A Democracy Fallen

by Matthew Savage

  “To think someone sobbing this much worked for this government,” Almost speaking to himself now, Major Fulton went on “I don’t know maybe this is better off.”

  He then walked over the body of the secretary. Intentionally stepping on the fingers of one hand. Major Fulton now stood in front of Lieutenant Simons.

  “The Insurgency made a bold move today attacking us. They will not win and I will find them and kill every one of them. Director Ravana wanted me to make this public but if they stop now where is my satisfaction? President Marshal knows how much I enjoy this. I thought to myself earlier when they told me who betrayed us that he was a good soldier. Looking at you now, a bloody shit stain on this building, I am happy it turned out this way.” Major Fulton smiled then pointed the gun at the Lieutenant’s head. “Any last words?” He laughed before speaking, “That’s right. We broke your jaw. I forgot.”

  BANG! The Lieutenant’s body then fell backward.

  “Whose key card did he steal?” The Major yelled and turned around to face the guards. A scared looking Corporal stepped forward.

  “Mine, sir.”

  BANG! The soldier hit the ground with a thud, and there was silence in the courtyard.

  “I am sure this is lesson enough that if you mess up and something like this happens. You are just as guilty as these blood stains on this floor. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, sir.” The guards all say in unison.

  Major Fulton took care in placing his pistol back into its holster. The cape once again covered it and he strolled out the courtyard.

  

  Chapter Two

  Another Day

  In a small apartment bedroom, in Chicago, an alarm clock went off. BEEP… BEEP… BEEP… Sarah Hunter woke up as she did most mornings, which was struggling. Sarah was twenty years old and had sandy blonde hair, which at the moment was all over the place. She looked at the clock as it read 5:30. She sighed and turned the alarm off and sat up in bed. Sarah looked out the window to a small glow from the sun on the horizon. She slowly got ready going to bathroom brushing her teeth and putting her hair in a ponytail. She looked at her watching seeing it was now 5:45. She knew she had to get downstairs because the breakfast rush was about to start.

  Her father Neil owned a small restaurant named Kathy’s, which was under their apartment. It was originally owned by her mother and it was one of her most prized possessions. Sarah's mother loved owning a restaurant and talking to the people in the neighborhood. It was one of the most popular places to go and get coffee or breakfast in the morning. For being such a small place it was always busy at lunch, dinner, and sometimes late at night on the weekends. Even though there were other options in their neighborhood like bigger chain restaurants people loved coming to them in the morning. They started their day off with seeing her mother Kathleen. After Kathleen's death, there was a question about what to do with the restaurant.

  Sarah's father Neil was the Deputy Chief of the Chicago Police Department. He was a Commander for a long time before he became Deputy Chief. He was in that position for about two years until Kathleen was killed. Neil knew how much the restaurant meant to her so he quit his career with the police department. From then on he took over the restaurant. After Sarah and her twin brother Nolan graduated high school. They both started working for their father full time to help keep the restaurant going.

  Sarah walked out of the bathroom and looked around the apartment but it was empty. She made her way down the stairs to the restaurant. The stairs from the apartment led them right to the kitchen of Kathy's. Nolan was working setting up the kitchen when Sarah walked in.

  “Morning sis, I got eggs and some fresh coffee made.” He said while he still worked to get the kitchen ready.

  “I am sick of eggs.” She said as she sighed and poured herself a cup of coffee then took several bites of the eggs.

  “Be happy we even have eggs. I am waiting for Dad to take them off the menu at the rate some of the food cost is going up. I don’t know how we are able to afford eggs.”

  “Like mom would say. ‘what is breakfast without eggs?’” She did a voice that must have sounded like her mom’s because both of them laughed when she did it. “Did Dad make it home before curfew last night?” She asked Nolan, looking around for her father.

  “Does he ever make it home? I am surprised that John doesn’t charge him rent.”

  “With the amount Dad probably spends at the bar he might as well be.” There was bitterness in Nolan’s voice when he spoke those words.

  Sarah went to the front and opened the gates that blocked the doors and windows. She checked her watched saw it was Six and flipped the closed sign to open. She saw a homeless person sitting by the end of the window wrapped in blankets. It was the end of September and she knew it was starting to get cold outside. Her father always said, ‘People didn’t want to go in a place if homeless people were in front’. She knew if her father came he would be much less nice than she would be. She went in back grabbed what was left of the eggs put them in a bag and walked outside to go shoo the person away.

  “Here.” She said and handed the bags with the eggs in it. “Take this, it is fresh eggs, but you can’t stay in front. Trust me you don’t want my dad to see you out here.”

  “Thank you.” The person said with what for a moment sounded like a forced scratchy voice.

  Sarah noticed that for someone who was living on the street they were pretty well kept. The homeless person's hair was trimmed and had a clean-shaven face. She shook it off and returned inside knowing that people would be here any minute. It wasn't long after that they started getting their first customers. The restaurant was busy. Most of the tables were sat and a small line had formed for people waiting for coffee and small food Togo. Sarah was at the register when a man who was there almost every day came up. For some reason, Sarah couldn't remember his name. He was distracted by the picture of Kathleen that their dad had placed on the wall to remember her.

