September 12, 1000(POV: Jia)
Tonight everythin's silent, for once. How long it's gonna last is anybody's guess. These days it's never more than two days.
Ma is upstairs, resting. When I last saw her she was a sittin' tryin' to hide her strains.
I rub my nose then stir the broth again.
Things is so hard to find these days, with the war. All them men keeps comin' into the farms and stealin' things. We haven't a single animal left. Them done took everything. Movin' to the village didn't help nothing.
I stir.
I'm terrified when night comes to us. That's when shadows come an' they ain't just make believe monsters anymores.
I hear a sound outside. Footsteps! Fear zips through everything that's insides me.
Da walks in. His face is real upset. Splotchy in spots, as it always does when he's real upset.
Robbers? The enemy?
My hands is all clammy an' cold. They tingle.
"Da?"
I ask.
He throws his hands in the air.
"Hurry, it's done time,"
he says.
I snort then cover my face.
No! Not yet, Ma and Da still need me! Who'll keep 'em healthy? Who'll feed 'em and make sure they get a fair chance at the few goods as get sent here?
"I can't!"
Ma appears beside me.
I glance at her.
"Jia, we spent more than we could afford to get you this chance, child. You don't want to waste this here gift do you?"
she asks.
Yes, I would! I can't leave the only folks I got left.
Ma looks at Da for back up. His lips are pressed together, tighter than the time I got stuck in the stairwell.
She grunts then turns back to me. Wish she hadn't.
Her face is pleadin' me to obey. Beggin' as it is.
Da whispers a single word, his voice cracks in the middle,
"Please."
I gulp.
How can they survive?
Will all me dreams and loves go up in flames from this blasted war?
Friends dead, family too, soon.
After me Ma and Da get done in, who will I love? I can't leave them!
"I can't! I won't leave you twos to die alone,"
I yell.
Will everythin' burn? Is everybody I know end up screamin' an dead?
My brain is a rushin' from one friend's face to anther. Most is runned away, like they wants me to do. Others dead.
I shake my head to rid the face of a dying friend from before me face.
Ma pulls me close. She puts her thin cheek to mine.
"Please, I promise you I'll kill meself if you don't get a goin' right now."
Her hands rub my back. Memories of her comfortin' me as a little girl worried over her looks sweep in.
Ever they had been there. What will I do when I'm all by my lonesome?
I pull away. No tears are a comin'. I reckon it's cause they been all cried out over the past months. There just ain't anymore left.
The door opens.
Los steps inside.
"Is she ready?"
he asks.
I walk to him.
One glance back.
Ma is tryin' real hard not to look sad. Da smiles at me. He waves, just a little.
"I loves you both, like nothin' else,'
I whisper.
They both nods at me.
"We have to hurry, Jia. A group is moving in. We got less than an hour,"
Los says.
I wince.
My parents could be dead so soon?
Why did war come?
Did it have to meet our family?
We step outside. It's awful hot. I sweat pert near as soon as I step outside.
Shadows creep over our village. A cart huddles in an alleyway.
Windows gape at us.
"Hurry, girl, I won't be risking my neck for yours,"
Los whispers.
I snatch a handful of skirt.
The moon rebukes us from the great big sky.
We run.
"Where we be going?"
I ask.
He glances backward to me.
"A cave in the mountains. That's where everyone like you is fleeing."
Caves?
What new hardship have my Ma and Da done got me into now?
We pass many homes. All empty. Nothin' is left insides them.
The whole place is sad. Like a beloved leader done died. Only our leader deserted instead of died.
Some cling to a rumor that's done been goin' about.
I say they's all clinging to a log before goin' over a waterfall.
How could it be true?
Why would the child of Belladona be livin' in these parts helpin' us?
Can't be true.
At least 'cause of me looks nobody has tried to do nothin' to me. I thank Tanri for it like I never done did before.
Tanri, what is your plan here? I just don't get it a'tall.
I concentrate on runnin'. Onward, toward the loomin' mountains. Toward Los' backside.
NOTE: I am still unhappy with this chapter. As such this entry may change. If I do make changes I will mention it in the News From the Writer section of this website.
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