Strange Soldier

The three woke up on their nice comfy beds. They each got up and got themselves ready for work. They put on their military uniforms and badges along with a spare pistol tucked away. Afterwards, each of them sat down for a bowl of cereal. It was a small apartment.

"Good morning, aunties," a girl came out from one of the other room.

"Good morning," Jack, Mary, and Yune said at the same time.

The girl smiled. Her name was Tasha Key. An orphan girl who the other three girls adopted after a terrible war. Many people lost their lives and home during that war. Tasha was just one simple girl that happened to catch their eye. She put on a face of happy-go-lucky, but inside she still felt the trauma of being through war. She was young, but seen so much. But she didn't want to ruin her relationship with her three "aunties".

Jack finished her cereal and decided it was time to leave.

"Come on, Mary and Yune. We got to go to work," Jack said as she was ready to leave.

"Wait. Hold on," Tasha said as she went up to her. Jack leaned down knowing what Tasha wanted. Tasha kissed Jack's cheek. Then, she proceeded to kiss Yune's cheek. And finally, Mary's cheek. After that was finished, Tasha said, "Good-bye, aunties."

"Sheesh. We've had you for a year, and you still won't call us mom," Mary complained, "Ahh. It doesn't matter. We only have a basic idea what you've been through, so I guess we don't really a right for that."

"Sorry," Tasha replied, "It's still hard."

"It's okay. Mary didn't mean any of that A year of living like this is nothing compared to the horrors you must have faced," Yune said.

"Yeah. She's just a little cranky after waking up," Jack said.

"Hey. I don't get cranky," Mary replied.

Tasha laughed and the three girls went out for work.

"Alright, sweetie. Just make sure you get yourself safely to school," Yune said.

"And don't get yourself in any trouble," Mary said.

"Of course. Of course. Don't worry, aunties. When have I ever done anything to upset you," Tasha replied.

"I can think of a few," Jack said with a sly smile, "Well, we'll be off. Just be careful outside. And come back before curfew."

They waved and left. The three had complete trust for Tasha. She usually doesn't do much. She would go to school, talk with her friends, and come home. There were the occasional being late, which made the three girls go out to look for her. When they found her, she was just distracted talking to friends or looking at the clouds.

When they walked outside, it was a sunny day. The birds chirped. Meanwhile, children played. Signs and half-glued posters of their great leader were plastered all over the place.

They went over to their national party's office and readied themselves for their shifts. They left their pistol in their holster and held a small machine gun.

All their job entailed was to keep the peace and obey any orders that came from above. They marched along roads just looking around for any signs of trouble, but it had been a quiet day. There was a pleasant breeze as they marched.

The three girls felt like this had been a routine for most of their lives. They remembered becoming friends at the military academy. They even went through the war together and luckily not one of them died during it. They had scrapes with death, but at the end of the day, they were all fine.

Jack, Mary, and Yune were content with their lives. They had no traitorous thoughts or dreams. All they knew was the life that was given to them was provided by their country. And they would serve their country in return.

Yet, in these times, it looked like another war was brewing. They didn't want to worry Tasha, but they couldn't stop her from reading the news or hearing gossip. And Tasha was afraid although she didn't show it. All the three girls could do was assure Tasha that there would be no war after what happened before, but it did nothing to quell her fears. Tasha kept her face smiling bright hiding her internal struggles, but this only made it harder for Jack, Yune, and Mary to understand what she was feeling.

They walked around until one of their commanding officers called them over their radio.

"We found some kids doing graffiti on our leader's poster. We caught one. A boy in their early teens. The others have escaped. Possibly four. If anybody sees any teen children, stop and interrogate them. Over."

"Boring. I kinda miss the action we used to get," Mary said.

"Don't say that. We've been peaceful for some time. And our economy has been growing. I wouldn't want things to go back to the things they were," Yune replied.

"Yeah. Yeah. Of course, you're right, Yune," Mary replied back.

"The economy was in shambles after the war, right? We only got out of it by the will of our great new leader. I personally don't have any problems," Jack said.

They chatted while they marched. There seemed to be no trouble at all. It was just a quiet day.

When they got home, they found Tasha already there as she should be.

"How was school?" Jack asked as she began to put away her military suit.

"It was fine. Nothing really happened," Tasha replied.

"Oh. Why don't you talk about it while I get some dinner prepared? I think I'll make some chicken, today," Yune asked.

"Well, we just did the usual. But I heard some students were caught skipping class."

"Oh. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?" Mary asked just trying to make conversation as she relaxed herself on the couch. She then turned on the TV and watched the news. Nothing really happened besides rallies for their leader. Mary sighed and turned it off. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she was hoping to watch some cartoons about magical girls.

"No. Not really," Tasha said sincerely.

"Well, I've heard from your teachers that your grades have been slipping," Jack said without actually talking to her teachers, "Is that true?"

"Uh, well, sort of."

"I don't want to hear it. Get your grades up and maintain them. We want what's best for you and this country."

Tasha smiled earnestly and nodded her head.

When Yune was finished cooking some chicken, they all sat together and ate peacefully. They were mostly silent. The air had a looming presence like they were not alone. But they ignored those feelings and just went back to eating.

When the day was over, they all went to sleep in their comfortable beds.