Red and The Bomb

Welcome

The series Red and The Bomb has come to a close. There will be no more new posts here, but feel welcome to explore or read the story from the beginning.

Or you can read it backwards, if you like… :3

About:

Red and the Bomb is a story about the teenage years of a Dictator. 

It is set about 30 years in the future, and narrated from the point of view of an outside observer during Red’s reign.The story follows the time line of the complete senior year of high school of Red from Fall to June.

This story is designed to humanize a monster. When we hear about people who are so magnificently cruel and greedy, we can hardly imagine what they were like before they became what they are. I created Red and The Bomb to delve into that part of their lives and make it real. Red and The Bomb is young Hitler learning how to yo-yo and getting his first pet, Red and the Bomb is Stalin courting his first wife, Red and the Bomb is Vlad the impaler as a child, crying with fear at a thunder storm.

We all were something simpler once. And as vile as they became, they are no exception.

There are several storylines and relationships that I’ve  tagged for your convenience.

Red and the Bomb’s ongoing romance: Here

Red’s budding relationship with The Psychologist: Here

Red’s progression towards becoming a dictator: Here

Anything Sexual: Here

The relationship between Rat and Red: Here

The relationship between Red and Brittany: Here

Any posts about Fleet and The babe (usually funny):Here

Anything about Meegan: Here

For all of those who have followed the story, I’ll welcome you to visit the Epilogue: Edwin the Damned

A short 50 posts in comparison to the 200 posts of Red and The Bomb, Edwin the Damned will cover Red and Rat’s stint in the military, Red and The Bomb’s wedding/whatever, Red’s campaign and rise in political power. It is where all loose ends will be tied off and the sun will finally set on the tale.

Edwin the Damned

This was the end. This was the sacrifice.
He’d laughed in the face of equivalent exchange
and it had, in turn, torn him to shreds. 

“You can’t save everybody.”
Red couldn’t protect everybody.
And now he knew why.

Free will is a funny thing.
it caught him off guard.
Never Again.

Never. 

Need

They only had one break that day and Red meant to use it well. He searched ruthlessly, then came at him like a storm off the waves.
Rat looked frightened, and rightfully so. 

Red pushed through the other men in Rat’s squadron and grabbed Rat by the front of his shirt. 

“Why are you here?” He asked dangerously.

Rat swallowed, as everyone began to watch.

“Someone has to look after you.” He said simply.

Red closed his eyes as the blood drained from his face. Never had he been so furious, so horrified, so humiliated.

“You can’t do this to me, Rat.” Red said quietly

One of the men nearby came over with his hands up in a placating gesture.

         ”Whoa whoa.” He said “Rat? No need for name calling. We’re all friends here.”

“Get the fuck away from us.” Red spat ” That is his name.” 

The guy shrugged and backed off “You don’t have to be such a dick.”

Red couldn’t take it anymore. He let go of Rat’s shirt and just walked away.

Veneer

He knew that neck, the curve of that cheekbone.

Red strained to see the recruit’s face, but he couldn’t because of the large man in front of him. Finally their drill sergeant turned the group and jogged them past Red’s unit.

It hit him like a gunshot to the chest and his knees almost buckled.

Rat.

Rat

No!

He wanted to scream. Wanted to tear something to shreds and bleed into the ground with anguish.

But with incredible, agonizing effort, he reigned it in.

For the rest of the day, he felt dead inside.

Sunrise

Red got onto the bus.

He sat next to a quiet looking man who was a bit older than him. The recruit turned to him and smiled; they shook hands.

“Jim.” “Red.” “Nice to meet you.”

It was a long ride so they played cards. Jim told Red he had a wife and kids he was leaving behind.

“Are you leaving anything? Who am I kidding, you’re a kid. Missin’ your parents already?” He joked.

Red looked out the window. “I’m leaving the world.”

“Looks to me like you’re leaving a girl.” Jim said knowingly.

Red raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we all?”

He didn’t think about Rat. It hurt too much that he’d never even said goodbye.

Graduation

Rat wasn’t there. Red had been looking everywhere for him all day. He even went down to the dean’s office, though he knew he wasn’t welcome there. They said Rat had come in and picked up his diploma, but wouldn’t tell him anything else.

Red walked across the stage like he was going to a funeral, but smiled for all the pictures and hugged his few friends.

He took The Bomb out for dinner to say good bye. He hadn’t stopped touching her since he’d gotten off stage. He would miss the feel of her like he’d miss water if it was taken from him…. Or sunshine.

The Bomb looked even more bleak that he did. Eyes red and swollen from crying. Mouth set in a grim line.

They broke into Rat’s cabin and clung to each other the entire night.

The next morning Red pressed his forehead to hers and locked their fingers together.

“You’re all that I know.” He said harshly.

Ronin

After days of nothingness, Rat called The Bomb unexpectedly.
Told her something that made her cry.
And didn’t apologize.

          “Someone has to look after him.”

She pleaded, but, he was already gone.

          “I have to.” He said, softly. “I’m sorry.”

Samson

“Don’t shave it completely, or I swear, I’ll look like a skinhead.”

“Everyone gets the same haircut.”

“Please, just leave some on top. I still have to go to Graduation.”

The barber snorted. “You’ll just have it shaved again when you get to basic training.”

“LEAVE. SOME. ON. THE. TOP.”

Red wound up with a businessman haircut; with a part and a faded back. He looked about ten years older. He didn’t particularly like it, but it was better than the alternative. He went home, brushed what little he had left forward, and frowned.

He looked….French.

The Bomb saw it first, and she thought it was hilarious. She grabbed at his ears and touched his head all day, while he blushed brilliantly.

Bee

The Bomb sipped milk in the kitchen in the early morning.

Her mom was getting ready for work. She put her handbag on the table and went rummaging in the cabinet for a granola bar.

“Is Edwin still here?” She asked, over her shoulder.

The Bomb shook her head and stared blankly off into the distance.

“I’m engaged.”

The Bomb’s mother didn’t even bat an eye.

“I know. He asked your father months ago.”

….Into me.

Red was different from Rat.

Of course, she never believed they would be the same, but Rat was the only comparison she had. Before that, it was just…. girls.

He was achingly cautious, then ruthlessly passionate, as if he couldn’t decide on one. He had gasped prettily when she first touched him and shuddered, looking at her with hooded golden eyes; pupils blown wide.

She had seen him before. All of him. Touched him before, but not like this. Not alive and needy and radiant…like this. He was beautiful.

It was a joy to sink into his bones. To watch his mind, forever buzzing with plans, finally slow to a stop. He was lost, murmuring in a mixture of French and English. Begging and promising things she couldn’t understand.

The Bomb kissed him on the forehead as he fell over the edge, professing his allegiance as he clawed her back.