https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
The desolate landscape suit Barry's mood completely - devoid of any life. If he got caught here, then that desolation would become his life. Funny the lengths we go through for family.
Barry's foot couldn't stop shaking - the guard entered the bus. Stay calm, stay calm. Barry knew he was just being paranoid, but try telling that to his foot. Whenever Barry was anxious or nervous his stupid foot would betray his true feelings. But it was alright. It was all right -
"Sir, can you open your bag."
"YES!" Barry said too loudly. The guard narrowed his eyes as Barry exposed the insides of his bag.
"You nervous, sir?" The guard eyed Barry as he was going through his stuff.
"A little..." Barry gave his best nervous smile, it was genuine. The guard went to the front pocket in his fluorescent jacket to take out a scanning tool.
"What do you have to be nervous about?"
"Well..." Barry breathed, in and out, in and out. "It's my sister's birthday tomorrow. I haven't seen her in years and I don't want to be late... Since our parents died we've only had each other..." Barry calmed down and whispered, "Except we haven't..."
The guard handed over Barry's bag. "Good luck to you then." As he moved on he said over his shoulder. "Don't look so suspicious next time!"
Barry's foot mercifully stopped shaking. Barry exhaled and closed his eyes. One checkpoint down. There would be others, other barriers, other questioners. Humanity lived on the brink, they were frightened and careful. They will use dogs to sniff him out at some point. The Government had gotten very protective the past year. He was so stupid - Barry was so stupid. Why did he do this? He wasn't a smuggler!
Except now he was. Funny how life sets you up only to knock you down.
If history was a guide, what Barry was doing was suicide. He looked out the window again, he imagined the green pastures that once canvassed the now barren wilderness. The guard left the bus and Barry relaxed. His journey was far from over though.
Barry thought of his mother and father watching him now and chuckled. His mother would be livid, cussing him out all the way through. His father would be jovial about the whole thing, strict but relaxed. Barry believed in his heart of hearts that they would both support him, however. They would know how much this meant to him, to them both.
The next checkpoint went by without a hitch. No guards, no "dogs", no deadly laser scanners threatening to zap him down for smuggling contraband. His foot threatened to punch a hole through the heavily armored bus, but both his foot, Barry's sanity, and the bus's floor - survived.
Barry managed to somehow dodge every inspection levied his way. Every nosey sensor and suspicious guard. When he got off the bus he could hardly believe he made it.
He made it.
"Little brother!" His sister's hug threatened to suffocate him. "You made it!"
"Of course I did!" Barry wheezed out. "You think I'd miss your birthday?"
They exchanged pleasantries as Barry entered his sister's capsule. It was so good seeing his sister. This was the first time he was at her place, and he immediately felt at home.
"I got you something..."
"Barry!" Sister's face lit up. "What? What? What did you get me?"
Barry went to his bag and got out the present wrapped in tinfoil. Tinfoil...
"Barry!" His sister said in shock. "Are you insane?"
If Barry got caught carrying around tin foil he would've most certainly get executed. All it took was one personal inspection and - the guard... he saw the tinfoil for sure... why didn't he say anything...
Sis started hitting him. "What was so important that you had to smuggle it in tinfoil, hmm?"
Tinfoil masked any scent, radio wave, analog wave, you name it. It was the primary method by which people smuggled goods. And was punishable by death. Barry, in his disheveled state, had forgotten he'd used it...
He parted the foil to his sister's surprised gasp. "Happy birthday..." he said, abashed.
Inside the wrapped box was half a bar of chocolate. Dark with caramel inside.
His sister started wailing. "I haven't had chocolate since... since..."
"The funeral?" Barry knew exactly how long it was.
Sister got the bar. "Wanna split it?"
"No!" Barry raised his hands. "It's yours, please."
She narrowed her eyes, took a line out, and handed it to him. "Here, for your stupidity." She giggled.
"Thanks..."
They ate in silence remembering times long passed.
https://images.ecency.com/DQmaBy62eA6BBZ4KpRVJWN9xQTKAc53Z7AjiNgjvcYY9HrN/elegant_down.png
The prompt image:
Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
👊 Follow me on my HIVE blog 👊
Cover image source.
Thanks for stopping by and stay safe! 🙌
Return from The Little Things to Јоцко's Web3 Blog
