Just for you information:

-I am not sure how often I will be updating this!

-The story starts 2 years into the disease, so some kids will be around 18/17. I did this because it is closer to my own age therefore I find it easier to write.

-The story is set in the English countryside

Chapter one

Ahead on schedule

"I SAID PULL, YOU USELESS PRICKS!" Jack bellowed.

The four straining lads contorted their faces in determination as they pulled upon their ropes. The ropes were attached to a large wooden panel, roughly made of wooden planks. With a final last pull and a few grunts the wooden panel was pulled upright and slotted into the ground. Jack took several steps back.

"Well done lads" he nodded in approval.

Standing around eight foot tool the panel had just completed the last of the wall Jack had been tasked to build. The four boys who had been working on it slumped down in exhaustion. Two other kids, one male and one female, quickly ran over to the wall with long wooden poles that they slotted into pre-dug holes and propped against the wall, giving it support and finalising the walls strength. The wall enclosed a large area and surrounded a large wooden barn in which the kids lumber and most of their tools were stored. The barn had previously belonged to a fencing company and had provided most of the wood for the wall that now fully enclosed the bunch of buildings the kids had claimed as home. The other buildings included a farmhouse, in which most of the kids slept and lived, another building that acted as a garage for the kids few cars. Above the garage, in what would have been the hayloft of the old farm building was "the Office". This was where the kids' council met daily and worked out of the problems of the days. The last building was low and squat looking. Years ago it had been used as a place to milk the cows and now acted as the kids' armoury and gym. The wall had taken almost a year to build and had originally only surrounded the farmhouse and office. The wall Jack and his labourers had just finished was an extension of this original wall and had almost doubled the land they had. The new wall not only protected the outer buildings but also added a large area of valuable farming land the kids could now work on in safety.

"Alright that's enough rest!" Jack said. "You guys go get some food and wash yourself, afterwards report back to me outside the office"

The workers groaned as ore muscle complained ad they stood up. Each and every one of them had worked hard, excited to complete the wall. Jacks own muscles were sore as well. He was not one to just boss people about and worked just as hard as the rest of them. With a chorus of "inabit boss" and "thank you" the kids left. Jack let out a sigh then turned and walked a short walk to the steep steps that led to the office. He climbed the stairs steadily his sore muscles groaning. Reaching the open door he knocked twice on the doorframe, even though the kids gathered around the table looked up as his bulk blocked the midday's weak sunlight coming through the door.

"Hello Jack" said one girl, surprised at his entrance. Pretty with brown hair to match brown skin she was mid-point in argument with a dark haired boy with a serious look on his face.

"Can we help you?" she asked.

"We just finished the wall extension. The area is now safe to work in" Jack grunted. "I sent my team up to the kitchen to grab some food, and then told them to meet me back here. Is the anything else you want us to do today?"

The girl seemed surprised, as did the dark haired boy and the other council members.

"You finished it already? That's great!" said dark haired boy, whose name was Aiden. Whilst being a rather small kid of fifteen, the youngest on the council, he was very quick minded and intelligent. Sometimes too intelligent. Jack thought to himself. Although he didn't say anything. The two were not close but Jack found him pleasant enough.

The girl however after her initial surprise at being interrupted and being told the news of the wall frowned.

"Yes that is good news" she said. "Although you said you would have it finished by Friday and today is only Wednesday, you're ahead of schedule." She seemed annoyed by it. Jack smiled to himself. Whilst Sophia could be irritating at times, Jack new she couldn't help it. She was a very fussy girl who liked to have things go as planned. Something that didn't often happen in this chaotic world. She was however very good at organising things, a skill the kids found highly useful.

"I know, I'm sorry" Jack replied. "At least the farmers can get back to work on the veg gardens sooner though"

"I suppose" she said slowly. "Although now I have to forward my whole schedule" she looked at Jack then at the various sheets of paper spread over the table they were gathered around.

"I'll get my guys working on them farms tomorrow then" said the third member of the council, a heavy set kid wearing wellies and a wax jacket. This was Kyle, the head farmer. His family had owned a farm not too far away from here before the disease had spread and he had spent much of his life working and learning the trade. He leant back in his chair with a creek and folded his arms. He was not a man of many words.

"Ok then," Sophia took a deep breath and looked around at the council members. "I don't think we need you any more Jack, although thanks for coming." Kyle nodded his head in agreement as did Aiden. The final member of the council also agreed with Sophia's statement. She was a tall long faced girl who wore horse riding leggings and carried a machete at her side. Her name was Hayden and she was sitting in place for Chris who was head of security of the settlement. She acted as Chris's lieutenant and was also in charge of the five horses the kids had managed to secure over the two years they had been living here. She usually acted as scouts with her other riders but had opted to stay in today so Chris could lead a scavenging party.

Nodding his acknowledgement Jack briefly said goodbye before walking back down the steep steps. His workers had not yet returned to the waiting place so he sought them out and told them to have the afternoon off. Going inside the farm house he went into the room he shared with four others and slumped on his single mattress the lay on the floor. The room was bare bar five single mattresses efficiently across the room. Whilst it offered little privacy, most of the kids found it easier to sleep this way as they felt safer. After a while he took of his coat and unlaced and pulled of his boots. Then he reached into his belt and pulled a heavy short handled sledgehammer. The hammer was around a foot and a half long and had a square double sided head. Originally Jack had just carried this to help build although over the years it had also became his weapon of choice, able to crush skulls and break bones with ease. Whilst not a violent person, Jack was well respected and feared for when he did fight it was with brutal efficiency and unwavering determination. The fighters were still constantly trying to recruit him, although he preferred the simple and in his opinion, honest life of being in charge of maintenance and construction.

so hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter! The next one is in the works and contains more action don't worry!

Please leave constructive feedback! It will help a great deal!

Thanks

-Blood50000