The Patriots

CHAPTER 10 (ANSWERS)

Del was still outside the tent lost in his thoughts. He was just pacing and did not even notice when the kids were leaving. Anna went out to search for him. She gave a sad smile when she saw the worried look on his face.

"Um-um," she cleared her throat making her presence known to Del. "Having troubles, huh?" she asked when he turned to her.

"Yeah," he nodded. "It's just the question that kid asked. I've never thought of it, you know. It's a real big question."

"Yes it is," Anna agreed. "But I know you Del. You've got answers to every question. This question is just like every other question you've ever come across. You already know the answer. Just allow yourself to see it." She smiled and left him all alone.

"Yeah," Del sighed and soliloquised. "I've got the answer to this question, but the other question is, why the kids? This was the question I should have asked the minister and the Chief. If there is something really dark going on, I have to protect these kids at all cost."

The two days were due and the kids prepared to go back to the park as they were told. Cecilia had not spoken to her mother in these two days. Her breakfast was already on the table when she woke up. She finished her chores, had her breakfast and went out the door. She did not have to sneak out anymore and her mum did not try to stop her. The first thing she wanted to do was to go see Charles, but she changed her mind on second thought.

All forty kids made it to the park, including Charles, but he did not join them in the red tent.
Earlier that morning, Charles wrote a note, at the time he knew everyone would be asleep, and addressed it to Del. He sneaked it under the red tent so Del would see it when he came inside.

The note read, "Good day General Del Pine. I have some delicate information about the rebels. Meet me at two p.m after your meeting with the freedom fighters. Signed: Secret Rebel."

Charles just hung around the park watching everything that happened from a distance. He was just waiting for his time to come. He gave a sad smile when he saw Cilia entering the red tent. He just wished he did not have to hide anymore.

When Cecilia entered the tent, Vera came rushing to her side, giving her a tight hug. Cecilia was astonished but she managed to hug Vera back. She wondered why Vera always wanted to walk with her. "Maybe she wants a friend?" Cecilia thought. Many people had lost friends and family to the rebels. She could understand, but it felt like Vera wanted more than that.

They were given seats this time around as they waited for Del. "Good day kids," Del said confidently as he walked in. Most of the kids admired him. Mainly because he was the general of the Colombian army, also, because he was handsome and had a fine stature.

"I believe you're all doing great?" he asked. They answered uniformly with nervous excitement. "That's good," he started. "I know most of you have a lot of questions in mind. Some of you are scared to the core, but not to worry, I've got all your answers ready," he smiled, staring right in Cecilia's direction.

The way he spoke made the kids admire him the more, but Cecilia's eyes fell with embarrassment when she noticed he was looking in her direction. She knew it had something to do with the question she asked.

Kelvin's eyes followed the direction of Del's eyes and they landed on Cecilia. Even though he tried to forget her, staring at her today was different. He did not feel the hate he felt for her before. He just stared at her shy face, keeping track of every detail of her face. Her pale face, now with reddened cheeks due to the embarrassment she felt being watched by Del. Her long lashes that separated into curles. The way she licked her lips nervously. Her long neck....

He did not get to stare much, because Vera noticed him staring at Cecilia. He quickly looked away pretending nothing happened. He was still in his hood, so he pulled it further down his face, taking a deep breath.

"So why are you here? The big question," Del begun. "You are here because you're going to be trained like the military.  This is to prepare you for the big fight against the rebels. Now why did we choose you? We chose you because looking at the alternatives this was a much better option. There is already a rebellion, so much bloodshed, if the military stepped in, it would be catastrophic."

"As the saying goes, 'if you can't beat them, join them.' We're not going to join them dear kids, but we're going to mimic them. We're going to be like another rebel group fighting against them. We're going to give them a taste of their own medicine. That's why we chose you." Del ended, leaving out the part where he thought this was some plot by the chief and the minister of defence. Del smiled as all the kids applauded and cheered for him.

He was happy that he could give them this kind of hope and confidence. Even Cecilia smiled at him too. He knew they got this covered.

Anna took over from where Del ended. Peter, Miles and Roger were there to help. They separated the kids into their various genders and started a lecture on military theories. They also informed the kids that letters would be sent to their parents in the name of their undercover private organisation. Those who were orphaned were to stay in the tent that day.  Anna informed the rest of the kids that they had just a day to say their goodbyes and then, they were allowed to leave.

Del went out of the tent holding Charles' note in his hands. It was a few minutes to two p.m. All the kids had left, except the orphans who were in the tent with Anna and the soldiers.

He noticed movement behind the thriller and moved towards it. Charles appeared in front of him, standing nervously. "Hey kid, are you the...secret rebel?" Del asked waving the note in front of Charles.

"I am." Charles replied.

"This is going to be a long story but I'm going to cut it short. I am one of the rebels. I...I didn't choose to be one of them. Trust me, I hate it there, but my dad is the leader and I had to join forcefully. I reached out to you after getting to know your secret mission and I want to help. I want to work with you to end this rebellion. I can't go with you to wherever you're going, but you can trust me. I'm never going to let you down, I promise," he said breathing heavily because his heart was racing. He was trying so hard to push the tears that were threatening to fall back.

"What's your name kid?"

"I'm Charles."

"Meet me here tomorrow, same time. We need to talk and arrange your job."

"Thank you sir," he cried with joy. He could not believe he did this so easily. He left the park feeling like a heavy weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. Some was still there, but he knew he would get there soon. He was going to be free.

A/N: Wheeww!. This was one long chapter.
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