Eternal Ember

Chapter 3: Fighting Doesn't Make You A Hero. Or Does It? . . .

"What was the message?" asks Asher as he leans over my chair.

I look over at him confused. What does he mean he has a radio in his room —which is required to be in every bedroom in Motus— he should have heard it. Surely he must have heard it he had to have.

"You mean you did not hear it!?"

He looks at me and shrugs "Yeah it was so odd I mean..." His face lights up. "Wait! Do you think it has finally happened?"

What he is not making any sense. What does he mean? 'Do you think it has finally happened?' I stand up and turn to face him.

"No I do not think it has happened and it never will Asher."

He looks at me as if I have hurt his feelings.

"But it could happen someday, Ember. "

I laugh "Yeah well when it does I will do whatever you want me to for a week."

He shrugs then sticks out his hand like he already has an idea for a perfect week of just me and him.

"Ok, I'll take you up on that offer."

I stick out my hand, place it in his and say. "Deal." Then we shake hands, sealing the deal.

Asher was talking about the day that the president finally loses control of the people. He dreams of the day when we can finally think and live our life our own way and be a bit more free. But I think that it will never happen as does everyone else.

"Well, I better go home now. My brother and mom are making dinner for me."

I turn and walk to the door. But once I get to the door and have opened it, I am about to step out when I feel something grab my wrist and hold me back. I turn around and see Asher's hand.

"You almost forgot your gift."

I laugh nervously but I'm not quite sure why.

"Oh yeah sorry, I didn't mean to."

He sighs "Don't worry I know you didn't."

Pulling a silver box out from behind his back he says, "Ta-da I hope you like it. You can open it when you get home and then tell me what you think of it."

He gives me a quick wave and then I leave. "Goodbye, Ember," Asher calls from the door of his house.

I turn around and wave "Bye Asher see you later."

When I get home I realize that it is oddly quiet and that no one seems to be home. But I call out anyway.

"Hello Mom, Noah. I'm home, where are you?"

I hear a creaking from upstairs. and then Mom says,

"We will be downstairs in a minute, take off your shoes and jacket and set them by the door where they belong."

I smile and do as I am told.

"Okay, Mom I am going to call Eliza and open up the gift that she gave me."

I hear a small laugh,

"Okay dear, you do that in the study."

Now it is my turn to laugh "Well that would be where the phone is."

When I get to the small study I sit down at my dad's old desk and set the gifts from Eliza and Asher on the table. Then I reach over to the phone dial Eliza's number, and call her. There is a ringing sound and then I hear.

"Hey, girl. How are you? Do you like my gift?"

I laugh "Slow down I have not had a chance to look at it yet I just got back home."