“Extra! Extra!” the newspaper boy called out. “Britain has declared war on France! Our government has decided to support Britain!”

Hearing this, a black haired girl looking no older than 12 quickly walked over, dropping a quarter into his hand before taking a newspaper from his bag. The boy looked up at the girl, who smiled before walking away. Opening up the newspaper and hearing the boy resume his shouting, the girl looks at the headline on the front page. As her eyes quickly take in the information, she starts to frown. Not liking what it has told her. Folding it up and tucking it under her arm, she swiftly starts to walk the rest of the way home.

Entering the home that she shared with her adoptive brother, she placed the newspaper and the bag she had been carrying on the dusty kitchen table before trudging to her room to change out of her heavy winter gear. Quickly changing, she made her way down the hall, pausing at the door to her brother’s room. She heard him shift around before making for the door and opening it.

“Oh hey,” her brother greeted, smiling warmly. “You got today’s dinner?” The girl grinned back at him.

“Of course, how could I forget? After all, we haven’t eaten all day today.”

“Excellent, whaddya get?”

“Just some bread and soup, hopefully that can last until we have enough money for another meal.” Her brother nodded in agreement.

“I’ll get things set up then.” He turned to leave before he paused and seemed to remember something. “Any news in the newspaper today?” The girl’s face fell.

“Britain declared war on France. Apparently they were arguing over who should be in charge of the World Government. Neither would come to an agreement so they decided to settle it with another war.” The girl sighed. “Looks like this is going to be World War IV.” Her brother sighed as well, but put on a bright smile despite the bad news.

“It’s gonna be alright, Lenni. We’ll get through this, just as we did in the last war when we lost Mom and Dad.” He reached out a hand and ruffled her long black hair. Lenni was unsure but she put on a bright smile anyways, just for him. He withdrew his hand and smiled softly before making his way down the creaky stairs to the kitchen. Lenni was left standing there, clutching her hands to her chest.

“But, Felix, what if they take you for war this time?” She whispered quietly. “You’re turning 18 next week.” With that Lenni turned and walked back into the coziness of her room. She picked up an old, cracked picture frame and looked at it sadly. It depicted how their family used to be, before World War III struck and tore it apart. She was still very young in the picture, just after she had been picked up off the streets and adopted, but Lenni still remembered the moment like it was yesterday.

There were threats of war between the countries then, but the family was still as happy as ever. Their parents had decided to take some family pictures in case they we chosen for war. Setting, the camera on automatic, a four year old Lenni was picked up and placed in the arms of her new adoptive brother. Her adoptive parents stood behind them and tried to keep the ten year old from dropping her. Many pictures were a taken before Felix had finally managed to listen and looked calmly at the camera. But by then, the pictures had already been taken and that ‘perfect picture moment’ lost. They didn’t care though; they all had a good laugh at how the pictures had turned out. The pictures were distributed and Lenni was given the one she thought was the best. It depicted her parents smiling at the camera while Felix tried to place her on his shoulder and was making a face. She was laughing at him all the while.

A month after, her parents had been chosen to participate in the war. Both of them as front line doctors. Lenni still remembered the despair she felt in losing her parents so quickly. She was crying into Felix’s shoulder as they both watched the car with their parents drive away. In the next six years, the war would take their parents away forever and deteriorate their lives until they were so poor that they could barely get a meal a day. Military planes bombed the city until all there was a grey expanse of despair for all the survivors. The once rich city filled with technology was only a poor little town now.

When the war ended, all there was was silence. Nothing was heard from the government and they still lived as they did for another year until they heard word of the formation of the world government. But the war had corrupted some of the larger governments. They took charge of the less powerful ones in their greed for land and money. Their country was unfortunate enough to be taken over by a corrupted United States. Then came the news about another world war, only two years after the one that tore the world apart in the first place. Lenni definitely didn’t like it, but she knew that she couldn’t do anything about it.

Tears leaked out of her eyes and dripped onto the dirty, cracked picture frame. She wiped them away hastily, hearing Felix call her down to dinner. Placing the picture back in its place on the dusty top of her bookshelf, Lenni made her way downstairs and took a seat in one of the grimy chairs that sat at the kitchen table. She smiled brightly at her brother who placed a steaming bowl of soup and a piece of bread in front of her.

“I managed to get the microwave to somewhat work,” He explained happily. “We’ll finally get hot food to eat today!”

“Yay!” Lenni squealed. “It’s been so long!” Felix laughed at her as she dug into her soup. He sat across from her and started to eat his share just as fast as she had. Before they knew it, they had both finished the food and stared at the empty plates sadly.

“Until next time, I guess.” Felix said dejectedly. Lenni nodded sadly in response. She wanted to help her brother improve their lives, but she wasn’t old enough for a job yet. Her brother’s job as a cashier at the tiny grocery store barely supported the both of them. Lenni got up from her chair and walked over to the sink to help Felix with washing the dishes. They washed in silence until Lenni couldn’t take it anymore and blurted out her worries.

