Our story starts with a little girl. The little girl is crying as her dad pats her head. I remember. The little girl is me. I can not be more than three or four. Dad is leaving for the war, and I beg him to stay. I know he can’t, but I beg anyway. Mom comes and carries me into the house. I thrash and cry trying to grab dad. He waves goodbye as the front door closes. Time leaps forward. I’m standing in the kitchen doorway. I watch mom cry as she opens a letter from dad; we haven’t heard from him in months. I smile and cry too. Boom! My eyes shoot open. I am laying in bed. It was just a dream I think. There are loud booming sounds coming from outside. I run over to the window. I see fire; the town is set ablaze. The fire is consuming everything as thick black smoke rises into the night sky. People are running, screaming as soldiers gun them down. I notice the sky is filled with planes. They are the ones dropping the bombs. I look away horrified. “It can’t be! Dad is on the front lines fighting there is no way they could have made it this far.” Bang! I hear the front door slam open interrupting my thoughts. I dash down the hall to the top of the stairs. I see an enemy soldier, but he doesn't see me. He looks down the hall at my mother. He aims, and I watch as he murders her. One clear shot to the chest. I hear the gunshot before I see her fall. I can’t help it; I scream. The man looks up and stares at me. We make eye contact for a brief moment then adrenaline takes over. I sprint down the hall and slam my bedroom door shut. I hear the footsteps behind me. I don’t hesitate, I shove the dresser in front of the door. I know I don’t have much time. I dart over to my sister. She’s still sleeping. I shake her shoulders.
“Wake up!” I yell.
“What’s happening? Where is mommy?” she asks groggily.
I force myself not to cry.
“She’s gone. Get your shoes we need to leave,” I reply.
I pull open the closet and grab the emergency packs mom made.
“What do you mean gone? Where?” she questions me.
I can hear the concern in her voice, but I just can’t bring myself to tell her. Bam! I hear the man slam against the door.
“Get your shoes on now!” I scream.
She stares blankly at me blankly for a moment then she listens and puts her shoes on. I throw mine on too and open the window. I throw the packs outside and grab my sister. I yank her toward the window.
“We have to jump!” I command.
There is a tree just a few feet away.
“No! I’m scared,” she cries.
“Come on Ava!” I panic.
The bangings get louder.
“It’ll be okay. It’s just like how dad taught us,” I coax, but I can’t hide the urgency in my voice.
She backs away from me; the fear apparent in her eyes.
“Not without mommy!” she yells.
Tears sting my eyes. Bam! The dresser falls. I snatch her hand as the door swings open. The man bursts through; his shoulder is bleeding. He tries to shoot us. I flinch but remember it is a one barrel gun. I hop over onto the tree. I turn and yell at Ava to follow. She shakily climbs onto the windowsill. The man swears as he runs after her. She jumps; I scream. Time slows down, and I am helpless as he grabs her hair and pulls her back. Straight into his knife.
To be continued… But probably never will be.