Dark Weapon Book One: Time of Bombing

Chapter 2

Rose and Emilie paced outside their house, their footsteps echoing off the walls as they anxiously awaited Dana. Their minds conjured worst-case scenarios—an ambulance arriving with Dana's lifeless body. The memory of her suicide threat, uttered to manipulate them into buying her a bicycle, now haunted them. Rose's fear had solidified into conviction: something terrible had happened.

She grasped Emilie's arm, grip tight with urgency. Emilie's fingers were raw from nervous biting. 'Call your father!' Rose demanded, voice low and desperate. 'Dana only listens to him. If he calls her, maybe she'll come home—if she's not already dead.'

Emilie hesitated, protesting. 'Mom, he's in another city. What can he do?' But Rose's desperation overrode reason.

Just then, Dana appeared, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to her mother's frantic worry. 'No need for that. And I'm not dead,' she said flatly.

Rose's anger erupted. 'Where the hell were you?' Dana's response was icy: 'I think that would be none of your business.' She turned and walked to her room, leaving Rose seething.

Emilie followed Dana inside, attempting to mediate. 'Are you out of your mind?' she asked, hands spread wide in disbelief.

Dana's retort was swift. 'I should be asking you that.' Emilie's brow furrowed. 'Huh?' Dana's voice dripped with accusation. 'You going through my stuff and taking that file without permission? You're the one out of line.'

The tension hung in the air as Emilie stood silent for a moment, then turned and walked out, the door clicking softly behind her.

Later that night, Emilie emerged from the bathroom, the scent of soap clinging to her skin. Dana lay on the bed, gaze fixed on the ceiling. The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the quiet room.

'Dana, do you really want to become a Military Officer?' Emilie asked gently. Dana rolled her eyes. 'You're asking like you don't know the answer.'

Emilie's words tumbled out. 'I'm sorry for showing Mom the file. I thought we should tell her.' Dana's tone was sharp. 'Yeah right. You're the perfect daughter.'

'I said I'm sorry,' Emilie pressed on. 'Take the exam, and I won't tell anyone about it this time.'

Dana's skepticism was clear. 'You're not fooling anyone. A day-old baby would see through that.'

'I mean it,' Emilie said firmly. 'Take the exam, and I'll support you however I can.'

Dana searched her sister's face, looking for signs of deception. 'Are you serious?' Emilie's eyes held genuine warmth. 'Yes. I'm serious.'

Dana's tentative smile widened. 'Okay, thanks.' She paused. 'So we're back to normal, right?' Dana's grin broadened. 'Yep. Back to normal.'

As Emilie lay beside her, the sisters shared a moment of understanding, their bond stronger for it. The room was peaceful, the only sound the soft hum of the ceiling fan.

*

The rain of the previous night had left everyone craving a lazy morning, but Dana had no such luxury. She had an exam to take. As she sat at the breakfast table, her excitement was barely contained. And something wonderful had happened: Emilie had given her blessing to take the exam.

Dana's eyes sparkled as she whispered her excitement to Emilie, who hushed her to avoid alerting their mother.

Rose noticed the unusual sparkle in her daughter's eyes. The last time Dana had been this elated was when her rival Samuel came in third at a competition, leaving Dana in second place—she'd danced until she collapsed from exhaustion. Now, with a spring in her step, Dana grabbed her bag and rushed out, leaving her mother puzzled.

Rose turned to Emilie. 'What's gotten into Dana today?'

Emilie shrugged, expression neutral. 'She was just here. Why didn't you ask her yourself?'

Rose's eyes widened. 'What did you just say?'

'I'm leaving,' Emilie said tersely, gathering her bag and walking away before her mother could press further.

Meanwhile, Dana arrived at school and headed straight to her classroom. Chelsea and Martine were already there, but Cathy was noticeably absent. They waited for hours, hoping she'd show up, but as the morning assembly approached, they realized they wouldn't be able to leave the school grounds again.

'Can we leave now? I don't think Cathy's coming,' Dana said, frustration evident in her voice.

Martine chuckled. 'Wow, you're really serious about taking this exam.'

Dana shot back, her anger rising. 'And you're not serious enough!' Their banter continued, unaware of the boy lurking behind the classroom door.

Suddenly, Benjamin's voice startled them. 'What exam?'

Dana's heart skipped a beat, anxiety spiking. 'Mind your own business,' she snapped, eyes flashing with warning.

Chelsea glanced at her watch. 'Let's go,' she said softly.

But Benjamin threatened, his voice dripping with self-righteousness. 'If you leave school now, I'll report you to the teachers!'

Benjamin, the punctuality prefect, was notorious for his strict adherence to school rules. In his junior year, he'd proposed a bill requiring 6:30 am arrivals, which was soundly rejected. But he hadn't given up his crusade.

