Griffin
★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★
Since ah... not a single plan has been made, Griffin has made a deadline. Guys, we can’t just... we can’t just leave errybody in XL!!! So, here you have it!
★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★
As I paced around the camp, the fire having dwindled to mere embers by this point, I drew numbed stares to me. The sobbing had long since ceased, thank the Gods, but all that remained was a silent sorrow that coated the remnants of the club in melancholy.
Since Akira had been... taken... I had been the next in line for the leadership position. Or, so I implied. Either way, no one had objected.
“Does everyone understand the plan?” I shouted, forcing my legs to stop in their repetitive action. After many hours of walking the same path, my muscles had groaned relentlessly, and a path of trampled, chilled vegetation lay in my wake.
“Griffin, it’s not logical,” Sebastian sighed, shaking his head. “You expect us to infiltrate a top secret base we didn’t know of until a few days ago?” Running a hand through my hair, I groaned.
“Sebastian, it seems as though you have only heard a select few pieces of my plan, so, for your benefit as well as the others, I shall reiterate.” Now, it may not have been necessary to do so, but, to be perfectly honest, I enjoyed having come up with such an ingenious plan.
“First, the XL base where our comrades have been taken is located just twenty miles south of here,” I began, resuming my pacing. “Since those scoundrels took no mercy in our belongings, all of the vehicles’ tires have been slashed. When Sebastian and I travelled back from there, we noticed it.”
“Not Puff!” Violett’s cry rang out, cutting me off. Shutting my eyes for a few brief moments, I allowed her to quiet herself before speaking once more.
“As I was saying,” I started, clasping my hands behind my back. “It would be impossible for us to travel in a group efficiently to the base. It would be unwise to intend to, as well.” After clearing my throat, I paused, turning a determined stare on the members of the club. “Therefore, I have decided that only a few members will come with us. Sebastian will be my first in command. Nodin, Kuroshiro? You two will stay back to guard the members of the club that stay behind.
“I understand that... the majority of you wish to help, but I am afraid it will not be possible.” A few disappointed and angry mumbles reached my ears. “Half will venture forth to the laboratory while the other half will continue to guard our home, our stronghold, and protect it from future harm.” Brandishing a crisp piece of paper as well as a pen I had snagged from the confines of the mansion. “With Sebastian’s help, I have constructed a list of those who will join us and those who will remain behind. Do not object. This mission will be of utmost importance, and, though I fear saying this to you, it would not be impossible for some to acquire injuries. Even so, you must realize that it would be unwise for the plan to be executed any other way.”
After clearing my throat, I capture the attention of all, their expectations not likely to be met. “Those who will join us includes: Ash, Travis, Alice, Toño, and Riley. The rest of you will stay here, safe from harm and ready to offer assistance when we return.”
“But...” Violette began, eyes wide. “Griffy, I... Locke is...” I sighed, having hoped this argument was resolved previously.
“Violette, I give you my word that I will return with your brother and the rest of the group as safely as I can. I will do everything in my power to protect our club members. You need not worry.”
After a few days with the Changeling, I had learned to take her emotions into account; she was young, impressionable, and I could not stand to damage her sanity. With a sigh, she reluctantly nodded, squeezing my arm once as if to offer encouragement.
A valiant effort, dear, but such kindness no longer affects me. I... am sorry.
“YEAH GONNA KICK SOME BAD GUY BUTT WOOP WOOP!” Riley exclaimed, pumping her fists in the air. I will regret bringing her, will I not?
Her stare hardened like her skin, Toño cracked her wooden knuckles, meeting my gaze with determination. I could almost hear her thoughts of being her sister’s savior. Yes, Bakru, we shall indeed be heroes. I do miss the spotlight. And I must rescue Akira, just as you must rescue Rano. We shall be victorious, young one.
As the others expressed their excitement, disappointment, or indifferent opinions, I massaged my temple, meeting the stare of Sebastian. With a sharp nod, he instructed me to continue.
“Listen!” I shouted, silencing the murmurs that had spread around the group. “This plan is delicate and must be executed in a precise manner. Therefore, we need a few more days to plan. I will be open for ideas, however, do not count on them being used. We must chose the most efficient and wise plan before we leave.” I swallowed, letting out a shaky breath. “I intend on departing on Friday, the twenty-eighth. No later and no sooner. We must be exact in this. The lives of our... of our friends depend on this. Do you understand?”
Without hesitation, a resounding “Yes!” echoed from almost every member of the club, the exception being Nodin.
“Good. Let us all get some rest. It has been a long week.” Stifling a yawn, I perched on a rock nearby, watching as everyone laid down to rest. More to myself than to anyone else, I muttered, “We will survive this. None shall perish. We will be victorious.” A sliver of doubt crept over me. “At least... I hope.”
With those final words, I shut my lips as tightly as I could, keeping silent as I watched over the club in the darkest hours of our lives together.
However, I knew with a grim certainty that the times would only get worse in the near future, and, no matter how unlikely or improbable, I hoped we would be prepared when the time came to enact our plan and save the day. We needed to save them. We had no choice.
Akira, we are coming for you. I am coming for you. I promise.
★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★☽★☾★
