Red Sandstorms Chapter 16

            I sat on the train, my fingers drumming in anticipation. My eyes kept looking out the window at the landscape flying by us. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recognized it from before. Footsteps sounded from some place behind me, making me sit up straighter in hope it was the one I had not seen in so many months—fourteen to be exact. Over a year in waiting to come home. It had been forever since I had seen my sister and the one I loved. The person passed me by and took another seat somewhere else in the cabin—not seeing her yet caused my hopes to dwindle.

            Slumping in my seat, I must have dozed off at some point. A loud screeching noise woke me as the train lurched—my head banging against the window from the sudden stop. Several people almost slid from their seats, all of us surprised from the abrupt movement. I looked out the window, searching the landscape. Yelling caught my attention—although it was more like a scream—and it must have caught the rest of the train’s too. People all pushed to look out the windows, trying to see exactly what it was that had stopped our train.

Red Sandstorms Chapter 15

I raised an eyebrow as Max walked into the courtyard. There were other members of the base there, most of them throwing around a beat up baseball. We both watched the group for a few moments before I observed her walking towards the them. They appeared to be trying to split into teams—not very successfully if I might add—because of the shortage of players. With gauze still tapped on her head, I watched her talk to them for a few moments. Some of their gestures seemed to get wild, if not aggravated to have a girl on their team.

Red Sandstorm Chapter 14

Max sat on my bed watching me pack. There wasn’t a whole lot I could bring in this large duffle bag. A huge list of forbidden items was held in her hands. Her only job was to make sure I packed what I was told. Most of the drawers in our room were pulled open and half empty—the other half being Max’s stuff. It looked as if someone tried to rob the place with everything lying open. Glancing to my sister, I watched her eyes skim down the list, occasionally checking off the things I was supposed to bring. This wasn’t going to be easy, leaving her here, but I couldn’t take her into the war zone either. Somehow it was a miracle that we found a classmate of both Jade and I to watch Max here on the base.

Red Sandstorms Chapter 13

Max set down the three trays she was carrying precariously in her arms, not wanting to spill anything. The little girl slid off the bed to grab a tray when Max shook her head, moving the table over to the father and child. I watched the three converse—looking rather happy. Setting two of the trays before both patients, I saw my sister grab a chair to join them. It was good to see her so joyful in such a bleak time; all the patients she had to treat day in and out must have taken some toll on her. Seeing her laugh and munch with others was a definite change. Especially since these two patients were enemies of the military and she so openly rescued them and chatted with them like friends.

Red Sandstorms Chapter 12

            “We’ll be back in a few hours, okay Max? Thomas is going to watch you until we return,” I said, ruffling my sister’s hair. I was kneeling down tying my shoe. Her hand currently held a small stuffed penguin; a security item she had brought with her—among other toys from her room—from our house. Glancing up at her, I saw her head nod. Jade came over and knelt down with me.

            “I’ll take good care of him, don’t worry,” she said, hugging Max. We both stood and made our way around the labyrinth of toys and furniture—part of a fort we had made earlier today. Thomas and Max both walked us to the door.

Red Sandstorms Chapter 11

The man laughed, finding what Max said amusing. He gestured to the chair, needle and thread still in his hands.

            “Calm down. I know what I’m doing,” he said, laughing. “Max right? Well, you need to sit down and stay still so I can sew this closed. If you’re in pain, just say my name and I’ll back off.”

Red Sandstorms Chapter 10

Max giggled as we walked towards the school.
            “You won’t hit any kids today, right? I don’t want to have to stop work to come take you out of class,” I said looking at her. It was no surprise that she laughed at me.
            “I promise. No hitting,” Max said, swinging her metal lunchbox. “What if it’s an accident?” I stared at her blankly.