This came to mind as I was listening to one of my favorite childhood songs and thought how well this fits the Handmaid's Tale. Before you start, I urge you to listen to Sound the Bugle by Bryan Adams as you read. This takes place in 3x09. Thank you.
It was another night in Gilead and for most of its citizens, mainly the Handmaids, it was the only time they can escape this gruesome reality they are forced to live in. But one in particular could not find even a small reprieve as she laid in her cot not far from the incessant beeping from the machines keeping her walking partner alive. For more than two months June's been in this hospital room, praying on her knees before her partner's bed as punishment for Natalie's humiliation and endangering the life of her unborn child. So she is stuck within those four white walls until the baby is born. But the longer she stayed, the more she felt her sanity leave her.
Just as she was about to fall into restless sleep, music echoed into the room from outside the hospital. She stood up and limped towards the window, days on her knees left her unable to walk properly. Every step made her body cry out in agony, but she didn't care. She followed the sound to the window where she heard the music originating from. It was sad yet soothing, comforting and mournful as she heard the first words echo across the district.
Sound the bugle now, play it just for me
As the seasons change remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on, I can't even start
I've got nothing left, just an empty heart
That verse hit something inside of June as she recalled the happy peaceful life she had before Gilead, before her daughter was taken from her. Those beautiful memories were the only things that kept her going, that helped her hold onto hope that she will be with her daughters again. But now, she has nothing left to hold onto.
I'm a soldier: wounded so I must give up the fight
There's nothing more for me, lead me away...
Or leave me lying here
Now that she can no longer find her precious Hannah, she's lost all reason to keep going. Her head bowed until it touched the window, her eyes clenched shut, but could not stop the tears from falling down her cheeks.
Sound the bugle now
Tell them I don't care
There's not a road I know that leads to anywhere
Her legs gave up as she slid to the ground, her back against the wall as she gasped and lightly sobbed, truly lost, in pain, and heart broken.
Without a light I fear that I will stumble in the dark
Lay right down decide not to go on
The words to this song hit too close to home and is just adding insult to injury as she cried into her heavily bruised knees.
Then from on high somewhere in the distance
There's a voice that calls, "Remember who you are.
If you lose yourself your courage soon will follow.
So be strong tonight. Remember who you are."
June slowly picked up her head when she heard those words echo into her heart. Memories of Moira getting onto the train towards freedom, of Emily carrying baby Holly to Canada, all who fought and held strong when the odds stacked against them. Their faces full of determination and hope, telling her to remember her purpose. Her true purpose.
Almost as soon as she felt hopelessness and sorrow did it disappear, only to be replaced by the message this song was telling her, telling the people oppressed by Gilead. Whoever had the balls to play this song for all of Gilead to hear, was telling them to keep going, to keep fighting for their children, their families and their future. She wiped her tears away as a new kind of determination filled her heart and soul.
You're a soldier now fighting in a battle
Yes, she will continue to fight, for her daughters, for her sisters, for herself. She won't let them win. They may think they own her body, but they will never get her soul. Her legs shook as she stood up and walked back towards her cot.
To be free once more.
Yeah, that's worth fighting for
She pulled the blanket back over her as she listened to the last uplifting verse of the song with a new peaceful smile on her face. "Thank you." she said as she fell into a much happier sleep.
Alex pulled away from the microphone and shut off the music he blasted all over Gilead through the speakers he and his friends set up to annoy Gilead. For a long time he wanted to get that message out to the oppressed and abused, to give them strength in the one thing they were deprived of.
Carrie clapped her hands in applause for his heartfelt performance to the now awakened Gilead district. With all the speakers echoing across the buildings and houses, it was hard to pin point exactly where Alex sung from.
"That was truly beautiful." Carrie said as she felt hope rise from the victims of Gilead and irritation from the leaders. Her ability to feel emotions skyrocketed since Washington. To feel their spirits lifted back up with this song made her feel happier than anything.
"Thank you." Alex bowed to her as they saw some of lights turn on in the houses and patrol trucks blare their sirens as they tried to find the disturber of the peace.
"It really feels good to piss them off." Alex grinned as Carrie shook her head at him then took his arm and levitated them back to base.
"We should do this again on our next night off." Alex suggested to Carrie.
Okay, this was more of a filler and for feels. Hope you liked the song I suggested. Thank you.