Survival

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

       Jessie Hubkins. Hubkins is such a familiar last name. Katherine just couldn't put her finger on it. She remembered Jack and how he told their family about the headquarters for the first time. The family was all ready for dinner. Everyone was ready except for Jack. He was always late. It worried their mother that an eighteen year old boy would wander around who knows where. Katherine remembered how he rushed in with excitement. His young face flushed and his eyes shone.

       “You would never believe what I found, Ma! Pa, Kathy, now I know what my destiny is," he had said.

            In their family each of them always searched for what God wanted them to be devoted to, to serve Him. Jack just became a Christian a year ago that time. Katherine clearly remembered her father's smile and her mother’s widened eyes! Jack has decided to join some group that was against the government! Ma was, of course worried and she didn't want her little boy put to danger. (He was younger than Katherine.) But Pa thought it was a splendid idea and supported Jack in every way. That’s when it all started... Pa got shot by the Gramblers. He refused to tell them where Jack was. Ma got stressed out, got sick and died a few months later. Katherine didn’t even want to think of any destiny! This couldn’t be her life. She was angry at God for making everything so hard….

            Katherine and Jack were left alone. Katherine had been through a lot. She and Jack together helped families to survive until they separated. Now Jack is probably at the headquarters, “protecting” third children. And doing everything his "smart" boss does. Mr. Hubkins. Katherine gulped. Mr. Hubkins had a third child?! From what Katherine knew, Jack always talked about Mr. Hubkins but never mentioned that he had kids. Wow, she thought. Sure is a small world. She wondered where Jessie was.

            Katherine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She listened to the hum of the wind and to Katy’s soft snoring and to some rustling just outside the window. It was a rustling noise outside the window, like a human. Katherine jumped up and slowly walked to the window.  A man’s shadow slowly walked towards the cabin. Katherine’s eyes watered. Lord, not now, please! She prayed. It could be a Grambler soldier. She could already hear the heavy footsteps at the door. Katherine grabbed the bowl she used and decided that she is going to do everything to protect Katy. The door creaked open and a tired, dirty and scratched up man tumbled in. Before he could say anything Katherine smashed the bowl on his head with all her might. The man fell on the floor, unconscious. She peered at his face. Katherine gasped. The man was Jack!!