Badge of Domination

When major things happen in history, they always start slowly and build up. Like the day the world was unified under one organization.

I'm not sure when it truly started. Maybe it goes all the way back to Juliette Gordon Lowe, herself. Everyone thought they were just innocent little girls just learning different skills for the real world. I use to think that as well, until things started falling into place.

I sat there staring out the window, enjoying a nice day in the quiet house when the doorbell rang. Not expecting any company, I got up and wondered over to answer the door. “Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?” said the cute little pigtailed girl in a green uniform. Her sash was chalk full of badges she had earned. Not having any cash on hand at the moment I had to refuse, even though I wanted to badly to have some of those Thin Mints. Behind her were two other girls in green uniforms with even fuller sashes than hers. They were a bit older and seemed to be marking her progress down. Strange, I always thought they took tally when they turned the money in. I apologized for my lack of funds and sent them on their way. I lazily went back to my spot near the window and watched them go from house to house as far as I could. It was nice to see kids outside for a change. Later that night I decided to get groceries for dinner. I hadn’t had a good home cooked meal in some time. They were crowded as usual. As I got to the door to go inside I heard a girl behind me ask “Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?” I turned to see a girl in a brown uniform with three badges on her sash looking rather nervous. I offered my apologies because of my lack of cash at the moment. She turned to go back to the table that was piled with boxes of those delicious cookies. I noticed two other Brownies and a Girl Scout near the table. As I turned to go inside I heard what sounded like a camera. Kids always taking pictures with their cell phones these days. Being asked if I wanted cookies twice in one day made me crave them, so I picked up some cookie dough. Another camera sounds. I turned to see a green skirt go behind the freezer at the end of the isle. I’m not sure why, but I was starting to feel a bit paranoid. I payed the cashier and left the store. Backing out of the parking space I noticed the Girl Scout standing not to far away looking at her phone. Then she stared at me. Were they really that mad that I didn’t buy any cookies?

The next few weeks were nothing but page after page of horrendous accidents dealing with Boy Scouts. Lightning strikes, tornados, accidental electricution. It was like someone had it out for them and was able to control the weather. How I wish that was just a silly thought brought on by some movie I had just watched. After the most recent accident involving a few Boy Scout leaders setting a tent up under a power line, I was really starting to wonder how all of this could just be coincidence. That was when the buses started rolling into town. Girl Scout Troops from all over the US pouring into Savannah to visit the home of Juliette Gordon Lowe. Well, that’s what always happened before.

Just as I was about to fall asleep that night, I heard a noise in the kitchen. I got up, pulled my robe on quickly, and grabbed my bat. Sneaking around my own house felt weird. It felt even stranger when I came face to face with a little pig tailed girl in a green uniform standing in front of the table in my kitchen. It was like she was waiting for me. Behind her I noticed two other girls in the same uniform sitting down, surrounded by four girls in brown uniforms. I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid of a child until that day. She looked me straight in the eye, I couldn’t help but flinch. “I noticed you didn’t buy any Girl Scout cookies this year Mr. Fredricks.” She said with a note of childish disappointment. Still not quite sure what was going on, all I could think of was to answer. “I don’t carry cash on me. I didn’t realize it meant this much to you…” getting a bit uneasy, I backed against the wall. She looked up and smiled, “I’m sorry, but that’s not a good enough excuse. You’ll be among the first group. Goodbye.” She raised what looked like a gun and shot. Next thing I know I was convulsing on the ground and then everything went black.
“That’s all I remember. Where are we?” The short man facing me wore a brown button up shirt and green shorts. “I think we are at some kind of camp. The Girl Scouts took us for a reason.” The Boy Scout leader was as lost as I was. What were we suppose to think? The constant banging of hundreds of people on a glass wall was really grating. I remember delivering a pizza to this same camp years ago, it’s changed a lot. Four giant pilons lit up all focusing a beam towards the top of the glass dome. Why am I not afraid? Am I in shock? I looked out to see scores of Girl Scouts standing infront of a monument. The whole inside of the dome flashed and a beam of light rushed toward the momument. I felt a twinge of sadness for the world and what it would have to deal with after today. A giant screeching sounds wretched my ears…and then darkness.