Short Story

The Noble Cause

"So this cause is a noble one" Jarod says "one told throughout generations to the young ones, one can call all of them: children." That was what they used to be called: children. Now the upper class, the top, call them aliens. Creatures from the mother's womb, but they call their own children. Just not the lower class; the class below them is vile now. Jarod continues heavy in his drunken accent, "would you want to know what this, noble cause is?"

The man named Perception listens on, but is jarred back into reality by Jarod's cold breath. "Oh what's that again?," Perception not really caring what happens to the children. "I just need sleep, it's getting late," walking to the bedroom he turns around and says, "you know, what is this 'noble cause'?" Jarod, excited that Perception cares, wisks himself off the couch and towards Perception.

When arriving to Perception his eyes seemed fraudulent, "it's a noble cause because we will stop it all, stop all the violence and hate." He goes on telling about the dreams hes been having, and about how he is the greatest; how he will stop it all. Walking into the bedroom, Perception, collapses onto the bed while tripping over his night shoes. He doesn't care, as sleep soon overwhelms him.

The alarm sounds with the earsplitting ring of torturous bells on a Sunday morning. Groaning, Perception is jolted into reality and awakes with a long yawn. He flips on the television and the news once again, never missing a beat, reports the horrors of the world. Through the static the TV buzzes, "9:34 this morning, a young woman walked into a market and detonated a personal bomb strapped to her chest." He watches intently as the voice, heavy with a British accent, goes on, "there is no known motive at this time; however authorities cite the fact that the girl has close ties to.." The voice trails off as Perception gets ready for the day.

Saying to himself, "what will I do today?" He ponders this fact and the idea pops into his mind about how he could rob a bank. Chuckling to himself and walking to the door he says aloud, "Jarod, I'm leaving buddy!" Jarod is jarred into reality not knowing where he is. His orientation soon comes and realizes someone is calling his name. Recognizing the voice, he dresses and falls down the stairs all while sipping coffee.

"I'm here," Jarod exclaims, "no need for medics." Humored by his joke, he gets into the car. The car is an old 91 Toyota Tercel, with a green paint job lacking the critique of a clean car. Its previous owner was good to it, as it is almost new. They leave the driveway with Perception behind the wheel, Jarod lazily flops his head onto the window. Turning the car onto Barrier Court road, there is a block: traffic. He sighs at this new revelation, realizing he'll have to drive past this obstacle.

"Fucking traffic," Perception claims with his thick accent. Annoyed and rolling his eyes, he looks towards Jarod, "never ends you know, just keeps building up." Putting his head onto the window, he observes the traffic flowing every so slowly. Noticing people exiting their cars and running, he is alert and wakes Jarod. "What do you think," he says excited and eyes flaring. Jarod was about to say something, but the pressure from the shock wave was too great as the explosion from the store ripped the words out of his mouth. The windshield cracked and then shattered, Perception had enough, he bounced out of the car and headed towards the rear. Jarod did the same and joined Perception behind the vehicle. "You know, bloody traffic and the whole thing rips to shit," Jarod pops the trunk and reveals a cache of body armor, and weapons of some sort. Mostly assault rifles and grenades, with lots of ammunition. Jarod picks up a rifle, grenade, and armor; hands it to Perception. He arms himself as well.

Jarod takes a swig from the canteen, "so you ready for this?" he says.

Perception knows, it isn't water, "let me have some of that." He wipes the drink off his lip, as the liquid burns his insides, and gives the signal to go. They make from car to car examining the insides all while people fly by screaming. Some bloody others limping to safety.

"What the hell happened?" Jarod's musky accent shined through the chaos. Perception smiled all while they rushed to the next car. A wail sounded on the other side of this car. Both rounded the car pointing weapons at the sound. Both clenched their jaws tight, all while they simultaneously shouldered their weapons. They dropped a knee next to the boy, blood bubbling out of his abdomen, lifted him up until his lower torso dropped to the ground. Yelping, the boy closed his eyes and dove into the long sleep. "Better that he died you know," he rationalized his thoughts and tucked away his emotions.

"We need to move," Perception grabbed Jarod all while another explosion rocked Barrier Court.