Chapter 2: Funeral
Reika heard someone familiar calling her name.
"Reika-chan!"
"Rei-chan, my love, come here, quick!"
"Mom, Dad? Is that you?"
"Over here, Rei-chan, come!"
"Mom, Dad, I'm coming!" and she ran towards her parents. But when she arrived, she saw her surroundings burning. She cried out loud for her parents, "Mom! Dad! Where-"
"Reika, save us..."
As Reika turned, she saw the burnt faces of her parents, much to her horror. She was almost choked with the smoke surrounding her, and the fact that her parents' situation is simply unbearable, that her parents are dying in front of her. She ran towards them, exclaiming "Mom! Dad! Please don't leave me!"
The all was lost by the surrounding fire and smoke...
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"Reika! Oi, Reika!"
Reika suddenly opened her eyes and sat up, and was sweating profusely. She found Akio sitting beside her.
"Akio! Mom and Dad are..."
"I know, mine too. It was a nightmare, Reika" he spoke gently, after which he hugged her tightly to calm her down, for she was breathing heavily and unevenly.
"Where are we?"
"In an abandoned shack near town which was located in the woods. Don't worry, we're safe here." Then, Akio let her go, when suddenly the police officer entered the shack.
"Morning to you two. I'm very sorry about... about your...families and that we aren't able to do much service" the officer said.
"Please, we know that you're trying to help us" Akio answered.
"May I have a word on you both? We'll talk while having our breakfast" the officer said while holding out the food.
"Thank you kindly, sir."
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While having their breakfast, the officer spoke, "Maeda-san, I may advice you to move out immediately."
Akio and Reika looked up on the officer, and he continued speaking, "This place is not safe anymore for you two, for the rebels might search again this place. It may be not our duty to fight against them, but still, it is our duty to protect the people."
"But I thought that the warfare will never reach here, and a bomb landed here..." Akio remarked.
"Yes, and I might say that you have not heard the rumor regarding that there are rebels residing here."
"Yes, we have never heard of it."
"We know not what they are planning, and our place may not be safe anymore, that's why we are now initiating the townspeople back in our place to move out to an evacuation site. Since you two are the only survivors, and that there's nothing else to do here, you should go to your relatives' or at least one of your friend's..."
"We got your point, and I, we, have decided where to go, in our family's old house, about 5 miles south from here." Akio interrupted.
"Then I suggest that you go there."
After this, Reika spoke, for all the while; she was too dazed to speak, knowing that all of her loved ones are lost forever, with the exemption of her fiancé. "Wait, what about our parents, families and friends?"
The men turned towards her, while she continued "We can't just leave them like this. They deserve a proper burial."
Akio agreed "You're right" and he turned to the officer "Sir, please, I beg you, help us bury them. Then tomorrow, we'll go."
The officer looked at them, and with compassion, he answered, "I'll have my men to help you out."
"Thank you..."
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The funeral took place in an open field. Some huge stones that were piled up were place on top of their graves which served as their mark, with the names of all who perished from the attack.
After the funeral, Reika stood overlooking the town, or what's left of it, for it was all blackened by the fire caused by the bomb. She then felt Akio's warmth embracing her, while she held his hands which was in her middle.
"I'm gonna miss this place..." she remarked.
"Yeah."
Silence enveloped them, which was broken by Akio.
"Reika...I'm sorry that our marriage..."
"Don't be. Let's prioritize first our safety."
"Okay, I'll still marry when the time has come; it's a promise, Reika..."
Then they stood, mourning for their loved ones and retired for the night.
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Well, here's chapter 2! Maybe I can post tomorrow chapter 3, I'm in the middle of working it, though it'll be our exam period. Don't worry much for me (addressing to someone I knew, or more), I'll study after I have finished (or not) chapter 3, and concentrate with my studies... so... please continue reading and sorry if this is a bit rushed... and thank you for those who read, subscribed, and commented... I highly appreciated it...