Covert Alliance [Dec 2013]

Effects of Severe Traumatic Stress on a Human Population


Sociological Analysis

A Population Study

Antipov,K Campbel,L Golumbrovski,S Taylor,R Wilson,T Yeltsin,S

doi 11232164 PBL 30. 7 641

New world Psychology Journal Dec 2013 vol. 13 no 5 823

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ABSTRACT

This literature review explores the effects of severe traumatic stress on the human population. A sample group was chosen at random and subjected to severe trauma in 5 different categories. Categories used were financial, health, nutrition, separation from support systems and levels of personal autonomy . Subjects were divided into Control Group A and Control Group B depending on geographical location. Control Group A consits of approx. 1/3 of the subjects, (24.75 million). Control Group B consists of approx. 2/3 of the subjects (50 million). Subjects were tested for ability to cope, suicidal tendencies and other mental health issues, malnutrition, birth rates and overall health. Control Group A were subjected to extreme poverty whilst Control Group B were subjected to extreme affluence. Both groups were given questionaires to fill out on a bi-annual time frame.

© 2013 American Journal on Trauma, Moscow Sociological Research Institute.

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Q1 How many children are there in your house of vaccinable age?

Yeong could not relax as he poked at the fire in the back yard. The radio program was starting in fifteen minutes and he was only just preparing the families supper. His daughter, only twelve years old, was late back again after yet another altercation with the boys from the neighbouring coastal village. Again they had taken half for themselves but he could not complain, they were very kind to let her pass. He bowed into the cosmos. Thirteen minutes left.

He coated the adolescent clams with gasoline from an over used bottle with the label removed., and spread them evenly over the glowing coals. Careful not to be wasteful he poured the excess gasoline back into the bottle. Flinching from the initial roar of the flames he remembered to check his beloved watch. Eleven minutes left.

Yeong reflected on his daughters daily trips to the beach and wondered if she would pass through so easily as she grew into a woman. Maybe he should send her to more classes he considered, or was it too late now? Her mother was a beautiful sight to behold, and still is, he thought. Enough so that she could bring the highest honours and respect upon her family, she was a dancer in the city. Blocking out the thoughts of his daughter he commented to himself just how lucky they all were.

Removing the blackened seafood from the charred wood Yeong smiled, they would eat very well tonight. There were enough for two each, they were fresh and they were hot. Four minutes left. Putting the spare clam in his pocket he retreated into the prefabricated dwelling and took out the plate. His two sons were back from a weeks logging and were sat huddled up in front of the fireplace. A single branch burned, spitting and hissing at the water suspended above.

Gently setting the plate in the middle of the room Yeong summoned the children to sit around. They barely hesitated. Guilt filled him as he remembered this was yet another meal not provided by himself. He regretted losing his job as much as he regretted his children working. His eldest son shifted his weight on the stone floor and brushed the tiny stones from his thigh. Together they stared at the floor, they had normally eaten by now. Two minutes left.

The click filled the room. Dear Leaders voice boomed out at them reminding them that they were probably not doing all they could for their country. They knew He was probably right. Yeong hung his head in shame as the children pretended not to notice. Together they held hands and nodded along in agreement to all that was said, except his youngest, he, well, he just stared ahead, embracing the void in the bare walls ahead. Another voice now, this time thanking Dear Leader for his wise words and thoughtful guidance in all relevant matters. This was followed by a song about the pitfalls of gluttony. They sang along as if Dear Leader himself were their private audience, the esteemed guest in the bossom of each family home. The click of the input speaker did not click on, as was usually the case so they relaxed a little and turned their attentions back to the feast. By now the food had turned cold.

Yeongs boys were tucking into the mouthwatering seafood. Careful not to show greed they turned each clam into seven heavenly bites, chewing slowly and showing their best faces of contentment.

