Survivors: a Walking Dead Story
Chapter 4: New Faces
The van continued to drive away from the horde. The trio made themselves comfortable, they could be in for a long drive.
"Thanks for the save I'm Connor" said Connor to the driver.
"Tina" said Tina.
"this is Morgan and Alannah" said Connor pointing to the other two in the car.
"nice to meet you, I heard the gunshots and decided to come see if I could help, we have a camp about a mile or so away, you guys can stay there with us" said Tina.
"a camp, thank god we actually get to see other people, we've been travelling like mad the last two days and barely saw anyone" said Morgan.
"yeah most people have set up small camps or are hiding inside buildings, not a lot of people on the streets anymore" said Tina. "so, what brings you guys here?" she asked.
"we came to find our family, we were up at University when all this started" said Connor.
"I take it you didn't find them since your alone" said Tina.
Connor shook his head. "no, these two did, but they weren't family anymore" he said.
"I'm sorry to hear that" said Tina.
"so, this camp is it safe?" asked Connor.
"yeah it's safe for now, although I'd watch out for Paul" said Tina.
"who?" asked Connor.
"Paul Sarone, he's kind of like the leader of our little camp, he's got quite the temper on him, not a lot of people would want to be on the receiving end of his temper" said Tina.
"don't worry I'm sure we can stay out of trouble" said Connor.
"good here we are" said Tina. Turning left down a small dirt road and towards a series of tents. She pulled her van up to some other vehicles and switched off the engine.
"she's back" shouted someone from outside.
"Stop shouting, you'll attract those things" said a cold deep voice.
Connor opened the van door and the trio slowly climbed out. Connor looked around the camp, he could see what looked like about a dozen tents all set up in a circle. The vehicles were parked nearby probably as a precaution. Suddenly a larger man came towards them and shoved Connor to the floor. Connor rolled over onto his back to get a closer look the man was much taller than Connor and looked like he had about 50 pounds on him. He was clearly much older than Connor, well into his forties, he had a very muscular build, he had no hair on his head and brown eyes.
"you, are you the one's who fired off those gunshots" said the man.
"yes, we are sorry, we didn't mean to go those things all riled up" said Connor.
"you idiot, you could have brought every walker for miles, now we may have to pack up and move soon" said the man.
"look I think we got off on the wrong foot, let's just calm this down" said Connor. "I'm Connor and you are" said Connor.
"my name is Paul" said Paul.
"nice to meet you" said Connor.
"shut up, you could have put us all in danger" said Paul. He turned on his heels and walked away.
Connor stood back up and wiped some dirt off his clothes.
"yeah he's got a temper" said Connor.
"you guys need to watch yourselves" said Tina. She directed the trio into the camp and showed them a place they could set their things.
"damn wish we had a couple of tents or something" said Morgan.
"I wish we had our car back" said Connor.
"yeah well next time I'm driving" said Morgan. The two let out a small laugh.
They set their things down and decided to get acquainted with the other camp members. They approached a fire that had been made in the middle of the camp. A few campers were settled around it talking to each other.
"hello, I'm Connor this is Morgan and Alannah" said Connor. One woman replied to them she was an older woman looked about fifty.
"hello, I'm Gail, you guys the ones who got stuck in that infected mess" she said.
"yeah that was us, sorry" said Connor. The rest of the campers started to whisper to each other. The three sat down and tried to get comfy on the grass.
"so, where you guys from?" asked Gail.
"North Carolina State University" said Connor.
"that's quite far said a guy from the other side of the fire, sorry I'm Thomas" said Thomas.
"yeah we've pretty much been driving since yesterday morning had to make a few stops on the way" said Morgan.
"so, where's your car?" asked Thomas.
"Mario Andretti here smashed it into a tree" said Morgan.
"like you could drive better in that shitshow" said Connor with a grin.
"I could drive better than you I can stay on the road and not wrap it around a tree" sneered Morgan.
"well when we next get a car you show me up then" said Connor.
"so, does anybody have a plan for all this" said Connor.
"yeah we're going to head up to the nearest army base" said a voice from behind.
Connor turned to see Paul approaching them.
"the nearest army base will be the safest bet on where to go, they'll help us and then they'll roll though here and deal with all those freaks" said Paul.
"are you sure" said Connor.
"of course, I'm damn sure the army can handle this sort of thing" said Paul.
"this thing's been going on for a while now and we haven't seen any army people, hell we've been to three different states since this started and we haven't seen any signs of this being cleared up" said Connor.
"so, what's your point" said Paul.
"my point is that maybe the army can just roll through this thing, maybe they tried and struggled hell we don't even know exactly how many people have been affected by this epidemic, the army would be one of the places everyone would run too and for all we know this could have attracted every infected for miles to the base" said Connor.
"it will work, your wrong we just need to get there" said Paul.
