Chapter 210: 210-Medals
Clementine:
Once we were told about the intensity of the task and how many other crusaders had died trying to finish it, we just went silent. I could tell everyone was grateful we had come back alive at all.
But there was more. The door opened again, and this time the headmaster walked in. He wore a big round black hat. His face was covered with a black surgical mask. His hands were clasped behind his back, his long black overcoat buttoned tight down to his pants.
The coat trailed behind him even though there was no breeze. He almost floated across the floor. His upper body barely moved when he walked.
He reached the podium, stepped onto the main stage, and stood between the ringleaders. They instantly moved back to let him take the lead.
Behind him came lurkers carrying bouquets, medals, and baskets filled with food items like coffee and snacks.
"We acknowledge that some of you have been working hard. It’s a new milestone. The Wendigos were gotten rid of thanks to none other than Ian Hunt. Ian not only carved the stone but also found a secure subway and killed all the Wendigos," Miss Rue announced, clapping excitedly.
The others clapped too, and I couldn’t help but glance at the Red Squad and the White Squad. Except for Joshua, they were cheering. Even our squad clapped, but it was mild. How were we supposed to celebrate when so many had died?
I expected Ian to refuse like he usually did. But this time, I watched him reluctantly walk toward the headmaster. He stood tall, hands behind his back, and looked up.
I didn’t know if he could see the headmaster’s eyes that close, but we couldn’t. They stared at each other before the headmaster signaled a lurker forward.
The lurker slipped a gold medal around Ian’s neck and handed him a bouquet. Ian released his hands from behind his back, grabbed the flowers with one hand, and let them hang low, the petals brushing the ground.
Then he was given a basket full of goodies. He held it in his other hand, arms heavy at his sides, before walking back without a word. He set the gifts on the table, folded his arms across his chest, then dropped them back behind him.
"Then we also want to acknowledge Joshua," Mr. Rick announced. "He took care of his squad, saved Jack, and carried him for a while. He also played a big role in remembering the markings, quickly learning the message in them, and delivering it to Ian."
Joshua walked up and accepted his gifts. He was given a silver medal. When he returned, Miss Lenora let out a deep breath. I could tell she was disappointed her squad hadn’t done better.
"We would have given Matthias a medal, but he chose to stay behind. However, there’s someone else we must admire. Black Squad," she said, before stepping aside for Miss Rue, who wore a wide, happy smile.
"We want to acknowledge all of Black Squad for doing your best to help everyone in tough situations. You’re the only squad that’s been coming back without losing a single member. That’s incredibly impressive. No other squad has done that before, to always return alive after great achievements. So congratulations, Black Squad." Everyone cheered for us.
"We will also present medals to Haiden, Yorick, and Troy, especially Haiden, for finding a bus in the North where no technology works. He managed to get the bus running, drive it around, gather all the crusaders, and bring them back to the station safely."
The room admired Haiden, who only nodded, showing little happiness.
Lurkers stepped forward with baskets of food and snacks. I didn’t know what we were supposed to do with them. Eat and cry about the ones we’d lost?
"But there’s one more member who stands out," Miss Rue added. "Clementine Stark, please come here and accept this silver medal for all the great things you’ve done. You not only found a secret cellar, but you slayed a faun. You brought justice to Medusa. You also accomplished great things in the North. So please, come here and accept it."
As my name was called, everyone turned to look at me. I stayed in place, my lips trembling as I shook my head.
"Come on, Clementine, accept the medal. The Headmaster himself asked for it," Miss Rue urged, her voice panicked. She kept eyeing me quickly while she spoke, forcing a smile and sneaking eye gestures behind the Headmaster’s back.
"No, I don’t think I deserve it. Others have done the same thing. They’ve all been in the North. They’ve all suffered. They’ve all watched their loved ones die. I don’t think I’m special enough to deserve it. Just give it to someone else who actually completed a task. I don’t deserve it," I said, shaking my head.
Emotions built up inside me as I thought of Jessie, Matthias, Sadie, Yash, and so many others.
"I’m so sorry, Mr. Headmaster, for declining it. I hope you understand," I murmured, lowering my head. I hid my eyes because they were wet with tears, while my leg shook anxiously, tapping the floor.
My squadmates quickly gathered around me. Then Mr. Headmaster’s voice thundered.
"And that is what makes you different from the others."
Our attention snapped back to him. He unclasped his hands from behind his back and clapped for me.
"I hope you stay like that, Miss Clementine Stark. You prove every day that you are nothing like your father. You are better than and different from all the crusaders we’ve had in the past. I hope it stays that way, and the negativity of the North does not affect you in the future."
The Headmaster took it gracefully. I had expected punishment or harsh words for disrespecting him, for refusing the medal he had personally ordered for me. But I was grateful he realized I was overwhelmed with emotion.
"I’ll leave this medal here for you. One day, when you look back at your journey and realize how great you’ve been, I’m sure you’ll think you deserve it," he said, stepping back and clasping his hands behind him again.
After that, he gave a nod to the ringleaders, and then he left the hall.
Silence hung heavy until I turned around and broke down, not even realizing whose chest I had collapsed against. It was Yorick’s.
I covered my face with both hands so no one could see me and sniffled. He quickly pulled me tight, hugging me.
And I felt Yorick’s heart skip, just once.