One Month after the Earthquake" I Commander General, Thomas Sina, here by swear to defend, protect, and serve the citizens of Country Q. I will uphold the teachings and uphold the laws. I as your new leader will not disappoint you."
The Commander General being swore in as the new president of Country Q was not surprise. Considering the majority of the government officials, including the president, died the night of the earthquake. Along with 40,000 citizens.
"As you all know, we as well as country M and L are in a crisis. We no longer have tens years to prefect s.p.a.ce travel. The toxic fumes are already pa.s.sed through the countryside taking lives, and is seeping at the edges of the city. Already we lost 40,000 and losing more everyday we stay. At this point we will be asking all of you who have a ticket to be prepared to board the s.h.i.+p you are designated to within two days time..."
Thunderous applause took over the city center.
"Because we have lost so many. A lot of seats have opened for new people..."
This is what Lila was waiting to hear.
"but this still doesn"t mean we will drop the requirements."
"Why!?" Lila yelled out with a few others in the crowd.
"Though many who had a place on those s.h.i.+ps have die opening up seats. Unfortunately one of our s.h.i.+ps was heavy damage, leaving only nineteen left."
Lila heart shattered.
"This will mean we will, have to re-select base on the same requirements...."
Lila didn"t even bother to stick around in the city"s square.
Back away from the crowd. She walked back to the orphanage. Leaving whatever happiness she had in the beginning there.
"Lila how did it go?" Ms. Joy saw Lila come back, looking distraught.
"There are nineteen s.h.i.+ps left. They will start the whole picking process over. In two days time the s.h.i.+ps will be leaving."
"Even though many people have lost their lives. But this is an opportunity for you to survive. You should get ready. I"ll help you pack some of your personal items."
Ms. Joy trailed off into Lila old room. When didn"t see Lila following, she retraced her steps. Finding Lila right where she left her.
"Lila what"s wrong? Shouldn"t you be happy?" Ms. Joy asked, as tears were flowing down Lila"s face. Her shoulders shaking. Chest heaving with sobs.
Running over Ms. Joy threw her arms around her body. Not knowing why she is reacting like this.
"You..don"t... get it. I...won"t be... selected...." Lila said through the sobs.
"Lila calmed down first I can hardly understand you. What do you mean you won"t be selected?"
"First they will take the children because the children can adapt faster to a new environment than adults can. Then women to insure production of the human race. Men will come last. With in those parameters they will start to eliminate the sick, disable and the old automatically. Because they don"t want to waste time and medicine. With these requirements still in place I"ll never get on one of those s.h.i.+ps. Out of the 40,000 that died only 16,000 had seats." Lila rush the words out of her words, but they were still said clearly.
Ms. Joy never thought that after all the deaths, they would still put those bands on the citizens.
"Lila, don"t worry we will think of something, there is still two days time."
"Ms. Joy..."
_________
"This way, keep it moving. Yes, line up over here." Solders directed citizens to the first ten s.h.i.+ps the first day.
"Everyone please have your ID and one bag of personal belongings in your hand. Nothing else will be allow onto the s.h.i.+ps. Once you enter the s.h.i.+ps you are to follow your sect. leader to the sleeper cells...."
The landing zone was full of activity, with the coming and going of military personnel. Putting plant life, animals and citizens onto the s.h.i.+ps. The first ten s.h.i.+ps will leave tonight.
"All persons who board the s.h.i.+p must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the Commander General. Any persons violating these rules will be subject to ejection."
"Daddy, what does "ejection" mean? " Mr. Shen"s daughter asked as she held on to her mother"s hand.
"It means you will be shot out into s.p.a.ce." A pa.s.sing soldier casually responded to the question.
Mr. Shen"s daughter hidden behind her father.
______
The soldiers picked up the last of the children from the orphanage. A lot of crying and wailing could be heard, as they parted ways with Ms. Joy. Who will be on the second and last batch of s.h.i.+ps to leave.
Lila watched as Ms. Joy spoke with a Major while pointing in Lila"s directions. But in the end they all left her behind.
Ms. Joy walked the halls of the orphanage. Looking at all the empty rooms of the children she loving raise after the war. She had been a orphan herself. When the war happen, she knew what her purpose was in life.
Ms. Joy walked to the last room. Saw a lone pet.i.te figure sitting on the bed. So many years back she remember her like this watching all the children her age, leave for school while she had to stay behind.
"Lila."
"Ms. Joy, what are you still doing here? Today the last day. You should leave now. I"ll take care of the orphanage." Lila stood up, but couldn"t lift up her eyes to meet Ms. Joy"s.
"Lila"
"Please Ms. Joy just go. Don"t say anything more."
"Lila"
"I can"t be happy. I"ve never got to live my life. Stuck in a bed the majority of my life. Unable to make friends, have no family. Have no boyfriend. Never had s.e.x. F***! I"ve never even been kissed. Like tongue on tongue action, I want one of those kisses. Where they say your mind goes light-headed. And your breathing gets heavy. Hands groping..."
"Lila!" Lila"s watery eyes finally meet Ms. Joy"s.
"Lila, I understand your anger and sadness. That why I"m giving you this." A ticket was held out in Ms. Joy"s hand. An paper original ticket.
"Why?...How?....Where did you get me a ticket from?" Lila"s shaky hands grasp the ticket. Holding it to her chest.
"It was mine now it"s yours."
Lila"s emotions got caught in her throat. She did know what to say.
"When I started this orphanage, my husband was a soldier of this country. He helped citizens at the boarder. Unfortunately he got hit by an explosion. He now can"t leave his wheelchair. I"m not leaving him behind. He"s my only family and love one. Until death does us apart. But even then I"ll probably still follow him." Ms. Joy laughed.
Lila never knew this about Ms. Joy. She always thought she was a widow or a spinster.
"Hurry!...Take this ticket and start a new. Doesn"t make sense for it to go to waste."
Ms. Joy turned around before leaving the room. "I might be old fas.h.i.+on, but you might want to save yourself for the last part that you wanted to do. Don"t pick any random person to share that kind of kiss with. Okay?" Ms. Joy laughed hard, when Lila"s face flushed red.
Lila hugged and kissed Ms. Joy goodbye for the last time.