Give Up and Die

Chapter 1

          The day i had to prepare to leave, was in the morning, and i was starting to do my daily routine.I was heading to the well to get some decent water, i would normally head to the river, but, its become so disgusting that we cant drink it without throwing up. and i mean, its ok, walking an extra distance never hurt anybody. well, i soon realized that it was gonna be hard on the way back. I had to lug a big heavy bucket full of water all the way back to the house. It took me 10 minutes to get to the well, and 30 to get back. by the time i stepped thru the door, my arms were aching, and my legs were wobbly. I set the bucket on the table with a big thud. I was tired, but the day had only just begun. I went to go wake up Eric, a nice lady said she would teach children for free. of course i took Eric to her every day. then he could learn something, and make new friends, which hes not really good at, but the other kids seemed to like him. I would have gone too, except, i couldn't , i had to many chores to do. After i dropped Eric off at an old playground, where the kids and lady met, i went around town to find something to eat. as i was walking, a military car drove in, a person in the passenger seat had megaphone. He started shouting into it, making an announcement. "ATTENTION EVERYONE! STARTING TOMORROW, BUSSES WILL COME AROUND AND PICK UP ALL THE CHILDREN. 17 IS THE MAXIMUM AGE. BE PREPARED AND START PACKING!" my heart stopped, 'just children?' I thought to myself, I thought about my sick mom, and how much she needed me. I ran back and picked up Eric, other guardians seemed to have done the same. we went home and i told my mom the horrible news. mom was in bed like always, her red hair was messy, her eyes had dark circles, yet she still smiled when we came into her room.
"mom! they said we have to leave tomorrow!" I briefly explained. her smile faded and she looked down.
"yes, i heard" she simply said, her voice raspy.
"i should stay, to take care of you, Eric can go, the older kids will take care of him" i offered.
"no, Amanda, its no use, theres no point in trying to keep me alive anymore, im gonna die anyways, no matter what you do. plus Eric needs you, your his older sister, you cant just abandon him" she explained. Tears started streaming down my face, i couldnt help it, i was about to lose my mother.
"b-but, why cant you come too?" i replied. she thought for a moment.
"well, i dont think they have room for adults, its better to save the children rather than the adults" even more tears came.
"b-but! kids need there parents! i need you!" she shook her head.
"i have done nothing for you these past 5 years, ive only been a burden, now, as your mother i order you, to leave tomorrow". I had always listened to my mom, but at that moment, i wanted to disobey. but i couldnt, she was right, i hated to admit it. but it was true, it was only a matter of time before she died anyways. I took Eric's hand.
"cmon lets go start packing" and we left the room.

        The next day, I looked in a cracked mirror, i looked at my dirty face, my bright blue eyes, i decided to redo my braid, since i hadnt touched it in months. I got some water and decided to wash my face, Eric came in, i washed his face too. I put on my jacket, helped Eric put on his, It was pretty chilly outside. he looked up at me and said. "Ama, I cant see" i looked at him, of course he couldnt see, his curly blonde hair was in his eyes. I brushed it aside and smiled.
"i guess you need another haircut bud, but later ok?" he nodded and we went to grab our bags, we didnt know when the bus was gonna get there, so we made sure we were ready to leave in the morning. I looked out at window, waiting for the bus. I stared outside for 10 minutes, till two busses finally arrived. I quickly grabbed Eric, kissed mom goodbye, for the final time, and we walked out to the busses. 4 men, 2 on each bus, directed children to open spots. after 5 minutes the busses were packed older siblings of small children had to have them in there laps to make room, Eric sat beside me, he refused to sit in my lap. I thought the busses were about to leave, but then a women frantically climbed in, carrying two baby twins, maybe 2 years old at most.
"excuse me! sorry im late! i-i needed to talk to my boys, before they left."it was obvious that one of the twins had cried. she continued. "erm, i was hoping, i could. come aboard too, since there so young and all.." the driver looked at her and shook his head sadly.
"im sorry miss, but theres no room for you, you'll have to give them to one of the older kids. A boy stood up, maybe 15 or 16, he looked at the women.
"here, ill take them, you dont have to worry they will be safe with me" he said. the women looked down at the twin boys, then back up at him, and hesitantly handed them off to them. "please, take good care of them" she pointed to one with a blue little jacket and black shorts. "this one is Jake" she points to the other one, wearing a faded purple jacket and black pants. "and this one is Riley.." the boy nods, and the women leaves crying. The boy sits back down and the bus starts moving.