IN THE SHADOWS

We sat on the rooftops. We did this every sunrise and sunset. It gave us hope, hope that we will one day get out of the slums and enjoy the real world like others. Jack and I were best of friends since the day we were born. He was my twin and am Alex. Everyday was the same in the slums, the sun was hotter and the air was polluted. Dirty water formed streams after the pipes leaked. It was terrible, but the horror days were approaching. Rumors spread faster than wildfires in the slums, everybody knew everybody but still the rate of theft was skyrocketing. I never understood how people were getting robbed and we all knew each other,but that is one of the world's wonders or mysteries. There were no churches but all of us were religious, somehow we needed the "BIG GUY" for survival. Rumors fell on the slums like a plague for a couple of days the all was silent. Rumors were no more, faces changed from frowned ones to recovery ones. The clouds had pass but the storm was approaching. After a short period of what seemed to be relief, here came the fucken' a cloud that shook even the earths and cracked it open. Big tractors and rollers invaded our home like a disease wiping everything in it's way without caring about our lives, the lives of young innocent children and the old. "Everybody for himself, God for us all". We scattered like flies or ants trying to save our dear lives. The old and the children who were not able to run for their lives or snatched quickly and firmly by the hands of their protective parents surely faced a cruel end. Moments later after the demons were gone, what we all referred as home was a clear plain field with nothing standing. Red fluid now filled made streams as cries were heard from different corners of the now open field. Angry and mothers cried and screamed their voices out for the loss of their children or loved ones. Fortunately for me I was safe and so was my twin, and that was all I cared about though i felt sad for my neighbours lost but I couldn't have done anything to help. We had to leave. We were forced to leave, we always wanted to leave the slums but not in this way. I led the way and so followed my brother. I didn't know anywhere to go but we just walked until we got to the city. My eyes were hanging out of their eyeballs but my body smelt like fish. The city was huge and crowded and it had tall buildings and it was easy to get lost so I grabbed Jack's hand as we walked. We were Both so damn exhausted and hungry. Our bodies were skinny and bony that we feared we had no flesh at all. "Am hungry Alex and so tired can we find some food after we rest for?" This skinny ass was crazy, he is talking about hunger and rest in the middle of I crowded street. sure as hell am hungry to but am not complaining, so if he opens his little damn mouth to complain again, I will sure whip his tiny ass. I thought looking directly at him. Sometimes the boy drove me mad but he was my brother and my responsibility. "Yeah sure, we will do that but we are not sitting in this crowded place so shut up and let's find a place to rest for a while". so I said. Later after i made we had the conversation, of two lines, we walked for hours everybody minding his own thoughts and keeping them to himself. My mind was about to explode when we come to a park where we sat and enjoyed the clean air getting into our nostrils and the calm soothing wind brushing our unkeep hair. Minutes later we blacked out. THE DREAM: I dreamt being able to save the lives that were lost, being able to help the helpless and to shelter the homeless. I dreamt being able to feed hungry mouths and clothe them. I dreamt a world with no slums, every child going to school and the elderly resting in their elderly homes. In my dream I saw happy children a happy nation not spoilt by greedy people. I was all grown up me and my brother and we drove big cars. I saw a healthy happy nation in my dream. Some people say that dreams are messages sent to us or vision, but I didn't think that. I was just a homeless boy, why would God send me a message instead of others? I opened my eyes and I was welcome by the bright stars in the sky. The stars were clearer. I turned and faced my sleeping brother, how I wish I could help him. He looked so peaceful and calm. I wondered what he was dreaming of, he was always the naive one, the good hearted and he lived a simple righteous life. That night seeing him sleep made me happy until he started shaking. He was cold, so I took off my buggy old jacket and covered him and watched him sleep. Where will we go next? who will help us? how about food, where will we find food? This were the questions ringing on my mind making it boil like the magma. All in all I just sat next to my brother watching him sleep and enjoying the stars. I hoped tomorrow would be better than today and we will have success finding food. "Hello sir, it's time for your speech if you're ready" Lizzie's voice outside the door. "I will be out in five" I answered her. I was writing a book about me and my brothers life. It was hard for both of us but we made it, I become a Civil rights leader having my own party which I was running for governor and my brother was a doctor in a reputed hospital.