Chapter 50: Playful Help

Night

I giggled as I ran from my friends. They were it and I was their target.

Millos laughed as he chased me down an alley. "I got you now, Night!"

I darted around a corner, my heart racing with exhilaration. "You'll have to be faster than that!" I called back, the sound of my laughter mingling with the echo of my footsteps.

The alley was like a huge maze. Thankfully, it wasn't a dead end.

My heart beat fast as I saw a very narrow passage. I slipped through it, barely wide enough for me, and emerged onto a bustling street. The market was alive with vendors and shoppers, a colorful tapestry of life that offered the perfect cover.

I weaved through the crowd, the scent of spices and the sound of haggling filling the air. Millos was still on my heels, his determination as clear as the bright sky above us.

"Night, wait up!" another voice joined in, Sari, her tone playful yet competitive.

I glanced over my shoulder, a grin spreading across my face. "Not a chance!" I shouted, picking up my pace.

The game was simple, a childhood pastime that we had never outgrown. But it was more than just a game; it was a reminder of our bond, of the carefree days before the shadow of Titanos had fallen over our world. It also prepared us for when we were adults. If the war didn't end soon, we would be playing hide and seek and tag against the enemy... A much more dangerous game than this one...

As I rounded another corner, I found myself at a dead end. The walls loomed high, and for a moment, I felt a twinge of panic. But then I saw it—the fire escape ladder, just within reach.

With a burst of energy, I jumped, my fingers closing around the cold metal. I scrambled up, the sounds of the market fading below me. At the top, I paused, catching my breath, and looked out over the rooftops.

From here, the world seemed peaceful, untouched by the conflict that raged beyond our city's borders. I could almost forget the danger, the urgency of our fight.

But then I remembered my big sis, Day. And I knew that I couldn't stay up here forever.

"Hehe! Found you!" Sari said, joining me on the rooftop.

My cheeks warmed up as she sat down beside me.

"Guess I got discovered..." I muttered.

She giggled as she watched Millos trying to find me. "Yeah."

Sari's presence was comforting, a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there were moments of joy and companionship. I watched Millos below, his confused figure scanning the area where I had vanished. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving him in the lurch.

"Should we let him know where we are?" I asked Sari, torn between continuing the game and sparing Millos further frustration.

Sari considered it for a moment, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Let's give him a hint. It's more fun when everyone's in on the game."

I nodded, and together we called down to Millos, our voices a chorus that carried on the wind. "Up high, where the birds fly!"

Millos looked up, and upon spotting us, his face broke into a wide grin. "You two are sneaky!" he called back, but there was no mistaking the good-natured tone in his voice.

He found his way to the fire escape and joined us on the rooftop. The three of us sat there, legs dangling over the edge, as we shared stories and laughter, the city sprawling out beneath us like a canvas of life.

It was moments like these that I cherished, a respite from the uncertainty of the future. Here, with my friends, I could be Night, the boy who loved to laugh and play, not just a potential soldier in a war against an advanced and scary enemy.

"Night! Night? Millos? Sari?" a voice called out. It was Sis!

"Hey, Sis!" I yelled out.

She smiled as soon as she saw me. "There you are, you bunch of troublemakers."

Sari frowned but Millos just grinned.

"Get down from there. Lunch is ready!"

Scrambling down the ladder with a mix of reluctance and hunger, I landed next to Sis, her hands on her hips in mock exasperation. "You three are going to be the end of me," she said, but her eyes were soft, and I knew she didn't mean it.

"We're just keeping our skills sharp," Millos chimed in, brushing off his hands as if he'd just completed a day's work.

Sari hopped down gracefully, landing like a cat beside us. "Besides, it's good to have a bit of fun, isn't it?" she added, nudging me with her elbow.

Sis shook her head, but I caught the smile she tried to hide. "Come on, let's get inside before the food gets cold."

We followed her through the winding underground streets, the lanterns casting a warm glow on the stone walls. The air was filled with the sound of distant conversations and the clatter of daily life. It was easy to forget, in moments like these, that above us, a war raged on.

I blinked as Sis led us toward the rebel HQ at the center of town.

"Why are we here? Aren't we gonna eat at our place?" I asked.

"I want us to interact more with the people here, so I thought we would eat at the communal area. Plus, the food here is largely free. The only down side is that the menu is limited," Sis said.

As we entered the dining area, the smell of freshly baked bread and stewed vegetables hit me, and my stomach growled louder than I would have liked. Sis laughed, patting my back. "Sounds like someone's ready to eat a whole loaf by themselves."

Millos drooled. "Free food? Count me in!"

Sis chuckled nervously. "Millos, please try to keep your portion sizes down. Remember, everyone has to have enough to eat."

He nodded.

The communal dining hall was bustling with activity. Families and friends gathered around tables, sharing meals and stories. It was a community united not just by place, but by shared experiences and a hope for a peaceful future.

We found a spot at one of the long tables, and as we sat down, plates of food were passed our way. The meal was simple but delicious, each bite a reminder of the comforts of home.

As we ate, I looked around at the faces surrounding me. There was a resilience in their expressions, a determination that no matter what Titanos threw at us, we would stand strong. We would protect each other and our way of life.

After lunch, Sis suggested we help with the cleanup. "Everyone does their part here," she said, collecting plates. It was one of the unspoken rules of our underground sanctuary—everyone contributed, everyone helped.

Millos, Sari, and I joined in, clearing the tables and washing dishes. It was a small act, but it felt good to give back, to be a part of something larger than ourselves.

Once we finished, Sis put her arm around my shoulders. "You did good today, Night. Not just with the game, but here, helping out. It's important to remember that every little bit counts."

I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. "I know, Sis. I want to do more, to help more."

She squeezed my shoulder. "You will, Night. You already are."

I beamed. "Think I'll be able to join the front lines soon?"

She frowned. "Night, you're only twelve."

Her words were a gentle reminder of the reality I often forgot. I was still a child, despite the maturity the war had thrust upon me. "I know," I replied, a little deflated. "But I want to do more than just play games and help with chores. I want to make a difference, like you do."

Sis knelt down, bringing herself to my eye level, her expression serious. "Night, you are making a difference. Every plate you clean, every smile you share, every game you play—it all adds to the strength of our community. And when the time comes, you'll be ready for whatever role you need to take on. But for now, enjoy being a kid while you can."

I nodded, understanding her point but still feeling the itch to contribute more significantly. "Okay, Sis. I'll try."

She smiled and ruffled my hair. "That's my boy. Now, let's go see if there are any desserts left."

As we walked back to the dining hall, I thought about what Sis had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe the small things did add up to something bigger. And maybe, just maybe, by the time I was old enough to fight, the war would be over, and I wouldn't have to.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter and light work. I helped where I could, played when I was allowed, and spent time with Sis and my friends. It was a good day, a day of peace amidst the storm that raged above.

As night fell and the lanterns glowed a bit brighter against the encroaching darkness, I lay in my bed, listening to the soft sounds of the underground town. I closed my eyes and made a silent wish for peace, for a future where laughter was the norm, and war was just a distant memory.

And in that moment, I believed it was possible. Because if there was one thing Sis had taught me, it was that hope was a powerful thing. And hope, coupled with action, no matter how small, could change the world.