Chapter 4 - The brother's identity

  The next morning, Jared is feeling down. He is late for breakfast and sloppy in cleaning. He's like broken man. Everyone in the camp can feel it. Yet no one comes to his help.

  After having lunch he goes to the Oasis. Where Maul and Gret are waiting.

  Maul " What took you soo long Jared? I thought you gave up just after 1 day."

  Jared " I am sorry, I woke up late today."

  Maul " aahh, it must be the pain right? Running yesterday made your legs cramp. Isn't it?

  Jared "No, my legs are fine."

  Gret " Is everything alright Jared? you seem down? Do you have a fever?"

  Jared " No I am fine, let's just begin."

  Maul to Gret " What do you think happened?"

  Gret " I don't know, but something must have happened. He was very happy yesterday, now he's looking sad."

  Maul " hmmm. I'll ask Gramps about it later."

  Gret " okay. I'll start to run too. Hey Jared wait for me.."

  Meanwhile Anna is transferred to the orphanage. She is angry and sad and a bit frustrated. She isn't able to walk properly, nurses have told her that with proper diet and rest she might get better as soon as next week. She makes a straight face in front of others, but when she's alone she cries remembering her days in the village.

  Now she is in the orphanage, she comes across Kahl and screams "Aaaa. Why is he here, get him away from me. I don't want to see him"

  Everyone is stunned by this development.

  Kahl is shocked by this. He remembers Anna. Although not a lot She used to be very nice to him whenever they met. Once she even gave him some sweets.

  Kahl " Anna, what's wrong? What happened?"

  Anna "It's because of you, this happened, get away from me before I hurt you. I don't want to hurt you. You are just a small kid." And Anna starts crying again. Everyone consoles Anna. Head nurse Goki takes Kahl to his room. Kahl is shocked and crying.

  Caretaker Flover " Anna, don't worry everything will get better. We will find your mom, so don't worry."

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  Anna " My mom is dead, she is dead, my father is dead, everyone in village dies because of them."

  Flover " No Anna I heard they took all women and children as captives, so your mother is probably still alive. We are in process of finding out."

  Anna " Really? But I saw them get taken? So they didn't die? My parents are alive?"

  Flover " Yes Anna, and we are doing everything to bring them back here. Our General Dali is going to bring everyone back."

  Anna is somewhat relaxed after hearing this. But is still crying.

  Caretaker Dosi to Flover " why did you lie to her? Her father is probably dead and her mother can be anywhere in the continent even if she's alive."

  Flover " It's best to console her, giving her hope rather than her being depressed all the time."

  Dosi "How will she feel when she learns the truth? What will happen to her then?"

  Flover "I can only hope that Till then she gets a bit older and mature and handle the truth."

  Dosi " That's harsh for her. Lying on her face like that."

  Flover "I don't want her to die of depression. Rather then enjoy the life she's meant to have as a kid like everyone else here."

  Dosi "hmm. I get what you are saying."

  Kahl to Goki " Head mistress, did I do something wrong? Why did Anna behave like that?"

  Goki "Anna is just sad and depressed Kahl, don't hold it against her. You know that she's a good girl right? Same way I know that you are also a good boy. Don't worry too much. It will all the normal soon."

  In the Oasis.

  Jared is done with his run. He doesn't seem as tired as yesterday and is ready for pushups.

  Gret is panting and gasping for air. He can take no more

  Maul " Jared, are you alright? No need to push yourself much. You can take rest today, see even Gret is done for the day."

  Jared " I am fine. I need to get stronger quickly so I can get my mom back."

  Maul "that's true but you need to work with your mind as well. You can't just go around being exhausted. Everything is good until done in moderation. "

  Jared " It's really fine. I can atleast do a few pushups." Jared then starts pushups.

  "Oonnnnneeee" and he falls down. "That's too hard. I don't think I can do any pushups."

  Maul " you need to build strength. It's a gradual process, you develop new musles everyday at midnight. Therefore you need to take adequate rest as well. "

  Jared " fine I'll stop."

  Maul "Good."

  Jared"I'll head back now. Thanks Maul and Gret.

  Both " No problem, see you tomorrow.

  Everyone " Bye.."

  Jared is still feeling down and as he still has time before sunset he decides to go to visit his brother.

  Jared enters the orphanage to find Anna sitting. He goes to say his well wishes. She is a bit calmer now. Not crying

  Anna "You are also here? Don't come near me."

  Jared gets confused "What's wrong Anna? Did I do something?"

  Anna "Why did you and your brother had to survive. I hope you die as well like everyone else."

  Jared gets frustrated "Hey, what's wrong with you? I never did anything to you. We barely spoke. Why are you soo offensive right now?"

  Anna "You don't know? Didn't you see the whole village died just because of you? My parents have been captured."

  Anna's words hits Jared very hard. He is unable to speak.

  Anna " You can go cry now. I don't care about you, So just get lost from here."

  Jared walks away heads down.

  Flover " Hi Jared, Kahl is in his room right now. Wait. Why do you look so dull right now?"

  Jared "No, nothing sister. I'll go look for Kahl."

  Flover notices Anna in the varanda.

  "Oh my God, Did you meet Anna? Did she say something rude to you?"

  Jared " oh no, it's alright sister. I am fine."

  Flover " Don't worry about it Jared. She will come around. Give her some time."

  Jared " Ya. I hope so."

  Jared finds Kahl is asleep on his bed. It seems like he was crying as well. Possibly because of Anna

  .

  Jared kisses Kahl goodbye and leave.

  A month goes by really soon.

  To be continued...