Away From Voni

Intro to our world

"Airstrike!" - I heard our general yell. That was Michael's last words as the bombs started to drop on us. I looked back just in time to see Michael falling behind and the bombs just overhead. Jack pulled me into the bunker at the last second before hell erupted above us. The sound of explosions killed my screams for Michael.

"It's too late," Jack said and pulled me into a tight hug. Tears didn't come this time, again. Tears haven't come for quite some time now.

"You guys alright?" Kosuke asked as he greeted us downstairs

"Alive... some of us," Jack answered for both of us. 

"Michael and Jim?" Kosuke asked. I could hear the tension in his voice. Jack and I exchanged a quick glance and it was enough for Kosuke to understand.

"Shit!" He stormed off towards his bunk in the shelter. I could hear him close his curtains. 

Michael, Jim, Jack, and I were out on a scouting mission where things went south, fast. We spotted by the enemy team before we were anywhere near their base. Before we knew what was happening poor Jim got sniped right in the head. We had to retreat immediately. We made our way back to the shelter, fighting off the enemy team when planes were heard in the distance. Those bastards didn't even care that their own teammates were down there with us. This is war and they could afford to have some expendable pawns to throw away if that meant killing us too. They didn't realize that we were a small scouting group, not an entire brigade. Jack and I were the closest to the bunker and we were making our way towards it when the planes flew overhead and Michael yelled out behind us.

"I'm going to go rest," Jack said, bringing me back to present time. He gave me a pat on the back and made his way towards his own bunk. Halfway to his bunk he stopped and looked back at me. "Good job out there today. Thanks for not getting killed."

I gave him a half smile back and mouthed "you too," before going off to my own bed. It was a long day and all I craved for was the sweet release of sleep and silence. Just as my head hit the pillow and my eyes fluttered shut, I felt the blanket of sleep wash over me, but before I could get too comfortable in its enjoyment, a familiar feeling of someone sitting on the edge of my bed woke me up. I opened my eyes enough to see the exact face I was dreading of discovering. Alyssa was sitting down, staring intently at me.

"Are you awake?" She whispered. The same retarded question she asks me every time. The answer was a long, exaggerated groan.

"No, I'm asleep. Now shoo off my bloody bed and leave me alone." I rolled to my side, away from her, and closed my eyes again.

"That's a yes." This time, I sat up on my bed and glared her in the eyes.

"Alyssa, what do you want?" I asked her annoyingly.

"Well, a kiss for starters would be nice." She answered, booming a smile so wide, it felt unnatural in the time of war.

"Fuck off," I started to lean back into my bed, but her arms came around me in a hug.

"Ok, ok, sorry. I'm just glad you are alive and well. Please forgive me." Her hug tightened, but I worked myself out of the python grab of her hands and turned to face her.

"Alyssa, how many times do I have to tell you that what you want to play out between us, can never happen. I'm on team M, you are on team R. My team is being shipped home tomorrow. We just lost 2 members of our team today. We are down to just three. How many people does your team still have?"

"All 6, but that doesn't matter..."

"No, what does matter though is that we are from different districts. You know the rules. We can only be partners on the battlefield and that's the end of discussion. I'll see you again next year if this damn war continues, but rather than that... Different districts equal to a different lifestyle. You know this. Jack, Kosuke, and I are going back to school on Monday. Kosuke is turning 10 in three weeks. We have our lives ahead of us and my future has you nowhere near its sight. I'm sorry."

"I know the rules, but rules are made to be broken, right? I mean come on, we are only 9. How many kids get to be in armies at this age?"

"Are you retarded or blind? We are in a war. Every kid ages 7 to 18 get to fight in this war. We have to protect our country. We have to protect Voni. Look, Alyssa, you are a good person, I'm sure, somewhere... underneath, but I am not the girl for you. You'll have to look somewhere else."

"But..."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to sleep. I have another long day tomorrow."

"Ok, well. I'll let you be then. I'll see you in a year."

"See you in a year, and Alyssa... try to stay safe."

As Alyssa finally walked away, one question stood in my mind, leaving me restless. How many kids get to be in armies at this age?  When did this start, sending kids to fight for battles that adults started? Of course, adults are fighting this war too, but how? We never met any on the battlefields. Having all these questions swimming around in my head, I finally fell asleep. 

Tomorrow we get to go home. 

Note From Author:

Thank you for reading part 1 - Intro to our world. The idea for this story has actually occurred to me in a dream and a friend of mine has encouraged me to write it. So here we are. Leave comments, questions, and suggestions and enjoy the rest.

~ Sincerely,
   Me.