Chapter Seven: Fall of a Nation

San Francisco, United States of America, March 11th, 2023

The man adjusted his glasses as he watched the television. The president was on screen, giving a speech to a crowd of protesters. "Let's see what he's going to do.." He whispered.

Julius Stevens sighed. Despite being a former senator, he felt no love for the country anymore, and extreme hatred for the president on the screen. He was the one who ruined the country. He looked over at the mantle. A picture of a young man in an army uniform, saluting and smiling in front of the American flag.

Julius scowled. President Jeffrey King had taken his eldest son's life by sending him to subjugate Mexico, only to be murdered by partisans. He turned back to the TV. King was still there, yammering on about 'uniting under the flag' and 'stand strong' and 'overcome all of our struggles' and shit like that. He rummaged around his jacket for a cigarette, before remembering that his wife had confiscated all packs he had owned. He heard the door open and close. It was his son, Hiroi, coming home from school. "No work?" He yelled.

"Nope, got someone to cover for me today," Hiroi replied.

Julius snorted. "Don't slack off just because you have it better than most people,"

"What's on TV?" Hiroi leaned behind Julius, "Oh, it's the prez. I thought it would be something about Europe or Asia or something like that."

Julius looked up. "Do you enjoy watching human suffering?" He glared at his son, who shook his head in panic.

"No, not at all. It's just that we're in the most tumultuous time in history, and I want to soak as much as I can." Hiori answered.

ulius nodded in agreement. "You're right, son. We're just spectators of the world stage, like an enormous coliseum back in the Roman era," As Hiroi was walking up the stairs, Julius looked back again. "Nice use of a vocab word, by the way." He said.

Hiroi smiled. "Thanks,"

…..

Hiroi slumped on his bed, throwing his book bag across the room. He grinned happily, taking his phone out. It was at school where his crush-a girl named Lavender Tarleton-confessed to him! She had walked up, or to be more precise, pushed by her friends to his lunch table. Her entire face was red, glaring at him with teary eyes. She whispered "I like you." before speeding off in the opposite direction, to the bewilderment of Hiroi and his friends. The news spread across the entire school, and the two were immediately shipped together. Hiroi kept his cool from the teasing, but under the facade he was ecstatic. The day went quickly for him, as his mind wandered about his first date, first kiss and other things typical of teenage couples.

Hiroi scrolled through his social media feed, watching Gifs and liking memes. He got a message from his best friend, Zach. Yo, dude, when are you gonna bang that chick yet?

Hiroi rolled his eyes in disgust.

Dude, it's literally been only an hour since school ended. Can your perverted mind shut up for a minute?

I'm just checking dude. We're friends, so we should tell each other of these kinds of stuff, right?

That's none of your fucking business man, and we've barely even talked to each other yet.

Yo, chill dude. What's with you?

Hiroi exited social media when he heard his father curse from downstairs.

Julius continued to watch the television, glaring at the president. He was still ranting about 'Reuniting our open wounds'.

"We must recognize the danger our country is in! For us to rebuild we must-" A sudden explosion rocked the podium. President King and vice-president Teller disappeared within the blast. Several more blasts erupted in the crowd of protesters. The crowd panicked and began to run away, only to be gunned down by secret service and police officers. The camera falls over, and the TV turns to a news studio.

A brunette anchor wiped her forehead nervously. Shouts of panic could be heard from the background. "Um, it seems a terrorist attack has killed the president and vice-president." She began hyperventilating.

"Fuck!" Julius swore.

Hiroi ran down the stairs. "What happened?" He asked. His mother walked in as well, puzzled from the commotion.

Julius's phone rang. He picked it up.

"Julius, it's me. You seen the news yet?" A voice said.

"Yeah, I have. This is the last straw. We need to get the group together. Tom, do you think you can make it?"

"I don't think it's safe at your place anymore. It's not safe anywhere. There's already riots and fighting everywhere. Hell, there's a huge fight between the cops and militias across the street right now."

"Don't worry. Just get everyone to come over here. Also, take your guns with you." Julius hung up. He looked at his family. "Hiroi, can you stay over at a friend's place tonight?"

Hiroi shrugged. "I don't know." he replied.

9:00 P.M.

Several men hunched over by the kitchen table.

"What do we do, now that the president is dead?" The overweight man asked.

Julius sighed. "This is finally the time to break off and create our own country." He said.

"Militias in California, Oregon and Washington are planning for a takeover of the west coast and create the Republic of Cascadia," The African American spoke up. "But the new president's going to try to stop us." He said.

Julius looked at him. "Tom, the new president's got no power right now. He's going to fall down like King," He assured Tom. "This is the perfect moment. Harold, get your troops in San Diego ready for an attack against the army. Shayne, gather your supporters in Sacramento. Ford, get the mayor to support our cause. The rest of you, gather your forces and wait for my orders."

There was a large bang at the door, forcing all of the men to jump up.

