Chapter XV:
The fall of London had marked a before and after for the "Witches", many other cities were suffering the same fate, unfortunately, as time went by, such as Paris, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Miami, Madrid, among others, being reduced to rubble, added to the fact that the people who had refused to leave, to protect their homes and businesses, would now be part of the lists of the dead and wounded. Mistrust grew among civilians and looting for food, medicine and fuel worsened along with the shortage of supplies and the orders of the Police and the Armed Forces to prevent the "virus" from spreading among others, however, that could not be controlled for long due to the discontent, anger, among other emotions that made up a large "powder keg", one that had just exploded through the air with those enemy bombings.
The interferences continued and that delayed the sending of information to know which were the next operations to be carried out by the Cruels. It was as if they were being taunted, that they were falling into despair, one that many can be vulnerable to when their loved ones and others are in danger of disappearing. You can start to think, to reflect: You sit and watch an invasion by strange, super-intelligent "space beings" led by three sisters who seek to install their grandfather's legacy into the pages of history, by blood and fire. How can modern society react these days?
If Orson Wells brought on a wave of mass hysteria when he read "The War of the Worlds" in the 1930s during a radio broadcast, a time when today's technology was barely in its gestation stage, imagine what it would be like today. In simple words, it ended up repeating what was so feared and when it came knocking on the doors of modern society, it led to a real debacle of order and laws.
After it was made clear that they were to be trained by the Witches, the Peach Creek boys left to continue their activities. Jimmy was one of them and he was in Perrine's room. He would love to see Sarah's face at the elegance of that Gaul girl, especially her sophisticated and fine education. And at that moment he was sitting at the table and on the other side was the young lady, who was pouring the tea and they were enjoying it to the fullest.
The teapot was still hot, a column of steam was pouring from inside, so Perrine took the opportunity to rest it on a wooden base to prevent the surface from burning. She then served a few cakes and other sweets she had prepared on a series of porcelain plates, while Jimmy gave her a hand in arranging them.
- Thank you very much. You're very sweet.- Said the Gaul girl to the white-haired boy, who felt a little blushing.
- It's nothing. Sarah taught it to me when I met her.- Jimmy answered and they sat down to enjoy this moment of tranquility. However, Perrine's face showed the opposite, she looked much more serious, quiet and looked into the distance, through the window, remaining pensive for a while, something that the albino noticed and placed his cup on a saucer he had with him.- Miss Clostermann...- He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes and remembered the words the young woman had said to him before.- Perrine, is everything all right? You look a little worried.- He pointed out and she turned to look at him closely.
- It's... it's hard to understand, Jimmy.- She said.
- Are you worried about what happened in London?.- She asked and nodded her head.
- Not only in London, but this is just the beginning.- Said the girl and with that he took a small platter of pastries and other sweets from his homeland and served them.- We don't know how many "Hives" are out there, just as we don't know the area where the Kankers are hiding. The fall of London was just the tip of the iceberg.- Emphasized and that led the albino, who was about to enjoy one of those delicacies, to leave it on the plate. Remembering those three sisters, their plan of conquest, made his stomach churn.- If this is a war on a global scale, I fear that governments may take desperate measures such as using nuclear weapons, who knows.- Then she took her cup of tea and brought it to his lips, taking a first sip, then looked at the boy.- Jimmy, tell me something.
- Yes?.- The boy wanted to know.
- You know very well that you are under my care, as well as your friends, who are with my friends, but I would like to ask you this question: In view of the context in which we find ourselves, what do you want to do? Do you want to be someone who is not trampled like a doormat?.- She asked and that made a dent in the albino, who put his hands on his legs, groping his fingers on the skin and remained thoughtful for a while. We had had this conversation a few hours before the sighting of the first "Shadow Neuroi" started but now, we are in another situation besides the current one and it's about your role in whatever you want to be.
- Well, I...I always wanted to be strong, but not to be a show-off, but to be able to move forward, to be myself.- Said the boy and that answer pleased Perrine.
- Exactly and you can do it. Why not? Who would stop you?.- The girl said and he took a deep breath.
- I guess I would self-sabotage myself so I wouldn't have that.- Jimmy looked down and the platinum blonde placed her hands on the boy's shoulders.
- Jimmy, for a person to move forward and achieve their goals, is that they must also trust themselves. If you put aside your deepest fears, then you will succeed," the young woman encouraged him, squatting down in front of him.- It's okay to be afraid, it's part of being human, but you shouldn't abuse it. I know you will be a great person in the future.- She said and that made the boy hug her tightly.
