Dark Weapon Book One: Time of Bombing

CHAPTER ONE

The afternoon sun blazed down on Danima, transforming the city's streets into a sweltering oven. Residents sought refuge however they could—some wielding newspapers as makeshift parasols, others clutching battery-operated fans, their gentle hum offering meager respite from the oppressive heat.

In one of the cramped houses, a heated argument between Dana and her mother reached a boiling point. Dana stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her like a gunshot. The neighbors, well-versed in her tempestuous nature, parted like the Red Sea, allowing her to pass with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

Her mother hesitated at the threshold, eyes scanning the gathering crowd. The neighbors' faces reflected excitement and expectation, phones ready to capture the impending drama. With a muttered curse, she retreated inside, her anger redirected at her husband—the supposed architect of their miserable fate in this 'gossip-themed Estate'.

Emilie burst into the living room, crumpled paper clutched in her fist like a smoking gun. 'Mom, you won't believe this!' she exclaimed, words tumbling out in a rush. Rose looked up from her book, brow furrowed. 'What is it, sweetie?'

'Dana still has the Defense Academy entrance exam form,' Emilie said, waving the paper. Rose's expression darkened, lips compressing into a thin line. She took the paper from Emilie, fingers drumming against the armrest as she scanned it.

'This is outrageous,' Rose muttered, voice low and even. 'We'll have to put our foot down this time.' Emilie nodded vigorously, ponytail bobbing. 'Should we tell Dad?' she ventured, voice hesitant.

Rose shook her head, jaw set in determination. 'No, he'll just cave in to her whims again.' She crumpled the paper in her hand, fingers tightening around it like a vice. 'We'll handle this ourselves.'

*

Dana twirled around the room, flip-flops held high like a makeshift microphone. She belted out a remixed version of 'The Lion King' soundtrack, substituting 'mighty officer' for 'mighty king.' Emilie, seated at her desk, tried to study but couldn't focus through the noise. She read the same line in her notebook repeatedly, frustration mounting.

'Shut up, I'm trying to concentrate!' Emilie finally snapped, glare fixed on Dana. But Dana continued singing and dancing, unfazed. 'I'm brushing up, not looking down, I'm working on my target!' she warbled.

Emilie's patience wore thin. She grabbed a flip-flop and hurled it at Dana. Dana dodged with ease, eyes lighting up. 'Whoa! Did you see that?' she exclaimed.

Unbeknownst to Dana, Rose stood behind her, face darkening. Emilie's eyes widened in alarm as she mouthed 'Sorry, Mom' with a pleading expression. The flip-flop, still airborne, found a new target—Rose's shoulder. Dana's eyes widened as she realized her mistake. She darted behind Emilie, using her as a shield. Rose's face twisted in a scowl. Dana peeked around Emilie's shoulder, saw her mother's stern face, and quickly hid again.

'When will the two of you let me have peace in my own home?' Rose asked, voice exasperated. 'Sorry,' they chimed in unison, apology lacking conviction.

Rose's gaze narrowed as she wagged a finger at Dana. 'And you—when will you get this Military Officer fantasy out of your head?' Dana peeked from behind Emilie, voice defiant. 'But I'm gonna become a Military Officer!'

Rose's expression darkened, warning stern. 'Say that one more time and you'll know I'm your mother.' Dana fell silent, fear of her mother's wrath evident in her stifled reply.

The tension dissipated as Rose turned to leave, Dana's glare following her out. 'Urggghh, she's so annoying,' Dana muttered, flopping onto the bed. Emilie's cautionary whisper cut through her frustration. 'Shhhhhh, she's still in the house.'

Dana's annoyance shifted to excitement as she rummaged through her bag. 'Hey! One of my friends gave me this form. I brought one home before but couldn't find it.' Her eyes locked onto Emilie, knowing glint unmistakable. Emilie's eyes widened—her responsibility in the missing form evident.

'Anyway, she said if I fill out this form, I'd have a chance to become a Military Officer,' Dana explained, eyes sparkling.

'How?' Emilie asked, curiosity aroused.

Dana hesitated, voice dropping to a whisper. 'Well, promise me you won't tell Mom.'

'Promise,' Emilie replied, eyes locked onto Dana's.

