Journal Entry 23

Pete and Tony retrieved another note from Matt.

Madie,

It seems not everyone is happy with the way the Hulk runs the Central Campus. I got in an argument this morning with some sad soul trying to take my breakfast. I usually try to walk away from conflict but this guy wasn’t going to give up. I think he was trying to prove to his pals that he was big and tough. He swung first and I ducked. I swung next and before I knew what was happening we were in a knock down drag out fight. I won. yeah! My brother would have been proud. I made some friends this morning. One in particular, a girl named Hemy. She said that there are people at Central that do not like the way things are run around here. The hulk and his inner circle have most of the people who live here afraid. Food and a place to sleep seems to be the strongest reasons why people stay. Others stay because they enjoy the wrestling tournaments and that way of life. This place reminds me of the stories I heard when I was young about the gladiators. People are forced to fight as the hulk and his goons watch. I have counted 10 goons. If we could get the Hulk out of power and get rid of his goons I think this place would turn back to normal.

Matt

Journal Entry 22

I am having trouble sleeping. I seem to constantly worry about everything. Last night was horrible, I couldn’t shut my mind off from thinking about the day. I don’t like that Matt is inside the Central campus. I don’t want him taking any unnecessary chances. I am sure he will only do what is necessary but I still worry about him. Tony is feeling a little happier. He is anxious about Scat. It was difficult to convince him that he can’t just run over to the Central campus and get Scat back. We have a workable plan to get all the missing boys back. I think he understands that if he ran over there and tried to take Scat back right now the other missing boys could be in trouble. One step at a time. We will get our friends back. Pete is currently training his deputies. I think he is enjoying his new role as Sheriff. He walks differently, taller I think.

Madie

Journal Entry 21

A message was sent to me today from Matt. He is inside the Central campus and it sounds like he is doing fine.

Madie, I hope everyone is doing fine, especially my brother Jonas. Tell him I’m sorry about the eye. I lost my balance on that last blow. Oh and my chin will recover in the next day or two. I have access to most of the central campus but a couple of the areas are heavily guarded. Good news, tell Tony I know where Scat is. I saw him earlier today. He is a slave. Haven’t had the chance to talk to him. The slaves are kept under guard except when they are needed to work. I am certain the other lost boys are here as well. Wrestling seems to be very big here on the central campus. People are continuously challenging each other to duels. I have been able to avoid being challenged because I am currently not considered a threat, probably because I am not interested in making rank. The higher the rank the more privileges you have and the better food you eat. Hope to be home soon.

Matt

Journal Entry 20

I have a headache. Probably stress. The preparation for the naming ceremony is going well. Casey is getting so excited and the baby seems to be thriving. Casey is also doing well. Plans for the festival also continues. We have had several responses from several of the local tribes who wish to participate. It is mostly the same tribes that come year after year. I can’t wait, we need some diversion, some fun. I need to write in full sentences but at the moment my brain just isn’t working that way. What else can I tell you? Oh I know, Jonas is climbing the walls. We still have not herd from Matt since he defected over to the Central Bobcats. I hope he is safe and not taking any unnecessary chances.

Madie

Journal Entry 19

jonasJonas limped back to Bear country. He didn’t say a lot when he got back. I cleaned up his wounds and made him something to eat. He didn’t eat much. I am not sure if it was because of his physical injuries or because of the mental anguish I am sure he feels. The whole thing was just incredibly sad. I find it hard to think about one without the other. Matt and Jonas have always done everything together.

