Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

more maybe. But not them.”
    “Why? What do you have against them in particular?” I was so confused, and all Kowi was doing was confusing me more.
    “They aren’t injured kids we rescued. They aren’t one of our tribe.”
    “Neither am I or Peter or Bodo.”
    “But you had something special to offer us. They don’t.”
    “They can work. They can make bread or make rugs. Whatever.”
    “It’s not enough. Anyone can work. They need to bring us something we can’t provide on our own to be of value enough to spare food and clothes for them.”
    I looked at Jamal and Ronald, a question in my eyes; but they just shook their heads. I guess it was too much to hope that one of them was a Nobel-Prize-winning scientist who could cure the common cold or cancer for us.
    “Regardless,” I argued, “they’re human beings. You can’t stand here and send them to be executed and eaten - and not necessarily in that order. It’s … it’s inhumane!”
    “We have to make hard decisions out here in our world … in Kahayatle. That’s why I’m chief, because I can make those decisions that affect all these people, even when it pains me to do it.” Kowi’s face looked miserable. He honestly seemed to be in as much pain over it as I was; but that didn’t make it forgivable.
    I gritted my teeth hard, forcing the tears to stay away. I was so angry, I was sure they’d come out accompanied by crazed shrieks like those heard at mental institutions from the truly tortured. Life had been very unfair to all of us, but up until now, I’d found ways to make it fair or to even the score. But today, in this moment, I felt like we were being dealt a hand that didn’t need to be played - the very definition of unfair. And regardless of what Kowi said or did, I was going to do the right thing. Because if my dad had taught me nothing else, he’d taught me that no matter how hard it could be, it was always the right thing to stand up for kids who couldn’t do it for themselves.
    I shrugged, taking on a casual air. “Fine. I guess we’ll be on our way tomorrow, then.”
    “We?” said Peter weakly.
    I turned to him. “Yeah. We . And that doesn’t have to include you, if you don’t want it to. No hard feelings.” I nodded once at him, hoping he’d realize I was expressing my understanding of his need to be safe and to work things out with Trip. Just because Trip was a dick who’d just threatened to kill me, it didn’t need to mean Peter would miss out on his cuddles. Love was too hard to find in this world to walk away from it, even if it meant choosing between friends.
    Peter sighed.
    “Peter?” said Trip, sounding almost vulnerable.
    Everyone turned to look at him, expressions of surprise and confusion on their faces.
    Even Peter looked a little shocked, but only for a moment. He narrowed his eyes, a mutinous expression coming over his face. He looked away from Trip and right at me, saying, “You bet your sweet buns We includes me. ” He bounced Buster up and down twice. “Come on, Buster. Time to go pack.” He picked his way delicately over the roots on the ground, motioning for Jamal and Ronald to follow him. “Come on, boys. Let’s hit the hay. We have a big day ahead of us.”
    I shook my head in disappointment at Kowi and Trip one last time. “Sorry it had to come to this.” I walked away, leaving Paci standing there fuming at his chief, and the entire crowd of Miccosukee and Creek kids in stunned silence.

CHAPTER FOUR

    I GOT BACK TO THE hut and found Peter there, crying while he packed our backpacks. I walked over and pulled him away from his task, putting my arms around him and rubbing his back. I was crying now too, and Buster was leaning against our shins, trying to get as close as he could. If dogs could cry, I’m sure he would be doing it now with us.
    “I am so sorry, Peter. You don’t have to go. Please stay.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said through his tears. “I go where you go. There’s no question.”
    I pulled back away from him, wiping my nose with the heel and then the back of my hand. “It’s safe here. And you have friends here now, too. And … well, you know. Just stay. It won’t hurt my feelings. I’ll feel better knowing you’re good.”
    He shook his head firmly. “Who wants to stay with a bunch of fucktards who don’t know awesome when they see it?”
    I coughed up a laugh. “Peter!”
    “What?” he said calmly.
    I frowned through the laughter and the