Chapter 20: True Love
Max went back to the Mayor’s office that night, or now his office. The room was stunning. Max had never ever noticed all the cool stuff that was in the office. He walked over to the Mayor's special desk, and now it was Max's turn. He used the key that the Mayor had given him, the key that could open everything in the town. He slowly turned the key and opened the cabinet. He saw a single book inside, titled, "The Before." Max sat down, opened the book, and stayed up very late reading the entire thing. The book described old states, and countries. It said that there was once one man voted into leadership, and that each person could work as hard as they wanted to get ahead in life. He read about great cities with huge buildings and fun things to do. There were games made for large audiences of people and magic boxes that allowed you to see these games no matter how far away you were. Max was very fascinated by this book, until he reached the very last page where the author wrote, “But now none of this matters. The only important thing is to stay alive and re-populate the earth. If you are reading this, you are obviously in a time of great trouble. As you probably already know you cannot keep running from evil, you have to stand up to it and take action."
After Max read this paragraph again he put the book back into the cabinet and put the key on the table. He went over to the couch in the office and decided to catch up on some much needed sleep.
"Mayor Max! Wake up sir!" a voice yelled from outside of the office. Max got up slowly, “Who is it, I'm sleeping!" Max replied in a harsh tone. He was very grumpy in the mornings. A young woman opened the door. She had an enormous stack of pancakes, eggs, and a large glass of orange juice. "I'm sorry I woke you, but I heard you liked pancakes," she said as she handed Max the plate, smiling. She was the most gorgeous girl Max had ever laid eyes upon. She wore a blue skirt, had long, gold hair, beautiful green eyes, and had the body of a goddess. Max's jaw dropped as she waved goodbye to him, his eyes were as big as dinner saucers. He tried to think of something to say before she walked out. "What’s your name?” he managed to spit out. She turned around slowly, her body in perfect form, "Katherine, but all my friends call me Katie." She smiled at Max again. "Well Katherine I'd love to get to know you before this whole battle thing starts." She laughed pleasantly and walked slowly out the door. "Wow, she's gorgeous," Max thought to himself, as he ate his breakfast. “And she can cook, mom always told me to find a pretty girl who can cook."
Max got dressed and started to head off to the training fields. Katherine was still in his head and she was all he could think about, she was his first true love. "Get yourself together Max, you’ve got three days to get your army ready and save your people. You can't think about a girl who's cute, with amazing eyes, a great body, and can cook like a chef."
He took a deep breath and saw Rock sitting on a park bench. "Good speech yesterday boy. It was a little dramatic, but they loved it. And by the way, we’re good. I'm not mad or anything at you."
"Thanks Rock, but remember I'm not a boy, I'm Mayor Max now," Max said sarcastically.
"You just always have to ruin a good moment don't you?"
"I try my best." Rock and Max laughed together looking at the town wall.
"Do you think we can win this battle Max? I mean I know you told the people we can, but can we really stop twenty five-thousand blood raging Red Death?"
"All we can do is try Rock, and that’s all we can ask of the people too. You've done your part exceptionally well, training the majority of the people in under a week."
Rock nodded at Max, and they watched as the people started filling into their separate groups. The old Mayor, George, approached Rock and Max as they were sitting. "Good day to you sirs. I actually came here to ask you both a question. I really think I could help manage ‘group C.’ There are a lot of boys and men who don't know exactly what to do. I'm loud and know how to get people to do things." "You sure are loud," Max said hysterically, "And if you think that’s a good role for you to play, then you’re in charge of ‘group C.’"
George thanked them both and wished them luck as he ran over to ‘group C.’ Just as he left Clay came up to Rock and Max. "Hey Mayor Max, and Officer Rock!" Rock immediately asked the boy, “You ready to lead ‘group A’ commander?" "Yes sir I am! I guarantee I won't let either of you down!" Rock smiled at the kid and told him, "you know Clay, you don't have to talk to us in a loud voice, but we just put the old Mayor in ‘group C.’ So if you see him slacking, or running slow make sure you give him a stern yelling." Clay and Rock burst out laughing.
"Damn Clay,” Max smirked, “I've never even gotten Rock to give me a smile. Guess you really can do everything." Rock shot Max a sneer and told Clay to go back to ‘group A.’ Clay moved his head faster than a bobble head and sprinted back to where ‘group A’ was standing.
