natcat

This Means War

I gasped, pushing myself up off of the muddy ground. Pushing through some bushes, I stuck a hand up letting Daisy know where I was. “I’m okay!” I shouted up to her hoping she had the brains to stop walking. I winced as my arm throbbed in anger, the tumble down the slope irritating the wound from the day before. “It’s okay. I’m fine.” I said sitting up above the bushes, looking up to where I fell from I could see Daisy looking down worriedly.

This Means War

I smiled and laughed lightly. "I'm sure we would've." I agreed turning my head back to look where I was going. It was too late though, one moment sooner and I would’ve saved myself from tripping on a rock and tumbling down a large leafy slope, my backpack flying off of my shoulder and landing in a large puddle of muddy water.

This Means War

I shrugged. “All I know is that I’m not as bad as they made me out to be.” The only person whose opinion mattered to me was my father’s, so far I wasn’t sure if he even had one. “If I’m here fighting a war and they’re at college studying something I learnt in pre-school, then I know I’m doing something better, even if I’d love to be in their position.” I glanced back at Daisy with a small smile.

This Means War

I raised my eyebrows as I sighed. “Yeah, we all know what high school is like.” I said thinking back to my horrible school. “My dad had an electrical company and I spent all of my time there. I was one of those kids that knew hardly anyone, no one liked and everyone mocked. People can be cruel, and life even crueller if you let it. I try not to let that stuff bother me now though. They didn’t like who I was, but now I’m done with them, I’m somewhere else doing meaningful work and that’s what matters. Back then, I know I didn’t think like that, I was isolated in that town.” I rambled looking ahead into the bush as we walked forwards, pushing aside various plants.

This Means War

"One of those places." I nodded knowingly, my town was similar in the way that kids basically ruled who you were. "Which one were you?" I asked picking a leaf off of a passing tree. "Miss Popular or the nobody."

This Means War

I breathed out a sigh, recognising the abrupt change of subject. “Uh, I’m from a town just outside of Til, it’s a pretty small place, one school and a few shops. Mostly industrial.” I told her, picturing the town I grew up in. I could recall the long slow walk home from school in an instant. "What about you?"

This Means War

I smiled, shoving another branch out of our path. "I guess so. Although, hope doesn't do much unless you do something with it. You've got to have the strength and will behind it." I said wondering if what I was trying to say came out right. "Ah well, maybe it all depends on the steps we take and the way we work with others. One small act can change the fate of billions."

This Means War

“The war. If anything’s possible if I want it to be then why hasn’t the war ended?” I asked her glancing at her over my shoulder. “I’m sure a lot of people like to think like that, but it’s not realistic.”

This Means War

I ran through her words, thinking about the war as we walked. Then I realized, even if the war didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be free at all. I would be stuck at home, working every afternoon and weekend at my father’s electrical company. My father may not have turned to alcohol to dull the pain but he still wouldn't have treated me any better than he did before. "If only it was that easy."

This Means War

I nodded. "I know what you mean." I said pushing some large leafy branches out of my way then holding them back for Daisy. "I think it's better than what I imagined. You know, I've seen it on TV and in pictures, and it looks so idyllic, but being here, I dunno, it's real. I feel... liberated? Which is stupid considering we're in enemy territory at the same time."