Chapter 10 - Oscar Lawton - Leaders
November 16, 3040 10:45 PM
It's been a little over an hour since Lombardi left on his quest for supplies. He should've been back by now.
I am worried about my brother. He isn't strong like the rest of us. He's slower than the runners in our family, and can barely lift half the weight that I've seen Alex or Curtis press. He's no genius like Candy, either. But I can see why he volunteered. He wants to prove himself and who am I to brush off his request? He probably isn't the best among us, but I believe in him. He is my brother and I know he won't let us down.
Some of the others aren't like me. They don't have faith and this attitude is broadcasted by the likes of Tiago. We've never really seen eye to eye, Tiago and I. While he wants to dictate his commands to the group with an iron fist, I see the value of compassion. You can't scare people into doing things for you, especially your own family members. We both hold the heavy burden of being the leaders among my brothers and sisters, but the way we handle things are worlds apart.
Being the two oldest siblings is always a big responsibility, but being the two oldest in a family on the run is even harder. My little brothers and sisters look up to Tiago and me for direction and, so far, the struggle for leadership has been difficult with someone like him to bang heads against.
When we first decided to leave home, I agreed with him, but unwillingly. It was a decision that I didn't want to make, but I felt the pressure from my siblings and I agreed to make the call. But I knew Leonard wouldn't follow us quietly. Mother and he were inseparable. It was like we were practically asking, no, demanding, him to amputate one of his limbs. Even though he agreed on the surface, I knew he had doubts, but I didn't know that he would act on them.
When Ace came back with the news, I was devastated. I played a part that lead to his death and that will stay with me for the rest of my life. We should have been more sensitive, I should have spoken for him, but I didn't. He is dead because I failed to lead.
The more and more Tiago shouts his orders, the less control I feel I have. I wasn't even aware of his grand scheme to go to the Moon when I should have been. I knew we'd eventually have to make a run somewhere else. We couldn't live in this building forever, but things happened so fast that I didn't have the time to formulate our next move.
When he told us his plans, I was caught off guard. I thought we would coordinate everything together, that no decisions would be made without each other's blessing. And then he goes and announces to everyone that the Moon would be our final destination. He didn't even hint his idea to me. I was as surprised as everyone else.
I didn't and still don't, like his proposal. It's far too risky. He thinks we can waltz into a teleporter, hitch a ride to San Francisco, and make it to the Moon? What about security, what about actually using a teleporter?
I normally don't doubt that he hasn't considered these issues, but the way he's been acting the last few days gives me major concerns. Tiago has never struck me as a compassionate person, but he's been too cold, even for him. When mother died, he didn't flinch an inch. No remorse, no pain, no emotion. And when news of Leonard's death reached us, he was already making preparations. Most of my brothers and sisters were struck with grief, not him.
Most of them at least. Tiago has his entourage and they look up to him for guidance and direction. They emulate what he does and obey his every command. And in that sense, they dominate my other brothers and sisters.
You have Alex, Tiago's bodyguard, brutish, with the durability of a tank. He is Tiago's muscle. Then you have Ace, Mr. Covert Operations. He can be in your proximity, and you'd never know it thanks to his speed and grace. He is not mentally gifted, but his ability to walk unnoticed sure makes up for it.
Finally, there's Curtis. I've known him all my life and I still don't know much about him. He hangs in Tiago's circle, but he rarely says a word. On the outside, he looks like a monster. Long, sharp teeth, tough as nails scales, and the bug eyes of a reptile. He has a prehensile tail that sticks out of his back and razor sharp claws. Yet, when I dig past his physical appearance, he does not strike me as a killer. He looks sad most of the time, like living in this world brings him great agony, and this was before we were on the run. He could probably match up with Alex in a fight on any given day, yet he mopes around behind him. And he's an amazingly oversensitive individual. Sometimes, the slightest insult is enough to pierce his psyche. I don't understand how someone so strong can be so weak.
Yet, despite his mental frailty, Tiago shelters him. Perhaps Tiago still sees a use for his physical gifts, despite what he lacks in his confidence. Having two bodyguards is better than one.
I always feel that when it comes to leaders, I have to speak for the rest of us who won't stand up to Tiago and his gang. We are brothers and sisters, but that does not mean we are shielded from the politics that every group must face. Those who aren't in Tiago's entourage don't fall in line with his militant command of style. Candy has always been more interested in learning than in following. I can't say she's a devotee of Tiago exactly, but I do know that he respects her intelligence. We all do.
The twins are also a neutral party. The only ones they really stick with are each other. But for the most part, they get along with everyone. Just as Tiago respects Candy's intelligence, he sees value in the twins' intuition and empathy. They seem to know things we don't.
