The Dark Side

Chapter 9 - Destruction

I walk through the camp with Jake by my side. We talk about what our sectors are like and other random things. Even at night, children run past every now and than, most people that walk past us are riding horses, but me and Jake decided that it wasn't worth bringing the horses around the camp right now.

"So, who's the leader for your base?" I ask Jake.

"Damon McCullen." He answers, "He is a pretty good leader, but when in tough situations he does get a little... Crazy. You know what I mean?" He gestures with his hands as he speaks, I found he does that when he doesn't know how to say something.

"Yeah. I get it. My father is always like that, especially after..." I trail off.

"After what?" Jake turns his head to face me. The moon lights up half of his face as he does so.

"My... Mother. She passed in a- How should I say it? Horse riding kind of accident." I say. I would rather say 'passed' rather than 'died', I hate that word.

"Ah... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." He turns his gaze to the group of five children that run past us with bags of meat, probably going to trade it to anyone who's still awake. The camp is still pretty alive, even at night.

"No, it's fine. I haven't spoken about her for years. She passed when I was only six." I quickly say, "My father has never let go of it. He's always angry and... Snaps easily." I add.

"Surely, he just doesn't want to lose you too. In fact, he must be so worried about you right now." Jake says, turning his gaze back to me again.

"Well, if I went back, I'll surely 'learn' not to leave again. So, going back is definitely not an option right now." I say. We're silent for a moment. The laughing of children in the air and the sound of loud chatter everywhere among the older and the younger. Every now and than there is the yell of someone when a child tries to steal much needed food. That's what makes me realise how hungry I am, "Do you want to grab something to eat? Surely, I can find something to trade." I ask Jake.

"Sure. I have two rabbits that I just caught back at my tent if you want to have that instead? I just cooked them over the fire this morning in fact." He suggests.

"Awesome." I say for an answer. We both turn back the way we came and make our way back to our tent area.

After ten minutes, we have made it back to Jake's tent, "Lemme just quickly grab them. I'm pretty sure they are in my bag." He says, as he enters his tent. I smile and shove my hands in my jacket pockets as I hear him rummaging through his things. "Hang on." He lengthens the 'o' as he speaks from inside his tent.

"Jess?" I quickly turn and I smile.

"Drew, hey." I say.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, before Jake appears from his tent.

He emerges from his tent, in one hand he holds two rabbits, "Hey." He greets Drew.

"Hey, sorry to ruin anything, but me and Jess have to talk about when we leave tomorrow." Drew says.

I punch his shoulder pretty hard, "Shut up." I whisper, "Drew, this is, Jake. Jake, meet, Drew." I gesture to either of them. They shake hands.

"Nice to meet you, Drew. I'm guessing you're one of Jessica's friends?" Jake says.

"You too, and yeah, I am." Drew replies.

"Actually, he is kind of my only friend." I say, realising how sad that sounds and awkwardly laughing, causing an awkward silence between everyone. Well done. Had to say it, didn't I.