Dana, aware of Benjamin's timidity, issued a stern warning. 'If you dare say a word, you're dead.' Her friends nodded, confident in their leader's ability to enforce the threat. Benjamin, still haunted by the memory of Dana's past exploits—including the infamous incident where she'd dumped Lucas's bag into a toilet, earning her a two-week suspension—wisely remained silent.

Together, the girls exited, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. Benjamin's silence was a testament to Dana's authority.

Steven's arrival snapped Benjamin out of his thoughts. 'Why were they leaving?' Steven asked, curiosity piqued.

Benjamin deflected, words dripping with evasion. 'Why ask me? You saw them yourself, didn't you?'

Steven persisted playfully. 'Are they off to meet their boyfriends?'

Benjamin's irritation grew, his face flushing. 'Why don't you stop asking me questions?' he snapped, patience worn thin. With a huff, he stormed out, leaving Steven puzzled and his questions unanswered.

Three hours later, Dana and her friends had completed the exam. Now came the challenge: sneaking back into school. The gate was closed. They stood outside the walls, worried about police or school authorities. For Dana, the stakes were high—her mother would be furious if she found out.

'How are we getting back in?' Dana asked, concern etched on her face.

Martine checked her watch, brow furrowed. 'The exam ended earlier than expected. Second period's already over. If we try to return to class, the teachers will definitely catch us.'

Chelsea suggested firmly, 'Why don't we jump over the fence? It's the fastest way back.'

Martine hesitated, weighing the risks. 'That's risky. If we get caught, we'll be in trouble. What if teachers who noticed our absence are waiting on the other side?'

Dana's anger flared. 'That snitch Benjamin must have reported us!'

Martine intervened calmly. 'Dana, you need to work on your anger. You can't enter the Defense Academy with that temperament.'

'Let's focus on getting back in first,' Chelsea chimed in. 'We can deal with Benjamin later.'

With a deep breath, Dana nodded. The friends prepared to scale the fence, hearts racing.

Together, they cleared the fence with ease, landing gracefully. Fortunately, the coast was clear—no teachers in sight, the hallway empty and still. Dana turned to Martine with a smirk. 'So, Miss Harbinger of Death, did we get caned to death?'

Martine shot back with humor. 'And you, Miss Squeezer of Life—did Benjamin sell us out?'

Dana rolled her eyes playfully. 'Whatever.' As they strode into their classroom, Cathy rushed toward them, worry etched on her face. 'Hey! Where are you guys coming from?'

Dana raised an eyebrow. 'The exam? The Defense Academy exam? Where did you go?'

Cathy explained. 'I thought we were all going from home, so I went straight there. Did you guys wait for me here?'

Chelsea nodded. 'Yeah, we thought you weren't coming.'

'I took the exam too,' Cathy revealed.

Dana asked, 'So when are the results released?'

Martine chimed in. 'Probably next year—it was handwritten.'

Chelsea added, 'We'll let you know when we hear from Uncle Frances.'

Cathy's eyes widened. 'Uncle Frances is in the Military?'

Martine's tone turned slightly annoyed. 'The way you say his name sounds like you're related to him.'

Cathy shrugged. 'I can call him Uncle whenever I want.'

Dana grinned mischievously. 'We jumped over the fence. How'd you get back?'

Cathy smiled. 'I'm on good terms with the security guard, so I walked through the gate majestically.'

As their Government Teacher entered, Cathy whispered, 'We'll talk more at lunch.' The lesson began, and they settled in, minds still buzzing with secrets and excitement.

*

Months had passed. Dana had completed her finals and graduated from high school. With Christmas approaching, her family decided to visit her dad, who couldn't make it home. Dana packed hastily, throwing in everything she could find, including a separate bag for her action figures—a quirk still acceptable since she hadn't yet developed physically.

Her phone rang. Cathy's cheerful voice greeted her. 'Hey, bitch! How're you doing?'

Dana chuckled, suspending her packing. 'Cool. You?'

'I'm good. Actually, I was calling to ask if you've heard about our exam results,' Cathy said.

Dana teased, 'You'd usually skip the small talk and get straight to the point.'

Cathy laughed. 'Yeah, straight to your head! But seriously, any updates?'

'I heard they'll be released this month, but I don't know the exact date,' Dana replied.

'What's all the noise in the background?' Cathy asked.

'It's me and Emilie packing. We're spending the holiday with Dad,' Dana explained.

'So it's just you, your mom, and your sister?' Cathy asked.

'The whole family's going,' Dana clarified. 'My dad can't come home. Plus, Emilie just became a nurse, so it's a double celebration!'

Cathy exclaimed, 'That's awesome! My celebration is getting selected into the Defense Academy!'

'Same here!' Dana shared her hopes. 'I just hope those military officers choose us.'

Cathy asked, 'Didn't the officers seem... I don't know, suspicious?'

Dana replied, 'What do you mean suspicious?'

