HER STORY

The sun has already rosen but still they were sleeping apart from her. Amaya Freshly stood outside the house, her gloomy eyes watching the silent sky as if she was firing extraordinary questions to God. A small tear dropped down when she blinked but still she didn't afford to look away. Her hands cycled her well perfect body as the sun brights on her face showing her that it was a great day to start with. While still in a quandary state, she felt a hand touching her shoulder and she hastily moved thinking that she was being attacked.

' Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Sorry once again.' Andy apologize sitting down on a certain bench beside them.'

' Owww, l didn't mean to act that way. You know now how alarmed l am now young An....Ali....A....'

' Andy please. Andy Johnes is my name. Hope next time you won't forget it.'

' Yeah! Andy. What a nice name.'

' Ooow! Really, thanks. I like yours too Amaya. Especially Frezy..... Frozen... Firry.... I think it was something like 'F' or so.'

' Haahhh! What a funny boy? I thought that l was the only one who gets hard to catch other people's name. Wooow! We are many in this world.'

' Yeah! Including me Amaya Freshly. Am more hard than you can think.'

' Humph! What a joker. You knew it and you're pretending.'

' Nope. I just wanted to see you smile again. You look totally different when you're serious and sad.'

' Uuh! Is that so? What else do l have to say when Sadness has been haunting me ever since l was young. Now why should l struggle to smile to make others happy yet at the end I'll still cry.'

' If you never knew, Happiness is the most given gift in the world. It clears away sorrows and brings joy in one's heart. So, inorder for you to add more years, please smile just for ones. And bet me, you'll never going to regret it, swear.'

' Haahhh! I like how your mind works. And you, have you ever lost someone who is that important to you yet the opportunity to save him or her is nowhere to be found? How did you felt it?'

' Don't even mention it. Have lost many to the extend, my mother. And even tomorrow since it'll be the day of the Black Moon appearance, I'll still lost someone. But what else can we do if that's the only way to do just to save a Million people.'

' Oooh! Sorry, l thought l was the only one living in the dark. Maybe there's a miracle somewhere waiting for us to stand together.'

' We've tried. I lost my close friends standing together but what next happened? They were all slaughtered without mercy. But we're still moving on and what will happen tomorrow, no one's knows.'

' Except God, Andy. God is always there for you. For us.'

' Jeez! I forgot that He's up there existing in today's world.....' his last word brought tears in his eyes but he hid them. Silence hit them again living them in there own worlds as Alex approaches them.'

.......

' What's up? Why that silence between you guys?' he asked eyeing suspiciously at Andy.'

' What, we aren't silent dude. Just chilling here with the sun. Wanna join?'

' Nope. I know your chicky act dude, hope you're restraining yourself. Anyway, tea's ready, wanna join us?'

' Absolutely!!! They both echoed as Alex stare at them with his brows raised up.'

' Fine. Already on the table.'

Five of them sat down quietly without a word as they wait for the old man to arrive. Andy kept on staring at Amaya the thing which Alex and Lyn noticed and they ended up laughing silently due to the state they were all in. Still waiting, Mr Tan walked in slowly his already dying eyes staring at them and onto the table sadly.'

' What? Don't you like the foods? l can go and prepare yours. Lyn said moving towards him.'

' No, not at all. I just recalled the last scene we both had when we sat all of us on a table like this. Drew was sitting somewhere there before the knife that aimed Luca could take his life. It is so sad not to make our last toast just to remember them for the last time. They were the only people who fought and died as great warriors. Let us make a toast. And I'll start.

' Sure. They died young even though their death wasn't on their door. We should remember them for the last time.' Alex added softly his eyes staring at Lyn.'

' Please proceed old man. I can't stand to cry Infront of you all especially when a beautiful lady is Infront of me. You know I'll be rejected if l don't act like a man.'

' Haahhh! Kid, you never disappoint me even at this state. Anyway, it has been a long journey between life and death. We started with an army of Many but now few of us have remained yet we don't know who'll survive tomorrow and who's going to leave. For the ones we've lost, may their souls rest in peace forever and continue leading us during this pandemic war woman...'

' Pandemic what? Haahhhh! Old man, we are serious please. Haaahh! Pandemic war woman, ghooshh!!!!'

' Kid, next time you cut me in the middle of my condolences l won't spare even your tiny ribs. I promise.'

' Yes old man. I guess you'll remove my teeth too. You may continue now.'

' Tsc, what an asshole you are? Anyway where was l?'

' Haahhh!!! Don't tell me you've forgotten. Humph! Old man come on. You were 'during this pandemic war'. Please don't forget next time.' Andy still provoked indirectly despite all the warnings.'

