Eludione and the group went to an empty parking where the new formed scavengers trained. There were barbells on the corner with various sizes with the same rusty metal circle on the end, there is a punching bag on the right corner opposite of the barbells, a battered dummy on the middle, a carpet where they push up and curl up, a man made sparing ring and a shelf full of weapons such as kitchen knives, dagger, sword etc.
There were people training on the grounds as they punch and kick one another. There was even a man in tall build that was being beaten by a small competitive man.
Eludione couldn't take his eyes of the sparing men and women who were doing curl up. Captain Li sat on the far corner of the parking lot where there is shade, and instruct Hambris about the lesson she would teach on Eludione. Once they are finish Hambris walk toward Eludione with a smile.
"Alright young lad we are going to start practicing.. are you ready?" Hambris ask to which Eludione nod attentively.
"Ok.. so first what i'm going to assign you is to lift some weights. Do you see those barbells over there, pick the small ones and try lifting them repeatedly I'll give you 3 minutes. Alright" Hambris said to which Eludione nod.
After Eludiondle lifts the barbells for three minutes he was already soaked in sweat. He was panting heavily as if he's lungs was about to give out. Venus came in the parking lot holding a fresh bake breads that is big enough for three person. Venus called the sweating young man with his new formed muscles that is now well built. Once Eludione saw what Venus was holding his stomach growl automatically. He stand up and fix himself and walk toward the red head woman giving up breads on the tray. She give everyone from the group to the practicing men and women which thank her in gratitude. Eludione was about to bite his bread when he remember something or more accurately someone.. His family!
Eludione didn't waste up even a single second as he dash out the parking lot to the building and to the poor side of the city where he run toward a small alleyway that his mom and siblings should be. The sweat in his body increases while the call for food from his stomach was already ignored. His mother and siblings was looking at him stupidly. Wh..What happen and Eludione looks clean and well... dress?
Eludione didn't speak any word as he walk toward the family he only have and give them the bread and the one bronze coin he accumulated from earlier. His siblings almost fight from the food thankfully his mother was there to stop them.
"H..How did you get this" His mother ask with teary eyes. She knows that from the two bronze coins, she can only buy 1/4 of the bread Eludione have given them today.
"I joined the military today" Eludione said like he was stating the weather to which his mother was shock from this revelation.
"Wh..What?" His mother look at his emotionless son and caught his face.
" Why.." She whispers
"You should back out, you should back out... it's too dangerous. What if you get yourself killed!" His mother plead as worry etched on her dirty face.
"I'll be alright mom trust me" Eludione said as he hold her mother's hand affectionately. Even though he couldn't produce emotions on his face, he is not numb or heartless. He feel it like any other human being but only different. He feels them but doesn't know how to show it.
"Ooh... Eludione. I'm sorry, i'm so, so sorry... if only i could stand, i could have help you and you couldn't have put yourself in danger... i know what those military doing, the people are talking about it. They are searching for ability wielding individual to form a group to go out from this walls... I'm sorry I've been a bad mother... I'm sorry i couldn't do what a mother should... please Eludione just stay please i dont want you to get hurt. I dont want you to risk your life for us. Please stay. If you stay.. I.. I'll beg for food for us. Just stay.. please dont leave us... don't leave me.. Your the only one that reminds me of your father... just please stay" His mother sob and cry from the pain she felt in her heart. She's a mother and once a mother know their son in danger they would retaliate, they couldn't afford to lose someone so dearly in her life. She couldn't... after her husband died she couldn't afford to lose someone for her. If only she could turn the tides or take her son's place, she would do it. After all she's a mother.. she can sacrifice anything she had, even if it means her life.
A single tear suddenly escape from Eludione's face even though his face doesn't show it. His heart aches seeing his mother crying in front of him. He holds his mother hand tightly and kiss it affectionately. He knows that his mother plead would be impossible, especially the time of famine has come. He can sacrifice anything just to see her mother like the ones in his dream where they're having dinner. Laughing, chatting, while merely eating the foods that are fresh and tasty. And this is the only way to reach that dream of his.
By scavenging..