“What if they take you away?” Felix was surprised by the question.

“I don’t know, Lenni.” He replied, sighing sadly. “If I do, you have to live, alright? Don’t follow me onto the battlefield.” Lenni frowned.

“But you know I can fight better than any boy my age.”

“I know, but war is a completely different thing. Besides, they’re only taking men this time. So you won’t be coming even if you wanted to. They wouldn’t let you.” Lenni sighed, but decided not to protest. Inside she knew that she could never stand by as her brother fought in the war. Right then and there, while washing dishes, Lenni made a vow to follow her brother wherever he went. She will never lose anyone again.

That night, Lenni stared up at the grey ceiling of her room, thinking about war and all the pain it brings. She hated it for it. Her whole life has been war. Her biological parents apparently abandoned her so they wouldn’t need rumors of them becoming soft, as they were military generals or something of the sort. After finally finding happiness in her adoptive family, her parents were taken away by war after only a month. And now, living in a poverty filled world, caused by war, Lenni doesn’t want to lose any more; especially not the brother that brought her up by himself for most of her life.

--

A week passed with almost the same routine every day. Felix would leave early to work and she would go out in search of a present for him and the day’s meal. Some days she would get a newspaper to read and others she would come home empty handed. The day before Felix’s eighteenth birthday, she found the perfect present for him. It was a small key chain, costing only 50 cents, but it was of a happy family that looked eerily like theirs once was. It was unpainted, so Lenni told the maker to paint it like how their family had looked. She even brought the picture on her bookshelf for his reference. When it was complete, Lenni paid the money gratefully and took the items home. Admiring the handiwork of the piece, she patiently waited for the next day when she would give Felix his present. She hadn’t felt so excited in a long time.

The next day, Lenni was feeling especially lucky. Although Felix had left early in the morning for his job, she set off in search of dinner with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The neighbours all caught her optimism and as poor as they were as well, gave her some food to celebrate Felix’s birthday. Lenni smiled at the fact that her brother was well liked in this small community.

When she got back home from her expedition, Lenni set up the house best she could, with all the food on the kitchen table and some decorations that she had made decorating the living room. Once she was finished, she sat in the middle of the living room, facing the front door in wait for her brother. Soon after, Lenni heard footsteps on the step and her brother’s muttering as he searched for his keys. As the front door slowly opened, Lenni bolted to the door in preparation.

“Happy Birthday Felix!” Lenni shouted when her brother finally poked his head in. His face morphed into a look of pure surprise and Lenni giggled at the sight. Felix walked into the room, admiring the decorations.

“Where did you get these?” he asked in amazement.

“I made them!” Lenni replied proudly.

“Wow! You’re amazing!” He walked over and ruffled her hair before walking into the kitchen to take a look. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the amount of food on the table.

“Where did you get all this food?”

“The neighbours gave it to celebrate your birthday, Felix.”

“That’s amazing! Thank you so much, Lenni!” Felix walked over and bent down to give Lenni a hug. Lenni happily hugged him back.

“I also have a present for you!” Lenni declared when they parted. She held out her hands and on them was a small box wrapped in a fancy cloth that Lenni had managed to find in the house. Felix smiled warmly as he took the small box from Lenni’s smaller hands. He carefully untied the string binding it and opened the box to reveal the keychain. He gasped when he saw it, holding it up to the light and admiring it.

“It’s awesome! I love it! Thank you so much, Lenni!”

“You’re very welcome!” Lenni answered, happy that her brother likes it. “It should be your lucky charm.” She continues. “I think it symbolizes all the good things in life. If you get chosen, keep it with you even when you fight, alright?”

“I definitely will, Lenni.” Felix replies.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” They sealed the promise with a fist bump. Smiling happily, Lenni pulled Felix into the kitchen, where he attached the keychain to a belt loop on his pants and they dug into the food like they hadn’t eaten for days; which was partially true. The happiness was short-lived, however, when the doorbell rang and Felix answered the door. Lenni was still digging into the food happily so she didn’t notice the horrified look on her brother’s face. But she stopped when she heard an unfamiliar voice.

“Felix Kilburn, you are chosen for war. Pack anything you need, you will be leaving immediately.”

2: Chapter 2 - Leaving

            Felix froze. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t believe that he was to leave so soon. It had only been a week since the war had been declared. He snuck a glance at the precious little sister that was eating happily behind him and realized that he didn’t want to leave just yet. She was still only 12. Felix was snapped back into reality when Lenni suddenly burst into the doorway beside him and began to defiantly shout at the officials.

