could only hope that they might have a future together. 

“Uh, good morning, Daisy.”

“Well, hello Blade. Isn’t it a beautiful morning.”

Not taking his eyes off her he replied, “It sure is.”

Daisy looked at Blade. “You can feel spring in the air.”

Blade breathed, “And you can feel love in the air, too.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” came another voice. “You two are enough to make a maggot gag.”

“Well, good morning, Crabby,” Daisy said in her normal cheerful voice. “Wasn’t the rain just wonderful?”

“I don’t know,” replied Crabby, taking the time to scratch himself. “It didn’t feel right. I just don’t know.” 

Blade wished Crabby would just mind his own business and leave them alone. He wanted to spend time talking to Daisy without some old geezer butting in. But he was not raised to be rude. So he would tolerate the old guy. 

Blade said, “Well, it really felt good to me. What do you think, Daisy?”

“I thought it was divine,” replied Daisy. Then she gave Blade a smile that almost left him breathless.

Crabby looked at the sky and said, “I think there’s trouble brewing. Things are too good. Just a little too good for my taste.”

Blade laughed, “That’s you Crabby. Always looking on the bright side. Daisy and I are just going to enjoy what we have and not read anything sinister into it.”

“Well, that’s a young person’s folly,” retorted Crabby. “I’ll just mind my own business. But mark my words, something ain’t right.” 

Finally, Blade thought, Crabby is going to be quiet and let me talk to Daisy. Blade could see this was going to be the best opportunity he ever had to talk to Daisy about their future. 

“Uh, Daisy, do you ever think about raising a family?”

Daisy took a long look at Blade and then smiled. “Well, Mr. Blade do you have something in mind, or are you just trying to make conversation?”

Blade almost choked, but finally was able to speak. “I, uh, umm, I was just wondering if there was anyone around here that you might be interested in?”

Daisy pondered for a moment, “Well, over the way, there is Moss. He certainly is not shy about his intentions.”

Blade fought down the rising panic, “But he’s too far away. I would think you could find someone a whole lot closer.”

“Like who?”

“Uh, like me?”

Suddenly Crabby spoke up, “You two be quiet a minute! Do you hear something?” 

Blade strained to hear what Crabby had heard. After a few moments, Blade could barely make out a roaring sound. It was off in the distance, but it was definitely a roaring sound. The sound made Blade’s body turn cold. He looked at Daisy. She must have not heard the sound yet. Still, she had a bewildered look about her. 

“I knew there was something wrong,” mumbled Crabby. “Things were just a little too perfect.”

Daisy was now concerned, “Why, what’s wrong? What’s happening?”

Blade found himself shouting, “Why’s this happening? It’s not fair. It’s just not fair!” 

Now Blade could hear the roaring getting louder. Now he could hear the screams. It almost made him sick. He knew the screams were coming from ones who were in deep pain and agony. Blade had thought about it before and he just could not come up with any answers as to why such things were allowed to happen. “What kind of monster would do this? What is the point?” Blade could find neither answers nor any comfort. 

The roaring was so close now. The screams were deafening. Blade met Daisy’s gaze and he could tell that she was not going to make it. She looked so helpless and so frightened. 

Blade tried to yell above the roar and screams, “I love you, Daisy!” She either could not hear him or was too scared to reply. 

The roaring sound was right on top of Blade. Suddenly, everything went dark. Blade thought he had heard Daisy scream, until he realized it was him screaming. 

Blade stiffened his body. The steel tore through his body leaving what was left of him bent over in pure agony. As the sun reappeared, Blade tried to see where Daisy was, but he was in too much pain to really look for her. He did see Crabby, or rather, what was left of him. Crabby never did scream, but just lay there moaning. 

Blade tried to right himself, but the pain was too much. Then Blade caught a whiff of the stench that was left behind. The nausea from the smell of bodies being torn to pieces was overwhelming. Blade wondered if he was going to be able to survive. What was the use of trying? 

The husband rolled up the water hose and put it neatly away. He emptied the gasoline from the lawn mower and put it back under the house. There it would stay until the husband was ready to mow the lawn again. He made a mental note that he had seen some Crabgrass. The next time he was at the garden shop he would have to get some spray to get rid of it before it spread throughout the yard. 

