Part 11: May 22 - The Colony

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Nancy and Helen watched as the bus pulled up to the quad. The door opened, and Frank stepped off. That much was expected, but then six more adults stepped off behind Frank. Nancy and Helen nearly leaped up from the chairs they had been sitting in while they watched the children playing. The two women practically ran to meet the new adults stepping off the bus. The children stopped playing long enough to look up and see what was happening. They solemnly watched as the new people exited the bus, then one child screamed, “MOMMY!” The little girl Carl had brought back from the store ran to one of the women who had stepped off the bus.

Everyone stopped to watch this reunion of mother and child. Nancy watched her group as several of the girls turned away, hugging their friends, openly sobbing. Nancy noted that even some of the boys openly cried as they watched the reunion. The mixture of emotions ranged from tearful happiness on a few faces to looks of crushing sadness on others—children who would not have a reunion with their parents.

The adults walked to the back of the bus and started to unload supplies. Frank met the ladies as they approached and recited the events of the day. Amy and Geoff waved from the bus, and Carl shouted out the door for everyone to step back so he could pull away.

Frank introduced the new people: Madison, Reggie, Olivia, and Don, who had come back with him to help take care of the children. The other people—Dr. Ramsey, Kelly, and Steve—had left with Amy and Geoff to help attempt the revival of the athletes.

The piles of supplies would require some help to move, so Nancy organized volunteers from the children to help with the task and escorted the new members of the colony to the dorm, where they could organize themselves and the much-needed supplies.

Frank and Helen had the rest of the children put the pets, toys, and sports equipment away, explaining that they were to get ready to go to the store. Some of the children responded excitedly, quickly finishing the task of putting away their pets and equipment.

Nancy returned to find that Helen and Frank had started to line up the rest of the children. Since the bus could only seat about half of the children, a decision had to be made as to who would come and who would stay. Nancy divided the children, pairing an older child with a younger, and when the bus pulled back up to the quad she told group one to get on the bus. When the second group moaned with disappointment, Nancy told them they would need to wait and go on the next trip.

Frank held his hands up and asked for attention. “Listen up! While the first group is gone, I’ll take the rest of you down to the athletic center and you can play in the gyms.”

The children’s responses were mixed. Frank heard some of them cheer and shout, “All right!” or “Masterful!” at the announcement of going to the gym. The rest were mildly placated by the plan. Frank watched the children’s faces. Well, at least the group is not completely disappointed at having to be left behind.