Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

using stealth and ignoring those.”
    “I was thinking we could use them as part of the distraction thing,” said Kowi.
    “Good idea,” said Trip.
    I couldn’t think of any reason to disagree, other than the reasons I had already given. I wasn’t sure making a big ruckus was the best plan we could come up with, but I didn’t have anything else better to contribute, so I kept my mouth shut.
    “Alright, so you tell Peter about what we want. You can focus all of your lessons on the ten that are going on our mission. You’ll let us know who those people are?”
    “Yeah. I want to see every able-bodied person tomorrow, for a short evaluation session. Peter will organize it. Tell everyone to come see him at some point tonight during dinner to get their slot. I’ll probably run eight to ten of them.” I shook my head.
    “What’s the matter?” asked Trip.
    “I’m just thinking about what a nightmare day I’m going to have, running that many sessions and keeping track of that many people.”
    “You can have Peter there to help you,” said Kowi.
    “I’ll have to. There’s no way I can keep it all straight in my head the way he can.”
    “When will you tell us who you’ve chosen?” asked Trip.
    “I’ll tell each candidate I’ve picked right at the session to come back the next day. Then I’ll start training them three times a day for the next five days. The final two days will be just to rest, plan, and practice.”
    “Works for me,” said Kowi.
    “Good,” said Trip. “I’ve gotta go. Talk to you guys tonight.” He got up and walked off without another word.
    I watched him go, saying quietly to Kowi, “He’s not the warmest guy in the world, is he?”
    “He’s alright. He just has a lot on his mind with his sister. I think he’s lost too much already. If he lost her … well, I’m not sure we’d ever get him back completely, you know?”
    “Yeah. I get it.” I’d only lost my dad. I guess I got off easy . The thought of losing Peter or Bodo made me feel sick, and I hadn’t even known them for very long. It made me appreciate Trip’s attitude a little more to think about him losing a little brother and having his sister in such bad shape. That must have really sucked, especially when there was regret to go along with the loss.
    “So, I’ll see you at dinner then?”
    “Yeah. See ya. And thanks for the lunch.”
    “No prob. It’s the least we can do.” He left me standing there on the edge of the hut.
    I spent the next half hour practicing my sneaking techniques before I was joined by Peter and then Bodo.
    ***
    I handed Peter the basket of food. “Here. This is your lunch.”
    “I already had some,” said Peter. “I learned how they make bread here. It’s pretty amazing, actually. They’re using solar ovens and wood-fired brick ovens over near this kitchen hut thingy.”
    “Cool. Here,” I said, handing the basket to Bodo.
    He reached in and grabbed out a sandwich, taking a huge bite out of it. It was even bigger than the bites taken by Kowi and Trip, which I would have thought impossible if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.
    “Jesus, Bodo, you don’t have to choke yourself with it,” said Peter, eyeing him with a bit of disgust.
    Bodo swallowed with effort. “It’s not a problem for me. It fills up my stomach to have a bigger food in dare.”
    “You think if you take bigger bites, you’ll have more in your stomach? How’s that possible?” asked Peter, clearly doubting Bodo’s logic.
    “No. I’m saying dat if da food is in bigger chunks in dare, it takes longer to break it into da small pieces in da stomach, so it feels more full a longer time. Dat’s better for me when I am starvingk a lot.”
    “Oh.”
    It actually made sense to me, now that he’d explained it. Maybe I’d try it at my next meal if no one was looking. With my luck I’d choke myself, so I’d have to do it with Peter nearby, ready to give me the Heimlich.
    “So, what did you do today, Bryn?” asked Peter.
    “I made some plans with Kowi and Trip for scouting out the canner place and getting those kids out of there. Oh, and I need your help.”
    I had all of Peter’s attention now. “Oh, yeah? To do what?”
    “I need you to organize all the Meeks and Creeks into groups of ten or twenty. I’m not sure how many bodies we have in total, but I want to see all of them tomorrow for half hour sessions, to evaluate who’s going with me and who’s staying behind.”
    “How many are