Jay sighed and leaned back against the wall. Summer was at its peak, which meant it was about to end and give way to cold. For the moment, however, the air was hot and sticky, and bugs were everywhere, taking an extreme interest in his face and neck.
“Jay.”
Jay opened his eyes to look into the face of his little sister. He gave a lazy smirk, inviting her to go on.
“I want you to teach me how to climb that tree.”
Jay looked over to the tree she pointed at.
“That one?”
“That one.”
“It’s pretty big.”
“I need to learn how to climb big trees.”
So much for a lazy summer afternoon. He got up and stretched.
“All right. Let’s go.”
“Thanks.”
“I don’t suppose you want to tell me why you need to climb trees.”
“How am I supposed to join if I can’t climb trees?” She asked, insulted by his ignorance.
“Amy and her friends not going to let you in their club or something?”
“No, idiot. The forces. I’m going to end this war stuff for good.”
Jay laughed as he picked her up.
“You will, will you? Don’t you think you’re a little young to be joining the forces?”
“Jay! Put me down! I need to learn how to climb the tree! How am I supposed to learn if you just put me on it?”
“Sorry. Hey, where’d that ‘idiot’ business come from?”
“Amy says it.”
“Doesn’t mean you need to say it. Put your hands here. Good, now put this foot here and boost up. When you do, take your other foot and put it here.”
She did as he said, but didn’t get far before falling down.
“How do you know where to put stuff?” she huffed.
“See how this part juts out? And how this part is kind of dented in? You need to look close to find these things, but when you do, it’s easy.”
She tilted her head at the tree, then got up to look close at it.
“Thanks.” She said, absentmindedly. He was clearly excused. He started to walk off, but stopped.
“Oh, Ema? Don’t hurt yourself. Mom’ll have my head if you do.”
Ema only nodded, still looking at the tree.
“Jay have you seen Ema?”
“Hmm?” He asked, opening his eyes. This time it was his mom. He got up and stretched again. “No, not recently, why?”
“I can’t find her. I thought maybe you would know where she was.”
“She’s probably playing with Amy.”
“Oh you’re right! I hadn’t thought of that.”
“She’s always with Amy this time of day, anyway.”
“Just the same, I’ll go over and see. Mind Terra while I’m gone, won’t you?”
Jay groaned.
“Mom!”
“Don’t worry, she’s asleep. Shouldn’t be too much trouble.”
“Yeah, I’ll watch her. Go check up on Ema and get back before our little Terris wakes up.”
“Jay,”
“Terra.”
“Thank you.”
Jay had just closed his eyes again when he heard Ema’s voice.
“JAAAAAAAYYYY!”
“What?”He asked, opening his eyes. Only, Ema wasn’t there. “Em?”
“JAAAAAAAYYYY!”
He ran over to the tree when she called him for a third time. Ema was up there, sitting on a tree branch and glaring down at him.
“Ema, are you all right?”
She was silent, but still glaring.
“Get down here! You could have woken Terris!”
As if the she heard his words, a baby’s cry came from the house.
“Come down? Yes, I would very much like to come down, but it would seem my teacher forgot that small detail!” She shouted at him.
“Alright, here. Swing your legs over and I’ll catch you.”
“No!”
“Do you want to stay up there? Come on. I’ll catch you.”
Hesitantly, she lowered her legs. When he grabbed her waist, she let go and he put her on the ground.
“The next time you teach me this, you’re going to teach me everything!” She huffed, stomping back to the house where Terra was still crying.
That night, as Jay and his family sat around the fire place, a runner came.
“For Jeremy Watcher.” Was all the runner said before refusing food and rest and taking off.
His mom gave him the letter and sat down. Everyone was watching him as he opened it. His fingers suddenly felt clumsy and he felt blood rising to his face. He hated being watched.
He pretended not to notice as he took out the paper and read.
He didn’t read past the first line.
His vision flickered for a moment and he began to shake.
“Jay, are you all right?” he mom demanded.
He heard voice somewhere, but couldn’t place where exactly with all the echoes in his head.
“Jay?”
He tried to talk, but couldn’t say anything.
Ema wrapped her arms around him, and that’s what brought him back.
“Do you want me to read?” she asked him softly. He nodded, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.
She took the paper and paled. She closed her eyes briefly before pushing on.
From the forces of Salma
To Jeremy Watcher
Fishers’ Town
Jeremy,
Your time has come. Your purpose in life has become clear. We have chosen you to serve in the forces. It’s time for you to take responsibility. Time for you to take charge of your life. It’s time for you to learn respect, humility, strength, the value of life and blood, and all the other values a true man possesses.
We can only wait for you to join us on the battle field. A week from the date this letter was sent, we will send a carrier for you. We expect to see you then. You have approximately one week to prepare yourself.
Upon your demise, should you be so unfortunate, we will send 500 p to each member of your family over the age of twelve.
Our prayers are with you. We advise you to pray as well, or at least make right any wrongs you may have, whether they be with creation, or your neighbor.
By time Ema was done reading, their mom was in tears, and their father was holding her. Jay was shaking again, and Ema was pale. Terra was asleep.
“I-I don’t suppose you- uh- w-want to take m-my place? Em?” he asked, attempting at a laugh. Their mom cried harder, and their father choked. Ema was silent.
--NOTE-- Okay! This is the beginning. Too slow in starting up? Any tips or comments are helpful. Thanks!
