Tears threaten to burst through my eyes as I get dressed the next morning in the most cheerful outfit I have but I know that I have to stay strong for my family. I have to hold on to all the happy memories and use them to create a smile on my face. Today is the day that all of us have been dreading. I walk slowly down the stairs as if my speed will slow the day. Why does it have to already be Friday? I think part of me was hoping that by now the war would have been called off. But hope is a funny thing. When I get downstairs Mother and River are both group hugging Noah and crying their eyes out, which of course causes a new layer of tears to spring to my eyes. I hold on tight to the camera in my hand, I have to get a nice group picture of my family and the Davis family together and then just my brother and friend. When I get to the bottom step I hear a knock on the door and since no one else moves I walk to the door and open it. The second I do I'm nearly knocked to the ground.
"I had to come. I couldn't risk not seeing you before I left."
His words nearly make me cry but I swallow the lump in my throat and laugh. I push away from him and smile weakly. I can tell he's been crying but I won't let myself break. I hold up the camera.
"I would like to get a picture—"
"Of me?"
"Everyone," I shrug but I know that my voice sounds weak and I have to wonder how my face looks right now.
"Then we should gather everyone. I'll go grab the rest of my family."
I nod my head and turn away from him, I feel a lump forming in my throat and have to swallow hard to keep from breaking down in tears. The weight of the moment is heavy, and I can feel the sadness creeping up on me again.
I call out for my mother, and she responds that she's in the kitchen. I make my way there, taking slow and measured steps. I keep my head low, lost in my thoughts as I try to gather the strength to face the day ahead.
When I reach the kitchen, I find my mother busy at the stove, cooking breakfast. I take a deep breath.
"Mom, can you help me gather everyone for a group photo before we head to the town square? We need to say goodbye to the boys soon, and I want one final picture of all of us together."
My mother nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. She puts down her glass of water and begins to call out to the rest of the family, her voice is loud and clear but I still hear the weight of sadness in her voice that is waying down everyone.
All nine of us gather together in front of my house, I can feel the love and support but I also feel the despair I can read it in everyone's eyes. We huddle together, smiling for the camera, trying to capture this moment of togetherness before we have to say goodbye to the boys and our lives change in a way that could be forever.
<<<<>>>>
As the last few men get on the Doom Truck —which I now know is just a big black bus-like vehicle— I turn to walk away. I sigh sadly as the wave of tears finally hits me and threatens to explode. I have lasted longer than my mother who couldn't even make it past the front door and River who turned back when we were halfway to the station and all the Davis who also didn't even leave my house. The parents and River had to stop because their tears blinded them. Once I am facing the other direction I spot Jordan waiting for me, sort of. He is surrounded by a bunch of little kids all seemingly to be either six or younger attempting to make them laugh while their weeping relatives say their goodbyes to the few men who have avoided getting in the van longer than most. I smile weakly to stop the tears and start to slowly walk towards Jordan to let him know that I am ready to go back to my house. But as I'm walking towards him I swear I hear my name being called. I chose to ignore it and continue my slow pace toward Jordan. I think I am starting to become delusional. And then I swear I hear my name being called for a second time but like the first time I chose to ignore it. Then I hear my name again for the third time. I turn around to see where it's coming from and when I do I see Asher waving towards me from the van's door. I turn and run back towards the van as fast as I can. I am willing to do anything to stop the van from leaving as long as it means that my brother and my best friend stay safe and stay with me a little longer.
YOU ARE READING
Eternal Ember
Teen FictionEmber Hestia Willaims is the second-born child and only daughter of Hazel and Jonas Williams and the only sibling to Noah Williams. Her father died when she was 10 years old by death fighting in a war, leaving Ember, Her Mother, and older brother No...
