FOR EMMA

Mister Skellington. Sean remembered his younger brother, Eli’s amusing way of describing their president, Jack Wilco since he was first elected three years ago. After a month of silence and secrecy, here he was live on the screen. His eyes hollowed, skin almost white and still thin as a skeleton.

“Greetings, citizens,” said Wilco, his voice deep and serious. “A new Ordinance has been discussed and finalized. Starting on February 15, 2026, a Sunday. You have three days to prepare to leave or stay in your current designated Sector. This is the seventh ordinance. This is so each and every one of you can prepare for the upcoming changes. We have finalized the numbering of Sectors and have grouped individuals equally regarding their performance for the past month. As for the goods, resources are declining and it is vital to limit its uses.” 

He coughed turning away from the camera. Wilco wiped his mouth, drank water and cleared his throat and continued: “We have prepared and finalized twelve ordinances to be laid out for the year. We have heard your cries and I know life has been difficult for all of us since the doomsday was announced. A secret project is in progress and with these laws, it will come to fruition to save us from the end. Be ready for the challenges ahead. Please cooperate and follow and you will sure survive. This is for the greater good. Everything is safe within the powers.”

The World Leaders’ faces vanished from every screens around the world simultaneously and the broadcast displayed the list of the current seven ordinances. The screen shows in bold letters:

1st Ordinance: Electricity Storage 

2nd Ordinance: Curfew Set Up

3rd Ordinance: Resources Cache

4th Ordinance: Workforce Divided

5th Ordinance: Communication Control

6th Ordinance: Transportations Locked In

7th Ordinance: Sector Finalized

Eli was standing by the doorway of his bedroom, watching from across the living room where his mom and dad sat. The clock struck nine and the televisions and lights shut down, everything was still and dark. He shut the door closed then turned his flashlight on, letting himself fall on the bed, face first. He screamed – muffled and incomprehensible. He turned to the ceiling and then kicked to the air, still fuming, he grabbed a pillow then threw it somewhere across the room.

I want to go home, Eli thought. He turned to the window, the moon shining bright, he stared at it for a while then got up slowly and grabbed his bag and took out his journal and ripped a blank page. He began writing the date: 02-11-2026 then wrote in a messy handwriting: “Dear Sean and Emma…” He had recently met someone from school who has an alliance outside Sector 32 and has access in a secret courier that can wander around sectors. He planned to join them soon but with the transfer happening, it might make his plan all for naught, he needed to hurry and send this letter fast.

The night grew later. The moonlight shining across Sean’s bedroom as he prepared clothes – placing them all neatly inside a luggage. He walked out to the kitchen, his phone light in hand then opened the top cupboard and grabbed two can goods, three cup noodles, his pack of rice crackers, Emma’s peanut butter, a bread and a soy sauce – arranging them all in a large bag. He then went to the fridge and took an apple, a milk box and a half sliced cheese and left the eggs inside. He also packed a kilo of rice grain and filled his and Emma’s water bottles.

He rushed to prepare a flashlight, packs of batteries, and most importantly, the first aid kit – checking all its contents one by one then placed it all inside his backpack. He then went to the living room and put the apple, the milk, and the water bottle in Emma’s bag.

Sean then sat down by the floor, listing everything on his phone – making some wrong spellings that he went over and over to correct. He felt agitated and thought of being separated again from his family. What if they get grouped separately from each other? Or worse, Eli and Emma gets group without anyone they know? He hated the fact that they were being analyzed when they were only surviving the last few months. His eyelids felt heavy but he needed to plan the week ahead.

“Sean, wake up! We're gonna be late!” Emma shouted while shaking him. “And why are you sleeping here?"

“Hm.” Sean groaned. His hand went to his forehead. He squinted at his watch, it was already half past 7AM.

“I’m hungry,” Emma said then hopped and ran towards the kitchen. Sean heard a cupboard door slammed shut then he heard her screamed. Sean scrambled out of the sofa and rushed to the kitchen, his hair messy and sight blurred.

“Where are the food?” Emma said, her voice loud and scared as she opened another cupboard.

“It’s in the eco-bag, Em. Stop shouting.” Sean groaned as he walked to open the fridge – almost bumping into it and took the remaining three eggs on the tray, his face too close as he placed it in his palm. “I’ll prepare the breakfast, go shower.”

