Our Call to War | Book 1 | by iamkittenluver

Prologue

      Explosions are going off everywhere, children and families running left and right, choking on clouds of smoke, a burning building topples down on a horde of people running for safety. Bodies scattered in the streets and chaos in the air, this is the beginning of the end. This is the downfall of humanity and it is just beginning. This is the first worldwide war and its every country for themselves. There hasn't been a day of peace in nearly 7 years in any country.
My name is Kai P. Hein, I am 14 years old and I am living in actual hell. I haven't seen my dad in 3 years, he was drafted out 3 years ago. We haven't even received a single letter or word from him since he left. Around 1 year ago we gave up hope of ever seeing him, as sad as it may be, a majority of the families that had fathers and sons drafted out never see them again. For the first few months I was so depressed about the whole condition of the war and my dad being gone, but after awhile I got over it and started to get my life back together. Or as together you can be living through the biggest world disaster of history.
"Peggs! Get down here! A soldier is at the door asking for the eldest of every family to come with him." Ma shouts, sounding relatively agitated.
"Coming, Ma!" I call down from my room.
Running down the stairs and through the kitchen, I make my way to the front door of our drab and shoddy house if you can even call it one anymore. I meet my mom at the door with a young man looking to be in his early 20's in a  military outfit. "Hello, sir. Nice to meet you." I say, jutting out my hand for a handshake.
    He looks at me up and down and then turns towards Ma. "Miss, I asked for a child that is above the age of 13, this child looks to be 9 years old. Do you have any other children that meet the requirements?" He asks in a low, surly voice.
"Sir, I'm afraid that you are mistaken about my age, I am 14 years old, not 9," I speak up, grabbing his attention with my hard glare pointed at him.
"Oh. I'm sorry, you just look like a young child," he says apathetically.
    I guess that after a while of being in the army, you turn into a jerk. I glare at him once more, "Where do you want to take me and the others," I ask, "I don't recall there being anything coming through the radio about anyone coming by to take us somewhere."
"The general has called for more recruits to be gathered. We are taking you and several others to a training camp to become soldiers for future battles in a few years, we need to strengthen our forces." He says. Without a drop of emotion in his voice, he seals my fate.
I have to join the army and defend this godforsaken country.
    I hear Ma sigh and she pats my back, "It's going to be ok, kiddo. Go upstairs and pack a bag, you'll be leaving soon." She says and walks back into the kitchen, her back facing me.
"Fine," I say and head up the creaky stairs. Walking into my room for potentially the last time I grab my old backpack and shove some clothes and other necessary things. I'm almost done packing when I look over at the picture of the family before this whole war happened. Back when Sophie was 5 and Marlo was 4, back when dad was with us, back when we were happy, back when we were whole, back when we hadn't a care in the world.
    My eyes sting and tears start to pour out and turn me into a sobbing mess sprawled out on the floor, holding the picture tightly against my chest. I stay there for a good 5 minutes. A knock lands on my door, "Peggy? Are you okay, dear?" Ma's voice rings through my room and I hear the door open. "Oh, Honey." She says and sits me up.
"I don't want to leave you, Sophie or Marlo." I sobbed.
"You have to, to serve our country."
I stand up and put the picture into the bag. "I'm going downstairs," I say flatly and walk out of my room.
Down the stairs, go to the door, nod at the soldier, wave farewell to my family, leave off for the military camp, possibly never come home again.
          The road is bumpy and the truck is silent except for the whimpers of those who are crying. It is cramped and sweaty and if you look around there are scowls on every face. It takes us several hours to arrive at the camp, 3 to be exact. When we arrive, we are greeted by a very cold and authoritative looking man with a gruff voice and a strong stance. He is decorated with badges and camo, this man is the famous general.
"Alright, you bunch of hooligans! Stop your yapping or you'll pay dearly for it." He laughs and stares each of us down with stone-cold eyes. "For the next year,  you'll be trained to become soldiers and will fight for our country. You will be free to leave after at least 2 years of service after training."
       Later on, when we were all settled into our cotts, we all get to go to the food tent. I hear a voice of a man behind me and a pair of hands land on my hips, "I didn't know they brought us some play things tonight," his breathe hits my neck making me shiver.
"Sorry to disappoint, but she's a new recruit and  14 at that, so unless you want to be charged with felony charges, I'd recommend letting go of her and backing off." Another voice chimes in, a female this time.
"No one asked you, Rhodes. Leave me and Ms-" He turns to me and asks," What's your name?"
"My name is Kai Hein, and I'd appreciate you letting go of me before something happens to those family jewels of yours." I say boldly.
    A look of fear flashes over his face and  he lets my hips free and runs off quickly. "You're more outspoken than I thought you'd be." Rhodes says.
"I try, but may I ask how you knew who I am?" Rhodes looks at me and smiles.
"I met your father a few years ago, we were drafted at the same time and he was a dear friend of mine. He talked about you and your siblings all of the time."
    "Why are you talking in the past tense?" I ask, shocked by hearing about someone having met my dad and that he thought about us. A look of sorrow crosses her face and a tear rolls down her cheek.
"You-your father... H-he is.... He died on the battlefield 2 and ½ years ago. A Balen soldier shot him 6 times in the hip," She broke down into tears. "I'm sorry, he was a very dear friend of mine." My eyes fill with tears, he really is gone.
    Rhodes and I spend the next few hours talking about Dad and finding that we have quite a bit in common with each other, like how our favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin and have a very strong bond with our families. I have made a friend on my first day and for the next 3 years, she will be my closest ally and be like a 2nd mother to me.

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Hi! I hope you enjoyed that! I for one like this much better than the original story. I hope that this was an enjoyable read,  so tune in a few days when I upload the first chapter! ٩(๑òωó๑)۶
- Katey