2041

It was 5am on a Wednesday morning in Springfield, Ohio, and the crows caw shook the wake into Christopher’s bones. He threw stale white bread crumbs to the drift of pigs snorting in joy and tumbling themselves on top of each other for the morning feed. He sat perched on the rotting back steps of the porch facing into the morning fog hanging over the fields. Kathleen’s footsteps grew louder as they approached the back door. The metal doors hinge squeaked and slammed shut behind her. The clink and flare of her lighter interrupted the silence of dawn. The flame sizzled and cracked as it burned her cigarette.

“I thought I told you those pigs are fat enough,” Kathleen croaks before taking another draw.

“It’s just bread, we weren’t eating it anyway,” Christopher doubtingly whispers as he hung his head low to avoid a slap across the back of his crown.

“Is that what your mother taught you? To be so wasteful of food? Take a good look around Christopher, we aren’t exactly rich.”

Kathleen scoffed and walked back inside holding the door open with her foot and her back leant up against the peeling wooden doorframe.

“You were the best decision I made Christopher. 16 years ago, when I first took you in. I don’t regret it, I really don’t. You make a good brother to Lucy…”

Kathleen dropped her head and flicked the cigarette butt out onto the porch as the door closed behind her. Christopher sat in silence and stared into his dirty palms.

Kathleen banged around the kitchen cleaning plates and making her morning coffee. The dark pool of heat pouring into her cup was sometimes the best part of her day. The simple coffee brought comfort and reward as it touched her tastebuds and for the ten minutes of each day where she enjoyed each sip, she would think of purely nothing and just take in that small blessing.

Kathleen turned the small black radio knob and the sound of voices began crackling and gradually became clear. A news reporter exclaimed in an urgent sounding voice, “The American government are beginning to worry as many troops are dying in battle against North Korea. World War III is wiping out many Americans all over the country but fortunately The United States Army is recruiting new troops as we speak. That’s all for this morning! But there’s more to come tonight! Don’t forget to tune in,” Kathleen twisted the knob anticlockwise and the reporter began to fade out.

Christopher stumbled through the back door and held his stomach as it rumbled and groaned.

“Do you wish we had that bread now,” Kathleen chirped and raised an eyebrow to Chris.

“There’s oats in the cupboard.”

She pointed to the far-left corner of the kitchen where on the top shelf sat a lonely old box of rolled oats. Christopher picked himself up and began to pour himself a bowl when a loud muffler hummed outside. Kathleen’s face grew nervous as she walked to the front door. Her hand shook and slowly twisted the knob. Two tall men stood outside of their army truck with a letter for Lucy and Chris. Kathleen’s skin began to sweat, and her words trembled.

“Good Morning, you’re up early,” Kathleen greets in a sweet tone.

“Mrs Peterson, good morning. We have a notice here for Lucy and Christopher Peterson involving their participation in the army. Please have them sign. We will be here tomorrow 6am sharp for pickup.”

“It’s just, Ms Peterson now…I’ll see you both tomorrow I suppose.” Kathleen reached out to grab the form and quickly closed the door whilst gazing over the words on the piece of paper.

Dear Lucy and Christopher Peterson,

It is of necessary reasons that you both serve for the United States Army for the next six years. We received your previous letter in 2039 which granted you both a two-year period deducted from the required eight years of Army participation. Due to those two years coming to an end, you are both required to be ready at 6am sharp tomorrow morning, with duffle bags of only the necessities.

Refusing to do so will result in an eight-year jail sentence.

Please Sign: ____________________

Please Sign: ____________________ Date: __/__/__

Kind Regards,

The United States Army

“Morning Mom, what’s that?” Lucy asked as she rubbed her tired eyes. She came thumping further down the staircase with Faith following close behind to inspect what all the racket was about.

“Come into the living room with Chris. Shut the door on faith, she has no need to hear of this conversation.” Kathleen wiped her rolling tears off her cheeks and grabbed Lucy’s hand. The three of them gathered in the living room of their small cottage home and faith leant up against the outside wall listening in.

“You both need to pack a bag and run. Get as far away as possible. Set into the woods and never come back. Do you hear me?”

“What? Why?” Lucy asked in confusion as Christopher shook his head. Kathleen handed over the form into Lucy’s lap.

“War? I have to go tomorrow? Mom I can’t do that, we can’t do that! What about Faith?”

“Faith will be fine, she still has four years, and she will be with me.” Lucy turned to Chris and her eyes glossed over.

