As Leon continued to share his motivations, I maintained a stoic observance, slowly narrowing my gaze. In contrast, the rest of the group wore expressions of dumbfoundment, grappling with the weight of Leon's revelation.
"After that day... During that incident, I realized how powerless I truly am. If maybe I were a little stronger, things might not have turned out the way they did back then," Leon confessed, the gravity of his words palpable as he bit his lips, reflecting on the impact of his perceived weakness.
"Sure, we managed to get through that with barely any casualties, but a lot of things could have gone wrong. What if Mr. Cliff and the search party hadn't shown up when they did? We wouldn't be here right now…that's why I want to become stronger-I have to! I don't want to experience such powerlessness like that ever again!"
The incident of a few weeks ago went to show us the level of our naivety. It was a truly despairing situation.
If the search party hadn't shown up when they did, just as Leon said, we might not be here right now. Things could have gone a lot more worse than they actually already were. And perhaps, indeed, if we were stronger, a lot of things could have gone differently, maybe that girl wouldn't have died under my watch.
I observed Leon quietly, pondering his words and understanding his actions. Despite that, there's no justification for Leon to blame himself. The situation wasn't solely his fault; we all played a role in it. In such circumstances, kids like us had limited options. The incident was undeniably a crucial lesson and experience for us.
As naive youngsters, our capabilities were constrained. In retrospect, I believe we exceeded the expectations of an average group of kids in such a predicament. Ultimately, luck was on our side. We not only survived but also bought enough time for the search party to intervene. Although unintentional, it's an accomplishment to take pride in, isn't it?
Don broke the silence after a moment. "What are you trying to say?" he asked.
"'If only I were stronger' – seriously? That's something the main lead should say. I'm the hero here, remember? Don't make it sound like everything back then was your fault." Don sighed, crossing his arms.
"But... I couldn't do anything," Leon admitted, lowering his face.
It was evident that the memory weighed heavily on him, his face filled with regret as he spoke. Don wasn't sympathetic. "So what?" he retorted.
"I couldn't do anything either, damn it! I'm the one who got us into that mess," Don admitted, frustration evident in his voice.
"I insisted on pushing forward when you all warned me to turn back. What kind of leader ignores his party? I'm a failure as a leader and a hero. Don't blame your 'weakness'; we were just a bunch of naive kids, after all." Don clenched his fist, a crease forming on his forehead.
"No, Leon is right," I asserted, stepping forward and stood before the group, ignoring the apparent bewildered expression of Don.
Reacting to my voice, Leon turns up to look at me along with the others.
"You talk about wanting strength, but what is strength, really? Is it about lifting buildings or tossing wagons aside?" I inquired. The group, including Leon, awaited clarification.
"The answer is 'yes,'" I continued, "but it's also flawed. Strength takes many forms, even the unexpected. In my eyes, you're already strong—stronger than before."
Strength isn't solely about moving structures or covering great distances; it's something we shape and that shapes us.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kyle questioned, scratching his head.
"Another facet of strength is 'experience.' Despite our naivety leading us into trouble, surviving that ordeal has made us stronger in ways we might not realize," I explained.
"Whoa! I think I sort of understand, but it's still a bit fuzzy," Don remarked.
"We not only survived that ordeal but also learned from it, gaining valuable experience. The key is to use that experience and newfound strength to avoid a similar situation in the future," I explained.
The incident provided us with a significant learning experience, making us stronger. "The strength we've acquired may not feel significant now, but over time, you'll realize how much more powerful you've become. Every day and every event contribute to your experience and strength," I emphasized.
I truly believe that experience is one of the most potent forms of strength.
"But, 'Experience' is merely one facet of strength," I asserted. "Without skill, a lifetime's worth of 'experience' may amount to nothing. Add to that conviction; the driving force behind the pursuit of strength — the why for the want."
It was then that Leon gaze beamed with Intensity.
"I don't want to be weak and powerless. I want to be able to protect those who I care about and fight for what I treasure. That's my conviction." Leon declared.
Listening to Leon's words, I took a few moments of silence then walked up to the blonde boy. Towering over Leon, who had just sat up on the floor, I posed my question with an air of urgency.
"Leon, I need an answer. Given this newfound 'strength' from experience, what course of action would you take if you were to lose something again?"
"...what?" Leon, uttered.
"Will tears be your refuge? Or will self-blame and the pursuit of even greater strength be your chosen path?" I asked, my gaze firmly holding the lost eyes of the blonde boy.
"Huh?" Leon frowned and rose, positioning himself in direct confrontation with me, unyielding to my gaze.
"Then I'll just get stronger." He rebuked resolutely, almost as if it were obvious.
"If you lose, you train harder and get stronger," I reiterated.
"What if you face loss again?"
"What?" he questioned.
"If your response is just to repeat the cycle—loss followed by more power—it becomes a futile loop. That's not true strength," I asserted.
"Life can be unforgiving. Just when you believe you've figured it all out—your life, family, home, friends—it hits harder, especially when you think you've already weathered the worst. That's when it returns to take more."
"What the hell are you saying?" Leon's tone turned aggressive, brows furrowing as he leaned closer, his glare penetrating.
Remaining unfazed by this, I stoically gazed into Leon's beaming eyes, pondering the desire and emotions deep inside.
"Another facet of strength...is 'mentality'." My words lingered in the silence that hung. Within that time I could feel the silent question in the gazes of the group from all over.
Between the time from the incident and now...I had an awfully lot of time to think...
"Just as many or any other factors of life, you need the right mentality to strive, under the right circumstances. And this is exactly where people — many of us fail at and remain at the same spot or stuck in a pathetic loop of loss and gain." I said.
With the right sets of skill, the right sets of experience, and the center factor of it all, coupled with just the right mentality....The mentality to become the strongest — number one.
" If you're the best — if you're the strongest, wouldn't that also mean you can better protect the ones you care about, and fight for what you believe, without having to suffer anymore sacrifices and losses than necessary along the way. If your the best, wouldn't that also mean you can influence life, however you wish for yourself. Whatever life throws at you, you throw it back, triple the interest!" Then shifting my gaze to the adult in the area, I posed,
"Isn't that right, Mr. Ridge?"