District 71: Battle Earth

Chapter 13 - Daniella

Author's Comment: I apologize if there are wrong grammars. I don't have editors so I may not be aware of my mistakes. You may correct me anytime using the comment below. ^_^

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DISTRICT 71

BATTLE EARTH

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Chapter 13: Daniella

Ana sat on the floor beside her bed.

She dreamt of Daniella. She clutched the pendant on her neck. It’s been four months since she died.

That terrible day...

Flashback...

***

“Mommy... why can’t I stay with you here?”

The little girl asked Ana.

“Because you are safer there at Uncle Mori’s house.”

Ana said with a smile while holding the face of her daughter.

“But even uncle is not there. Not even Jonas or Simon...”

Daniella said sadly.

Ana sighed and a knock was heard at the room.

“Captain, we’re ready.”

That was Simon.

“Simon!!!”

Daniella said happily upon seeing the lieutenant. She runs to hug him.

“Hello Daniella. Are you ready?”

Simon took the little girl to his arms.

“I don’t want to go.”

She said sadly.

“Don’t you worry little girl. We’ll visit you every weekend. We’ll bring along Lieutenant Jimenez.”

Simon said happily.

“Jonas? Mommy! I want to see Uncle Jonas first.”

“I’m already here, My sweet little girl.”

Jonas arrived waving a small teddy bear and Simon put down the little girl.

She ran towards Jonas to get the teddy bear and he held her up swinging her around. She giggled that made everyone happy.

“Shall we go now, My sweet?”

Jonas asked Daniella.

“When will you marry my mom?”

The lieutenant coughed and looked at Ana.

“Daniella!”

Shouted Ana to stop her daughter from babbling more.

“You know, you can call me ‘Daddy’ anytime.”

“Okay Daddy!”

And the little girl giggled once again.

Two days after...

There was a knock at Ana’s door.

“Captain, there is an emergency.”

It was Major Megara.

“Daniella is missing.”

“What!?”

Ana shouted in a shock.

“How could that be? She’s safe in your son’s house.”

“The caretaker run to me and told me everything she knew. I’ve asked my men to search everywhere within the district but they did not find any trace. But there’s one possibility. A tank was parked near the house last night. We believe that Daniella hid inside so that she can go to you. We tried to contact the tank but it was part of the roving tanks that sets mine bombs outside the perimeter. I’m sorry, Captain Torres.”

Ana hurriedly took her pistols and swords.

“I’m going to find my daughter, Sir!”

The major gave way to the captain.

“Captain, what’s going on?”

Simon saw Ana in a hurry.

“Daniella is missing.”

“Wait! I’ll come along.”

The tank were Ana and Simon was riding was ready to move out of the perimeter gate when they saw Jonas waving in front. Ana opened up the hatch.

“Major Megara told me everything. I’m coming with you.”

They arrived where the roving tank was located.

Jonas came out of their tank to check the area. Ana came out next to check the other tank.

There was no sign of an attack but the tank was empty, however the radio was jammed.

“Captain...”

Simon gave Ana a teddy bear. It was the teddy bear that Jonas gave Daniella before she went to Captain Megara’s house. Simon found it inside the tank.

She already had a bad feeling.

“Daniella!”

She called her name.

They searched in different directions. A few minutes later, Simon came towards Ana.

“Captain...”

Simon said in a low voice.

“Simon! Did you find Daniella?”

Simon did not answer. Simon’s eyes were red and his face looked like in pain.

“Simon!?”

The lieutenant nodded and tears fell from his eyes.

“No... No!!!”

Simon tried to stop Ana but she pushed him.

“Daniella!”

She stopped running as soon as she found Jonas.

“Jimenez, where’s my daughter?”

Jonas stood up and walked towards Ana. She saw him crying.

“Where’s Daniella?”

Her tears were falling when she asked her lieutenant once again.

The lieutenant tried to stop her from going by holding her tight.

“I’m sorry, Captain.”

“Jimenez, let go of me.”

The captain commanded but the lieutenant did not let her go.

“I can’t...”

“Jimenez, it’s an order.”

Jonas let her go slowly. Ana walked passed through him and slowly walked towards a pool of blood where two bodies were lying.

“Daniella...”

Ana was crying and she kneeled down to touch one of the bodies. She slowly carried the smaller body towards her. It was fragile and covered with blood, soft but cold –and lifeless.

“Daniella!!!!!!!!!!!!”

***

Tears fell from Ana’s eyes as soon as she finished reminiscing. She opened the pendant and kissed the photo of the little girl inside.

Daniella...

In the mean time...

Simon was clutching his shoulder where the monster bit him. The pain was increasing every hour.

It looks like the medicines are wearing off.

“Doctor...”

Simon called for the doctor.

Then suddenly, his eyes were getting blurry and then a terrible headache hit him. He held his head and pressed harder to control the pain but it was no use. He can’t endure the pain anymore.

“Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!”

He shouted from pain and the doctor came.