*Hattie*

"It starts today." Those are the first words that come out of my mouth, my eyes still flickering open. The thought whisks away any sleepiness, my mind filling with dread.

Charlie is already out of bed, pulling open the curtains. I ponder how ironically cheerful her face looks in the orange rays of sunrise. How can the world seem so normal when everything is about to fall apart?

"The militia will send for the men soon, correct?" she asks.

I nod, ...