The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 5

Caden's office was stormed in by an alarmed Jackson and Elliot. Moments ago he'd gotten the call that an itinerant boy was found in the fields covered in blood and this took grasp of his attention. Caden looked over at Jackson to see his shirt covered with dark red stains upon his ruffled blue shirt with checkered patterns.

"How bad was it?" Caden asked,

"Horrible." Jackson paused for a moment, "Do you have any water?"

"I do yes." Caden ran over by a cooler he kept next to his desk where he reached for a cold bottle and gave it to Jackson. His hands started to fumble as he removed the cap and took a sip. The water managed to calm his nerves down a bit as he took another gulp, a trickle made its way down his cheek and he managed to wipe it off with his hand.

"We thought it was an accident at first, like maybe he was out in the field doing regular work and something happened to him. I almost panicked when I rushed over by Will-" Jackson took another drink of his water. "He wasn't prepared for this."

"None of us are ready for something like this, Jackson. You know it."

"That's the scary part; we used to live in a time where if you got hurt, you'd got to the doctor. Now, the doctor is gone and an amateur is all we have for a doctor." Silence befell the three of them as they stood in the meeting room.

Caden looked down at the floor and started to pace around trying to come up with an idea as of what was the best thing to do at a time of unease. He started to press his lips together and held his hands behind his back as his hands clasped together. Thoughts were going through his head really fast along with each breath of air that went into his lungs. His breathing started to grow loudly to the point where it shattered the peace.

"Let's hope for the best that the boy pulls through. If he does then we can learn from what he says happened to him. If he doesn't make it..." Caden paused,

"Did you ever think your responsibility as a Village Elder would be this tough?"

"At first I thought it was going to be a challenge keeping order in our town. Luckily with some small talk and gathering, it started off easy. Negotiating with everyone came with a win- win situation for all. From doing this, we learned to cope with each other and we all grew closer together like a family. We had to learn tasks we thought we could never complete by ourselves. Mistakes have been made by all of us at some point or another, but we use these mistakes as tools for learning experiences that may better us for the future. Me and the other Elders were liable for making sure our society is preserved for a better outlook. Every age and every child counts as part of a new hope. Losing one means one future is lost not only for that one life, but for all lives. My task is nowhere near simple, but it has to be accomplished. If I am the highest authority, then I must recognize my struggles that will follow with me."

Jackson and Elliot could not be left anymore speechless.

"I need to call for a meeting with the town; tonight if possible."

"Are you going to call Will tonight?" Jackson questioned.

"Yes." Caden nodded.

"Should I come along?" Elliot asked. Caden wasn't sure if someone his own age should take part in the meeting to discuss today's event. Looking at him, he didn't seem scared at all. He was just about ready to reply back to Elliot when he got a beep over on his walkie talkie radio. Doctor Will was on the other line and telling Caden that it was urgent.

"Caden, you're not going to believe this; but the wounds on the child were from no accident. These appear to be stab wounds!" The blood in everyone's veins came to a screeching halt the moment after hearing such a chilling tale. Caden picked up the talkie and responded.

"Stab wounds?" He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Are you sure they were from a knife attack?" He started to get the impression that they might be dealing with a slasher straight out of a scary movie he might have seen on TV during the Halloween season.

"He's still sleeping, but I managed to check over him." Right now Will was in another room keeping his voice down. "The cuts on his skin were very thin. I'm just happy he didn't get an artery severed; if he did then he would be done for."

"Did you find anything else?"

"I did as a matter of fact. While I was unbuttoning his shirt, I found a small handgun that he must have been carrying with him the whole time." Hearing about the gun on the child made them even more scared. Jackson started getting the feeling that the boy might have been attacked and got a hold of the gun. Now he was wondering if the attacker got shot.

"Was it loaded?" Caden replied,

"I found some bullets in the chamber, one of them was used; so it's likely to say that he may have shot whoever was trying to hurt him. I got the gun locked up right now."

"Good. Listen, I'm calling for a town meeting tonight and I need you to come and give your testimony. Can you make it?"

"I can try; but if anything pops up, I'll give you a call."

"Thanks, Will. Over and out." Caden placed the talkie back into its holster to let it charge. Feeling shaken, he sat down at his desk and faced both Jackson and Elliot. The little guy asked him one more time if he should come along for the meeting and Caden answered him.

"You may, yes. I feel that you are ready to understand what has occurred."