Page 108 - RKJ 2019 Online Flip Version

Galbadia, of course. They were the neighboring nation that had occupied “I want you to go to this school and I want you to promise me that
Timber since before Nida was born. you’ll be safe. I want you to grow up strong and happy,” she said.
“Of course, they do. They want an entire generation to grow up Nida could only hear part of what she was saying now, his senses
outside this mess so that they don’t grow up to fight in the Resistance,” choked by his agony. He could barely find time to breathe between
Father said. staggered sobs.
“I won’t let them take my baby,” Mother said resolutely. “Just stay safe. Stay out of sight and don’t get into trouble. Please,
Nida felt water droplets on his hair. Nida. Just live.”
“We can’t feed all three of us on twelve meals a week, Jacqueline,”
said Father. “Garden feeds their students three meals every day. The
boy could get an education and do something with his life.”
“Sure,” Mother hissed, clenching Nida tighter. “He could go become
one of them.”
“At least he’d be safe,” Father said firmly.
Mother could not muster a response but continued to cling to Nida.
What was happening? And why was Mother so sad? What boy were
they talking about? Surely not Nida. Nida was going to stay here with his
parents. They’d never had much to eat, but with some help from the
vegetable garden and a few bits of contraband from the old man next door
they’d survived up to now. Nida wasn’t even that hungry. Nida didn’t
need much to eat. Nida didn’t have to go anywhere. Nida didn’t want to
leave.
Nida didn’t want to leave.
“Nida,” Father said, finally addressing the boy properly. “Do you know
what Garden is?”
“No,” Nida said. He tried to rival his mother’s grip on him.
Father explained. A school where they would teach you how to be a
soldier, how to become stronger, how to do all sorts of amazing things.
Nida would see the world, he would rise in the ranks of the military and
become a leader of men. One day, he might even own a mansion in
Deling City. Nida didn’t want any of that. Nida wanted to stay right here.
Nida didn’t want a mansion. He didn’t want a door-mi-tor-ee or whatever
that word was. He wanted the small steel house, with the splintered
wooden door, the stained dishes, and the dirty table. He wanted Mother
and Father. He didn’t want to leave.
“Nida,” Mother said when Father had finished his speech. “You
should go.”
This hurt him. Father had brought up this silly idea but surely Mother
would be on his side. Why was Mother doing this to him? Did she not
love him anymore? Was that it? Were they sending him away because
he’d been bad?
“I don’t want to!” Nida cried out finally. “I promise I’ll be good. I won’t
eat too much, I promise!”
“Nida,” Mother said, trying to steady her son, while still fighting back
her own tears. “Nida, you have to go.”
Nida buried his face into his Mother’s lap, unable to contain his grief
any further. Mother gently stroked his hair, as she tried to offer him some
explanation.