New Zion

Cole kept his eyes forwards as the truck rolled through the town. Dark grey clouds hung low over the city, and rain began to patter on the roof of the truck. He pulled up to the family estate, and after hopping out of the vehicle he looked back into the city as the rain fell.

The streets will be cleansed of blood, Elder said. Cole shook his head.

“The scars will stay forever,” he replied.

“Cole, I need you to head out into the city and help clean it up. We need someone to manage it all, and your father isn’t able to right now,” Cole looked over his shoulder to see Arik. Cole cocked his head.

“What do you mean my father can’t do it?” he asked.

“He took an arrow to the side while boosting moral. He’s in bed right now. In either case, you will be the acting head of the Family until your father recovers. He tried to keep going, but the damage was too severe,” Arik said. Cole looked at the people that had gathered around him, their expectant eyes focused solely on him. He let out a long breath.

“Ok. Tell me what still needs to be done,” he said. Arik nodded.

“We still have to finish clearing the bodies and debris. There are still a number of injured people that need to get medical attention, and we need to induct the gang members,” he said. Cole slowly nodded.

“Ok. Give me a microphone,” he said. Arik snapped his fingers and a small microphone was brought forwards.

“What’s it for, Don?” Arik asked.

“I’m going to issue an offer to the remaining gang members,” Cole replied, taking the microphone. “This is Cole Avalon, acting head of the Avalon Family. This is a message to all gang members in Central City. The Namhaid Family has fallen, and will no longer be able to support you. If you lay down your arms and surrender, no further harm will come to you. You will receive medical treatment, food and shelter until such time as you are given the choice to stay and join the Avalon Family, or leave and never return.

“Should you choose to keep fighting, we will hunt you down and end it. We do not wish to fight you any longer, and it is my hope that you do not wish to continue the fighting either. If you wish to surrender, approach an Avalon Family member and give them your weapons. Those are your choices: choose wisely, and choose now,” Cole turned off the microphone and tucked it into his jacket.

“Now what?” Arik asked. Cole turned to the crowd around him.

“Get to work. We need to start rebuilding and helping the people of this city as much as we can. We need to show everyone how strong we are; we’ve only finished the first half of the battle,” he said. “I want teams to start clearing bodies. Don’t just pile them up; lay them out properly in our warehouses so that they can be identified and buried properly. The bodies that belong to those from out of town will be shipped out to a neutral area where they can be collected. Where’s Levi?” Cole asked.

“He was at the entrance to the city. He’s probably resting right now; he fought for most of the time, with little to no breaks,” Arik said. Cole slowly nodded.

“Ok. I’ll let him rest for today. Where am I needed right now?” he asked.

“Moral is the most important thing right now. The people need to see you walking the streets and talking with them. I’ll handle things back here,” Arik said. Cole nodded and began walking towards the gates when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He looked over to see Peter.

“Cole, what’re we gonna do about Callum?” he asked.

“Give him a burial with the other Family members. We’ll have a memorial made for those who died in the last couple of weeks for the Family. Citizens will take care of their own in their own ways, but we will help them do it. In either case, report to Arik, and do what he tells you to. It’s time for the clean-up,” Cole said. He walked through the gate and into the city.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” Cole asked as he leaned down in front of the Bakery by the Middle School. The woman looked up at Cole and smiled.

“Of course, Dearie. Would you like something? I can get a bread, or pastry, or…” Cole held up his hand.

“I’m ok, but thank you. I think that there are people who’ll need the food. If you could start making some basic sandwiches and prepare to distribute them that would be fantastic. The Avalon Family will, of course, reimburse you for your services,” he said. She shook her head.

“We all must work together to rebuild; whether that’s feeding them or building,” she said. Her husband came out and joined them.

“That’s right. Besides, it’s advertising for us. You can count on our help,” he said. Cole smiled.

“At least let us pay you for the ingredients used after all this is over,” he said. The husband sighed.

“Alright. We’ll let you. We should have enough for the people in the area by dinner. Although, I don’t think we can go beyond that…” he trailed off as a car rolled up to them. The window was rolled down, and Levi poked his head out.

“I’m ready for duty, sir,” he said. Cole smiled.

“You’re rested up?” he asked. Levi nodded.

“Good. Park the car within the Middle School’s walls and walk with me,” he said. Levi backed the car into the Middle School front yard. Cole turned back to the couple.

“I’ll have my Family set up a feeding area in the Middle School yard there. Does that work for you?” he asked. The man nodded.

“That’ll suite us just fine,” he said. Cole nodded.

“Good. I have a few other places to stop by, so I’ll leave you to it,” he said. The man smiled.

“Just leave it to us, Don,” he said. Cole began walking towards the hospital, Levi joining him.

“What now, sir?” he asked. Cole shook his head.

“I’ve pretty much just gotta be a public presence. I’ve already got other people heading to other food places to start cooking. I think we’ll be able to feed everyone, but it’ll be costly,” he said. Levi nodded.

“An army marches on its stomach,” he replied.

“This isn’t an army,” Cole said.

“It became an army the moment your father called the citizens to combat,” Levi said. Cole let out a long breath.

“That means we barely held on,” he said. Levi shrugged.

“But we did hold on,” he said. Cole fell silent for a while, but then a thought came to his mind. He began to hum a tune, and soon he started to sing.

“Out by the meadow, where the deer may graze. In the darkness, of the forested maze. The wolf peers out, and howls to the moon. Worry not, my child, for morning will be here soon,”

Cole entered his room, and walked up the stairs. The sounds of laughter and conversation wafted through an open window as the room was lit by the twilight sky. The rain had subsided, and the building had grown silent. The only people left in the building were essential staff, as the rest were recuperating in the field. Cole climbed the stairs up to his room and sat down on his bed.

“I’m home,” he said aloud.

“Welcome home,” Cole slowly raised his eyes, and a beautiful Terra with crimson hair approached him. Cole’s hands started shaking as he reached out to her, and she took them, a smile on her face.

“Aria?” he asked, his voice trembling. She nodded slightly.

“You found me, Cole,”

©2017