After a day of working at the grocery store, Felix and his family returned to their shabby one-bedroom house. He retrieved the family photo album from the cabinet and sank into the tattered blue couch, flipping through its pages until he found his favourite picture of himself and his father hiking in the woods. The resemblance between them was striking, both sharing triangle-shaped faces and straight noses.
A loud knock was on the front door. Anna said, "I'll get it."
Anna rose from the chair and answered the door. The woman had an Intermarium flag pin on her military uniform. "Is Felix Ford here? I've a letter to give him."
"Yes, my son is on the couch. Who are you?"
"I'm Tara, and I'm with the Intermarium military. I need to talk with Felix."
Anna's face was flushed. She bit her lip and returned to the living room.
Felix looked at Anna's trembling lips, and his eyes widened. "Who's here?"
"The Intermarium military representative is here. She wants to see you."
Felix jumped off the couch. He'd rushed to the door and looked straight at Tara's dark brown eyes.
"What're you doing here?" He put his hands on his hips.
Tara smiled. "I've got good news for you. The military has chosen you to fight in the war against Technate-"
"No! I'm not going to war!" Felix yelled, red-faced and clenched fists.
Tara's expression became tense. "Then you've to pay the government fifty thousand dollars as compensation for refusing to participate in the war."
Felix gasped, "I don't have fifty thousand dollars!"
"You've to join the military or pay the fee. If you refuse to join, you'll be incarcerated for ten years." Her voice was stern.
"I'm a conscientious objector. Joining the army goes against my moral principles. Love thy neighbour as thyself is from the bible. I can't take someone's life."
"Intermarium does not recognize conscientious objection. Your religious beliefs do not exempt you from the army."
Felix was shaking like a baby holding a rattle. She removed an envelope out of her navy-blue jacket's pocket and passed it to Felix.
His voice trembled as he asked, "How long will I've to serve in the war?"
"The conscription period is three years. You're required to report to the military base at the end of this month and start your training. If you do not go to the base, there will be a warrant issued for your arrest."
"My mother needs me to work at the grocery store."
"No, your country needs you to fight in this war. You're going to make your country proud of you. I've to go and call in other men on my list to serve the country proudly."
She left and drove off in the military truck. Felix shut the door and sat on the scratched wood floor. His back leaned against the door, and his hands trembled as he opened the envelope. Felix Ford, your start date at the military base is September 30th at 10:00 am.
A sob escaped him. He hugged his knees, eyes closed. Anna sank beside him, arms wrapping around his shoulders. "Have you been drafted? Tell them that taking up arms goes against our religion!"
Felix replied, "I can't. I'll be thrown in jail."
Her voice cracked, "I'll pray for you."
He let the tears come, and for the first time since the summons, he felt less alone.