- Thank you, Perrine. Thank you very much for your words. -He thanked her, with tears in his eyes, for the moral support he received and from there they stayed for a long time, both friends, while time went by.
Meanwhile, outside the HQ, Kevin and Nazz were leaning against the steel bars that protected the edges of the cliffs, looking out over the North Sea. The breeze was refreshing, it moved their hair, however, the last thing they had had, during that meeting, was an extremely important piece of news that involved them in the war.
- Hey, Kevin.- The blonde called out to the captain of the school soccer team, who turned around.
- Yes, Nazz?.- He asked her.
- What the "Witches" said in the "Operations Room", you... do you think we can stand up to these people?.- She asked, but even he didn't know what to say. It was an interesting question and, at the same time, it questioned his actions.
- I wish I could give you a concrete and accurate answer, Nazz, but I don't think it's possible myself. Look, this is not like football, there is no "visible" team, at this time, Human, but we are talking about a race that is technologically advanced. We...we are just ants against them, but...- At that moment, the red-haired man, despite being a proud person, had to recognize something important.- Those girls, we can't let them fight alone against the Kankers. Besides, they brought us here, it would be rude not to return the favor.- He pointed out and that caught the attention of Nazz, who raised an eyebrow, surprised by that little emotional change in Kevin.
- You sound very strange talking that way, since that's not who you are, but you're right all the same. I also think the same and... - She turned and looked at the Sea - It's not going to be easy, because of the training, we're going to have to be ready for when we're called. It's true what you said: they gave us a roof to shelter us from the Kankers and now it's our duty to help them. I will not give up. I will fight.- She swore and he smiled, nodding his head.
- Still, if I have to see the "Three Idiots" in training, I will also do my part. I'll join in.- The red-haired man finished.
Meanwhile, on the beaches surrounding the "Witches" military base, Johnny was with Sergeant Yoshika and Tablón taking a walk, taking advantage of those moments before training time. The boy in the white T-shirt was talking with the brunette about his life, the friendship he had with Tablón and especially when he had become a super-hero who protected the innocent people of the town from the scams launched by Eddy.
- Hahahahahaha, really?. That's a very nice hero's name: "Captain Watermelon" - Yoshika backed him up, who gave a laugh that was taken by Johnny as a token of appreciation.
- Thank you, Sergeant.- He thanked, while he spoke to Plank in a low voice.
- Please, don't be so polite, I am your friend, besides you are under my protection.- Said the young woman calmly and showing empathy for others.
- I know, it's just that...since you are in the military and I...well, I am not someone like the others. There are times when I've been seen as a freak, especially because I hang out with Plank.- Johnny told that anecdote and Yoshika approached him.
- I don't see you as what you say," he said and that took him by surprise.- I see you as a nice guy: friendly, good. You're not like Eddy, that's the opposite.- She pointed out and compared the two.
- I see you didn't like him at all because of what he did to Jimmy.- He directed those words to the Sergeant.
- I don't hate him, but that joke in very bad taste against that kid was horrible. Would you like to have something like that done to you.- Explained the brunette from Japan, which he shook his head.- Exactly, although, now, he's going to have a completely different "World". The same thing happened to me when I started training with the "Witches" and fighting against the "Neuroi". This is not a walk in the park nor is it a game. The World is in danger and these trainings will help you to be great Soldiers", said the young woman and they continued walking near the shore of the Sea.
Meanwhile, Sarah and Trudie were in the latter's room, talking about the differences she and her brother had on the matter. The Lieutenant from Karlsland listened to her with great attention and under that serious look, she didn't let a single detail slip away.
- Ed likes all those monster movies, Science Fiction, I always preferred something different, like playing the Queen with Jimmy.- Said the redhead.
- I understand, but don't you think that this mistreatment you give to your brother could affect him?.- Trudie asked.
- I'm sorry?.- Sarah turned around when she heard that question.
- Your temper, that anger you have. Sometimes I wonder if you are not saying words that are too strong and hurt him inside.- Answered the dark brown, which left the other one speechless. Then she stood up.- Look, I know that siblings have their differences and there are even fights between them. I have a sister, Christiane, she went into a coma when they were evacuating the city where we were born. I was worried about her until she woke up. Imagine what it's like for a family to have your heart in your mouth, with someone close to you wounded in an armed conflict. If I were you, I would change the way I talk to your brother, because he will be the only person who will be by your side if something happens to your parents?.- Barkhorn said, as Sarah's hands trembled against her legs.- I'm not saying this as a negative or mean thing, but just to get you to think about it, okay?
