The commons was designed as a place for officers and elites to enjoy simple recreation and eat without cause for ridiculous ceremonies, such as saluting and acknowledging every single rank beneath them. It was also open all hours of the day to accommodate the various schedules, whereas the mess hall operated during normal meal times only. As I entered, I found it packed with all ranks, eyes glued to the TV lowered from the ceiling in the center of the room. The volume was so high it echoed through the halls. Eventhe shower room on the basement level picked up a low murmured hum just above the buzz of lights when I went to clean up after another workout.
It appeared the news stations had somehow caught wind of the mysterious happenings there. Strange lights, voices, people in dark vehicles coming and going at all hours of the day and night. That wasn’t news to me, and I didn’t want anything else to do with the place. Rarely did the media tell the truth on what really happens. It was better I ignored the report altogether.
I squeezed and pushed my way to the fridge to pull out a pimento sandwich and bottle of water then managed to wiggle my way to the cabinet on the far end for a small bag of chips. Deciding it would be better to eat in my room, I made my way to the door. Right as I reached it, I realized the room fell silent. Looking up, I met the eyes of every soul in the crowded room. They seemed to wait for my reaction.
Then my eyes lifted to the TV, narrowing in on a set of orbs that were like empty black pits with a sprinkling of brown. The single dimple on his cheek remained put as he flashed his arrogant smile to all the cameras surrounding him. My lungs constricted, expelling what seemed like the last of the air left in the room. A black rim dotted my vision and a strange swishing in my ears overwhelmed every other sound. Something crashed to the floor with a loud clatter that echoed too much. My vision faded, and my legs gave out from under me.
Forced to Remember
A Kansas native, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time with her husband and three kids. Writing has always been a passion of hers, forgoing all other desires to devote to this one obsession, even though she often finds herself arguing with her characters through much of the process. She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others.
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