The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. She never ventures out on her own but the temptation was too much to bear. Her desire and her lust for attention were overwhelming.
He had been a refreshing, cool drink of water during these tough times. He and she both exchanged flirtations daily when she would see him in the basement of the building where they dolled out supplies for the residents confined to this building. He knew she was married but everyone seemed to know that they were estranged. She lived with her two kids in one apartment on the lower floor while he spent the majority of his time on the other side of the complex. Such an arrogant bastard, who barely ever came to visit the kids, even though they were so close in proximity.
Word around the complex was there was some little young woman that he spent hours doing lord knows what while the kids and his wife struggled to stay sane because of the confinement. I mean, there's nothing harder than trying to keep the kids engaged while being stuck inside because adults couldn't get their shit together, and now everyone is stuck because it's too dangerous to go out.
She rarely sought any refuge from the confinement that didn't involve the kids. The kids barely noticed the difference except that they could not go outside. Disease, violence, or the threat of violence was enough for the city to lock everything down. People's unrelenting threats of retaliation towards the government or anyone else who would threaten the so-called or so-perceived reductions of freedom were enough for the majority of the people to cause uprisings everywhere around the globe. This, of course, encouraged those with power the opportunity to try to take it all down. Sickness and public health be damned.
Didn't really matter the reasons why, only that there was finally an opportunity to behave like an adult again. To receive the promised love of another even though it was destined to fail for whatever reasons.
In her own apartment, she made sure that the kids didn't spend endless hours staring out of the windows at the same small courtyard that split the apartment complex in half. All anyone could see anyway was the other apartments across the way. Occasionally there was an odd pervert in another window beating off. No way her kids were going to watch that or encourage a possible abduction of one of her kids by anyone. She would be sure to commit murder, as any parent would.
Today was the day, the day she would feel like a woman again with the kind gentleman who had a strong but soft touch. He wasn't bad to look at either. Handsome, smart, positive scientist from the local university. Definitely a role model type for any of her kids and stable both financially and mentally.
Her husband, on the other hand, had devolved over time into a bitter, abusive, and negligent husband and father. From what she could tell, everything stemmed from the loss of the job he was very proud of. A job that gave him status and standing in the community at the time. A job that was incredibly reliant on an old high school buddy of his. A buddy who overpaid him and had little to no expectations for what the job required. Of course, it would eventually fail as she warned him many times. He was already becoming somewhat negligent with the kids because caring for them took attention away from him. She wished she had some sort of sign that this would be his attitude in the future but no such luck. After feeling that he wasn't getting enough, at home, he sought attention elsewhere and then projected his guilt upon her by accusing her of infidelity when it was obvious that she had little time for anything other than the kids. He had become somewhat violent over time and showed that he wasn't the kind of guy that would hit her with an open hand or fist. He was the kind of guy that would destroy the house or car in his frustration.
Over the devolvement of their relationship, she blamed herself and it took all her strength to keep a happy face in front of the kids. When the lockdown occurred, there wasn't much of a difference for her other than more people were now in a similar situation. The whole community of the complex seemed to support her and many times, her neighbors told her that she should leave her no-good husband. She tried not to think about it.
There was the occasional time that she would see the gentleman in the laundry room while they both did laundry. The kids knew to stay put and not answer the door and hide in the back room in case anyone tried to break in while she was away doing the laundry.
She and the gentleman had teased enough over time and soon started to kiddingly plan a rendezvous at the time they were supposed to be doing laundry. Eventually, she got used to the idea and today it came to fruition.
The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. She had about an hour of fulfillment before she smelled smoke. Another second to look out the window and realize an apartment across the complex was on fire, flames pouring out of the windows. She screamed and in an instant, saw the corner of the multicolored covering she had placed on the window to keep the kids entertained. It was her apartment! She yelled out to her kids from where she was. Her companion jumped up and saw the flames and immediately followed her in her frazzled sprint to get to the kids.
She was stopped halfway down the hallway, that section of the complex was now on fire and the authorities were called via the emergency line but the heat was too intense for anyone to proceed further. She yelled for her kids and no one could tell her if they were ok. Close by, two men had another man on the floor and kicked him mercilessly. She could see that it was her husband being beaten up. She approached them to try to intervene but was stopped by another bystander saying that that was the bastard who started the fire. She couldn't wait any longer, she ran into the area where the flames came through and somehow made it to her apartment. The door was already partly burned down and she didn't feel the flames at the time. She bravely entered and broke down in immediate severe loss and regret.
She jumped on top of the already-gone kids of her own and made no attempt to escape regardless of the obvious pain. Who knew the reason her husband started the fire or the reason he would endanger his own kids but that doesn't matter anymore.
Her companion, still at the entrance to the hallway, realized that his new love was now gone forever. He succumbed to the pain of his own loss.
About the Creator
Dwayne O Connor
Just a lover of literary expression no matter the genre. Spent too many years living a strange and extraordinary life not to eventually write about it and all the phenomenal beings I've encountered.
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Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 6 days ago in Criminal
Wild Card Weekend Recap: What Happens Now?
I think I figured out why I love Wild Card Weekend so much. It's because it's the first playoff anything of the calendar year. The NFL season starts in the fall, and once upon a time, the champion was crowned either on or slightly before New Year's. The evolution of the NFL schedule has resulted in the playoffs starting just into the New Year, and currently, the final week of the season falls on the first weekend of the New Year, with Wild Card Weekend coming a week after that. So yes, chronologically, the NFL's Wild Card Weekend serves as the first playoff anything of the calendar year.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsa day ago in Unbalanced
Comments (2)
I liked it!
Nice storyline 🫶🏾