Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

out.”
    “Thanks. I’m glad you stopped by, actually. I forgot to mention something at the meeting that’s pretty important.”
    “Oh yeah, what’s that?” he asked, leaning on one of the poles that held up our hut, his arms crossed.
    “The plan for going after those canners. The ones that are holding those kids.”
    “No need to discuss it. We’re not going anywhere.”
    “What?” I almost thought I had misunderstood. But his firm look told me he probably wasn’t joking. “Are you serious?” I couldn’t believe he, of all people, was saying this.
    “Yes, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
    “Uh, because there are innocent kids being murdered? … But only after being dismembered while they’re still alive, maybe?” I felt like I was being messed with. Does he really need this explained? I was starting to think Trip was thicker in the head than I had imagined.
    “Kids are dying all over the world. It’s not my problem. I’m just going to worry about my people here in Kahayatle and that’s it.”
    “I … uh … shit, I guess I don’t have anything to say to that - except you’re an ignorant jerk.”
    He bristled at my evaluation. “I don’t do what I do here to impress you.”
    “I would think you’d at least want to impress your own people. Fight for their survival.”
    “When and if the cannibals come to my world, then I’ll deal with them.”
    “Oh, that’s a brilliant idea. The Sitting Duck Plan. I’m sure the canners will love it. It’ll make their job a lot easier.”
    Trip frowned at me. “It’s not being a sitting duck; it’s being smart, lying low.”
    I shook my head. “No, it’s being ignorant - trying to pretend things aren’t happening when they are. But hey … if you’re afraid and can’t handle it, no big deal. I’ll just do it without you.”
    He stood up, moving away from the pole to get closer to me. “First of all, I’m not afraid. Anyone who knows me, knows that. Second of all, you can’t go out of the swamp without my permission, so you can forget your little plans for going after anyone while you live here.” He was close enough now that he was towering over me, once again trying to intimidate me with his attitude and strength.
    I heard someone behind me, first some footsteps and then a voice.
    “You need to get back over dare, indian guy, becausse Bryn doesn’t like it when people get at her face like dat. And neither do I.”
    I was still mad at Bodo for his earlier crap, but thankful as hell that he had my back right now. I was exhausted from all the training I’d already done today and wasn’t in the mood to fight anyone right now - particularly the one guy in the whole place who I knew could give me a run for my money.
    “This has nothing to do with you, white boy.”
    “White boy? I’m not white. Maybe a little bit pink or maybe beige. But not white.”
    I turned halfway to look at Bodo, wondering if he was messing with Trip or just that confused over the vernacular. His expression gave nothing away.
    “You’re nuts, you know that?” said Trip.
    “Whatever you want to say, I don’t care. But you don’t get to talk to Bryn like dat.”
    “Says who?”
    “Sayss me.”
    “Right. And you’re nothing to me or her, so back off.”
    “I’m am, too. I am her boyfriend,” Bodo said boldly.
    I cringed at Trip’s next words.
    “Not according to her, you’re not. So go back to your little mattress meeting over there with twig-boy, and let the grown-ups talk.”
    I was shoved out of the way before I had a second to think. One minute I was standing in between them, and the next I was on the floor looking up at a complete mess.
    Bodo had launched himself at Trip, putting him in a headlock. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it happen myself. He landed a couple punches into Trip’s face too, before they fell into the shelves, knocking the cans all over the place.
    I scrambled over to the opening between the two huts, joining Peter.
    “What in the heck is going on?!” he shouted.
    “Idiots are fighting,” I said, in a mostly calm voice.
    “About what?”
    “I’m not exactly sure,” I said. My answer was pretty much true. For sure, I thought they weren’t fighting over the same thing.
    “Guess,” said Peter, wryly.
    “Well, I think Trip’s fighting because Bodo challenged his manliness.”
    “Oooh, that’s bad.”
    “Yeah. And I think Bodo’s fighting because Trip told him I said Bodo isn’t my