The City - PewdieCry

31: Sacrifices

"Everyone, I need you all to gather in the lobby." I shouted, standing atop the table. My hands were cupped over my mouth, and my soldiers sitting at the tables below me looked up, eyes curious and the paid close attention. "If you know that anyone else is not present, please go get them. We need everyone here, now!" I watched as some of the younger soldiers took off to gather any other ones, and I glanced at Felix who stood by Wilson at the entrance of the basement, and they smiled, laughing as Wilson pointed at me, and the pair glanced at me in unison. I blushed, waving them away as I waited for the room to fill. Once all of my soldiers were present and accounted for, I sighed and passed the pictures to Matt who handed them around.

"What is this?" Gregg asked accusingly, being one of the first to see the pictures and truly look them over. He glared up at me, and I waved a hand to calm him.

"This is an explosive, a nuclear bomb being created in the basement of M's HQ." I explained, and there were several gasps that went up around the room. "He's making it, and in just a couple of days plans to detonate it and bring this city to the ground, and everyone inside of it as well. I-." I swallowed, suddenly feeling fear creep up my throat. "I gathered with the other leaders, explained what was happening. They want to stay and defend the city." I fell silent, looking at my hands. I felt that many of my own soldiers would be displeased with my decision, but it was mine to make. Wilson snapped his fingers, ushering me on; I knew he had my back no matter what happened. "We're going to take what we can, we'll leave the city. John told us to wait outside, and if things blow over smoothly he promised to send someone to fetch us and let us back inside." My response was met with silence, and even Wilson narrowed his gaze at me. Felix looked around, wanting people to be supportive, but I figured that this would be my response. Yet, the next words spoken surprised me.

"If we're not going to fight, then shouldn't we be getting ready?" the words belonged to Matt, and I let out an inward sigh. They must feel the fear that I did, as I knew what the harmful effects of nuclear weapons and radiation could do. I'd heard enough stories from Wilson about what it did, how he'd lost his family and was left to take over mine.

"We really should, but I need to rendezvous with the other leaders once more in order to make sure plans are set. Tomorrow morning is ideal for that, and we'll have the whole day to move things around. In fact, Matt, gather a group of three or four and send them outside the city to the east, scout around and find an ideal place for us to shelter. Far enough from radiation effects and other things." Matt nodded, moving through the group and gathering a few of the older soldiers together. "Other than that, I want you to at least gather your things. We can finish everything for sure tomorrow. Any questions?" I asked, and I saw most heads shake. I noticed the veterans muttering to one another, and Gregg stood up, a somber look on his face.

"Cry, we've been a part of this group for several years, and we're far too old to be moving around like we used to, or packing things. We'll slow the group," he began.

"Nonsense!" I hissed, knowing exactly where he was taking this conversation, but he held up a hand to stop me, biting his lip and restraining tears. He looked back up at me.

"Us, as the veterans, would like to stay behind and help fight. You can take everything and pass it on to the younger soldiers. You said it yourself, they'll take our positions." I gritted my teeth, trying to choke back tears. I'd grown up with these men as young soldiers, and they'd fought just as fiercely as anyone for me when M's group had raided, with me as we took revenge for my mother, and for me as I led the group after my dad. They had been in my life, whether happy or grumpy, angry and against my decisions or behind me the whole nine yards. This was a decision that wasn't mine to make, or to take from them, but something that I had to uphold and respect no matter what choice they had made. I gave a curt nod, and they stood in unison. "We'll get our things and follow you to John, he'll let us fight with him." They all left, returning to their rooms as the other soldiers followed suit. Whispering and glances of fear and pain were passed around, and soon the lobby was devoid of anyone save for Felix and myself. I walked to the nearest wall, punching it as hard as I could manage and allowing the force to send my fist through it. I was shaking; I couldn't believe this was happening. Felix was at my side instantly, wrapping me in his arms and holding me close to him. I shook, fighting off sobs and burying my head into his shoulder. He hummed something softly, holding me and rocking us back and forth in attempt to keep me from losing my head completely. I pulled back, and he ran a hand through my tangled hair, pushing up my mask and kissing me softly.

