Chapter Ten: Ice Cram Is A Miracle War Is Not.
The next day, Steve, Diana, Tom, and Jerry made their way through the busy train station. Diana and Tom couldn't get over the large metal beast, that would take them to the front. It was long and black with smoke rising out from the front, where a loud whistle rang out. They were walking along when a stand caught their attention. A vendor handed out a ice cream cones and waited for his next customer.
"Steve, what's that?"
"What haven't you ever had ice cream?" Steve looked from Diana to Tom, who both shook their heads no. "Oh, well here. Sir, could I please get two cones?" Digging around in his pocket, he pulled out some money and waved to the man.
"Right, two cones coming up." The vendor fixed up two vanilla ice cream cones and handed them to Diana. "Here you go miss, enjoy."
"Thank you, sir." Diana passed one to Tom, who eyed up the foreign food, not sure what to make of it. Diana was the first to try it, while Tom waited to see what she thought before he tasted it for himself. Diana licked off a mouth full and the sweet cool treat melted in her mouth. She ate at some more, finding it to be amazing. "Mmm, this is wonderful, spectacular. Sir, you should be very proud of what you do." The vendor smiled from ear to ear, glad to hear someone appreciated what he did.
Steve chuckled and kept Diana moving, pushing through the hustle and bustle of the walk way. Tom and Jerry followed behind them, Jerry looking up to see what Tom would think. Tom brought the cone to his mouth and tasted it for himself. The sweet treat was soft and liquefied in his mouth, leaving a wonderful feeling. He stopped in his tracks and swore he was a changed cat. "By the beard of Zeus! This is the most fantastic thing I've ever eaten!"
Jerry laughed a little, seeing Tom react in such a way, holding the cone out and staring at it with wide eyes. Tom started to walk again and continued to eat the delicious treat, running his tongue over the cold food, purring with glee. "Jeez I know what to get you for Christmas."
"Har, har, aren't you funny." Tom licked his lips clean. "You're jealous 'cause I got a treat over yourself."
Jerry smiled and said nothing more as they had to catch up with the humans. Time seemed to fly by as they took a steam boat across the water. Diana stood on deck, holding her hand to her forehead, gazing out at the horizon. The wind blew through her long locks and she beamed with anticipation. Beside her stood Tom, who didn't look so good.
"Whoa, looking a bit green around the whiskers there, Tom." Jerry watched as Tom seemed a bit pale in the face.
"Who, me? I'm fine." Tom held a paw over his mouth and leaned his back to the rail, feeling sea sick from the rocking of the rough seas. Unable to do anything else, Tom rushed to the edge and leaned over the metal bar, barfing his guts up.
"Tom, are you okay?" Diana asked while her friend up chucked some more. Tom hung over the rail, giving her a nod before throwing back up again. Both Diana, and Jerry cringed hearing the awful sound of Tom heaving. "Poor Tom." Steve casually came out of the ship and walked over to the three, wondering what was going on. He saw Tom leaning over the deck and had a good idea what was going on. "I hope it wasn't the ice cream. Otherwise, I'll never eat it again," said Diana, holding Tom's ears back.
"No, he's fine, just sea sick. It happens sometimes. Don't worry, he'll be all right once we reach land." Stave assured Diana her feline friend would be okay. "Happens to a few of us, nothing to ashamed of."
Diana nodded and hoped they'd reach it soon, not wanting to see Tom in any more pain. Having nothing else left, Tom leaned back and shut his eyes, trying to sleep off the aching in his stomach. Out of no where Charlie opened the door, the smell of food flowed out. The aroma floated up and over to Tom, which in tune didn't do any thing for the cat, except make him run to the railing again.
"Aye, sorry Tom. Don't worry, ye'll be better in a little bit. Till then don't leave the deck, unless ye want to carry a buck around with ye," said Charlie, watching the cat retch once more. "Anyway, Ah came out here to ask if the two of ye wanted some grub. Sammy whipped up a nice stew."
"Oh, no thanks, I'm not really that hungry," said Steve hearing Tom off to the side of them. "Least not now." Diana shook her head no, not having the stomach to eat. With a nod Charlie faded back into the ship, leaving the four alone. Diana and Steve spoke and Tom simply hung onto the rail, Jerry climbing up to see how Tom was.
"You gonna die. Not that'd I'd miss you."
"If I do die, will you look after Diana. She's my world, my sister, my everything."
Jerry saw Tom held a serious expression, causing him to warry a bit. After all, Tom was usually the one cracking jokes and busting Jerry's, well, giving him a hard time so to speak. "Hey, you're gonna be okay. Sea sickness happens to others too. You'll be fine, I promise." Jerry sat and patted Tom's large paw with his smaller one. "You're touch and can handle a little upset stomach."
"Thanks." Tom let his eyes shut, Jerry never leaving his side. Letting out a whistle, Jerry whistled the Top of the World song that Tom sang.