            “Hey! You can’t just barge in here on my brother’s birthday and say that he’s gotta go to war! He was supposed to stay!” The two men in black just stared down at the little girl with amused expressions as she angrily yelled at them. Felix also watched in surprise and fondness at the ferociousness that his little sister had as she yelled at the two men. Lenni finally stopped when one of the officials placed his hand on her head.

            “Sorry little girl, but we have to take you brother away no matter what. No one can go against the word of the government. Not even a strong little girl like you.” At those words, Lenni only proceeded to frown even more.

            “Well fine, if you’re gonna take him, then take me too.” Felix was taken aback by the bold statement that his little sister had just proclaimed.

            “No, Lenni.” He said, sounding calmer than he actually felt. “You’re too young. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to get hurt out there on the battlefield.” The officials smiled.

            “Listen to your brother little girl. Now’s not the time for you to be joining the war. Perhaps wait another two years and if you show them your resolve, there is a slight possibility that they will take you.” Felix frowned at the fact that they would be willing to take 14 year olds in two years time, but he knew there was nothing he could do then if his sister managed to convince the government to join.

            “No! He’s not leaving unless I go with him!” Lenni continued to protest. “He doesn’t want to go! Tell them, Felix! You wanna stay with me!” Felix looked sadly at the desperate face that she had on and shook his head.

            “Sorry, Lenni.” He replied sadly. “I can’t go against the government’s word.” With that, he turned and walked back into the house to pack. Behind him, he heard Lenni’s screams to let her go along with her brother, but the men firmly held her back as Felix ascended to stairs to his room.

            Opening up the door to his room, he looked at the dreary, grey interior that seemed to want to beg him not to go. Silently, he took a backpack from the floor and began to pack. He threw in a few changes of clothes, a water bottle that he filled with water, and two pictures; a family picture and a picture that had been taken of him and Lenni just recently. The key chain that Lenni had given him that day still hung from a belt loop on his pants. Felix silently swore to never lose it. The key chain and the pictures would be the only things left of Lenni and his family during the dark days of war. Finishing with his packing, he zipped up the dusty backpack and slung it over his shoulder, threading his other arm through the other loop for it to fit snugly onto his back.

            Reaching the stairs, he looked back once more at the place that he had grown up in. Sighing deeply, Felix slowly walked down the stairs, almost as if he were trying to prolong the decent for as long as possible. The closer he got to the front door, the more he was scared to leave everything behind. It seemed like an eternity and barely a second before he had reached the front door, where his teary eyed sister awaited his departure. Felix tried to be brave for Lenni, so he smiled softly at her and ruffled her hair for the last time in what would be a long while. She responded with one of her usual bright smiles and raised her fist. Felix’s smile became brighter as he gently bumped fists with his sister. He remembered the first time that he had taught her that. Lenni had liked it so much that she had declared that it should be their greeting, goodbye and whatever else that seemed to fit. He smiled fondly at the memory.

            “Get in the car.” One of the officials said. “The train isn’t going to wait forever.” Felix turned and walked away from his home until he stood in front of one of the back doors of the car. From there, he looked back at a silently crying Lenni and smiled.

            “I’ll be waiting for the day you find me again.” He said softly. Lenni smiled despite her tears.

            “I’ll try my best.” She confirmed. Felix took one last regretful glance at his home before he opened the door and climbed in. The car drove off into the distance and although Felix never looked back, he knew that his sister was waving at him until the car was out of sight.

            --

            They reached the train station in about half an hour. Felix began to get more and more nervous. He had no idea what to expect. After the officials directed him to a sign-in table, he was left alone. The shock was quite unexpected. Felix realized right then that he had never been truly alone, in the beginning he always had his parents, then his sister. He always had something to work for. Now, all he was was a lone person with nothing to reach for. But then it occurred to him that he did have a goal. He had to stay alive for two years until his sister could find him again. With his resolve back, Felix confidently stepped forward to wait in line for sign in.

            “Name and age,” The soldier at the sign in table said in a monotone. It was quite obvious he was bored.

            “Felix Kilburn, 18.”Felix replied, trying to sound confident. The soldier looked down on his huge pile of lists until he found the name and checked it off, then proceeding to look through the huge pile of train tickets.

            “Section M, seat number 211.” The soldier said with his bored tone as he held out the train ticket.

            “Thank you,” Felix replied as he took the ticket from the soldier’s hand and made his way towards the train. Walking along the length of the train, Felix kept his eyes peeled for section M and when he found it, quickly gave the attendant the ticket before entering the train. He counted off the numbers in his head until he found the seat with the corresponding number and sat down in it. Felix noticed that he got a window seat and that there was another seat to his right before it became an aisle. Luckily, there wasn’t anyone in the seat yet so Felix sat down in his seat and began thinking about Lenni and what she could be doing right now.

            He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice another person sit down beside him until he introduced himself.

