The End of Days

[35]

The clock read 8:07 when the knocking on the door came. Liam looked to the kids who hadn't spoken a word since they'd began gathering their things that morning which didn't take long seeing as they didn't have much.

"Uh hey, morning." He told Jack as the door swung open, gesturing him in.

"You set to go?"

"Yeah just waiting for the kids."

Jack nodded, silence filling between them. It'd been a hard few days, Jack said some of the women that ran the daycare were helping set up some rooms in Darlenes place.

"Give them one room," he told them cause there wasn't a chance they were sleeping alone. So today wasn't just rescue day but the kids were moving for good.

"You alright?" Jack asked although the answer was obvious. Liam shrugged it off anyway. "We better hurry, I don't want to waste anymore time."

After the kids were collected, they began the walk to Darlene's small cottage house which she shared with her middle aged daughter, Grace was her name.

He'd met her a few times, she was kind if not distant. She was in her own world, helped with crops and volunteered in the kitchen often but it was clear she valued her independence.

She agreed to help in any emergencies and the kids seemed indifferent to her but it could've always been worse so Liam didn't mind it too much. His only worry was how they would cope.

Watching their fosters die, then whatever Liam was to them. For him to leave them with people they hardly knew just to run into danger, maybe death. And over what? A lost cause probably.

"Look at that, your own room! Don't you just love it?!" The blond woman gasped, shaking their shoulders in excitement. Fred tugged out of the grip but Grace was hardly paying attention. She rambled on and on about the room and the kids just stared.

"Hey," Liam grabbed their attention with a hand, turning them to face him. "I've gotta go now, you guys set?"

He gave them a look. They nodded numbly, Liam opened his mouth to speak but nothing came. He wanted to apologize, comfort them, anything.

"I'll be back in a few days, okay? You'll be the first to know."

Liam hesitated at the hugs he got. He threw heavy arms around them, patting them slowly. Jeez he swore they were getting taller and it'd only been a few weeks. He didn't linger too long after that, thanking Darlene for what must've been the millionth time.

"I thought I'd have to drag you out of there." Jack mumbled, attempting to lighten the mood maybe but neither of them were a natural at that. No, Liam wouldn't have stuck around anyway. It was too hard watching them, saying goodbyes.

Everette stood at the gates with his star pupal, going over the plan with some of Jack's soldiers. "Sir." Jack  bowed his head a bit although his father hardly seemed to have noticed.

"Liam, son. We were just discussing the trip down to your old block. Were quite familiar with your bandit problem and I myself am..no stranger to loss." Liam caught the way Jack could no longer meet his eyes. "I will assist you in tracking down these men but I would like something in return."

He wasn't the slightest bit surprised to hear that. "Yes?" He asked.

"As much as I do hope this brings you some closer, we don't have the resources to waste on humanity alone. We have a rat infestation. You seem like a man equipped for just such a job. You do good, you're welcome to join our ranks. Help protect the people, the children. What do you say?"

He didn't dare look Jack's way although they both went rigid. "I guess we'll see." Liam admitted finally. Everette nodded, patting his shoulder. His hand had yet to drop as he met his son finally.