by Nguyen,Peter
“Ma’am what is this?” says a soldier pointing at Kaleb.
“Oh that? He was a stray so I brought him in this morning.”
That’s a lie considering we practically raised him since he was a puppy. If there was time I say Kaleb was dumb I would be lying. He knows when not to bark at strangers specially if the stranger is holding a rifle. Last winter was the hardest because we had no food left and if we left the house we would have froze to death. Out of nowhere Kaleb comes back with a white rabbit in his mouth. I can’t see myself walking into this house again, knowing Kaleb doesn’t exist.
The soldier pulls out a pistol and aims at Kaleb. My mom doesn’t do anything but closes her eyes in order to protect me. I can feel my heart pounding so hard I wouldn’t be surprise they could hear it. I want to get out of the oven and give myself up for Kaleb, but I know I’ll be losing my mom if I did that. I stay in silence, hoping she won’t kill my only pet.
“Wait!” my mom yells.
My mom quickly says she was planning to eat the dog but she has to get him fat first. The troop looks at my mom as if she’s crazy as do I.
The troop looks at the kitchen table and studies the three bowels of soup. I realize I forgot to throw away the bowels. The troop looks back at my mom with suspension.
“So you’re using soup to get your dog fat?”
“Actually one of them was for my neighbor but you can have one if you like” my mom hands him her bowl of soup. Her hand is still shaking in fear.
“No thank you. Well everything looks to be in order. I’ll be on my way” says the soldier.
The soldier shakes my mom’s hand. She follows her and giving a quick glance at me though the stove.
“Well that be all for the day?”
“I do have a quick question. “Anything,” my mother quickly reacts.
“Did you ever offer a child to us before?” I realize she’s referring to my brother, Rylan. My mom assumes he’s already dead from the injection but I’m not 100 percent sure.
“Yes my son Rylan. He served his purpose for your experiment.”
“D-did he survive?”
“Is this some sort of joke!?” my mom yells.
“I’m sorry for asking. How a nice day.”
I finally hear the door close. My mom walks back into the kitchen with her loud boots and I open the stove. She immediately hugs me and I can feel her heart pound against my chest like a scared winter hare.
“It’s okay, I’m safe mom.”
“I’m sorry; I thought I was going to lose you.”
“Mom are you alright? Why did she ask you about, you know Rylan?”
“To mock us,” her voice hardens.
I don’t believe my mom, considering how the soldier quickly apologized to her not knowing how much it affected her.
I look at the wrinkles under my mom’s eyes, making me realize how old she is getting. I know she can’t keep me hidden forever. Every time I see my mom cry it just breaks my heart. I remember when my mom was crying in her room one winter night, I was about 8. I sat down beside her and cried with her not even knowing what she was sad about. I guess it was just seeing her upset and vulnerable.
I let go of her and Kaleb comes running into the kitchen. She whips her tears and walks to the table. She claps down onto the seat.
“Hazer eat your soup, it’s getting cold.”
“Alright mom,” I say. “Which on is mine?”
“This one,” she points to the far left.
Before I can have a taste, my mom grabs my bowl so fast that it spills some on the table.
“I think I forgot an ingredient. This doesn’t taste right.”
“Mom?” I look at her strangely as she grabs the three bowls and dumps it down the sink.
She stares into the kitchen window. Her dark short hair rests behind her tense shoulders. “If they ever try to take you Hazer, I want you to run,” she says in her teary voice.
“Moms it’s fine.”
“No, they are not going to have you too. They already took Rylan and your father from me. Promise me! Promise you’ll run and keep running.”
Its hurts me so much to hear what she’s saying and a part me knows if I ever get chosen she’ll go mad. That’ll be the end of her.
As I help clean up the mess, I look to my mom until her brown eyes meets mine. I simply ask “Do you love him, Rylan?”
“Hazer pleases not now.”
I know I’m making it even harder on her by talking about it but he’s my brother and I want to know in case I might see him at the festival. I have to know about the one person who sacrificed himself in order to save mine.
My mom looks away and I take a deep breath to let my mom know I’m unsatisfied with her response as always. Once again we avoid the conversation about him. This is the 100th time she has ignored me whenever it was brought up.
I stand up and take Kaleb with me. “I’m going to take him out,” I say.
My mom doesn’t reply.
I look back and my mom stares into the bright window above our sink.
As I get to the door I hear soft sobbing behind me in the kitchen. I begin to regret asking but I still have the right to know.
I open the door to let Kaleb run freely on our grass. We have trained him not to run outside our property. He now does his business on out lawn, which stinks every time I walk outside now. He happily runs back to me as I congratulate him by rubbing his hard head.
~
I quickly put on my black leather jacket, a soft cotton hoddie attach to it. I begin to look around to see what I can offer the Saviors. I start to look under my bed and closet but nothing seem to stand out, nothing I can give to them and not be laughed at. I finally open my drawls. A quick bling appears, tt’s my Dad’s old silver watch that my mom gave to me when he died.. There is writing in the back that engraves “My beloved sons Rylan and Hazer”.
