Endless Struggle

Reina finished boarding up the last window just as night began to dawn, the navy blue sky casting down a mass of shadow. She stood in front of the wooden boards silently, the worn hammer hanging limply at her side. Reina had put all the effort she could muster into sealing the structure, but there was no guarantee it would hold. At this point, she could only hope the night would go well. Suddenly, an airy, shrill voice rung out, interrupting Reina's thoughts.

"Sis! There you are!" A young girl dashed over, two golden braids bouncing behind her. Reina turned toward her younger sister, a disapproving frown on her face.

"Ericka...What are you doing here? We told you to stay in the cellar," Reina said.

"I know, but I...I just worry about you guys so much. I hate having to stay down there and do nothing."

Reina sighed before leaning down and gently cupping the girl's round face. "Oh, Sweetie. You don't have to worry about us. Everything will be okay. We're strong, remember?"

Ericka sniffles a bit before whimpering out, "I know, but Mama used to say everything would be okay, too. And now...She's gone. I don't want you and Brother and Father to go away, too."

Reina's heart felt like it was tearing in two as she saw crystalline tears forming in her baby sister's eyes. She brushed a thumb over the hazel orbs, wiping warm tears away. Then, she stood, dropping the hefty hammer to the ground with a dull thud, and wrapped her tired arms around Ericka.

"Sweetheart, this isn't for you to worry about. All three of us will make it through this night, just as we have every night before. We're strong, and more importantly, we're cautious. As painful as it was...," Reina faltered a moment before holding her sister tighter and continuing." We've learned from losing Mom. We won't make those same mistakes again. All of us will survive this night. And you, little one, only need to focus on keeping safe. Do you understand?" Ericka nodded frantically, burying her damp face against Reina's abdomen.

" Alright, then. Go back to the cellar. You have nothing to worry about. I love you, Sweetheart. "

The young girl reluctantly pulled away and scampered off, uttering a faint, "I love you," in response.

Once Ericka had disappeared from sight, Reina unsheathed the trusty broadsword she always kept at her side. The silver blade glinted under the dim light of the hallway and glowed as Reina stepped down the stairs to join her father and brother. As the piercing howls of demons sounded in the night, and their tramping steps came closer to the house, a dozen thoughts flashed through Reina's mind.

Deep down, the girl wondered if she would be able to fulfill any of the promises she'd made her sister, or if all of them would end up being hollow words. Reina wondered if she would ever see that precious, beaming face again. The ruckus of razor sharp claws scraping across wood erupted, and as Reina set off to silence it, she pondered if her own home would become her grave.