CHAPTER 5
The next day, I woke up to find Eugene standing in the doorway, looking at me intensely. I decided to clear my head of any thoughts that might get me killed because evidently, he was about to take me to that creepy room with the round table again. I merely sighed and followed him. Some might say I should’ve taken a chance and ran away because he wasn’t restraining me but there was no way I would be able to run away from the big brute that is Eugene. He abruptly stopped and turned a corner. If memory served me right, I could’ve sworn the conference room was straight ahead. It turned out that he was taking me to what seemed like a bathroom. For a polluted place like this to have clean water was quite surprising.
The bathroom had stone flooring and white tiles for walls. It didn’t have a tub but I’ve always preferred showers anyway. I undressed myself and turned the water on. The soft hiss of water flowing through the showerhead filled the entire room. It was unbearably cold but I was grateful for it. Smelling like a turd isn’t exactly what I would’ve liked to smell like so the shower was amazing.
After I was finished and got dressed, Eugene silently led me to the dreaded conference room. As I stepped into the room, I could instantly feel the tension that engulfed pretty much everyone there. People were talking in hushed tones as if they were trying to keep away from eavesdroppers. The usual fourteen people were there along with the old man. I don’t know why, but that guy gives me the creeps every time I see him. “Well welcome back, Timothy! I honestly do hope you had a wonderful dream last night.” The old man said suddenly. Everyone stared at me in confusion. I felt like dying right there and then. The old man approached me and placed an arm on my shoulder. “Come we have many things to discuss.” He said as he led me towards the round table. I could feel the fourteen people staring daggers at me but I decided to go along with it.
The map of the city was still on the table but the little figurines have moved. A small voice in the back of my head told me to get out of there but my curiosity told me otherwise. I examined the map only to come to a single conclusion. If the front lines don’t hold, they’ll be upon us in a matter of hours. It might’ve been a stupid choice of action but I decided to speak up. “I think we should pull back. The more densely the soldiers are packed, the harder it is for them to punch through.” I said. Everyone looked at me, once again. A man with emerald green eyes, a beardless face that looked quite young and black hair that was combed to the side spoke up and said “Are you mad, boy? This is a war we must win and the only way to do that is if we go on the offensive!”
“The boy is right. We’ve been on the offensive for far too long. We should at least try his unorthodox strategy” Said the woman with sapphire blue hair, flowing amber hair and high cheekbones.
“Quiet, asshole! What do you know about warfare?” the man replied.
“I’d really appreciate it if you could watch your language, and as for warfare, I fought in the front lines myself. I know more about what’s going on out there than you do, Peter” replied the woman
Peter looked at her, dumbfounded. The old man raised his hand and the room suddenly got silent. “Since I’m the most influential man in this council and I say we listen to the boy.” Said the old man. People started to open their mouths in protest but apparently decided against it. A woman from the fourteen took out a sheet of glass and started talking to it as if it was a phone. I looked up at the old man with a puzzled look on my face and he whispered into my ear “It’s a mobile phone.” Although a lot of people were against it, the decision was finally made to pull back the troops and hold a defensive line. The conference was adjourned and I was escorted back to my cell.
