The attack was successful.
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As the army returned shouts of joy could be heard for miles. Smiles of happiness because everyone's family, friends, and community had returned. They had even weakened Jasper's forces by taking out fifty guards.
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However, fifty guards mean nothing when there are at least a good five thousand more. A number that the Los Elementos would be lucky to see in fifty years. They would struggle but with Ellie on hand, they would not be defeated.
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Now it is just a waiting game.
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Jasper will strike back so everyone had to ready at all times. Alert during the day and sleep with one eye open. He would be cunning. He would be sly. Yet they would be ready for anything.
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Anika and the trio were all stacking away excess weapons, it had become protocol for everyone to have a weapon on them at all times, bathing in the glory of their win. It was finally time to smile and laugh as they had won the battle. Yet the war was just at hand so with each reaction came a hesitation.
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"When do you think he will strike?" Hope questioned.
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"It will be during the night," Deshi said.
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"Think about it. He wants to hit us when we are most vulnerable. Everyone is calm and happy, kids tucked in bed and warmth all around them."
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"Except we will be ready for it. " Hope stated.
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All four couldn't repress the uncertainty of the whole situation. If one thing went wrong then the whole of the Los Elementos could go down. What if someone didn't have their weapon on them? What if a child was manipulated by a disguised stranger? What if one of them died?
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What if one of them died.
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No one could guarantee safety but how would they carry on if the strongest fell. Four was now the set number, no more no less. Each one influenced the others. Tanya brought strategies. How could they come up with ideas? Deshi was intelligent. Who would know the ins and outs? Hope was motivation. How would they carry on? Anika was the leader. Who would carry hundreds of people into war?
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It was all so confusing.
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"Oh, I managed to get us these by the way."
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Anika threw three small black boxes to each of them. Three individual walkie talkies. She had placed colour on each to be able to identify it if they went missing. Red was Tanya. A colour that represented her well as she loved it. Hope was yellow. Deshi had blue and Anika had white. To say it was like throwing a carcus into a lions cage was an understatement. The four played around with the new toys until it seemed right to go get some food and rest. After all, running around the base testing how far they could reach with their new toys was tiring.
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As they walked back to their room (yes their room, with Jasper around the corner you want to live your life as passionately as possible) Anika held Hope's hand tightly. Slowly strolling back as to bask in the night sky. The stars shone through, piercing the dark abyss with light. Tranquility enveloped the two for the first time since the meeting. Surprisingly when the government wants to kill you, you don't get many moments like this. So they stopped and just looked up. No matter how dead the earth became, at least there were a couple of stars left.
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"They say stars are loved ones that have passed away." Anika turned to the smaller.
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"Stars should have become extinct with the rest of the world but somehow they still turn up."
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"Maybe someone is looking out for you then?" Anika was becoming curious.
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"My grandma." Hope was certain it was her. She explained how her grandma believed the world would change one day. To be perfect. A world where colour only mattered in drawings. One where respect reached every gender and sexuality. A world with children who could run freely in the grass only to be held back by hay fever. Earth just needed a helper. Earth needed hope.
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Anika smiled at the little story. She loved hearing about those who wanted better. Only the fact they would not get to see earth be reincarnated into a healthy being once again filled her with sympathy.
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"Who do you think your star is?"
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"My husband. He passed away three years ago." The pain sliced through Anika's heart as if reopening a wound that had just healed. As she explained to hope the anger rose level by level. Losing Jake was horrible but losing him to Jasper slicing his throat was worse. It was why the Los Elementos hadn't struck back until now. She hadn't had the courage. A tear slowly fell from her brown eyes threatening to open the flood gates of emotion. A small hand came up and wiped it away.
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"He would be so proud of you!" Hope whispered.
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"I didn't think I could love anyone else until now."
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"You love me?"
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Anika placed each hand on the side of Hope's face, a small sniffle heard from the tears that had fallen.
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"Not just yet. But now I know..." she leaned in closer placing her nose on Hope's.
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"That I am capable of loving again." They both smiled and closed the distance.
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Never had a kiss been so sweet and pure. It was just two lost people discovering their way back home. After they parted they held hands and ran back to the room, kissing over and over until the door was opened and a small groan of disgust came from a lanky boy who hung over the bed.
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"Guess I'll go to Tanya and Deshi's room again." he signed.
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The two women giggled and grabbed him into a hug before he could escape. They sat down and played a game whilst snacking on some homemade chips.
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Despite all of the destruction, at least the idea of forming family would never die.
