Exhausted, Kendra leaned back against the tree Essay Example For Students

Exhausted, Kendra leaned back against the tree Essay Exhausted, Kendra leaned back against the tree. The quiet of the night surrounded her, and in the distance she could see a small orange glow here and there of fires set by those who had been forced to leave their homes and set up camp in this park. She closed her eyes, rested her arms on her knees, and put her head down on her arms, cushioned by the sweatshirt she wore. The sweatshirt smelled of fresh air and smoke. She pulled the sleeves down over her cold hands. She sat like that for a while, motionless and quiet, until she heard footsteps behind her: heavy, slow footsteps. Then she heard breathing, close. She held her own breath. The footsteps stopped. Kendra turned around slowly, clenching her fists. Oh, its you, she said, letting out her breath in relief. What are you doing here? Looking for you, I guess. What are you doing? Resting. Watching. Waiting. She stared off into the distance, but could see nothing but patches of flame and sparks, and smoke as it trailed off into the night. Im so . . . Tired? Hungry? Thirsty? All of that. And cold. Come on, then. Weve got a fire going, and Colin is out gathering more wood. Kendra got up slowly and stretched. Nathan came over and pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her. Kendra awkwardly accepted the hug. Kendra, Im going to take care of you, Nathan promised. Youll see. You dont have to worry. Lets go. Kendra said as she started to walk down the hill. She tried not to show her annoyance at what he just said. Why did he think she needed him to take care of her? Because she was a woman? It didnt help that she was so small. Men thought she looked like she needed taking care of. Colin was standing by the fire, arms crossed, staring into the flames. He looked up quickly when he sensed them, and squatted down and warmed his hands before the fire. Kendras back, Nathan announced. Great. Colin replied, still staring into the fire. Kendra went to the fire, turning around so that she could get warm on all sides. Was that you on the hill, sitting under the tree? Colin asked. Me? Yeah, that was me. I didnt think anyone could see me. Its so dark. I could only see your silhouette. Colin shook his head. You shouldnt be alone. They were silent, listening to the crackling of the fire and their own thoughts. Kendra sighed. She wanted to complain, to tell them how hungry and cold she was, but she knew she shouldnt. They were all cold, hungry, and tired, and there was little relief in sight. Look, Kendra, Colin, why dont you go to the car and get some sleep? Ill keep watch, Nathan suggested. Colin looked at Nathan. Kendra was sure she saw a flash of suspicion on his face before he assented. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Kendra, you go ahead and use the car. Colin looked around on the ground, then sat down on the ground instead of going to the car. He gazed into the fire, then up at the moon. Kendra watched him for a while as the reflection of the flickering flames danced on his face. She looked away quickly when she realized she had been staring too long. Nathan was watching her, and then he looked away. She tried to snuggle further into her sweatshirt, tried to make herself smaller so that more of her would fit inside her clothes. She walked over to Colins old BMW. Come on, Colin. Itll be warmer in here. Maybe in a minute. Kendra opened the car door and sat down on the back seat. She punched up the pillow she had grabbed from the living room as they fled and slumped down in the seat, pulling the jacket shed left in the car over her. Six days. Every night, before she fell asleep, she counted the days to herself. Six days, five nights. Six days ago, she had stepped out of the shower, dried herself, walked into her bedroom, put on clean clothes these jeans and this sweatshirt and walked out into the crisp autumn day. She had gone out to the front porch in her socks and sat on a rocker. As she rocked back and forth and sipped coffee, she had felt at peace and admired the bright blue sky and the patchwork of colorful leaves. She had watched as children rode their bikes by on their way to school, as Mrs. Emerson across the street piled her brood into the car and drove away, and as Colins car pulled up in front of the house. Colin was her fathers teaching assistant, and he often stopped by to drop off papers he had graded or to have coffee with her father before going to the university to teach a class. But that morning her father had already gone. He had left early to drop off some dry cleaning and meet with the Dean for breakfast. That morning she had talked Colin into staying for a while and having some coffee, and had gone in to get him some while he sat in another rocker on the porch and waited. When she came out with his coffee she made sure she was smiling and welcome. They sat there a few minutes. She tried to make small talk, something Colin was dreadful at doing. He seemed to become more and more uncomfortable, and finally put his mug down on the wicker table and stood up. Well, I have to be going. Classes to prepare, papers to grade. He tried to smile. Thanks for the coffee, Kendra. He turned to go and was almost down the steps when there was a loud boom, then another and another. The porch shook and smoke filled the air in the area of the university, which was a mile away. What . . . they both said at once as they turned in the direction of the noise. They stood silently as they watched giant clouds of smoke fill the sky. There was another sound like thunder, then another. Finally, Kendra turned to Colin, horror in her eyes. Thats at the university! Some kind of explosion! she cried. Her eyes were huge. People came out into the street: Katie Emerson, Mrs. Peavey, Nancy York, Lisa Spano, five or six students from the apartment house two buildings down, where Nathan lived. What is it? someone shouted. What happened? Mrs. Peavey cried out. She stood in the street in her pink robe, holding