Chapter 99

Leaving the town council courtyard, Henry, Charlie, and Gabe didn't return to the mill. They found a spot to sit and lit the cigarettes Leonardo had refused.

After a few puffs, feeling somewhat relaxed, Gabe spoke up, "The town council members are heartless. They have extra food but won't give us any. How are we supposed to survive without food?"

Henry smoked silently.

Charlie added, "Since the council won't advance us food, we'll have to borrow. But we don't have any relatives here in the countryside. Who can we borrow from? The townsfolk are all stingy."

Gabe agreed, "If we can't borrow from the council, the townsfolk definitely won't help."

Henry took a deep breath and stubbed out his cigarette on a rock. With no good solution, the three fell silent.

After a while, Gabe spoke up again, "Henry, what about asking Summer for help? I think she might be able to help us."

Henry glanced at him without saying anything.

Charlie said, "She doesn't have enough food to lend. Even if she gave us all her food, it wouldn't last long."

Gabe replied, "Who said we have to borrow food? We can borrow money. We can use it to buy food on the black market. Some locals sell their extra food there, though it's a bit more expensive."

Henry and Charlie stayed silent.

Gabe continued, "Think about it. Summer earns ten work points a day, and she can't use them all. Plus, she gets a five-dollar monthly stipend and makes extra money selling noodles at the market on Sundays. We saw how busy her stall was last week. She must have a good amount of money saved up."

Charlie and Gabe looked at Henry. Their bond with Summer wasn't as strong as Henry's.

Henry still didn't speak, taking another deep breath.

Seeing Henry's hesitation, Gabe urged, "Henry, say something."

Henry finally spoke, "She and Logan are close now. She's not one of us anymore. Do you think I can ask her for help?"

Gabe protested, "Why not? She's only known Logan for a few days. She's been friends with us for eighteen years. I don't believe she'd watch us starve over a small disagreement."

Henry thought for a moment before saying, "We won't trouble her."

Gabe, frustrated, retorted, "Henry, we're about to run out of food. What's the point of pride now? If you can't ask, let Charlie and me do it. We can swallow our pride."

Henry suddenly got angry, "I said no, and that's final!"

Gabe, feeling suppressed, turned away, unwilling to argue further.

Charlie patted Gabe's shoulder to calm him.

After a while, Gabe turned back, "So what's the plan? This needs to be solved. If we don't ask Summer for money, we'll have to tell everyone else and follow Leonardo's advice—eat wild vegetables and porridge."

Henry, feeling overwhelmed, stood up, "We'll see."

With that, he walked away, not giving Gabe a chance to argue further.

Charlie didn't follow Henry.

Watching Henry leave, Gabe muttered, "See? Do we have time to wait?"

Charlie, more composed, said, "Give Henry time to think."

Gabe, unable to relax, replied, "What other plan is there? Steal? Rob?"

Finding no solution, both fell silent again.

After a moment, Gabe turned to Charlie, "This isn't a small matter. Henry can't handle it alone. We need everyone to know and solve it together."

Charlie replied, "I'm afraid Henry won't agree."

Gabe said, "He won't agree to anything. Do we have any other choice?"

***

The other seven were milling flour at the mill. After finishing, they returned to their camp.

The boys, tired from the labor, complained and went to rest after putting the flour in the kitchen. The girls stayed to prepare dough for bread.

Lily placed a large mixing bowl on the table.

Cecilia, with a scoop of flour, was about to pour it into the bowl when Gabe walked in.

Gabe asked, "Are you making bread?"

Grace, placing a bowl of water on the table, replied, "Yes, the bread we made this morning will last until tomorrow morning. We need more now."

Gabe hesitated, then said, "Don't start yet. If we turn all this flour into bread, it'll last us three days at most."

The girls were taken aback.

Lily, staring at him, asked, "What do you mean?"

Deciding to not keep the matter secret, Gabe explained, "We asked Leonardo for an advance on food, but he refused. We can't borrow from the townsfolk either."

The girls, realizing the implication, frowned. Grace asked, "Didn't Henry say he'd find a way? What now?"

Gabe replied, "He tried, but it didn't work. The council won't advance us food and said if our work points aren't enough, we won't get next year's food either until we make up the difference."

They had heard these threats before but never took them seriously, thinking Leonardo was just scaring them.

Cecilia, now worried, asked, "What do we do? Without food, we'll starve. Won't they help us?"

Gabe said, "They told us to eat wild vegetables and porridge. Or even bark."

Grace's voice rose, "Eat wild vegetables and bark? Are they serious?"

Their conversation was loud enough to reach the boys in the dorm. Hearing the gist of it, they came to the kitchen, concerned.

With nothing left to hide, Gabe repeated what he had told the girls.

After hearing it, the eight of them sat in silence.

Grace broke the silence, "Didn't Henry say he'd handle it? What's happening now? Is he giving up?"

Gabe said, "He didn't want you to worry, but this is too big for one person. Ten people's food for two months isn't a small matter. He can't handle it alone. I decided to tell you."

Grace retorted, "What can we do? We have no solutions."