Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. Chapter 163: The gun debate....2

Sister Anna also stood up as confusion slithered like a snake among the residents.

"Hello everyone," she said and waved to the crowd. "I am not a parent myself, but I have a degree in child developnt and...."

Sunshine groaned. Here cos another child expert, she thought.

Sister Anna continued, "It is the hope of every parent to protect their child from harm. I believe that this is why many of you do not agree with the idea of putting guns in the hands of the children.

They are not soldiers, they’re kids. If they are taught to shoot, they will begin to see threats everywhere. Teaching them fear is not the answer.

Teaching them that guns are the answer is not the solution. Surely there must be another way."

Sunshine had co to the eting with Castiel’s bag pack which had a stuffed lion. She reached around picked up the lion and threw it sister Anna.

Everyone was taken aback.

What did that signify?

Sister Anna picked up the lion and looked at Sunshine, questions in her eyes.

"Did that stuffed lion hurt you?" Sunshine asked her.

She shook her head. "Of course not. What damage can a toy do?"

Those that were quick on the uptake understood the point Sunshine was trying to make.

"You want your children to play with toys." Sunshine looked at the residents. "You want to arm them with toys. Of course, when they are attacked, they will use the sa toys as weapons. But tell , what damage can a toy do?"

Frank slamd his fist on the table. "Do not confuse us. You want to turn our children into killers before they even know what life ans? You want my children to live in fear each ti they close their eyes? I won’t allow it! The world is a beautiful place, that is all they should know."

Before Sunshine could respond, Dwayne pushed his chair back. His tall fra lood as he stood. His voice was steady but carried a force of its own.

"Oh, shut up Frank, you speak like the old world outside these walls is still thriving. Like there are schools, playgrounds, beaches and a safety net to protect them. Let this sink into your head. The world is gone; it is hell out there.

teors burned what they could, and acid rain finished what the fucking rocks from space started. I saw the footage the soldiers recorded when they were outside. I have seen so of those mutated animals with my very eyes. Our kids do not have the luxury of innocence anymore."

Major Elio lent his voice to Dwayne’s. "Even chicken have mutated. They have beaks as tall as but sharper than swords. If they fly over the wall, will you let your children pet or kill them?"

Dwayne spread his arms wide. "The children will have a better chance of survival if they learn how to shoot. Knowing how to operate a weapon is better than letting them live like sitting ducks. At least if they can shoot, they will defend themselves and us. Parents if you love them...truly love them, then give them every tool to survive including knowledge and skills on how to operate firearms. The presidents are not sending your children to the front lines; they are just teaching them to protect themselves."

The room buzzed now--voices rising, alliances forming. So parents supported the idea and others did not. There were those that were undecided.

Frank stood on the table, looking to make himself heard. "I will not allow my children to be turned into killers."

"Then you can keep your children at ho Frank, this is optional." Hades told him.

Frank nodded multiple tis. "Yes Sir, I will definitely do that. I do not understand why Dwayne is trying so hard to give our children guns, yet he has no children of his own! Only parents should submit their opinions."

The blow landed hard. Dwayne stiffened, his jaw tightening. For a mont he looked like he might strike back with his fists. But he caught Sunshine’s gaze which was steady and grounding so he sat back down slowly, though his knuckles were white.

The room stirred, voices overlapping. So agreed, others argued.

That was when parents began to murmur louder, this ti sharing their own fears and thoughts.

Old Simon, a quiet man with lines carved deep from years of hardship, spoke up. "Look Frank." He said " I have children and grandchildren. I know your fear. But I have weighed the risk. It is better that the children learn the skill and never use it than face death with empty hands. In my days, we hunted food. I learned to shoot deer at the age of six."

Frank sneered. "They want the children to shoot humans, that is the difference."

"Frank, your children won’t be taking the class. Pipe down already." Lisha said into a gaphone.

Major Elio cleared his throat, his army jacket hanging loosely around his shoulders. "My daughter Tia....she is strong. But I cannot always be there. If sothing happened to in one of the hunts, I would die easier knowing that she has the skill to protect herself in my absence. It isn’t about turning children into killers; it’s about turning them into survivors.

Sergent Erica spoke next, her voice soft but steady. She clutched on the pendant with her daughter’s picture. "The truth is that I worry every night." She admitted. "I have personally seen the mist at Fort Slide. Those who went in all died.

I have also seen mutated monsters and the watchers. We have all heard what they did at the white house. If those things will eventually attack us...then I say the children should be trained in handling of all weapons. If my Lyra can learn to protect herself.... maybe I will worry about little less when I am out on missions."

A few that previously opposed already had a change of heart Molly Gadriel inclusive. She just did not know how to confront her husband on the matter.

The argunts raged for nearly an hour, and breakfast went untouched. Fear wrestled with reason; love crushed with practicality. In the end the split was clear: many parents refused, their voices were clear, their decisions final.

But Sunshine did not waver. She stood tall, her hand gripping the back of a chair like an anchor. "Like my husband said, this is optional. Those of you who refuse, I will not force." She told them casually. "But those of you who agree, we will begin training mid-morning tomorrow.

We will teach safety and chanics. Parents will be allowed to sit in during live training and strategy classes. As for the rest of you, do not mistake silence for safety, the monsters will not care about your consent before attacking your children."

The room broke into uneasy murmurs again, but the eting was over. People began to shuffle out, shoulders hunched, eyes down cast.

To teach or not to teach? The question remained unanswered for many.