Storm Clouds by Scott Medbury

Author:Scott Medbury [Medbury, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The setting sun cast an ominous blood-red glow across the overgrown landscape as the children were herded along towards Catskill. None felt the weight of despair more than Samuel, who trudged at the back of the group, eyes hollow and distant.

Vincent's senseless death, while not at his own hand, weighed heavier with each passing mile. While Mason had manipulated him into the awful choice, Samuel couldn't stop replaying the scene in his mind. There had to have been another way—something he could have said or done to save Vincent's life.

Up ahead, Cade glanced back frequently, his worry for his friend evident. Samuel had barely spoken or eaten since Vincent's execution. It seemed he wanted to waste away, consumed by guilt.

With Vincent gone and Samuel an empty shell, leadership now fell heavily onto Cade's shoulders. He knew the other children were looking to him for courage and hope. So, he buried his own grief deep within and walked with his head held high.

Seeing Samuel so broken tore at his heart, and another emotion began to rise to the surface. A simmering anger, white hot and visceral. He kept it in check, but Cade vowed that when he got the chance, he would make Mason pay dearly for both Vincent’s execution and Samuel’s pain. For now, though, survival had to come first.

As dusk fell, Mason herded the group toward an abandoned factory to camp for the night. The deserted building's ancient and ominous graffiti foreshadowed the children's own fate—leering skulls and desperate words left by others who had passed this way before.

Once camp was set, Cade tried again to reach his hollowed friend. Crouching beside Samuel, he gripped his shoulder firmly until the other boy finally met his earnest gaze.

“I know you're hurting,” Cade said. “But we need you, Samuel. Don't give up on us now.”

Samuel just stared through him, sunken eyes glistening with anguish in the firelight. Cade squeezed his shoulder harder.

“We're getting out of this... together. But I can't do this alone. Please Samuel, the others need you too.”

For a long moment, Samuel wavered, as emotions fought a battle across his face. Then, the faintest spark returned to his eyes as he gave an almost imperceptible nod. Relief washed over Cade, and he pulled Samuel into a fierce, brotherly embrace.

Over Samuel’s shoulder, Cade met Peace’s eyes, which glistened with tears. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

“Aww,” came a sneer from Caleb as they broke away from the hug. “Look at the two fags having a cuddle.”

Cade bristled and started to climb to his feet but was stopped by Samuel’s steady hand on his arm. That action told him more than anything that perhaps the old Samuel, steady and reliable, was back.

“Shut up and get them fed,” ordered Mason. He was just as exhausted as the children from the long trek in the hot sun that day and not in the mood for Caleb’s childish bullying.

An hour later, as Cade settled down to sleep, hushed voices from across the fire caught his attention.

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