The Journey

Chapter 4

Sounds were coming from Patrick's hut. Yelling, and throwing things. Douglas ran to the side of the hut, where they wouldn't see him if they came out, and pressed his ear to the wall. This is what he heard:

"Gosh, John! What is it with you? Why can't you let the past just go away? Because I know that you know if you just gave me a chance to make it up to you, everything would be alright! Not like last time, I can't trust you like that anymore John, but, I just want to get along and take care of the people that look up to us! And if you can't respect that-"

Another voice cut in there, presumably John, "See!? You just said you can't trust me. And Patrick, don't think I know your plan to run off and leave us all here to die. Oh, don't think I know. I know you hate me, and have ever since-"

At that moment, Douglas felt the wall fall on him. He had forgotten how light the walls were, and did not realize he was putting all his weight on it. As he crashed on the floor, silence took the place of the yelling that took place before. John scowled, and said,

"I knew it. You were gonna have him tell the whole camp about it, weren't you? You are right. You can't trust me. Because I can't trust you either. I'd rather die than follow you out there in the desert."

Patrick took the words from John calmly, but then turned to Douglas and squinted his eyes. "How much did you hear?" Douglas just shook his head. "Not much. Just, just about the not being able to trust each other. That's all. I don't know why. What is up with you two, I mean why can't you guys be nicer to-

"SHUT UP!" yelled Patrick. He propped the wall back upright against its frame. "Go to bed Douglas. Grab Theo, and meet me here in the morning."

Douglas' heart was beating fast, and he ran out of there, towards his hut. It was small compared to Patrick's, but it worked for him.

He pondered over Patrick and John's rivalry. What had happened? Douglas wanted to know, but knew pressing the matter would get him no farther, and he did not want to turn into another John for Patrick. So, he'd keep his mouth shut, but eventually, he would need to find out. Someday. Douglas yawned, and then slowly fell asleep.