a cup of coffee. They all turned toward the thunder and smoke, watching. Suddenly, Kendra ran into the house and found her running shoes. She quickly put them on and ran back outside. Then, without thinking, she began to run toward campus. Kendra, no! It was Colin. He ran until he was alongside her, then grabbed her arm. She stopped. What are you doing? As he spoke, there was another explosion. He looked around, trying to determine where it came from. Do you see what I mean? Dont go to campus! Theyre destroying it! But what if father . . .? She looked at him. She could tell he was thinking the same thing. Sirens were everywhere. Kendra looked down the road toward the fire station. She could see the front of the truck pulling out, watched as the car parked on the street in front of the firehouse exploded and debris flew through the air and hit the firemen and the truck and several nearby houses. Oh my God, she breathed. She put her hand on Colin to steady herself. Colin, Colin, Colin, oh my God. Whats going on?. She looked up at him, searching for assurance that her father was safe. People were screaming. Mrs. Peavey, still holding her cup of coffee, stood in the street, her eyes and her mouth wide open. Then she fled into her house and slammed the door. Colin put his arm around Kendra and led her back to her house. They walked up onto the porch. Nathan ran up behind them. Kendra turned at the sound of his footsteps. Ill take care of her, he said to Colin. Colin stepped away. Damn him! Kendra had dated Nathan several times in the past two months. She liked him, but not as much as he liked her. She could see that he thought now was his chance to be some kind of hero. Nathan, Im fine, she said, brushing her dark hair out of her eyes and pushing up the long sleeves of her sweatshirt. Lets all go inside, okay? Ill turn on the TV. They went into the comfortable living room and Kendra turned on the television. She sat down, remote in hand, and flipped through the channels until she found a local station. Lucy Penkava, a local newswoman, pretty and blonde in a pink suit, was staring into the camera. On her right were the words, Downtown bombing!! They all leaned forward and listened. We have a helicopter on the way, Lucy was saying. Charlie, what can you tell us? The picture changed to a disheveled-looking man. His face was smudged and his eyes were red. Lucy, all I can tell you right now is that there have been multiple bombings in the area of the university. They wont let us near the area, of course, but Ive been told that the library and the academic records building have been hit. On my left here . . . There was another terrific blast; Charlies hair actually blew to one side. The camera fell or was dropped, but continued to roll. On the screen were running feet, falling cement. Then, Lucy came back on. It looks like . . . is Charlie all right? Panic on her face, Lucy looked around the studio. Then she turned back at the camera and composed herself. We seem to have lost contact with that location, she unnecessarily explained. But it does look like another bomb has exploded. That would make someone handed her some papers. She took them and read the top page. Ladies and gentlemen, seven bombs were detonated in the downtown area today, near the university. This is a tragedy the likes of which our town has never seen. She shifted nervously in her chair. The mayor, police chief, and fire chief have all asked me to announce that no one will be allowed into that area. She hesitated for a second as she read to herself, then spoke again. Atomic Bomb EssayConsensus was that the only sound that was coming from the terrorists now was the tapping of keyboards and the hum of modems as they quietly worked to make the world their own. Colin rolled the car window down a few inches and lit a cigarette. Its 11, he said. Lets listen to the news. He turned on the radio and called out the window to Nathan. Nathan! News! Nathan slowly walked over to the car and got in the front seat with Colin. We now continue our around-the-clock coverage of the terrorist attack on the world by AID, or Art is Dead. It is Day 6 of the siege. We have this report from Warren Marcus, spokesman for AID: Greetings from the members of AID. We want to assure the citizens of the world that we only have your best interests in mind. All of you must agree that what we are doing is what is best for the world. It is now time for everyone to join in the betterment of the human race by joining AID. There is no longer room in the world for art or for artists. We do not wish to destroy those who produce art; rather, we would ask them to join us by using their talents to further the cause of science. Artists who join our battle will be asked to redirect their talents to the production of graphs, charts, and technical manuals. Writers who are now wasting time producing works of fiction can join our cause and be used, after a brief retraining period, in the production of scientific reports, software programs, and technical manuals. AID sees no value in the work of poets and suggests that persons who indulge in that pastime be used as child care workers or janitors. Many of you have asked what role we see for musicians. AID is presently formulating its view on music. I have to tell you that this is a difficult area for us. Many of us enjoy music and do not want to give it up. There is also the idea that good music is based on scientific and mathematical theory. We are hoping to find more support for that idea. I am now ready to announce that the work on Phase I of our plan is complete. Starting tomorrow morning, those of you who had to evacuate your homes may return. We promise you that, if you cooperate, no harm will come to you. Tomorrow is the 7th day of the start of our cause. Do not think, however, that it is a day of rest for us. You may not see us at work, but we will be there, quietly working from our computers. We will be changing the world as you know it. From now on, AID will control your telephone lines. We will control your cable TV. Airline flights will be under our control, as will the workings of most of the major utility companies. