CalemWind blew through the broken floor-to-ceiling windows, carrying flecks of snow into their sockets. No one could have guessed that a war was taking place here just a few days ago. The fire in the center of the room illuminated the large room with its playful flames, casting our shadows and keeping the impending darkness outside. It is the only structure still standing that has not been damaged. All the other buildings in our neighborhood had been burned down, all that was left were their brick and steel skeletons. “Calem, what are we going to do? There is no food here and we have not killed anything to feed others. Melanie whispers. “I don’t know, without vehicles we’ll have to travel on foot. The closest base is Carson, once we get there we might find some adults. Go to sleep for now, I'll keep watch," I replied. The only thought that crossed my mind was to find my parents, they could keep my brother and me safe. Three days ago, the troops came through here, burning everything in their path. They destroyed all the vehicles and burned down many houses. Fortunately for our group, the largest house in our small community was looted but not burned down. community was not at home due to the new working arrangements put in place since the fall of the old government. If you are over twenty-one, you must take one of the trains to go to the different ones. towns or work bases, the only exceptions are those who are too old to do manual labor and are not specialized, their duty is to watch the children When the troops marched, they killed the elderly and us. left to fend for ourselves. We thought the trains would go home with our parents, but they...... middle of paper ...... talking to the girls, "Well Stefanie and Carly, will you both come with me. " As my father walked toward the elevator, the two girls following greeted Calem and Melanie. “Will they be okay?” He asked. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson was a teacher before she moved here.” I answered. “Before you go up, the five of you have to make a wish in the waterfall,” Emma said. “It’s one of the traditions here.” On the edge of the pool is a pool filled with colored glass stones. The stones were made when the buildings were demolished to create Haven. Engraved on the side of the basin is a poem that my father told me every night before bed when I was young. Let your soul flow like river water, Around the hard spots, through the troubles, Over your worries. , and towards your future. My mother wrote it before she died, it's the last memory I have of her.