Reminisce

The begining

Memories are a funny thing. You see, memories can play tricks on you, make you believe things that aren't necessarily true. The ones you wish to push out of your head stay and torment you, and the ones that you wish could stay forever simply fade, change overtime, or get replaced by new ones. Nothing truly stays the same. No matter how much you wish it could. Sometimes people try to control change, but more often than not, trying to control something will just be pouring fuel on the fire.
In the year 2078 a new ruler came to be, Mark Veenil.  Ever since he was little he believed this world was overpopulated and someone needed to take control.  Mark wasn't a big fan of change and he really wasn't too hot on the idea of actually sending people to Mars. So he came up with a solution.
On the 19th of February, a month after he was declared ruler, he elucidated his plan to the world. He skirred onstage unable to obtain the overwhelming feeling of pride he had for himself, he let off a relieved sigh as he gazed upon his audience. Returning his head to the front and fixating his eyes on the cameras, he began to break the silence.
"Hello," the microphone echoed out.  "Many of you know the reason you are gathered here today, but for those of you who are unsure I am here to state the new rules." The crowed remained silent as he opened his mouth once more.
"As you know by now, this world has more people in it that we can handle, and I have taken it upon myself to find a quick fix to this predicament we find ourselves in. But Mr Veenil how could you fix this problem? Is a question you may be asking yourselves, yes? I have thought long and hard about my decision and I am here to announce it." Most of the audience was confused and maybe even a little worried, wouldn't you be?
"From here on I declare all families around the world are allowed only one child. This will help our population decline in the years to come." The crowd began to stir the quiet and the atmosphere was tense.
"Calm down! I have not finished as of yet. I know you all have questions so please hear what I have got to say. If you already have more than one child please stand up."
A hefty amount of families rose to their feet, shaking nervously as they were instructed to stay and hear what else mark had to say. As for everyone else who had a 'perfect' one child family they were demanded to go home and continue their everyday lives.
Around an hour later only the larger families remained.
Mark leaned forward into the microphone with a pitiful smile stung on his face.
"I understand what you're all thinking. I know what I'm about to say is going to be extremely hard to hear. But all of you sitting here are about to have to make a very important decision. As you heard early, I am only allowing families of 3, a mother, a father and a child. This means that all of you are going to have to choose a child to keep, yes just one. I unders..." he was cut off by an uproar of corybantic parents. Mothers eyes flooded with heavy tears of pain and the children were frozen replaying every bad thing they'd ever done trying to figure out if they'd be kept or not.
"You have ten days to decide, that is all, you are free to leave now.'' Veenil's guards forced the pleading families out of the grounds and told them to go home and think about their decisions.
One family in particular was shaken to the core from what they'd just heard. It didn't sink in. They could not comprehend it.
As they walked home that night, their hearts dropped deep into very pits of their empty stomachs. This feeling would be indescribable. Imagine having to choose between the two things that matter most to you.
Thoughts rushed through Mrs Westlee head like flood gates had been opened as she looked at her shocked children. Only her son was old enough to understand as he was 12, the Westlee's daughter was only 3 so she didn't understand, but she knew something was wrong. Something, in fact, was very wrong.
"Bonnie..." Mr Westlee whimpered to his wife with his head down. "what are we going to do?" he asked like a mouse.
Bonnie Westlee looked to her children and then slowly at her husband. She pulled in a deep breath and released it before speaking again. She opened her mouth, bottom lip quivering, thick tears ready to fall from her eyes.
"I think you know what we have to do Miles..." she said barely containing her heartbreak.
The Westlee couple shared a longing look before Addie began to cry.
"Be quiet Addie!" Kade, her brother spat firmly. He knew his parents were upset so he tried to help, but he himself was troubled from the news. He wasn't sure who'd they choose.
The walk home was cold and lonesome. Not a word was spoken after Kade's chat with Addie. The driveway of the Westlee's home was much longer than normal. The air was crisp and hard to take in, causing breathing speed to increase, or maybe it was just the nerves, either way you feel the fear in the air. Not one Westlee slept that dreadful night.
10 days past since the announcement, it was the day of the decision.