1 Prelude: Seized

*Third person*

The Vistas were spending their initial routine, specifically a breakfast, while viewing a live TV show aired by their favourite station. The sweet aroma of cheese omelet and fried rice filled each and every nostril – and it is time to dig into that newly served meal. Mrs. Vista often leaves their home early to begin the day's hard work; might as well as the head of the family, Mr. Vista, ponder on heading to his office without being rushed by his no-good superior. As usual, the youngest one, Jaden would always pick up his 4k definition tablet to watch his anime marathons and never stopped without finishing one season.

On the other hand, the eldest, Keisha would always look after the house, her brother, her studies and other priorities in life. She's aware of the fact that she could now get a life of her own; however, she still chooses other people's bliss rather than hers. She had been a real tough gal for this sort of life – resisting pressure and expectations, severe anxieties, dealing with family issues on her own, repelling the temptations of committing worst mistakes again and the like.

Keisha would not even mind it at all for this sort; somehow, she is used to it.

As she was about to finish her omelet, a newsbreak came in interfering with the program; important and troubling news came filling their earlobes.

"Manila is now in red alert. Please take note of the safety precautions. It will not be advisable for the citizens to leave their house this instance", the newscaster announced with a serious tone.

"What the heck is this?" Keisha mumbled to herself after seeing the concerning news from the television. "Mama! You should see the news right now. I think something bad is going on."

Mrs. Vista hurriedly hovered towards the living room – her face turned into a depressing level of expression after hearing the content of the news; this is as if she was giving her a hint that she already knows what is going on.

"Oh, that."

The youngster kept on figuring out what the newscaster had said, confusingly thinking about the sudden newsbreak in the middle of a child-friendly program.

"What's with that face?"

The worried mother of two walks closer to her teener, misty-eyed. "Listen to me, alright?"

Keisha nodded as she agreed with what her mother told her.

"Pack your things and your brothers'. Bring everything that you need. Never leave your precious treasures behind. And your father and I will hand you some… things that you might need in case of emergency. Take care of your brother, be attentive and be safe, ight?" Mrs. Vista gently spoke to her seventeen-year-old child, patting her head.

"What is going on? I need to know what is happening here. Why do we need to leave? I thought we need to stay at home just like the newscaster told us right now." Keisha questioned non-stop with a face full of worry.

Keisha's mother answered, hesitating on the words she'd possibly utter, "There are bad people who invaded our city and it's not safe for you to be here."

"Mama, just tell it to me directly, okay? I really don't get what you are talking 'bout. You can just tell the exact thing. And the fact that I'm already seventeen, it's just too much for you to speak to me as if I am a kid." The youngster demanded but was still polite towards her mother.

Mrs. Vista sighed before answering, "The government is supposedly building up a team or some sort of collaboration with other countries' supremacy, to unite in the trading industry and increase our economy's worsening status. There's this one organization that had been subtle in movement all over these past few years, that the country thought that nothing bad would happen if we had our alliances. Now that our country's vulnerable, they had the chance to invade and terrorize us. And the battle starts now… Supposedly, they should be battling to some other place, yet Manila became their chosen stage to play."

Not a little while, the two ladies began to stuff essential things inside two backpacks inside the bedroom as they continued their conversation regarding the ongoing chaos.

Let out a sigh of despair and disbelief, Keisha breathed in and uttered the words she wanted to say, "So, what are you two gonna do now?"

"We have no other options but to join the military voluntarily. It wasn't meant to be called that way anymore. We were already assigned." Said Mrs. Vista as she folded the clothes to be put in the bags.

Keisha's eyes widened after hearing her mother's sudden decision. It was followed by a slam on her lap as she stood up furiously, "WHAT?! NO! You should go with us and find a safe place to stay."

The other replied in distress as she also hadn't got any other option aside being separated from her children, "We can't. Every voter is being requested to do mandatory military training. Women will work in caregiving homes and hospitals, while men will be going through the military. But due to some circumstances, even the women should be battling against the invaders. This is for your safety. If we can't make it, so be it. At least your Papa and I have already bear in mind that our eldest daughter is responsible enough to live on her own and of course, take good care of her little brother."

"You think?", sarcastically, the lassie responded after completing her task and grabbed their bags, taking them out from the bedroom where they talked.

"There had been an organization for juveniles' safety. You need to join forces with them in order for you to survive." Mrs. Vista followed her daughter's walking to the living room, trying to convince her with the option given to them.

"What organization? Are you serious?!" Keisha stopped, facing her mother in disappointment, her hand slamming on her face.

Before she could say another word, an exasperating and lurid war indicator rang as a sign that the end of this land is near. Or is it just about to start? What if they would be captured soon? What would they do?

Mrs. Vista did not hesitate to push and rush her children towards the emergency exit of their house. Although we all knew that no mother could leave their loved ones alone; in this case, no mother could ever risk her children's lives.

"Now, Keisha! You should both go ahead by now or else, they will hunt you down. I want you two to be strong, alright?"

Keisha and Jaden had no other chance to oppose, so they followed to at least lessen their parents' burden.

Teary-eyed, Keisha replied, "We will…"

By the time she finished getting the essentials that both her and her brother need, they both bid their goodbyes to their beloved parents, exiting through a door leading to an underground passage. This is just too sudden that she is not even hesitant to survive the plagues of death.

She highly doubted this responsibility they were talking about. They would be caught by the pursuers soon and be served as their victory dinner dishes.