Ishtar was always strong. She was strong when the duties of the house became her burden. And she was strong when the tides washed all away.
It was an unusual for Ishtar at least. School was nothing new, with its constant beats of homework, schoolwork, reading, writing, and people. But her parents were home today, which for their usual biweekly (in this case twice a week) visits was a surprise to say the least. As emergency operators, they never had as much time for their children as they would have like. They say its to celebrate her next new journey, college. Ishtar dreaded these conversations. The incessant questioning of where are you going to go, and what are you going to do.
Her parents always said "Take your time, explore, just have a good time. And under no circumstances will you ever touch any narcotics. Ok?" Ishtar loves them, and gets what they want to say, but jeez. I have heard this story since middle school. Ishtar shook her head of thought. She had her sister to take care of anyway. Pulling up her list of ingredients for dinner, Ishtar headed out to the store grabbing some olive oil, onions, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, spice, garlic, 2 lbs of sausage, manicotti noodles, and spinach. She then headed home, and began to work on the filling, sautéing onions, mashing up meat, adding spices, and making a nice tomato sauce. Then assembling it into large noodle shells to make a delicious offering.
As the final dish was being assembled, Delaney, Ishtar's sister, snuck up and stole a little morsel of meat when she thought Ishtar wasn't looking. As Delaney savored the nice fatty taste, a large shadow towering over her made her freeze in the spot. Turning around, and seeing glowering titan
"Umm, this is good, when is dinner?" Delaney says, trying to defuse the situation.
"There is no dinner for you gremlin," Ishtar menacingly says. Sensing no solution, Delaney runs off with Ishtar right behind. After a moment though, Ishtar stops, yelling "Get dressed, since Mom and Dad will be home tonight, and not pajamas. Not after last time."
"Ok," a voice from the top of the stairs yells back. Ishtar is back in the kitchen, putting the final touches on the meal. Add the tomato sauce, and take the bread out of the oven. Boom Boom Boom the door yells, announcing the presence of what Ishtar assumes to be her parents. Opening the door, her parents, who clearly need a 12 hour nap, and are not at all is this reality. With a sigh and a "Come on in," Ishtar seats them, calling down Delaney and serving the food.
"Such a beautiful daughter, she will be a great wife someday," Jake, Ishtar's father says.
"I don't want to hear your thoughts right now," Ishtar tiredly spits back.
"Hahaha," he laughs it off.
"Come on, speak to your father nicely. You know how much he has to do," Ishtar's mother, Alexis replies.
"Yeah, jackshit around here," Ishtar mutters under her breath. Delaney sits there silently wondering what do I even say, do I rebuke my sister or my parents. As Delaney begins to speak, mouth full of manicotti, as a siren starts to blare; proclaiming its importance for all to hear. Ishtar grabs her phone and sees the words Tsunami Warning, If you are seeing this message, evacuate now. The panic set on. Ishtar grabs Delaney, some water and snacks, a flashlight, and a blanket. And her parent's began to scramble trying to think but floundering as Ishtar yelled at them to run. But it is all too late. The 70 ft tall wall of water rapidly swallowed the city blocks whole. Ishtar hugs her sister. "I love you most," As the waves engulf them, Ishtar feels something in her bones, not them breaking, but morphing and transforming before all fades to black.