The war changed everything. There use to be thousands of us, now there is only one. I am that one. I was fighting against the Cliffhangers. The Cliffhangers live in the mountains, That's how they got their name.

I was part of the Stingers. We had small numbers, but we were effective. Although this war was unlike any war we were ever in. We were outnumbered, one to ten. For every one soldier we had the Cliffhangers had ten soldiers. Us and the Cliffhangers use to be allies, but one day a Stinger accidentally tripped and fell on top of a Cliffhanger. Cliffhangers don't give people second chances and they also don't believe in accidents, so they thought that the Stinger meant to fall on the Cliffhanger. That's how the war started.

Cliffhangers started to invade Stinger land and steal from us. At first we didn't fight back because the Cliffhangers were our allies, we weren't going to hurt them. After a month and a half, they still didn't stop and we finally decided to fight back. Their soldiers were stronger than ours so we lost fast. The war lasted only two years. That's the shortest war we were ever in. Most of the people that fought for us in the war were forced to fight. At least one person from every home had to fight.

My friend Milo and I fought together. He was more like my brother actually. He didn't a mom and I didn't have a dad. Our parent were good friends too. The four of us lived together and were also in the army. Unfortunately all of them died in the war. I'm not even sure if Milo died in the war. He left to get some supplies and never returned.

I remember the war like It just started yesterday. Me and Milo both went to a military camp when it started. We were wearing blue, gray and black camouflage jump suits a had a long gun in hand. My long black hair was tied into it's typical bun while Milo's shaggy main fell to his shoulder. I always tell him to cut his hair or he will get in trouble. The Stringer's dress code is very strict: you can only wear blue, gray, and black. Boys aren't allowed to have long hair and girls aren't allowed to have short hair. He dose't listen though and no one else seems to mind. It's like the rules don't apply anymore.

The military leader was inspecting us when we heard roars from the distance. The roars was a Cliffhanger battle cry. The military leader gave us order to get ready to shoot. This was what we were training for. I spun around and ran for the Cliffhangers. Luckily I dodged some bullets but not everyone did. Even more and more Cliffhangers came Wee couldn't hold them all off. The military leader went to sound the alarm so everyone in the city would know about the start of the war while the soldiers that were left fled for shelter.

Me and Milo found our parents waiting for us by the front door like most parents. Once we were together, we all linked hands and didn't let go till we were home.

"Oprah, are you alright?" my mom asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." I replied.

My mom hugged me and said "That was your first war. I'm so proud of you!"

"It may end up being my last." I responded. "The Cliffhangers are really good. I'm lucky to be alive right now. Some people are already dead. If I didn't block a few shouts then I would be dead right now."

"Did you say Cliffhangers?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Oh no reason, no reason at all!" my mom shouted. She left the room and rushed into the kitchen with Milo's dad following her. I could hear shouts coming from the kitchen and started to get worried.

"I'v never seen your mom so mad." said Milo.

"I'v never seen your dad so quite." I answer back.

"What do you mean?" Milo asked.

"Has your dad said anything to you since we left for camp? Or at least said anything at all?"

"Well, no."

"He usually is always talking and did you see how pale he  was?"

"Why are you picking on my dad? Your mom is no better. She's usually the quite one. My dad is probably quite because he's trying to be polite for once."

"Yeah right." I said sarcastically. All Milo did was shake his head and walk away. I on the other hand was curious to why our parents were acting so different. I ran up to my room and sat on the bed, staring at the wall and waiting.