Thainig An: The Saoirse War - Short Story

The stakes are high in Thainig An, an action-packed science fiction short story set amid The Saoirse War.

Young Camoo and their baby-expecting parent are trapped in their house as the Saibhir soldiers sweep in to enslave the survivors of a bombing. With the soldiers banging on their door, Camoo must make the difficult decision to balance giving life and taking death to survive.

Will the family make it through the night? Discover the answer in Thainig An and learn how no one is what they seem in times of desperation.

If you enjoyed Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, you'll love the thrilling survival story of Thainig An. Buy now and join Camoo on their journey of survival.

When the first bomb hit, I jerked out of slumber and dropped into confusion. Everyone knew it would happen soon but not this soon. Not here in Geansai. There was nothing important here for the Saibhir to bomb. The closest military base was míle away.

In the back of our brains, leaders assumed there was always a chance that a few fighters lost their way and dropped a few bombs over unintentional targets. Maybe one fighter would crash land during a retaliation. So we practiced escaping to our bomb shelter. One time Mathair and I were shopping in the square when a drill vibrated the streets. Along with the other traders, we entered the nearest bomb crevice and waited ten nóiméad for it to end.  

By the time the second one hit and tried to knock me off my feet, I was rushing to Mathair’s room. They were wide awake. One hand gripping the edge of the bed and the other on their swollen stomach where my sibling waited to be born. Their frightened black eyes locked with mine. They seemed as surprised by the attack.

“Camoo,” they said. “Go to the shelter!”

Ignoring their order, I helped them off the bed brought them along. I may have still been a child but I was not stupid. Straining with their weight, we tried to keep balance through the rooms. The house shook and flexed under us as the rest of the bombs hit. Mathair shouted in surprise a few times. I released a few, too. The explosions were so loud, louder as they continued, that they could have been right outside.

In the kitchen, the bomb shelter entrance on the floor yawned open. The lights were on and the stairs were laid out. Both of us holding onto the flesh and bone rail, we made our way down the steps to safety.

Or, I hoped it was safe.

Though our home was only one-level with enough room for our family, it was tough. As were all the domiciles on our planet. We nurtured and fed the ground. It gave back to us with calloused walls and ceilings, and vascular power. I had been living here most of my life. I had no memories of living anywhere else. I loved my home. Based on how strong it was now resisting the bombs and the shock waves, our home loved us back.

Once I lowered Mathair onto the single bed, the door to the shelter sealed. I draped the blankets over them and puffed the cushion under their head.

“Are you feeling good?” I asked them.

Mathair smiled and patted my cheek.

“I am,” they said. “A bit angry.”

“At the Saibhir? Me, too.”

“We’re to be safe here during the war,” they sighed. “I suppose, we’re safe now.”

Another shake from outside. This one made me sit on the bed to keep my balance.

“Come,” Mathair said, opening their arms. “I will keep you both safe.”

Even though I was years away from being cuddled by my tuismitheoir, I lay next to them anyway. The closeness was comforting. My sibling’s kicks pressed against my side. I smiled.

They were going to be a wild one. Their birth was expected in another few cyles. Athair would miss it. I would have to help Mathair when the time came. Karms was a mid-spouse who lived down the street. They assisted and trained parents for childbirth. With Athair gone, Karms trained me well but I still wanted them with me in case something went wrong. My confidence in the procedure was low. Perhaps because I was so scared of the idea of escorting anyone into this world. A world filled with bombs falling from the sky.