Ian ran his cloth over the sword for the fifth time. “Dude, you’re wasting your time. It’s gonna get dirty later on.” Ian’s younger brother, Ivan, stared at him and commented. Ian stopped in his tracks, thinking about what his brother had just said, “You know what, that’s the first time you suggested something decent.” Ivan puffed out his chest and told Ian, “See, I’m not that dumb.” Ian sheathed the sword and looked at Ivan sarcastically. “Even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day.” It was the evening and his father had yet to come home. Ian’s mother had died before Ian was able to walk or talk. His father doesn’t spend much time with them. He leaves for long hours of work in the military, and usually has to stay on guard duty. “Hey kids, I’m home!” Ian’s father’s familiar voice sounded from the front door. He looked like he had just been through some rough terrain or something, his face dirty and his arm scattered with bruises. “Dad, are you…Ok?” Ian asked, looking at the bruises. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Just fell.” Ian’s father explained, as if trying to cover up something. Ian’s suspicion grew. He looked like he had been through rough fighting. Ian noticed a bulge in his father's pocket. There was a gun handle sticking out. Ian's eyes widened. Why does my dad have a gun? Ian thought. Ah, it's probably some military defense stuff. "Hey Ian, wanna go over to Alex's house to have a sleepover?" Ian's father offered. "But I have a physics project I have to work on. It's due by tomorrow." Ian told his father. His father thought for a while. "You can work on it at Alex's house, I have something important to do." Ian's father constantly looked out of the window while talking. "Ok then, I'll take Ivan with me." Ian said. Ivan piped up happily. "I get to go to a sleepover? Yes!" Ian went to his room and grabbed his Physics project. Ivan grabbed his Nintendo switch, but was stopped by Ian. "We're going there to study. Don't you have homework?" Ian questioned Ivan. "You're such a nerd." Ivan scoffed, still bringing the Game console. "Go quick!" Ian's father rushed. The siblings rushed to Alex's house, which was a few blocks down. When Ian reached Alex's house, he ringed the doorbell, and Alex answered. "Oh hey Ian. What brings you over?" Alex lived alone, in a smart house. Alex was incredibly independent, living alone for a few years now. His parents had died in a car crash, when he was in elementary school. Alex was Ian's best friend since kindergarten. Alex noticed Ivan's game console. "Ooh, Nintendo. Can I play?" Alex asked. "Don't you have a Physics project?" Ian asked. "Oh damn it Ian stop being such a nerd. I've done it already." Alex brushed off Ian's question, still looking at Ivan. Suddenly, gunshots sounded from across the street, then dropped dead silent. "Oh, shit." Ian whispered, then rushed home.

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