The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 2

The clock struck six for the residents at Georgetown and just like that they were converging their way towards a destination of fun. Children on the outskirts of town were giving a lift by other teens who either had a driver's license or learned how by someone who had a driver's license. They'd ride along sitting in the back of pickup trucks with the wind blowing in their hair as the riders took pleasure in the feeling of the outdoors.

Near the entrance of the fairgrounds were the sounds of laughter and fun. Jackson would park the truck by the sidewalk where fun goers walked in crowds. What rested before them was what might have been the happiest place on earth. No need for buying a ticket, anyone who was anybody could go inside carefree.

Smells of corn cooking were present next to the scent of pies fresh from the oven. Before anyone could sink their teeth into the sweets, they were all required to eat what was cooked first. The main course consisted of meats and veggies with meats brought in by Jaden Lobger due to his background of employment at the local meat store where he and his father and grandfather occupied for nearly three generations. Cooking was made accomplished with the help of village elder Evan, Aria Sathoff age fifteen, Harper Westberg age sixteen going on seventeen in another month, Lily Barrett age twelve, and Hailey Peeters age thirteen.

Most of the great Friday feast was not going to be fun and games for Jackson, but helping around with preparation. Duties included counting heads and taking down names to know the exact number of children present before serving them hot meals. The main problem was to go remain at the front entrance with a clip board and a red marker to leave an "X" on the hand of the party goers and write them down while they get ready to be entertained.

Jackson met up with two of his peers, Conner and Owen. The three of them had known each other for as long as they've been able to walk. After the events of the Great Disappearance, they're friendship grew closer to the point where they'd speak to each other every night. Among the topics discussed were of how they're day went and memories of the past.

"Great to see you guys here" Owen said as his two buddies arrived at the front gate.

"Hey, I got here as quick as I could." Jackson walked into the ticket booth to grab a clipboard with a blank sheet of paper and a pen. "My truck can only carry so many people at a time. I must have made at least six trips here." Jackson stood out in front and began taking names. "Can't you guys do some driving for a change?" That thought never really occurred to Jackson before now.

"We can't," Conner replied, "Leah said we're better off at helping them get the food ready then driving around the kids." He looked down at the paper and noticed the list was full on names. "I gotta run these up to her now. Owen, is your notepad full?"

"Now it is." Owen replied after taking down little Benjamin Pahl. Owen took off his paper and handed it to Conner, where he'd now do his job as a messenger and head down to the grey brick building in the center of the fairgrounds where dinner would be served. His speed had to be fast and with no moment to dilly-daddle. Leah did not tolerate slacking off when there were hundreds of mouths to feed all in an hour. From seeing him run like the wind, anyone would think he was the fastest kid alive. Then again, being part of the school track team really had its pay-offs being able to outrun anyone.

"Did you and Elliot have to shovel cow turds today?" Owen asked Jackson while a few children chuckled, "Yeah, very funny, kids."

"No, not today," Jackson replied, "we just had to drop off some hay over by Parker's place and then both of us had to help transport everyone else. I tell ya, we're going to need a trailer for next time we transport them instead of me having to make multiple trips."