My Oath

Author: Kindall Weathers

I heard the sirens along with gunshots and screams of the people outside. It was no longer safe here. We had to move. But where? Where could we possibly go? The whole continent was stricken with war. There was no safe haven for us. We were forced to move from one place to another. Forced to uproot our lives because of greedy rich men who can’t control their ego. We, the poor, have to endure such misery and suffering with no salvation in sight. We haven’t eaten in weeks. I don’t even remember what it’s like to have a warm meal. Forced to survive off shrubs and small rodents.

“Is this life? Is this what my life will amount to? Just an insignificant speck of dust forced to endure such hardship.” I said to myself.

“Enough of this pity party,” the old man said, “We have to move.”

So we did. It was just he and I now. There used to be more, but our numbers slowly trickled down. Some died from illness, some from the famine, and most were hit by the guns and exploding bombs. Some took their own lives. They couldn’t bear to live the life of an insignificant cog in the wheel. To them death was the only salvation. I wonder if they ever found such salvation. At least I hope they did.

Amongst the people who have left this world were my mother and baby sister. They were gunned down by the militia’s soldiers. My sister, who was only twelve at the time, snuck onto one of the military’s camps and stole some of their rations. They ultimately caught wind of it and tracked her down. They came to our hut and dragged my sister out to the middle of the camp. They were going to publicly execute her and use her as an example. “Never bite the hand that feeds you,” are the words they said. What rubbish they speak. We barely ate, they hoarded all the food and rations, and only gave us the crumbs. My already sick mother tried to plead with the men to spare her daughter, but they would not listen. They raised their weapons at my mother and sister. I

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tried to intervene, but the old man held me back. The men pulled the triggers and my mother and sister were gone. I couldn’t do anything but watch. The pain was so unbearable, I couldn’t even cry.

I felt so much anger that I vowed to get revenge on the people who had forsaken us to this life. I will destroy this terrible government and rebuild it in my image. No one will ever have to endure the burdens of war ever again. My people under my rule will only know peace and prosperity. I will achieve no matter what. No matter how much it costs. No matter how much blood I have to get on my hands. For this is not a dream; soon it will be a reality. My life will not be so insignificant. I will do something to free these people. For now I will hold back my rage and ambition. I will travel to a new land with the old man, running from the bombs and gunfire. I will make my plan every step of the way and wait for my time to strike.

“That is my decree. That is my oath.”