It pained Yeong greatly to see his daughter refuse the nurishment. He did not believe her stories of eating at the beach. Pushing the remaining two morsels towards her brothers she smiled up at her father but the smile did not quite reach her eyes.

Her mother should be home in a few weeks, that should drastically improve her mood, and hopefully her dwindelling appetite. The spare morsel that he had been saving for the best singer would keep. If she complained of hunger later she would not have to go without. He was grateful for such luxury.He wondered what is was that caused her to fast. Surly they had plenty since she had been old enough to dive. With that and the meat they received from the regime for being the family of a dancer they had a lot to be greatful for. The meat, Yeong was sure it was pork, was a monthly meal fit for a king. So tender and moist, delightful. He had never tasted pork like it. His wife always looked uneasy when he mentioned it, he doubted she ate this well in Pyongyang, despite her protests to the contrary. She would be home soon, he couldn't wait.

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Q2 How many hours on average do your family spend together? Please answer honestly and legibly.

Meanwhile in Seoul Jin was rushing to get to his car before rush hour began. Cursing security at the revolving glass doors he hurriedly showed his ID, upside down and covered with coffee. Jostling with the crowds he began the arduous task of getting to the car park. Pushing a smartly suited middle manager out of the way he wondered why it always had to be him to take on more work at the office. His boss just didn't seem to understand. Jin was more than aware of how bad he had it and enjoyed letting others know, when he had the time to of course.

Continued...

Damning the traffic for its stationary stance he wondered if his daughters tutor would get angry at her being late again. Jin guessed she would. Looking around he saw that people had already started their evening meals and his tummy spoke out loudly about his recent neglect of it. He blamed his timetable. With nothing to do but stare out of the windows he watched the diners sat outside the restaurant. Jins mouth watered as he watched some wriggling baby eels being carefully laden into some ones boiling, clear soup. If only he could just eat the one that found its way onto the table, just a snack. He could almost taste it. Begrudgingly he unwrapped his 'On the Go' energy bar and considered the implications to his blood sugar levels. He needed the calories, and anyway, within a few hours he would be eating at one of the classiest establishments in the City.

"Oh, yeah".

Still, he did not smile, instead he cracked open a can of Red Bull and lamented on why it had to be so God-damn fizzy.


Thankful that he was only ten minutes late he pulled up outside the gates to his daughters grand private school. He grimaced as he saw her stood alone in the drizzle and inwardly kicked himself for having such a demanding boss. She deserves a holiday he thought, we all do. Something that involves a lot of sitting around he mused.


No sooner had she fastened her seatbelt Jin had pulled off again, this time headed for her piano lessons. Sometimes he wondered why his wife was so adamant that they have a baby so soon. Things were difficult as they were, and he had not yet paid off the mortgage on the penthouse apartment. Payments were still due on the pool table too. He should have put his foot down and waited until they were ready. He would never admit to feeling this way though, it wasn't worth his nads. His frustration had started to build again causing him to nearly go straight through the red light, another issue caused by Samsung expecting more and more work from him.

Getting to music school on time hadn't eased his tension any. His mind was on supper. Not long now he thought pacifying himself. Now, if only his wife could be ready on time...

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Q3 How many calories do each member of your family eat on a daily basis, approx?

Up in North Korea Yeong was making the final preparations. His wife would be home soon, for two whole weeks this time. It was a 'special holiday', a reward for services rendered to Dear Leader. She had excelled and was getting an extra week this year. He was so much more than proud.

The children had perked up somewhat and were showing no signs of their recent exhaustion.

It was four hours later when she stood before him in the doorway. Gone was the young woman that Yeong had fallen in love with just fifteen years before. In her place was a frightened old woman, yet, her eyes still showed the love they had long ago. Her skin was somewhat paler but the bags under her eyes were darker. He was already dreading the day she had to go back, although he knew it was the right thing to do.