Madie

Journal Entry 18

There are days and then there are days. Matt and Jonas fought at the plaza today. It was awful. I am not sure who was injured the most. They both had bloody lips, cuts and bruises. A couple of vendors are going to have to rebuild after Matt and Jonas crashed thru their kiosks. It didn’t take long for a crowd to develop. People began to cheer for one or the other. It always annoys me that people encourage fights. You would think that the proper thing to do would be to stop the fight but not in this town. Any way, as the fight grew in intensity a couple of the hulk’s goons from the central campus arrived. They just stood back and watched. I am not surprised. The fight ended as Matt pinned Jonas to the pavement. Some words were exchanged that I would rather not repeat. Then Matt released Jonas and stood up. Jonas struggled to his feet. He yelled at his brother that they were no longer brothers. I wanted to cry. After the show, the crowd dispersed as quickly as it formed except for the Central goons. They were interested in Matt. I wasn’t close enough to know exactly what was said between the three but Matt left with the enemy.

Madie

Journal Entry 17

Tony stopped by my room in the admin hallway. He said he wanted to help. I guess this is his way of saying he is sorry for being mad at me.

It’s been a long night. Me, Tony, Matt, and Jonas (under the cover of darkness) went to the Bobcat campus. There was a lot of activity even at the hour that we were sneaking around. The guards seem to all be visible. No need to hide. The size of these guys would keep most people away. Of course, we don’t know exactly what is going on inside. We snuck around the entire campus. No one seemed to be guarding the east end back side of the building. The door was even unlocked. We went inside. The classrooms in this hallway were all locked and empty. At least the rooms we peeked into were empty. Things seemed a little too easy. Feeling uncomfortable with the ease that we entered we decided to quietly leave. Ok, we can get in. Which means we should be able to get information out. The next step is to actually get someone into the Bobcat tribe.

Madie

Journal Entry 16

I held a meeting with the community leaders of the larger tribes that are allies with Bear Country. I love community meetings. No, actually I don’t but sometimes they are a necessity. I am not a very good diplomat. I have trouble hiding my emotions. I always turn a bright shade of red when I get flustered. What I hate the most is that these meetings always end up loud and noisy. Getting everyone to agree is always a challenge but I think we have a workable plan. All the tribe leaders have agreed that getting someone inside the Bobcat campus is a necessity. Bear Country will have to get someone inside but first we have to find out what kind of security the Hulk has in place so that we can get information out once we are inside.

I went to see Tony after the meeting. He is still angry with me. At first, he pretending to be working on something and ignored that I was even standing in the same room. I said I was sorry and that if I could bring back Scat I would. I said I needed his friendship. He thru a wrench across the room(It barely missed my head) and said I wasn’t a very good friend. A friend is someone you can count on. Someone you can depend on. I said “I was dependable.” He said I wasn’t. He said I should have kept a closer eye on Scat. Perhaps he was right. I should have kept a closer eye on the little guy. But honestly, I can’t be everywhere at once. I have a great deal of responsibility. I would have done my best to look after Scat if Tony had died. We all would have looked after him. It’s what we do in Bear Country. We look after each other. No one could have prevented Scat from leaving if he wanted to leave. No one is under lock and key.

Tony went back to what ever it was he was working on and I left the room. I said I really was sorry.

Madie

Journal Entry 15

JonasCentral continues to cause trouble. I went to the Plaza today with Matt and Jonas. The streets are crazy. People are missing. No proof but the word is that the Central Bobcats are behind the disappearances. I knew central was recruiting older males, large males of substantial build but the missing are young boys. Apparently, four young boys have disappeared in four days. Took Matt and Jonas and collected a few community leaders and went over to the central campus. We were hoping that the Hulk(as we endearingly call him) might be able to help us out. Let us know where the mattboys are. His goons wouldn’t let us thru the front door. Apparently, the Hulk is busy with Central Bobcat business and can’t be disturbed. We tried to force our way in but the goons guarding the entrance had lethal weapons we weren’t prepared to deal with at that moment in time. We left a message. This whole thing with Central is getting on my nerves.

Journal Entry 14

Tony is still avoiding me. He won’t look at me. He won’t talk to me. He won’t enter a room that I am in. I wish I knew what to say. I have tried to apologize. I have never seen him this angry with anyone before. I don’t know what to do. This cold shoulder he is giving me is breaking my heart. I keep hoping that Scat will walk thru the front door.

Madie