Aerie InternationaL - Missoula County Public Schools

obaid syed
norman, oklahoma, usa
the Army
It was getting late, Nimbuk observed, as the sun reached its
destination on the horizon. “Goodbye, friends,” he said to his teammates,
and began the race against the sun. He ran through fields where farms
should have been, threatening the sun from going farther with his stare.
At least the wind was supportive, he thought, as it blew in his direction. He
almost enjoyed the rush invoked
by his procrastination, because
it made him feel like his energy
was being channeled throughout
his body, giving it the ability
to produce whatever action he
willed it to produce.
He reached the depreciated
apartment building and sighed
in relief. He wasn’t going to be too
late. He walked toward the house, climbing the torn stairs skillfully,
remembering which plank was safe enough to step on. He knocked
firmly, and waited. The usual welcoming creek of the door was absent
today, it seemed. He resorted to plan b, which required him to jump on
the side railing, hop on to the wide windowsill two floors in the air and
carefully slip the thin metal plate inside to open the lock. He tumbled in
with a crash loud enough to wake anyone in the house. Yet no one came.
He found no signs around the house explaining his parents’ sudden
departure. This never happens, he thought. They always inform me before they
leave. He looked more closely at everything around him – the sofas sat,
the ornaments hung, and the books lay the same way as they had this
morning, before he departed. His eye fell upon something he had given
little importance to earlier – the carpet bristles were inverted, making a
path pointed toward the door. Immediately, he left the house, planning
to ask his neighbors. His plans changed, however, as he saw five grey
overcoats and one outstretched hand, displaying a police badge.
“Where are my parents?” Nimbuk demanded, knowing to be direct
with these officials.
“All I can say is this: your parents are traitors against the sovereignty,
and must be punished accordingly. Be quiet and come with us. Asking
questions would only make the situation worse for you and your
38
Immediately, he left the house,
planning to ask his neighbors.
His plans changed, however,
as he saw five grey overcoats
and one outstretched hand,
displaying a police badge.