Shadows of Tomorrow

Part Five - The Big Decision

I look at Dad, then at my brother, and finally at Mom.
I heard what Dad said, but it's as if the words didn't quite register.
"What?" I ask.
"We're going to have to make a big decision, a tough one, and we need to make it together, okay?" Dad looks at me.
"What decision, George?" Mom asks. I can hear the seriousness in every word, and I see the fear in her eyes.
I'm scared. I feel like I'm going to faint, like I want to cry, like I want to scream. But for once, I need to be the daughter my parents deserve—a brave child of brave parents.

"We need to decide whether we stay here," Dad says.
"What do you mean 'stay here'? This is our home," my brother protests.
"Is something dangerous happening?" Mom asks, worried.
"I don't know. Neither did the neighbor. But something is happening. Maybe here. Maybe in our entire country. Maybe all over the world. But something is definitely happening," Dad replies with utmost seriousness.
I can't take it. "What decision do we have to make then?" I ask.
"As I said, we need to decide whether to stay. The neighbors, most of the village—maybe everyone—is leaving. They're going to stay with relatives, heading to the cities. We have to decide if we stay or if we go too," Dad explains.
"And if we go, where? To the aunts? To Grandma and Grandpa? To a city? Another country?" I ask, confused.
"I don't know. We need to make a decision. We all have to agree," Dad replies.
"What's the best option? What's the safest, George?" Mom asks. I know she wants us to be as safe as possible.
"I wish I knew, Abigail. It's a step into the unknown. If we stay, we have a solid foundation—our home, food, we have a well for water. But only God knows when this will pass, and when we'll know it's safe again. If we leave, we might reach our loved ones, but the roads are sure to be crowded. We'll be stuck in the car, not knowing how far we'll get or if we'll find our relatives home, or if they've already left. I wish I knew," Dad sighs.
"From what you're saying, it sounds like staying seems safer to you, George?" Mom replies.
"We all need to agree, but the roads will be packed, and I don't know how far we'll get or if where we go will be any safer than here. Riots tend to be worse in the cities," Dad says.
"Okay, if the kids agree, we'll stay," Mom says, looking at my brother and me.
"I don't know. Sure. Yes. I think. I really don't know," my brother answers hesitantly.
"Are we going to be the only ones left in the whole village? No one else? Just us?" I ask, fear creeping into my voice.
"You know, Aby, sometimes it's better to be alone than in a crowd of stressed people who don't fully control their actions," Dad replies.
"Alright then. I trust you," I try to say as firmly as possible so my parents will feel supported because I know this decision wasn't easy for them.
"So no one objects? Any better ideas?" Dad asks again, just to be sure.
"Well, worst case, the car's in the garage, we've got gas, we can always leave later," he adds.
We all nod. The decision is made.
Whatever happens, we're staying. We won't leave our home. But the most important thing is that we won't leave each other. The four of us. Well, actually, the five of us. Our cat, Berta, didn't take part in deciding whether to stay or go, but she's part of our family and our emotional support. She's our stress reliever, and we're going to need her more than ever.
We won't give up. We'll make it through together.