Scorch their earth
A 100-word story about the plight of people in lawless, feudal places
Scorch their earth
The mafia ran the mines that swallowed the villagers daily; regurgitating them, blackened and coughing, every evening.
Villagers, desperate for a better life for their kids, took on usurious debts from the mafia to build a school. But when the first kids graduated, the mafia - seeking young blood - refused to let them work elsewhere.
One night the kids started a fire. The fire spread, engulfing the village, then the mines. Without proper equipment or sufficient water, the mines were destroyed. The kids arrested, were sent off to remand homes. The villagers abandoned the village.
The mafia never mined there again.
###
Reena | 10-4-23
Perhaps, that fire was the only, inevitable way out of the long drawn suffering, it was a fire of fury and courage and the fire for freedom and change!
I’m behind on my reads the past few days. Well done! I agree with Jack, this was powerful and eye opening. I would imagine anyone reading on Substack is lucky to find themself where they do in life compared to so many. It’s a story that inspires gratitude but also reflection on who we can help in the world.