I sit at the kitchen table, my mind racing with plans and contingencies. As I sip a cup of stale coffee, a thought strikes me: my mom and my sister. She’s out of the country, far away from the chaos that’s engulfed our city. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks, and I realize they has no idea what’s been happening here. More importantly, they doesn't know about my powers.
I pull out my phone, the battery barely holding a charge, and dial her number. The call connects after a few rings, and her familiar voice fills my ear.
“Hello? Honey, is that you?”
“Hey, Mom,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been so worried. Are you okay? What’s going on over there? The news is saying terrible things about the city.”
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s pretty bad, Mom. There’s been a lot of fighting, and the military’s involved. But I’m safe right now.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she says, her voice breaking slightly. “I’ve been so worried. Why didn’t you call sooner?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. Things have been... complicated. I’ve been moving around a lot, trying to stay out of trouble.”
She’s silent for a moment, processing what I’ve said. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. You always were a tough one, but this sounds serious.”
“I will, Mom. I promise.”
We sit in silence for a few moments, the distance between us feeling heavier than ever. I decide it’s time to tell her, or at least give her a hint about my powers.
“Mom, there’s something else. Something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?” Her voice is laced with concern.
“I’ve... I’ve been involved in some of the fighting. Not by choice, but I’ve had to defend myself and others. And there’s something about me... something different.”
“Different how?” she asks, her tone cautious.
I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve developed some... abilities. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I can do things other people can’t.”
“Abilities?” She sounds confused. “Like what?”
“I can’t go into details right now, but just know that I’m okay and I’m trying to help where I can. It’s why I’ve been able to stay safe.”
She’s silent again, the weight of my words sinking in. “Whatever it is, you’re still my child. I love you no matter what. Just be careful, okay?”
“I love you too, Mom. I’ll be as careful as I can. I just wanted to hear your voice and let you know I’m alive.”
“I’m glad you did. Stay safe, and call me when you can. I’ll be praying for you every day.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll call you again soon, and send my greetings to my sister. Take care.”
We say our goodbyes, and I hang up, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. It’s good to hear her voice, but I hate that she’s worried about me. I put the phone down and refocus on the task at hand.
With renewed determination, I look over my supplies and weapons, formulating a plan. The city is still in chaos, and I need to figure out my next move. For now, though, I allow myself a brief moment of peace, knowing that at least one person out there cares about my well-being.
After a moment of thinking and reviewing the map, I decide that the best option is to head to a shelter away from the gates and act like a normal civilian. I put on my jacket and pack some essential items into a backpack. I open the door of my house, taking one last look at the familiarity I will soon leave behind, and head towards the nearest shelter.
On the way, I move cautiously, avoiding patrols and sticking to the shadows. The city, once bustling, is now filled with debris, and the silence is overwhelming. I keep moving, my mind focused on my goal of reaching the shelter and blending in.
Upon arriving at the shelter, an old building that used to be a school, I mingle with other survivors seeking a safe place. The entrance is guarded, but I manage to get through without drawing attention. Once inside, I find a quiet corner where I can sit and observe the others. Acting like a normal civilian will be crucial to avoid suspicion.
I relax a little, letting myself be carried away by the feeling of relative safety. From here, I can plan my next moves more calmly and decide how to face the challenges ahead. For now, I focus on blending in and surviving another day in this devastated city.
After settling into a quiet corner of the shelter, I observe the people around me. Some seem as exhausted as I am, while others try to keep hope alive, sharing food and words of encouragement. A middle-aged man with a thick beard and tired eyes sits next to me. He seems friendly, and I think it might be useful to make contact with someone else in this place.
"Hi," he says, breaking the silence. "First time here?"
"Yes," I reply, forcing a smile. "I just arrived. What about you? Have you been here long?"
"since it all started" he says, shrugging. "My name's Jorge, by the way."
"I'm William," I respond, shaking his hand. "It's a bit overwhelming, all this, isn't it?"
Jorge nods, his expression somber. "Yeah, it is. Never thought I'd see the city like this. But we're surviving, right?"
"Yeah," I say, trying to keep a positive tone. "That's what matters. Do you know if there's any plan for those of us here? Any way to get out of the city?"
"There are rumors," Jorge says, lowering his voice. "Some say there's a group organizing an evacuation, but I don't know how true it is. So far, we've just been waiting and trying to stay safe."
"And the military?" I ask, trying not to sound too interested. "Have they been around here?"
Jorge frowns. "They've passed by a couple of times, but they haven't caused any trouble. They're more occupied with the fighting in other parts of the city. But you never know."
I nod, grateful for the information. "Thanks, Jorge. It's good to know. Is there anything I can do to help here? I don't want to be a burden."
He smiles, albeit weakly. "Any help is appreciated. You could help distribute food or look after the injured. We all have to do our part."
"I will," I say, feeling a bit more useful. "Thanks for the welcome, Jorge."
"You're welcome, William," he responds, standing up. "Take care and stay alert. We never know what might happen."
"I will," I say, watching him walk away. I decide that, for now, I'll act like a normal civilian and help out where I can. Staying useful and discreet will be the key to surviving in this shelter.
With this determination, I get up and head towards the area where others are distributing food, ready to help and move forward one more day in this devastated city.
