“Welcome back.”
tom
The words boom across the baking concrete, thrusting themselves into the people and the dust and the hot air. A jingoistic ditty echoes harshly off the grey walls.
"Your sacrifice is what allows our great nation to flourish. To show his gratitude, here are some words from our noble leader." A generic, hollow speech buzzes out of the speakers like so many flies. A small collection of party officials wave flags and clap. The sea of blue overalls, recently disgorged from the trains behind them, stand numbly - this is not the return they had been promised.
They were told they would return heroes.
They were told children were composing songs of their sacrifice.
They were told a proud nation awaited their return.
An angry wail erupts from near the edge of the crowd. A scuffle ensues as a soldier goes to ensure discipline amongst the returning workers. The sea writhes, a flood of emotion breaking the walls of indoctrination. The soldier drowns in the flood, shots ring out, then more. The sea turns red. The flags stop waving as the officials view the scene with displeasure.
The speech concludes and the national anthem plays.
Flies feast on heroes blood.