PRELUDE: Seized

The Vistas were spending their initial routine—specifically a breakfast— while viewing a live TV show aired by their favourite station. The sweet aroma of cheese omelet and fried rice filled each and every nostril; it’s indeed the time to dig in that newly served meal. Mrs. Vista often leaves their home early to begin the day’s hard work; as well as the head of the family, Mr. Vista, pondered on heading to his office purposely avoiding his no-good superior to break a nerve. And as usual, the youngest one, Jaden would always pick up his 4k definition tablet to watch his anime marathons at the first ring of his ticking time bomb (clock). He would never dream of resting under the covers without finishing three seasons. Well, it really depends whether a season consists of twelve episodes or for veterans, a hundred. I mean, one would be called an anime god if so.

On the other hand, the eldest, Keisha, would always look after the house, her brother, her studies and other priorities in life. Despite being aware of the fact that she could now get a life of her own; still, chooses to look after other people’s bliss rather than hers. She had been a real tough gal for this sort of life: staying resilient to pressure and expectations, severe anxieties, required to deal with family issues and being mature at a young age, repelling the temptations of committing the worst mistakes again and the like. 

Keisha would not even mind it anymore for this sort; somehow, she got used to it.     

As she was about to finish her omelet, a newsbreak came in interfering with the program; important and troubling news came filling their ears.

“Manila is now on red alert. Please take note of the safety precautions. It will be advisable for the citizens to evacuate to safety in this instance or if possible, go to your nearest people shelter where security won’t be easily breached”, the newscaster announced with a serious tone, leaving their listeners in complete clamour and fright just to save themselves. “The local government is currently projecting a contingency plan for the safety of everyone. The New Juvenile Governance also reaches out to aid the citizens under twenty, encouraging them to register as early as possible. At the moment, we’ll be providing our national hotlines... Keep safe, and be careful.”

“What the hell? Don’t tell me this is real.” Keisha mumbled to herself after seeing the concerning news from the television, lips left agape in disbelief. Because she thought that everything that’s happening was as serious as it sounds, she hollered to call her mother who was in the kitchen preparing the rest of their meal. “Mama! You should see the news right now. I think something bad is going on.”

Mrs. Vista hurriedly hovered towards the living room, her expressions turned into an obvious frown after hearing the content of the news. This was as if Keisha was giving her a hint; although she already knew what was going on and heard exactly what’s said as it was loud enough.

“Oh, that”, was the least she could reply with a drained look on her face. 

The youngster kept on figuring out what the newscaster had said, confusingly thinking about the sudden newsbreak in the middle of a child-friendly program. Part of her felt the urge to evacuate with her family as she slowly understood the matter stated on the TV. Her gaze went to her mother’s, not wanting to hear what she thought what’s really up.

“What’s with that look? Why are you looking at me like that?”

The worried mother of two walks closer to her teener, misty-eyed and hands trembling out of the fright of losing her children. She held Keisha by the shoulders and said, “Listen to me, alright?”

Keisha nodded as she agreed with what her mother told her.

“Pack your things and your brothers’. Bring everything that you need. Never leave your precious treasures behind, especially the ones that you guys kept for years. And your father and I will hand you some… things that you might need in case of emergency. Take care of your brother, be attentive and be safe, ight?” Mrs. Vista gently spoke to her seventeen-year-old child, patting her head gently with an apologetic smile. Although the fear and anxiety was currently enveloping her, she somehow managed to appear strong in front of her children. Well, that’s what mothers are good at, right?

“What is going on? I need clarification on whatever is happening here. Why do we need to leave? I thought we needed to stay together as we know the risks of what’s outside.” Keisha questioned non-stop with a face full of worry, not wanting to leave without their parents. She knew herself that she wasn’t ready to take another set of burden again, no wonder she complained.

Keisha’s mother answered, hesitating on the words she’d possibly utter, “Have you had any idea about the reason why we kept on moving from time to time? I didn’t… have the courage to tell you yet because I’m scared of the idea of you getting shaken by these.. things.”

