Part 82: Questions and Answers Part 1

The situation couldn’t have been more awkward.

The two groups stood there staring at each other. The teenagers of the Red Faction stood together, all with this red masks on. They had sent one boy to run across the beach for some reason. John and McKay watched the leader called Alexander. He was a built young man as Mia and Taylor described. His blonde hair was curly and it went down to his shoulders. His wrists were covered in the same red cloth, not to mention he wore a black piece of cloth over his shoulders like a cape or cloak. To his side was two gray wolves. Kristy held onto Martin’s arm the whole time, afraid to move. She also couldn’t help but notice the wolves too. “Marty, those . .those wolves,” she stuttered, “Are they dangerous?”

“Normally but old rules don’t seem to apply here,” the black man whispered, “Those things shouldn’t even be here.”

“Why not?”

“They thrive in cold climates. Those are Gray Wolves.”

“Cold climates?” Bernard whispered, “Kinda like polar bears, eh, Martin?”

Before anybody else could say anything the boy came back up to Alexander and spoke something to him in French. McKay concentrated on what he said. Taylor immediately tugged on her boyfriend arm for him to translate. “He said the beach is safe.” the Australian told her.

Alexander and the other teenagers then removed their masks, letting them droop to their necks. Mandy couldn’t take her eyes off of the leader, basking in how handsome he was. The other Swift Boy looked back to Alexander and then the leader spoke something to him. Within seconds, the boy then ran back into the jungle. “He told him to be in the shadows?” McKay translated.

“Must be his best scout or something,” Tony mentioned.

Alexander then raised his hands and spoke aloud in French. McKay stood near John and Tony ready to translate. “He’s welcoming us to the island,” the man squinted, “Those of us who have fallen from the sky.”

“How did he know that?” asked Mia.

“He also says they come in peace and mean us no ill will.” McKay continued.

Alexander then pulled out a knife from his back belt. He held it aloft and showing it to them. He then reached up and grabbed the blade with his other hand. Grunting, he started to bend it and it eventually broke off. Then he tossed the hilt toward them, splashing in the sand at Tony’s feet. “What just happened?” asked the blind man.

“He tore off the blade and handed it to us.” Marita said, picking it up and giving it to Tony.

Tony felt of the blade. He was a little concerned about how a young boy could rip a solid piece of metal off like that. Mia already did inform him that Alexander displayed amazing strength but that was a question for another time. “It’s a peace gesture.” Tony said.

“Peace gesture?” asked Yolanda.

“He wanted to demonstrate he means us no harm by giving us a weapon that couldn’t hurt us. I’ve seen it done in Foreign countries.” Tony tilted his head back, “John, give him one of your arrows. But show him as you remove the sharp point.”

John did as Tony asked. He stepped out among the crowd and held out his arrow to Alexander. Then he showed him the tip and the archer gently removed it. He then tossed the sharp point into the jungle. He then handed the arrow to the leader, who smiled; taking it gladly. An unususal wave of relief seemed to wash over the teenagers. It was almost as if they didn’t trust them but now they did. Alexander then said something to them, motioned for more of the kids to come up. Several groups of the teenagers came up and placed down blankets, boxes of fruits, cured meat, a medical kit, and two metal boxes. McKay looked to his friends, “He said, to secure our peace, we bring these gifts to you.”

“We should return the favor, “Tony mentioned, “McKay, tell them that someone will take them to the General Store. And let them have one piece of clothing or something. Mia, you still got a decent supply of that gum?”

“I got four more packs.” Mia mentioned.

“Give them to them and teach them not to swallow.”

“Should be fun,” Mia sighed.

McKay pointed toward Mia and Shanna, telling Alexander what they offered. Alexander shook his head in agree and a handful of the kids followed Mia. The young Lakota girl was immediately greeted by Marie who she met the other day. As they left, the other survivors stayed with Alexander and another handful of the Red Faction. Marita looked at the gifts that they brought them and immediately pulled Tony’s arm. “Tony, they brought a medical box!” she said.

“What? Really?” he asked.

The Latina gently picked up the kit and opened it. Inside was the stand box of medical supplies; suture, needle, bandages, antiseptic swabs, and various other medical items. McKay smirked, feeling of his burned arm. “We could have used that yesterday,” he scoffed.