At first, she was about to react and would answer the dark brunette, how dare she say something like that, was it a threat? She could take it from that perspective, but when she went to answer her, Trudie gave her a serious but calm look. At that moment, what she could do was simply to analyze, for the first time, that message and not use her anger against her. She leaned back in her seat and looked up. The memories appeared in front of her eyes, parading like a victorious army over the tyrant she had managed to take power from. She sighed deeply and knew that, all those times when her parents were away, Ed was by her side, even though they had differences in their tastes. He had even participated in that tea party when Jimmy couldn't come. Deep in her soul, she felt a strange "pressure", as if a piano had been dropped from the top of a building.
- I don't... I don't know what's wrong with me?...I feel... strange.- The redhead said, and that caught Barkhorn's attention.
- Your memories bring before you what your brother is like: He may be absent-minded, a bit clumsy but he loves you and doesn't want anything to happen to you. Tell me something, have you ever been trapped or had a problem where he came to your aid?.- Shereplied and from there threw out a question.
- Well, I remember Jimmy and I were enjoying a summer afternoon out on the lawn where we were having a tea party. All of a sudden, some huge grasses came up and we were stuck in them. I don't quite remember what caused it, I think it was because of Eddy but Ed came to our rescue, although, well, let's just say we were able to get out on our own.- She told that anecdote from the Past.
- I see. Still, he fulfilled his role as big brother and went to help you.- Said Trudie and walked up to Sarah, placing his hands on her shoulders.- Look, this is not going to be a tea party or anything like that: we are at war, you will receive very strict training and when we are on the front line, anything can happen there.- Explained the Lieutenant.
- What do you mean, Miss Gertrud? You are scaring me.- Asked Ed's younger sister, who, for the first time, felt afraid.
- I know, but it's for you to be prepared: You have to keep your eyes wide open there, just like in training. The enemy can attack from any side, they can even overtake us. Here we work as a group, no one goes on his own, nor do we have to be brave, but be smart, that's the most important thing.- Trudie told her, while the young woman remained silent and looked into her eyes.- Remember these rules when we are fighting against the "Shadow".- She finished that message to the redhead, taking her hands, "Look me in the eyes. Even if it is not a promise what you will do, I only ask you to try to get along with your older brother. He is part of your family, he is not a stranger you see in the street, but you share the same blood and he will always support you in hard times.
She thought about it for a while, it was complicated to say, she couldn't make a decision so fast, as she could fail the Lieutenant, so she remained silent. Even if that was it, Trudie was confident that Sarah would get the message and control her anger.
The hours passed and when Dusk came, it was time for dinner. Double D had heard that Charlotte was calling them to come to the dining room, however, the capped boy was surprised that Sanya had not yet awakened from her nap. He was still concentrating on his investigation of the liquid in Rolf's barrels. He barely had a small percentage as advanced but that was going to take time. Such an experiment and its results were not obtained overnight, it required a lot of work, sacrifice and hours in front of the microscope, tests to be performed, among other tasks.
The door opened and the American girl entered.
- Edd, Sanya, come on, let's have dinner.- She said, speaking with a moderate tone in her voice so as not to wake up the white hair all of a sudden.
The boy gave, as an "answer", a nod of his head and gestured with his hands that he needed a few minutes to put away his research instruments. Charlotte nodded and just as she began her work, Double D noticed Sanya getting up from her bed, stretching her body and, to her surprise, she looked ready.
- Good evening, Miss Litvyak.- The young man greeted her, as he put away his microscope but his notebook slipped off the table, so he bent down to retrieve it, and she gave it back to him.
The girl looked at him with those eyes, catching his attention and more for the personality she had, since she did not utter a single word. Once that object was returned, she walked out the door, waving to Charlotte and with that she went into the hallway, heading downstairs. Double D followed her until she disappeared at that instant.
- Where are you going?.- Asked the intellectual in the black cap to the American.
- During the day, the Sun makes her weak, that's why she has her patrol mission during the night.- She explained and just saw Eddy and Ed arriving, being grouped with the other Peach Creek boys and with it the "Witches" that each one had assigned.
She then headed down the hallway, closed the door and met up with her friends for dinner.
[Hello, friends, I hope you had an excellent Halloween and a good beginning of November. Well, I warn you that this story will have seven arcs. This is the "First" and there are only four chapters left. In addition, Matfix gave me some ideas regarding the weapons that the Eds and the Peach Creek boys will use, among other things (all rights reserved to Matfix and his ideas).
I hope you like this chapter. See you around, Comrades. I send greetings and thanks to all of you.
Take care and have a good start of the day Wednesday from me.
See you in the next chapter].
