Holmcross Project (Year 1)

Chapter 14: Stranger

The next day, Luger met with his group in the remains of the hotel. "We'll have to go back to the ship. I think we can convince them to let us borrow the jeep for a bit longer." He walked over to Wesson. "You did very well this mission. Good work."

Wesson beamed.

"I did well too, right?" Amelia asked hopefully.

Luger looked at her and nodded. "Yes, you did well. Wesson, don't forget to get your uniform back from Tony before we leave."

"Ack, forgot he still has it." Wesson hit his head with the heel of his left hand. "I gotta go do that, then, before he stores it away to hide it from me."

Luger chuckled. "You better go, then. We'll talk more when you get back."

Wesson dashed out the door, heading for the ruins of Tony's house. "Yo, Tony! Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Wesson!" Tony ran over to greet him. His parents were behind, watching as they salvaged what they could from the burned building. "What's up? Do you need help fighting another demon onslaught?" He struck a few more dramatic poses.

"I need my uniform back. We're moving on with our mission." Wesson said, shrugging. "Sorry, can't take you all over the world." Tony's mother nodded her agreement.

"Oh, yeah. Right." Tony kicked the dirt in disappointment. "Yeah, it's cool. Mom just washed my other clothes, see?" He held his arms out to show his old outfit. With all the ash and mud on them it was hard to tell the clothes had ever been cleaned.

He pointed to a pile of salvaged belongings behind him. "I'll just... go get your clothes."

"No, no, no." His mother piped. "At least let me clean them up before you go."

"It's the least we can do." His father added.

"Thank you." Wesson smiled to the two of them. "You've been really nice."

In the background, a group of volunteers was organizing to fetch the bodies of their loved ones. It was a very emotional scene.

"You've done more for us than you know." His mother said. She walked over and gave him a hug. "Thank you."

Wesson smiled softly and returned the hug, then stepped back. "Aw, it was the obvious thing to do. Couldn't leave you to suffer, after all." He smiled; his hands behind his back. "And Tony's been a big help, too."

"Right?" Tony said excitedly. "That's why I'm gonna join the army too."

"Not until you're older." His mother said with a hand on his head. "Now, why don't you go fetch his clothes so I can wash them?" As Tony ran she brushed off her dress and looked back to Wesson. "I'll run them by the hotel later. Don't you worry."

Wesson nodded. 'Then, I'll leave them in your hands, ma'am. I have to get back; we're discussing our next move." He turned and, with a wave, ran off to the hotel.

"Wesson!"

Wesson stopped short as his name was called and looked over to see Steven approaching him. "Oh, hi. What's up?"

"Wesson, right?" Steven walked over to him. "I'd like you to ask your leader if I can join your group. I heard him say that you were going to help Milama? I would like to help."

"We're going pretty far beyond Milama, but I'll see what he says." Wesson shrugged.

"Thank you. I'll be helping clean up the general store when you have my answer." He turned to go. "Looks like the demons raided the place."

"Mm. Must be a terrible sight." Wesson said, pursing his lips. "I'll ask him, sure." He then turned and ran off back to the Inn.

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