            “Hey there! How’re ya doing today? My name is Anthony, what’s yours?” The loud enthusiastic voice that suddenly spoke up in his right ear interrupted his thoughts and he looked curiously at the man that had taken a seat next to him. Felix was so stunned by the loud statement that he was thoroughly confused.

            “Uh, what?”

            “I said hi, how’re ya doing today? My name is Anthony, what’s yours?”

            “Felix,”

            “Cool, you wanna be friends?”

            “Sure?”

            “That’s awesome! How old are you?”

            “18.”

            “I’m 18 too!”

            “Okay.”

            “By the way, it looked like you were thinking about something when I got here, what were you thinking about?

            “My sister?”

            “You got a sister? That’s awesome, I would love to have a sister, I only have two obnoxious brothers.”

            “Okay…”

            “Oh, sorry, was I too energetic? I’m usually not that energetic, but I kinda needed a friend and I couldn’t think of any other way to get your attention. Sorry if I freaked you out.” Anthony rubbed the back of his head in a sheepish way.

            “It’s alright, I was just a little surprised, is all.” Felix said smiling softly.

            “Do you have a picture of your sister? I kinda wanna see what she looks like.” Anthony said nervously. Felix grinned.

            “Of course I do, I have two of her; one with the whole family and the other with just me. She’s four in the family picture and twelve in the other one. She’s twelve right now actually.” Felix unzipped a small side pouch and took out the two pictures, smiling sadly as he gave them to Anthony to look at. Anthony looked at them for a while before he saying anything.

            “Whoa, that’s your sister? You guys don’t really look alike. She’s got black hair and green eyes while you have blonde hair and blue eyes.” Felix rolled his eyes. He really hated those comments.

            “She’s adopted.” Felix said in a slightly annoyed voice.

            “Oh. Sorry, shoulda known.”

            “It’s fine.”

            “What’s her name?”

            “Lenni.”

            “That’s quite a pretty name, it suits her. I’m guessing the ones behind you guys are your parents?”

            “Yep.”

            “Are they gonna be fighting in the war too?”

            “They’re dead.”

            “What?”

            “They died in World War III. Lenni had only been adopted for a month before they were taken away.”

            “Oh. Sorry to hear that.”

            “Don’t be, nothing can change that now anyways. No use in dwelling in the past.”

            “Right.” Anthony replied softly as he gave the pictures back. Felix put them back in the little side pouch. The two of them stayed silent for a while.

            “I raised her since I was 10.” Felix suddenly said.

            “Whoa, really?”

            “Yeah, not like I had any choice.”

            “Right. I couldn’t imagine living without my parents back then, especially when there’s a war going on.” Felix just shrugged.

            “I didn’t know what to do either; I just figured things out by myself somehow.” At that moment the train began to move.

            “Looks like we’re off to war.” Anthony said solemnly. Felix nodded in agreement as he shifted in his seat a bit. Anthony looked over at him and noticed the key chain hanging from Felix’s belt loop.

            “What’s this?” He asked. Felix looked down to where he was pointing.

            “Oh, my sister gave this to me as my birthday present.”

            “Did she make it?”

            “No, she bought it, but she got the maker to paint it like our family.”

            “That’s so cool, your sister is so sweet. When was your birthday?”

            “Today.”

            “What today?! You got taken away on your birthday?!”

            “Yep.”

            “The government is so cruel.”

            “It sure is.” They sat in silence again for a while until they switched to a more pleasant topic. Felix was happy that he had made a friend so soon. With Anthony there, he felt much more optimistic and less lonely. Before he knew it, the train had pulled into the station they were to get off at and the train was flooded with people as the recruits tried to squeeze through the doors all at once. Felix and Anthony continued their pleasant little conversation as they slowly filed out of the train and followed everyone else out of the station.

When they exited, they took in their surroundings with much surprise. It looked like they were in the middle of nowhere. It was a vast landscape with a massive evergreen forest to the right and a tundra-like barren plain to the left. To the front and the left were many buildings. Felix guessed that they were most likely dormitories and training areas. The place was chilly, not too cold but it gave the impression of a death camp. Felix shrugged off the uneasy feeling and dragged a stunned Anthony to where the rest of the men were lining up at. When the men were in neat enough lines that satisfied the general in charge, he walked to the front of the waiting men and sized them all up with a piercing gaze.

“Alright, men!” He called out. “I am General Falcom, and I will be in charge of training you lazy bastards.” Most of the men cringed at the insult, but Felix was studying the general too hard to notice. Something about the man was familiar, but he couldn’t place what. He took in the man’s short, messy black hair that flopped in all directions, the cold, piercing hazel eyes that looked so much like Lenni’s when she was really angry. The air that the general held himself with commanded attention whenever he was looking your way. Felix found it quite unnerving that he found the man so familiar, yet had never met him before.

“Strange,” Felix muttered quietly to himself. “He reminds me a lot of Lenni’s angry self…”