“You’re supposed to do something to stop them before they come in and steal everything.”

Arguing was useless, the big cop’s mind was made up and he was entering a citation. “Ma’am, the police don’t have any constitutional obligation to protect you from crime. You’re ultimately responsible for protecting yourselves. The good news for you is there weren’t any kids, or I’d have to cite you for each child not protected to the standard required by law. And you could even lose custody. I hate writing those citations.”

          “Unconstitutional...” She was past the point of tears with fury and degradation.

          “You could get a gun…assuming you pass the background check.”

“A gun? But, I wasn’t even home!” she raised her voice. “They would have stolen the gun, too!”

He studies her along with the chaos of upside-down drawers and broken belongings thrown about. “On second thought, judging from these guys you’re lucky you weren’t around.” He almost grins. “Gun or no gun.” The cop continues studying her but not like she’s a victim. “Perhaps you don’t know it, Ma’am, but mostly the Constitution provides you with protections from the police, and the government. Not from your fellow citizens. The Blackout Law, and that new Grate Law are there to protect you. And they do work. If you obey them.”

          “I don’t care if they work.” She makes a scoffing face. “I should not have to keep the shades drawn, and my family behind iron grates, just to keep them safe!”

Read the exciting Climax and Conclusion of Deterrents in the upcoming Fast Fiction FlightBook ANTIGRAVITY