Moody

FOUR: TEDDY

FOUR: TEDDY

Tuesday

When I woke up, dad was in the bathroom. It was 7:00 in the morning. I groaned and stretched under the covers.

When dad got out of the bathroom, I went in and did my business, then we went into a kitchen-like room on the main floor of the hotel, where there was food stored in cupboards for the people residing in the hotel. There we had breakfast, and not too long after that, we were on the road again.

It got colder as we drove farther north, and dad had to turn up the heat. It also got clearer as we drove farther away from civilization. I watched the scenery fly past my window, the telephone poles stopping, more trees appearing, turning onto a dirt path-road.

Dust and leaves kicked up behind us as we rode.

"Dad, what if they see the dust cloud?" I said, gesturing with my head behind us.

He checked the rearview mirror and grunted.

"Hmm...never thought of that."

I laughed inwardly. They hadn't thought about that? It was as if they didn't think of these people as...living beings. Who were built for survival. If they see something out of the ordinary, they'll flee, or hide.

I was a bit irritated with that information. They were people too, even if they didn't agree with the government. Not everyone does.

"Why are you annoyed now?" dad asked. It was obvious he was ticked off.

"No reason," I lied.

"Ted." Dad looked at me sternly.

"You don't want to hear it."

"Yes, I do."

"Fine." I looked him straight in the eye with a serious look on my face. "I'm annoyed because you—by you I mean the entire group with this project—didn't fully think this through. You know, those people are people. They live, and breathe, and they're going to be wary about a dust cloud gliding by. Once they see it, they'll run and hide. I'm upset because you and the group treat these people like they're inferior, when they have full control over themselves. And, they were right after all."

He was getting mad now, but didn't say a word.

"I told you you didn't want to hear it."

"Do you not want to be on this trip anymore, Ted? Is that why you're acting up like this?"

"I wanted to come because then I didn't know everything we were going to do. I wanted to help you. But now I'm not so sure. I don't want to kill innocent people, all because their opinions were against yours."

"Well tough luck, buddy. You're here now, and you can't go back until I go back. You're stuck with me."

I set my jaw firmly. If this was how he wanted to play, then so be it. But from now on, I'll keep my mouth shut.

I continued to watch out the window. I wouldn't tell him anything else he's doing wrong. Especially if it has a chance of letting those people go free.

I'm on their side.

------------

"We're taking a break soon. We'll be staying at a shack. I know the guy who owns it, he's part of the group. But I should warn you, he's quite...sensitive."

I nodded once. We unexpectedly turned onto a paved road.

So we wouldn't be taking out those poor souls today.