Sensing her hunger Yeong decided they could eat early that day, then they would have at least an hour to get to know one another again, as a family, before the radio clicked on. He began to feel happy for the first time in months. The children were already seated on the floor waiting eagerly when he came through with the food. They ate in silence, savouring every tiny mouthful, except his daughter. No-one spoke.

After the meal little Jang, weary from diving, stood up and asked for the families attention. Her features distorted with grief as she grappled with her mind for what to say first.

As she stood there they all seemed to glance down at the same time, to her swollen tummy, barely protruding but visible nonetheless.

"I can take it with me, they will be happy" Said his wife lacking emotion.

Yeong cried then, they all did.

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Q4 If any, what is the sum total of your and your families assets to date?

After finally pulling up at home at the penthouse apartment Jin pressed the button for the 48th floor and sent an email as he waited so as not to waste any time. The latest iPad had just came out and he was troubling himself thinking of when he could get away from the office and to the phone shop next week.

He then sent a message to his wife to hurry up and get ready as he was on his way up.

Walking through the door Jin noticed an eerie silence where there should be voices from the tele. She must be having a bath he told himself, getting agitated, that must be why she didn't reply. He relaxed ever so slightly at being home and poured an expresso from the percolator. Jin shuffled through to the dressing room careful not to spill his eighth coffee of the day on the plush cream carpet.

"Damn!" he cursed to himself, only half an hour and they would have to set off. He wondered if he could telepathically tell her to get a move on.

"I have cancer."

It came from behind him. He did not, or rather could not turn around. It was followed by deathly nothingness. His world stopped. Time itself stopped.

Jin did not notice her hand on his arm or her head on his back, embracing him from behind.

Taking his trembling hand she led him to the lounge and helped him onto the wooden legged sofa. Jin asked himself how she could be this strong. He had no words. Listening to her rundown of events he thought about all the times he had stood her up to stay late at the office and win the promotion. A single tear started and stopped on his face. His face remained stone. The times Jin had rushed her, and their daughter, to read his financial broadsheets had come rushing back to him in droves. As had all the times that he only pretended to listen.

Looking at her as if for the first time Jin tried and failed to ask the important question.

"Yes", she said, "It's curable with the right treatment thank God"

He could only nod back.

They fell asleep clung to each other on that burgundy sofa. Knowing their daughter would be safe with her Grandma they took the first time in their seven year marriage to just do nothing. Neither woke nor turned in thier sleep.

Upon waking Jins first thought was that of emailing his boss. Carefully removing her head from his chest he made his way to the kitchen. Pouring two juices and a coffee for himself he made his way back to the makeshift bed and put the mixed fruit juices on the glass table. Watching her sleep he noticed for the first time that her hair was more than one shade of black.

There were things that needed to be done. He was scared, sue, but he had to function enough to get this morning out of the way. Sitting at his grand oak desk he fired up his iPad, all the while staring at the many different colours in the clouds outside the double windows.

A wry smile crossed Jins lips as he realised the email would probably get to his boss before the iPad had even hit the pavement outside.

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To: Samsung HQ
From: Jin Soon
Subject: A little late...

Dear Sir,

Thank you for everything but I Quit.

Jin
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Continued...

Q5 Do you or any member of your family suffer from mental illness? (Including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety or paranoia).

Back at the prefabricated hut Yeong kept his feelings to himself, afraid to explore them let alone voice them. He took his hand from his wifes and studied the nail marks left in his palms. All he could think about were the nail marks. His brain did not function for anything else. One look at his wife had her ushering the children to the bedroom, leaving him alone with the log fire and remaining two clams.

Rage welled up inside him and he punched himself in the right side of his head. He should beat her he thought. He doubted she had done this voluntarily but he was sure he should beat her.Then he considered the boys that had been giving her increasing grief. He punched himself in the head again, this time harder. Maybe he should beat them instead. For the first time in his life there was no-one to tell him how to react, how to feel, what to think. Pushing down his anger he stared into the fire for answers.After staring into the fireplace for what seemed like five minutes he noticed the first strands of light cause shadows across the room. The fire had long gone out.