The husband turned and looked out over his neatly manicured lawn. It looked so good. He was sure he had the best looking yard on the block. After taking in a deep breath, he thought to himself, “There’s nothing smells quite as good as a freshly mowed lawn.” 

The husband never saw the pain. He never heard the screams.

Scene 2

The gentle afternoon summer breeze felt good to Maize. It had been a hot and somewhat dry summer, but now the days were cooler and the last few days had produced some nice rain showers. Maize looked down at her children. She was so proud of them. They had grown so much, especially in the last week or two. 

“Mommy, mommy, mommy!”

“What is it dear?” asked Maize as she smiled to herself.

“I’m thirsty, thirsty! When is more water coming?”

“Now, Shucks,” Maize replied, slightly bemused, “you know we have to be patient. The water has always come just in time and it will come again.”

“Well, I can’t wait. I want some now!”

Now all her children were chanting, “Water, Water!”

“OK, children that is enough!” Maize voice was becoming stern. “Now, Shucks, do you see what you have done again? I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. You just like to stir up trouble.”

“I’m sorry. I love you, mommy,” a chastised Shucks replied. 

“Are we having trouble with the young one again, ma’am?” came that familiar baritone voice.

“Well, good afternoon, Colonel,” Maize said with great respect in her voice. “Yes, Shucks is being, well, he’s just being Shucks.”

“Not to worry, ma’am. He reminds me so much of me when I was a young lad. I gave my mother grief all the time.”

“And now look at you. Well-mannered, respected, and shall I dare say, handsome military leader,” Maize said slightly embarrassed by her boldness.

“Well, madam that is awfully good of you to say such things,” Colonel said trying to maintain a humble appearance. “Believe me when I say your children are very well mannered. You should see the trouble some other mothers have.” 

Maize smiled at the Colonel and took a long satisfying look at her offspring. Yes, she did have reasons to be proud of them.

“Colonel, I don’t really want to say much in front of the children,” Maize inquired, “but I’m hearing rumors of recent terrorist attacks.” Maize lowered her voice to a whisper, “I hear that children are being taken!”

“Well, Madam, the terrorist threat is very real. But it has been some time since there has been an actual attack,” the Colonel replied, trying his best to be reassuring. “I personally have no knowledge of any little ones being abducted.”

“I know you have been working hard in keeping our land safe,” Maize said trying to reassure herself more than anything else.

“Yes, ma’am. It has taken the efforts of everyone to make our borders safe again. We have many who are gathering intelligence information, others who are watching our borders, and of course, the scientist who are developing new weapons that will be used to repel an attack,” Colonel said in his best military voice.

“Does anyone know why the terrorism exist?” asked Maize.

“Not really,” replied the Colonel. “We have tried repeatedly to reach out to them to find some middle ground, so that we could pursue a peace that would be acceptable for all. I’m afraid we are dealing with barbarians who have no respect for our way of life.”

“Well, I know you and everyone else are doing the best they can,” said Maize. “I do feel safe, especially with you in charge. But there are times when I do have a sense of uneasiness.”

“So do I, madam. So do I,” replied a somber Colonel. 

“Mommy, mommy.”

“Yes, Shucks, dear.”

“They won’t let me play with them!” a pouty Shucks replied.

Maize took a deep sigh, “Now all you children need to. . .” Maize’s voice trailed off as she saw the Colonel’s body stiffen to an alert position.

“What is it Colonel?” asked Maize.

“Shh, Madam. Please!” said an alarmed Colonel. 

Maize’s senses came alive. She could feel movement not far away. It was not the normal movement of her neighbors. This was something totally different and very strange. 

Suddenly, Maize’s neighbor started screaming. It was the most terrifying noise Maize had ever heard. 

“Oh, Colonel, what’s happening?” pleaded Maize.

“We are under attack!! Everyone man you post. Prepare for our counter attack!” shouted the Colonel. 

