• Chapter 1
    “Bang.” Another air raid and another home gone. I lay in my bed a little frightened. “Bang.” Another home gone. The rumbling of the planes growing louder and nearer. “BANG.” Sirens ringing in my ears all the while getting louder. I sacrifice a peek out the window and the planes drop a bomb.
    The hand of my older sister grabbed me as the house across the way explodes on impact. She holds me close. We fall to the floor and she grabs me. I look at her.

    “Are you insane,” she hissed.
    “I just wanted a look,” I said.
    “We have to get out to the bomb shelter. Mum’s already there,” she said.
    My sister Jess, or Jessica, is tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s pretty but can still have a frightful temper. She’s responsible for me as mum’s always busy. She takes care of me and does a darn good job.
    “BANG” Another bomb dropped and we start to run. My heart is thumping loudly as we run through the house. The window in the hallway shatters as a bomb nearly misses the house, and we run faster. The planes are practically thundering above the house as we make our way to the kitchen door. We’re almost to the door as the upstairs is hit by a bomb and it falls down. I was too scared to move and my sister grabs me in the nick of time to miss the collapsing ceiling. We practically jump out of the house to avoid being smashed to pieces and trip and fall and run to the bomb shelter to being held open by Mum. We dive into the shelter and she closes the door behind us.
    “Where have you been you two? You had me worrying up a storm,” Mum exclaimed.
    “He was still in his bed, but when I found him, he was landing himself a target nearest the window,” Jess said.
    “I was too scared and excited to do much else, and I wasn’t thinking,” I said.
    “I’ll have none of that Chris. You know better than to put yourself a target near the window in a bomber raid,” Mum said.
    “I’m sorry Mum,” I said.
    “Now, I haven’t told the both of you this yet, but, you’re both going to live with our Great-Aunt Jessamine. She owns a large estate and you’ll be riding the train there tomorrow,” she said.
    I didn’t know who this Great-Aunt Jessamine was, but she sounded rich to own a large estate. I didn’t want to go there, but kept my mouth shut and so did Jess. We knew we shouldn’t be causing Mum trouble after Dad went to war. We promised him we wouldn’t.
    “Now I’ve packed some bags for the both of you, they’re under your beds. I’m drivin’ you to the station early tomorrow, so you best getting to sleep,” mum said.
    Jess and me got up, kissed Mum one on the cheek with a, “good night Mum.” We went into the room next door and clambered into bed. Jess fell asleep in no time, but I lay awake. I lay thinking for what seemed like hours.
    I think I finally fell asleep at some point because I was being shaken awake by Jess. I got out of bed and changed my clothes. I put a warm jacket on, being it the middle of winter. We snuck out to the car and drove to the station.
    There were a lot of children leaving home to go live with other relatives. We were checked by security and went to board the train. We kissed and hugged Mum goodbye. As I let go of her hand and into my sisters, my eyes watered and a choke got caught in my throat. We were pushed about entering the train. We sat in an open compartment and looked out the window. The train whistle blew and my eyes watered worse. I looked out the window and called goodbye to Mum though tears and sobs. As we pulled away she returned my call through her own tears.
    As she went out of sight I sat in my seat sniffling and my sister held me like Mum used to. She comforted me and I choked. I looked at her face. I was like gold with a comforting sadden face. Her blue eyes sparkled as se looked out the window over my head. I broke out in tears and she patted my head.
    “Don’t worry Chris, the war will be over and we’ll be back home before you know it. We’ll see her again soon and dad too,” she said.
    The train ride seemed like hours. There were many stops along the way and one by one the groups of children disappeared. The last stop came and we disembarked. We shielded our eyes from the sun as we waited for someone to come and get us.
    After what seemed like hours a woman in a car came and stepped out. She looked at us a little funny but I kept my mouth shut. She studied us and was seeming like she was determining who we were. She broke out into a smile and laughed.
    “Hallo, it’s bee a while since I’ve seen either of you,” said the woman.
    “Umm…sorry, but who are you,” I asked politely.
    “Eh, oh, I’m your Great-Aunt Jessamine,” she said.
    “Hallo, Aunt Jessamine,” Jess said.
    “Well, this is it then, all you’ve brought,” she said.
    “Aye ma’am,” I said.
    “Well then, get a move on,” she said.
    We clambered ourselves and luggage into the car and she drove off. We talked quietly in the car and soon we were rushing past lush green lands. I looked out the window and saw the land so green, and cows grazing on it, and horses prancing around happily, and pigs rolling in the mud of the farm lands. It was wondrous to me, I’ve never been outside of my house this far before. In what seemed like no time we came upon a huge house with all sorts of wondrous things. We drove up to the gate and were let in. I stared at the estate in wonder. I thought to myself, I’m going to live here now.