Last Dawn of a Horde

Chapter Eleven: The Final Assault ~1 Jet

~Jet~

            “So we’re just going to take ourselves on the road again?” I asked James. From the way the four of them looked—four J’s of their section—they wouldn’t answer my questions. For the record, that was my third.

            Even the others are curious about their little talk with the principal and Mr. Riggins.

            “What the hell is going on, Jimmy?” Camille stopped him on his track. “What’s happening?”

            “We’re moving,” James answered. I still didn’t leave him, because somehow, he was the one I believe I can trust and ask about things.

            “Moving? Why? Is Sam getting worse?” I asked.

            “We’re gonna die,” John replied for him. “And we’re going to die faster if don’t move our butts quick.”

            I looked around everywhere, and everyone was getting their own bags and stuff. “We’re leaving. Alright.”

            James looked at me in the eye. “Are you even happy about that?”

            I shake my head frantically. “No, that wasn’t—supposed to sound like that.”

            He resumed packing, and I assumed he doesn’t want to talk anymore.

            On the garden, some girls were still watering the grass and germanium bushes. Stel, for example, was even smiling as she splashed water accidentally on Karen.

            “You guys aren’t packing?” I asked. All of a sudden the happiness seems to fade as I march towards them. Oh, I don’t have a choice anyway—my curiosity bothers me a lot.

            Stel turned off the faucet. “Why? Pack for what?”

            “Oh, you guys don’t think of...going out?”

            “What ‘going out’?” Karen stepped forward and asked me. Maybe it won’t hurt to tell them what I’m seeing inside the house. After I did, they didn’t look any comfortable.

            Karen excused herself, and she marched inside the house even though she’s drenched. I don’t have the wildest idea why Stel didn’t follow and just stayed with me. The outsider.

            She resumed watering the plants, and it wasn’t long until she started noticing me.

            “Are you okay?” Stel asked. “You always looked so quiet.”

            I gave a curt nod. “Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

            I was smiling at her, but she kept her stern, concerned face. After a moment I dropped my faked smile; it was useless since she wasn’t like any of her classmates. When I was asked if I’m okay—which I’m really not—I just give a little smile and they believe it. Guess I need to be a little more social.

            For days of staying with them, I was trying my best to get along. I play Snakes and Ladders with them; even play hide-and-seek even though those games weren’t just for our age. But then, something was missing. I can’t be really happy.

            Stel sat by my side and set the hose running. She pointed it upwards, so that the water was shooting skyward.

            “You really miss your friends, right?”