I sit at the kitchen table, my mind racing with plans and contingencies. As I sip a cup of stale coffee, a thought strikes me: my mom and my sister. She’s out of the country, far away from the chaos that’s engulfed our city. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks, and I realize they has no idea what’s been happening here. More importantly, they doesn't know about my powers.
I pull out my phone, the battery barely holding a charge, and dial her number. The call connects after a few rings, and her familiar voice fills my ear.
“Hello? Honey, is that you?”
“Hey, Mom,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been so worried. Are you okay? What’s going on over there? The news is saying terrible things about the city.”
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s pretty bad, Mom. There’s been a lot of fighting, and the military’s involved. But I’m safe right now.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she says, her voice breaking slightly. “I’ve been so worried. Why didn’t you call sooner?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. Things have been... complicated. I’ve been moving around a lot, trying to stay out of trouble.”
She’s silent for a moment, processing what I’ve said. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. You always were a tough one, but this sounds serious.”
“I will, Mom. I promise.”
We sit in silence for a few moments, the distance between us feeling heavier than ever. I decide it’s time to tell her, or at least give her a hint about my powers.
“Mom, there’s something else. Something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?” Her voice is laced with concern.
“I’ve... I’ve been involved in some of the fighting. Not by choice, but I’ve had to defend myself and others. And there’s something about me... something different.”
“Different how?” she asks, her tone cautious.
I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve developed some... abilities. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I can do things other people can’t.”
“Abilities?” She sounds confused. “Like what?”
“I can’t go into details right now, but just know that I’m okay and I’m trying to help where I can. It’s why I’ve been able to stay safe.”
She’s silent again, the weight of my words sinking in. “Whatever it is, you’re still my child. I love you no matter what. Just be careful, okay?”
“I love you too, Mom. I’ll be as careful as I can. I just wanted to hear your voice and let you know I’m alive.”
“I’m glad you did. Stay safe, and call me when you can. I’ll be praying for you every day.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll call you again soon, and send my greetings to my sister. Take care.”
We say our goodbyes, and I hang up, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. It’s good to hear her voice, but I hate that she’s worried about me. I put the phone down and refocus on the task at hand.
With renewed determination, I look over my supplies and weapons, formulating a plan. The city is still in chaos, and I need to figure out my next move. For now, though, I allow myself a brief moment of peace, knowing that at least one person out there cares about my well-being.
After a moment of thinking and reviewing the map, I decide that the best option is to head to a shelter away from the gates and act like a normal civilian. I put on my jacket and pack some essential items into a backpack. I open the door of my house, taking one last look at the familiarity I will soon leave behind, and head towards the nearest shelter.
On the way, I move cautiously, avoiding patrols and sticking to the shadows. The city, once bustling, is now filled with debris, and the silence is overwhelming. I keep moving, my mind focused on my goal of reaching the shelter and blending in.
Upon arriving at the shelter, an old building that used to be a school, I mingle with other survivors seeking a safe place. The entrance is guarded, but I manage to get through without drawing attention. Once inside, I find a quiet corner where I can sit and observe the others. Acting like a normal civilian will be crucial to avoid suspicion.
I relax a little, letting myself be carried away by the feeling of relative safety. From here, I can plan my next moves more calmly and decide how to face the challenges ahead. For now, I focus on blending in and surviving another day in this devastated city.
After settling into a quiet corner of the shelter, I observe the people around me. Some seem as exhausted as I am, while others try to keep hope alive, sharing food and words of encouragement. A middle-aged man with a thick beard and tired eyes sits next to me. He seems friendly, and I think it might be useful to make contact with someone else in this place.
"Hi," he says, breaking the silence. "First time here?"
"Yes," I reply, forcing a smile. "I just arrived. What about you? Have you been here long?"
"since it all started" he says, shrugging. "My name's Jorge, by the way."
"I'm William," I respond, shaking his hand. "It's a bit overwhelming, all this, isn't it?"
Jorge nods, his expression somber. "Yeah, it is. Never thought I'd see the city like this. But we're surviving, right?"
"Yeah," I say, trying to keep a positive tone. "That's what matters. Do you know if there's any plan for those of us here? Any way to get out of the city?"
"There are rumors," Jorge says, lowering his voice. "Some say there's a group organizing an evacuation, but I don't know how true it is. So far, we've just been waiting and trying to stay safe."
"And the military?" I ask, trying not to sound too interested. "Have they been around here?"
Jorge frowns. "They've passed by a couple of times, but they haven't caused any trouble. They're more occupied with the fighting in other parts of the city. But you never know."
I nod, grateful for the information. "Thanks, Jorge. It's good to know. Is there anything I can do to help here? I don't want to be a burden."
He smiles, albeit weakly. "Any help is appreciated. You could help distribute food or look after the injured. We all have to do our part."
"I will," I say, feeling a bit more useful. "Thanks for the welcome, Jorge."
"You're welcome, William," he responds, standing up. "Take care and stay alert. We never know what might happen."
"I will," I say, watching him walk away. I decide that, for now, I'll act like a normal civilian and help out where I can. Staying useful and discreet will be the key to surviving in this shelter.
With this determination, I get up and head towards the area where others are distributing food, ready to help and move forward one more day in this devastated city.