'Like they'd kill for money or betray their comrades for a price,' Cathy elaborated.

Dana chuckled. 'You've been watching too many dramas. It's messing with your brain! But all we need now is military training and certificates to land jobs.'

Cathy sighed. 'Yeah, I miss you guys. Phone calls aren't the same.'

Dana agreed softly, 'I know, me too. Wish we could keep talking, but...'

Cathy interrupted, 'Tell your dad about the Defense Academy so he can convince your mom.'

Dana assured her, 'Already covered, but I'll remind him.'

Rose's voice called from downstairs. 'Dana, get off the phone and come down now! We're leaving!'

Dana replied urgently. 'I've been summoned. Gotta go! I'll call you when I get to Raseth and let you know when Mom accepts, okay?'

Cathy bid her farewell. Dana struggled with her luggage as she made her way downstairs, responding to her mother's impatient calls.

*

As they arrived at their father's house, Emilie's eyes lit up with delight. 'Wow, the view is amazing!' she exclaimed, gazing out at the lush greenery and serene landscape.

Meanwhile, Dana struggled to pull her numerous bags from the car, face flushing with effort. Her father, Nate, chuckled and teased good-naturedly. 'Hey, are you eloping or something?' Dana playfully rolled her eyes, continuing to lug her bags toward the house.

Rose, still upset with Nate for not visiting, ignored him and dumped her bags at his feet before walking inside without a word. The tension was palpable, but Dana and Emilie seemed oblivious, too caught up in their excitement.

'Hey Dad!' Dana said, throwing her arms around Nate's waist and giving him a tight hug. As they walked into the house, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, eyes scanning the screen with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

She'd been accepted into the Defense Academy! Dana turned off her phone, then back on, confirming the news. She threw her phone on the sofa and began dancing around the room, joy radiating like contagious energy.

'Oh my God, I can't believe this!' she repeated, voice rising with each iteration. Nate watched with a mixture of concern and surprise.

As Dana continued to dance, Nate asked, holding her close. 'What's all this about, dear?'

Dana grinned mischievously, punching his tummy. 'Aw, good things always happen when Dad's around!' she said, eyes sparkling.

Nate pressed for details. Dana handed him her phone, the message glowing on the screen. His eyes widened as he read the news, his face lighting up with pride.

His surprise was evident. Dana, who had always struggled academically, had somehow gotten accepted into the prestigious Defense Academy on her first try.

'WOW, I knew they'd take you in!' he exclaimed, patting her head with pride.

As the family gathered, Nate announced the news, beaming. 'Hey everyone, our daughter and sister here has just been accepted into the country's Defense Academy!'

Rose's reaction was immediate. 'What? You still went against my orders and took that exam?' she asked angrily, voice rising.

Nate quickly intervened, taking her by the arms and leading her into the kitchen. 'Listen, dear, let's go inside and talk.'

Emilie offered her congratulations warmly. 'I'm happy for you, kiddo. You did well!' Dana thanked her, exclaiming. 'I've got to contact my friends to see if they've been accepted too!'

Dana turned to Emilie. 'Do you think Dad might convince Mom to let me go?' Emilie smiled reassuringly. 'Yes. I'm sure about it.'

With renewed confidence, Dana walked out without fear or worry, trusting her father to handle the situation. And indeed, by morning, Rose had agreed.

As they gathered in the living room, the tension was almost tangible. Emilie and Dana exchanged curious glances, wondering why their mother had taken all night to decide. The air was thick with anticipation.

Dana's eyes lit up with gratitude. 'Are you for real? Gosh, thank you so much!' Her voice was laced with relief, shoulders relaxing.

Rose's expression remained stern, her eyes narrowing as she asked. 'So, do you know anyone at the Defense Academy?'

Dana nodded. 'Yeah, my classmates are attending too. Chelsea, Cathy, and me. Martine didn't get in.' Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, anticipating her mother's reaction.

Rose's tone turned disapproving. 'That's basically you and your friends. You make it sound like there's a ton of you going.' Her words dripped with disdain. 'Don't you wonder why the entire class isn't going? It's because they want to be university graduates, not military officers who specialize in cuffing people.' Her voice rose, hands gesturing emphatically.

Dana's anger simmered, her voice rising in defense. 'Mom, they are my friends, not yours! Haven't you heard the saying "many are called, but a few are chosen"?' Her eyes flashed with determination.

Emilie supported her sister. 'She's right, Mom. Not every one of them will graduate from university.' Her voice was calm and rational.

Nate intervened, his voice calm and authoritative. 'This is a holiday for fun, not arguments. Dana is going to the Defense Academy, and no one is changing that. So let's have fun, okay?' His eyes locked onto his daughters, and he smiled warmly.

Dana saluted, eyes locked on her father, her comrade in arms—unlike the one who had given birth to her. The tension dissipated, and the room seemed to relax, the air lightening with resolution.