  “Your mother was a wonderful woman.” He said as he took his money out of his pocket.

  "She really was," Sarah said not wanting to talk about her mother while she was trying to work. She missed her mother very much and whenever she thought about what had happened it always put her in a bad mood.

  "It was a shame what happened to her - to all those people. Makes you wonder about this country doesn't it." He paused for a moment realizing the error in what he had just said. "I should watch it if I say any more the Security Bureau will be knocking on my door." He half chuckled which Sarah could tell there was a bit of seriousness in his voice.

  “We miss her very much.”

  She hoped that would stop the conversation. She could feel the anxiety and sadness growing in her. The man must have noticed as much, he left her an extra tip, got his coffee, smiled, and left. Sarah checked out the rest of the people in line. She then quickly made a quick walk around, checking on the tables. Sarah almost sprinted into the kitchen. Why did he have to bring her up? She thought to herself. Sarah walked into the kitchen and leaned against the wall. She took some deep breaths trying to control her emotions. Nolan almost as if he sensed her anxiety and anger came over and put a hand on her shoulder.

  “What’s going on?” He said in a concerned voice.

  "Just some guy talking about mom," Sarah replied, shaking her head.

  “What about her?” Nolan said anger rising in him. Sarah knew he must have thought someone was bad mouthing her.

  “Nothing bad,” She said trying to defuse his anger. “Just talking about her, it was all nice stuff it just hurts.”

  “I know and Dad really isn’t helping much.”

  “Nolan!” She said her voice started to rise.

  Sarah understood her father took their mother’s death very hard but it didn’t make it easier for them. At times they both resented their father. He had isolated himself after what happened to their mother.

  “I am just saying that he isn’t the only person who i
s hurting. What about us? We are here working and dealing with this and where is he?”

  “Nolan,” She was starting to raise her voice which she knew was a bad idea when they were so busy.

  "He is never here to help when we need it. It is like we suddenly became inconvenient for him. We can't go to college because he needs us and can't afford it. He wanted to do this for mom but where is he, Sarah? Not here! He is out all night and doesn't come back until the afternoon. It is up to us to keep this place running. You know, he acts like he is the only one who lost someone or the only one who had to give up something. We did too!"

  There was silence as they stood alone in the kitchen. Sarah had tears in her eyes as she looked at her brother and could see the hurt on his face. He walked away and Sarah wanted to run to him and tell him that she knew how he felt. Sarah had a job to do still and there would be time later to finish this talk.

  When she walked back to the restaurant area, it had gotten busy again. Apparently, her meltdown hadn't been quick. She had gotten so busy she had almost forgotten about her talk with her brother and about the customer coming in talking about her mom. After several hours of being super busy, their breakfast rush was about over. She was sweeping and cleaning tables and Nolan came out of the kitchen to help her now that they didn't have any more food orders. With it being slow again she could feel the tension between them. Their mother hated when they fought. She felt guilty especially when they had customers in the building.

  “I am sorry about earlier.” Nolan finally said as they both were busing a table. “It is just when we get this busy and it is only us it just hurts more that he isn’t around.”

  “I know what you mean. It wouldn’t hurt if we got some help here.”

  “What is that?” He said laughing. This made them both laugh.

  “You bring up a good point baby bro.”

  “I am like thirty seconds younger than you.” He said giving her a playful shove.

  "Still makes me older."

  He threw something at her and she ran away dodging it. Several of the people who remained heard the last little comments and laughed at the two of them. Sarah was behind the counter cleaning up and she could see the homeless man by the window again. She walked outside again to try and get him to move.

  “You should know,” she started approaching the homeless man. “You are pressing your luck coming back. My dad should be coming back anytime now. He is already late.”

  “Well, I wanted to say thanks for the eggs.”

  “You’re welcome.” She looked at him for a moment hoping he would get the hint and he didn’t. “You are going to have to find somewhere else to sit.”

  He didn’t say anything else. The homeless man nodded and walked down the street. As he moved a cop car pulled up in front of the restaurant and two cops got out.

  “Was that guy giving you trouble?” One of the officers asked.

  "No, he just wanted to get warm. Come on in and we will get you, boys, some food." Sarah said holding the door open for them.

  One thing her father put in place was that police ate for free at their restaurant which some of the cops did but, most just came for coffee. They didn't want to stay because as one officer told them once, "Your dad was one tough cop and he wouldn't let anyone sit on the job." Even though Neil hadn't been with the department for some years now. He still knew a lot of the guys who came in and especially knew their bosses.

  The two officers sat, got coffee, and some food. Nolan made the breakfast even though their breakfast menu was over. The cops sat for a while and talked to Sarah as she got ready for the lunch rush. They had finished up their meal when Neil finally came home. He had bags under his eyes and looked like he hadn’t slept. Sarah didn’t doubt that fact that he hadn’t gotten much sleep. If passing out was even called sleep. She didn’t know if he passed out but figuring the time and him not coming home that was the conclusion she drew.

