decision time

Light bled through the blinds alerting me it was morning already.

I wiped the saliva from the corner of my mouth and rubbed the crust out of my drowsy bloodshot eyes.

I wobbled out of bed and towards the bathroom to freshen up a bit.

Late last night, the Prime Minister came to have a chat with me about joining the war efforts to stop the Aladonians and ending this God-forsaken fighting and I was feeling indecisive about it.

At first, it seems like a good proposal until you think about all the poor mothers and children that had nothing to do with all of this and how they'll suffer because of their stupid politicians.

Then, on the other hand, it will only end up in more bloodshed if we don't end this quickly.

Uhh, this is too much to think about at 6 Am.

I brush my teeth violently trying to forget about the limited time I have to make such a life-changing decision.

I took a quick shower and headed out of my apartment to meet up with Daniel.

"Hey, how was your sleep yesterday?" asked Daniel. He adjusted his satchel and ruffled his thick golden brown hair.

" Ok, if you minus the fact I woke up earlier than my alarm!" I scowled reliving the irritation I had in the morning.

Daniel chuckled.

We began to make our way to campus to buy our cinnamon rolls and coffee from Sicilia's cafe.

Her business has been slow ever since the beginning of the war, making it hard for her to make ends meet so Daniel and I make a small investment by going to buy from her everyday

"Hi guys, how's it been going? ", greeted Sicilia in her normal cheery manner.

"Ok, how's a business been going for you?"

"Oh, we've been doing well, quite but well."

she started preparing our food as we both moved to the collection area.

While we're waiting I turn to the tv in the corner of the cafe.

The channel was CNN news giving us updates on the war and what our government is doing about it.

The news anchor begins to talk.

"Breaking news, a Secondary at southeast Myana called New leaf Academy,"

My eyes widen.

'what's my sister's Secondary School doing in the news ?'

"Hey Akilah isn't that your sister's school?" asks Sicilia while she places our food in front of us.

"Yeah, that is."

I turn my head back to the tv as the News anchor says,

", got completely demolished by Aladonian terrorists leaving all the students in the school dead."

I'm in shock.

"she's gone, my sister! " I wail, tears flowing out of my eyes.

Photos of my sister's demolished school flash across the tv screen, it was reduced to rubble and debris. Quickly, Sicilia changed the channel to the music channel and turned to me.

"You don't have to pay it's on the house ", she hurried to the back.

Daniel turned to me," I'm here for you if you want to talk about it or if you don't regardless you'll get through this you're strong."

He pulled me into a hug embracing me tightly as I cried into his shoulder.

I didn't go in that day, it would be too much for me to bear. I just laid in my bed mourning my sister's loss, I barely had any energy to even leave my room. This feeling was an all-consuming cloud of depression.

While she was alive, she was so kind and caring, a better sister than me. She was always there for me even when I failed to do so for her. Honestly, I would've never believed she would have died the way she did. She is the type to live forever, being youthful till the end of time but her candle was snuffed out too soon.

I was interrupted by a knock. 'who would think it's a good time to come to my home when I just heard about my sister's death?!!?!'

Angrily, I stomped to the door,

"Why are you here, get out can't you see I'm mourning!"

I close the door violently as a strong hand catches the door before it can close

"This is important and cannot wait even if you are mourning."

He heaves the door open revealing a tall towering man standing in front of me. I let out a frustrated sigh.

He walks past and makes himself comfortable on the sofa in my living room.

Judging, I look him up and down.

"You might want to sit down he gestures for me to sit in the armchair. I was feeling defiant so I stood.

" Suit yourself "he shrugged.

" Do you want to get revenge for your sister? If yes then join the mission and take out the Aladonians in one fell swoop by taking part in creating the bomb. Thousands of others, are probably going through what you are right now and will continue to if you don't join this. Take vengeance for your sister and destroy the people who did this to her."

"Ok, I'll join for my sister, no one deserves to feel the pain of losing family to war."

"Ok, sign this contract here to solidify your loyalty to the mission"

He took the contract out of his briefcase and hands it to me.

I took a pen out of my purse that was conveniently placed beside my armchair and signed.

Once I was finished, he took the contract and made it for the door.

"You will get your work details in your post by tomorrow, looking forward to working with you."

A few hours later...

"Hey mum, how are you handling the news?"

my voice was shaky with anxiety

"Not good."

I worked up the courage to talk to mum about my sister (Amari) face to face since I won't be able to talk to her once my work starts.

"Ohh." my face drops .

"To be honest, I kinda feel more lonely without her. I know it's only been a few hours since she died but I feel like I've lost a part of myself ever now that she was gone."

There are tears in her eyes.

My heart feels like it's about to break I can't bear to see my mum in this state.

"Don't worry mum, you've got me"

I embrace her tightly, wishing I could make all her worries go away.