Lilac Valley

Call to War

It's a call to war.

"Are we really going to war?" a student asks.

"I'm afraid so," Marty answers.

"Is there a draft?" another student asks.

"No," Marty replies.

"Why won't anyone tell us anything?" another asks.

"I don't know," Marty says. "Try not to think about it."

"How can we not?" a girl asks. "It's a war." Marty nods.

"I've been here before," he tells them. "I was fourteen. The war lasted two years. My friend's mom was killed. So many were killed."

"Are we safe here?" a boy asks. "Can they break through the shield?"

"Not yet," Marty answers. "We're hoping they never will."

"That doesn't seem like a great strategy," another says.

"Unfortunately, that's all we have," Marty says.

~

"We need to do something!" Amber pleads. "The Anti-Magic Group is strong. They'll recruit more humans. They'll break through the shield."

"That is highly unlikely," Mayor Li tells her.

"Don't talk to me like I'm just some human," Amber says. "We need to act now."

"You shouldn't even be here," Mayor Li says. "You divorced that...half-vampire, half-human."

"Do you like anyone?" Amber asks. "This is about safety. The citizens of Lilac Valley, the citizens of several magical communities don't feel safe."

"Then set up a meeting with the Secretary of Magic," Mayor Li advises.

"Perhaps, I will," Amber says.

~

No one has seen Carter in weeks. They try. They knock on his door, leave him things, but he won't talk to anyone.

Not even his parents can get through to him.

Marty stands at the door of his apartment.

"Carter, we're worried about you," Marty says. "You need to be around people. I can't imagine what you're going through, but we're here to support you. Whatever you need."

"Leave me alone!" Carter shouts.

"I'm not leaving until you open the door," Marty says. He leans against the door.

Eddie divorced. Carter widowed.

Marty sits and waits. Autumn calls him.

"He won't open the door," he says.

"Come home," Autumn says. "Try again tomorrow."

Marty stands. Carter finally opens the door.

"I'll call you back," he says. "You're part of the solution. You're going to keep all of us safe. You're going to bring about peace."

"Peace doesn't exist," Carter says. "Unless you're six."

"We don't have to talk about it," Marty explains. "We can talk about whatever you want."

"Why FDR is the most controversial president of all time?" Carter asks.

"I'm a history teacher," Marty reminds him. "I can talk about that for hours." Carter smiles and let him in.