The Anonymous

Chapter 26: Declaration

Shannon’s POV

We immediately bought a plane ticket upon hearing  the news about the unexpected declaration of war between the country of Gereo and Huxley. I am really scared and confused at the same time. We still don't know the whole reason for the dispute, all we know is that Huxley is the midst of chaos. All of it was so sudden and I don’t know what to think anymore. I feel like I lost all of my comprehension. I have a bad feeling about this.

Blaze looks at me worriedly. Maybe I'm being too obvious right now especially since he can sense my nervousness. “Where are you going? The parking is this way,” Blaze asks me.

We have just arrived at the Huxley International Airport, and Baldwyn and the rest of our friends already left with their own vehicles. They expected me to catch a ride with Blaze since we are living in the same house, but I have my own plans right now.

“I am going to M69 to check on my family. I’ll be back after a week.”

“I’ll drive you there.”

I nodded and followed his lead. I want to know the conditions of my family after the bomb attack. The news said that the explosion had greatly damaged the area of M83 and even though it's a bit far from our home, the radiation will still be felt in that scope. I am so worried for their health and safety.

“Have you contacted them?” he asks.

“Their numbers are unavailable. I think the cell towers were damaged too, since I can’t reach even my neighbor’s number."

Blaze pushes the button harder to accelerate the car. He did not ask any more questions and just focused on driving the car. I actually feel bad for his brand new vehicle. He just bought this before we left the country, and here it is getting dirty because of the fallen ashes and dust as we came nearer.

The residence on the lower messier was evacuated immediately to Messier 62, but a lot of residents from our village didn’t leave their houses.

“I’ll wait for you guys here. Go get your belongings,” Blaze says.

“No, go home now Blaze. You still have to rest after our long flight. Besides, I don’t think I can convince my parents to leave their farm right now.”

We are already on the gated front of our village. From here I can already see some of our neighbors helping each other as they clean the aftermath of the explosion.

“But, the radiation. You are not safe here, Shannon.”

“I know. Don’t worry, I’ll try to convince them as soon as possible.”

He sighs but eventually nodded. We stare at each other's eyes for a minute before I muster a weak smile for him. I am just so grateful for having him beside me even with these grueling times.

“Text me please. And take care of yourself.” he whispers.

“I will. Thank you, Blaze. Take care of yourself too.”

I open the door of the car and watch him as he takes a turn to go back to the high messier. I am already wearing a mask and eyeglasses to protect myself, but I am bothered by how clueless our neighbors are because they don’t even have any protection from the radiation.

I checked my bag and looked for an extra gas mask for them, but I only have three masks left for my family. So I bowed my head, feeling bad for being selfish.

I walked slowly and passed the quiet street near our house, but stopped midway when I overheard our neighbors' conversation.

“Who’s that Alice anyway? What did she do that made the Gereo Government mad at our country?”