The rest of the family members are the ones I have to lead. They are the weaker ones: Maddie, Lombardi, and Leonard. Tiago and his cronies would be so cruel to them when we grew up. He used to bully them, tease them, steal their things, and whenever they tried to fight back, it wasn't him they had to face, but the clique. I always stuck up for them whenever it happened. I wasn't afraid of Tiago. I was bigger than him, bigger than most of them. I would go toe to toe with Alex if needed. Bears are juggernauts in their kingdom. Behemoth in size and swift in speed. And when we were growing up, I grew and grew and grew. None of them can take me.
I feel it is my responsibility to help those weaker than me. Maddie, Lombardi, and Leonard didn't have a choice in what God gave them. Maddie's cow DNA means she is clumsy, slow and lethargic. But she is also sweet and kind. I admire her for that. While the others live in a world that is harsh and cruel, Maddie lives in one that I wish I could be in, a place that doesn't know the brutal realities I see. I will always protect her from it, no matter what happens.
But it's funny how some people react when they need saving. Leonard sought mother's protection, Maddie looked to me, and Lombardi, he kept coming back to Tiago for more. I guess sometimes you don't want to be saved by someone else, it's a rather shaming thing. But I didn't care, I just wanted to help.
And now, as we're grown up, on the run from who knows what, I feel this is the time that my younger siblings need me the most. Some things don't change. Tiago doesn't physically bully my younger brothers and sisters anymore, but he isn't going to take care of them either. It's always been an every man for yourself mentality with that guy, family is no exception.
When mother died, I was scared like all the others. I was too afraid to think on my own and Tiago was brave enough to react for all of us. But now, after Leonard's death, and as I fear the worst for Lombardi, I'm not so sure if his leadership will lead us to the right path. He is far too selfish to care for us all. I've known this all my life. I need to speak up.
One of them is dead, possibly two. Tiago's orders are leading my brothers and sisters to their demise, and he goes about his business like we're some kind of army. My brothers and sisters are not collateral damage, they are family, and family should take care of each other. Tiago is no general, so why is he acting like one?
Tiago has already made another order without consulting me. When it reached 10:30, and we started to think something might have gone wrong, he told Ace to investigate the supply depot, check to see Lombardi's
status. Naturally, Ace went without hesitation, and while I don't doubt that it's a good idea to send our scout to actually scout something, they way he did it came off cold. He didn't tell Ace to see if Lombardi was okay, he told Ace to see what was taking so long.
I knew, the minute Lombardi volunteered, that Tiago was irritated. Just like when we were kids, Tiago still sees Lombardi as a weak link, someone not to be trusted with such a valuable task. But I had faith in Lombardi. It's not right to keep everyone in the dark, and if he said he can do it, then damnit, he can.
Tiago unwillingly sent Lombardi. He's waiting to see when he will screw up so one of his guys can make the save.
Worst of all, when he sent Lombardi on his task, he gave him a bomb. Is this what things have come to? Shoot first, ask later. Does he want our brother to be killed, to have a big target on his back? I tried to tell Lombardi not to take it, but he assured me that it wouldn't be used. Then why have it at all?
I believe when Tiago gave that bomb to Lombardi, he was setting him up for a fall.
Suddenly, the front door of our hideout opens. Lombardi? No, it's Ace, and he's breathing heavily.
"You're back!" I say to Ace warmly. Even though he runs with Tiago, I'm still glad my brother is safe.
"Did you find him?" Tiago asks Ace.
"Yes," Ace says.
"And?"
"He's dead."
I feel like someone has punched me in the gut. It's the same thing I felt when Ace told us Leonard had died. Another one of my family members is gone. The times when we were young, under mother's roof, flashes before my eyes. It seems like only yesterday, we were carefree children. I've failed to protect another one.
"What happened?" Tiago asks.
"I don't know. I got there and saw a group of animals snooping, United Species Alliance vehicles parked all around the depot. The building looked like it had gone through some damage. There was a cloud of smoke and dust hovering above it. I carefully snuck into the building and I hid in the vents and observed. Those animals were putting something in a body bag, and it had a hand sticking out from it which had feathers?"
All of us are silent, but I can't stay silent anymore.
"This is your fault," I say to Tiago.
"What?" he says immediately, voice raised with a hint of anger.
"This is your fault. Didn't you hear what Ace said? The building had a cloud of smoke over it. Your bomb probably went off. You sent him to his death when you made him take it."
Alex inches closer to me as I make my accusation, but Tiago puts his hand in front of him, holding him back.
