There is no time to think. Everyone has turned to him and everyone waits for his answer. Children are crying, shivering, Ruben is racked with pain and shaking. Queen is sick again, choking with the cough that had been better but has returned after this cold night on wet ground. Emma is bleeding, staring at the bullet hole that goes through her palm and out the back of her hand. Gussie is comforting the children but looks at him, mute, no help in this awful moment.
“We have to split up.” That’s all Daniel can say for a moment, so terrified he is to have to decide the fate of all these people.
You’re some kind of natural leader, he hears his uncle tease him in his head. Better do better than that.
I can’t do this, he thinks, desperate. We should wait, wait for Sylvester, he thinks, but he knows somewhere deep inside himself that it’s a bad decision. He needs to decide quickly what to do for his family. He’s the only one here now who can decide.
Daniel takes a deep breath.
“Scrappy, you go to Sumner, find out about Beauty. See if you can get us some help, maybe get some food and some clothes. Roy, you take the girls and A.T. to Wylly, see if someone will take them in.”
A.T. started to protest but Daniel quieted him with one raised hand.
“We need your help, no arguing. If Wylly’s no good, go on to Syl’s camp. Scrappy can meet us there. I’ll meet you all there after I get everyone off to Mr. Wright’s house. Maybe he can get them on the train.”
Rose looks stricken. Daniel takes her hand, squeezes it once.
“I’ll meet you. Don’t worry. Roy knows the way. I’ll catch you up,” he promises.
“Be quiet. Be careful. Now let’s move on,” he finishes.