Chapter 15: Training in progress

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by Kolirath

by Kolirath

The group has stopped near a train. The atmosphere is tense . Duck is sitting on the ground, looking pale and weak, with Katjaa beside him, trying to keep him comfortable. Kenny is at the front of the train with carley, frustrated, as he works on the controls. I am searching around the train cars, hoping to find something useful.

Ron: *calling out as he opens a storage compartment on one of the cars* Hey, I think I found something!

*He pulls out a small pack of biscuits and a bottle of water, then walks over to where Katjaa is tending to Duck.*

Katjaa: *looking up at Ron with a tired smile*What did you find?

Ron: Some biscuits and water. It's not much, but it's something.

Katjaa: *gratefully* Thank you, Ron. Duck could use anything right now.

*I kneel down and hands the bottle of water to Katjaa, who opens it carefully and helps Duck take a few sips. Duck's eyes are half-open, and he looks at Ron weakly as he tries to eat a bit of the biscuit.*

Ron: *softly* How's he holding up?

Katjaa: *struggling to keep her voice steady* Not good. The fever's getting worse, and... *pauses* we're running out of time.

Ron: *with a concerned look*We'll get him to safety. There has to be something up ahead. Maybe a town with a doctor.

Katjaa: *nodding, though she seems unconvinced* I hope so.

*Ben, who has been nervously pacing nearby, overhears the conversation and steps closer.*

Ben: [anxiously] Is there anything else we can do for him? I... I feel like I'm just standing here, useless.

Ron: You're doing what you can, Ben. Just keep an eye out. We need to be ready to move as soon as Kenny gets this thing running.

Ben: *nodding quickly* Yeah, okay. I'll keep watch.

Ben walks a little ways off, still looking around nervously. I stay with Katjaa and Duck for a moment longer before standing up and walking over to where Kenny is working on the train.

Ron: *approaching Kenny, who is sweating and muttering under his breath as he fiddles with the controls* How's it looking?

Kenny: *frustrated* Damn thing's giving me all kinds of trouble. It's been sitting here so long, I'm surprised it even has a spark left.

Ron: *trying to encourage him*You're doing good, Kenny. We've all been through a lot.

Carley: *worried*Yeah just take it one step at a time.

Kenny: *glancing back at Duck briefly through the train window*Yeah, well... [trails off] I gotta get this thing running. For Duck. For all of us.

Ron: We'll figure it out. If anyone can get this train moving, it's you.

Kenny: *giving Ron a tired nod* Thanks, Guys. Just keep an eye on everyone. If this works... we'll need to be ready to move fast.

I take a step back, letting Kenny and carley focus on the train. I takes a deep breath and i look around at the group. Katjaa is still tending to Duck, Ben is nervously keeping watch, and Clementine is sitting quietly nearby, watching everything with wide, worried eyes.

Ron: *to himself, quietly]* We'll get through this. We have to.