Reckoning

Chapter Twenty Six: Brothers In Arms

Song for this chapter is
Violet Hill by Coldplay

Within twenty minutes, Lauren gathers all residents of Haven, over 70 of them in front of town hall. But we're missing Charlie and Natalie, and we need everyone here so Lauren sends to the apartment building to get them.

I walk up the flight of stairs and walk down the hallway of the east wing of the building, many windows providing light.

As I get closer to Charlie and Natalie's room, I can hear distinct shouting and arguing.
I stop in front of the door and listen, and then I knock. It goes silent, and then Charlie swings open the door, wearing a white tank top and jeans.

"What is it, David?", he asks me, agitation in his voice.
"Lauren's holding a meeting in front of town hall. She wants everyone to be there", I tell Charlie.
Charlie states, "Well tell her that's gonna have to wait-"
Natalie pulls Charlie away from the door and politely gives a slight smile at me, saying, "Thank you, David. We'll be down in a minute."

Then she gently shuts the door.

As soon as the door closes, they immediately start to argue again. I quietly sigh. I sure hope that's not me and Grace one day.

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I stand beside DJ, Lisbeth, and Emma. Lauren stands in front of the entire community on the steps leading to town hall.

The crowd is noisy, almost all of them yelling at once. Lauren raises her arms to calm down the crowd, but it doesn't work.
"What are we gonna do?"
"Are we fighting back?!"
"Screw Nathaniel! We're gonna kick his ass!"
"Are we safe here?!"

These are just some of the words I hear from the residents of Haven.

DJ starts to look agitated, then walks up in front of the crowd and shouts, "Everybody shut up!"

The crowd goes silent.

Emma can't help but chuckle. Lauren puts her hands on her hips and announces, "I gathered you all here today because I have an important announcement to make...we're going to war."

The residents fall back into being loud and aggressive.

I hear Lisbeth mutter, "There's no order here..."
I turn to look at her and she goes silent. Sure, things aren't the same here then at Nathaniel's base, but it's still intact.

"Quiet!", Lauren commands the crowd. Slowly, they comply and are silenced.

"Listen, I know you're scared, but in times like these we have to stand together. Now, I'll need to-"
"How do you expect us to train for this?", a short, fat angrily asks Lauren, "We've never been in a situation like this before! And barely any of us know how to fight!"

Lauren says, "How about you listen and-"
"No!", the man shouts, "I'm tired of listening to you blabber about pointless shit! It's time we stop talking and start doing!"
A portion of the large crowd raises their fists in agreement.

"Listen asshole!", I blurt out loudly, stepping forward next to Lauren, "Do you know what it's like to kill someone who's about to kill you?! Do you know what it's like to try to survive every day of your life?!"
The man and the rest of the crowd goes silent.
"No? Then shut the hell up!"

Lauren whispers, "Thank you, David. Do you wanna speak?"
I nod.

Lauren steps back.

I take a deep breath and say loud enough for everyone to hear, "I was captured by Nathaniel along with a few of my friends. We were taken prisoner by these people. So listen when I say that they are dangerous. They execute and mutilate anyone in their way, and their leader is worse than the actual army. Who knows how many people he's killed. I talked to Nathaniel face to face. He's unlike any person I've ever met.
"But together, we can take him down, and he will never harm anyone again."

I stop and see Grace in the crowd, looking up at me.
I continue, "We'll train anyone who wishes to fight. We have one week until Nathaniel launches an attack on Haven. One week is plenty of time. After this is done, Nathaniel will wish he had never met us. Who's with me?"

The crowd goes crazy, shouting out and raising their fists in agreement.

One week.

We have one week.

One week is all I need until I have to settle the score.