“I’ll be home soon, Shana.” Lucas hugged his five year-old.
“Where are you going, Papa?” Shana’s untouched innocence stabbed him in his heart.
He pecked her on her forehead and looked her in her eyes. “Take care of Mama until I come back, will you?” Lucas put his wedding ring in her small hands.
Shana nodded.
He stood up and embraced Sara. “I love you.”
“Stay safe,” she whispered.
~
“In a joint declaration with other leaders of the world, Prime Minister Lune announced that the war against the Khelekares has come to an end,” the news reporter said, beaming.
Shana could not wait. Any day now, Papa would be coming through the door. She toyed with the ring she wore on her neck.
A knock on the front door.
Shana rushed to open it, stubbing her toe on a corner. She smiled through the pain. Behind the door was a man and a woman, both in neat and fitting clothes. The man had a hat in his arms and the woman had her hat folded and tucked on her shoulder. Her face dropped.
“Hi there,” the man said with a smile. It seemed off, but Shana could not figure out why. “Is your mummy home?”
“Y-yes,” Shana squeaked. She turned around to call for Mama but she was already coming towards the door. She pat Shana on the head.
“Darling, could you please wait for me in your room?”
Shana nodded and walked towards the bedrooms, stopping before she entered to look at their guests. The last thing she saw was Mama shaking their hands and inviting them in.
She sat on her bed, wondering what Mama was talking about with the two. Maybe they were telling her when Papa would be coming back. Or where they could go to meet-
A scream sent chills through her.
~
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Kane leaned against the railing beside Shana, and handed her a coffee.
“Thanks.” She sipped the hot cuppa. She was glad she wore her jacket. The river breeze blew her inky black hair into her eyes.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“I don’t feel like talking about it.” Shana glared at the Khelekares carcass across the YaLu river. Its two hind legs pierced through the water, into the riverbed the other six legs dug deep in the ground of Lu Dong city, all connected at the thorax of the alien, beetle-like creature. Its body casting a shadow that covered the entire city.
“Well, if you ain’t going to talk, I will,” Kane said. “I spoke to Horace, you’re off the hook.”
Shana hid her surprise by taking a long drink.
“There is, however, one condition.” He pulled a patch out of his pocket and handed it to her. It had a crossed scimitar and torch, circled with laurels. Shana knew it, it was too good to be true.
“I’d rather they throw me into detention.”
“No, you don’t.”
She threw Kane a look. He met her eyes and stared, pushing the patch towards her. She sighed and took the patch. “No, I don’t.”
“I’ll see you in camp.” He pat her on the shoulder and walked away.
Shana took out a patch from her pocket. It had the same insignia as the one Kane handed her, except it was worn and tattered. She ran her thumb over the frayed embroidery then affixed it on the velcro on her left sleeve. She rolled the ring on her index finger, staring at the carcass.
Author’s Note:
The inspiration for this piece is this wonderful art work by wlop on DeviantArt.
It is also set in the same world as my other piece: He prayed.