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Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: “Screams under the bombardment”

The three children sat in the playroom, surrounded by an uneasy mix of innocence and fear they couldn't name. Their laughter came in short bursts, as if trying to fight off the quiet terror sneaking into their hearts.

The door opened suddenly. Masha stood there, her pale face and tired smile failing to hide the fear in her eyes.

She spoke firmly, though her voice trembled.

"My children… it's just been announced. The fighter jets have entered the capital. Bombing could start any moment. From now on, no one leaves this house. We stay together—no matter what happens."

Ken asked, his small voice anxious.

"But Mom… what about Dad? Won't he go to work?"

Masha lowered her gaze for a moment before answering, her tone steady but fragile.

"Your father… his case is different. He needs to be there. His work is… important."

Silence fell like a heavy curtain. No one dared to ask more. Suddenly, Emily curled into a corner, tears streaming down her face.

"Mom… are we going to die?"

Masha rushed to her, knelt, and hugged her tightly—as if she could shield the whole world with her arms.

"No, we won't die, sweetheart. As long as we follow the rules and go to the shelters right away, we'll be fine. I promise."

Emily nodded without a word, but her tears wouldn't stop.

The next day, Masha sat by the Radison in the living room. The blue crystal at its center pulsed faintly while the worried voice of the broadcaster filled the air.

Ken entered hesitantly, stopping behind her before saying,

"Mom… please, let me go to Yoko's house. Just for a bit. I'll come back soon."

She turned to him quickly, her face tense with instinctive protectiveness.

"No, Ken! It's far too dangerous. The planes are flying over the city, soldiers everywhere! You can't go outside!"

He spoke stubbornly, though fear hid behind his defiance.

"But I'll have to go out eventually! I can't stay here forever! School will open soon!"

Masha sighed, placing a tired hand on her forehead.

"I don't know… I really don't know…"

Before she could finish, a deafening explosion tore through the city, shaking the walls as dust rained from the ceiling. Ken leapt toward her, terrified, pressing into her chest as his heart pounded wildly.

"Mom! What's that?! Mom, what's happening?!"

She pulled him close, her voice trembling as she tried to stay strong.

"The bombing has started… hold on to me, Ken!"

His small body shook in her arms, tears soaking her shoulder. He cried, voice breaking between sobs and panic.

"I don't want to die! Mom, please… I don't want to die today!"

She hugged him tighter, her hair falling over his face as she forced her tone to stay calm.

"You won't die, Ken… I'm here… I'll never leave you."

But Ken could hear nothing except the roar of bombs tearing the sky apart. The house trembled, the windows screamed, and darkness swallowed the daylight. For the first time, he felt the world could end in an instant.

He whispered shakily, barely audible,

"Is this the end… without doing anything? Without saying goodbye to anyone?"

Masha ran her hand over his hair, kissed his forehead like sealing a vow between mother and fate. Her voice broke softly,

"This won't be your end, my son… you weren't born to end here. Just hold on to me…"

Outside, the explosions tore the city apart while Ken clung to her, holding on to the last piece of his childhood—as if she were his final link to life.

In the bedroom, Emily hid under the bed, screaming, hands pressed to her ears, while Dan sat against the wall, eyes wide, hands over his head like a fragile shield.

In a dark house nearby, eight-year-old Yoko stood close to her brother, seeking safety beside him, her smoke-streaked face wet with tears.

"Brother… what's happening?"

Her question came out broken, a whisper in the storm. Her brother tried to sound calm, though his voice trembled.

"Don't be scared, little sister… everything will be all right."

At Ken's house, an hour after the bombing began, Akako returned from outside. His eyes were dim, as if the war had already stolen something from him. He stood before his anxious family and said quietly,

"Our neighbor, Kamo… he and his family are dead. The bomb hit their house directly."

Masha gasped, her trembling hand covering her mouth.

"No… that can't be…!"

Ken's eyes widened.

"What about Yoko?! Is she okay?!"

Akako replied,

"No confirmed news. But their house wasn't listed among the destroyed areas… I think they're safe."

"I'm going to her now!"

Ken shouted, voice shaking.

He didn't wait for permission—he ran for the door, driven only by his heart, leaving stunned faces behind.

"Why didn't you stop him?!"

Masha screamed, staring at her husband, terror filling her eyes.

Akako didn't move. His face pale, he said,

"If I stopped him, he'd live the rest of his life in regret. Besides… their house is right behind ours. It's not far. I'll go out too, to the shop before the roads close. We need food… and soap."

When Ken stepped outside, the neighborhood no longer looked familiar. The air was thick with smoke, the sky roared with jet engines, and the houses that once smiled with morning light were now piles of rubble. He ran, feeling his heart hammer like a drum with every step.

When he saw Yoko's house still standing, he gasped for air as if breaking free from water. She was in the yard, bending down to stack pieces of stone silently.

"Yoko! You're safe?!"

She lifted her head and smiled—the smile of a child defying the end of the world.

"I'm fine… and I'm glad you're alive, Ken."

He ran to her, tears glimmering in his eyes.

"Don't die… please don't die. You're my only friend."

She laughed, waving her hand with the confidence of a child untouched by despair.

"Me? No way! I'll live a long time… we'll grow up together… and get married too! Deal?"

Ken's face turned red. He looked away, stammering,

"W-what are you saying?"

Before she could answer, the air raid siren wailed again—screaming for survival. She grabbed his hand, eyes suddenly serious.

"The school's turned into a shelter. We have to go—now!"

"But… my family? Mom? Dad? Dan? Emily?!"

"They'll come later! They know the way! We have to survive first!"

They ran together, hand in hand, as the ground exploded beneath them.

At Ken's house, Akako was putting on his coat when the siren blared. Before he could move, Masha's scream echoed through the house.

"Ken isn't here!!!"

Everything fell from his hands. His face went pale, death tightening around his chest.

"What?! No… no, this can't be… Ken!!!"

Masha shouted, panic overtaking her,

"Dan! Emily! To the shelter, now!!"

Dan fought his tears while Emily clung to her mother, trembling.

"Mom… I'm scared!"

Masha stroked her hair.

"Don't be scared, sweetheart… I'm with you. We'll survive… just stay close to me."

Akako burst out of the house, slamming the door behind him as if sealing his fate. Masha stood frozen for a moment, then lifted her face, forcing herself to stay strong.

"Dan, get the emergency bag… quick."

He obeyed instantly, but when he returned, he saw her trembling as she helped Emily into her small coat, trying to stay composed while tears threatened to break her voice.

Then Dan glanced toward the back door. He stared for a moment and whispered to himself,

"Father went out alone… what if he can't find Ken? What if he needs me?"

He looked at his mother, made his choice quietly, put on his coat, and slipped out the back door.

"I'm the oldest brother… I won't leave him alone. It's my responsibility."

He ran through the alleys, between rubble, smoke, and screams.

Meanwhile, Akako sprinted through the ruined streets, shouting from his soul,

"Keeeeen!!! Where are you, my son?!"

Each time he screamed, the city answered with the sound of planes and explosions. He ran until his legs gave out, falling to his knees in the middle of the road, eyes searching through the ashes.

"I… I'm a failure of a father… I let you leave on this day… how could I trust a child's words?!"

Ash fell into his hair as his heart froze. Then he stood, fists clenched, eyes sharp.

"I won't return without you, Ken… I swear it!"

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