Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

to feed. They can’t swim .” His last point was said with a certain amount of incredulity.
    “You didn’t know who I was, or Peter or Bodo, but you let us stay. We have plenty of food to feed two more … in fact, many more. And they can learn to swim.”
    Ronald looked fearfully at Jamal. Jamal’s mouth thinned, but he said nothing.
    “You fought for and won your right to stay. And if we let these two in, maybe we can feed them, but then more will come, and more and more. We can’t feed every stray kid who wanders into the swamp.”
    “I’ll fight for their right then, if it’s a fight you want. And why can’t we feed everyone who comes? We have crops, animals … everything we need to start over.” I grabbed Kowi’s hands, surprising us both. “Don’t you see?” I looked over at Trip, including him in my plea. “Our only hope of survival is building our community and sharing. We can’t stay isolated and hope to keep our home. The more desperate kids get out there, the more they’re going to band together for survival. And the bigger their gangs get, the smaller we get in comparison! We have to bring in all the non-canner kids we can and show them we can live without the violence and without the craziness.” My eyes darted between the two leaders. “Don’t you see? It’s the only way.”
    Kowi pulled his hand from mine and backed up several steps to stand next to Trip. He turned to his friend and they shared a look. Trip whispered in his ear for a few seconds and Kowi nodded, putting his fingers up to pinch the bridge of his nose after.
    The entire group went silent. Everyone was waiting with bated breath, on pins and needles, wondering what the verdict would be. Finally, Kowi spoke.
    “This decision is too important to make right now. Trip and I are going to discuss it tonight and tomorrow, and let you know what we think at dinner tomorrow night. These two can stay until then, but if we decide they have to leave, they have to agree to go without a fight. If they can’t agree to this now, they have to go now.”
    I looked to Ronald and Jamal for their agreement. It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but it wasn’t a no either. They both nodded their heads.
    “Fine. Bryn, you take them to your place tonight. We’ll bring food you guys can eat there. And we’ll see you at dinner tomorrow.”
    “Does this mean her training sessions are cancelled for tomorrow?” asked Peter.
    “Yes,” said Kowi.
    “Her leg’s not ready anyway,” said Trip angrily. He didn’t have to say that my jumping out of his boat hadn’t helped. We both knew he was thinking it.
    Everyone started talking again, all of them casting glances our way. I was exhausted from the stress and my leg. I tugged on Ronald’s shirt. “Come on. Let’s go.”
    “I’m bringing stuff to clean your leg,” said Winky. “Be there in about ten minutes.”
    “Great. Thanks.”
    Peter led the way in front of us, keeping the scoldings I knew he was itching to throw out at me to himself. I was glad for that, because I was feeling a little touchy right now and liable to say stupid things at the next person who gave me a hard time.
    Paci came running up and fell into step beside me. “I gotta go with Kowi, but I wanted to tell you good job, first.”
    “Thanks,” I said lamely. “I appreciate the support. I hope it doesn’t get you in trouble with Trip.”
    “I like being in trouble with Trip. He’s an ass,” said Paci, smiling.
    “You’re right. He is.”
    Peter turned around and scowled at me. I stuck my tongue out at him. I noticed Paci looking at us funny, so I stopped. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked.
    “Bet on it,” said Paci.
    I could see him getting ready to kiss me again, so I put my hand on his shoulder. “Bye, Paci.” I gave him a look that said not to do it, and he got the message. He frowned for a second and then smiled again before running off.
    Jamal and Ronald tripped their way to my hut, and it made me realize how not klutzy I was these days compared to them. I smiled thinking about how I was adapting to my new home. I hoped it was still going to be my home tomorrow after dinner.
    ***
    Jamal and Ronald settled into our hut, sharing Bodo’s mattress which we dragged into the kitchen area to give them some privacy. After nonchalantly bringing our backpacks with weapons inside over by our mattresses, Peter and I laid side by side, talking in whispers about the day and speculating about what might