Sean walked - almost tripped - to the stove and grabbed the pan. Emma watched him, shook her head and ran to the living room then hurried back to her brother, whose face was too close to the pan as he poured the cooking oil. 

“Here, wear your eyes, ” Emma reached out. 

Sean glanced down at her – still squinting as he took the eyeglasses from her and put it on. “Thank you.”

They eat their breakfast quickly while Sean explained the announcement to Emma in simple terms.

Only ten minutes before Emma’s class starts and they were just only preparing to ride the bike that Sean bought a week ago. Sean knelt down and put a pink helmet on Emma’s head.

“It’s a real miracle how you woke up on your own,” Sean said as he tightened the straps under her chin. “You should write it on your journal as one of your achievements.”

“Stop teasing,” Emma pouted. “My tummy growled. I got hungry ‘cause we only had to eat that stupid beans last night.” She made a face and Sean chuckled then he lift Emma gently and placed her on the rear seat.

“You’re one to talk, you overslept,” Emma said, sticking a tongue out and crossing her arms.

“I slept late last night," Sean sighed. "We need a concrete plan for the upcoming week." Then he hopped on the bike and wore his white helmet. “Say, Emma, about the transfer next week. They’re going to release the official new Sector by lunch time today. Your teachers are assigned to give you your new sector number. Be sure to keep your new ID.”

“Will your number be the same as mine or maybe mama or papa or Eli's?” Emma asked. “Or my friends at school or Mrs. Del's?”

“I’m not sure, Em,” Sean answered, his voice quiet. As he was about to pedal, he caught sight of a patrol car outside their apartment building and Mrs. Del was being accompanied by two armed officers in grey - they both wear identical sunglasses. He slowly pedaled towards them and stopped just at the right side rear of the car. 

“Where are you taking her?” Sean asked, brows furrowed as Martha Del sat inside the vehicle.

“Stay back, lad,” said the male officer. He was bulky and an inch smaller than Sean. “She’s being transferred to another Sector.”

“I’m going to finally see Chris. He’s in sector—“ Martha was interrupted as a gloved hand covered her mouth.

“You’re not allowed to speak about that,” the lady officer said sternly as she closed the door.

“But the official transfer will begin next week,” Sean remarked as the male officer placed Martha’s bags in the trunk. "What's going on?"

“This is an emergency decree from the Leaders assigned to us,” said the man, showing him an official note from his device. "Every week seniors are being relocated to another sector. This weeks relocation is from Sector 21, 18 and 4."

“You’re kidnapping her!” Emma shouted and got down from the bike and ran towards the door of the car.

“Emma!” Sean called out and immediately got off, too, quickly kicking down the prop stand. Emma dodged the quick arm of the lady officer who was already walking to the other side of the car.

“Mrs. Del!” Emma choked as she look through the window. “Don’t go! What about your cactuses? I’ll miss your pies and cakes.”

Sean stood beside her then looked at the two officers. “Can we at least say goodbye?”

The officers looked at each other, face still serious and then nodded. “Be quick about it.”

Sean opened the door, Mrs. Del was crying as Emma jumped to hug her, a wrinkled hand stroking her curly dark hair. “Be a good girl, Emma. I left all the plants I can salvage from the wreck last week. It’s all yours.” She looked up at Sean. “Sean, I wrote a note by the door for you both. Be safe children. I hope I’ll see you again someday.”

Sean nodded slowly. “Take care, Mrs. Del. Pass our regards to Mr. Del.”

“Why do you have to leave, too?” Emma wailed. "Everyone's already so far." Sean’s heart tightened, his hands clenching. 

“Alright, that’s enough,” the male officer said then bent down and reached out to take Emma’s arm. Sean grabbed him by the shoulder. 

“Don’t touch her,” Sean said grimly. The officer stepped back and Sean bent down then scooped Emma up and walked away. The officer closed the door shut. They rode and drove away.

Sean put Emma down. He knelt and wiped her face with a handkerchief.

“I really r-really wanna see mama,” Emma said in between sobs and snot. "A-and papa and Eli.” She wiped a dripping snot on her nose with her hand and looked straight at her brother – eyes still red and said: “You’re going to leave me, too, aren’t you?”

Sean was taken aback, he shook his head and pulled Emma in a tight hug. 

“No, Emma," Sean said, his voice quivering. "I’ll won't leave you. Not even this seventh ordinance will stop me."