"Beyond the Wall"

Elias tucked his little brother into bed then stepped out of their hut and looked westward like he did every evening. No sign of them. He closed his eyes and prayed that they would finally come home.

“Elias,” his mother had said, “watch over Matta. We will return at sundown.” 

It had been nearly two months since that day.

Elias knew his parents’ journey beyond the wall would be dangerous, though people did not talk to children about what was out there. His mother was extremely calm when she left. She must have known it would be all right.  Elias knew she would keep her promise to return.

Not long after Elias lay down, there were screams from outside the hut. Elias woke, bleary eyed and confused. He shook Matta. “Wake up! Matta! We must leave!”

The screams continued. Shadowed figures ran past the window. A flickering orange glow emanated from down the road. 

Matta rubbed his eyes then sat up suddenly at the noise. His frightened eyes met Elias’. Elias grabbed his brother’s hand. “Come. It will be all right. We will go to Mama and Papa.”

Elias looked to see if the way was clear. Hand in hand they bolted to the next hut and took cover. Hut by hut, they made their way toward the wall. 

The reached the base of the monstrosity. “Up,” Elias whispered. Matta shook his head, tears running down his cheeks. Elias started climbing. He reached out his hand. “I will help you.”

Inch by inch they climbed. The wall was more of a barricade, built with layers of junk and dirt. The sound of explosions rung in the boys’ ears. Screams intensified. Matta whimpered. “Keep going,” Elias instructed.

Finally they reached the top. The boys looked back at the town, glowing with fire. Indiscernible figures flew in every direction. Elias gestured to Matta, and they began the descent beyond the wall.

On the ground Elias threw his arms around Matta. They both sobbed. Quickly, Elias straightened up. “We must go. We can not stay here.” He grabbed Matta by the hand. “Not on the road. Stay low.”

They ran at first, but as the sounds behind them grew fainter their steps slowed. They found themselves surrounded by sand and darkness. “Elias, I’m tired.”

“We must find the strength to go on.”

Just then, something grabbed them from the darkness. Matta screamed. Elias tried to fight off the attackers. The boys kicked and screamed as they were flung into a box in the back of some sort of vehicle. It rode on and on. The boys cried themselves to sleep.

Elias woke as the vehicle stopped. It was daylight. The boys were pulled from the box and pushed into a building with no windows, and only slits near the roof for light. 

“Matta? Elias?!” A woman flung herself upon the new captives.

“Mama!” Matta squeezed his mother. 

Elias looked in her eyes. “Where are we Mama?”

“Don’t mind that, Elias. We are together again.”

“Where is Papa?”

 “He is not with us anymore, but we will see him again some day.” Mama smiled at Elias. “It will be okay.”

Elias knew his mother was right. She was always right. Whatever this nightmare was, it was going to be okay.

#

It has been nearly two years since that day. Elias, Matta, and Mama were finally walking back into their town, though very different from when they had left. It was just about sundown. Elias smiled. “Mama said we’d return at sundown,” he thought. Mama was always right. 

Written for a picture prompt in my writing group. (Originally Posted April 16, 2016)