The System

Chapter Thirty Six

Leaning against the window, Josh breathed in the aroma of coffee that was already spreading through the house. He moved his knees, brushing it against the hard surface of the velvet couch and kept his eye on the empty driveway. Over the course of the night, the snow had piled up in the space where the car was supposed to be. He turned towards the clock that hung on the wall and sighed. He pulled a blanket over his shoulders and observed the people that were passing by. His stomach growled and twisted into knots. He pressed his teeth against each other and surpressed the uneasiness.

    Shiela walked in then, a newspaper in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. Josh could vaguely remember deeming it as peculiar. She never read newspapers. "Mommy, why isn't daddy home yet?" he asked.

    His mother shot him an annoyed glare and he shrank back. She brought the mug to her lips  and calmly drank. "Daddy's dead," she replied, the coldness obvious in her tone.

    "Dead?" Josh frowned, "Daddy was here yesterday."

    Shiela didn't respond. She parted the pages of the newspapers and took a glance at the headline. Immediately, her eyebrows arched in. Within seconds, the newspaper was scattered on the floor on the other side of the room. The boy flinched and checked the time again. "Mommy, it's already time for school," he remarked.

    "You don't have to go anymore." Shiela stood and opened the storage room next to her. Her hands reached into the dark room and pulled out a large, blue bag that was used whenever they went swimming. 

    "What are you doing?" her son inquired.

    She smiled and walked over. Her hands brushed against his face and she bent down until he looked directly into her reproachful eyes. "Listen very carefully, Josh," her voice was soft, "Mommy will take you on an adventure, but you must do as I say when I say it. Do you understand?" 

    He nodded.

    "You can only bring three things with you," she continued, "Choose with your own discretion--"

    "What does discretion mean?"

    "--and make sure they're not too heavy."

    He waited for her response to the question but she was already climbing the stairs with the bag trailing behind her. Shiela wasn't lying. She took him on an adventure, lodging in a different hotel or inn each night, and eating in a different restaurant the next morning. She was always on the move with a destination in mind. He noticed, though, that his mother was more aware about the newspapers, stealing a glance whenever she passed by one. Later, Josh learned that the adventure came with a condition.

    Whenever someone asked, Josh had to say, "I don't have a daddy. He's dead."

                                                                                 ~~~~~

    As if multiplying by the second, the Unknowns were surrounding every inch of the stadium. She wasn't sure if there'd been this many villagers prior to the attack. There couldn't have been. Allison was on her tracks, definitely faster than she would've expected. Lieserl jumped over the banister and paused for a second upon the court from the impact. In the corner of her eyes, she spotted Allison's little hand, reaching for her feet. She scrambled up at once and ran in an attempt to cover her staggering. In front of her was the three merchants, blocking her escape. Her hand tightened around the grip of the pistol but held back fire. 

    She slid to her right, avoiding the first merchant while James turned deftly and swung for her head. She jumped back once and forced her slowing brain to jump back again as Allison charged towards her. The stadium was already covered in smoke, the robust smell of wildfire lodging in her throat. She coughed and her eyes watered. It was a game of tag--with Allison. Unless absolutely necessary, she won't fire. She knew she wouldn't hold up long. Lieserl glanced at the broadcasting room that was clouded in smoke and hoped that Josh wouldn't fail.