'Her uncle is in the force,' Dana began. 'She said that when I'm done with my final exams, I can take the entrance exam to the Defense Academy. Then, when I pass—which I will—I can attend the school, graduate, and have an automatic job as a Military Officer.'

Emilie's eyes widened, concern dissipating. 'Wow!'

Dana grinned. 'Yeah, wow doesn't even come close. I mean, I'd just take the exam, pass, and—bang!—I've got the job.'

Emilie raised an eyebrow. 'But you know it's not that easy.'

Dana waved her hand dismissively. 'Chill, sis. You know when it comes to books, my head is always on fire.'

Emilie tilted her head back, skeptical. 'When did you start reading?'

Dana's eyes gleamed with determination. 'Since the day I set my mind to become an Officer.'

Emilie's expression turned serious. 'Mom won't allow it.'

Dana rolled her eyes. 'Just leave Mom out of this. Once Dad comes back from his business trip, I'll tell him everything. You know I'm his favorite, right?'

Emilie's gaze was unyielding. 'That's in three months, and this form says you have to write the exam this month.'

Dana's face fell, but her resolve remained unwavering. 'Why are you trying to discourage me?'

Emilie's voice softened. 'I'm not trying to discourage you, but I know Mom, and you do too. She'd never let you take that exam.'

Dana's eyes flashed with defiance. 'Unless you tell her.'

Emilie's eyes widened in alarm. 'What if she asks me?'

Dana's grin was persuasive. 'Emilie, why would she ask you about this? You're starting to sound like you don't want me to take the exam.'

Emilie's protest was cut short as Dana continued, 'You know what? Let's just act like we never had this conversation.' With that, Dana turned and walked out, leaving Emilie looking concerned and uncertain.

*

Dana and her friends huddled behind the classroom, whispers filled with excitement. They were planning their future as Military Officers, and everyone had their parents' consent except Dana. As the leader, she couldn't bear the thought of being left behind. Lying was her specialty, and she knew exactly how to spin a convincing tale.

'So, are you taking the exam?' Chelsea asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

Dana hesitated, mind racing. 'Kinda,' she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Chelsea raised an eyebrow. 'Kinda? Is it yes or no? My uncle doesn't like wasting time.'

Cathy chimed in, voice laced with sarcasm. 'Bro, are you really asking Dana if she's taking the exam? If anyone's going, it's definitely her.'

Chelsea turned to Dana, expression expectant. 'Well? Aren't you answering?'

Dana took a deep breath and lied with conviction. 'It's definitely a yes.'

Chelsea nodded, seemingly satisfied. 'Fine, remember the date. Where the hell's Martine?'

Just then, Martine, the Queen Bee of the school, sauntered in, left arm held high like a victory sign, gum chewing loud and obnoxious. The group rolled their eyes in unison, but Dana's mind raced ahead, her lie spinning a web of deceit she hoped wouldn't unravel.

'Good morning!' Martine sang, voice dripping with sweetness. Everyone in the classroom felt obliged to respond. As the queen of the school and part of Dana's clique, Martine's words were law.

Chelsea, her twin sister and arch-nemesis, rolled her eyes. 'Martine, where did you run off to again?' she asked, tone laced with annoyance.

Martine's response was icy. 'That would be none of your concern. Thank you.'

Chelsea's eyes narrowed. 'Well, it is my concern. We're twins, identical at that. I don't want my image tarnished because of your immoral behavior.'

Martine's expression remained unyielding. 'Thank you for the sermon, Miss Preacher, but it's still none of your concern.'

The argument was interrupted by the Math Teacher, his cane tucked under his sweaty armpit. The students grimaced in distaste, whispering about the rumored body temperature that made him a walking biohazard. Martine, in particular, had a vendetta against him, possibly due to her struggles with Math.

'Every time he carries that cane around as if it's his wife,' Martine muttered under her breath, eyes rolling in exasperation.

'Well, class, today we're tackling Differentiation,' Mr. David announced, writing on the blackboard. The students, all in their final year of high school, should have been familiar with the concept, but their blank faces told a different story.

Chelsea turned to Martine and whispered, 'Have you ever heard of that topic?'

Martine's response was laced with sarcasm. 'If I've ever heard of it, then the world's coming to an end.'