At long last they came close to the shore, and Tom couldn't have been more happy. He collected himself and stood with Diana, allbeit graoogly. They watched eagerly and leaned against the railing as the dock came into view. Their hearts pumped with excitement and they seemed unable to keep still. Steve and the guys were going to the side of the ship, waiting for the plank drop. Once everything was in order, the four walked off and stepped onto the dock. They crossed a bridge, making Tom and Diana's eager smiles fade.
Soldiers from the front line came to load back onto the steamship, coming in a long line, that stretched back forever it seemed. Men in wheelchairs were pushed by fellow army men, while some were cared on stretchers, to weak to walk on their own. Some unlucky guys were missing limbs, and had to use crutches to walk, limping slowly. Some were wrapped in bandaged stained with blood and dirt, looking like mummies. The weary, and thunderstruck men walked by, shuffling slowly as if in a daze.
"What's wrong with these men? Where do they come from?"
"The front line, Diana, they came from where we're going." Steve paused and looked at her. "IF it's too much, we can go back-"
"No, we must keep going, not matter what."
Tom walked and heard a man on a stretcher, moaning, and groaning in agony from chest wound. The individual called out to family members, yelling for help from his mother, even from God. Tom was taken back by this and felt his heart pounding in his chest. The man's yells were loud, but faded as he was carried away. Legs shaking, Tom felt almost claustrophobic, finding it hard to take it all in.
"And this is only the beginning." Signed Jerry. "The horrors of battle will soon be upon us."
Tom simply swallowed down the lump in his throat, pressing on. Up a muddy path they passed several people, who were frightened from the battle going on behind them. Families were fleeing from the front atop a ridge, hoping to get away from the gun fire. Loud thunderous bangs sounded off in the distance, reminding Tom of an approaching storm. There was the sound of crying children and terrified infants, wails of fear and confusion as to what was happening around. Tom heard the sound of whipping and whickering coming from a carriage that was stuck in the mud. For a moment, he stopped and watched with glassy eyes, not understanding why the men were beating the innocent animals.
"Why are they hurting the animals?" asked Diana.
"I don't know, let's just keep moving." Steve walked on ahead while Diana with mixed emotions followed him up the bank, leaving the cat and mouse a ways behind.
Tom stood, watching as they went ahead. His ears flickered as he heard horses whickering, obviously unable to move any farther due to the depth and thickness of the mud. Hurrying up the muddy hill, Tom felt his blood go cold at the sight of the men beating the poor animals. Jerry saw Tom, standing in one place. Tugging Tom's tail, Jerry didn't want to get left behind. "Tom, forget about it, let's go. Diana, and Steve are way ahead of us. We don't want to loose them." Jerry did his best to pull the feline his way, though being smaller he wasn't getting anywhere. "I hate it as much as you. But we came here to do something else, not save everyone."
"How can you say that when one of our own needs us." Tom stormed ahead and pulled Jerry unwillingly in his direction.
"Tom, I'm small, and even if I were taller. Sometimes you can't do anything. And that's just how it is."
"That's just how it is."
"Well here's how I am. I came here to help, to do good, and fight against injustice like this. To help both mankind and animals alike. And I will not stand by and do nothing!"
Tom threw off his coat and walked over, while Jerry tried to reach his paw out to stop Tom, but drew back, knowing he couldn't stop him even if he tried. The men continued to beat the horses and as one man raised his arm, he was unable to move it. Turning around, he saw Tom holding the leather whip down with his foot, staring up at him. Tom snatched the whip away and hit the man, making him jump. Pointing the whip to the men's chest, Tom bared his fangs and hissed, backing him up out of the way. The man watched Tom went to the other set of men, who dropped the whip immediately, and stepped back a few feet. With a snort, Tom wadded into the murky mud puddle, going over to the horses. Jerry stood on the shore line, watching with wide eyes as Tom gently stroked and calmed the horses down. Once the horses settled, Tom walked around and stood between them, lifting one with each paw, raising them high over his head.
"look at that!" The men commented on this, and pointed to the cat, amazed by what they were seeing.
Tom with a smirk brought the horses, as well as the cart up out of the mud, and onto dry sturdy land. Tom set the horses down and they both brushed at him, making him blush. The men apologized for what they did, letting the cat know they were wrong. They shook the feline's paws and slapped him on the back, offering a bottle of whine, which Tom took.
"Wow." Jerry sniffed and stood by, feeling moved by what he saw. He always thought Tom was a jokister, smart mouth who was driven by his own ego. Now he realized there was so much more to Tom then meets the eye. Walking over, Jerry tugged on Tom's tail, letting him know it was time to go. "We need to move."
"Yeah, I'm ready." Tom waved goodbye to the group and went off down the hill, leaving them.
Jerry was silent, signing when it was just them. "Tom, that was very a brave thing you did for them, Tom. You really are a nice guy under all that attitude."
"I guess. You're kinda cool under all that boring," signed Tom with a smug smile.
