The End Of Astronomy

Twenty years ago, I had always taken the night sky for granted. Sure, I loved looking at it, especially with my telescope, but I never realized the importance of astronomical freedom.

I live in a country with a bad communist government. Ever since the food shortage began, they have been cracking down on hobbies. Astronomy was first, since the leader has a particular grudge against it. Telescopes were banned, and the astronomy community was destroyed.

As I remember, it was a nice Saturday night. I was outside on my front porch looking at the moon with binoculars. I assumed they were fine for use since the government never put any ban on them. I was wearing khaki shorts and a button down shirt. It was a clear and warm summer night, with a calm warm breeze gently blowing in the air.

Around an hour later, I heard footsteps. It sounded like several people. I turned around to see 2 police officers running toward me. They both had mostly grey clothing, dark pants, and a lighter bulletproof vest over a dark grey shirt. Both wore a hard hard hat, with the words “POLICE” written on it in large white bold letters. Somebody must have seen what I was doing and reported me.

“Freeze!”, “Hands on the ground!”. It all happened so fast. They cuffed me, and forcefully shoved me into the police van. I had sat there for 20 minutes when I looked out the back window and saw them come out with my telescope. I had hidden it several years ago, when ownership of them was banned. It was expensive, equivalent to about a month’s pay. They dropped it on the ground, and I watched as they both lit it on fire with a match and gasoline.

Without a word, they entered the vehicle and started the engine. I waited as they drove through the city. I was seated in the back, which smelled of sweat and blood. There was a thick glass wall that separated the driver seats and the back of the van, blocking sound from coming through.

We arrived at the police center ten minutes later. “Get out”, I was instructed. Without thinking twice, I started running toward the street, but the officer grabbed me by my shirt before I could get away. They quickly grabbed a green unlabeled can from their belt, and sprayed it into my eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut, and screamed in pain. It felt like my eyes were being stabbed with hot knives.

I woke up laying down on a wood surface, unaware of why I was unconscious. I tried to open my numb eyes, and I could not see. Terrified, I said, “Hello?”

“Shut up old man. We permanently blinded you.”