Chapter 13: Initiative

The discussion seemed endless in the Homen Central gymnasium. Those present had even forgotten lunchtime by then. Despite the noticeable confusion in the air, one person seemed completely sure of what she was doing.

Izzy, the young woman with light eyes, walked through the audience. Farleigh followed her, waiting for what she was about to say.

She confirmed her surroundings and said,

"We are going to take care of it."

She didn't need to raise her voice. Their eyes were already fixed on her as they watched her walk in front of everyone.

When they fell silent, she continued.

"I know we're new to this place, to this shelter... To most of us, we're strangers," she clarified. "My name is Izzy Rylee. And I propose that you leave this matter in our hands."

The straightforward statement hadn't been well received. The audience wasn't shocked; instead, they hid among murmurs. Perhaps her choice of words wasn't the right one.

'Too honest and direct,' Garwin thought.

He was present in the audience, at one of the exits next to the gymnasium bleachers.

He sighed and approached.

“You must listen to her, my friends!”

Garwin's commanding voice echoed throughout the gymnasium.

“Look at me, look at her. My friends and I returned safely from the trip. Thank the Lord. And I highlight 'safely', because we were attacked.”

The audience listened even more attentively because of that last point.

“You heard correctly. There are individuals out there who wanted to rob us and harm us, but we haven't let them. It's well known that going out is dangerous. This Central wouldn't exist without knowing that.”

Garwin continued.

“Everyone has wondered why no one has returned sooner, or returned at all. That may be the answer you were looking for. To confirm this, we must go to the supermarket. Last time, we were forced to stop halfway. If we had continued the tour to the end, I'm sure all of us who left would be sitting right here having lunch in peace and quiet.”

Garwin spoke as eloquently as a student presenting an essay to his classmates. He had definitely thought this through beforehand. It would be hard to believe otherwise.

"I think we've already proven we are capable to handle this situation. We just need you all to acknowledge it and accept us, simple, to end this once and for all. Let us be together for weekend prayer. Do you like the sound of that, right? Because I do."

The audience nodded in approval, some applauding his words until the noise was stopped by a man who immediately stood up.

"Hey, wait," he said. "Aren't we rushing things too much?"

It was Lan Franco, Nisha's close friend, and someone who really didn't think much of his 'companions'.

"This just happened. Like, right now. I don't see why we have to act now because of a small delay. It would be better to wait a bit. I'm sure they'll arrive, right?”

Risking little and playing it safe has always been the preferred method for humans. Even though his argument was ineffective in reasonable terms, it was convincing. If even one person accepted it, there was the possibility of a domino effect involving many more.

Izzy had to take a step before things didn't go his way.

"Sounds good to me. We'll wait two days. That's the time left until the next prayer. If they don't return in two days, we'll act."

"..."

"Is everyone in agreement?" Garwin questioned.

Lan couldn't argue further, having his demands—technically—accepted by everyone.

His mind was made up. The audience stood and retreated to the dining area in a jiffy. It was lunchtime, after all.

-[Ø]-

"Perfect, so you're the ones who decided to come?"

These words were spoken by Garwin, who couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

A few hours had passed since the discussion. The sun was beginning to tint the sky saffron, and a gentle breeze could be felt.

A group was gathered in the green "Playground" area of ​​Homen Central, next to the gymnasium. Excluding the previous group that had traveled to the supermarket, there were no more than twenty people.

These people, mostly young, were captivated by Garwin's words. In an impulse to follow them, or simply out of curiosity or boredom, they decided to meet with him.

The idea of ​​this meeting was nothing more than a small ’preparation’ for the future. They would only have two days. In that short period of time, they had to ensure that the newcomers had at least a minimum of knowledge that would help them face what was coming.

"Weren't you planning on waiting for the minibus to return first?"

"Your name is Garwin, right?" a new guy, the youngest of the group, spoke up.

"What was my name...? 'Cross,' call me that."

"...We've waited long enough for returns that never happen. My cousins ​​rode on one of them, you know?"

Garwin was surprised by the determination he displayed despite his young age. As if there wasn't a hint of doubt in his gaze. It was obvious his friends wouldn't be the only ones with situations to worry about and take charge of.

But, actually...

"Oh. Let me ask you first, are you old enough to be here?"