“Mama, just tell me the exact details, okay? I understand if you guys were hiding the truth from us for the sake of our protection. But here we are now, in the middle of a sudden evacuation and getting separated from you. As Jaden’s sister, I need to know what’s really up and why everyone’s acting like it’s the end of the world.” The youngster demanded but was still polite towards her mother. She knew even nobody told her, as tons of articles were spread through the internet — everybody who’s a sucker for reading would know.

Mrs. Vista sighed before answering, trying to gather every single detail that was imparted to them months before, “The government is actually building up a team or some sort of collaboration with other countries' supremacy, to unite in the trading industry and increase our economy’s worsening status. Vaguely, the goal is kind of an association for a charitable cause to establish solutions for countries going through crises. Although, there's this one organization that had been subtle in movement all over these past few years, that the association thought that nothing bad would happen if we had our alliances. It seems so mysterious because that organization isn’t even that known at all, yet they still managed to hack themselves in the ASEAN and UN trade meetings. Unfortunately, the higher-ups weren’t sure if they really are the ones invading our city right now. Now that our country's vulnerable, what you see is now happening. And our crisis starts now… Supposedly, they should be battling to some other place, yet Manila became their chosen stage to play.”

As she headed on with the story, she began to stuff essential things into the backpacks that the siblings would use whenever they head out. Letting out a sigh of despair and hopelessness, Keisha breathed in and uttered the question she wanted to say to her mom, “So, what are you two gonna do now?”

“We have no other options but to join the military voluntarily... It wasn't meant to be called that way anymore. We were already assigned.” Said Mrs. Vista, neatly folding the clothes to be put in the bags. 

Keisha’s eyes widened after hearing her mother’s sudden decision. It was followed by a slam on her lap as she stood up furiously, “That’s not fair! Why go there and follow that stupid government who only knows how to use people for their own safety? And the fact that we’ll go to a sort of reform school for what?”

The other replied in distress as she also hadn’t got any other option aside from being separated from her children, “Even if we wanted to go with you, we’d be forced to. Every voter is being requested to do mandatory military training. Women will work in caregiving homes and hospitals, while men will be going through the military. But due to some circumstances, even the women might be also deployed in the battlefield. This is for your safety, I guess. If we can’t make it, so be it. At least your Papa and I have already bear in mind that our eldest daughter is responsible enough to live on her own and of course, take good care of her little brother.”

“You think?”, sarcastically, the lassie responded after completing her task and grabbed their bags, taking them out from the bedroom where they talked.

“There had been an organization for juveniles' safety. You need to join forces with them in order for you to survive.” Mrs. Vista followed her daughter’s walking to the living room, trying to convince her with the option given to them. “Use this map, it’ll be your guide towards the safe grounds.”

“Ah, so this is where all the funds went? Hooray.” Keisha said with a visible sarcasm in her cheers, then faced her mother in disappointment and hand slamming on her face. After noticing the rolled paper from her mother’s hand, she hesitantly grabbed it.

“But how abou-”

Before she could say another word, an exasperating and loud emergency alarm rang everywhere as a sign that the end of this land was near. Or was it just about to start? What if they would be captured soon? What would they do?

Mrs. Vista did not hesitate to push and rush her children towards the emergency exit of their house. Although we all know that no mother could leave their loved ones alone; in this case, no mother could ever risk her children’s lives.

“Now, Keisha! You should both go ahead by now or else, they will hunt you down. I want you two to be strong, alright?”

Keisha and Jaden had no other chance to oppose, so they followed to at least lessen their parents’ burden. And teary-eyed, Keisha replied, “We will…”

By the time she finished getting the essentials that both her and her brother needed, they both bid their goodbyes to their beloved parents, exiting through a door leading to an underground passage. This is just too sudden that she is not even hesitant to survive the plagues of death.

She highly doubted this responsibility they were talking about. They would be caught by the pursuers soon and be served as their victory dinner dishes.