"Great, now you went and ruined the moment. Like you do with everything else."
"That's not what you said a moment ago. You said I was brave, amazing, and perfect in every possible way."
"I regret saying a nice thing to you. I'll go back to keeping you in line."
"Sure, what ever mouse. Now let's go catch up with Diana and Steve."
Tom picked Jerry up and raced after the couple, seeing the group had met up with a Native American man named Chief. Chief was a tall man, with red skin, and long black hair that was pulled into two pony tails. He wore a hat and long trench coat, making his build look more towering. "Diana, this is Chief. Chief this is Diana and her cat, Tom." Steve introduced them, gesturing from the man, to the woman.
"Hello Diana, my name is Napi," said Chief in his native Blackfoot language.
"It is an honor to meet you, Napi. I'd like you to met my friend Tom."
As the pair went back and forth, Tom held Jerry close. "I don't know why, mouse. But he gives off a better air then the other men I've met. Do you know why that is?'"
"Because his people understood the great balance between our kinds and the world."
"Oh."
"By the way, I have some stuff for you to clean yourself." Chief said, smiling at Tom.
Tom glanced down to his mud covered body, opening his arms out to examine his lower half.
Diana with wide eye turned and only now noticed his muddy form, wondering how he got so dirty. "Tom, what have you been doing?"
"Jerry, did you push Tom in a puddle." Steve scolded, thinking Jerry pulled a prank while his back was turned. "That was a very childish thing of you to do."
"Me! What an accusation!" Jerry was shocked and with gaped mouth stared at Steve, not liking to get blamed for Tom's appearance. Seeing Jerry fussed up made Tom chuckle, finding it funny to see the mouse gesture about, trying to explain himself. "We were left behind and had to assist a set of horses, and, and-"
Steve getting the mouse was not at fault spoke. "All right, all right. Let's set up camp for the night before anyone else falls in the mud."
"Jeez, Tom, what were you doing, walking up the hill or playing in the mud?" asked Sameer, seeing the cat for himself.
Charlie came over and laughed, slapping Sameer on the back, finding it to look silly. "Ye look like ye got a good lickin', ye do."
Tom with a sly smile, dashed for the men with opened arms. "How about a hug, fella?" Seeing the feline head their way, the men stepped back, trying not to get touched by the mud covered cat.
"Aye, Ah was only jokin'. Get away from me!"
"Diana, save us! Tell him to stand down or something!" shouted Sameer, running as fast as he could to get away from the muddy pawed cat.
"Come back here, you two!" Tom chased the two around the cart and into the woods, hearing the men yell, and plead for Diana's help.
"Sorry boys, but I can't help you this time," said Diana, watching Sameer and Charlie trip over a log, where they lay sprawled out in the grass. Tom saw this and jumped through the air, hugging the two. Once Tom stood the two men got up and jumped him. Charlie, Sameer, and Tom, fought like a bunch of teenage boys, shoving, pushing, and tossing one another's hats away, doing silly stupid stuff to each other.
"For grown men, they act like boys," said Chief with a shake of his head.
"Aren't all men boys still?" Diana asked cheekily, gaining a laugh from Chief.
After the men and cat settled, they set up an area to camp at. That night they sat around the fires glow, talking, and getting to know each other better. There were two tents and the fire crackled as Chief chucked a few more sticks into the blaze. Tom was cleaned and sat in his regular clothes, relaxing by the fires glow. He was on his back, head resting on Diana's lap, where she stroked him tenderly. They had eaten and set their plates aside, enjoying each others company.
"So, Chief, why do you smuggle. Isn't that kind of stealing?" asked Diana.
"It's hard for me and my people to make a living."
"Why?"
"Because of his people." Chief looked at Steve, who slumbered peacefully.
"Well look at me. I always wanted to be a famous actor, but they told me my skin wasn't the right color." Sameer gave a shrug and acted like it was nothing, when deep down, the reality of his dreams being dashed hurt like a dagger to the heart. Sameer took a sip from his tin cup and stared at the flames that danced and flickered. The light illuminated the group and all was still, but the sound of gun fire off in the distance, stirred them. Suddenly, Charlie cried out in his sleep, making Steve wake.
Seeing this, Chief shook his head, knowing the man was troubled. "He sees ghost."
Diana stood and wanted to help, but the Scottish man batted her away. "Get away from me! Don't touch me!" Frightened, Charlie panted as he sat up, sweating like crazy. Diana obliged and watched as he stood to leave, wanting to clear his head and find a bit of peace.
Steve saw Diana's sorrow filled face, and spoke out to comfort her. "Don't worry about him, he doesn't mean anything by that."
"Poor Charlie." Diana sat back down with the group.
Tom's ears flickered when he heard the thunder-like boom, knowing by the next day, they'd be on the front lines, in the mist of battle. And it was then he wonder, was he truly ready to face war fair, to kill and take the life of another?
