- CHAPTER 5 -

- 3 Years Later -

Red doesn’t have the best birthdays, but it's the best we can do. There’s no level of surprise that you can add to the presents, and the soldiers will stop you if too many people gather, so you can’t make too much of a ruckus.

Where we cannot do fun things, we make up for it with tradition. For birthdays in Red, boys are given charms, while girls are given jewelry. Yes, there supposedly is a difference.

For my 15th birthday, I didn’t expect much. My usual schedule would take place.

Go to market with Mother.

Pass by the hut where I met with 99a; leave flowers.

Sit by the forest; eat lunch.

Meet up with Keshet for an hour or so.

Go home.

Things don’t change just because you’ve marked another year down. And I was expecting today to reflect this.

I skipped the trip to the market today, and opted to go straight to leaving flowers at 99a’s hut. I propped open the door, and left a hand-written note on the counter. I left the title faced up. It read, “I’m sorry.” I dropped the flowers carefully on the doormat just outside.

I slowly shut the door, and retreated to the edge of town, I sat down up against a tree, right outside the outskirts. Opening my lunch box, I prayed over my meal. Then, I began to eat.

When I was about halfway done with my food, I saw someone waving to me in the distance.

“Lavi!” He shouted to me, “Happy birthday!” He made his way further towards me. By the time he was right in front of me, I could tell it was Keshet. Panting, he put his hand on my shoulder. “Happy birthday Lavi…” In response, I shrugged, and said,

“Thanks,” In a monotone voice. Keshet seemed disappointed. He pretended to smile a little anyway.

Scanning over Keshet’s appearance, he had changed over the last 3 years. His jaw began protruding more; his eyes became droopier. He started to style his hair pointier like mine, while time had watered down the vibrant red it once had.

After a very brief amount of time, I saw another body emerging over a hill at the edge of my vision. It ran closer and closer, struggling to breathe at some points.

“Lavi!” A feminine voice exclaimed. “I’ll be right there!”

As color and detail began to appear on the body, I realized it was Naomi. She came closest, and when right next to me, stopped to put her hands on her knees.

Naomi had matured as well. She became more feminine, wearing clothing she knit herself, and letting her hair grow out a little more.

“Lavi… Happy birthday!” Although she was late, I did not forget to show gratitude.

“Thanks.” I responded in an equally monotone voice. She too, seemed to be filled with immense disappointment. Naomi turned to Keshet, and said,

“Come over here for a minute.” Keshet and Naomi moved behind a tree. It was barely within earshot. “Do you think he’s okay? Ever since 3 years ago, he’s never been anything but… Stoic. Even on his birthday!”

“I don’t know Naomi. But something gives me the feeling it’s beyond our control.” Naomi and Keshet re-emerged from the tree, to find me tearing up. Pellets of salty water dripped down my face.

“How could I be anything but stoic? The only way you can survive in this world is by tossing away your dreams and feelings, otherwise someone’s going to end up getting hurt!”

“Lavi-” Keshet tried to talk, but I cut him off,

“Things change Keshet. How could you expect me to be the same bright-eyed kid? Our dream was to free us all, but the only one who might help us to achieve that died a long time ago!”

“LAVI!”

“What Keshet? Are you afraid of the truth? I thought you were the logical one here! I thought you were supposed to find the perfect plan to save us all! Look at yourself Keshet, now you’re nothing but naïve!”

“Lavi…” Naomi whimpered, “Please, put an end to this. This isn’t you!” I snapped my head towards Naomi,

“But somehow YOU’RE even more blind than he is Naomi? Can't you see how things are? It’s practically right in front of you! This has always been inside me, this is the rational position!”

A solid punch landed on my right cheek.

“Lavi! You disgust me!”

Keshet’s punch knocked me back, and I was sent onto my bottom. Naomi came to my side, and grabbed my hand.

“Lavi…” She whispered. My tears began rushing much stronger. In a sudden change of heart but not mind, I muttered these words,

“I’m sorry…” I threw my open fist at the ground. I wanted to scream, but the only words that came out were a cowardly, whimpering, “I’m sorry…”