ashes, ashes, we all fall down

by Kailah May T. Paceno

“I pray that you and your brother will grow up well. Take care while I’m gone.”

Father boarded the ship on his star-spangled uniform as he made me wear a bonnet to remember him by. “It’s all for the glory of the country,” they said—I have to admit I still have no idea what that means.

“Are you hungry, my love? I’ll try going to the health-care facility and see if they have any rations.” Mother went out of the house when our cupboards became empty. But really, I would have been fine with eating cassava leaves every day. “Maybe the facility’s on the next hill,” my brother said—that’s probably why we haven’t seen her since then.

“Brother, are you up? It’s snowing outside, let’s go and play!” I opened the door when I didn’t hear his voice. Still fast asleep, I kept shaking him. No matter how much I do so, he was too caught up in his dreams. Strange how his skin was cold to the touch, leaving no trace of the warmth he always gave. ` Mama reminded me not to go outside without asking brother, but the thought of feathery snow blanketing the land after weeks of rubble made me want to watch something pretty—even for just a peek. Grabbing the trusty bonnet Father gave me, I hopped to our backyard in glee. But as I reached my hand towards the sky, hoping to catch a snowflake, my nose scrunched up. “The snow looks different somehow.”

The clear sky was blotted out by a huge shadow overhead, an ink stain on an otherwise perfect view. I could hear a loud buzzing, almost like bees were coming in droves. “A snowstorm so soon?“I held on to my bonnet tighter. Numerous white flashes went off at once and pitch darkness came. I began to lose strength.