Chapter 12: Safe Zone
Marcus's group of survivors have been in the Kirkman residence for five days, they had the place fixed up with an infirmary, a working kitchen, a bedroom big enough for four bunk beds, and a radio room for Lily. Marcus and Maya had set up outposts at four specific locations surrounding their base, making a majority of Spencer's Mill a safe zone. Another Enclave in the town were grateful as they can survive in peace. Sam Marshall was in the garage working with Peyton who was designated by Marcus as the group mechanic, Sam was a foreman before the zombie outbreak and he built bunkhouses for the members of his group. Marcus and Maya had their own tent of course so they could have some privacy, Lily slept in the house along with Sandra, Pastor Will, and Amy. Alan and Maya were at the watchtower as usual, keeping watch for any stragglers that come their way. Marcus and Ed were out scavenging, Sandra was tending to Pastor Will who has seemed to have gotten worse in the little time he's been sick. The pastor was coughing hard, and his fever didn't break, they quarantined him to the infirmary where Sandra took extra precaution taking care of him. She wore a particle mask and latex gloves while taking care of him, anyone with an injury was on bed rest and not allowed in the infirmary.
Marcus and Ed were out scavenging, they took their time since there was no threat in the safe zone. They were in the gun shot behind the base, Marcus searched upstairs while Ed searched downstairs. Marcus come across a cache of ammo and two grenade launchers, ge quickly loaded the rucksack and kept looking, walked into the backroom where a locker was standing against the wall. Marcus opened the locker to find another cache of ammo, he turned around and walked downstairs. Ed had found a cache of ammo as well and filled his rucksack, Marcus met him in the front. "Any luck?" Marcus asked. "Are you kidding? It's like Christmas. I figured this place would be the first to have gotten looted." Ed replied. "The thing about gun store owners are they want to keep their guns. They'll shoot people wanting to come in and take shit." Marcus told Ed. "We gotta come back, there's more ammo upstairs. Come on." Marcus told Ed. They walked outside and towards the house, they didn't feel the need to drive since it wasted fuel and the buildings were so close to home.
Marcus and Ed walked in the house, they approached the supply locker and unloaded their rucksacks. Between them they brought home ten cases of ammo, a grenade launcher, two pistols, a shotgun, and a grenade for the grenade launcher. Lily walked up to Ed and hugged him from behind. "Hey handsome." She said with a smile. Ed turned around and kissed Lily, he picked her up and carried her into the radio room and shut the door. Marcus just smiled and chuckled. "Guess I won't be getting no work outta him for awhile." He said to himself. Amy walked out of the kitchen where she had just eaten a bowl of oatmeal and approached Marcus. "Hey, how'd we do?" She asked him. "We did well, we still got more stuff at the gun store. I'm thinking of heading over that way. Want to tag along?" Marcus asked in response. "Sure, let me gear up." Amy replied. Sge got into the supply locker and took a large backpack, along with a .45 pistol, a suppressor, some ammo, a hatchet, a bottle of pain meds, and a candy bar. She and Marcus walked out the door, Maya spotted them leaving and climbed down the tower. "What's going on?" She asked Marcus. "Got more supplies to get, I'm done after this run." Marcus replied. "Okay, be careful." Maya told him. As he and Amy walked out the gate Maya grabbed Amy by her arm. "You stay away from him, he's mine." Maya told Amy firmly. "Relax, I won't try anything." Amy replied. "You better not, or I'll beat you senseless." Maua warned Amy. Maya turned around and climbed back up the watchtower, Amy followed Marcus down the street.
They entered the gun store and immediately packed up their rucksacks, when the store was empty they left. They returned home and unloaded the supplies, Marcus and Amy went their separate ways. Marcus walked outside when Mickey's voice came over the radio. "Anyone with a set of wheels and the inclination to play good Samaritan come on over. Ain't nothing too dangerous." Mickey said. "Dammit." Marcus said. He walked out of the gate and got in his truck, he drove out of Spencer's Mill and the the old Barrett place. Mickey, Job, and Mike Ross were at the barn, Mike was down on his knees looking roughed up. "See there, we take care of you. Our friend here will take you home. Isn't t right friend?" Job asked Marcus who was walking up. "Sure." Marcus replied. "See there, now get outtta here." Mickey told Mike. "Why do I suspect you aren't helping this guy out of the goodness of your own hearts?" Marcus asked Job. "Just looking after our customer base. You understand." Job replied. "Get him home safe, and drinks are on me when you get back." Mickey told Marcus. Marcus helped Mike to his feet, they walked over to the truck where Marcus helped Mike into the passenger seat. Marcus got behind the wheel and left the Wilkersons. "Where you live?" Marcus asked. "The old Ballard Homestead, south of here." Mike replied.
Marcus drove south down the dirt road, he looked at Mike who clutched his side. "What happened?" Marcus asked. "The Wilkersons decided I was behind on my payments, my fault for doing business with them. Still broken ribs are better than starving. I got a son who needs to eat." Mike replied. "Mickey really worked you over huh?" Marcus asked. "Mickey, no. He was the one who stopped it." Mike replied. "Wait what?" Marcus asked in confusion. "I know, surprised the hell out of me too." Mike replied. Marcus pulled up at the Ballard homestead and parked, he and Mike got out of the truck. Jackie and Noah walked outside, Noah looked scared seeing his dad hurt. "Where the hell have you!? Oh my God! What happened?" Jackie asked Mike. "I took a bad fall, lucky a good Samaritan stopped by and helped." Mike replied. "A bad fall huh? Well you need to go and lie down. Go on scoot." She told Mike. Mike nodded and walked in the house, Noah followed him inside. "Thanks for helping him, glad to see not all good folk are gone." Jackie told Marcus. "Your welcome." Marcus replied. He got in his truck and left the desperate survivors at the farmhouse.