Cracked Window Orange Light

Mia is staring at cracks in the window pane, orange light creeping into her beautiful green world. It looks like a glowing bush; a seed on the glass that has sprouted limbs going up and streaks that resemble roots coming down.

…

“Bella! Don`t play inside. Take your toy to the other room.”

“You are not my mama. I will play wherever I want Mia.”

“This is Mama`s special room. You can`t be here.”

“Mama isn`t here. I can do whatever I want.”

Bella flings her toy in the air and runs to grab it. Mia who is in her path jumps out of her way as she goes for it. Bella crashes into the table kept under the window with all her weight, as she slips to a halt. The telescope kept on the table hits the window pane hard, on its way to the ground.

Mia holds her breath; her pupils are two dark pits on her wide open eyes. She watches as a point on the window pane slowly crawls in all directions and turns into a glowing orange bush. The window is cracked.

“Look what you have done Bella! Mama will be mad.”

Bella carelessly strolls into the other room like she should have in the first place.

…

Mia has looked through her mother`s telescope to the world on the other side. She has seen the big orange beasts playing under the shiny ball. That world isn`t safe like the soft green one her mother has created. In the orange world, big beasts grab little ones and fly away. Sometimes they are so big that they don`t need to fly. Nothing is running to bite them and they casually stroll from one side of the window frame to the other. Then they disappear into the orange world. Her mama is so brave. She goes everyday into that world.

There is one way to survive this. She has seen her mother do it, time to time. A string hangs to the left of the window. Her mother pulls that string when she is done scribbling in her book sometimes. Yes that`s the only way now. Mia will need Bella`s help for this. It`s going to be difficult; Bella is disagreeable and the string is quite high.

…

“Come in T 218, this is S 219, over.

Come in Tech 218, this is Scavenger 219, This is Scavenger 219, over.”

“This is Tech 218. What's the score Cleo? Over.”

“Bill, I need a replacement window. I have cracks in this one.”

“Wait what? How did you crack a window?”

“I don`t have time to explain right now. I need that window or all three of us will be dead soon.”

“Okay Cleo, what have you got, to exchange I mean?”

“You know how it is these days, Bill. We are barely making food rations. I don`t have any surplus to offer. This one has to come from credit I am afraid.”

“I like you Cleo. You are a good worker. But, a window credit is above me.”

“Damn it Billy. I told you. I can`t exchange anything right now. I am running on utilities only. I don`t have any comfort gear.”

“What about filters? Do you have a spare water filter running?”

“No. We are using all the water we make here. We have to ration when filters need repairs. How do you propose we get drinking water, with no stand by?”

“We are all running low Cleo. Perhaps you should reconsider your family of three, if you can`t mange it.”

“I am not looking for suggestions on how to run my show here, Billy. I need that window to keep running this operation. If I can`t look out and survey the landscape, I will be dead the moment I step out. All I am asking for is a window on credit. You know I am good for it. I risk my life out there.”

“Calm down. Calm down. Let me send a request up the chain and wait for a response. In the mean time, think about cutting the family size. Over and out.”

“That mother fucker.”

…

“Bella we have to work together for this one. You understand.”

“I am only doing it Mia, because I don`t want mama to be mad. You are not my boss.”

“Okay. Okay. Let`s just finish this quick. I will need your help. I want you to stand near the table. I will go up the table and bring down the string hanging to the left.”

“What will I do then? You are not giving me the good part.”

“Bella! you idiot. This is not a game. When I bring down the string. You pull hard on it. This will drop the big one in front of the window and stop the orange light. You got that. Mama won`t be mad at us then.”

“Okay Mia. I want to go back and play after that.”

With a loud thud a shutter drops in front of the cracked window blocking it. They

have pulled it off.

…

Cleo is in her dark radio room waiting for a response. Her head is in her hands but she isn`t crying, there are no tears. Those went away with family and friends she had. Her body has receded into a primitive state reminiscent of a woman she once was. Complex feelings have simplified into easily conceivable sensations, a sudden rush of blood to the veins, a racing heart, a mind on edge. In the evening, she tumbles dead on the mattress in her room with Bella and Mia by her side. She thought of killing herself but the little ones need her; it is the daily grind that has kept her alive.

“Come in S 219, This is T 218. Come in Scavenger 219, This is Tech 218, Over.”

“This is S 219, over.”

“You got the window Cleo.”

“Yes. Yes. Thank You Thank…”

“Wait, wait, wait. It comes with a catch. Over”

“What do you mean catch. I told you I can`t spare a water filter. You know that. Over”

“Now, don`t get mad Cleo. Here is the deal. The command will give you that window in exchange for your little one.”

“What? Are you insane. I can`t just hand over Mia. I get it; those fuckers are asking me to die. Do they expect me to agree to that.”

“Listen Cleo, try to understand. You got lucky. Someone high up the command needs a little pet for their boy. That`s the deal. Take it or brave it out without a window. You said it yourself, you won`t last a day like that. Over”

“Fuck you.”

“Think on it. I will get back to you. Over and out.”

…

“You will be okay love. You will find new friends soon.” Cleo says lifting Mia, her

Bengal cat, in her arms. She gently rubs its soft fur on her face. She feels it purr; its low rumble slowly seeps into her chest. Her heart drops its tempo as she heaves staggered breaths. She shifts Mia wrapped in her arms into a box. Its weight shifts onto the soft cushion she has kept inside; Mia is ready to be handed over to the command.

“I am going to miss you so much my lovely.” 

Bella barks and howls as Mia yowls in the box.

End.