This War of Mine: Strength in Numbers

The Radio

"This is 122 Hawk radio, coming to you live from the city in straights. And all the funk without the junk from your host, (name). The word today is terror in the north, terror in the south, terror in the east, and terror in the west. But really folks, the Rebels(Actual name needed) have been putting the hurt on Pogoren. Precious resources are drying up and the outside world has washed their hands of us. The warehouse district has been quarantined, and the market district is under heavy sanctions by the Rebels. But we still have sweet tunes here at 122 Hawk radio, and this one is for you listeners out there just trying to get by. The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel."

The song fades into the background as everyone takes in what has just been said.

"It is getting worse," Mark says softly.

"We knew this would happen," Roman says glaring at Mark.

"We did, but this..." Cupid says looking around the room with sad eyes, he hugs himself.

"Then we're going to have to go into the (unknown) district," Stacey says staring at the radio.

"We agreed that was only as a last resort," Roman says, looking at Stacey.

"But for the parts we need, if Jon can't get to the warehouse district, and the market district is being watched," Stacey says still starring at the radio. "We don't have choice."

Silence.

"Are we going to die?" Bruno asks, tears trekking down his cheeks.

"Bruno, no, it's," Kat says, touching his shoulder.

"Everything is getting worse, andtherebelsarekillingmorepeople and We Are Going To Be NEXT!" Bruno says this and then takes off out of the room and slams the door to his room shut when he gets there.

The silence he leaves in his wake is deafening.

"We need a plan," Cupid says.

"Screw planning, we need..." Kat says standing.

"No, stop, Cupid is right," Roman says grabbing Kat's arm, and pulling her back into her seat.

"What kind of plan?" Mark asks, looking at everyone.

"We need a goal, something we can strive for, something that will lead us to...at least giving him a better life." Stacey says, looking each person in the eye as she says this.

"Ok then lets plan," Kat says leaning forward.

———————-

Risks were going to have to be taken, but with Kat at least they had a better chance of sneaking in and out of dangerous areas. With her skills at stealth and Stacey's knowledge of how parts of the city looked now they had a fair chance.

———————-

"Hey Kid, how's it going?" Kat asks walking to their shared room.

Bruno lies on the bed quiet and unmoving accept for the up and down of his chest.

"You wanna talk about it?" Kat asks walking over to him.

She sits down, and then Bruno moves. Grabbing onto her, he holds her tight as he cries.

"It's just so unfair," Bruno cries.

Kat sits there unmoving, a conflicted look on her face. Bruno continues to cry.

———————-

Crying at breakfast/diner Roman snaps.

"Enough!" He barks. "The world sucks, but you're still alive! Stop crying about it!"

Silence.

And then an almost silent scream. Bruno then bolts from the room and up the stairs.

"Cupid go get Kat," Stacey says standing.

Cupid nods and walks out of the room.

"Roman."

Roman gives her a hard look.

"Don't beat yourself up too much," Stacey says and a surprised look passes over Romans face.

————————

"Is there anything we can do to make this easier for you?" Stacey asks standing just inside the doorway to Bruno and Kat's room.

A small shake of the head tells Stacey that Bruno has to deal with this himself in his own time.

Stacey turns and goes, Kat barreling up and past her into the room.

The bedroom door shuts with a bang.

—————————

"Hey buddy, are you hungry?" Cupid asks when Bruno quietly appears in the kitchen.

Bruno looks around the room.

"Who are you looking for hun?" Cupid stops what he was going and slowly approaches the young man.

"Do...is....um. Can I help you with anything?" Bruno asks fidgeting.

"Sure! You could help me make dinner!" Cupid says putting his hand on Bruno's shoulder.

Bruno cringes slightly, and Cupid pauses, pulling away. A contemplative look passes across his face.

"Here's an idea," Cupid smiles at Bruno. "I have a very special job I need help with."

Bruno gives him an inquisitive look, but does not say anything.

"I need you to go downstairs and supervise Mark." Cupid says gesturing towards the basement.

"Supervise?" Bruno asks.

"Yeah, supervise. All you need to do is go down there and make sure that Mark doesn't do any serious damage to anything."

"But, he's an adult."

Cupid smiles. "You would think so, but sometimes Mark gets too distracted by what he's doing to realize that other things are going on. And that's where you come in. With you watching him I won't have to worry about him. Think you can do it?"

Bruno thinks for a moment and then looking at Cupid he nods.

"Good, now off you go," Cupid says, "I'll call you both up for lunch in about an hour."

Cupid gives himself a pat on the back and gets back to preparing the next meal.

————————

"Um hi guys. Do you need something?" Mark asks as he finally notices four sets of eyes watching him from the staircase. Two with thinly veiled smirks, and two with looks of relief.

Stacey's smile widens as she shakes her head no.

Cupid clasps his hands together and grins.

Stacey and Cupid then turn, taking the relieved looking Roman with them.

Kat finally smiles herself, and walks the final stairs into the basement. Making her way over to him she says.

"Must suck to have such a lazy helper," She gestures to Bruno who is currently sleeping. Sitting in a chair and leaning on the worktable that Mark is currently not using. A blanket draped over him.

Mark looks over in surprise and then he smiles.

"Nah," He says running a hand through his hair. "He's been working hard these past couple of days."

"You sure, cause if he's being a nuisance I'll tell him to leave you alone," Kat says.

Mark waves her off with a small smile, turning back to what he was doing at the other work table. "Cupid thinks I need to be watched," Mark says. "And Bruno's got a knack for the little details that I miss."

Kat nods, a soft smile on her face.

"Thank you," She says.

"Thank Cupid, it was his idea," Mark says.