The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 11

What was she thinking!" Cried out Conner, "She's going down to Washington City alone with a bunch of mass murderers, and no one thinks this is a bad idea?" Conner couldn't even stand in his seat, let alone keep his voice down. Right now it was seven-thirty and Jackson called his buddies over to his home and talk over what would be going on between both communities while having some coffee from leftover cans.

"What about the militia?" Owen asked, "Aren't they going to protect her?" He had some faith in the town's army, but not when up against a whole empire's force. That reminded Owen, they still didn't know how many bad guys Washington City had. To him and the rest of the town, the forces that rests miles away sounded like huge juiced up marines that were tough enough to bite into a cinderblock and could demolish a building with one solid punch.

"I wasn't involved in the meeting, okay!" Jackson started to feel really guilty that he didn't step inside the town hall. All he really did was stand outside and didn't even so much as mumble when hanging around Marcus' squad. If they were members of the "Washington City Army" that everyone was afraid of, than it looks like none of them could fight a war with a conscious mind. "Andy told me to wait outside next to the truck and I did so, and after a few minutes; they came out and left. I was brought inside the town hall and Caden told me what was up."

"This is insane." Conner nodded his head back and forth whilst burying his face with both hands. He started to uncover his face and looked over at Jackson. "Is anyone else going along with Leah tomorrow? Cause I can't trust them no further than I can throw them... And I haven't met any of them."

"As I said, Leah's going alone. She's just going to have a peaceful negotiation."

"How do we know that she's not going to be kidnapped?" Conner erupted out loud, "What if it's all just a trick so they can take her hostage and use her to get whatever they want; and if they do, then how is she going to be rescued?" Conner watched as Jackson looked at the table with an emotionless face for a few quiet moments to think. "Well?"

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking." Problem was, Jackson didn't have too many ideas. He placed his hand over his chin and placed his focus on his rifle, which was sitting on the table. His lips started to press together tightly before he started to say something with a loud sigh. "What about we set up a deal with the people coming over tomorrow? I mean, we let them talk to Leah as long as they let one of their own stay with us until they're done talking."

"No, no!" Conner shook his head with both eyes closed, "That's not going to work."

"Why not? It's simple, just like anyone would do. If I wanna borrow something from you, like... a truck, I'll lend you something of equal value so that that way I'll need to return you the truck. We could do something like that."

"Jackson!" Conner spoke with raised voice, "We're dealing with a madman who has an expandable army. Even if we borrow one of his own guys, he wouldn't care if we so much as killed him, he'll just find someone to replace him."

"You don't think he could be that heartless?"

"Hello! He sent people out to stab that little boy to death; all because he escaped." Conner started to look at Jackson with a face that he knew about all too well. This was a face that meant serious business. Conner was known for taking all matters gravely. Jackson still remembered the day after The Great Disappearance when Conner was in a panic when the adults were gone. He called up Jackson and Owen, and they got together to start looking around town for the grownups, but neither they nor any of their peers had any luck. The expression on Conner's face was the same now as it was nearly a year ago. "Could you imagine what he'd do if more of his prisoners escaped? What if his army goes around and starts burning down other cities and communities? Hell, what if Joel targets us? For all we know, we could be in the cross hairs of a war that has yet to come.

"If the adults were here right now, they'd help us out and none of us would be in this kind of situation right now. But we're all on our own. I'm surprised there's even law and order in our area because we have a responsible leader who'll help us. And what about elsewhere? Think of the children who for all we know are going through a much harder time. At this rate, anyone who has a gun and some bullets could go around saying he's in charge and anyone who crosses his path gets shot. That's the guy we're dealing with, times thousand! Maybe even more. We're out numbered, and if you ask me what we should do; I say: run."

"I don't wanna give up that easy."

"Neither do I." Owen spoke.

"This is our home." Jackson leaned forward towards Conner. "This is where we grew up with our families. This is where we went to school and made friends. And you're telling me that we should just forget the whole idea of defending our home and calling it quits?" Jackson felt disgusted by the thought of retreating. For him, the only way he was going to throw in the towel is through victory or by death. "We may have to deal with sacrifice, but sometimes what we lose can provide a good cause that is worth looking back at what we gave to accomplish something great."

Conner looked over at Owen and asked him what he thought of this mess.

"I am opposed to the idea of having to do something that'll kill people. But I am sickened by what they are doing down there to the people who don't have a voice." Owen took a sip of his drink and nearly choked when it came to swallowing his coffee. The liquid nearly went down the wrong tube. "I'm not really sure where I stand in this whole idea of war." Owen started to take in a few breathes and nodded his head. "If I have to fight alongside with you, Jackson, I'm okay, but I'm still not sure how severe this situation is."

"It's as severe as it could get, Owen." Conner replied,

"We gotta have something we could use to stand up to these guys if they decide to attack." For Owen, he was thinking of something like an arsenal. By now, everyone was familiar with the only gun store in town. But the problem with the lack of guns was the main concern. What if they had to go back to old school techniques by using the bow and arrow?

"Face it; we got no tanks, no planes, no battleships, no Call of Duty styled machine guns, and most importantly, we got no army what-so-ever."

"But the militia!" Jackson exclaimed,

"That militia is a joke." Connor waved his hand. "I doubt Andy could even command an army in the first place. Don't get me wrong, he's good at keeping the town out of total chaos, but doesn't have any experience in playing a real life game of Risk."

"Do you really feel that we don't stand a chance at fighting?" Jackson asked with honest sincerity. Both his hands started to clasp together with sweaty palms.

"Not even a prayer." Hearing Conner's words felt like a hard hitting blow in Jackson's chest when hearing such frankness. "We're screwed." Conner's eyes gave way a heavy look into his friends eyes as they all felt the pressure kick in. He looked down at his cup and seized a loud and profound sigh. "I'm sorry, Jackson. We just don't have the man power to support our own community and I was trying to tell you how I really felt about going to war with Joel. We haven't even met the guy and he's already Mr. Big and Scary, but Michael's story is the only truth we have about Joel at the moment. And I don't want this whole town to get blown away trying to defend itself from some stupid conquest for power. You need to realize, Jackson, that we all have our limitations that we need to know before we can go over the limit."

Jackson didn't even want to so much as breath after hearing Conner's philosophic words of wisdom. He started to feel immobilized by now. Thoughts of Mila and their first kiss started to echo through his mind. What would happen if I have to fight and I do die? How will Mila take it? Jackson's thumbnail slid along the edge of his teeth and he started gently biting down on the surface of the nail.

Owen too felt the weak mood build up inside of him from Conner's speech. He wasn't even certain if he should say something or not. For now he decided it would be best to remain quiet as he looked at Jackson as he chewed on his thumbnail. He's seen Jackson do this in the past, but not a recently as the moment they all sat around in his home.

"Jackson," Owen spoke softly, "If you need more help with the militia, I'll be more than okay with joining." For him, it would be filling in as a massive favor the poor guy. Conner's eyes peered over towards Owen and he spoke out.

"I too will volunteer for the militia if you wish me to." Conner swallowed with little spit he had left in his mouth after he spoke of his ideas. He couldn't believe he asked if he needed any more volunteers, but it was the least he could do at the moment.