Mr. David's gaze scanned the room, settling on Dana. 'Dana,' he called, voice firm but encouraging.

Dana stood up, eyes locked on the teacher. 'Sir?'

'What do you know about Differentiation?' Mr. David asked, eyes expectant.

Dana hesitated, voice barely above a whisper. 'Um... not much. I only know it deals with the formula dy/dx.'

The classroom erupted into snickers and whispers. But a single glare from Dana was enough to silence them. Her gaze commanded respect. The room fell quiet, students awaiting Mr. David's next move.

'Well, do you know how to apply the formula?' he asked, eyes still fixed on Dana.

She shook her head, voice barely audible. 'No.'

The classroom fell silent once more. Students wondered why Dana had mentioned the formula if she didn't know how to apply it. But they dared not laugh again, cowed by her fierce gaze.

'You can have your seat, please,' Mr. David said, turning back to the blackboard.

Dana reluctantly returned to her seat. The formula dy/dx now loomed over the class like a specter. Students struggled to focus in subsequent classes, minds wandering to the mathematical websites they would visit later to unravel the mysteries of Mr. David's assignment.

Mr. David's unorthodox methods didn't help. He had a penchant for bizarre examples and problems that seemed like puzzles from a horror film. The latest assignment was baffling: 'If 109 boys die today and are buried on the 6th day of the first week of March in 2041, how long will it take for 705 persons to attend their burials, and how many roses will be given to the deceased?' Students were left boggling at the sheer absurdity.

In the cafeteria, students were divided between those frantically grabbing food before it ran out and those stealing kisses at the back of the room. The teachers' cafeteria, in a separate block, was a tranquil oasis.

'Dana, what are we eating today?' Martine asked, plopping down on Dana's desk.

Dana shrugged, mind elsewhere. 'I'm not really hungry.'

Martine raised an eyebrow. 'What's wrong? You're not still thinking about Mr. David's assignment, are you?'

Dana sighed, eyes gazing into the distance. She wasn't worried about the assignment; she was preoccupied with something far more pressing—how to take the Defense Academy entrance exam without her mother finding out. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

'She's watching her weight,' Cathy joked from behind, voice laced with sarcasm.

Dana turned around, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. 'Ha ha, very funny, Cathy. You haven't spoken all morning, but when it comes to mocking me, your voice is always heard.'

Cathy smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. 'Well, I take joy in it.'

Dana rolled her eyes. 'You need Jesus.'

With that, she got up and marched toward the classroom door, friends staring after her in surprise.

'Where are you going?' Chelsea asked, brow furrowed.

Dana didn't bother turning around. 'For a walk around school. I can't stand the sight of Cathy right now.'

Cathy's smirk widened. 'Really? Then I'm coming too.'

Martine grinned. 'I'll race you guys.'

Dana's eyes flashed with competitive spirit. 'On my call. One, two, three, go!'

The three girls burst out of the classroom, laughter and shouts echoing down the hallway as they raced each other around school.

The joy was cut short by the bell signifying closing time. Students threw their bags over their shoulders, waving goodbye as they went their separate ways. Dana and her friends took the school bus, each making stops at their separate houses until finally, Dana was the last to reach home.

As she stepped off the bus, her expression darkened, mind clouded by the issue she'd been trying to forget. But being the resourceful and optimistic girl she was, she shook off the unease and walked into the house with a determined stride.

'I'm home!' Dana announced, letting her bag drop to the floor with a thud.

Emilie looked at her in horror. Rose's number one house rule was that no one—not even she who made it—was allowed to drop anything on the floor.

'You know you're messing up the room,' Emilie said, voice laced with disapproval.

Dana raised an eyebrow. 'So?'

Emilie's eyes widened in disbelief. 'So? You're seriously asking me that?'

Dana shrugged. 'Yeah, it's not like you're the one who tidies this room or any other room in this house.'

That was the truth, and the truth stings. Emilie fell silent immediately, eyes flashing with annoyance. Just as she was about to pick up the bag, the sound of their mother's car pulling into the driveway startled both of them, and they exchanged a nervous glance.

'One day Mom's constant nagging will drive us mad,' Dana said, voice laced with exasperation.

'I'd rather die than have her breathing down my neck about those blankets,' Emilie said, face reddening with frustration, before she spun on her heel and raced out of the room.