When the injection first came out, the Northern military needed as many subject to be injected with the deadly serum. After the scientist figured out that younger subject had a higher survival rate, the military came knocking to each house and my parents were basically panicking in fear. When they took Rylan, my dad went crazy, the dinner table was always empty, his need to write for Rylan in case he did survive the injection became his addiction, poisoning our family. My mom had no hope, she was the first to accept Rylan’s death the moment she woke up. They had tranquilized her before because she had try to flee with me and Rylan.
One night I woke up, hearing my mom call out my dad. I ran downstairs to see what’s going on. The front door was wide open, letting all the cold air in. She was outside, bare footed in her sleeping gown, searching for my father. We couldn’t find him no matter how much we searched. I felt lost and abandon. A day later my mom was crying on kitchen table as Mr. and Mrs. Rivera comforted her. They informed her that my dad died, trying to deliver a message to Rylan. The soldiers thought he was a threat so they shot him. That was when my world completely changed.
As days went by, I kept thinking it’s my fault that my only brother was offered in the place of mine, I never got over it. Hearing the story makes me feel so ashamed knowing Rylan died just so I didn’t have to. If I could turn back time, I would switch places with him and tell him how sorry I am.
I put the watch in my pocket and quickly walk down stairs where my mom making food to offer to our Saviors.
I look outside the window and it’s starting to get dark. Capa is only having the festival to introduce everyone who their Saviors are. This would be my first time going to an event like this. I’m a little skeptical how it’ll go, but I’m sure it’ll be something like a group of kids, receiving offerings from the residents. My mom told me the festival is going to be in an open field and just a few miles away from here, about a mile away from our school.
I help my mom get ready as we start to hear some people cheering at the parade outside.
“The parade is about to begin.”
Afte
r a few minutes of waiting for my mom to put on some make up I hear unusual noise outside. I rush to the window and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Mom you have to see this.”
I can’t believe it. There’s tons of people walking down the road and holding their peace offering. There are also people using their Gleammer, shooting the explosive light in the sky. I always wanted one ever since I saw Carter got one for his birthday. It’s like a flashlight that shoots fireworks but the sparks stay in the sky for a minute. They look like stars.
My mom follows me outside where the loud beat is heart compelling and the bright lights are mesmerizing. This is the first time I have ever hear music being played this loud before. I’m guessing the festival is the only time when we’re allowed to raise the volume.
If any of our neighbors complain about loud commotion, then the policemen would most likely arrest us on other days.
I haven’t seen this many smile since the gate had open up. I’m surprise they are taking it in a positive way and celebrating it.
I try to look around for Carter but it’s no use. There are too many people outside our neighborhood. I would think he’s either with his sister or off somewhere flirting with the first girl he sees. I remember the first girl Carter tried asking out. His face was so red that I thought he was going to faint right in front of the poor girl.
“Gabby, Hazer!”
I turn around and its Carter’s mom Mrs. Rivera. Her jet black hair is in a bun, revealing her shiny pearl earrings she always wears.
Every time I look at her, her eyes looks just like her daughter Arraya, enormous moon shaped. It must be tragic to lose a daughter all of a sudden with no warning. Sometimes I think Mrs. Rivera is delusional because she doesn’t want anyone asking about Arraya ever since her capture. Carter told me she even threw away all of Arraya’s belonging and uses her bedroom as a storage room. It’s like she had never existed.
“Oh, hey Mrs. Rivera. Have you seen Carter?” I ask.
“I’m sorry Hazer but Carter and the girls already went up ahead.”
“Honey you go catch up to them. I’ll meet you up there,” my mom grins.
“Ok mom.”
I quickly make my way into the crowd where the people are just dancing to the lively music. Every second and Gleammer would shoot into the sky and the ball of light would explode into a hundred stars. The sparks slowly descend around us with such fascination.
~
After walking half a mile I start to see the Northern Flag. The flag has a golden outline that separates the blue fabric. The flag stands alone in night sky as we all pass it.
The Festival has yellow lantern cubes, hanging from pole to pole. I walk around on the green grass as the cool wind brushes against my face. The music gets louder and I wish every night can be like this.
To my left, there’re Northern troops guarding the area. They’re holding black medal sticks while standing in a formation. I know they are here for our safety but the sight of them makes me anxious.
I walk over to one of the stands where they are selling food. Everything here cost two silver coins. The old woman behind the stand waits patiently as I reach into my pocket and pull out two silver coins.
“One water bottle please” I say holding out my money.
“A handsome young boy like you should be spending money on a girl” says the old woman handing me the water bottle and rejecting my coins.
“You’re very kind” I say.
I start to look for Carter in the huge crowd. Everyone is mostly gathered around the gray medal stage with blue and yellow curtains. I guess that’s where the Saviors will be. The stage looks pretty big for just a group of special soldiers.
“Hazer!”
“Hey Garrett, have you seen Carter” I ask.
“Yea, he’s over by the stand.”
I look over and see Carter and his sister, talking to some girl in a black dress. Garrett and I walk over and the girl looks familiar. I think she lives near our neighborhood.
