Eliot Strange and the Prince of the People

12) For the Children

We arrive at the impromptu outdoor kitchen. There are small groups standing around talking and eating and drinking coffee. I see Adam and Sarah with the children. Adam is counting them out loud, and Sarah seems to be marking some type of list on a clipboard. I spot Millicent who looks like she is making a game of hiding and not being counted. Cindy and Baby Christopher are also with the group. Cindy echoes every number and name called out as if she is double checking the count.

Torin stands nearby with Tommy and Marla. When I see them I feel so much overwhelming joy and relief that I feel weak. There are tears in my eyes, and I almost full on start to cry. I walk to them both and hug them so tight. They are younger than me, but both have more courage than a seasoned soldier. How did they escape death? I don't know, but I silently say a prayer to God thanking him. Maybe, our Lord and Savior still cares what happens to this crazy world. Maybe, there is still hope.

Adam and Sarah report to Torin. "We counted 37, sir, 37 unaccompanied children. That, with the wounded soldiers, and the other families still here makes 93."

"And you think we have enough vehicles, gas, supplies to get there?" asks Torin.

Adam doesn't mince words. He shakes his head.

But Sarah still believes. "The Lord will provide," she says confidently.

This is met with silence so Sarah adds, "Or we will." She pats the gun slung over her shoulder.

Torin smiles. "I believe you will."

"What's going on?" I ask. I feel like I have been left out of a monumental decision.

Steven who seems to know already says, "Leaving. We're all leaving, Eliot. It is not safe here."

No kidding. We are not safe here. I expect One Nation to show up any minute.

"We're taking the kids," says Adam. "Going to make sure they're safe this time. All the refugees who want to join us are welcome to go too."

"Going to Asheville," says Sarah who still believes there is safety there. I pray she is right in believing that college students and the Red Cross have pulled off a miracle and are still there helping and taking all children.

Torin turns to Doc and says, "Can you get the wounded loaded as quick as possible?"

"I have one who probably won't make it much longer, but the other soldiers are stable. I'll have the medics help me get them ready." Though I know she must be exhausted, Doc walks off with a spring in her step.

"Are we all going?" I ask.

No one says anything. It is like they all know and haven't drawn straws yet to see who will be the bearer of bad news.

Torin says, "Eliot, can I talk to you in private?"

I don't want to hear what is coming next, in private, or out loud. My prince is leaving, and I think he is going without me.

I turn and walk away. Everyone knows if you ignore bad news, it goes away.

I expect Torin to follow me, but he doesn't. I look back over my shoulder, and he is still talking with Adam and Sarah and now Clay is there too taking his marching orders. Torin is still our leader, even now when he soon won't have anyone left to lead. Standing beside him clutching a doll in one hand and Torin's good hand in the other is Millicent.

I walk towards my room. I plan to pack a bag and leave, go before Torin can leave me. I don't like goodbyes. I am going to find my dad. After I find him, then I'm going to get my mom.

When I make it to the porch, Hellman is gone. She's got no one to guard now. Her priority will soon be gone for good. I hope she went to get an egg sandwich, her loyalty and dedication to her cause warrants a reward.

Just as I step on the porch, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to face my prince, but it is not my prince. He did not run after me. It is not Torin, but Gus Lancaster instead.

"What do you want?" I ask. I do not have time for his bullshit. I like Gus, you can't help but like him, but he is so full of himself.

"I need to talk to you. It's important. I need your help."

"Help? With what?"

"Your mother," he says.

"My mother? What about my mother?"

"I'm afraid for her."

"Afraid?"

"Yes," Gus says taking a step closer to me. He looks me directly in the eye and says in an ominous tone that I did not know he was capable of, "I'm afraid for her. But mostly, I'm afraid for us, for us all."

"Why?" I squeak out. I don't want to know. I don't want to know, but I manage to say, "Tell me, tell me the whole nother story."