"I think we should find somewhere closer and hold up, then wait and see if the army comes through to help us" said Connor. "hell, this whole thing could be worldwide for all we know".
"that's fucking stupid" said Paul. "how could this thing be worldwide, if it was, we would have heard about it, your just not thinking this through" said Paul.
"I have been thinking this through and the better plan would be to find somewhere closer to settle into" said Connor.
"shut up right now, I have my family here and I can't have them hearing what you're saying, not to mention all these people would want to listen to someone who has an actual plan" said Paul.
"your family needs to be safe, you can't risk them by forcefully demanding they follow you off to some place you think could be safe" said Connor.
Some of the camp members were starting to agree with what Connor was saying.
"he's right maybe we should find somewhere else to settle into" said Thomas.
"can it Thomas, he's just a kid he doesn't know what he's saying" said Paul.
"I'm just trying to make sure everyone makes the right decision" said Connor.
"no, you're being stupid and stupid can cost lives" said Paul. He began to clench his hands into fists. "you come into my camp after causing a scene with the infected and now you think you can just usurp the role as leader" said Paul.
"that's not what's happening here Paul, I'm trying to help" said Connor. Paul shoved him back.
"no, you're not you are fooling everyone into thinking there's no hope" said Paul.
Connor regained his balance and squared up to Paul, trying to intimidate him. Which was damn near impossible given the fact Connor was just 5"7 while Paul was 6"3 and had at least fifty pounds on him. Connor clenched his hands into fists, he was hoping it wasn't going to escalate. Suddenly out of nowhere Paul landed a stiff right hook to the side of Connor's head. The punch sent Connor staggering backwards. He stayed on his feet but was stunned, he could barely see straight. Connor steadied himself and threw a right hand of his own he put all his strength into the punch. The blow hit Paul in the face and sent his head back. Paul brushed it off and landed a hard-left hook. Connor swayed from side to side, this guy hits like a brick. Connor tried another right hand, Paul easily blocked the punch and tripped Connor over. He was sent crawling on the floor. He tried to get back up, but Paul landed a kick to his gut. Connor dropped face first into the dirt. Paul quickly rolled him over onto his back and held him down by his throat.
"now then are you going to try and spout your lies again" said Paul.
"no" said Connor through choking noises.
Paul eventually relinquished his grip and let Connor get back up. Connor returned to his friends holding his head in his hands, his head hurt like he'd been by a baseball bat or something.
"you alright man" said Morgan.
"I'll live, thanks for helping" said Connor.
"what did you think I wanted my ass kicked as well" said Morgan.
"you guys should get some sleep, Paul will want to head out in the morning" said Gail.
The group settled down into their little camp spot and tried to get some sleep.
The next Morning
Connor woke up his head was still hurting like hell. Paul was already awake and packing the last of the camp up to leave. He noticed Connor was awake.
"so, are you coming with us or what?" asked Paul.
"I don't know I'll ask the other two" said Connor. He turned and shook the two of them awake.
"what's up" said Alannah as she rubbed her eyes.
"Paul wants to know if we want to go with them" said Connor.
"we thought about it and we think your right, we should find somewhere else and settle in" said Alannah.
Connor turned back to face Paul.
"there's your answer" he said.
"Fine, when you die it's your own fault" said Paul storming off to put the last few items in a car nearby.
An hour had passed, and the other campers had woken up. They were all getting ready to leave when Gail spoke up.
"I'm sorry Paul, I've been giving it some thinking, and I've decided to go with Connor and the others" said Gail.
"what, you can't be serious" said Paul.
"I've never been more serious" said Gail. "if anybody else wants to come with us speak now" said Gail.
"I'm going" said Thomas.
"Me too" said Tina. A few other people stepped forward as well.
"well screw all you then, their blood will be on your hands Connor" said Paul before climbing in his car and angrily driving away. The other people following Paul one by one left following behind him. Soon all that was left was Connor, Morgan, Alannah and the others who stayed. Connor went about learning the names of the people who stayed.
"Kaylee" said a young woman.
"Jess" said a tall ginger woman.
"Achilles" said a deep voiced Coloured man. He was tall standing around 6"5, had a very muscular build, clearly he worked out a lot, he also carried a pickaxe.
"okay, now we have to find somewhere to settle into, hopefully somewhere close by" said Connor. The group nodded in agreement and got into their cars. Achilles, Jess, Kaylee and Thomas went in one car. While Gail, Tina, Connor, Morgan and Alannah went in Tina's van.
"have you guys got a map" said Connor.
Tina nodded opening the glove compartment and handed him a map book. He opened the book and looked for a place for them all to use. He searched from top to bottom until his eyes noticed something that could work.
"here about 2 miles away, a school that could work" said Connor.
"it's a good place as any" said Tina. She took the map back and started up the van eventually they were on the way to what they hoped could be a more suitable home.
End of chapter 4