"Angels are real, Almira, I saw one!"
"Ida, don't be silly. You didn't really see an angel!" Almira said, looking into her sister's green eyes as they laid on their bed. She had wish her eyes were as pretty as hers, instead of the stale-blue that she was stuck with. Even in the dark she could still make out the green.
"I did too! He was outside the window."
People wanted cute, and her sister with her green eyes was the definition of cute. If it wasn't for her, they might've been adopted by now.
"What was he doing outside?"
"I don't know."
***
Almira opened her eyes. It was still dark out, as it would still be for a while longer yet. She swore she practically had night vision by now as she got out of bed, shaking off the sleepiness and wishing she could do the same from the memories of her past. They seemed to come from another life, in another universe.
"Hey, Almira, you were talking in your sleep again," Diana spoke as she laced up her boots.
"Sorry," Almira mumbled, only feeling slightly remorseful. Sleep was precious, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. She had stopped worrying long ago. Fumbling around, she haphazardly put on her work clothes and boots, well aware of the frowns she was getting from the others who were already on their way out of their sleeping quarters.
"You might be the youngest here, Almira, but that will only get you so much sympathy," Diana said by the door. "But don't think that will protect you if you draw attention to us." She ducked her head, lowering her eyes to the ground as she walked out.
Almira stared at the empty cots in the room, blinked, and questioned what had happen to humanity, to hope. In the dark, it seemed to have fled from the world. Wiped away when everything had changed. Everyone had just given up; it could be seen in their hunched backs, forlorn eyes, and the way no one laughed anymore as if they were attending their own wakenings.
Most likely they were.
She headed out, lowering her head as she passed the sentry in place but refused to completely keep her eyes down. It was her small act of rebellion. As little good as it did, it made her feel better than to just give up. It was the least she could do for Ida.
Walking out of the city, she left behind the skeletons of buildings that now only stood as grave markers for the civilisation that once thrived and stepped into the outskirts where wildlife tried to disguise the wreckage that was left. It was as if Mother Nature was mocking them and rejoicing in their downfall as she made her come back.
What a sick joke, for one to thrive the other must fall. Glancing to the right, she passed a car that had a tree consuming it and shook her head. She never got to drive one, though her and Ida had plans of traveling all over when they were little. Even Ida would've been old enough to drive by now.
She wanted to kick the rusting, rotting car. To beat it until it crumbled beneath her. Just so she could feel in control of something, to gain power over her life. Instead, she kept walking, knowing if she was late it would result in punishment. That word made her cringe inside every time she thought of it, and it couldn't help but to bring back the memories...
"Almira, we don't have to be afraid anymore, and when we travel, we'll be okay." Ida whispered to her from her bed in the dark. They didn't dare speak any louder for fear of waking their foster parents. It was her fault that Almira got in trouble again.
"What do you mean, Ida?" Almira asked, trying to ignore the sting from having been whipped by the belt. She pulled the blanket up, wrapping it around her.
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Tevun-Krus #25 - Romantic SF
Science FictionIn celebration of V-Day, 2016, Ooorah is proud to present TK's Valentine's Day special edition. Some of our favourite writers and contributors thought it might be fun to get in on the action, so check out what is surely an epic issue filled to the b...