The house was silent. Not peaceful—hollow.
It was just me and Ash, sitting on the couch. He stared at nothing while the old clock on the wall ticked away. Each second landed like a hammer, carving time into the stillness. I felt each tick pressing into my chest, a reminder that she was gone.
My left leg trembled as I flipped through songs on my MP4 player, desperate for something—anything—that might make me feel less empty. But every track felt wrong.
“This doesn’t make any sense,” I complained.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rkxfSUMhf
“Hey, Ash… isn’t there a way to cure her soon?”
He didn’t look at me. “Paradosium—a disease that spreads quickly. Dangerous—especially for anyone around her. That’s why she’s being quarantined. In that big, ugly place. There’s nothing we can do but pray.”
“Pray, huh.”
We were just two wandering souls in a living room that felt too big without her. I glanced at Ash. His face was tight, regret sitting heavy in his eyes. He missed Lucy in his own way, but he didn’t say a word. I clasped my hands and did what he said, just wishing everything would turn back to normal, even though we were never normal in the first place.
…
Time slipped by. I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, boots thudded against the floorboards.
Ash was in a full grey military uniform on his way to the trial as a Crownguard, with a backpack on his shoulder.
My eyes widened. “Ash?”
He froze, caught.
“Oops… busted, am I?”
“I’m just heading to the capital. I’ll be back early,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “So get some rest. Sobbing around won’t solve anything. And don’t be late for school.”
He pressed a five-hundred Parady note into my hand. With an unconvincing wink.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuvGIwntiX
“Keep the change.”
I frowned. “What am I supposed to do with this? Buy cheap toilet paper?”
As he opened the door, he added,21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJjyAdrGJv
“I know what Lucy wants. I’m not gonna force you into anything. But there’s no such thing as freedom outside the capital. The system is the only way to survive, whether you like it or not.”
He adjusted the backpack on his shoulder.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaY28mxQtZ
“That’s all I’m saying. Now the decision’s yours—climb the ladder beside me, or fall under Lucy’s little dream.”
“Have an answer prepared when I arrive.”
And with that, he shut the door, and he was gone.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXquJfObHM
The house felt even quieter without him.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNyc6F883i
They’d both left me with questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
…
Hours crawled by. I rocked in my chair, homework spread across my desk, but barely touched.
Ash hasn't come back yet. I’m sure he’s still busy, and no word from my sister either.
“Ughhh… my head hurts, I don’t know what to do.”
I stopped rocking and stared out the window.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwVhaDGubS
But seriously, like, what can I do? I don't have the strength, nor am I strong enough to fight. I don’t even know what moving forward looks like. I mean, do I just stand up and walk around the capital for a chance? Like how?
My voice echoed in the room, too loud for how empty it felt.
“Why can't everyone just live a happy life, like explore the world, or just sit and relax and find love? I guess, nah—no way I’ll ever understand that feeling.”
I leaned back, eyes on the ceiling.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF772RO0mq
“Huhhh… maybe I’m just destined to be left like this. Alone. I didn't expect to feel lonely so soon. All I can do now is stay away from trouble.”
I stared at the floor, tapping my foot against the wood, creating a soft, repetitive beat. A rhythm to think by. To fight the stillness.
“Not like there’s a way to help Lucy,” I muttered. “Everyone’s afraid of that ‘Elder’s Home’ anyway… so what should I do? There's no way I can break in unless I’m at least a social officer.”
My gaze drifted to the corner, where a small plastic soldier stood frozen mid-salute—an old action figure from Ash’s collection. The sight lit a spark.
“…Wait. That’s it.”
I bolted to Ash’s room.
Tore through his closet—gear, shirts, ammo pouches—until my hands found what I was looking for: his first drafted uniform as a social officer. Blue, worn at the cuffs, but still clean.
“This is the one,” I whispered.
I pulled it on. The fabric scratched my skin, but it fit better than I expected—loose in the shoulders, snug at the wrists. I faced the mirror. My reflection looked braver than I felt.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkqhfmIFfu
“Hmm. Not too baggy.” I tugged at the collar, imagining myself as an officer on duty.