"This is the police! Open up now!" A large booming voice called out.

"Fuck, it's Collins," Julius swore. "Go out the back, you won't be seen there." He whispered.

A large crash indicated the door was broken down. Several policemen stormed through the broken doorway and fanned throughout the house.

Julius unholstered his Desert Eagle and fired a shot at the first officer who peeked around the corner. The shot hit the corner, and the police officer ducked back. Julius himself took cover behind a table. "Shit, shit shit." He muttered.

"Julius~I know you're there~~." A voice sang from the hallway.

"Collins, the hell do you want," Julius grumbled.

"You think you were safe just because you were a former senator? Give me a break, I've been watching you for months. I wasn't going to do anything but then the rebels murdered the president," Collins said.

"You don't know if it was the result of the rebels," Julius replied.

"Oh, I don't need proof for that," Collins laughed. "Just surrender, and maybe I might be willing to spare you." Collins stepped out into the open. "Surrender. All of your friends are captured, and-" The he shoved someone in front of him. "She might get the bullet." He sneered menacingly.

Julius froze; It was his wife. He gritted his teeth in frustrations, but placed his gun down and stood up, hands behind his head. Collin's smile grew wider, and beckoned Julius to walk over. Julius slowly headed towards Collins, who grabbed him by the collar. He dragged Julius and threw into the living room. "You filthy traitor," He snarled. "You'll learn your place soon enough."

"Sir, what should we do with the son?" An officer asked.

"Not my son!" Pleaded Julius.

Collins looked at him. "We're not barbarians. We're not going to kill your son," He cocked his pistol. "But unfortunately for you, this is the end." He hissed.

Julius glared at him with his piercing blue eyes. "You liar.." He whispered.

Collins threw his head back in a laugh. He grabbed Julius's wife by the hair and shot her in the head.

The blood spattered onto Julius, whose eyes widened in fear and shock. "Bastard! You fucking bastard!" He screamed. A police officer stepped up from behind and shot him in the back of the head, and his body slumped over, blood seeping the carpet.

Hiroi was snoring heavily when the door opened with a slam. Hiroi jumped awake to see an armored police officer standing over him. He grabbed Hiroi and started to drag him downstairs. He was still groggy from sleep and was not able to fight back. As the officer dragged him through the house he looked to his right, towards the living room. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the bodies of his parents being dragged away. He began to struggle, but the police officer tightened his grip on Hiroi.

The officer threw Hiroi into the back of a truck. Hiroi looked up to see the men that was with Julius earlier.

"Hey kid. How'ya feeling?" Tom asked as Hiroi picked himself up.

"I don't know.." He replied.

The fat man sighed. "It's over. We're going to be killed," He said.

Hiroi sat down next to Tom. "We're not going to die, Mr. Harold," He reassured Harold.

Harold stared down. "Collins's going to put a bullet in all of us!" He began to cower.

A moustached man snorted. "I gave up a long time ago. I don't care if I die," He stated as a matter of factly.

"Shayne, no one else is a cynic, so I don't want to hear it., Tom replied.

"Hey, friends!" Everyone turned to see Collins jump in the back and close the door. "How's everyone feeling tonight?" He smiled, a mocking jeer.

"You fuckin' bastard," Tom whispered.

"Well, well, Tom Sweeney, always the foul-mouthed one, aren't you?" Collins poked Tom in the shoulder, who groaned. "Don't worry. You traitors will be sent to a prison far away, in solitary confinement." He gleefully explained.

The truck began moving at full speed, hitting road bumps and skidding around corners. The prisoners tumbled around in the truck. Hiroi put his hands over his head, scared out of his mind. He has no idea where he's going, and if he's even going to survive the night.

Collins peered down at him. "Don't worry kid, you're most likely going to live," He laughed.

Hiroi glared at him. "You bastard." He spat out.

Collins bellowed out a loud laugh. "They don't call me 'SS of the West Coast' for nothing," He boasted. He began to twirl his pistol around. "I've personally killed thousands of rebels, and ordered the executions of thousands more!" He sang aloud. He put the barrel at Hiroi's head. "Bang, bang." He taunted.

…...

Both of his parents were dead, and now he was being sent to who knows where, sentenced to life sentence by a crazy police officer. He sighed in resignation. It's no use, He thought. If I even try to escape, that bastard's going to put me down. Why even try? A sudden jerk cleared his mind.

"The fuck was that for?" Collins screamed into his radio.

"Enemy vehicles spotted just around the corner!" The driver yelled back.

"Shit, stop the truck," He ordered.

The truck shuddered to a halt and the doors opened. Collins waved his pistol around. "Alright, you bastards, get the fuck out." He ordered. The prisoners quickly got out to see they were in an empty park. Several police cruisers and officers lined the streets.

"Line the fuck up!" Collins shouted, and several police officers ran over. "Do we have any reinforcements?" He demanded.

One officer shook his head. "None in this area, sir. We're in a sea of rebel territory," He replied.