Maize could hear more and more of her neighbors screaming. The screams got louder and they were coming closer. Then the sun disappeared. Maize could not see anyone but she did have the feeling of being in the shadow of some creature. The presence of evil was almost staggering. Maize tried to stay as still as she could, being afraid her trembling would give her away. 

Without warning, Maize felt something grab her children.

“Oh no! Please don’t!” begged Maize.

Quickly and efficiently all her children were torn from her bosom. Maize screamed and cried for anyone to help her.

“Mommy! Mommy! Help me!!” shouted the children.

“Mommy! They hurt me!! Help me, mommy! Please!? It hurts, Mommy!!” cried Shucks. His voice was the last sound of her children that Maize ever heard. 

The air was filled with mothers crying. Some were still hysterical but most were just quietly sobbing. The rampage had left. Their world would never be the same. 

After a few moments, the Colonel spoke: “Ladies and gentlemen, here today, we have seen the worst of life. No words can comfort. No action is good enough to amend the wrong. An enemy so vile has stolen our most precious possession, our children. 

There is nothing we have done that would deserve such horrendous carnage. Only a senseless, unfeeling, totally evil heathen could administer such undeserved pain. His aim is to have us capitulate, to give up all resistance. Ladies and gentlemen, this is WAR!! 

We must fight back. To surrender is to give up all. Surrender will not bring peace! Surrender will not bring our dear ones back! Surrender is only pleasing to our enemy! 

I, for one, will not rest until the wickedness of our enemy is eradicated. I ask you to join me in the ongoing battle. We will grow tired, but we will not become weary. We will lose more loved ones, but we will conduce retribution. We will be asked to sacrifice, and we will give all.  United we will prevail. Together we will strike out with such force that our enemy will shake with fear and never cause harm to our innocent citizens again! 

Are you with me?” 

A great shout arose from every corner. All were willing to do whatever was necessary to wage the war and defeat the enemy. 

The Colonel turned and looked at Maize. He reached out to comfort her, but nothing—no one—anywhere—would bring her relief. 

The wife carried the basket over to the side of the house. It sure looked like it was a good crop this year. The summer had been somewhat dry, but the ears of corn looked as good as she had ever seen. 

She emptied the basket and then removed the husks and washed the corn. After placing them back into the basket, she rolled up the water hose and headed inside the house. 

The wife never saw the pain. She never heard the screams.

Scene 3

The Wife walked into the kitchen and placed the basket of corn on the counter. Her Husband came from the bedroom drying his hair with a towel. 

“Boy, that shower sure felt good,” mused the Husband.

“I’m sure it did. It’s still hot outside. There is a nice breeze, but it’s still summer,” replied the Wife. 

“How does the garden look?” asked the Husband.

“A lot better than you’d think after the dry spring we had,” said the Wife.

“My, my, look at that corn. They look good enough to eat,” teased the Husband.

“Yeah, I was thinking about cooking some for dinner, that is, if you want some.”

“That would be nice. You want me to start the water boiling?” asked the Husband.

“If you don’t mind. Look at this ear of corn. It looks a little different from the rest,” replied the Wife.

“Yeah it does. That one’s mine.”

“I’ll fight you over it,” smiled the Wife.

“Come here. I’d rather kiss and make love than fight over a corn cob,” laughed the Husband.

“Mmmm, still feisty after all these years?” said the Wife as she hugged his neck. 

“You know what? I think we could turn the A/C off and open a window,” said the Husband.

“Some fresh air would be nice,” replied the Wife. 

The Husband walked over to the window in the kitchen and opened it. He then went into the great room and opened the two windows there. 

“Ahh-chooo!” said the Wife.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I forgot about your allergies,” apologized the Husband.

“No, that’s OK. I’ll take some medicine. The fresh air is worth it,” replied the Wife.

“If you’re sure you’re all right,” said the Husband. “You know, my eyes are wanting to itch, too. We need a good rain to wash all the pollution out of the air.” 

The Wife walked over to the medicine cabinet as the Husband started the water boiling. 

The Husband and Wife never knew and would never understand the intense chemical warfare that was being waged against them.

THE END

Copyright ©2003 by Jerry W. Crews