Tag: shelter
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COLD TEARS
They huddled closer together as the roar passed overhead. The stone walls of the barn did little to protect them from the frost outside. Their breaths formed white clouds in the air, their cold tears stung their faces. They heard an explosion in the distance. Then a series of cracks like gunfire. They had come…
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FALLOUT SHELTER
‘Come with us, Sir. We need to get you to the fallout bunker right away.’ They grab him by the elbows and steer him down a grey corridor, moving fast. ‘The fallout bunker? Has there been a nuclear attack?’ ‘Not that fallout bunker, Sir. The political fallout bunker.’ ‘Why? What have I done now? Not…
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GUARDED OPTIMISM
They emerged from their shelters. Some more guarded than others. The younger ones, of course, were more exuberant. They shook hands, hugged and kissed and breathed in the fresh air. I squinted into the light and adjusted my facemask with my gloved hands. We had been told it was safe to come back above ground.…
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THE SECRET
Father ranted on, waving the newspaper around in disbelief. ‘More rights?! Why should they get more rights? Who says they deserve ’em? I tell you, this country will fall to pieces soon enough if this happens.’ His violent bluster afforded me the opportunity to swiftly and discreetly scoop a lamb chop off my plate and…
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HAVEN
I shall never forget the sound that first time. We sat cramped together in the dark shelter at the end of the garden, with only a flickering gas lamp providing a dull orange glow. Rufus, only a pup, huddled on my lap, cowering and whining. Mother huddled next to me, protective arms wrapped around me.…
Iain Kelly 