MELANIE SANTIAGO
The war ended 10 years ago, but I still feel as the war is ranging on. Everywhere I go I see what the war did to us, what it cost us. I see it in every person I come across, how miserable they all are. I wish I could make the pain go away especially my mother.
My mother was a fearless leader during the war. Everywoman looked up to my mother believing they could be just like her. I admire my mother for the brave, courageous woman she is. I wanted to be just like her, to fight in the war, but I was too young. My mother always told me to stay and tend to the young. so I did as I was told. My brother and father fought in the war. They were the leaders, strong and brave just like my mother. My brother and father kept the rebels known as the citizens for Democracy together. They rallied people from all parts of the country against the government. It amazed me how easy it was for them to rally all these people, but they did. They fought for my brother, father and for freedom. I was so happy that so many people fought for what they believed in. My mother who was soft spoken told the people who were reluctant to join the war "The only way to save our freedom is to fight." My mother was right and she continues to right to this very day. The people listened to my mothers words and joined the fight. They fought hard, they fought bravely, and they did not give up. I was proud of everyone of them who stood up for what they believed in. My father, brother and the citizens for democracy were doing well until a crushing blow ended and tore my world into pieces.
It was Christmas Eve. We were having a celebration, everyone was singing and dancing, then we heard a loud boom. That's when I saw Katherine Sullivan and her armies. I started to run, my mother right behind me. We hid behind a car. I was scared and terrified. I saw bodies lying on the ground. I saw bloodied children crying for their mothers. I saw Katherine Sullivan killing without mercy. Her entire army killing innocent children, children who had nothing to defend themselves. it was so heartbreaking to watch. Then I saw my mother running towards my father, bullets flying everywhere. My mother didn't stop until she reached my father. It was incredible how my mother wasn't scared of all the chaos that was around her, all she could think of was getting to my father. I saw Katherine Sullivan again, she was getting close to me. I ducked behind a car. I looked from underneath the car, she was right in front of me. She was smiling while she had a gunned pointed at a child, she fired point blank in the head. I always wonder about Katherine Sullivan. Was she a mother? Did she have any kids? I wanted to know if she could sleep at night knowing she killed these poor innocent kids. I turned back to see my father, and he was standing alongside my mother and brother. My father raised the white flag and surrender to Katherine Sullivan. They were arrested immediately.
I heard my father asking Katherine Sullivan to spare my mother and she did. My mother walked toward me with a different look on her face, a look of defeat. I asked my mother what was wrong. She didn't answer me. I saw Katherine Sullivan looking at us one last time, she smiled and then she order two of her soldiers to take my father, brother and the rest of the rebels away. I looked at my father tears rolling down my face. That was the last time I ever saw my father. The next day my father was killed along with sixteen fighters. My mother cried all day and all night. I knew from that day on I had to be strong and take care of my mother, which I did. From that day on our lives changed and everything my father fought for was gone. My brother is in Manhattan prison. Manhattan Island was turned into the largest prison in the Republic. I don't get to see my brother as much as I would like to. To be closer to him I go to Roosevelt Island and just stare into Manhattan for hours and hours. I miss Carlos everyday of my life. I miss everything about him. The way he always made fun of me to the way he always protect me. I wonder every single day if he 's alive.
My mother hasn't been the same for the last ten years. The strong capable woman is no long there. She tries everyday to be strong, but I know better. She cries everyday for my father and for Carlos. Her friends come to visit her to cheer her up, but that doesn't work, nothing seems to be working. My mother is severely depressed and there is nothing I can do to help her. My mother doesn't eat when the food arrives. I try to give her food, but she pushes the food away. Its like she's pushing me away too. Lately my mother has been getting sicker and sicker. The doctor comes by twice a week, but he doesn't;t give her medicine. The doctor tells me he's going to find medicine, but I don't believe him. He works for the Republic. Why should I believe him. I spent the day waiting on my mother, cooking, cleaning, hoping she will eat, bit no luck. After my chores are done, I go to see my best friend Isabella. I call her Bella. Her father died along side my father. We spend everyday together telling each other stories about our fathers. Each one of those stories makes me laugh. They make us laugh. It warms my heart to know that we have those memories to remember our fathers. We laugh together, we cry together, our lives have been okay knowing we still have each other. We wish everyday that our families are whole, but we now it's never going to happen. Me and Bella have managed our homes well. Bella tells me the Republic is dropping food for us. I hope it's true since the Republic has been promising us food for weeks . That's not the only thing I need and the rest of the people need. We also need water, medicine and blankets. This better be true because I don't know how much longer my mother can last.
Today me and Bella have decided to go to the tracks which have been abandoned since the days of the freedom war. We climb the long stairway up to the tracks. It's a long climb, but we made it. Me and Bella sat on one of the empty train carts reminiscing about the days when we use to take the train to school. we laugh together about all the crazy things we did on the train. I miss those days when could just be kids and have fun, we grew up too fast we didn't have a chance to be kids. Me and Bella grew up a lot during the war. It was a tough time to be kids seeing all the carnage. I still have nightmares about the war, but I don't let it affect me. Me and Bella talk about everything including finding love and kids. It's amazing how we can still talk about crazy things. I remember the time when me and Bella talked about being each others braids maid. I hear a noise so I move towards the window and see a Republican plane coming towards us. I can't believe they kept their word. Me and Bella watch where the drop is going to be. I run out of the train cart Bella right behind me. I saw where they dropped our supplies. It's right below us. Me and Bella race down to the streets to grab the supplies. We grab all the supplies we would need to help our families. Me and Bella walk back to our homes happily that we got enough food, water, and blankets, but no medicine. I just hope my mom can survive.
Once we got back to our neighborhood, there was a group of people surrounding my home. My neighbor Mr. Salvador had tears in his eyes when he came out of my house. He grabbed my hand and told me my mother has passed away. I dropped to my knees and began to cry. Bella and Mr. Salvador went over to me and hugged me. He told me the entire neighborhood is going to honor my mother and bury her with honor. That night as they prepare my mother for burial, I stayed in my home gathered all my stuff and went to stay with Bella. When I got to Bella's house I found a quiet place to relax. I took out all the pictures I had of my family. Those were good times. Oh how I miss my family. I miss them so much, now I'm the only one left. I have to carry on my families legacy. I don't know how I'm going to do that, but tomorrow I bury my hero, my mother. Until tomorrow.