"Don't throw out accusations at me, brother. Lombardi knew the risks when he volunteered to go. We all knew the dangers. I gave him that bomb in case there was someone in his way and it looks like there was. It probably would've happened with or without the explosive."
His callousness surprises even me. "Are you listening to yourself? How could you brush off our brother's death like that? You act as if it's expected. Do you even care about any of us?"
He grimaces his face toward me. "How dare you say that! Don't even question my love for my family. Everything I've done, every instruction, every plan, every move that I've made was for this family!"
"Then why are you so hardened? Does Lombardi's death mean nothing to you? Why are you so unrelenting in your pursuit?"
"Because we don't have the time to relent. Two of us are dead and it's because of them, these agents of the United Species Alliance! They're after us, they're moving in for the quick kill. If we don't act fast, there's going to be more of us to mourn over."
"Two of us are dead because of your plans. Leonard would have never left us if we had given him the time he needed. Lombardi would still be alive if you hadn't given him that bomb."
"Oh really? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it you who vouched for him? You're the one who sent him on the suicide mission when I wanted someone capable like Ace."
"I sent him to get us supplies, not bomb it."
"Stop it both of you!" Iris tells us. "This is getting us nowhere. You can fight later, but for now we need to consider what's going on. Leonard and Lombardi are gone, and we don't have anything to sustain us."
"Uh, actually?" Ace says meekly. He takes his backpack off his shoulders and reaches in. He pulls an insta-item out and some packs of food.
"Unbelievable," I say to myself. "You sent Ace to get supplies, didn't you?"
"No," Ace says hastily, "I got these myself after the Alliance was gone. Tiago didn't tell me to get anything."
"Liar!" I yell. "Stop covering for your hero."
"Shut up, Oscar," Tiago says. "I didn't tell Ace anything, but at least we have what we need to make it to Moon."
"The Moon, that's the only thing you care about. You want to be as far away from home as possible and it doesn't matter who goes down in the process. You're not a brother, you're a dictator. And I'm done taking orders from you."
"What are you saying, brother?" Tiago says.
"What I'm saying is I'm not going to follow you into the slaughter. Your quest to get out of here is going to leave a lot of bodies and I won't be one of them."
He shrugs off my threat. "Fine, but you'll be on your own."
"No, he won't," a voice says behind me. It's Maddie. "I'll follow you wherever you go and I'll be able to find us shelter until you figure out what we should do next. I'm sorry Tiago, but I'm not ready to leave so quickly, not after all that's happened."
I look at her with a nod. "Thank you."
"Fine, take her. Anyone else? Anyone?" Tiago asks skeptically. No one responds. "Just as I?"
"We're leaving, too," a voice says. It's Isaac who speaks and Iris follows behind him. I'm actually shocked that it's them and Tiago looks just as stunned.
"Brother, sister, why? You know you two will always have a place with us," he says.
Isaac takes a moment to speak. He looks at me and Maddie, and then he looks at Tiago and the others. "I'm sorry, brother, but if we go with you, we're going to die. I feel it. I can't follow you on your path to destruction."
The words break Tiago's emotional wall like a battering ram through a castle gate. He has always liked both the twins. He believes there's something extraordinary about them, and their rejection hits him hard.
"And you, too, Iris?" Tiago asks her.
"Yes. You know I go where my brother goes," she says.
His face changes from a stupefied stare to a dark glare. "If that's what you two want, then so be it. We don't need you anyway."
He raises his arm and points to the exit.
"All of you, get out of here, you're not welcome anymore," he says.
"But where will they go?" Candy asks in a concerned tone.
"There's another abandoned building near here," Maddie says. "It used to be a casino, the Spades and Diamonds Casino, but I don't think it's been in business for quite some time, at least a year. I used to sneak out there, they have a lot of neat things, even if it is dusty and abandoned, I think we can hide there until you figure out what we should do next, Oscar."
I look at Maddie, and nod supportively. "Sounds good, Maddie. I guess that's where we'll be heading."
The four of us make our rounds and offer our goodbyes to the rest of the family. Some of them, like Candy and Ace greet our farewells warmly. Alex doesn't shake my hand when I offer it to him. Curtis gives a curt nod to me and I nod back.
I then walk up to Tiago and look at him eye to eye. He doesn't move a muscle and glowers straight back at me.
"I guess this is good bye then," I say. I offer my hand out as we continue our stare down. He holds his stance and doesn't move an inch.
"I guess so," he says. "Good luck to you."
"You too, brother."
We gather our things and walk to the exit. I take one quick glance behind me and look at the brothers and sister I leave behind. No one sees it,
but a small tear rolls down my eye.
If only we could have stayed a family.