They Say That In The Army

Prologue

Prologue

 When it comes to the past my memory becomes fuzzy. Sometimes I cannot distinguish between real life and fiction. But there is one event that I will never forget. I have witnessed it three times like deja vu and it comes back to haunt me in my dreams some nights. It is the only event that is crystal clear in my mind.

Three loud bangs rang through the house that morning almost mockingly.  My mother slowly walked over with shaky hands and terrible posture. She grabbed the brass knob in her hand and slowly turned it counter clockwise while pulling open the heavy wooden door . I stood in the shadows watching closely as the door opened to reveal two people that resembled each other so much that they might as well be one person.

Their hair was brown and choppy  and their eyes were as black and sinister as a black hole, eager to swallow you in less then a second. They had gaping smiles on their faces that added to the hostile atmosphere around them.

 I watched them with wide  eyes as they entered the living room with loud thunderous steps, their boots clicking loudly against the hardwood floors of my old house. My mother backed up slowly the fear fully visible in her eyes. 

"Why hello," they said in unison with identical sneers on their faces. 

"I'm sure you have been anticipating our visit seeing as it is..." one of the twins pulled out a clip board and his eyes searched through the list of names on it.  "Zain Titori's 16th birthday."

"Is that correct?" asked the other twin raising an eyebrow.

Zain stepped out of the kitchen with confidence and bravery in his eyes. "Yes that is correct," he said in his loud booming voice. 

My dad stepped out from behind him and pushed Zain back with his left arm lightly pushing on his chest. "We have a proposition for you two," he said with an evil look in his eyes. My 3 brothers and I all looked at him with puzzled expressions on our faces. 

"What kind of proposition?" the twins said in unison. Their voices were eager and they leaned in anticipating the wonders they may gain from my fathers words.

My father's expression mirrored that of a maniac's as his gaze shifted upon me.  Eyes crazed with a wide, mischievous smile and hair messed and pointing in every direction. I backed up fearfully as he stared me down. My brothers stepped in front of me protectively forming a wall, each giving my dad a warning glare but my father was stubborn and needed his words to be heard.

Before he could say anything though Zain stepped out towards the twins with determination. "Lets go...now!" he said with great  force.

 

"Alright ," said the twins as they each grabbed one of his arms escorting him out the door. 

 

I looked at his brown hair, his deep green eyes and muscular body. He was put here to protect me and he had fulfilled his duty. I looked at him my eyes filled with tears and mouthed,"Thank you." He nodded with a look of deep, brotherly love.

He shook the twins off of his arms and ran over to me and embraced me  with a strong grip. "I will always protect you," he whispered softly. His voice was barely audible but I could still feel the love and strength radiating through his words. I wrapped my small, 12 year old arms around him willing myself not to let a single tear drop. 

He then let go of me and was quickly escorted out the door.

"No, don't take my baby!" my mother screamed in a fit of sorrow and rage.  But it was too late Zain's fate, had already been determined. 

Only Zain could not fulfill his promise that night since he was not there to protect me from the wrath of my father which got worse and worse with each brother I lost over the years.