He had this doubt. Obviously, no one would allow a minor to travel abroad; it would cause a scandal that would jeopardize the trip, and this boy in particular looked even younger than a teenager.

"I just turned 18."

"So you're in," he replied enthusiastically. "Now, where do we start?"

Izzy approached Garwin to discuss what they would be taught and what they should prepare for beforehand. Of course, omitting certain pieces of information.

It wasn't going to be a simple trip limited to a trip to the supermarket and back. If it were that easy, there would be no need for his involvement. In the worst-case scenario, they would run into those ‘criminals in white’ again. This last point was what they preferred to refuse to explain.

"...So the vigilantes are just like anyone else, but they get paid, you get it?"

"Not really."

"Man, it's better not to bother trying to find out."

"..."

Doger answered Gitta's questions about his last trip and such, but it seemed all he got were vague explanations. The messy-haired boy continued to pay attention to the meeting, while Gitta got up to find a better seat in the park.

Behind everyone else, he leaned against the gym wall next to other spectators, including Miruno, Sein, Xiomara, and Haeri.

"So, my name will be 'Holyday,' with a 'y,' huh? Heh."

"..."

"So why do you want me to come?" It’s tiring... Don't they have plenty of people around here?”

"Haeri..." Gitta murmured in a low tone, adjusting his own beret. "If those thieves are the ones who've been trying to break into this shelter, I'd rather we stay close. I just… want you close."

"Uhm..." Haeri couldn't help but blush at this. She was always extremely sensitive about such things.

However, the subject was indeed serious. Danger lurked both inside and out, and in a shelter where it was unknown how much longer it would remain standing, leaving together seemed a viable option.

"Gitta, if it's so dangerous, why do you want to go out again?"

"I wan-"

"He has a correct reasoning."

Miruno, at his side, responded. He brushed back his blond hair and looked at them closely with his emerald eyes. He had heard most of what they were talking about.

"Forgive my intrusion. I was telling you that your intentions are appropriate given the situation. The shelter before us is... similar to a medieval castle. Without supply routes, it's only a matter of time before famine strikes... We'd only prolong the inevitable by staying in this 'fortress'." He shifted his gaze to Xiomara. "I think we should also follow them closely."

"But..."

He then noticed his friend, who didn't sound very convinced by the idea.

"It's unnecessary for you to mention it. I understand perfectly, but the only thing those without the ability to participate directly can do is wait in the rear."

"I like that idea (Although I'm not 18 go yet...)" Haeri tucked the earphones she was using into her black sweater.

"Hm... Thanks..."

"You're all very relaxed back there!"

They had been caught red-handed. Garwin pointed at them from a distance, and the others in attendance followed suit.

"Uh... Excuse me..."

"How about you come up front, Gitta?"

"Hm..."

Looking like a scolded puppy, he crossed to the side of the audience until he was face to face with Garwin. They hadn't had a rest since the hectic trip, so he wasn't in the right mood to be admonished at the moment.

"Actually, we needed you here, buddy. These kids were fascinated by your demonstration yesterday. You know, the flips and all that, on the bars."

"...You mean the calisthenics?"

"Exactly. We don't have enough dumbbells, and to be honest," he leaned closer to whisper, "I don't want to lend mine. They'll make them sweaty. I think your exercises would help them."

"...I guess I can show them the basics."

"Wow, you're not modest at all. Heh heh. Good. Help us with this, Izzy and I will take care of the rest.”

"If I may know, what exactly will you do?" Gitta raised an eyebrow in doubt, and Garwin raised his voice even more.

"Let's get ready for the next outing! No exceptions. From this moment on, follow this boy's instructions."

"..."

You could say this was an opportunity not wasted.

With the excuse of a five-day delay and the approval of the people, everything was going swimmingly for the young Izzy Rylee. They were finally listening to what she said, and she had gathered a following.

But something was off, or rather, not clear enough.

Why was she seeking followers and approval in the first place?

Without referring to the needs of Homen Central, or the search for Nisha's mother, a hundred followers seemed unnecessary and even absurd for the journey they were initially undertaking to the Police Station.

Of course, Izzy was looking for something more, beyond expectations and reason. And to achieve that, hundreds, or even thousands, were essential.