"Let's do this together, okay?" he asked, and I nodded, wiping my cheeks and sniffling. He grabbed my hand and we waited in the lobby as the veterans returned one by one with their own weapons, fully geared up and ready to go to war, which was an accurate description of the future. Suddenly, I noticed Wilson was among them, geared out and holding a gun at his side. He walked up to me, standing at my side and sighing. I gaped at him, and he smiled warmly at me.

"Let's get moving and I'll explain," he suggested, and I led the way towards the Grouping Building, Felix on one side holding my hand and Wilson on the other, clearing his throat. "I love this gang, Cry. I grew up with you, I helped you along, and you've helped me as well. I've taught you everything from medicine to blacksmith to combat, and you're good. I remember the day that you made your first throwing knife, and the few days after that you hit a target dead on." Wilson chuckled. "I remember waking up that night to find you sitting there, creating several more knives for hours on end, and I remember thinking that you were going to be resourceful when you were older. I know you still have as many of those knives as you can on your person at all times." I was too choked to speak, but he was correct at least. "You were always a bright child, and you grew up with a sharp tongue and quick wit, and it's not hard to see that you are noble beyond comparison. These traits I want you to keep." We had arrived at the building, the other leaders talking and John looked over at me, staring curiously at the troops and then at Felix's hand clasped in my own before giving me a nod.

"All the plans are set, we'll be attacking not tomorrow morning but the one after." John said, and I dipped my head.

"Thank you, John. These are some of my troops, they wish to fight and will willingly work under your command." I explained, and he examined them through narrowed eyes before giving a nod. The older men came and gave me a goodbye, and Wilson and I simply stared at one another. Felix stepped away to tell the veterans goodbye as well, and I sniffed as Wilson pulled me into a tight hug.

"Cry, be strong." Wilson told me softly as I began grinding my teeth together to ward off tears. "You are brilliant, and I don't want you to be sad over my leaving. Should I not make it back, I want you to live happily for me. That is all I ask." I pulled back as he did, and he rested his hands on my shoulder, smiling sadly at me. "Who knows, maybe we'll even get there in time to stop all of this madness." I smiled, wiping the tears that had slipped past me off my face, and he hugged me once more.

"How am I supposed to make it without you?" I asked shakily, and Wilson raised an eyebrow at me. He had been my mentor, my teacher, my accomplice, my trusted advisor, and most importantly he had taken the place of my father. He became the man that I had to exile, only better and trustworthy. He had guided me, and taken me under his wing and showed me just what a leader with my capabilities could do. I felt lost already without him, and he only shook his head with a smirk.

"Do I really have to answer that?" he asked, and I felt confusion flood over me. He pointed behind me, and I turned, finding his finger drawn to Felix. The blonde shook hands with the last veteran who turned and followed John. His blue eyes met mine, and he noticed my tears, quickly making his way over to me. I turned back to Wilson, but the old man was already following the other veterans away, and I let out the breath of air I was going to use to speak. Felix's hand reached my shoulder, and it skimmed down to my back, rubbing it softly for comfort.

I felt so utterly lost and alone. I had lost my family years ago, and Wilson and these veterans had played a big part in rebuilding it for me. Now, they were all risking their lives for a cause that everyone was hoping they would make it back from despite the slim chances they had. Yet, Wilson was right. I needed to focus on who was at home and get those who would be there to live out the rest of their lives in this family to safety. That was my first priority, and I clasped hands with Felix as we headed home. Wilson had always been right, right up until seemingly the very end.

I did have Felix, and maybe he and the gang were all that I truly needed.

~~~

:( I was rather sad to have added this goodbye between Wilson and Cry. I was trying to make it as emotional as possible, hopefully it worked out alright.

Do you guys think the fighting force will make it in time to stop M?

Hope you enjoyed, and you guys have a frantastic weekend! I'll see you all on Monday <3

~Jay