Yeong had spent the night thinking, and accepting. For the first time ever he was thinking his own thoughts. No longer did he feel gratitude to dear leader. The pain he had carried around in the front of his head had gone now, his desire to punch the treasonous thoughts out of his head vanished. He had a different compulsion now, not one of internal punishment but an all encompassing desire to fight. Fight for his old job, fight for his survival, fight for his daughter...

Having no-where to go the rage puddled in his extremities causing him to hit out and struggle with an unseen entity. A molar broke off in the battle. Waves of emotion put weight on his chest and fire in his eyes.

At last he knew. Acceptance was slow coming forward but with it came the release of those long harboured demons, and his real knowledge. His truth. He was not a free man. He was not in the least lucky. He had to do something and he had to be quick.

As he put his plans into action Yeong considered the fleeting thoughts that had only passed by occasionally to 'test his faith' in the regime. He wondered where all the babies from the village had gone.

He gathered up all the family papers.

He wondered why there was no way to grow, or even buy food. Thoughts of the 'Old Way' came back to him. Discussions held far from the microphone on the radio that had been built into the walls of his home. He twisted the families papers into a tight cylinder. The thoughts would not stop now, coming at him faster and faster. He thought about why no-one had yet died from the food that had been dropped from the skies by the enemies in the South. He considered why there were so few children anymore, hardly anyone in the village had a child under five.

It was then that he thought of the factories behind the mountains to the North. The thick black smoke that fell as ash. The lack of animals on the farms, even his wife failed to see any livestock and she traveled. The meat. Where did the meat...

This time the surfacing rage was accompanied by bile.

Putting the papers into the newly lit fire he looked around for something to set alight. Seeing no flammables he made his way through to the bedroom.

Getting into bed with his family he noticed little fires were starting to come to life at the bottom of the worn out mattress. His daughter started to stir. He cradled her and let his tears fall into her dull and tangled hair.

"Sshh Baby. Every things going to be OK now, Daddy make it all go away".

Tsu322
Continued...

Yea...you better!

This has the makings of a great story. I'll give a star for now, and a flag upon the continuance.

Ah...there you go!

reply to post by TDawgRex


Hope you enjoyed the rest of it TDawg!

Tsu322
reply to post by TDawgRex

 

Hope you enjoyed the rest of it TDawg!

It's still incomplete! More! The State demands it!

reply to post by TDawgRex


Lol, sorry, I forgot to put The End at the end haha.

My bad.

reply to post by Tsu322


Creative. I liked it!

SnF

reply to post by Tsu322


A very interesting approach and structure. I am sure you have more of this story?

At least I hope so!

reply to post by beezzer


Thank you Beezzer! It was my first time doing anything sic-fi so I went with the first thing that came into my mind when I saw Dystopia as an option.

reply to post by grayeagle


Thank you Gray Eagle!

I do have a lot more to say on the issue and will probably write more North Korean issues in future stories. The first story I entered here centered around North Korean slaves in Siberia.

I feel the only thing I can really do is raise awareness.

Tsu322
reply to post by grayeagle

 

I feel the only thing I can really do is raise awareness.

And even if there's only one who became more aware because of your story, then you know that you've succeeded. That is all a writer could ever be happy of. That at least one person changed because of your story.


S&F

reply to post by starheart


Thank you Star Heart!

I hope I can at least reach one person. With all the members and guests here on ATS someone is bound to be influenced, At least I hope.

reply to post by Tsu322


This... was so realistic! You've succeeded at making a really realist dystopia!

Definitively S&F from me too!

reply to post by swanne


Thank you Swanne!

I have read a bit about it and wanted the story to seem more real so I had to read even more!

Another great story, I love the unique format..

I found it totally terrifying how plausible it all is



S+F

Phnx

scary, great read. s and f

Thank you guys I really appreciate your input!