The twins cannot help but hover. Bobbing their heads, peering over Becca's shoulders, they start interfering with the battery-powered lamp mounted to the wall.
Rose looks over to Ellis and LaTroy. "Can you get them out of the light? Give them something to do please."
"Alright. Alright, boys. Let's scoot back. Let the ladies do their thing." LaTroy uses his large wingspan to corral the nosy teens back.
Ellis offers a helpful idea. "Maybe you boys can finish your drawing contest. Your dad and I can be the judges."
"I can't draw when Charcoal is dying!" LaShawn says, dramatic body language included.
DeMarcus agrees and adds to the worry. "I think he broke his spine!" This only fuels LaShawn's worries.
"You're right! I'm positive he broke his skull too!"
"Yeah! There's got to be internal bleeding!"
Back and forth the teens hype each other up with worst-case scenarios. They KNOW Charcoal is a goner.
Ellis and LaTroy's shoulders shake. They try holding in their laughter as best as they can. They let the boys dwell in the false terrors for their longtime pet.
"Do you need surgeon's tools, Rose?" DeMarcus makes sure the doctor has what she needs.
"Are you going to use anesthe... ana... antish... um, are you going to put him to sleep while you operate?" LaShawn's stomach hurts now. The butterflies in his belly have turned into bricks.
After ten very long minutes, Rose looks up to the worried boys. Her eyes look as if they are going to begin flooding any second. Her voice cracks as she addresses them. "Boys, I just don't know..."
LaShawn and DeMarcus embrace and begin letting the waterworks flow. They bellow. They sob so loudly, it prompts the rest of the team to come running.
"You didn't let me finish, guys."
"Don't say it, Rose! Just don't even say it!" They continue to cling tight to each other. Mourning. Wallowing.
Rose rolls her eyes. "I was trying to say, you over-dramatic duo, that I just don't know if Charcoal will be climbing the shelving for a few days. Good grief, you babies."
MAWWWR!
Charcoal screams out some sort of kitty displeasure as Becca releases him. He scurries off to the corner and starts licking the lone bandage on his paw.
Once again, the twins have unknowingly given laughter fuel to the entire team. The laughs continue for a while until they finally die down naturally. Life after the locusts is far from perfect, but the team is a family, and the family is close. They all have duties. They all have several forms of entertainment. And of course, they all find time for worship and praise.
Once lunch is consumed by all, the scavengers of the group, Jake and Tanner, head back out. They have recently found an abandoned army surplus that has provided well for them. All of the ammo and weapons are looted by now, but in the back rooms they still find various items to fill other needs. It is six blocks away and barring any unwelcome delays, they will be back well before dinner.
Charcoal sits on the divider box, licking and trying to pull the bandage off of his bruised paw. The teens are focused again on their drawing competition.
Ellis and LaTroy do their afternoon routine of inspecting the outer perimeter of the thrift store. They check the shelving that is fastened to the outer windows, look for any new foot traffic in the dirt that has formed a layer around the building, and reset the trap wires.
A wind chime is pulled taut behind each shelf and wooden barrier, secured at the tops and bottoms of them. They are tight enough that a breeze will not make them sound off, but if the shelving and barriers are moved by someone unfamiliar with the alarms, the lower, less stout strings will break and the chime will tell the team someone or something is trying to get in. They are crude but brilliant.
The ladies start setting up for Bible study. Each night the team does Bible study before dinner. Gwen and Becca, Rose and LaTroy, DeMarcus and LaShawn, Jake and Tanner all present and run Bible study on their assigned nights. Ellis, being the most versed and natural leader, presents by himself.
It is not uncommon for a presenting duo to run what they are planning past Ellis and even ask for his assistance. The twins, finding a natural curiosity from Karetha's teaching before she departed, have an unwavering love for the terrors and finality of Revelation.
Tanner and Jake love to teach and read from Genesis and Exodus. The beginning of it all fascinates them. They never tire of dissecting the stories from Creation to Moses and Aaron.
Gwen and Becca have found comfort in teaching about the Apostles. Paul is by far their favorite. Who does not love Paul? Peter comes in a very close second and they teach about him often.
LaTroy and Rose have gravitated to the great kings of the scriptures. David could be taught countless times, and they do break down his many adventures every third lesson they give. All of the kings, good and bad, never cease to offer lessons the team can incorporate even today, in the Great Tribulation.
Ellis never stays in one section or one topic. His lessons are intense and always leave the team questioning, which is exactly what he shoots for. If they are questioning, they are listening, is his secret motto.
As they all learn and take their turns teaching, they brace for the inevitable. They know what is coming, and it is coming soon. Ellis always helps to tighten up the twins' lessons on what comes next when they choose that part of Revelation... A Third Will Die.