Chapter 1 - Just A Child
I was just a child when the stars fell from the skies. But I remember how they built a cannon to destroy them. And in turn how that cannon brought war upon us. War was an abstract idea. As a child I only saw it as something that was happening in some far away land. Until, that final day of summer:
One day while on my way to school I looked up at the skies. A sound like distant thunder. In the blue skies far above me contrails drew dizzying circles around like some crazy Waltz. A battle in the beautiful skies far away. I could not tear my gaze away from them. One plan flew out of the sky spewing orange flames and to crash by the cape . . . the same cape where my family lived. The victor circled around the area to confirm the kill. And on his craft there was a large number thirteen emblazoned in yellow. I will never forget this. The allies retreated across the ocean before the onslaught of the enemy.
I ran to the top of the hill to view the tragedy. High swirling flames of red surrounded my house. My father's truck and mother's car were still parked in the grass. That meant they hadn't left for work yet. I sat down and just stared at the grass.