The Sins of Our Fathers

Nicole

The vehicle sped across the never-ending desert jostling all the passengers sitting inside. A woman sat in the passenger seat, an M4 infantry automatic rifle propped in her arms, her normally pristine desert camouflage uniform was deeply soiled from the last four days out in the wilds of Iraq. Her black hair tied back into a low bun to hide the fact she hadn’t showered in almost a week and her helmet resting securely on top of her head.

Music blared on the radio; two others in matching uniforms sat in the back joking around. It was just another day for them out in this never-ending desert. She only had a few more days left before they got to go back home, and she was counting down the days. Looking over at the driver she smiled just before a loud explosion hit the vehicle flipping it over.

Gasping she tried to hang onto any part of the vehicle as it continued to roll knocking everyone inside like a pinball machine. Finally, the vehicle came to a stop, but before they could get out gunfire rained down on them spraying the vehicle killing the driver and two men in the back.

Crawling out of the car she grabbed her rifle slowly moving around the vehicle, but before she could peek at where the assault was coming from, she felt a sharp pain in her side. Looking down her eyes went wide seeing a crimson red patch spread across her uniform.

Falling to her knees she pressed her fingers to her side feeling the warm liquid pooling out. She could smell the metallic scent of her blood pressing harder on her side trying to stop the bleeding. Gasping in pain she looked up to see a figure approaching, before it neared her, she dropped onto her back darkness consuming her.

“Nicole.” A voice called out stirring her awake.

“Nicole.” Groaning she turned over trying to ignore it.

“WAKE UP SOILDER!” The voice shouted.

Shooting up into a sitting position she panted her body drenched in sweat. Holding her hand to her chest she closed her eyes trying to calm her thumping heartbeat.

Taking in several deep breaths she opened her eyes to take in her surroundings.

“Where am I?” She groaned looking around.

She seemed to be on the side of some road, but which one. Looking all around her there was nothing in sight. What was she going to do?

Standing up she looked around again, about to swear she then noticed something in the distance.

Lifting her hand above her eyes to give her some much needed shade she squinted her eyes trying to get a better look.

To her surprise and relief, she could make out what looked to be a town in the distance.

“Thank you!” She said looking up to the sky pressing her hands together.

Looking ahead again she took in a deep breath; her feet began moving forward as she slowly let the air back out.

It took her a half an hour before she reached the town. A small welcome sign read Welcome to Willow Brook. Thankfully it wasn’t too warm out, a nice breeze blowing by to keep her somewhat cool. She still couldn’t figure out why she was out here or how she got on the side of the road?

Walking into the town goosebumps raised up her spine from the eery silence that surrounded her. Something wasn’t right here, she knew it would be smart to turn around and find somewhere else, but instead she kept moving forward.

“Where is everyone?” She asked herself her eyebrows pinching together with concern.

The streets where empty, no one in sight. She passed a few stranded vehicles; it was as if the towns people decided to desert the town leaving all their belongings behind. What sane person would do that?

“HELLO!” She yelled only to be responded with more silence.

Every store, home, and inch of the town she checked was empty. She was all alone in this strange town. Why did everyone leave? Did something happen here?

At closer inspection she could see that it did look like some sort of altercation happened in this town, but what was it?

Hour after hour went by of her searching, but the more she looked the lonelier she felt. Why was she the only one here? Is this some sort of punishment? Had she died and this was her personal hell for her sins? Or was this all just some vivid dream that she was going to wake up from any minute?

Stopping at that thought she realized she didn’t know if she had committed any sins. She couldn’t really remember anything of her life, not even her name. The thought of her name brought up her dream. Someone was calling for a Nicole, maybe she is Nicole?

The voice also said Wake up soldier. Was she a soldier?

Looking down at herself she looked like a normal person. She had on a pair of faded ripped blue jeans, sneakers, and a black t-shirt. If she was a soldier, she wasn’t dressed like it.

She wandered the streets of the town never slowing her search, there had to be someone still here. She couldn’t be the only one in this town, she couldn’t be alone.

Walking into a nearby Starbucks she could smell coffee like it had just been brewed not too long ago. Hopping over the counter she searched till she found the coffee machine. Making quick work she found a mug pouring herself a cup.

Steam rose from the dark liquid kissing her cheeks as she took in a deep inhale of the delicious drink. Taking a big gulp, she couldn’t help but let out a little moan. One thing she knew for certain she was a coffee drinker, now she just needed to find a way to remember the rest of her life.

Maybe with time she could piece it together and slowly remember who she was? Maybe remembering who she was could also answer the question of why she was here?

Downing the rest of her cup she tossed the mug into the sink before leaving the coffee shop to continue her search.

The town was eerily silent, not a soul in sight. It was strange wandering around a deserted place that probably once was filled with so much life. She couldn’t help but wonder if people enjoyed living here.

Did they throw a yearly festival to bring the town together in celebration? Was this a tight knit community, everyone knowing everyone like one big family. Did she live here? Was she apart of this small community?

The more she searched, the more questions she had. Not knowing what the truth about this town or herself was starting to give her a headache. She needed to find someone, anyone who could give her some answers.

“HELLO!” She yelled.

Still only silence. Making her way through the town she had searched every house and building she came across only finding one empty space after another until she came across the last building.

This is it, the last building to check. Nicole couldn’t help but feel dread. What if like everywhere else she has searched this place would be empty as well? What if she really is the only person in this town?

That thought left a pit in her stomach weighing her down. What if this wasn’t the only deserted town? What if it’s like this everywhere?

That thought sent shivers up her spin and nausea to slowly rise her throat. Swallowing the bitter bile down she shook her head in defiance.

“No. This can’t be it. I can’t be the only one.” She said stomping her foot in defiance. Her hands now balled into tight fists.

Shaking her head, she let out a frustrated huff before looking back toward the building. This was it. It was time to find out if she was truly all alone or if there were others.

“HELLO!” She shouted looking up at the building in hopes she would see someone, anyone.

“ANYONE OUT THERE?” She continued to shout, but again the only response was silence.

Slumping her shoulders in defeat she turned on her heels about to walk away when a voice shouted back freezing her to her place. Her head shot up eyes widening in surprise to hear another voice, and it wasn’t her own.

“HELLO!” A woman’s voice shouted back to her.

Turning her head, she saw a woman standing on a balcony waving her hands.

Her long blond hair blowing in the wind like waves of sunshine. Who was this woman, and did she have any idea what was going on?

Maybe she would recognize her and be able to fill in the blanks that are currently crowded in her head. She needed answers, and hopefully this woman had them.

“I’M COMING UP!” Nicole shouted waving at the blonde on the balcony.

“THIRD FLOOR UNIT 314!” The blonde shouted back at her thrusting her fist into the air.

Odd... Nicole thought staring up at the woman. Maybe she was just excited to see her? Nicole couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope that this odd woman may know her and offer some answers.

“Well, here goes nothing.” Nicole muttered to herself.

Taking in a deep breath she started walking towards the front entrance. Her day couldn’t possibly get any worse, and maybe this would help her. Meeting this mystery woman face to face, and hopefully she would get some much-needed answers.