Protecting or persecution?
So this is going to be an interesting story. One that I have second guessed about writing until now. Hope you enjoy!
Unknown Chapter and Title
It was a bright shinning day. Aidan sat down at the computer in the library. The same one he had sat at for the last eight months. Part of his therapy, as discussed with his shrink. It wasn’t much but it was his tentatively negotiated safe space. A virtue extolled by his therapist to get him out of the house despite his PTSD. It had taken him months to feel safe enough to create this routine.
Officers from the Washington County Hurricane Police Dept. marched into the library around 10:40 that morning, a route-step beeline straight up to Aidan. He watched them out of the corner of his eye, blinked as the two of them came closer. They didn't even stop to ask the librarian questions. Just marched straight toward him.
“Mr. Aidan, can we speak with you a moment?”, they asked.
Aidan took his Skullcandy headphones out of his ears. “Sure, what about?”
“It would be better if we discussed this outside”, they replied.
Curious Aidan asked, “Really? Is there something wrong officer? Do I need to move my car or something?”. He offered them an innocent grin.
“ This would really be better off discussed outside, if you could follow us please”, the officer stated matter-of-factly. His face set itself in an intimidation glare. Jawline tensed like a dog, ready to pounce on any suspect when given the order.
Aidan pushed the assessment aside, shrugged, and began packing his stuff up. As he did so he let the officers know, “ I have military PTSD officer, right now you’ve triggered it, just giving you a heads up.” Aidan showed his hand which had begun its customary tremor.
The officers marched him through the public waiting area, past all the other people waiting to check their selections out from library staff. The staff waved at him cheerfully
“Don’t forget your on hold selections”, they said.
“Ill only be a moment, be right back”, Aidan replied, fully intending on returning to grab the selections he had waited weeks for.
The officer in front opened the door but neglected to hold it for Aidan, who thankfully didn’t have his hands full. Aidan felt the hairs raise on the back of his neck. Soldier Signals. He felt the nausea start in the pit of his stomach, the second telltale sign of his PTSD reaction, he hoped the third response didn’t hit him. IBS, or as he called it a ‘somatic response to fear’, was not something to have happen in public. What is going on here?
As Aidan was marched out to his car he felt himself increase his steps unintentionally. The reaction to fight or flight had been triggered, he focused on his breathing in order to calm it down. Maintain discipline dude!
As they all reached Aidan’s car, a deep red 2015 Camaro, he set his book bag in plain sight on top of the closed trunk. I shouldn't give them any ammunition for whatever they want to do.
“Do you know why we are here?”, Officer X asked Aidan.
“Not a clue, but I’ll bet your going to let me know just the same.”, Aidan replied.
“when was the last time you contacted your daughter?”, they questioned. The officers face a mask of impatient impertinence. Aidan almost chuckled to himself looking through this porcelain dolls painted imitation of rage.
“Almost a year ago, it was her birthday. why do you ask?”, Aidan replied.
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“Well we are here to inform you that you need to find a new safe space. If we see you here, or if she sees you here, you are going to be arrested for stalking.” the officer said crossing his arms in front of him and giving his best ‘official glare’.
“Whoaaaaaa! Hold on a second, I haven't stalked anyone.” Aidan replied, “This is my normal routine!”
“ All the same, your now trespassed from the immediate area to include her school and work.”, the officer stated.
“Really? Am I being arrested? Am I being detained? What proof is there, any medical or legal reasoning?” Aidan quickly rattled off his prepared series of questions. The ‘Crisis Line’ had helped walk him through his rights and had recommended he have something memorized in case the cops ever harassed him again. It felt good to be prepared this time.
“I am not here to argue with you. I'm here to tell you that you are trespassed. You will be charged and arrested. Do you understand this?” The officer’s voice increased threateningly.
Aidan felt his stomach clench, bile backing up, he fought to keep from reacting. Aidan reached into his bag, bringing out his cell phone.
The third officer, his hand on his weapon, had positioned himself directly behind Aidan. “Don’t reach into your bag.” Aidan heard him say from what seemed like a million miles away. His vision was starting to swim, it was hard to take deep breaths now. He brought the cell phone up slowly, nice and easy.
Aidan punched in his unlock code and brought up the recorder app. He quickly pressed record, “ Today is Aug 25th, 2023 its10:48am and I’m here with Officer’s X,Y,Z. Officer can you please restate exactly what you just said, for the record?”
The Officer X look thoroughly annoyed. “Look I'm giving you a break here.”
Aidan looked him in the eye, “ This does not sound like a break, it sounds to me like a threat. I don't like being threatened, I've already clearly stated you are triggering me. All I'm asking for is for you to repeat what you just said”
The Officer X looked at him with exasperation, “If you are seen in this immediate area you will be charged with stalking and arrested. Do you understand this?”
Aidan stated, “So am I barred from the library?”
Officer X seemed to get more annoyed at this question, “I would highly advise you to not be seen around here, her work, and trespassed from her school. Do you know where she works?”
Great I haven't seen her in over a year, and this is how she treats me? No, this doesn't sound like her at all. There has to be more to this than the officer is stating.
“I don't know where she works.”, Aidan said. God it could be anywhere at this point. His mind started reeling, envisioning himself being hauled out of his car for innocently stopping off to get a random burger in town.
Aidan shook his head to focus, then forced himself to look down and to the left, physically preventing himself from further assessing the officer as an enemy combatant. His legs started shaking, he could feel the next part of training kick in, felt the heat and the rush of adrenaline, felt himself choke it all back down … it burned all the way back to his stomach. He had to leave the area. If they put their hands on him there was not telling what would happen. Aidan did NOT want to find out.
“Are we done here?”, Aidan asked the three officers.
“Don't be seen around here again.”, Officer X said turning to walk away.
Aidan watched as they walked toward their cars. Kept an eye on them as he reached into his glove compartment to pull out his smokes. His hands were shaking as he pulled one out of the pack. No, first things first lets get out of here. Remember egress is not retreat…
End chapter
I hope you enjoyed this … well… I don’t know how to rightly label what this is. Not yet at least. If you like it and want to know more about what happens to Aidan like and subscribe. Feel free to leave a comment too. Namaste!
~Solid Stehl~ 08/30/2023 All Rights Reserved