“Tell him we thank him for these items,” Tony said, which McKay immediately translated to French.

Alexander then bowed and said something else. “He said we are most welcome.” The Australian responded.

“Now, hopefully, it’s time for some answers, “ Tony motioned them back into the tent, “Ask Alexander if he will sit with us and let us speak of what is on this island.”

McKay asked Alexander the question and he nodded in approval. He took off his cloak and followed the others into the tent. Three more kids came with him and sat down. The two wolves walked up behind Alexander and sat down. McKay then began to introduce all of the people that he was with. The blonde strong leader then introduced his companions as William, Andra, and June. Tony sat back down with Marita by his side, along with Yolanda, John, McKay, Taylor and Mandy. Taylor then tapped on McKay’s hand, “Tell him that I thank him for saving me from that Cedric guy.”

McKay translated it into French. Alexander listened and when he realized what he was talking about, he looked to Taylor and smiled. He then told her something in French directly to her face. “He said Cedric is blinded by his lust,” McKay translated, “What he did was wrong but the real reason he stopped him was so that no more death would occur.”

“No more death?” Taylor said, confused, “Was Cedric going to kill me?”

McKay asked and Alexander quickly responded. Marita blinked when she heard the young man mention the name Ethan. “He said Ethan!” she pointed.

“Alexander said, Cedric wouldn’t have killed her but Ethan would have killed all of us to get to her baby. Her and Cedric’s baby.”

“What does Alexander know about this Ethan person?” asked Tony.

McKay asked again and Alexander than began to describe the man he called Ethan. The young man then waves his hands in the air making gestures, and talking about Ethan. “He said, Ethan is the Controller,” McKay translated, “He seeks to control our lives and has taken many of us before. We figured a way to stop him from coming to hurt us. He pretends he is our savior but the truth is he is our enemy. He takes the babies from the girls.”

“Ask him how many of the girls have had babies.” Tony commanded his friend.

McKay asked and Alexander immediately replied. “He said, two.” McKay replied.

Alexander continued to speak with the Australian translating, “Ethan had hurt us when we tried to protect the babies. Every time we have failed. That is why in our collective, love giving is welcomed. But love making is forbidden.”

“Cedric didn’t seem to mind,” Taylor scoffed.

“Now, ask him about Cedric and the others. Why are they two separate groups?” Tony asked.

McKay asked and Alexander continued to speak. The Australian translated it as, “Cedric was once like my brother. He had a different view of where we should go. Boys and girls agreed with him. He is lustful and doesn’t care that Ethan will come for the babies. I, however, will not stand for it. Ethan will kill to get to them.”

“That explains why Taylor and Mia were taken,” John whispered, “But why, Eddie?”

“Ask him, McKay.” Tony said.

McKay asked and Alexander responded as, “Cedric knew that Ethan would come for the babies. He was going to offer him the little boy in exchange for leaving the babies to them. I don’t believe he would have taken such a deal.”

“But Ethan already said he didn’t want me.” Eddie piped in.

Everybody looked to the little boy who was in the corner. He was sitting there, playing with his toy kangaroo. Tony turned his head toward the sound of the boy and asked, “Eddie? Is that what Ethan said when you met him?”

“Yeah, he said I was painted and that he couldn’t save me, I could only save myself.”

“Painted?” McKay asked in confusion.

“Painted?” Tony agreed, “Eddie . . .do you mean, tainted?”

“OH, yeah! That’s what he said,” Eddie pointed out, “what does that mean, Tony?”

“Ask Alexander, McKay.” The blind doctor pointed out.

McKay asked and Alexander motioned for Eddie to come to him. The little boy then stood up and walked up to the enigmatic leader. The blonde teenager put his hands on Eddies’ shoulders and looked him over. He leaned in and looked into his eyes. Eddie didn’t move nor say anything. Alexander smiled and then patted him on the arm, saying something in French. McKay translated it as, “As I thought, this little boy is too old for what Ethan wants. He is already of his own mind. Ethan cannot steal his dreams.”

“Steal dreams?” Mandy shuddered, “This guy says major spooky.”

“Ask him if he has any idea where Ethan came from?” John asked.

McKay asked and Alexander answered as, “ I don’t know. Ethan has always been here.”