Pencil Cases

“As I was saying, we are all going to die in this crummy box,” Abeba pessimistically insisted. A grand, lively pencil case with tie-dye patterns all over, filled with all the colors of the rainbow. That box, the Abeba was referring to, had been down there for about 20 years. It was once a beautiful, colorful, and full of life. However, ever since there was a new manager in the store, the box and those inside were left to rot. The box was once colorful and now it is drained of those colors. The beauty it once had was gone now. The top edges ripped apart due to a cat biting on it. For 15 years there have been two gorgeous pencil cases inside that box, forgotten. 

Ahmed, the second pencil case in that box had been in love with her for as long as he could remember. She lights up his life which apparently will be spent in here. 

“I’m telling you for the last time. The only way that we are getting out of here is if we climb to that top shelf. Once we’re up there, we can't be refused. They are the ones speaking of freedom all the time. It would make them hypocrites if they don't let us in,” Ahmed repeated for the hundredth time, a blue pencil case with a rainbow and a unicorn sewn on the front.

“Don't you see? The next generation of pencil cases is already up there. Will they really accept us?” Abeba asked.

“Abeba, all we want is a home, right? Someone to take us home and take care of us. That’s all we have ever wanted,” Ahmed answered her. “We are in a vile box, for heaven’s sake, we could get trampled on any second. We want a safer place to stay and live, is that such an evil act?”

“I suppose you’re right. After all, we are all pencil cases. We have the exact same purpose and inside, we just happen to look different on the outside. Wait, isn't the climb dangerous?”

“I’m not going to lie to you, yeah, it is very dangerous. However, it is our only hope. We can do this, Abeba,”

Abeba and Ahmed began their climb to what they thought would be their new haven. Little did they know, they wouldn’t be welcomed with open arms from their fellow pencil cases. Although technically speaking, their fellow pencil cases wouldn't welcome them with open zippers. 

Their haven is located at the 5th shelf, during that climb, that was all they saw. The possibility that freedom and opportunity that 5th shelf would give them. In front of Abeba and Ahmed was a sea of dangers with labels in the way of their climb, blocking their path. They were also dodging the hands of the children and parents who were taking items from the shelves. Nothing, absolutely nothing was going to get in between them and their last bit of hope. 

“Come on Ahmed, we’re almost there,” Abeba encourages Ahmed who is two shelves behind her. They are both about to pull themselves up onto the 5th shelf when suddenly the leader of the new generation of Top Shelf Pencil Cases (TSPC) appears. 

“Look who we have here. Your pencil cases have been trying to reach our shores for a while now. All of them failed. Do you think you can come and invade our homes?” the leader of the TSPC asked sarcastically.

“Listen, sir, we just want a home that protects us. We are all the same here, aren’t we? Please embrace us into your home and let us learn your culture as you learn ours. Let us live in peaceful harmony, kind sir,” Abeba pleaded.

“Now why would we do such a thing? So that you can bring all of your disgusting customs of how to live your life? Oh no wait, so you can steal all of our jobs by becoming the ones that are bought instead of us? Why would we ever trust you?"

“We just want help, and you are the only ones that can provide us with it. We don't wish you or anyone else harm. We want what everyone wants, love,” he said gently looking at Abeba. 

“Happiness, and a life full of delightful moments. Please help us. We just want to live.” Ahmed answered him, tears streaming down his face. 

The leader of TSPC stepped forward. He reached out a zipper. Ahmed and Abeba’s faces lit with faith, their hope having been restored. As they all locked zippers, the leader’s smile grew from side to side. A cynical expression filled his face, and it seemed to fill the entire store. Abeba and Ahmed already knew what was going to happen. Thrown out and shunned by their only hope, they accepted their fate. The leader let go, letting Ahmed and Abeba fall to the ground. Time stopped for both of them. Looking into each other's eyes wishing the pencil cases could see how little difference there is between them. They wanted to live, but instead were given to death’s cruel reach. They hit the ground and became invisible to everyone walking by. Hearts once filled with hope, shattered with reality’s screech. Those same hearts that were praying for a new beginning were trampled on and shredded into pieces. Destroyed by the people whom they needed to survive and live a wonderful life.

Illustration by: Fun With Fibro. Feeling Blue Pencil Case.