Chapter 15: Supply Run

12 1 5
                                    

I wiped the sweat that was dripping from my forehead. The temperature had increased these last few days, add the clear sky and it made being outside practically an oven. I had spent the last two weeks working around Christin's farm. The fields needed constant watering and, in all honesty, it felt nice doing something useful again.

We were cleaning up the training fields, today. Ripping out weeds that had sprouted up during it winter vacations, and raking the loose soil until it was soft and powdery. It was hard, and hot, but fulfilling in some twisted way. Though, it was confusing as to why we were doing this. Three of Christin children were fully trained, and while the other three were still in training they almost never used all of the fields they had on hand.

Shawnen, needed special equipment in order to learn how to handle his power without hurting himself. Sable's powers only worked at night and then she needed to constantly be close to a water source, so Christin trained on the sea shore with her (Apparently that wasn't considered disrespectful). And Timothy... I didn't really know what about him, other than a few stares and curious head tilts our interactions were to a minimum. The point was, they didn't need all this space. Which begged the question as to, why were we fixing it up now?

One afternoon while setting up training equipment with Arrow, I couldn't hold my confusion and curiosity back, "So, uhm, why exactly are we doing this?" I asked.

"We're setting up a training course. What do you think we are going to do with it? Have a dance party?" Arrow joked.

I chuckled, "No, it's just, you guys don't really use these, and the equipment seems like it's for people who are much lower than the rank you guys are at."

I wasn't wrong. The setup, a few simple obstacle courses and some sparing sticks (Arrow and Jenette used real swords), were clearly for building strength and learning basic combat moves. Not something that these mutant warriors would be doing.

"Good eye, and you're right, this isn't for us. This is for the campers," Arrow smiled.

"The what?"

"Every summer, Dad hosts a camp for mutant children who are from non-mutant families. In order to spread our culture and training to people who can't find a clan to teach them."

"Well, that's selfless."

"There are only two things you can really do in this world, give or take. Dad, had to take so much in order to keep us safe, this is a way that he can give back."

I nodded, "That's deep."

Arrow chuckled. I had been trying to learn the modern slang for an awhile. Apparently, I always have this quirky little proud grin after I use one of them. Arrow always smiled at them, saying I look cute.

"So, if this a summer camp. What exactly do the campers do here?" I asked.

"Learn basic self-defense and power control through games and focusing techniques. And there are cultural lessons that parents can join in too. But don't worry too much about it right now, you'll learn, you're going to be one of the camp counselors this year after all."

"Wait, I'm going to be what?"

"The Camp popularity has grown in the past few years, and with the inclusion of the X-men this will probably be our biggest year yet. Dad needs all hands he can get, especially since I won't be here after opening day for at least three weeks."

A New Kind of ArmyWhere stories live. Discover now