Orbital Dissolutions

By Géraldine Eggerickx

Three short stories that share a theme of introspective journeys through the inextricable twists and turns of the main characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9781667473314

Book preview

1

The Prison

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The prison, simplistic as possible, was built in the hollow of a mountain. The village, built on the edge of the Atlas, was in the region of Khalouia. The Daira (main town) of this region was called el Bordj, capital of a wilaya (group of villages), located between Kabylie and the highlands. Around the fort, a town had gradually formed, populated by the various Kabyle tribes from across the region. A large market had begun to sprout.

A few words to enlighten you.

I arrived when this commune became a mixed one. A great number of French settlers had settled there, I held a high office and we had a beautiful house with my little family. I will come back to this point, because it was my return to the country, I had spent all my childhood there in a nearby region, 40 km from Algiers.

We were at a French prefecture surrounded by the highlands, in the heart of many dairas and enclosed by a mountain range as mysterious as it is dangerous. Facing our enemies, the ancient tribe of Hashems, which extended over a large part of Medjana. It had been stripped of all of its land, more than 50,000 hectares, after the 1871 insurrection, without having been authorized to benefit from the redemption option that was granted to other insurgent communities.

We were there to provide security and law enforcement. I was coming back after many years of fighting in sub-Saharan Algeria. I was happy to be able to enjoy a new peace of mind, my daily life began to be as simplified as possible. Looking back today, I am aware of this terrible fracture, I was simply another soldier, a well-rehearsed captain. Unfortunately, the change had been insidious: between 20 and 50 years old, everything happens to you. After years of military school, the death of my mother, and a failed marriage, my life had been completely changed.

2

Reunion

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However, nothing could have prepared me for the defeat that I was going to personally suffer.

Once at the bottom of this damp and dark cave, I could see a mass, in the middle of this small room.

The ragged clothes formed a compact shape, with long black hair covering its face. I could say it a bit cynically, inhumanity finally had a face, and a form.

This thing blended in perfectly with this decor, the dimly lit