However, it would be rash to think of such high numbers. She was also patient, to a point.

After all, a hundred individuals was a good start, wasn't it?

Not a single moment was wasted. More than ten people were divided into groups. If one of them didn't practice calisthenics with Gitta, they received instructions from Garwin or trained with Izzy.

Being too strict became unacceptable. Most people wouldn't memorize new mental or physical information perfectly in a few days, even having some prior training.

They were then taught the basics of each area: some simple physical exercises, instructions on what to do in the face of danger, how to work together, and light tests to get used to physical confrontations. The fact that they were young facilitated matters of motivation and energy.

It's worth noting that none of them were experts. They only taught what they knew, or what they assumed and had heard somewhere. How things would turn out in a real-life setting was an impossible prediction.

But what Izzy was really looking for were numbers. Her experience using weapons during her time personal training had taught her something fundamental.

"A knife is deadly even in the hands of a child..." she muttered to herself.

Days had passed. The promised day was just around the corner. Like everything that requires waiting, anyone would feel a little anxious if they kept thinking about it.

It's not as if she had high expectations for the small group they trained, but tomorrow's conclusion would be crucial for the future.

Sitting on the floor, she checked the protective plates of her football suit, making sure everything was in order as she thought about it all. She wasn't alone; several men were with her.

Physical protection would be essential, and although at first everyone thought it was stupid and embarrassing, after hearing some of her experience, they decided it wouldn't hurt to cover up a bit.

They assembled their own suits.

Of course, there weren't enough football suits available. So they used anything that worked, from metal pots taped together and three layers of clothing, to pieces of cardboard coated with white rubber left in the sun to harden them. Anything went as long as it didn't impede mobility too much.

Some were overcome by embarrassment and chose not to wear anything at all.

Amid the whispers and conversations, Doger Biast was also sitting, checking his own suit.

"Ugh... Some stains I could never get off!" he said, roughly wiping his helmet with a brush.

"..."

Assuming she didn't hear him, Doger continued conversing with himself, next to Izzy.

"They're cracks, why bother? Nothing will remove them..."

"..."

"Uhm... Iz— ."

"Yes?"

"...What about... your shoulder?"

"My shoulder?"

"You know, what happened at that home."

He was referring to the altercation they had a few days ago. Their first "mishap" as a group, but he couldn't say it clearly in front of his new companions.

Izzy didn't really want to remember it. Many things didn't go as she expected, and she hated that. However, she retained the important information of what happened.

There's no way to stop failing if you don't analyze why you failed. It's something that must be done, even if it's frustrating, painful and sad.

She massaged her own shoulder. Near her collarbone, right there she'd been hit by the unbridled stranger. Fortunately, and thanking her again for wearing her suit at the time, the blow left nothing more than a small bruise on her white skin.

"It's fine. I don't feel any pain or similar. I just needed some ointment."

"Alright... Uhm... Where has Nisha gone? I haven't seen him lately. I thought he was healed."

"..."

"Okay, let's check out the bicycles! I'll need some helping hands."

A deep, strong voice rose up in the playground. It was Garwin, rallying some kids to his cause.

"Bicycles?" one of the kids asked.

There were a bunch of them behind him, in modest bicycles.

"They're on loan, so take good care of them," Garwin clarified. "Come on, ride them. Today we'll do some cardio training with some biking. We don't have microbuses this time, so they'll be our mode of transportation for a while.

For some reason, the audience seemed hesitant.

"I've always wondered why people don't ride bicycles in movies... It's good for the environment and even convenient," Sein commented. Doger walked up to stand beside him.

"Because it doesn't look cool, man. Imagine a super-secret agent traveling by bike. Just imagine it and you'll find the answer."

"He he," he took a sip from the soda bottle he was carrying. "It would be funny to watch, right? ...Huh?"

"AGH!"

Something definitely unexpected was happening, and it instantly caught their attention. None of them could have even imagined what was happening right before their eyes.

"AAAAAGH!"

"You've got to be kidding..."

Even Garwin looked stupefied, holding his own forehead in anguish.

Every single member of the group had fallen off their bike mid-ride, onto the grass, or crashed into a wall.

"Wait, wait, let me get this straight. You don't know how to ride a bike?! You've got to be kidding!"