Mutant

Fifteen

Arch got up from his bed and tried to recapture what happened last night. He knew the part where they had gone in the woods. But he was still having trouble getting over the death of Autumn and Annie.

Arch scratched his back. And no, it wasn't some casual morning scratch. This scratch seemed intentional and rashy, as if it needed to be scratched. But the the only problem was that the itch wouldn't go away.

Emmer came into the room.
"Dude, what are you doing?"

Arch quickly stopped scratching.
"Sorry, back was itching. Go on,"

"Well, you need to go outside. People are waiting for you in the town hall. They're all seated and just..you know, waiting for you!"

Arch was a little taken back.
"Me? What for?"

Emmer sighed. "They're waiting for you to tell them what to do next. Some of the kids are lost, and most of them are looking up to you to be a leader. They want someone they can listen to."

Arch laughed. "And what makes you think I'm fit to be a leader?"

"Well, for instance, you're the mayor's son. And you rescued that girl from the building. Dude, just suck it up and go along with it."

Arch paused for a second. Right at this moment, his hands were tied. If he tried to say no, then he would be the hate and coward of the town. But if he said yes, he would only be lying to himself. He didn't know how to lead a town of kids, let alone even whistle. But in the end, his hands were tied. He had no other choice.

"Let me tidy up first," Arch muttered.
********************

When Arch, Emmer, and Ellie arrived at the town hall building, there was a long curvy line of kids waiting to get in the building.

When they walked up the steps of the town hall, some kids would call out Arch's name.

"Hey that's the kid!" Shouted this one eleven year old named Jenny.

"His name is Arch Littleton, and he's a real hero!"

"How did he even do that trick? It looked so real."

Arch rushed into the building, not wanting to hear the rest of the shoutouts. It only made him feel guilty. As if he was someone he wasn't.

The pews were arranged in a horizontal order. The lights were a little dimmed out, and the seated kids were chattering in the slightest whispers.
When Arch stepped in, the whispering simultaneously stopped.

"There he is!" Cried this one red headed plump kid who was clapping his hands.
Everyone else soon joined in the clapping.

Arch, feeling flushed and churned, walked up to the podium with the blue seal and then turned to the audience.

He took a deep breath, and then he began.

"Look, I know our parents and guardians aren't with us right now. And they'll certainly never be. But that doesn't mean we all have to sit down and do nothing,"

Arch felt himself regaining some strength in his speech.

"We need occupations. We need jobs, we need roles. This town isn't going to get better if we just sit around. And to change that habit, I'll need all you guys to play in some role. And if you don't want one, then at least try to contribute. So any jobs in mind that would be vital for the survival of this town?"

Emmer had come up to the podium and handed Arch a white sheet of paper.
"Already made a list man,"

Arch took the list and scanned through it.
"We'll need a nurse and a couple helpers to work at Aurastas L. Mason Hospital, in case any kids get hurt. Who would be willing to volunteer?"

A dark brown haired girl with short hair stood up from the pew. Her three friends also stood along.

"What's your name?" Arch ordered.

"Hailey."

"And you're willing to take on the task?"

Hailey held her head up in determination.
"My dad was a doctor at that hospital, so I should have some experience."

Arch smiled. "Good."

Hailey and her friends quickly sat back down, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves.

"Next well need a law enforcer, a sheriff."

A bulky sandy haired seventeen year old stood up boldly.

"And you are?"

"Doug." He said.

"And would you like any helpers to aid you on your sheriff duty?" Arch offered.

"That would be nice," Doug said.

Arch started pointing to a bunch of random kids and said, "You, you, you, yeah, you too. You guys are with Doug."

The chosen kids moved on to Doug's side.

Arch turned to Doug.
"Doug, you're allowed to go to the police department and choose a suit if you want. You're also qualified to get as many weapons as you'd like. And if you feel like drafting more kids, it's all on you."

"Thanks Mayor Littleton."
Then Doug and his comrades sat back down.

Mayor Littleton, Arch thought.
I kind of like that.

"Now we need some people to work at Martha's Daycare. The little infants and toddlers need nurturing ya know."

A group of girls and two guys stood up.

Arch called out on the first girl he saw.
"What's your name?"

"Jamie." She said.

"Okay Jamie, you and your group are now responsible for the safety and health of the little kids."

The list droned on and on and on. All the way to who would be the garbage man, the firefighters, the conservers, the restaurant workers, the bakers, the dentists, the therapists, the vets, the reporter, etc.

"And finally," Arch said, crunching up the list. "Since you guys want me to, I'll be the mayor. But it's only temporary. In the next month or so, we'll have to elect a new mayor."

A girl who was familiarized to Arch, raised her hand.

"Amy, how may I help?"

"Well," she said. "I was thinking of starting a small church organization for the little kids. Maybe a bible camp. You know, just something I thought they might need. Would you accept it?"

"Why not? Sounds like fun to me."

Amy smiled. "Thanks Arch."
Then she sat back down, happily satisfied with herself.

Arch turned back to the audience with wide open arms.
"Now, let's get to work!"