‘How do you defeat terrorism? Don’t be terrorised.’
― Salman Rushdie, Step Across This Line
The door opens, slowly, rattling up.
Inside, there is security, double locked doors, video cameras, a keen eyed concierge, neighbours who know everyone. And yet know no-one. Not really. Who knows. I don’t. Do you?
Inside, they are like me, maybe I can trust them, maybe not, but I know them, and they know me. I think.
The door rumbles up and over. Electrical humming. Cables taught.
Like my nerves, drawn tight.
It’s all over the news.
They. They might be out there, beyond the door, the double locks, the security. They might be there. And, they might get in.
Blue lights flash. Sirens fill the night with something less than seasonal sensation. Doors are broken down. They are there, and they, the others, the ones with the blue lights, they know it.
And, between them and me, the door. It rolls back down.
Closed.
Safe again, or not?
At home, in a place that you might just have seen on the news.
This post was written in response to the prompt for Day 10 of the WordPress Writing 101 Course in which were invited to ‘quietly observe the world around us and write about what we see.’ Sadly, where I live it has been far from quiet, albeit reasonably far away from the events that resulted in the disquiet here, although some say vice versa. Needless to say, this post is in part fiction, and (mostly) a reflection on recent events.
WordPress Writing 101 (November 2015): Day 10
Beautifully written Andy. We see what’s happening from here but it must be so different and so difficult to be so close to it. X
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Thank you Desley, as it happens it’s been a very busy day today also….https://andytownend.com/2015/11/21/twentyfour/
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I just read it Andy. Powerful. Stay safe. #dontlooktheotherway
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Thank you again, the streets are still very quiet but hope to see them start to return to normal tomorrow…
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“Safe” is a very relative and slippery term…none of us know when terror may strike again.
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Very true, but we can’t let it change the way we live. Never.
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I like your resolve 🙂
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The only way to be, and go.
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That’s true–can’t be wishy-washy 🙂
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Unsettling; I feel the tension in your words.
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Yes, and the tension here has only increased these last few days…
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I’m sure. Take care.
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I just double checked that my doors are locked…your piece got to me…
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Oh Melinda, I’m sorry, didn’t mean to disturb…
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It’s ok. A little disturbance is good. It shakes things up
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True, also.
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I don’t have the answers on how to beat terrorism, but bombing the shit out of people doesn’t seem to help the situation…
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Not sure anyone has the answers right now. Have been in the thick of it today though… https://andytownend.com/2015/11/21/twentyfour/
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