10 Years Ago

January 1, 2065

1200 PST

Oakland, California

Inside a School's Gym

Luke Miller's Point of View

“Ow!” I yell.

“You have no fighting talent whatsoever,” Mom says as she checks on my cheek after punching me.

“No fair! Not only are you twice my size, but you’re thrice my age, Mom!”

“My age has nothing to do with this, Luke! You’re making me feel old!”

You’re an awesome mom and an excellent teacher. Black, short black hair, tall, white tank top, black cargo shorts, and a furious look on your face.

“Right. Let me quote you, Mom. “X is a woman’s age. Y is the current conversation. Never ever, freaking (fucking) ever in life will there be a correlation between x and y.

“You are a freaking smart-ass.”

“I’m fifty percent you though, soooo there’s only one other person that could’ve made me a miniature version of you.”

“Ugh! Make sure you clean your face!” Mom says as she stomps away.

I think I went too far.

“Mom! I love you!”

“I love you too,” she says with a warm smile as she picks up and dribbles a basketball.

“Mom, do you miss it?”

“Miss what?”

“The Old World.”

“Of course I do. I miss everything about it,” she says with a somber look on her face.

“Do you think I’ll ever get to have a normal childhood? I mean it’s ok if I don’t. I’ve never had a friend my age, but at least I have you. I’ll always have you, right? I mean you’re you, Mom.”

“Luke,” Mom says with a deep sigh as she approaches and kneels to my level. “You know how the world is, and it’s going to get a lot worse before it ever gets better. I’m not a good teacher. I get… very impatient, but I’m doing my best, and it’s obviously working because you’re a super-smart boy who’ll one day grow up to be a strong man with plenty of friends.”

“Why don’t we just go to a kingdom? We’re right next to Gaia, and Olympus is also cl…”

“NO! Damn it! Stop asking!”

There you go again.

“But they have people! People my age!” I say.

“People aren’t always good for you. My teachings won’t be worth anything if you won’t listen.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Unfair.

“Fine!” I say.

“You better fix that attitude right now, Luke Miller!”

“Or what?!”

“I,” she says, followed by a sigh. “Luke, I’m so strict and tough on you, because one day I won’t be here.”

“What?! How could you say that?!”

“The truth often hurts, Luke, besides all things have an end. Moms are no exception.”

“But I can’t live without you!”

“Luke, you’re only limited by the things you believe you can’t do. If you believe that you can’t live without me, then not only am I a horrible teacher but a mother who failed in raising her child,” she says with a stern look on her face. “Every little bird needs to grow up and leave the nest,” she says as she gives me a hug. “And you’ve left that nest a long time ago. You’re growing up too fast,” she cries as I feel wet tears fall on my shirt.

“Ok, but I don’t want to live without you.”

“I don’t either, but… anything can happen. Hence I’m preparing you for everything this world has to offer.”

“T-then what about this sparring session? You’re a freaking skyscraper, Mom, and built like a tank!”

“I don’t know if that was an insult or a compliment, but watch your language,” Mom says with a raised eyebrow.

“How do I beat someone who’s just way better than me at everything?”

“If running doesn’t work, then sock them in the mouth! Cave their chest in if you have to!”

You’re not getting it.

“But what if neither of those is an option? What if I have to?”

“Luke, I pray you won’t ever have to do that,” Mom says as she holds my hands. “Murder is and will always be wrong.”

“But you’ve killed, and you even do it today when you have to, for me.”

“I’m not proud of it. They were going to hurt the people I cared about in The Old World, and it’s the same shit in The New World. Luke,” she says with sincere eye contact. “…the world is a beautiful place that’s been plagued by a terrible disease. Sadly, as long as humans exist, then people will always kill people. Sometimes it’s self-defense, sometimes it’s just plain old senseless, but murder is murder regardless. Killing is bad. Don’t ever forget that, but to answer your question,” she says as she slowly stands up. “If someone ever tried to harm you or me, then I will do everything in my power to give them a taste of living hell. Murder will be the last thing I’ll resort to you, but yes, to protect myself and my loved ones, I will do it with zero hesitation. Human life is precious, but so is living, and everyone has the right to defend themselves in this unjust world. Sometimes there truly is no other option. You need to understand that it’s an evil deed and that you must live with the consequences and guilt of knowing that you just took the life of somebody’s child. Do you… understand?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Ok,” Mom says with a depressing look in her eyes. “Some lines should never be crossed, and you know right from wrong and are capable of surviving on your own. Whatever decisions you make, I’ll be fine knowing that you did what you thought was best. I mean, I have no doubt you won’t do what you thought was right. You’re my smart, kind, and caring son whom I love and will always love with all my heart,” she says with a bright smile as she dribbles the basketball. “Now stop stalling. There’s no shame in losing to a girl. It teaches humility.”

“Yes, I finally get a rematch! Just like you, your skills are getting old, Mom!”

“Wow. And I was about to put a wager on this match,” she says with a grin.

“Huh?”

“I was going to say that if you beat me, then I’ll think about us traveling to Olympus together, but since you’re such a smart-ass…”

“Wait! Wait! I’m sorry!”

“Too late!” She says with a big laugh. “I’ll take it back… if you’ll let me pick your girlfriend for you when you get older. I’ll make sure she’s as badass as me.”

“Captain Miller!” One of her soldiers yells out as he enters the room.

So unfair.

“We have soldiers pinned down in Seattle by several zombies and Headhunters. They’ve managed to acquire numerous amounts of valuable supplies but are unable to escape the city. They need our help!” The soldier says.

“You’re kidding! Mom yells out in frustration.

But.

“Mom,” I say.

“Luke,” Mom says as we exchange a tight hug. “Our friends need help.”

“I… uh, yeah. I know. Another day, another mission.”

“Love you.”

That kiss on the forehead doesn’t make me feel better, Mom.

“Love you too…”

“Hey, I’ll give you your rematch when I get back, but you have to keep up with your schoolwork,” Mom says with a smile. “I’ll be back in two weeks before you realize it.”

Mom… please don’t leave me.

*

2 Weeks Later

*

Mom?! Huh? Wait. Who is she?!

“Wait! Don’t shoot me, Luke Miller!” The strange decrepit woman yells with her hands up and a frightened look on her face.

“Identify yourself, ancient vessel!”

“My name is Veronica Shinka, and I’m a friend of your mother’s,” she cries out as tears fall from her eyes. “There’s been a heartbreaking accident.”