attack

Terror Ethos Redux

Terror attack, multiple locations, death tolls plus countless injured.  In a major city life becomes disrupted, travel comes to a halt.  Locals desperately seek contact yet fear the news of their loved ones.  Many visitors to the area (tourists, students, business people, musicians on tour) are unaccounted for.

Family members run to the locations of the attacks, holding photographs, has anyone seen this person?

Hospitals, overwhelmed with patients from the incidents, are overrun with nervous, fearful, stressed visitors seeking their relatives, friends, lovers, associates.

Country and city leaders make statements to the press.  The media repeats these and other clips over and over. Responsibility is claimed by a known terrorist organization. Patterns and background unfold.

A city is gripped with fear, sadness and a chilling sense of uncertainty.  Emotions are fervent, tensions and an inability to feel settled or centered becomes the norm.  Levels of frenzy and fear persist.

This is the new reality.

Nearby cities express support.  Sports teams drop every shred of rivalry to convey solidarity. Social media abounds with messages of concern.  Everywhere one goes it is the terror attacks, their immediate aftermath and the larger discussion of what it means becomes Topic One.

This is Paris now.

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