2 Last time

Erika went to work for the next few days while Dan trained at the academy til late dawn.

"Erika! Did you hear about the recent rumors? A war is about to start soon. I heard from my brother who is currently working for the government." Erika nodded.

"Dan told me about it. He wrote me a letter saying we might have to leave this coastal village soon." Erika said as she cleaned up the surgical room.

"How many surgeries do we have left?" Another nurse asked.

"We're done for today." The head nurse smiled and told us the leave the hospital.

"Erika." She heard a familiar voice calling her.

"Dr. Julian! Are you going home now?"

"Yes I am. How about you?"

"I am." Erika smiled.

Helen nudged Erika. "Erika, goodluck!" Helen is her best bud in the hospital. They talk about everything from gossips to romance.

"Bye, Helen!" Erika smiled.

As Dr. Julian and Erika walked down the familiar road, it was strangely quiet.

"Dr. Julian? Do you think a war will happen soon?" Erika asked.

"The upcoming war, huh?" Dr. Julian seems to be in deep thought

"I did." He nodded. "Today might be my last day seeing this." He sighed.

"Are you leaving soon?" Erika asked curiously.

"I got notified by the opposition. I have to go there to work as their front line doctor." Dr. Julian looked at Erika as if he will cry at any moment.

"Erika, I know this is rushed. But, from the first time I met you, you were really hardworking and I got drawn by your beautiful personality. You are also beautiful. Erika, I like you." Erika felt tears rolling down.

"Dr. Julian, I like you too." So they shared a farewell kiss for another minute or so.

"Julian, you need to be careful. The oppositions are not the people to mess with. Please stay alive. At least for me." Dr. Julian nodded.

"I will. I will come back for you. We might not see each other for a long time, you need to stay strong. No matter where you are, stay safe." Julian hugged Erika for another moment and said, "We'll keep in contact through letters." She nodded.

As Erika and Julian bid farewell, they headed the opposite direction.

When Erika went back home, she lied on her bed thinking about Julian. She liked him, ever since they worked together through numerous surgeries. Her feelings for him were pure. She doesn't know what the future holds but as long as she has faith, they will be together.

"Erika? Are you in your room?" Her dad came into her room.

"Dad? You closed down the shop early." Her dad nodded.

"Not too many customers nowadays, the war will be starting soon. We need to pack our things by tomorrow. We don't know when the siren will come on." Erika sat up and hugged her dad, "Dad, we are going together right?" Her dad nodded.

"Of course. How can I leave my daughter behind?"

Erika took the picture frame of her mother.

"Mom, dad, Dan, and I will be leaving soon. Please watch over us."

"Dad, today is your birthday. I didn't get you anything but I got this at work. I got a raise. If something happens, you can use the money. I have enough saved. I gave Dan plenty of allowance that can last him for a while. He will get paid soon after finishing the academy." Erika gave it to her father and her father wept.

"You didn't have to do this. This is your hard work." Erika shook her head.

"You deserved it, dad. You worked so hard already. This is the most I can do." Erika gave her dad a very long hug.

Today is Saturday, day became gloomy and cloudy. There was barely anyone outside.

Erika turned on the radio and it warned of possible airstrike in the region. Evacuation is in place for the coastal region.

"Sis, how long do we have left?" Erika shook her head.

"Let's pack now. It should be soon." Erika and Dan packed their stuff and went downstairs.

"Did you see dad?" Erika asked Dan. He shook his head.

"Maybe in his room?" Erika checked inside and didn't see him.

"Dad, are you in here?" Erika peeked inside her mom's room which had been closed for a while was unlocked.

"Dad, are you ready? The truck will be arriving shortly." Her dad was clutching her mom's photograph and few of her possessions. Erika knew it was impossible for them to bring all of them.

"Dad, I'll help you pack mom's photographs so you can look at them when we are there." Erika hugged her dad and said, "Mom gave us precious memories. Just like you gave Dan and I precious memories too. Mom will understand." Her dad silently sobbed on her shoulder. Their house, all of the memories throughout the years might be destroyed in a flash.

"Dad, I'll be here for you. Dan will too. Here, mom gave me this pendant as a memory of her's. I want to give this to you even if we seperate for any reasons, remember mom will be by our sides." Erika stayed strong for her dad. Though she wanted to cry but held it in.

"Dad, let's pack her photos since they are light to carry." Her dad nodded and packed a few of her mom's photos and some other stuff too.

Her father was her role model ever since their mom passed away. He worked hard everyday and making sure they had everything they needed. Her dad was lonely most of the time and became less talkative. Erika can see her father's health was declining from the stress and worries.

"Sis, dad. Our truck is here. It's time to go." Dan yelled at us.

Erika and her father came downstairs and Dan helped them loading all of the stuff on the truck. As they went inside the truck, they took a last look of their house. Saying goodbye to all of the memories was difficult.

Erika really hope that they can come back soon.