Gerden Ibrahim

My father's hand was trembling when he opened the door.

His eyes were bloodshot.

He hadn't slept a second last night.

Mom didn't either.

She held my daughter in her arms the whole night, holding my hand at the same time.

I never believed that, out of all people, my mom wouldn't be ready to say goodbye.

She loved the life she had in Sector A of Milton, and couldn't wait for the next chapter.

Ever since they received a letter that told them they'd be picked up soon, however, she'd spent every second fighting with my dad, who wasn't thrilled either, but was too scared to break any rules.

"'You wanted this!'

I heard him say yesterday."

You wanted this life while you were young.

You can't change your mind now that you've grown out of it.

Ben will come and live with us soon enough.

I shuddered at the thought.

There was no way in hell I would ever leave my child and live in the other sector.

I doubted very much that Fiona was into that idea either.

In two decades?

Three, or possibly even four?

What if our granddaughter decides to leave?

Even if she doesn't, who knows if we'll even be alive long enough to ever see her again?