Day 2; 3:00 AM
Sirens rang. People woke. People rushed out of their homes in distress. There was nowhere to go. The Isobanian Armed Forces were dropping gas into the centre of the city. People fell to the floor holding their children. People prayed to God. Women in hijabs held their children tightly to them. The gas made it impossible to see through 5 feet in front.
Out of nowhere, buses arrived. Central Osean Charter Co. buses arrived and the bus drivers made the daring move to step out and drag numerous men, women, and children out of the gas area. One of the helpers picked up a five-year-old boy. "Where am I?" he stuttered out. The driver didn't explain. He just wrapped the boy in a hug as he sat the boy down next to his older sister.
Once the rest of the city that was still alive was picked up and accounted for on the hundreds of buses, they made their way over to the tribal lands outside of the Central Osean borders. Some of the buses drove for over five days to the coasts of the lands to be picked up by the nation of Drasyll, where a new life in faith and peace would be waiting for them.
The gas attacks lasted for around twenty minutes. The aftermath left thousands dead in the streets and even more in critical condition. The sun rose above the horizon. The sunshine and the blue sky covered the morning. The cities in COR were in ruins. Very little people were left. Many of the ZSCO militants started life anew in some of the lands of the former strongholds. The Central Osean Republic Civil War was finally over.
Isaac Kibangi's eyes started to open. He twitched his fingers. He started to finally feel movement in his head and he finally woke up. Then, he saw his mother's arms around him. Her eyes were closed and she had no pulse. He wept lightly at her. Then, he located his father and sister. They were both dead as well. Then, he located fifty other dead bodies around him. He got up to his feet lightly. He could barely feel himself. He started to limp down the street.
Familiar sights like the bagel store, the bookstore, the Nosqae, the water fountain of African Lords Kimbu and Angula. All of these places once filled to the brim with people. The bagel store always had a long line to get bagels. The bookstore was always crowded. People always wanted to buy the latest books of Nerdland 101. Every kid would read it. Every adult would read it. The water fountain was a place where everyone would go to in the mornings to pay their respects to their leaders chosen by Zadif.
The Nosqae was always the number one place to go. After school, they would go recite the Kurain. After big sporting events, they would go to pray. Before fasting, the Nosqae would hold a big prayer ceremony, a major celebration, and would always get the kids together for a friendly football (soccer) game. The Nosqae was always a popular place. The African Lords on many occasions went here to pray with the locals.
All of these places were put into ruins. However, there was one room in the Nosqae that was still in okay condition; the Sunday School. Isaac wept as he went inside the building. He looked at the walls. Pictures drew by little kids were scattered all over the floor. The Holy Kurain book in the room was on the floor and pieces of it singed (burnt) off. The marble floor was covered with debris from walls falling. However, he looked into the room and saw someone. It was his sweetheart, Nazanin Abedi.
He took a seat next to her. Her eyes gleamed with tears as she stared at him. They both rose to their feet and they embraced each other. Nazanin started to bawl. She exclaimed, "I was so worried. Don't leave me again, sweetie! You are all I have left." He looked at her. She looked at him. They then embraced once more. The embrace lasted for minutes. Maybe more. Then, Isaac took her to the center of town. He then grabbed a piece of paper for a letter to whoever picked it up.
13 June 2019
Dumbekolobwe, Central Osean Republic
To whom this may concern,
If you are reading this, this is from the past. Our nation has collapsed at the hands to the hands of Lungha, Roctania, Isobania, and Lorigia. However, the loss of the war wasn't enough. Isobania had to gas our nation. Numerous cities had been hit, but none as bad as Dumbekolobwe. Thousands died. Buildings I walked past to go to school are in ruins. The biggest prize in Osea, the Nosqae is in ruins. I saw my friends dead on the floor. I saw my father, mother, and sister dead right next to me. I don't have much left. However, I have one person left: my girlfriend. I have one ounce of hope that our nation's story does not get lost in time. Whoever gets this, please spread this letter over the world. Let the world be reminded that Isobania is ruthless. Let this be a reminder that when nations jump the gun and associate terrorists with actual people, this is what happens. Our nation has nothing left. However, I need this letter to be spread far and wide as Anea and Fusea.
Best, Isaac
Then, Isaac let the letter blow into the wind to wherever it may go. Tears hit him. Tears turned to cries and cries turned to sobs. Everything he had was gone. The Isobanians took everything. "Why do the Isobanians have to be so cruel. We had nothing to do with the terrorists and our people had to pay for it," he sobbed. Nazanin put her head on his shoulder. "Sweetie, this isn't your fault. Your letter will get around, and people will know. I found us a better life. We need to get into Roctania. Then, from Okusha, we get to Nairobi, African Strand. We can either choose to live there or somewhere else. My love, there is a chance of a new life for us," she soothed. They remained on the bench for awhile longer as the sun began to set on a place they once called home.