' Urrrgh!!! Such a mouthy kid. Now. Since today is our last breakfast, l hope and l pray not to loose anyone. As per our plan, let it go the way we've planned since the black moon doesn't take too much time the moment it appears.'

Everyone finished saying a word from their hearts though some broke in tears Andy being their leader. Anyone who kept a close eye on Mr Tan, one could tell he was restless. There was something bothering him even though he seemed just fine Infront of them. Alex quickly added another tea in his cup despite him rejecting it. He knew the old man might be going under a serious circumstances yet there was no one bothering to open up for. He wanted to ask him but he thought again what was disturbing him was something that needed a privacy, so he kept the thought away and waited to ask him either at night or when he'll be busy alone.

' I think I'll be the one to help Mrs Lyn to cook dinner. How's that sounds.'

' Great. If that's so, then l might join. Ofcourse you'll need an extra hand, right Lyn.'

' Uhhhmm! She peeked at Alex only to be responded with a wink urging her to accept the offer.'

' Yes! No problem. Infact It'll be our last super so, we must cook plenty of food.'

' Yes! I love cooking.' Amaya added smiling widely.'

' Really? Me too. I used to cook for my friends, and... Mother. You'll like it dear.' Andy again shouted annoying everyone, this time making the old man to turn and stare at him. Before Amay could speak, he broke the silence.'

' So, you didn't finish your story yesterday girl. Mind telling us now? '

' Yeah! I forgot. You guys are too friendly and l forgot that there was something l wanted to share it with you.'

' Oow! Sorry for making you too comfortable. Hope you bare it.'

' Thanks. My sister and brother were busy watching their favorite movie when suddenly we heard screams from outside. We once taught it was a normal scream but when my brother walked outside to peek, when he returned, he fell on the floor his body trembling. Since my mother busy preparing dinner and l was on my laptop busy reading something, my sister's scream were the ones that made us leave everything. It was then we realized how badly he was hurt from his stomach. Blood had already circulated on the floor and without wasting any seconds, his body was cold, leaving us in tears and in the land of what exactly happened to him. Still shocked with the scene, the door had opened and my mother was thrown outside. The moment l followed the lead, l saw a woman, squeezing my mom's neck yet pinning her on the wall and beside her, there was a long mirror covered with darkness from inside.

I stood up immediately knowing what was happening taking my sister's hand running out using the kitchen's door to find some help. We knocked from door to door to find any help, but no one's opened it, inside of me knowing mom was no more. I couldn't see my sister dying too Infront of me, and again it was dark, l couldn't leave her behind in the name of hiding her in the woods. We ran till we reached at a place called Nhir and that's when l.... I....lost her. The witch slashed her without any mercy that she was a kid and when l was about to be sliced too, l missed the target running down the river. I never thought I'll survive so the rest of the night l spent inside the forest fearing to be caught by her. The next day, l started my journey again searching for help but it seemed, she had destroyed all the towns around here. I walked around a 100km that's when l saw this house hoping to find someone who can give me water since l was dying of thirst. I walked in, but the room was silent so l went direct to the kitchen to have water. After about two minutes, l heard noises coming upstairs but when l turned outside, the woman was there staring badly at me and that's when, l ran upstairs knocking on the door for help.'

' Ooow! Your story is almost the same as ours. Sorry if l made you recall your family.' The Old man apologize looking at her sadly.'

' It's okay, l have you now, so you're like a family to me. All we need is to stick together and find away to burn her down. Forever.'

' Yes! Togetherness is what we need. I support her.' Andy said smiling.'

' Andy! Did you take your medicine?'

' Medicine? Which one Alex? And why asked?'

' Your mouthy today. I beg of you, please keep quiet tonight and let us relax. We're sad not happy like you.'

' Hey! You're a heartless man. How can you say that to me? You've break my heart for sure.'

' Don't worry kid, I'll help you to burry it in peace. Don't worry, we'll all accompany you and help you with the burial ceremony.' Mr Tan said walking away laughing.'

' Whaaaat!!!! Old man. Fine, we'll see each other later. Am counting on you dude. You know l don't back down that easily. Prepare yourself for a great war tonight. Let's see who wins and who loses.'

' Fine kid. Brag because of a nice chick sitting next to you. But by the time you'll lost it, that's when you'll understand the meaning of 'Heartbreaking.' Leave alone the burrial. You'll end up burying your own shame.'

No one added anything ontop of what Mr Tan said since echoes of laughters had already filled the house. They knew Andy wanted to burst in tears but since Amaya was near him, he joined them him being the one laughing loudly though in pain.