Chapter 19

Mom brought us to the stores in the city. But before we bought clothes, mom actually brought us to the barracks. She had our names registered as trainees. She explained that it's mandatory for everyone to get training for individual survivability in case of emergency. But it's still up to us if we choose to become soldiers. After our mandatory training, we are allowed to choose what jobs we'll take. She told us that mandatory training only lasts 3 months if we show exceptional skill. 6 months at most if not. After then we three finally head to the stores.

Mom bought us new clothes and phones. I noticed that mom is not a very talkative person. Throughout our shopping, she's mostly quiet. She jokes here and there, she tells stories and all but that's just about it. She's quite a mystery. Honestly, I still am wondering why did she adopt Jarren and I. After buying things here and there, we came back to her unit. We only dropped everything we shopped and she told us that we'll be having lunch at her friend's place. She lead us to the unit next to hers. She knocked the door and there was Ms. Etil. She invited us in and there was the slender guy and the buff guy at the kitchen preparing lunch. And then at the dining table seated another skinny guy with curly long hair and glasses. Mom then invited Jarren and I to sit by the dining table.

"Alright guys, these two are my new sons. The older one is Nigel and the younger one is Jarren."

All three men just looked at the two of us. They looked at us with curiosity like we got something on our face.

"You guys are probably wondering why I adopted these boys. Well, I applaud their bravery and sense of responsibility," Mom explained.

Jarren and I felt extremely shy.

"Was that why you went to the survivor receiving area last night?" asked Ms. Etil.

"You bet, I was hoping I'll be able to adopt them. And, well, lucky me here they are."

I was shocked to hear it. Mom really wanted to adopt us. I felt the bottom of my eyes heating up. I always thought I was unwanted, after all I'm a nameless orphan. I was given a name in the orphanage but I don't like it so I never told anyone what it was. I love my new name and...I think I already love my new mother.

I noticed Jarren looking up. He must be fighting the feeling to cry. His breathing was slow and he keeps on blinking, hoping the tears would go away. Mom noticed Jarren and she wrapped her arms around him. She let his head lean on her shoulder. There he couldn't fight it anymore and just started weeping. Thought to myself, I want some of that too. That's when mom noticed I was looking at them almost envious. She stretched her other hand and invited me to her arms. I didn't think twice and surrendered myself to her. She pulled me in and I leaned on her shoulder.

"Oh wow, that's... lovely," said the slender guy, sniffing.

I felt cozy within her embrace. She might not be the typical mother. Her body is of a macho man but she's very caring.

"So umm...we should eat lunch," said Ms. Etil.

Neither Jarren nor I left our mom's embrace. We stayed in her arms. It felt really nice to be able to hug her for the first time.

And then, Ms. Etil arranged the table. She put the plates and the guy with curly hair helped her to distribute glasses and silverware. The slender guy and the buff guy served a big bowl of rice and big bowl of Pork Sinigang (Pork Tamarind Vegetable Stew) on the table. All the adults sat down.

"Alright you two, it's time for lunch." said mom.

Jarren and I sat up straight. All of us started getting portions for ourselves and started eating. This too tasted very good. The warmth of the broth made me sweat a little.

While eating, Mom introduced her friends to us. Again, she introduced Ms. Etil to us since Jarren hasn't learned her name yet. The man with curly hair and glasses is Mr. Jush Goreno, he is mom's other best friend. The buff guy is Mr. Danin Macot, he is Ms. Etil's fiance. Mom told us that after their mission here, they'll get married soon after. And then the slender guy is Mr. Larn Villaranca, a childhood friend of mom and Ms. Etil. She then explained that they are an elite squad. She called their group the Black Blood squad, they specialise in high threat missions. Only Mr. Jush is an exception, he's not a soldier. Mr. Jush is one of the top researchers. Mom revealed that he was working on a special kind of storage. I don't understand much of it though. Mom then said that Jarren and I call her friends as Aunt and Uncle.

For the rest of the afternoon, we watched movies in Aunt Etil and Uncle Danin's Unit. By evening, we went back into Mom's unit. There we rested and ate dinner. Afterwards we went to sleep.

While lying down on the bed. I can't stop thinking of mom adopting us. And knowing she went out of her way and personally seek for us in the receiving area, that really melted my heart. That's when I decided that I will put all my trust to her. Like mom, I decided I will become a soldier and be by her side for as long as I live.

4:30am, mom woke us up. It's still dark outside.

"Wake up sleepy heads, first day of training."

I got up from my bed. I was still very sleepy. I then slowly walk my way to the dining table. I sat down on the chair with a lazy thump. Next to rise was Jarren. He slowly walk up to the dining table. He sat down and his head failed to stay up. His head bumps on the table, he to is still very sleepy. Mom served eggs and hotdogs and rice. Like yesterday she each gave us a cup of hot chocolate.

"Jarren," mom called.

Jarren lazily lifts his head up. "Morning, Mom."

"You two, eat up. Your training starts at 6am sharp. You both gotta get ready. I'll drop you off there before I go out on a mission." said mom with authority.

Jarren and I quickly woke up. She didn't sound anything scary, it's just there's something in the way she talk that woke us up. We obeyed as we don't want to upset her. We don't know her very much yet, but considering she's both the captain of the army and leader of the elite Black Blood squad, we don't want to get on her bad side.

Jarren and I ate our breakfast quickly. I let Jarren bathe first while I brushed my teeth. Mom then took care of the dishes then brushed her teeth while waiting for her turn in the bath. After Jarren took a shower, it's my turn. I didn't take too long to bath, I kept the water running while I shampoo and soap my body. Very quickly I step out of the shower. Outside, mom was patiently waiting. When she heard the bathroom door open, She stood up and went in. I went straight to my room. The aircon is still on so I was shaking to the bone. My wet skin licked by cold aircon air, I was freezing. I tried to dry myself quickly and wear the training uniform mom bought me. After finishing up, I put my phone in my pocket. I went out of my room and sat on the couch.

After mom finished preparing, she's wearing a fresh set of black uniform and armor. I noticed she's not carrying the same big gun her friends were carrying. But she's got both a blunt and a bladed weapon strapped on her waist. She still have a gun but it's the typical small kind. I don't know what it's called. She tampered with her gun in a bit before putting in in its designated slot. And then she's got this bigger gun, I'm guessing it's a shot gun? I saw it from arcade games. She cocked it and strapped it on her back. After finishing up she stood by the door.

"Aight, time to go." said mom.