On the Wings of Cranes [Eighty-Six: 86]

Chapter 1: Unravelling Sanity

Stellar Year 2139

The flag of San magnolia was laughing at her. It sounded like the terrible cackling, howls of the ugly beasts that call themselves men.

"Sophia, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor, like our father."

A boy with stars in his eyes beamed at her when he said those words. Thinking back, it made her chest ache. Something hot and wet trickled down her cheeks. She lunged at the flag, and grabbed the end of it down, not caring nor stopping even when she heard the sound of cloth tearing.

"Not like that, like this. See. Wrap this white gauze over the dressing... and... there you go."

Small, soft hands, though larger than hers, carefully maneuvered the material as a child pronounced each word clearly in his high-pitched voice.

She never had any siblings before. But this time, she had.

"Good job, Alex. Sophia, next time, be careful when running, alright? Make sure to be aware of what's beneath your feet." Warm hands ruffled her hair.

This time, she had a father. A father who would say gentle words. Held her high when she said she wanted to fly like an airplane. A man whose eyes, just like his son, shone like the sun although they did not possess its golden hue.

If this was a dream, she wished she would never wake up. Now, she was sure this wasn't a dream. Because her chest felt like it's exploding, her lip stung and her tongue tasted nothing but iron and salt.

Liar!

What Equality! What Freedom!

Rip.

"Hey, Alex. Let's go visit the palace tomorrow. I will show you the fountain."

"Alright! I cannot wait."

Only, they didn't go.

Instead, the beasts came up to the opened fence of their house. Animals disguised in the Prussian blues of the Republic's colour. With black rifles in their arms and bloodthirsty glint in their pale silver eyes. Almost white. Eyes like hers. Like mother's. Like grandfather's. But not like them. Not Alex's and their father's.

When the first hands touched Alex and twisted his thin arms, until her dearest brother cried out and she saw red marks bloomed on his small face the next second, she reacted.

Without thinking, she sprinted over to him and bit the beast's hand, which was about to touch Alex a second time.

The beast yelped and tried to shake her off. Hard. She hung on, even when her scalp hurt. The beast cursed.

She let go and screamed. "Mother! Grandmother!"

Then, she heard the familiar voice of her mother.

"Release my children at once!" Mother's voice rang across the garden. She sprinted towards them, face twisting when she noticed Alex's bruised face. Grandmother followed closely behind.

Sonja only took a blink of an eye to reach them. Seeing a chance, Sophia pulled Alex away from the man.

"What is the meaning of this?" Grandmother said, voice harsh and demanding.

For a nation of citizens who prided itself for being sickeningly white, its flag had too many colours.

If they hated colours so much, why didn't they condemn themselves too. They were filled with red, after all. A colour they despised. So, why?

Rip.

Sophia curled her lips and snarled as she tore through the piece of coloured cloth gripped tightly in her hands.