The Change

                I crawled out from Wakon’s overturned Jeep. I checked myself for any injuries then immediately searched for Wakon. As the Jeep veered and rolled off the road in the explosion, he was ejected. I really hoped he was alright. I ran to the front of the Jeep and found him crawling out; his normally smooth skin covered in his blood.

                “Wakon, are you okay?” I hurried to him and helped him back to his feet.

                “No, is my Jeep alright?” He scoffed at his flipped car.

                I searched around the wreckage of cars, “What happened?”

                Wakon walked next to me and scanned the buildings for a moment and ran his hand through his hair, “Kaz, I need to find Lenda.”

                “Wakon, you find Lenda and get back to somewhere you will be safe.” I looked around the debris, “Go to the campus, we’ll meet you there.”

                Wakon nodded and I watched him run off toward the police station. I looked over the street; many people were crawling out from their cars and running from where the explosion had come from. As I walked back to the Jeep, I heard loud gunshots ring in the air in rapid succession. I ducked behind the Jeep and peeked my head out and watched men walk down the street, shooting at everyone they saw.

                The group worked their way down the street and suddenly they were shooting at a few local police. Some of the men fell to the gunfire as they fired back but they eventually mowed down the police. I kept my head behind Wakon’s Jeep and watched the two forces face each other.  I held my arms close to my chest and tried to keep myself calm and focused on finding my friends.

                After what could’ve been a few minutes or a couple hours, it was hard to tell with all the hectic gunfire and yelling, the area grew quiet. I poked my head out and saw no one moving around. I looked around the street; dead bodies covered the road and sidewalk, some with bullet wounds, others torn apart from the explosion. Next to a shot cop, I saw a rifle. “It could be useful… Maybe.” I shook my head at the thought, “I’ve never used a gun, let alone a rifle. I’d shoot my own foot before anyone else.”

I walked further down the street, noticing a small doll on the sidewalk next to a small pool of blood. I picked her up and sighed, there was blood splattered on the cloth face and neat blue dress. “The owner had no idea that this was going to happen. They must’ve been hit during the gunfire or explosion and were taken by their parents, since there was no girl to be found among the bodies.”

I stared at the doll for a minute or two, thinking of my own sister, Lenda. “She’s always been tougher than me, she never played with dolls, much rather have her ‘adventures’, not surprised when she went into the police.

It was then that it hit me, “Lenda would’ve had to face these people too.” I tightened my grip on the doll as tears fell from my face from the thought. “Not even sure why or who we were facing. Some of my friends hopefully made it okay. I just had to find Aria.”

Walking down the street, I stopped and noticed the line of troops heading toward me. I quickly ducked behind the Jeep to hide from them. “More of those who were shooting up the street, Light, I’m going to die.” Looking around, I saw the discarded rifle by Wakon’s jeep again. “Should I fight? I’ve never used a gun before… Would it do any good?” Before I could think further, the footsteps grew louder. I grabbed the rifle, pressed myself against the jeep, took a shaky aim and fired at the men.

I kept firing, if I stopped, I was good as dead. “Why!? Why did you do this?” My body began to feel colder, my arm and chest felt wet, yet warm. I was dying. In the blink of an eye, I was staring at the sky, struggling to breathe. My final thoughts seemed shallow, “How did this all happen?”

***

I held Aria close as we danced together, Aria’s long silver dress flowing with each turn. Her long, brown hair braided and resting on her shoulder; her pale white skin glistened slightly with sweat. Her soft face brightened greatly with her ever increasing smile.

My dark grey suit made my brown skin seem darker and almost mixed with it. My short black hair combed forward for once and slightly spiked. I spun Aria around then pull her in close for a hug. As she looked up at me, I slowly pressed my lips to hers. I could feel her pressing back slowly. After a moment I pulled away. Both of us were breathing heavily now, but our smiles made up for however tired we had become.

“I love you.” I could see her begin to blush. The foundation did not hide it well; the heat of my own face told me I was also. “I love you with all my heart and there is nothing that will change that.” I held her close and kissed her forehead.

Her hand stayed on my cheek as she began to tear up, “I love you too, Kazzel. No one can deny my love for you.” She brushed my lips with a kiss before clinging to my chest and resting her head on my shoulder.

I could feel myself getting choked up, “Aria, will you marry me?” Her ears flicked as her head lifted slowly, and my heart raced as she turned to look me in the eyes. He smile never faltered, “Kazzel…”

I groaned heavily as the alarm clock rang. I clicked the reset button and roll onto my side. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I slowly sat up and stretched my arms to the ceiling. Throwing my legs to the side of the bed, I ran my hands through my bed-messed hair and face. The dream always ended there, right when she’s about to respond to my question.

I pressed my hands to the bed with a sigh and pushed myself to my feet, then made my way into the bathroom to begin my regular routine before classes.

After showering and dressing, I wandered into the kitchen of my small, one bedroom apartment. I used to live in a nicer two bedroom house with my best friend, Wakon, but once he married my sister, Lenda, I felt it was a good idea to live somewhere else, despite whatever Wakon said.

I sighed as I ate my breakfast; a knock came to the door. I arose slowly and walked toward the door. After halving the distance, I stopped. My sight drifted down, checking that I had put on pants, and seeing that I had, I resumed my walking.

Before I could open the door, Wakon busted in, tackling me into a hug. “Morning Kaz!” My eyes stared slightly angrily as I frowned at him. “Guess what today is?”

I stared at him for a moment, blinking occasionally, “I don’t know, Thursday, the day of my biology exam?” He shook his head at me.

“No silly, the day I take you for some relaxation.” Wakon beamed that sentence out of himself; probably he had been trying with all his strength to keep it back. “Road trip!”

I sighed and shook my head at him, “Did you not hear me? I have an exam today. I don’t have the time to go on a road trip.”

Wakon grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the door. “Trust me, it’ll be fine.” Wakon stuffed me into his Jeep and got into the driver seat. “We’re going to go everywhere!” He switched between the stations as he drove down the street to the freeway.