  “How was it this morning?” He said, his voice hoarse. He cleared it and spit into a garbage, “any problems?”

  "It was busy but no problems. We had a homeless guy out front this morning but I shooed him away."

  “Homeless problem is getting worse everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to go out every hour soon and move people along.” He looked around for a moment before speaking again. “Where is Nolan?”

  “He’s back prepping for lunch.”

  “Good… Good.” He said and Sarah could tell he was distracted today.

  “Is everything alright dad?”

  "Yeah, everything is fine, just a long night."

  Neil waved off her concern and approached the two officers. Sarah wasn’t sure what he said to the two officers because it must have been no more than a whisper. When he walked away the officers boxed their food, stood up, thanked Sarah, and tipped her very well.

  "What did you say to them?" Sarah asked.

  This was ignored by her father who went right to the kitchen. She should have known that he wouldn't answer. She went in back to see if she could help Nolan in any way. Nolan was letting his father know what was done and Neil was giving instructions. Sarah started prepping some food and getting things ready.

  “What are you doing?” Neil asked as he walked up to Sarah

  “I am helping Nolan prep for lunch,” She answered a little more defensively than she wanted to.

  “That is what I came back here to do.” Neil started on her.

  “I didn’t know that I just figured I would help.”

  “If you are back here then who is watching the floor?” Neil said his voice raising.

  “Don’t yell at her she was only trying to help,” Nolan started walking towards Neil in defense of his sister.

  “You should get back to work, Nolan. This has nothing to do with you.”

  “You’re yelling at her cause she came to help me. Maybe if you hired more people she wouldn’t have to come back and help me.” Nolan yelled at his father, his face became red.

  "This is a family business, and only family will work it," Neil replied visibly trying to keep his temper down.

  “Most of the time it is just Sarah and I! We need more help!” Nolan fired back.

  “I am here!” Neil yelled losing his temper.

  “At lunch after the rush! Big help you are! Where were you all morning or how about all night! Oh, that is right, you were at the bar and couldn’t make it back in time and are half asleep now! Real big help dad!” Nolan finished and stared at his father.

  There was silence in the kitchen Sarah didn't know how her father would react to this. He stared right back a Nolan for a moment before saying. “Sarah go back out front. I will help prep. Nolan, you go upstairs and take a break. I will send Sarah up when we need you." Neil said in a forced calm voice.

  Sarah did as she was told but only after Nolan threw his apron on the ground and stormed upstairs. She didn’t dare say anything else to her father now. The restaurant got a little busy and when Nolan returned to work his temper had cooled off. Sarah snuck into the kitchen to make sure he was alright. He told her he was fine and she went back to work.

  It was late and the restaurant had closed. Sarah was waiting for the last person to finish up and pay. Nolan was sweeping the floor in front when Neil came out of the kitchen and told them he was ‘going out’. This comment made Nolan visibly upset. As Neil walked out of the threshold of the door to the building Nolan said in a loud enough voice so that Neil could hear it, “See you tomorrow dad!” Sarah could tell her father heard it, but ignored it, and walked down the street as if nothing was said.

  “Wouldn’t it be something if he tried to make it back tonight for once but got caught after curfew?” Nolan said in an amused voice.

  “You know we don’t have the money for bail.”

  “Oh, I know. That is why we would just leave him in there.”

  “He knows all the cops they wouldn’t arrest him. They would just take him home.”

  You’re pro
bably right.” Nolan said and finished his sweeping.

  The last person left and Sarah and Nolan sat at a table eating some food. One of the television’s hanging in the restaurant had the sound up. The reporter was going on about the protesters in the Southwest being arrested. Nolan shook his head at the screen as he watched.

  “What happened to freedom of speech? They were just picketing they weren’t violent.”

  “When has that ever mattered?” Sarah said and looked down at her food.

  She hated when Nolan would watch the news he would get so mad about how things are being run. She would tease him with ‘how about you get into politics’. He fought back with ‘I don’t want to be in that corrupt system’ and ‘how am I supposed to do that when I am stuck in a kitchen all day?’

  “What was the point of learning about the Constitution in school? The government never even looks at it to make sure they aren’t breaking laws?”

  “It is what it is,” Sarah said, getting sick of the old fight about what to do about the government. “President Marshal says it is for our own good.”

  “Like we can believe that, we haven’t been attacked since President Bush was killed and during the war. The news talked about the Democratic Insurgence but they have never done anything. I think it is just the government trying to scare us to think we are going to get attacked again.”

  “There is nothing we can do about it.”

  "We should do something, though! It is our job as citizens of this country to fix the things that don't do anything for us or if it works against us!" He said getting very passionate. This made Sarah laugh. "What is so funny?"

  “You, Mr. Patriot. Are you going to change things all on your own? Careful you sound like a member of the D.I. Dad might have to arrest you.” She laughed.

  This made Nolan laugh. “Maybe I won’t be able to do something but I hope someone does.”