Dana chuckled and shook her head, eyes twinkling with amusement. 'You're something else, Emilie.'

She pulled out the Defense Academy form from her bag, fingers tracing the edges of the paper as she began filling it in. Dana was so engrossed that she didn't notice Emilie returning, having put the blankets in the washer. Emilie stood watching for a moment before slipping away. The scratching of Dana's pen was the only sound, her focus so intense she didn't notice Emilie's brief presence.

The next morning, at the breakfast table, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Rose, their mother, sat at the head of the table, eyes narrowed as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

'What's this I'm hearing?' Rose asked, her voice a mix of surprise and skepticism, eyes narrowing as she set her cup down on the table.

'What?' Dana asked, feigning innocence, eyes locked on her mother's face. Rose was always hearing things, always tuning in to the slightest whisper of disobedience. Dana wondered what she'd picked up on now.

'You're filling out the Defense Academy form?' Rose asked, annoyance evident in how she spat out the words, eyes flashing with disapproval.

Dana glared at Emilie, who was studiously avoiding eye contact, gaze fixed on the toast in front of her. Dana was going to the Defense Academy, and that was final. It was time to stand up for what she wanted.

'Yes, I am,' Dana said, voice firm, jaw set in determination. 'In fact, I already filled it out.'

'You're not taking the exam,' Rose stated, voice flat, eyes cold.

'You can't choose what I'll do with my life!' Dana shouted, voice rising in defiance, fists clenched on the table.

'My decision is final,' Rose said, voice unyielding.

'Oh, your decision means nothing to me, Mom,' Dana spat, voice dripping with disdain. 'Because whether you like it or not, I'm taking that exam.' She pushed her chair back, stood up, and walked out. Again.

Dana rushed to Chelsea's house—the only place she could vent. She rang the doorbell rapidly, frustration evident in every ring. Martine answered, eyebrow raised at Dana's distraught expression.

'Dana, what are you doing here?' Martine asked, hesitating when she saw the anger in Dana's eyes. 'No, don't answer that.' Dana asked for Chelsea, and Martine ushered her inside.

Chelsea came downstairs, curious about the commotion, and found her best friend in a state. 'Bro, what's up?' she asked, concerned. Dana's response was sharp: 'Emilie, that's what's up. She told my mom I was filling out the form. Can you believe that?'

Martine chimed in, unapologetic: 'Hell yeah I can believe it.'

They turned toward Martine in surprise. Normally, when someone vented like Dana did, people offered sympathy. But Martine's response defied convention. 'Come on, don't give me that look,' she said, bluntly. 'We all know Emilie never wants anything good for Dana, right?'

Dana's determination hardened her features. 'I'm taking that entrance exam no matter what.'

Chelsea's eyes widened, mind struggling to catch up. 'Wait, you didn't fill it out all this time?' she asked, disbelief etched on her face.

Dana's expression turned resolute. 'I was still deciding, but yesterday I filled it out and submitted it to the board.'

'Then we'll take the exam before classes tomorrow, before anyone notices,' Chelsea said, eyes sparkling with determination.

Dana nodded enthusiastically. 'I'm cool with whatever you guys want. I just want to take that exam.'

Martine chimed in, tone laced with humor. 'And take it you shall—if your mom doesn't know where and when, because if she does, she's gonna storm that place and pull you out by your bra.' She grinned mischievously.

Dana blushed, deflecting. 'I gave Emilie a wrong date and time when she asked. Thank God for that.' She quickly took her leave, avoiding further discussion about her physical development.

Dana's beauty was undeniable, though she was losing her feminine charm to a boyish physique—a transformation that puzzled her. While her peer Cathy flaunted a curvaceous figure, Dana remained slight and lean.

Martine and Chelsea marveled at her determination, her toughness evident. 'Wow, Dana's really tough,' Martine said, impressed. Chelsea smiled in agreement, 'She sure is.'

With renewed determination, Dana bid her friends farewell and stepped out into the evening air. Her heart felt lighter, resolve solidified. She knew Chelsea and Martine would support her, no matter what.

As she walked back home, the weight of her decision settled on her shoulders. She knew her mother would not be pleased. But Dana was ready to stand up for herself, to pursue her dreams, no matter the cost.