Chapter 28:

Here for You (2)

Don't Die, Will


30 Minutes Earlier

"Nolan, do you have something in your mind?" Asked Grace.

"I..."

"They will be here soon." Katie said.

"Whatever we are going to do, we should be hurry." Synthia advised.

"I-ah I need to think." Nolan said, "Can I get a paper and a pen?"

With a pen, he started to draw some sketches on a paper. It wasn't really clear what he was drawing. But it was clear that something was running through his head. He was trying to think something. In that quiet room, all of them were curious to see what he was drawing. But didn't questioned him anything, it might interrupt his thinking.

"The herd is coming from the north. From the direction Katie and Synthia came."

Everybody was eager to hear what he was about to say next.

"And it's only a few miles away." He turned to Katie and Synthia, "Can you tell me how far exactly were they when you saw them?"

"Umm...5-6 miles maybe." Answered Synthia.

"5-6 miles..." Nolan looked back at the paper, "That means they will be a lot closer now. We don't have any time to waste."

Everyone exchanged looks.

"Here is what we're going to do." Nolan started to draw some rough sketches, "The herd is coming from the north, which means, it will hit us from the left side of our base. How many are there? Can you guess?"

"More than a hundred I would say." Katie answered.

"More than a hundred?" Nolan repeated Katie's answer, "This...is going to be tough."

It was already scary, but Nolan's words scared them even more.

"Will."

"Y-yeah?" 

"You, Arthur and I, we will be the one to distract them away from this way."

Wh-what?

"Eh? Only 3 of you??" Emma asked, "Can you imagine how risky it would be?"

"She is right, Nolan." Olivia said, "3 people against a hundred. What are you thinking?"

"We can come too." Synthia said while looking at Katie, "We know their location and you need more hands. 3 people won't be enough."

"I am aware of that." He said, "But I think we'll be more than enough. Three people are all I need for the plan. Plus, we don't have enough people to lose. We can't waste lives. So I am willing to take this risk...to save more lives."

"It's too risky!"

"I know, but I want you to defend this place with maximum people."

"But what ab-"

"More than a hundred of them, they can't pass through our eyes. We don't need you to come."

"What are we gonna do then?" Asked Olivia.

"Guard this place. Alert everyone about the situation. And...be prepare for the worse." He asked, "Is Arthur awake yet?"

"Probably." Replied Marco.

"What do you mean? Is he sleeping at a time like this?" Grace asked.

"Well, something like that."

"This kid." Graces put a hand on her head and sighed, "What am I going to do with him?"

...

Lucas opened the door slightly and peeked outside. No, nothing was there.

What was that gun shot?

He closed the door.

"What's wrong, brother?" Himari asked, "W-what was that sound earlier?"

"N-no it's nothing. Don't be scared, okay?"

"O-okay." She said, "Where is Julia onee chan? I want to see her."

"She will be here soon. Don't worry." Lucas sat beside her.

He was afraid himself. Gunshots, one thing that he hated and feared the most. He tried to calm himself down. Also, they could hear some noises coming from the outside. People were gossiping.

I think I should check things out. It would be stupid of me to be seated here without knowing anything. But...I can't. I am too afraid. Will, Julia, where are you guys?

Just then, someone knocked the door, "Lucas? Are you there?"

"Wh-who are you?" He couldn't recognize the voice.

"It's me, Emma. You can open the door."

"E-Emma?" Lucas opened the door softly.

"Are you guys okay?"

"W-we are. But what's wrong? What was that gunshot?"

"I'll explained that later. But first, " she got in the room, "Prepare your stuffs."

"P-prepare my stuffs? Wh-what are you talking about? Where is Will and Julia? What is happening?"

"Calm down yourself first." She said softly, "Because, what I am about to say to you now, is shocking."

...

Everyone was gathered at the front yard. They still didn't know what was happening. Will was waiting for Nolan in front of the gate. He went inside to bring Arthur back. 

Will was feeling nervous. First, about Ethan's secret, then Julia. And now a herd.

It can't get any worse.

All of the people were looking at him. It made him even more nervous. He took some deep breathed to calm himself down as usual.

"Are you nervous?" Olivia asked.

"What do you think? Of course I am." He replied.

"..."

"But I am more concern about Julia. Her condition isn't that good. Wh-what if-"

"Hey, don't even think about that."

"I know, I am sorry. But I can't help myself. Also, dad is not here. I don't even know if he's alive or not. I am afraid, Olive."

"Hey now," She put her hand on his shoulder, "I am afraid too. If this doesn't go well. We all know what's going to happen after that. I would like to come with you guys too. But you heard Nolan."

"Yeah, I know." He said, "Hey, Olive. Can I ask you for a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Can you...can you take care of Julia while I am gone?"

Olivia smiled a bit, "Are you stupid or what? I will do it even if you don't tell me to. After all, I am her teacher. It's a teacher's job to protect her students."

Will smiled back, "Thanks."

Just then, Nolan along with Arthur came out of the house. Arthur was a bit confused with the situation.

"Is everything ready?" Nolan asked.

"Yeah, here is your bag." Olivia advanced a bag, "Everything is here."

"Thanks."

"What the fuck is happening?" Arthur asked.

"Are the horses ready?" Nolan asked ignoring Arthur.

"They are."

"Are you sure you don't want us to come?" Synthia asked.

"Yes. Don't worry about us. We'll be fine."

"Be safe out there." Grace said, "Specially you, Arthur."

"Be safe out where? What the hell?"

Marco opened the gate slowly. Everyone got ready with there stuff and horses. Just when Will was about to get on to his horse. Olivia stopped him.

"Wait."

"What?"

"I want you to take Buck with you."

"What? Are you serious?"

"I am. He works as a lucky charm for me. I want you to take him."

"Are you sure about that? What if something happens to him?"

"He'll be fine."

"O-okay. This is unlike of you. A-am I that special?" He smiled awkwardly.

"Shut up. Don't ruin the mood."

Nolan, Arthur and Will, with their horses, they were ready to head out. Before leaving the walls, Nolan looked at everyone.

"If we don't come back but the herd does," he paused a bit, "Consider us dead."

___