This section is from Ivan's perspective.
I watched Malcolm as he stood in front of the crowd, his voice smooth and persuasive. He reminded me of a con artist, slick and charming, who was able to sell ice to an Eskimo. I couldn't help but be impressed, even though my jaded nature made me doubt him despite us writing the plan together.
I inherited more than the business acumen from Uncle Borris. He always loved messing with scammers and telemarketers. He would regularly go to multi-level marketing meetings not to sign up but explain to everyone there how they were going to get screwed over by the business model that was being offered.
I never really had that desire. But I always looked at people who were too smooth with a healthy batch of skeptism. Malcolm Allen was the smoothest person I've ever heard of in person.
The murmurs started out bad, with people casting skeptical glances at each other. I recognized several people who were skeptical of Uncle Borris, looking wary and sneering. Even a few of the people from the apartment complex looked like they had their doubts.
But as Malcom continued to speak, expertly weaving himself into the bathhouse story, the mood slowly shifted. He added himself to Derrick's efforts. I glanced at Derrick. He didn't seem like he minded. People nodded their heads, looking intrigued and hopeful. Even Pam nodded with enthusiasm as she scribbled notes furiously, her ever-present cup of tea steaming beside her.
"Think about it," Malcolm went on, pointing to the new construction Derrick had begun working on already. "We've already taken the first step with this bath house. Now imagine what else we could accomplish if we all work together." He paused for dramatic effect, and I could see that he was winning them over. Derrick's hard work and dedication seemed to be the perfect selling point for Malcolm, the outsider who wanted to help build something great.
I glanced around the crowd, hoping they weren't as jaded as I was. People were listening intently, some leaning forward in anticipation. It looked like Malcom was doing it - he was getting them on board with our plan.
"Let's not let fear hold us back," Malcolm concluded, his voice filled with passion. "Let's embrace the future and make this community everything it can be - for ourselves, our children, and generations to come."
I found myself on the ground without realizing what happened. On a delay, I realized my ears ringing from the force of an explosion, and my own blood pressure rising. Panic set in as I realized I'd stumbled away from something. My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of the chaos around me.
"Wh-what happened?" I stammered, looking around frantically, my eyes vibrating in their sockets as they darted back and forth. That's when I saw Derrick holding a gun, standing protectively in front of Malcolm. And the smell... the acrid stench of a burning house that took me right back to the horrors of the city.
"Stay down!" Derrick bellowed, scanning the area for potential threats.
"What's going on?" Malcom demanded, gripping Derrick's arm tightly as if to steady himself. "Who would do this?"
"Does it matter right now?" Derrick shot back, his eyes locked on the rising smoke in the distance.
My eyes watered on reflex, and I choked as the memory of that acrid smell gripped my lungs. Hands wrapped around my head, and a humming voice – Tsu's voice – brought me back to reality. As her calming presence eased the ringing in my ears, I glanced over to see her smile. My mind calmed to give me a grip on myself and on the moment.
"Come on," she murmured, helping me stagger to my feet. "We gotta act fast."
"Right," I managed to croak out, swallowing hard against the panic clawing at my throat.
Malcom tapped Derrick on the arm and pointed towards the commotion. "Help them," he ordered.
Derrick handed Malcom the gun without hesitation, drawing a second one from his waistband and passing it over as well. Then, with a nod, he bolted off in the direction of the smoke and chaos. Malcom stared down at the guns in his hands and yelled after him, "Why did you give me guns?!"
I blinked hard and felt panic rise again. I focused on Tsu's presence. Her arms are around my head.
"Focus, Ivan," Tsu said softly, her hand gripping my shoulder for support. "We have to do something. To be a leader," and let go of my shoulders.
"Right," I agreed again, forcing myself to concentrate on the task at hand. The fire had to be our top priority right now. I staggered to my feet looking at the see of people clustering in groups scared and agressive.
Derrick's hulking form barreled through the crowd, his legs pumping with a force that defied his massive size. He easily weaved between terrified people.
"Out of the way!" he bellowed, snatching up two five-gallon buckets from where kids had abandoned them in their play. Derrick filled both buckets to the brim before continuing his charge toward the source of the smoke.
"Damn," I muttered, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched him go. I'd never seen the big man move like that before, but now wasn't the time for awe. In front of me, the crowd churned like a stormy sea. People were starting to panic, shouting and running in all directions. Fear and confusion painted every face.
"Get it together, Ivan," I told myself, forcing my legs to move. I stepped tall and waved my hands to get people's attention.
"Everyone, listen up!" I shouted, trying to project my voice over the mounting chaos. "We need to form a bucket brigade. Form a line to the lake, pass the buckets along, and get water to that fire! Now!"
The first wave of people hesitated, their eyes darting around between the smoke in the distant and the safety of the lake and the groups of people moving strongly. But slowly, they began to spring into action, forming an impromptu chain between the burning structure and the water's edge. Others running to get buckets.
"Good," I thought, watching as the first buckets of water sloshed their way towards the smoke. "Now we just need to keep this going."
But the people were very slow, and many were still just standing around.
I don't know why people didn't listen.
I was just standing.
My voice got stuck like a lump in my throat.
My heart raced as I scanned the panicked faces, searching for a sense of order amid the chaos. As if reading my thoughts, Malcom stepped forward, his face a mask of fierce determination. His voice was loud enough to reach everyone, gripping everyone's attention, and every pair of eyes looked at us.
"Everyone, we need a bucket brigade going NOW!" he screamed, his voice cutting through the cacophony like a knife. "If there are buckets nearby, go and get them, and then start lining up in pairs headed towards the house fire!"
Every man and a few women moved with purpose, spurred by Malcom's voice and words. His charisma gripped the hearts of the people and focused their minds and bodies to move with purpose.
I wish I could be like that. My fear and anxiety stopped me from doing what he was able to do.
I glanced at Tsu, fearing to see scorn in her eyes. Instead, I saw love and admiration in her face. She nodded. I had to be be strong for her. To not let her down.
I staggered towards the lake, feeling the weight of her expectations pressing down on me, but the force slowly shifted to my back, pushing me forward. I didn't have any buckets, but I could still stand in line and help. As I moved, my mind raced with images of burning homes and trapped families.
I had to be a man.