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Collateral Damage

January 18, 2023 14 Comments

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The remaining buildings in the bombed-out village shimmer behind undulating waves of heat rising off the deserted street. Cut off from outside aid, Fariba and her son, Bijan, pedal their bikes carefully through the rubble, baskets full of overpriced supplies from the black market.

Eyeing the sky, listening for drones, she says, “Let’s get inside.”

Back at the hospital, the power is on, for now; the water is clean, for now; the generator is old; the fuel is scarce—bombs aren’t the only things that kill out here in the desert.

Inside, the AC screams, almost as loudly as the children.

By Alan Gaines

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pamela Cartlidge says

    January 18, 2023 at 7:10 am

    Heart aching.

    Reply
  2. James B. Revell says

    January 18, 2023 at 7:24 am

    Very graphic, and realistic.

    Reply
  3. Scott Bogart says

    January 18, 2023 at 8:18 am

    Nice piece of writing. You painted it beautifully into my head. Love the heartbreaking last line.

    Scott

    Reply
  4. Rachel Glowacki says

    January 18, 2023 at 9:39 am

    Last line, heartbreaking ?.
    Beautiful words.

    Reply
  5. Lesley Bungay says

    January 18, 2023 at 9:41 am

    Very evocative writing – and that last line! Heartbreaking!

    Reply
  6. Jerry Jerman says

    January 18, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Remarkable in its efficiency. I felt thoroughly engaged by this story.

    Reply
  7. Deanna Salser says

    January 18, 2023 at 4:41 pm

    I feel a sense of rising urgency here. Well done.

    Reply
  8. Doug Jacquier says

    January 18, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    A genuine talent for the atmospheric and arresting. Well done.

    Reply
  9. Valli says

    January 19, 2023 at 6:42 am

    Chapeau…

    Reply
  10. Bruce Wright says

    January 19, 2023 at 12:03 pm

    Well done Alan

    Reply
  11. Terra says

    January 19, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    Powerfully poignant and well crafted!

    Reply
  12. Pegheart says

    January 19, 2023 at 8:24 pm

    With your words I was there and saw the frantic movement of their feet. I felt a mothers fear.
    Heartfelt Alan ?

    Reply
    • Pegheart says

      January 19, 2023 at 8:26 pm

      Sorry Alan
      Don’t know why the ? Is there…..

      Reply
  13. Ellery Marina says

    January 20, 2023 at 12:46 am

    All in a nutshell… ?

    Reply

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