“Hey guys I like you so meet someone. This is Vera” Carter introduces.
“So I’m guessing you’re Garret and you’re Hazer,” Vera says in her raspy voice. She holds out a welcoming hand. She has short spiky black hair, pale skin and a pointy nose.
“Hey do you guys know what time are Soldiers going to come. I’m tired of carrying this rock around” says Garrett.
We all look at Garrett as if he’s crazy. Coryanna glances at one of the food stands with colorful candy, green gummies and a fruity drinks.
“Looks like they want something to eat,” I say.
“Sorry but I already use up all my money guys, besides mom said candy will rot your teeth” Carter says.
“Here, take mine” I say as I hand them my only coins.
“Thank you Hazer.”
“Your sister is so cute,” says Vera.
“She get it from her brother,” Carter chuckles.
Vera’s smile quickly fades as she folds her arms and looks up at Capa’s flag. Carter places his hands on her shoulders and says, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just trying figure out how people can inject a deadly serum into young kids.”
“They’re pure evil,” Garrets mumbles.
When our gate opened 8 years ago, our military had to get people prepare for war, so they forced a lot of citizens to take their untested serum. They promised everyone that the serum would give them incredible powers to defend Capa, so a lot of naïve people injected themselves without hesitation. After the serum ran through their veins, their bodies began to have violent seizures that led to internal bleeding. Ninety nine percent of the people who took the injection died. It was awful and what was worse was that the military knew the odds. Our scientists learned that the ones that did survive were mostly the undeveloped.
“Look enough with that. Let’s just enjoy the night. Who knows when they’ll come knowing on our door for a subject” Carter says.
“Yea I mean this is once in a life time,” I say.
Carter grabs Vera’s hands and takes her out towards the dancing crowd .
After an hour of enjoying the once in a lifetime festival and lively music, we all start to troll by each stand, hoping we can afford anything. Some of the people selling their belonging and rest are just playing games for money, like throwing a rubber ball at target plates. The prizes were old relics, something old people would want.
Garrett already brought so many useless things that he now has to carry. Most of it is just old collections of knick knacks. I would help him but that will just encourage him to buy more junk.
Carter and Vera are both taking about their personal interest, getting to know one another. I’d say it’s going fairly well but it’s starting to get annoying.
Finally, we walk to a strange stand without light. The wooden stand has cracks and old carving on it, probably from the Northern Troop’s pocket knife who looks completely bored out of his mind as he sits and waits for people to come by.
In front of him is a wrinkly yellow paper. It’s list of signatures.
“What’s the list for” Carter ask.
“What does it look like it’s for” the troop says with irritation.
I can tell by his grumpy expression he rather jump off a plane than be here. Carter quickly reads over the information above the signatures.
“What does it say?”
“It says sign if you are willing to become a Northern Troop,” Carter says.
I must be dreaming because ever since I had grown up, joining the military was one percent chance. They must need more men now because of gate is opened and it also probably means more lives are going to be lost.
“I’m defiantly signing up. I rather be a troop then take that deadly injection” Vera says.
She quickly cuts in front of me and signs her name big on the paper. Northern Troop looks at her as if she’s crazy.
“You just took up three lines,” he says.
I can
tell by the look on Carter’s face he’s as shock as I am, but his facial expression slowly changes, I know that look. That’s the look when Carter is about to do something reckless unless I stop him. This is the same look when we went hiking we saw a sleeping black bear on our path and Carter was so eager to shoot the beast. Now I have to stop him from signing that paper.
“Carter, don’t you dare!” I exclaim.
“I wasn’t going to until you said that,” Carter scratches his black hair. “Hazer I know we always believed that the Northern troop was the cruelest thing on this planet and that we rather get hit by a bus than become one,” Carter says.
“Um you know I can hear you?” the troop scolds.
“Sorry,” Carter says. “But Vera is right.”
I wouldn’t think for a hundred years that a person like Carter would ever join the military voluntarily. I know it can’t be stop, but Carter is old enough to make his own decision, but I can’t imagine him running into the Cyto field, killing everything he sees. Wait yes I can.
My eyes widen as Carter picks up the pen and slowly signs the paper.
“Don’t leave me out guys,” Garrett says, dropping all his things and ready to sign paper too.
Everyone looks at me including the dull Northern Troop who now seems interested in what’s my next move. This is such a big decision. I can’t sign anything now especially if my mom isn’t around.
“This is a once in a life time, unless you rather take the injection,” Vera says.
“Hazer c’mon man. If you sign this we will have power over people. We won’t be pushed around anymore. We don’t have to hide anymore” Carter says.
“I don’t know if I can” I say.
Carter knows it will take a lot convince me and then he says it, “Hazer please I don’t want to be the one who searches your house next time they call for their Redeemed.”
I release a heavy sigh, knowing this is my only chance. It’s a life changing decision that not only affects me but my mom as well. I walk towards the stand and a list has around 30 people already signed up. I’m guessing everyone is trying to take advantage of this opportunity.
