Disposable Men

Thanks to a few prompts over at BeKindRewrite’s Inspiration Monday I was able to write this piece:

Disposable Men

My heart pounded and the branches whipped my face. My pursuer was not far behind, his rainbow wig, white face and big red nose were supposed to make a child laugh not fill with terror. I was relieved to see a wooden shack just ahead. After locking the door, my mind returned to my birthday party that day, I tried to remember the happy moments. I wondered if anyone realised we were gone. My thoughts were soon shattered. Outdoors an axe began chopping through the door. Just as enough of the boards had splintered to reveal a gap big enough for Choco the Clown to peer through, I made my way out the back and continued being chased. Finally, I saw the big white house again and knew that I was safe. I used to have dreams of that day until I had them erased. I learned to hate clowns and distrust everything that was underneath the costume and makeup.

In my teens I saw the first ever female world leader elected into office. She was strong and powerful. She had vision but she was wise to keep that vision to herself until all the cards had been dealt and the game was nearly played out. I admired her. I’d even decided I wanted to follow in her footsteps someday. I made it as far as the army where I loyally protected the order she created.

I gently kissed both my daughters on the cheek. Manny 1-4-1-13 was teaching them how to make a mask. They were clever and beautiful. I couldn’t help but think how much Drea looked just like me but Mari, well she was more like… Anger swelled inside of me and I left them to it.

I lined up the troops for inspection. They were the finest group of women I had ever had the honour of whipping into shape. They had never been out on a tracking mission before but they were ready and they knew it.

We paraded past the holding cells where the men were kept during the evenings. I felt it would inspire them and make them more pumped about the mission ahead. The men had settled down after the riot earlier in the day. Only one had escaped this time, he once was a good reproducer and we needed to get him back in as soon as possible so he could be dealt with. There were plenty more disposable men to take his place. I despised the men’s holding blocks. I felt the stink of clean was too good for some of the beasts that were kept there. My troops briskly made their way towards the exit.

I divided the trackers and sent them off in different directions. I knew where 13-9-11-5 might be and I really needed to bring him back in myself.

I reached the run down building. A sign dangled over the area where the door used to be, it said Mike’s Bar. I heard music coming from inside. As I entered the dark ruins, he turned and looked at me. I saw the familiar look of sorrow in his eyes.

“I knew it wouldn’t take you long to find me Madeline,” I heard the defeat in his voice.

“Why did you run, you know what they will do to you?” I couldn’t hide my anger.

“As if you care anymore.”

I flinched at his words but coldly replied, “When did I ever care?”

“The day you warned me to go into hiding like the others did.”

“Why didn’t you listen? Why did you let us capture you?”

“Because at the time I could not bear a life without you or the girls but I didn’t realise just how bad things would get in that compound.”

He looked so small sat there on the floor. Mari was so much like him. He was the only man I ever trusted. He was one of the few good ones. I wanted to reach out to him but I knew it would not be long before the trackers arrived, “If you hurry you can go before the others come.”

He just stared at me as he got to his feet. He was beautiful even at his age. I never breathed as he gently held me and kissed my lips. Then he collapsed to the floor. I had trained my trackers too well.