Anti

  I keep holding my family, never wanting to let go.

  I stopped glitching the moment I came home.

  I gave mom back her dagger when Star fell asleep.

  She cried in my shirt for about an hour, always saying she "didn't want to."

Star

I didn't want to let Anti go. He said he wouldn't let me go.

  I don't want to let go.

  I don't want to.

  I don't want him to leave me.

  I want him to hold me all day and night.

  I want daddy.

Anti

  I don't say anything back.  I clutch her tightly, feeling her tears fall on my shirt like soft rain.

  I stroke her hair, pulling her close to my chest.

  When I was a kid, that always calmed her down.

  She fell asleep not long after.

  I would protect her forever.

  I would never let her get hurt.

  Never again.

  "Mom, I need to talk to you."

  Mom was in shock, breathing heavily.

  I was no longer a little boy.

  Her Mate was gone.

  Dad was gone.

  I'll find him.

  For Star.

  I'll find him if it's the last thing I do.

  Mom turns to me, holding Nightshade tightly.

  "Yes?" She repsonds, wiping tears from her eyes with her shirt.
 
  I shift Star nervously.

  How would she take this, right after her Mate went missing?

"I...  I want to become a soldier." I stammer, watching her expression change.

  "Do you really want that?" She asks, her voice shaky.

  I couldn't tell if she was mad or

  I nod. "I really want this."

  She nods. "We start training tomarrow.  I'll get you ready for the Academy."

  I was a little shocked.

  Why was she reacting to this so well?

  Mom teleports somewhere, and I am left with my sister in my arms.

  It was settled.

  I was going to become a Warrior.

  I will find my dad.

I will protect my sister.

  I will protect my home.

  I will protect everyone.