The Bryne Runaways (Updated)

Chapter 20

The aftermath for the bombing here isn't pleasant nor good for anyone. It had made campers very emotional and desolated. It left an imaginary scar on us to remember the pain that occurred here today and everyday. Never in my camp life has a bomber been this close to our camp before. Yeah we can hear the aircraft from far but not this close. Due to the bombing, campers here are traumatized now, including me. I'm scared.

Aren't we all?

Uncle Ben sits on the couch in our cabin with ice on his head and a bandaged foot as I take out the first aid kit to help with his wounds. I grab a wipe that disinfects his dirty wound and clean the cut he has on his chest. He hisses at the stinging sensation and I apologize at him for doing it to quickly. I put the last bandage on him and close the box with the Red Cross in front of it. His hand falls on my hair pushing it aside and cleaning the dirt on the side of my forehead.

"Where did you get so good with this?" Uncle Ben asks me with a grin on his face.

"It's what we have learned in our station for a while now" I say as I sit next to him correctly and lay my head on his shoulder slightly.

"You're doing a good job" He says to me but in my mind I'm still not over what had happened today. The bombing.

"It was all scary" I say to him darkening the mood now by changing the subject.

"I know it was. I'm sorry I wasn't there with you for it" He says and it isn't his fault he wasn't informed about the airstrike. The airstrike was earlier than ever. I'm just lucky he isn't gone. I know he's strong enough to take care of himself out there because he's fit and trained but I need him with me. To stay not to leave.

"Uncle Ben, why do I have this odd feeling like I'm important to everyone" I say to him as I stare off into the distance. It's what I'm noticing lately about myself.

"Because you are special and unique that's why you seem that way. It's good for the world" He says placing his signature kiss on my head like he always does, it reminds me of back then when the arrival didn't happen and to the good times when Uncle Ben would wait outside my school to pick me up.

"How was my mom?" I ask Uncle Ben wanting to know a bit more of my runaway mother.

"Ah- there's a lot about your mother, what specifically do you want to know?"

"Like how was she like?"

"Um- she was very friendly and goofy when she can be but when she is mad she'll be wicked as a spider, and when she gets that way I wouldn't mess with her if she got like that, I know because I've been through that"

"You have her personality. You have her personality genes. Also that same mole on your bottom like her!" He says and I turn my head quickly pulling this face at him. What do you mean? I don't have one down there! Uncle Ben stop!

He puts his hands in the air in surrender. "I'm just kidding" He chuckles.

"But there is something different in you than her though, I don't know what it is"

I don't really see myself as my mother. I know I didn't get to know her but I don't see nor feel her personality in me to be honest. I imagined her better than me.

Dinner is saddening and silent for everyone in the cafeteria. Everyone just wanted to know one thing. What had happened out there? It's the question everyone wants to know. It's what campers need to know desperately because that just doesn't happen out of nowhere. There's need to be some type of explanation for it to be early and extremely close.

Gordon's messenger arrives and I stop what I was doing. I need to know what's up. I set my fork down and look up from my plate with food I haven't laid a finger on just play with it.

"Due to the unexpected event we will not be postponing the grand game but we will dedicate it to the campers who had fallen from the bombing today. They who have perished giving us the great honor of being served by them. We shall appreciate and pay our respects to our fallen who have managed to bring the best of us. Please bow your heads as we pay our respects" All campers stand high with their heads bowing low in total silence.

That's it? Nothing else? Sounds so bias and emotionless. Do they even care that people has lost their life and they continue to hold on games to almost cause our deaths?!

I can't believe any of this.

I pay my respect to the fallen because I'm grateful for what they have done to serve this camp by collecting our food and doing their part. I appreciate it. After a couple of minutes of this, everyone in the camp begins our chant to salute them farewell and they will be here with us, in our hearts, as long we are able to live.