“But I just wish I had the courage to actually do something… maybe sneak in and find out what’s happening with Lucy. Maybe then I could—"
“HUGO GHARIB? You’re Under Arrest?” A voice at the window.
KYAH! I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Tyler stuck his head through the open window, grinning like a cat that’s found cream.
“Oh, it's you, Tyler. Wait, how did you—what the—why are you here?”
Before I could finish, Gina popped her head up beside him.
“Aw, look at you,” Gina teased as they climbed through like it was their own room. “A little military kitty.”
“Gina?!” I gasped. “What are you guys doing here?”
Tyler shrugged, jerking a thumb at his sister. “She went all nitsy-pitsy. I knew something was up.”
Gina stepped forward. Her expression had changed—serious now, almost gentle. She reached out and took my hand.
“I’m sorry about Lucy.”
The words hit me harder than I expected.
“We get it. We really do. We lost our mom to that so-called disease, too.”
I tilted my head with a smile.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp89GTwenu
“Come on, Lucy is strong, she's the best.”
Gina’s eyes filled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have expected the worst.” She brushed her thumb along my knuckles.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n2XP8oHui
“But you don’t have to go this far,” she added, letting her hand brush mine before pulling it back. Her eyes shone. “We’re here for you.”
Heat rushed to my face. I think she blushed too.
I forced myself to steady my voice. “Thanks, Gina… and you too, Tyler. But I have to see if she is getting the right treatment beyond those walls, I don’t care what happens to me until I see Lucy.”
Tyler raised a brow. “Yeah, sure. All fun and games… until you get caught.”
“What’s the punishment gonna be, huh?” he added, half-joking, half-terrified.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeignbNHRB
“Beheading?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWcXPjeVzW
“Whipping?”
“Or maybe life in prison?”
I couldn’t tell which sounded worse. My throat tightened. I hadn’t thought this through all the way.
I clenched my fists, forcing every scrap of courage to the surface. I looked down—then back up.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyJh1C5em8
“I have to see it,” I said. “For myself. I can’t keep holding back.”
Tyler groaned. “Gina, look what you’ve done. You’re turning him into a criminal.”
“Looks like there's no convincing Hugo otherwise.” Gina only smiled, mischief glinting in her eyes. “At least he’s getting a taste of adventure,” she teased. “So… you’re really gonna do it?”
“I don’t wanna,” I admitted.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6SBSXcvVi
“This is breaking the law. I’ve done nothing like this before. But… I have to.”
She stepped closer, something twirling between her fingers.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN22MFXQVq
“Then you’re gonna need this.”
The metallic edge caught the light.
An ID card.
Tyler’s jaw dropped.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugeXLPUYRY
“Wait… Sis, you didn’t—don’t tell me you stole that from an officer!”
Gina grinned, spinning the stolen badge between her fingers like a coin.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewc2qiZsmb
“You challenged me,” she said. “So I did it.”
“That Was A Joke!” Tyler groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I should never open my mouth around you ever again.”
Gina gave him a wink. “Too late,”
Tyler turned to me. “So… how exactly are you planning to get in? It doesn't look like a typical building either, especially for geezers."
“I had a feeling he might do something stupid,” Gina said, arms crossed. “So yeah—I predicted this outcome.”
I smirked and gave her a slow nod. “Gina… you’re illegally awesome.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment from my old friend,” she smirked.
“Alright,” I said, stepping between them. “Gather up.”
We huddled on the floor with the curtains drawn, voices low as if the plaster itself could hear. For the next hour, we stitched together every rumor, every whisper, every scrap of intel about the Elder’s Home: sealed walls, armed checkpoints, no entry without clearance, no one out without an escort.
Nobody had ever tried what we were about to do.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa17YE3vbX
Not because we were brave.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXG8UmydTb
Because I needed the truth.
And if we pulled it off… it would be a night to remember in our deathbeds.
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"A man without a plan shows no regard for his life. Strength is never solitary; only together can we bring down a raging bull." - Zaydf21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAutWy2YCY
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and then Add to home screen.