The Long Journey awaits

Few hours passed when they left the coastal region. There were many trucks on their way to the safety region. Dan looked outside and sighed, "Looks like we'll be stuck here for another few hours. Call me up when we get there, Sis." Dan went back to his seat and started to nap again. Erika nodded.

Many people started to complain inside the truck. They weren't the only ones. There were few children, mostly grown up males and some women. They were all stuck together. It was a long drive to the nearest air raid shelter.

The atmosphere was not good at all. Everyone was on edge. The weather turned chilly as night falls.

When they arrived at the shelter, it was a dark tunnel. Many of them arrived earlier than them. Erika, Dan, and their father were placed at the other side of the tunnel as there were more space for them. The air was stuffy, fresh air was limited to a small hole on the wall.

As they unpacked, Erika saw her father catching his breath.

"Dad, how are you feeling?" Ivan is their father's name given by Erika's grandfather.

"Nothing to worry about, it's a bit stuffy here." Erika nodded, "Dad, everything is going to be alright. This is only temporary." She reassured her father.

"Sis, is dad alright? He looks pale." Erika sat beside Dan and explained, "Dad is a bit claustrophobic when he's in an unknown dark and closed place. If he acts up, be sure to be calm and try not to let others see dad. He won't feel comfortable." Dan nodded.

"I never knew father had that type of condition. He looked fine at home." Erika patted on his shoulder. "Mom told me about dad's condition before she passed away. She told me dad was scared of dark and closed spaces if he is at a foreign place. It happened during his childhood. Don't bring that up to father. It won't be any good. " Dan nodded and understood.

"Then, are you sleeping soon, Sis?" Dan was yawning and went to sleep quickly.

"Look at you..." Erika laughed as she tucked Dan to sleep. Erika went to check up on her father, her father was still not asleep.

"Dad? It's getting too late. You should sleep now." Erika held up the lantern and placed it beside her.

"Erika, am I a burden to you?" Erika was shocked to hear that.

"Dad, why are you saying that? We are in this together. You are not a burden to us. Everyone here is on the same boat, just survive and get out when it's all over. Dad, it's okay to be scared. You don't need to hold it in." Erika embraced her dad and he held onto Erika tightly.

"Erika, I'm sorry for being this weak. I know I am your father yet I'm scared of certain things." Erika smiled at her dad, "It's okay to be weak, you don't need to act strong all the time. I understand when mom passed away you tried act strong in front of us because you don't want us to get too worried. But now, you don't have to. Dan and I are already mature. You can share your thoughts with us, we will listen." Erika tightly embraced her dad. "Dad, it's okay now. It's okay." As she embraced him, his whole body was trembling. She was glad her father shared his thoughts with her.

As the morning came, each of them got an whole egg. Since food was limited, Erika brought extra food.

"Dan, share these with dad. I'm not too hungry." Dan nodded and went to the other side.

"Dad, sis said to share these. She's not too hungry." Ivan went to Erika and said, "Erika, you need to eat something. You cannot get sick. Here, have my egg instead."

"Dad, you should eat. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday. I can survive. You should eat them." Erika smiled and stuffed the egg inside her dad's mouth.

"You look so funny, dad." Ivan looked at Erika and he tried not to laugh.

"Fine, fine. As you say. Don't bother me if you are hungry." Her dad went to Dan as they ate the food.

Few hours later, they were told to go out to their truck and wait for further instruction.

The weather was warm in the morning, thank goodness for the sun.

Then, a tall man with a uniform came and instructed them to line up.

"Good morning, everyone. I am going to make this short. As you all heard, General König, our great leader won many important battles. Some of you are being recruited to work for him. He's looking for people with great skills, observation, and great loyalty." Many people started to chatter about the General.

"I understand you might not like him but he is one of our best leader. Today, if you don't want to stay in this shelter, you can work for him. Choose either one of these. For the General or go back home but it may be destroyed." Many people started to chatter.

"Women with children will be placed in a different building. All of the women with children on the left. Men who are abled are placed in labour, work as cooks, weapon maintenance, and work as medical doctors if you have license. Each of you will get a number. Number 1s, general labors. Number 2, cooks, Number 3s weapon maintenance, Number 4s, doctors because we have your background information. Men who are in other section and did not get a number, please go on the right. Men with the number, stay right where you are. Women without children, and are abled will be working as cooks, maids, or nurses. Now, when I call your name, please follow General Advisor Jaeger."

"Erika Schmidt, nurse on frontline. Sarah Wagner, frontline nurse.... etc..."

After a while, many people were seperated as they went to their designated place. At least, many of the positions were better than the shelter.

Erika does not know what will happen but a long journey awaits her.