Another Way

~Chapter 4~

I don't think I heard that right. Maybe I did, but I'm not quite sure, because I didn't stick around long enough to find out.
I do remember mad sprinting out of our apartment and I kept on running and running till I couldn't no more. My legs ache and my breath comes in short when I finally relize where I am: The High Park. I have no idea what lead me to go to the park, but I know this is what I needed, to feel like the world was still normal.
The snowy ground seeps thru my jeans as I sit with my knees to my chest. I rock myself to comfort my shaking nerves and to warm my blood from the freezing temperatures. My body convulses in fits of tears as I rack through my thoughts. I don't want this! I never even considered being drawn for... for the NEW EARTH LEADERS! What am I suppose to do?! Leave Alexa to fend for herself?! I know she's suppose to provide and protect for me since she's my older sister, but I can't just let her die alone!
A light snow begins to fall, intensing the chilly air. I don't want to leave... I want to, I guess, die here on earth. In the back of my mind a whispering voice pleads for me to go, taunting every dying cell in my body. It's near impossible to think straight! Why can't life be easy?
"Jillian..." I don't need to look up to know it's Alexa, her presence just adds to the hurt and confusion I'm feeling. Maybe she'll understand my situation and tell the military when they come in the morning to choose someone else, because I couldn't live with myself if I left.
"You can't turn down the offer, sis. You can't, and plus I won't let you," Alexa plops beside me into the snow.
I turn to glare at her. She wants me to go!? "You want me to leave you?! I will never leave you, and you of all people should know that!" I lurch to stand, swiping away tears as they come,"You're my sister..."
"Please... don't do this to me on your last night."
"I'M NOT GOING! I can't believe you want me to go, and it's almost like you can't wait to get rid of me..."
Alexa finches at my last words. "Why, out of the entire world, would I want to get rid of YOU? I sooo desperately do not want you to go, but I also can't see you die."
The tears flow and flow off our cheeks, like Niagara Falls. I'm only 13 and at this age I'm suppose to be going to sleepovers with my friends, gossiping about the cutest boys, and trying out for every possible club at school. Majority of my friends are dead now, I never knew any cute boys and I never will, and my talents are not as nearly as important as survival now. There goes my childhood.
Alexa and I stand facing each other watching tears leak from our eyes. We stand like this for so long, that the pins'needles feeling spreads thru my legs. I crumple to the ground and begin a fit of uncontrollable sobs. Thru my watery eyes I can see Alexa rush to me and then pull me in close for a hug. I could feel her kind ora resurface from the depths of her old self and it sooths my shaking body so much, that exaustion takes hold of me.
I think Alexa takes me home, but I was to drowsy to notice.

~~~
My warm cozy bed greets me into the new day. The sun is lightly peeping thru my curtains and the smell of fire tickles my nostrils. Wait a minute... is that... no... FIRE!
I leap out of bed and sprint into Alexa's room, only to find she's not there. The smell of burning wood floods my nose as I dash into the kitchen. A small fire is set on the tiled floor with a pan of eggs resting over it.
"Good morning," Alexa says scooping some eggs onto a plate.
"What are you doing?" I sigh in relief that my house isn't burning down.
"Making eggs... do you have your things packed?"
She hands me the plate,"Um... no. I still don't want to go, you know."
"Well it's nearly 9:30. Go pack your bag and then you can eat your eggs." Alexa grabs the plate out my hands, setting it down on the table.
"Alexa... please. I don't want to go..."
A sharp knock floods our apartment as a quiet settles around us. We look at each other, and then another knock comes from the door.
"Go pack your things. You can make up your mind then, while I'll entertain them. Go," she shoos me away and then makes her way to the front hall. I stiffly follow her wishes, as I grab my princess suitcase from when I was five. It is sparkly and pink, and no longer my style, so I grab Alexa's navy blue one. I place it on my bed then unzip it placing two outfits; my deflated soccer ball; toiletries; a family picture and pictures with my friends; some old Halloween candy; and my first filthy teddy bear I got for my 1st birthday. In the process of it all, I make up my mind. If Alexa wants me to go, then I will make sure she has that granted, even though I may not agree with her.
I zip up the suitcase and slug out of my room wearing leggings and a royal blue sweatshirt. With my luggage in one hand and my winter coat in the other, I enter the living room where three soldiers and my sister carry out a conversation with each other. The three soldiers rise at the sight of me and remove their green berets like I'm the queen of England.
One soldier with a shiny bald head says,"We thank you." He kneels down in front of me and then follows his companies. I look over to Alexa, who now avoids my gaze, and just by looking at her from her side profile I could tell she was tearing up. I ignore the three men as I glid over to Alexa.
"I don't have to go. I can stay here with you, at least as long as possible," I whisper.
"You might not want to leave, Jillian, but I NEED you to go." She continues to avoid my gaze, almost like my stare could turn her to stone. "I tried everything in my power to protect from the disease, but I knew eventually I wouldn't be able too. So, when they drew your name I knew this was a miracle."
"Sorry but, we have to report to the nearest launch pad at 14:30pm in Mississauga. We can wait out-"
"We're good, just that... I was hoping I could come to say goodbye." Alexa says holding my shoulders tightly.
The bald man nods his head and then leads us out the door. I'm about to exit, when I halt my movement. I turn around to look back at our apartment and think of my old life, the life that was full of happiness and laughter. I'll miss our apartment. I'll miss my family and friends. I'll miss Alexa, and I'll also miss living on Earth.