Drafts

Drip... drip... drip...

The outside was ever-so-dark...

Rain drops complemented the stars like navy shorts to a white t-shirt.

The room was painted in a dim gold which radiated from the buffet table lamp.

It mixed so perfectly with the brown leather furniture that surrounded the living room, grouping itself in yet a splendid collection.

The scene looked as if it jumped out of a canvas and began to make itself breathe.

It felt so vintage... so beautiful and peaceful... but a dreadful aura plastered itself.

Just the paintings finisher.

A frenchman spoke his newsworthy script, filling a peculiar male with anxiety.

His dried, long reddish fingers scratched his beard loudly. He had hoped the noise would divert his mind but only made his conscious more rotten with the thought that seemed to become less of a burden but would come back like a puppy for a game of ball.

-When will my time come... why is this even happening...? Well, I can't really ask that question because I have a well-paying job... but, why is it that I'm included? Is it selfish to think that way? Or is it just me being worried for my own safety...?-

The middle aged man tilted his head the television screen, like he was staring into the eyes of the newsperson.

The voice on TV drowned with his thoughts, his own conscious' voice growing louder and louder until it all stopped.

The only sound consuming the silence was his own heart pumping rapidly.

-A draft will start soon... before this whole situation came to war, I swore I had a stress free life. I'm pretty sure I'm balding already from just sitting here and watching this...-

The television switched off of the usual news channel and to a more formal scene...

-These draft readings or whatever take place on certain days... The male readings take place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.... today is Wednesday. Female drafts... well, I don't know.-

The french male squeezed his hand into a fist, placing it tightly in his lap as he intently watched the television.

-I don't know much of the military... but I'm a doctor... I only can wonder how this'll affect my job... well, if I get drafted that is.-

A young man, or what seemed to be a young man, stood up to the podium.

He wore a hazmat suit in a cream color... and a black gas mask.

-He must be an EcoLab worker...-

—

Minutes passed of name readings...

each name read from last name to first name with a pause in between both names.

Finally, it was his moment of truth. The speaker picked up a small stack of papers for those who had a last name that started with 'D'.

-I just... I just have to survive past the A's... I'm sure it'll be easy- -

The muffled voice of the boy spoke up once more...

"Dubois..."

"No..."

"Dubois, Aubert."

"You're kidding?! I mean- it could be any Aubert, right...? Maybe it's not me.. yeah, maybe it's not me."

—

A soft knocking filled the room with eery sound.

Aubert spun his head, staring down the dark kitchen... and at the entrance.

He threw himself off of the leather lover seat he was sat on, and down the creaky tile of the kitchen; the soft padding of his socks creating a rubbing sound on the way.

He grasped the handle with little might, turning it slowly and opening it.

"Hello...?"

A young, short, female stood in the door.

She was drenched by the rain, but it was hard to tell if she was cold from her long hair blanketing her body.

"Let me in.... please..."

Her voice was dehydrated, yet underdeveloped.

"I-"

She shoved passed Aubert, whom slid to the side for the sake of cautiousness.

"Naive of you to enter a stranger's house like that young lady... where exactly are your parents?"

She looked back at him, bright brown eyes peering from under her long brunette locks.

"Burning somewhere in... Asia."

This confused the man even more.

"Asia...? Just how exactly did you get here then?"

He led her to the living room, offering her a seat in a reclining chair while he sat in his loveseat.

She plopped down into the recliner, the skirt of the girl's dress making the smooth surface wet.

"A boat..."

He leaned onto the arm rest of the chair, his hand under her chin, scratching his beard quietly.

"A boat? How did you get the ticket?"

She went silent, looking down at her muddy socks.

"I..."

She stammered, waffling on her sentence.

"I snuck on... the boat..."

Aubert's eyebrows rose quickly at what he just heard.

"I suppose when you get on you can't get off, huh?"

She didn't respond, assuming the question was rhetorical.

"It's strange how a kid complies so easily... I suppose it's because you know your parents aren't around any longer?"

The little girl nodded awkwardly, but yet so quickly.

-based off of the body language I've seen so far... she seems to be hiding something from me. I suppose I shouldn't press any further into the manner.-

"... I suppose I should ask one last question. What is your name, young miss?"

Her dusty hazel orbs met his dark walnut eyes which then dipped down to her knees in panic.

"Beatrix..."

"Beatrix? How curious... last name?"

"..."

"Ah, too much information. Got it."

He smiled.

"I'm Aubert... and well, I guess I'll have to look after you..."

He sighed slowly.

-To be honest, I gave up on the idea of having kids since I haven't been capable of finding a wife. And honestly, one night stands are just not my thing... or sperm donors..-

Beatrix smiled with a bit of hope.

"For now."

Her face dropped quickly, a small but of nervousness mixing itself in.

"What are you going to do with me...?"

—

A loud knock bombed the room with noise.

They both flinched at the noise, but Aubert jumped out of his seat.

He quickly sped down the slick tile, opening the door slowly.

"Hello?"

A much more bulky man stood in front of Aubert, wearing an EcoLab outfit.

"Dubois... Aubert Dubois..."

"That's me?"

He felt his heart race quickly, he swore it was going to stop any second.

-this can't be good... even if it's just gut feeling.-

The masked man nodded slowly, then arms extended towards Aubert like a sudden switch.

"W-wait!"

He stammered, stepping back.

The heavy boots of the muscular man blocked the room with obstreperous noise as he launched towards Aubert, throwing all his weight on the smaller of the two.

The duo fell onto the ground, Aubert making a retch on impact.

Before the frenchman could fight back, a gloved hand reeled itself back...

And thats when the whole world went blurry in just seconds...

then black...

Then silence...