"Well Rock, now that were done talking let’s get training!" Max walked over to all of the groups motioning them to settle down.
"Men and women of the town, I'm afraid the Red Death will be here in three days counting today and we have to be as prepared as possible. I have just appointed the new leader of ‘group C’ to be the old Mayor George, as you already know Clay is in charge of ‘group A,’ and Rock will be supervising groups B and D! I will lead us as a whole, telling each group leader where to be and what to be doing. I have my plasma ray gun and I'm immune to the Red Death. I will be on the front line with you!" The groups clapped and after a standing ovation they finally sat down.
"Alright citizens, you heard the Mayor, now lets get started!" yelled Rock, putting his fist in the air. ‘Group C’ brought food, water, and what ever other supplies they needed towards the town wall. Rock took groups B and D to the firing range, practicing shooting targets and getting their accuracy up. Clay took ‘group A’ and practiced the sneak attack formation Max had told him about. Max watched from the side hoping Clay would execute it well.
"Alright men, lets show the new Mayor why we’re ‘group A.’ Ready, go!" Clay shouted. The men immediately bunched into a 12 by 5 formation with the front line having just eleven. "Fire!" Clay yelled as every man shot forward pretending they were aiming at Red Death. "Move left!" he shouted now to the group, and instantly they sprinted to the left in perfect unison. "Snipers go!" Every man dropped to the ground like rain falling except the back row, who all pulled out their weapons and shot at different targets. "Reload and retreat!" Clay wailed. The men jumped back up, returning to their positions and running back to where they started. Max went over to where they were standing and was clapping loudly. "Clay, that was damn near perfect. How long ago did you guys start practicing that formation as a team?" “Exactly two days sir, I taught it to them right after you taught it to me." Max beamed, “with you guys running in like that with perfect chemistry the Red Death won't have a chance. I have one more thing to ask you though, Clay, did you select two men for the turrets?" "Yes we had some volunteers, Michael and Bobby, sir. They’re good with guns, and are ready to do some serious damage." "Good work Clay, now Michael and Bobby step forward please." The two men quickly stepped forward and ran up to where Max was standing. "You do realize the Red Death will aim to kill you as soon as they can, and you do both know that you have to stay focused and try to kill as many as possible." "Sir, yes, sir!" They replied at the same time, not showing any fear. "Good then, Clay I'm going to go check out on some of the other groups. Keep practicing your formations and stay sharp." Clay nodded at Max, and told ‘group A’ to do the same thing again.
Max strolled over to see what ‘group C’ was doing now that George was in charge of the group. He watched as George told each person what to do, some running to the super market to grab all of the canned foods and bottled water they could carry. Max approached George and said," Damn George, guess you’re not done leading just yet are you?" "Well Mayor I'm just trying to do my part." "From what I saw, you’re doing great. I need your group to set up tents and other supply posts. This battle, as you probably know, won't just la
st one night." George told Max he'd get right on it, and he called ‘group C’ back together.
Max wandered over to the firing range. He watched as Rock showed the men how to fire an automatic weapon correctly, without wasting ammo. He was extremely patient with the women as well. Max smiled, and looked out all of the groups in the distance. "This is my purpose, and I haven't been happier," he whispered to himself.
At nightfall Max called all the groups together as he usually did, but this time he had all the leaders with him. "I've never felt more alive then right now. I know it seems strange to say, but even though we're fighting a deadly force I've never been so involved in something my entire life."
The crowd clapped, but Clay shushed them. "I have something to say to our Mayor if that’s alright!" Clay announced. "Max you've taught me so much, I also feel like I'm involved in something that makes me have a purpose. That's all thanks to you for giving me this opportunity." He almost started crying, but kept it in and gave Max a strong handshake. The crowd gave cheers, and roared with support for everyone around them.
"We will win this battle! As one we are weak, but together we're unstoppable!" Rock yelled. He fired his gun in the air and everyone with a firearm did the same. Even the younger ones in ‘group C’ pretended to shoot in the air totally enthralled with all that was happening around them.
"For the town!" George yelled. "For the town!" everyone screamed.