Christopher confessed in a soft tone, “Lucy, I knew about this for a long time and we knew it would be best to hide it from you…” He grabbed her hand and held it close to him. “I’m not going Lucy. Running to the forest is the best option for both of us.”

“No way. No way am I going to live my life in secret. Run from the law or live in the forest forever. I’ll go, serve, be done with it.” Lucy threw his hand awy and paced back and forth through the kitchen. Kathleen placed a gentle hand on Christopher’s shoulder and kissed his soft cheek. Faith poked her finger through the opening between the two sliding doors and peeped in.

“Both of you are expected to pack your bags. Chris, I want you gone by tonight, and Lucy, if you really wish to go to the army you must promise me you will come home”. Kathleen’s faced drooped with sadness as she stepped outside for another cigarette.

Nightfall had arrived. Christopher washed his faced in the sink, continuously cupping his hands, he watched the water fill them before splashing his face once more. He grabbed his duffle bag containing a small tent, water, swiss army knife, lighter and a woollen blanket. Christopher walked down the stairs where the family waited for goodbyes.

“Chris, my boy, I love you. Please stay hidden and most importantly safe.” Kathleen pulled him into her and tightly wrapped her arms around his body.

“I’m next!” Faith pushed in and cuddled the both of them. Christopher turned to Lucy and let out a deep sigh. “Don’t die on me sis. I know you can do it.” He leant in and kissed her cheek with sadness in his eyes.

“Thank you, Kathleen, Mom, thank you for taking care of me. You will all be missed.” Christopher stepped out across the dirt and gravel road leading into the dark. The Street lights created dancing shadows along the trees guiding him further into the forest. Kathleen swung the door closed and clicked the lamp off for the night.

Lucy laid tucked in bed that night, staring up at the paint peeling off the ceiling. A squeak echoed from across the room and she sat up to see faith standing in the doorway. She signalled for her to come to bed with a pat on her pillow. Faith crawled under the warm sheets and snuggled closely to Lucy, one more time.

Another squeak echoed from her door and they both sat up.

“It’s 5am, they will be here in an hour. We best get ready before they are here. Come downstairs for one last breakfast won’t you girls?” Kathleen sweetly offers with a warm dressing gown cloaking her body.

“It’s morning already? I feel as though I just shut my eyes.” Confused, Lucy looks to Faith and grabbed her hand. They stumbled down the stairs half-awake to find bread and fruits laid on the table. Milk and juice already poured into their cups. The three of them took their seats and had one last meal of the finest they could afford.

“I used every penny I could find in this house. I searched the floorboards, draws, the cushions on the couch and every coat pocket I own just to scrape up enough for something special.” Kathleen’s eyes glowed with happiness as she gazed at her girls. She reached her hands across the wooden table and placed a box each in front of both girls.

“Open it!” She gasped as Lucy and faith unboxed their surprise. At the same time, the girls opened their own small brown box containing a silver necklace. Hanging from the necklace was a small heart locket with a shining amethyst gem inside. Kathleen raised her hands to her neck and the purple glow caught their eyes.

“You must always wear your lockets, do you understand? They are your protection. Protection from negativity. These three hearts will keep us together no matter where we are.”

“Thankyou Mom! I love it,” Lucy spoke with utter happiness in her voice as she reached her arms out wide to both Faith and Kathleen.

“It’s 5:53 darling, you best pick up your bags and make your way outside”

The familiar Hum echoed down the dirt road, gradually getting louder as it came bumping over gravel and towards the Peterson home.

“I love you both so much. I will be back in six years. I promise.”

The truck pulled up to the driveway and a man jumped out.

“Lucy Peterson, I assume?” The tall overbearing general questioned as he searched the premises. Faith grabbed Kathleen’s legs and hid behind her.

“Where is Christopher Peterson?”

“General, Christopher has disappeared. It seems he has left during the night and there is nothing left of him here.” Kathleen lowered her voice and looked up to the general with fake tears beginning to pool in her emerald eyes. The general walked back to the car and reported Christopher Peterson as a missing person.

“Mam, we will have a team out later this afternoon searching for him. We will let you know if we find any further information.”

He threw Lucy’s knapsack on his seat and guided her to a wooden bench in the back of the ute. The tires threw up the clay and gravel road beneath them creating a cloud of dust in their faces. As the truck turned around, Lucy waved and held her hand on her heart shaped locket until they could no longer see her hand waving in the distance.

By Sage Carey