Amen?

V is for Vendetta

"No! What if he has reinforcements!?"

I rubbed my temples in impatience. 

Stay calm Sammy, they're helping you..

"How much damage could they possibly do?"

I replied, trying to keep my frustration to a minimum.

The room was now deathly quiet, searchers and lost ones had gathered around a circular wooden table and discussed what to do when Henry finally happens to be amidst us.

"Sammy we really want to help, but.. I also don't want us to die in vain..please try to understand."

My eyes shot up, glossing over the group that stood before me.

You're they're leader Samuel, you need to start acting like one.

"You're right.. my apologies everyone. Please, make suggestions, the more ideas we accumulate the better this will turn out."

I looked down at a map at was laid out neatly on the table, the corners being held by inkwells and loose nuts and bolts prohibiting the corners from lifting up.

"Okay... everyone listen up, there are only three entrances, the likelihood that Henry will come from the east gate is not very high so we can cross that one out..."

"Louise."

I had called out.

A lost one with big round yellow eyes had looked toward me, her head hung low and the tool belt around her waist was lopsided.

"I need you to keep an eye out on platform A."

Platform A had been the small elevated platform that stood above the inky river, it had been the place that Kenny guided me along to save me. I remembered that day like it was yesterday, the pain, the cold damp air, the confusion.

Louise nodded.

"Gotcha' boss, lets go gang."

She had beckoned out to a small troop of searchers, a few lost ones straggling behind her, random weapons in hand.

"Now then.. I need another group to keep tabs on the dock."

The dock had been another way to reach here. From what I've been told it could be reached here by boat. Of course it took awhile, the boats that Joey and the Gent company used to maneuver this placed had been years old, they were rusty and in poor condition.

"Tommy, do you think that you can handle it?"

Shirley had looked up at him, with sacred eyes. She tightened her grip around his hand.

He nodded.

"I'll do my best."

Now all that's left is an attack plan.

One of the larger searchers among us had spoken up.

"Mind if I make a suggestion Mister Lawrence?"

I nodded,

"By all means."

"Wouldn't it be deemed best to attack in waves?"

I thought about it for a second. What did we know about the enemy? He was fair sized, the only weapon I had seen him with had been an axe. I'm not sure If he had any allies, but regardless I'm sure hes out numbered. Only problem is, searchers and lost ones weren't  exactly the strongest, their scrawny and lanky stature made it hard to fight, and even with weapons we would be at a disadvantage.

Look at the facts here, make the best possible decision..

Attacking in waves meant that we could make adjustments based on their attacks. We could learn about our enemy with every strike they made, sending out stronger and more informed waves of searchers and lost ones after observing the previous ones.

"I think that that may be the most plausible option.."

"Objections anyone..?"

I scanned the room trying to find any faces of discouragement or disagreement.

"..Okay then everyone, we should starting organizing you all into groups.. starting with the first squadron, any um.. volunteers..?"

No one had raised their hand. And I didn't blame them, neither would I but, now I had the burning hatred fueling me, and the fear of dying no longer phased me.

"I suppose.. we still have some time to think-"

"I'll v-volunteer."

I could feel a pair of eyes study my facial expressions, the shift in emotions as I heard the all too familiar voice calling out to risk his life made me sullen.

"Kenny please.. you've done so much for me already.. I can't let you."

He shook his head in disagreement, he courageously continued insisting.

"Jack was my friend too.. T-The least I could do is help avenge him."

Then it hit me, how could I let all these wandering souls risk their lives because I was seething with anger for Henry. It wasn't dignified.. and I couldn't imagine them dying at the hands of some vendetta I wanted to fulfill. My love for Bendy was strong, but still I did have morals.

"As leader I take back what I said about the ambush. My statement is final."

"Sammy! No please let us help"

Collective murmuring filled my headspace as I recollected my reasons for denying this proposal.

I spoke out, giving them an answer to my sudden dissent.

"I have a feeling of..abhorrence driving me.."

"Hatred fuels me.. it motivates me.."

"And I cannot stand idly by and let you all get mangled by my poor decisions, simply because I want Henry's head at my feet.."

"I understand that you all want to fight but-"

I had stopped mid sentence, their pleading eyes instilled a heavy pit of guilt in my stomach.

I sighed deeply, letting my face fall into my hands.

"I will allow.. one group. One and only one.."

Their faces softened, all joining in and cheering.

I sank down into the chair behind me, letting out a muffled yawn, squinting my eyes instinctively as I did so.

There couldn't be much more time until Henry were to pass through.

Many have seen signs of his presence in the area recently, and I couldn't bare the thought of any of my friends dead at the hands of him. Not another one at least.

I stood up abruptly, conversations fading out of earshot as I made my way out of the meeting room.

I had been walking towards my living quarters when a lost one came running full speed at me. A panicked expression had been plastered onto his face as he searched for words.

Beads of sweat had rolled down his forehead as he caught his breath. He was shaking with fear as the words I least expected rolled of his tongue.

"He's here.."

I felt every emotion drown me in that very moment.

Without a word I turned on my heel and sprinted back toward the meeting room to let others know of his appearance.

I burst through the door, struggling for air.

I could feel the anger surge in me as I choked out his name.

I hated the taste it left in my mouth.

"Henry is here."