Collins glanced at the prisoners. "They're dead weight," He muttered. "We need to liquidate them." He waved at four police officers, who got their assault rifles out.

"What's going on?" Hiroi hissed to Tom.

Tom shrugged. "Who knows. Probably going to be executed," He answered truthfully.

"Oh, well. I don't have anything to live for anyway-" Hiroi started, but remembered the events that transpired earlier that day. His crush, Lavender's face floated into his mind. "Fuck, I guess there is something to live for." He began to tear up.

"Sucks to be you, kid. I don't care what happens anymore," Shayne laughed.

"Hey!" An officer shouted. "Shut up!" The prisoners went quiet after that.

….

After what seemed like hours Hiroi heard Collins speak: "Alright gentlemen. I got bad news and good news. The bad news is that you're going to die-" Some of the prisoners began to squirm and scream. "-Shut up! The good news is, it's going to be painless. A bullet to the back of the head-not so bad compared to the other things I've done in the past. You should feel lucky." He cocked his pistol.

There were twelve prisoners total, and Collins summoned the four police officers, who aimed their rifles at the prisoners.

Bang! One prisoner down. Bang! Bang! Bang! Three more fell to the ground. Bang! Bang! Another two fell face first, blood pouring out of their head.

Hiroi began to hyperventilate as the officers stepped closer to him.

When Collins placed his pistol behind Shayne's head, Shayne began to laugh. "You fuckin' bastard. You're just doing what I've tried to do for years now. You're just-" Bang! Shayne's face was contorted into an eternal grin, mocking Collins.

When Collins got to Harold, he began to cry. "I'm sorry. Please don't kill me!" He shouted. He turned around and began to cower at Collins's feet. "I know the locations of several rebels. If I could turn them in, would you please spare my life?" He pleaded.

Collins kicked him away. "You're more disgusting that I thought. Betraying your comrades. That's a low even I abhor," He shot Harold, who fell back with a look of anguish plastered on his face.

Collins stepped behind Tom.

"Just saying this, but you're not going to get away with this," Tom spat.

Collins chuckled. "Hey, six thousand people told me the same thing, but here I am," He gleefully retorted as the bullet tore through Tom's head. Collins pushed Tom's body to the ground with his foot.

Collins was now right behind Hiroi. "Well, kid. This is the end. I don't want to kill you kid, but this is how the world works. Say hey to your dad for me," He aimed his pistol at Hiroi, before pulling the trigger.

Nothing happened.

"Oh, fuck. Gotta reload. My bad," Collins said. "There, now we can continue our business." He was about to pull the trigger again when there was an explosion. Collins instinctively ducked down. All around gunfire erupted, bouncing off the armored cruisers and killing officers.

"The hell's going on?" Collins demanded.

"Sir, it's the rebels!" An officer responded. "We're being surrounded!"

Collins cursed in frustration. He grabbed Hiroi by the collar. "Great news kid. I've got a job for you. You're going to keep me alive, and I might consider letting you go as well," He hissed as he pointed the barrel at Hiroi's neck. Hiroi gulped and nodded.

….

The rebels had the cops surrounded. One man aimed his sight at a police officer taking cover behind a tree. He grinned, and squeezed the trigger. The officer fell, dropping his rifle.

"Advance!" The man ordered. Several rebels began to advance, taking potshots from officers. The man fired more bullets at the officers, who ducked for cover.

"Grenade!" The man saw the glint of the grenade sail over him and landed a few feet away. "Shit!" He jumped forwards, and only managed to escape to initial shock wave. He shook his head. Several men pulled him to his feet, and the man grinned. He grabbed his assault rifle. He aimed once more and found a target; A teen standing in front of a cop. "Is that a fucking kid?" He muttered. He tried to aim for the cop, but he kept on putting the kid in front of him. "Fuck, how do I get that guy?" He looked around the park, and got an idea. "Summers, Golden, flank that pig and throw a smoke." He ordered.

…...

"You stupid fuck! What are you doing?" Collins screamed as he fired his pistol wildly right near Hiroi's head. The bullets rang in Hiroi's ear, jumbling his mind.

Collins jerked Hiroi violently right next to him. "You're my goddamn shield, got that?" He yelled. Hiroi nodded in fear.

Shit shit shit shit! Hiroi's mind went wild. How the fuck am I supposed to get away? Collins dragged Hiroi behind a tree. Hiroi heard Collins mutter a string of swear words.

"God, almost out of ammo," Collins gritted his teeth.

Suddenly smoke engulfed the entire park. "What the fuck!" Collins screamed in surprise. Hiroi took this time to elbow Collins in the face and made a run for it. He heard Collins shoot wildly in the smoke, trying to shoot him down. He heard more shouting as he desperately waved his hands in front of him.

Hiroi stumbled out of the smoke, and ran straight forwards, not looking back at the angry screams of Collins and popping of assault rifles.