Utopia

Chapter One

As the TV blared "breaking news", I was trying to concentrate on the knife I was holding to chop the vegetables as I need my fingers to stay attached. "Poppy, turn it down." I said as I turned towards my younger sister who was watching the news with strange fascination. As Poppy continued to stare at the screen, I walked towards the living room transfixed by what she could be seeing. When I came up behind her she looked up, her innocent blue eyes staring at me, "Addie, they're stopping the war." I almost laughed at her as the idea seemed too good to true but I read the news headline and it read, solution to the war.

As the news reporter continued to explain the conditions of how this dream could be true, I couldn't say a word as shock was all I felt. When I felt a tugging on my arm I looked down to realise that my sister was still there and yelling at me to listen because apparently I wasn't watching. On our small, static TV was a lady who was looking very elegant and professional in a white lab coat and straight, black glasses that reminded me of those 'wanna-bee scientists' on kid's shows. She addressed the nation exclaiming that the end was coming and that peace would be here. Even though the idea that the war would end was unheard of, the determination in woman's voice almost made me believe it was true.

"It is possible, but we need everyone's support. We are running a national search for someone who will be able to help us win the war and put an end to it. The government is making everyone over the age of twelve go and get tested at your local hospital to see if you could be the reason this war that has torn countries, families and the world apart has come to an end. Thank you." As the woman in the lab coat left, walking with her back straight and head up, I pick Poppy up in my arms and hugged her so tight I thought she might explode. She was crying even though I didn't think she knew exactly what this meant for us. "It's going to be alright baby, we are going to be alright." I said this still not fully believing it as keeping Poppy safe and alive had been my biggest concern for years now.

"Do you believe it could be true?" Poppy said as she still held on to me tight as if she thought that if she let go I would be gone forever. I felt sick to the stomach when she asked me because I always hated lying to her sweet face.

"Let's hope so" I said under my breath feeling as though I was the only one who would be upset by this exciting idea. The thought that all of my fears about the future and our safety could disappear frightened me as it was all I could think about every day.

As Poppy and I continued to reassure each other that everything would change, I heard a knock at the door that made me jump. I walked slowly over to the door and flung it open, not knowing who it could be. As I stared out the door I saw the familiar face of my neighbour and lifelong friend looking back at me, his eyes swollen as if he had been crying. An overwhelming feeling of relief came over as I whispered, "Vince." I wrapped my arms around him and wept so hard that my body was shaking.

The thing about Vince was that even when he was doing it hard he would give up his comfort to make sure that you were okay, even though he was my age he had the values of an old fashioned gentleman. As he released me and looked over to where Poppy was I realised why I felt so comfortable with him, he was always there and look out for me.

As Poppy walked towards us she got her ruffled by Vince and squealed slightly. She came beside me as she took hold of my hand and looked up into my eyes the way she does when she wanted something. What could it by now? I thought to myself as Poppy continued to give me a look that felt like it could unlock all of my secrets, not that I had many.

"Addie I don't want you to leave." Poppy cried out in the most irritably cute voice that nobody could say no to.

"Why would I ever leave you?" I was appalled that mine own sister who I love so much would think that I would ever leave her.

"The lady said that people who pass the test will have to go." She said this as she swang my hand around but despite the happy gesture I could tell that the thought scared her.

"I never said I was going." This was technically true as I never told her that I was going but I never said no either. To be perfectly honest I haven't really thought it through but as I suppose that since they needed help I should go, it would be the right thing. "You have to know that I would never leave you on your own."

Poppy sighed dramatically in relief as she told me that she knew that. Once she said this I felt as though I could breathe again as the thought of my baby sister not knowing how much she means to me cut me deep.

When I put my arms around the two people who I love must I could almost forget the thought of war, fighting and the promise of a future because I could be lost in the present knowing that I have all that I need.