Chapter 13
6 year old Willow
'Mum, where's dad?' Willow asked for the hundredth time.
Her mother sighed, 'I have already told you. He is working on an important case and will be home next week. Now please go finish your spelling.'
Willows mother was trying her best to stay calm for her daughter's sake, but she was scared. Scared for her husband, she did not know what he was working on, but there was something going on she could feel it. Her thoughts were put on hold as Willow came running into the room holding her ripped homework, 'Mummy, Emily ate my homework.' She cried out, tears running down her face.
Her mother sighed, having forgotten to take the dog outside. She held out her arms and Willow flew into them accepting the warmth and comfort of her mother's hug, 'I'll write a note to your teacher.'
10 year old Willow
10 year old Willow walked home from school that day. As she did she could not help but notice how quiet the streets had become. She shrugged it off believing it to be the weather. It was so humid the best place to be would be at home under the fans. She still could not help feeling a little paranoid so she started to jog home.
'MUM! I'm HOME,' Willow yelled out.
There was no answer. Willow walked into the kitchen on the fridge was a note.
Willow go straight to Rose's house. I have packed a bag with enough clothes to last you a few weeks. I have dropped the bag off along with Emily, and I have cleared it with her mother. Do not worry, everything is fine. I love you, be good.
Something was wrong, she could feel it. She bolted to her best friend's home. Rose had been her friend since reception. Rose was different, and Willow enjoyed her company and the way she would talk about the world. Rose's mother opened the door, 'Willow dear, good to see you again. Emily is outside chewing a bone, and your bag is up in the spare room, Rose is excited to have you stay. Was there anything in particular you would like for dinner tonight?'
Willow shook her head, 'Thanks for looking after my dog for me, and for letting me stay over. I eat almost everything.'
'It is my pleasure. Pasta it is.' Willow smiled she loved pasta, but she did not want her friends mum to go all out for her. 'Rose is in her room, I will call you down when dinner is ready.'
12 year old Willow
Her mother had left it had been a few months. Willow had become quite knowledgeable in History and she became fond of Art and Music. She had read all the books in the library on these topics. She cared not for Maths and Science, nor did she find PE fun. She usually just sat out, preferring to read, or play the schools piano. Her father came back with her mother and they went on living. They had promised to never leave her for that long again. But something was different. Her parents forbade her to watch the news (not that she was interested in the news) and they became rather over-protective, she was not allowed to walk home from school any more. Nor was she allowed to go to the creek with Rose without adult supervision. She had noticed that people looked more tried and more stressed.
She woke up screaming from a bad dream. Her parents both rushed in and soothed her. 'Something big is happening out in the world, right now isn't it daddy.' Both parents looked at each other as if deciding to lie. Willow would know, things had not been the same since she had been 10.
'Yes sweetheart, but you are safe, and that is all that matters. Come and sleep with us tonight.' Her father carried her back to their bed and tucked her in the middle. Her mother on one side, and her father on the other.
'You know, I can handle it, and I will find out. I'd rather find out by you.' Willow whispered to her parents.
A few moments later her father spoke. 'I do not want you to worry, which is why we have not told you. But the time has come, things are not looking too good for our country right now. Willow I want you to promise me something.'
'Anything.'
'Promise me that if anything were to happen, you will use our emergency found and leave this country. Your mother and I have an escape plan for you, which you will use. We will go through it with you in the morning.'
'What will happen?' she almost wished she had not asked.
'There have been talks, and only talks of an attack of some kind to our country.' I hid my body under the blankets as if that would stop any attacks on us. It was a restless night.
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4 months later Willow was hopping into bed, she had a sudden urge to go and sneak into her parent's bed. So she did, she could not understand why she felt on edge. A few hours later she woke up in tears, her parents held her as she cried.
'What is it sweetheart another bad dream?' no this was no bad dream, this was worse, this was real life.
'They're coming.' Willow whispered, her parents did not believe her straight away, but a scream from outside confirmed it.
Willow's father quickly picked her up and kissed her, 'Remember the plan little one?' He asked as he held her tightly, she nodded her head.
Her mother held her daughter close, 'We love you so very much, remember that my princess.' Her father grabbed her mother and pulled the three out of the bed room and led them to the passage way, which lead out of the country.
There were strange voices in the night, gun shots going off. The small family of three were too late to save their daughter, as the door flew open. Willows mother held their little girl as her father fought the intruder's, it was no use.
'DADDY,' for a moment everyone turned to the source of the petrified scream, before she could scream again, she was taken from her mother's side.
Outside Willow watched as these dark beings overran their street. That night was not going to be easy to forget. Willow screamed, kicked, and cried for her mother. Soon they threw her in a room with a bunch of other children who were crying and screaming. It became pitch black. The next morning the children were let out onto the streets to start the big clean up. Willow remembered one time when she was supposed to be sleeping but instead she got up and listened to an odd conversation her parents were having.
'I have told them, time and time again that if they keep pushing this thing's will get out of control. Their numbers grow as ours become weaker.'
I did not understand it then but I think I did now.
(A/N will not repeat her escape as I have already wrote about it in her dreams)
13 years old Willow
Willow sat on the grass, trying to close her mind. Her instructor was getting fed up with her lack of concentration.
'Let us try again shall we.'
Her days had become very different and for the next four years they were exactly the same. Consisting of morning runs, combat theory, learning to fight the enemy, learning to fight like the enemy, the history of the enemy, breathing exercises, learning to see a person's next move, meditation and sleep.
Of course when there are only a few students and more teachers, this makes student life very hard. The few teachers that had come to support the instructor/teacher, who knew all about our attackers and how to fight, did not tolerate any misbehaviour. There were no warnings just punishment. It seemed harsh to Willow, but she understood that if they were to build an army to save their country. It seems harsh but that was their life now. She still woke up from nightmares every night. Her dreams never left but she learnt to deal with them.
18 year old Willow
' Willow, we have, from our latest mission, rescued a group of children who have been living in an attic. I think you are ready. We have agreed that you being the eldest and the most progressed will create a school for these children. Help them get back on track. I want you to teach English and art. I think it will help them engage in their other lessons more if they have something to look forward to.'
And that was that, Willow was now a teacher, she enjoyed the work. She loved her students who after everything they went through, could still smile.