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Colin turned off the radio. He and Nathan looked at each other, then turned to look at Kendra. Well? she said. Lets pack up and go home, Nathan replied. He got out of the car and went over to the fire and gathered up the few belongings they had left there. Colin slid over into the drivers seat and started up the car. Nathan got in on the passengers side. Okay, Colin, lets go! As they approached the exit to the park, the ranger on duty walked out of his booth. Colin stopped and opened his window. Did you hear? We can leave! Tomorrow, the ranger said, sighing. We need to go now. The ranger looked at them. But were not prepared to let you go. If you go, everyone will want to go. Well, were leaving. Colin said. He glared at the ranger. The man sighed heavily again, then opened the gate. Good luck. He said grimly. Nathan laughed. Colin turned onto the main road and drove back toward Goldfield. The road was deserted. What do you think? What are you going to do? Are you going to go along with them? Kendra asked. Do we have a choice? asked Colin. Yeah, we really dont. Besides, I tend to agree. Nathan replied. Kendra leaned forward and put her chin on the back of the front seat. So youre willing to go along with them? You, Colin? I thought you wanted to be an English professor! Well, I can still teach. Grammar and so forth. Kendra tried to see his face. He was unsettled; he must be. And you can still teach first grade, Kendra. Math, science, language. Computers. And I can still go to med. school. Surely thats acceptable, Nathan added. Kendras head was spinning with the implications of what was happening and going to happen. Green Eggs and Ham. She said quietly. Nathan laughed. What? And The Secret Garden. Come on, guys. Monet! Dickens! Garcia-Marquez, Colin. You love Garcia-Marquez. And Dostoevsky. And T. S. Eliot. He said mournfully. Prufrock. Nathan, what about you? What are you going to miss? Kendra asked quietly. Awe, cmon, guys. You can still read those books. Im not so sure, Colin said. Kendra may be right. Well never see a play again. Nathan, no more Jim Carrey movies! No more Beverly Hills Cop! I guess youre right. Nathan frowned, then shrugged. Oh well, itll give me more time to concentrate on medicine. Thats good, isnt it? I wont have to fret over the novel I always wanted to write, offered Colin. I wont have to worry about my students getting paint on their clothes, added Kendra sourly. She sat back in the seat and crossed her arms. They were entering the outskirts of Goldfield. No one spoke as they passed bombed-out churches. The library was a pile of rubble. Colin turned down Kendras street. Come in with me, please, she asked. They pulled up in front of her house and stopped. The house was dark. She slowly walked up onto the porch. From there she thought she saw a light in the kitchen. Dad! Kendra cried. She found her key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open. She ran through the house to the kitchen, not even noticing that the bookshelves that had been brimming over when she left were now empty. No one was in the kitchen. From the basement came the faint strains of music. Bach. Kendra opened the basement door and ran down the stairs. Colin and Nathan were right behind her. Her father sat in the corner on an old easy chair in a corner of the basement. He had put the chair, a table, and a lamp there years ago and often went down there to read. Daddy! she cried, and ran to him and knelt down beside him. Her father embraced her. He was thin and haggard and, like Colin and Nathan, had coarse bristle on his chin. Kendra, he said quietly. His eyes were full of tears. Finally, He was holding a thick book. Shakespeare, he said, holding it up. He looked much older than his 54 years. Colin came over and shook his hand, then Nathan did the same. Im glad youve all come back in one piece, said her father, smiling through his tears. I thought you were dead. In the bombing. Kendra asked softly. I was having breakfast with the Dean, remember? We met at a diner on Adams Road. We stayed there most of that first day. I knew you had been evacuated, but the phones there were dead. But I knew youd be all right. He put his hand on her face. Im so glad I got to see you one more time. What do you mean, father? she asked. He turned to her. Dear daughter, you know I cant live in this world. He squeezed her hand, then took a long drink from the glass on the table next to him. Youre all young. You can adapt. And I dont think any of you love art and music and literature as much as I do. He bowed his head. Jim Wright said we should fight this. But I know better. Ive seen it coming. Its been coming a long time. He reached down to the floor and picked up a notebook. Ive written a treatise on why this should not happen. On why it will end up killing us. He shook his head. You cannot stop man from creating. Oh, I know these people dont want us to stop creating; they only want us to stop creating art. But that will be the death of our spirits and our souls. Promise me you will read this, all of you. He took another drink. Kendra stared at the glass, then grabbed it. No! No! she screamed. Panicked, she looked at Colin. Call 911! She cried. Her father smiled sadly. Kendra, do you really think they will bother sending an ambulance to the home of a literature professor? Dont you know they control everything now? He put his trembling hand over his eyes. Robert Strobridge. Ellen Morris. Glenn Goldberg. And myself. Weve all written treatises, and weve all decided that this is the end. The three young people knelt next to the dying man. Kendra held both his hands, and Colin put his hand on the mans knee. Nathans hand rested on the mans shoulder. Kendras father breathed slowly a few more times. She put her mouth to his ear. I love you. I love you, she whispered. Her father slumped. The heavy book slid off his lap and onto the floor.