One Year Later...

Michael walked slowly along the battered stadium running track. His shako was heavy on his head as the wind whipped through the feathers of his plume. His heart beat slowly in his chest, knowing that Abbie and Lisha weren't around to see this. He wove his way around the pit, playing around with stark white gloves. He trudged up the steps of his platform then raised his hand and called Set!

The marchers were gathered in four clusters, one at each corner of the field. Around each cluster was a circle of guard, all of them holding sabres, point down in a ready-front position. Their uniforms were simple and grey, covering a brighter layer underneath.

Michael took off his shako and set by his feet on the platform before nodding at the announcer's box.

GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR VERY OWN, SOUTH HAMPTON MARCHING TROJANS! THEIR 2016 SHOW "ARE YOU OKAY?" FEATURES THE WORKS "GOODBYE FOR NOW" BY THE TWO STEPS FROM HELL MUSIC COMPANY, "THE CHORALE FROM JUPITER" BY GUSTAV HOLST, AS WELL ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS BY STUDENTS MICHAEL LAMONTANE AND IAN TURNER. PRESENTING! UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DRUM MAJOR, MICHAEL LAMONTANE, THE SOUTH HAMPTON, TROJAN, MARCHING BAND!

Michael brought up his hands, and with them, the four clusters came down into field, laying down on the turf in a pile. The marimbas started off on a low haunting tremolo. Tony stood at the back of the top left cluster, now the right snare drum and Ian was at the bottom of a pile of brass instruments.

The guard in all the circles lunged out with their sabres, toward the middle, sweeping the air with smooth swipes as the first flags were thrown onto the field from the side lines. On each flag there was a word, that cut through the air like a bell tone.

Always.

      Remember.

                  We.

Are.

                   Not.

Silent.