Toy Soldier {ManxManxMan}

CHAPTER 8

Beckett had taken a seat on the other side of Orion, who was sitting back with his arms folded, giving his companion a curious look before turning his full attention back to Cass, who was standing holding a sheet of paper, one hand propped on his hip.

Ian was sitting to my right, playing with the metal walking stick as his blank eyes stared ahead, a heavy frown on his lips that I could kind of understand. Evidently his first meeting with Carina hadn't gone well, about as great as me or Demi. Arthur had taken the chair to Cass' right, with Malachi standing behind him, arms folded, looking intimidating enough if I say so myself.

"So," Cass hummed, reading over the paper, "After some lengthy conversation with my boss, which consisted mainly of dinner menus," Carina dropped his head against the table with a groan, and Beckett narrowed his eyes, but Cass ignored both of them, "We don't know all that much about any of you besides the fact Carina is a trustworthy informant, and evidently Maggie is the older sister of one of our high ranking soldiers," he tapped his chin with the edge of the paper, "All we know about you has been deduced by our medical assistant Gale, who seems to trust all of you."

I looked over at Gale, who was staring down playing with the bandages around my wrist, "Stars," he said softly, and my eyes widened from the sudden realization.

"With that in mind, Kailas, Malachi, and I have decided on a few temporary positions for you to work with," Cass pointed at Orion, "You're good with medicine, right?"

Orion gaped at him before looking at Carina, who was blatantly avoiding his gaze, scratching his cheek, "I know a bit," Orion answered, turning back to Cass.

"You'll be helping our doctor then," Cass held the paper over Arthur's head, "This is Arthur Knight, our head medic, and his assistant is the one hanging on Dakota. Just a warning, he's in charge, one slip up and you'll have to answer to, like, everyone."

Orion arched an eyebrow as Cass looked back down at his paper, "Carina and Logan, you'll be working around the settlement, checking the perimeters, helping with construction, we need all the hands we can get. The raid burned down quite a few houses and took quite a few lives. Malachi will watch over your progress to make sure things are going smoothly. Ms. Bailey, how do you feel about children?"

Maggie cringed a little, "I'm not good with kids actually."

"Shame. Demi has been training the kids in the settlement, as well as the recruits, ever since our first trainer lost his life," Gale tensed up at the vague mention of Jayden, and I reached out to squeeze his hand in reassurance, "We were hoping you'd help out with the kids."

"Beckett can," I blurted, noting the way Beckett's face burned crimson as his eyes popped wider and his companions all turned to look at him.

"You're good with kids?" Orion asked with a half-smile, and Beckett held his hands up.

"No, no, I'm not good with kids, at all."

I raised an eyebrow, "Last night you said you wanted to be a teacher."

Orion gaped at me, grinning, and Beckett looked like he either wanted to pass out or strangle me for revealing his secret. Well, in my defense, I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret.

"Okay then," Cass hummed, picking a pen up, "Beckett can help with the kids and Maggie can help out with the recruits."

"Fuck yes," Maggie held a fist up, and Beckett covered his face with his hands.

"Go on then, be free," Cass said, waving the paper, "Don't cause problems, and don't expect anyone to hop on the bandwagon to invite you in with open arms, they're kind of suspicious of newcomers. Malachi, you can show Carina and Logan around. I'll bring Maggie to the recruits before showing Beckett to the school. Arthur, you take charge of Orion, and bring Dakota with you."