Jonah's Decision

"Jonah, sweetie, explain to us again why you're carrying that katana," Zoey said, looking at him as he sat down on the couch. Jonah was still the newest to the group, after Ryan, Fred, and Ellie had managed to find a closet that the Survivors just happened to walk by. He felt guilty about having to leave them, since he had spent a week with them trying to find the group of four survivors and felt closer to them because of it.

"And not carrying a gun," Francis added, checking the large pile of ammo for 12-gauge shotgun shells.

"I just…I don't like guns," Jonah replied, shifting in the couch, which was torn up. He looked at the katana at his feet. It's also the only thing that Ryan gave to me when he found it, he finished in his head. He put his head in his hands, sighing.

"Well, guns are the only thing that are gonna keep you alive, kid," Francis said, walking over to take a seat beside him, resting his shotgun against the wall. "You're gonna have to at least learn how to use that thing when you're attacked. I can't keep saving your ass every time the horde comes."

"Hey, lay off the kid, Francis," Bill said. "He gave you his reasons. Granted, they aren't very sound, but he's still a sheltered kid."

"I just don't like killing," Jonah replied. "Alright? It's just…they're still human beings. It isn't their fault that they attack like that."

"Listen, I don't know where you got this information," Francis began, until Bill shut him up with a glare.

"Hey, the kid knows what he's doing," Louis chimed in. "I'm not sure if you noticed, Francis, but he just navigated his way through a horde and not a single one turned an eye at us. Even the Chargers left us alone, not even bothering to glance our way." Francis sighed, nodding.

"Point taken," Francis admitted. "Hey, how did you figure that out anyways?"

"Well…I just kind of noticed they only react to quick movements or loud noises," Jonah replied.

"Oh…so that's why they attack when I hit a car," Francis said. "I thought they just didn't like me scratching the paint," he said with a laugh, the others, save for Jonah, laughing at the attempt to lighten the mood a bit. Francis nudged him. "Come on, it was a joke," Francis said with a smile. Jonah smiled back, nodding.

"Sorry," he said. "I guess I just kind of spaced out for a second."

"That's another thing, kid," Bill said. "You've been with us for two days now and this is sixth time you've spaced out. Now, granted, it's only been in the safe rooms, but if that happens outside, we might not be able to help you." Bill took out a cigarette and a lighter. "You mind?" Jonah shook his head. He was the only one Bill asked, as everyone else was already used to the old man's smoking habits. Bill lit the cigarette, letting out some smoke from the side of his mouth. "So, mind explaining again how you got in that closet?"

"I was just looking for a place to hide," Jonah lied. "This was after I figured out that they only react to quick movement and noise and figured that if I stay out of sight and keep quiet, they'd eventually leave. Next thing I hear is gunfire and yelling. That's when I started banging on the door for help."

"And we found you in there, clutching a katana," Zoey said, Jonah nodding. "So, how did you manage to avoid the Special Infected, like the Hunter?"

"Er…I never ran into any," Jonah lied again. He remembered what Ryan had told him and he intended to keep this group in the dark for as long as he could. Or at least until they could get out of the current situation. "To be honest, the infection had just hit my hometown a week and a half ago. I remember my friends saying something about getting ready for it, but I didn't know what they meant."

"They must have been referring to Left 4 Dead," Zoey mumbled, the others looking at her.

"You say something?" Bill asked.

"No, nothing," Zoey replied, resting her head on the table in front of her. "Anyways, I'm gonna take a nap. Anyone gonna keep watch or are we going to hope that this safe room is as solidly built as the others?"

"I'll take first watch," Jonah offered. Bill nodded his agreement.

"The kid's the most alert right now," Bill said. "He's the only one who hasn't had to fight today or any day for that matter. He doesn't seem to be feeling the fatigue we're feeling, so we'll let him take the first two hours." After five minutes, the rest of the Survivors were asleep and Jonah sat watching the exit door. He was startled when he heard coughing just outside the door. He stood up and slowly walked forward to see a Smoker glaring in at them. "Hi," he said. The Smoker continued to glare. "Um…can you understand me? Or are you like the Common Infected?" The Smoker's left eyebrow raised in surprise.

"How did you know?" he asked, his voice raspy, but low.

"Because I…well, I just know…um, are you hungry?" Jonah asked, noting that the Smoker's eyes kept wandering to the cupboard in the safe room. He walked over, pulling out a can of chili. He popped the lid with his knife, finding a spork in one of the many drawers. He put it in the chili and walked back over to the Smoker, handing it to him through the bars. "Sorry it isn't cooked. But I can't risk them waking up and seeing you."

"Thanks," the Smoker said, hesitant in taking the can.

"I don't think it's poisoned," Jonah said as he watched the Smoker sniff it. "Hey, um…do you know a Hunter named Ryan?"

"Hmm…a Hunter named Ryan…that sounds kind of familiar," the Smoker said as it began to eat the chili.

"Oh…well, if you do know him and meet him, can you tell him Jonah said hi and that I'm doing fine?"

"Yeah, yeah," the Smoker nodded. He tossed the can and spork at random, walking away. "Thanks for the meal, kid. I'll try to see that your group can get to the next safe room without too much trouble." Jonah smiled, walking back to the couch. Meanwhile, the Smoker who had been given the chili was spreading the word to a group of fellow Special Infected, including a Jockey, two Hunters, a Charger, and a Boomer. "So, tomorrow, when they leave, just make sure they don't have too much trouble, alright?"

"I can't believe you're actually asking us to help Survivors who would rather shoot us on site," the Boomer said. "I mean, come on, a group took out your leg the other day. Didn't you just finish healing yesterday?"

"Look, all I know, is the kid gave me some chili and sent me on my way without so much as a glance at a gun," the Smoker replied. "By the way, any of you heard of some Hunter named Ryan?"

"Oh, I heard about that guy," the Hunter on the left said. His voice had a slight Canadian accent to it and he claimed that before the infection, he had been a hockey player. "He was traveling with some kid named Jonah. Said there would be hell to pay if the kid ever got hurt." The Smoker paled a little.

"Wait…Jonah…holy shit, I think I just ran into the kid!" The Smoker looked at the Hunter who had spoken. "Leaf, do you know where the guy is?"

"No, I don't," Leaf replied, shaking his head. "Last I heard, he was traveling with a Witch and Charger somewhere around here, but I don't know the specifics."

"Hmm…I better go back there and tell that kid, then," the Smoker said.

"Wait, wait, wait," the Charger said. "Now, Wretch, I know you can be naïve sometimes, but what are you going to do if the kid's group is awake?"

"Er…didn't really think about it…hmmm…Leaf, I need you to come with me. You're the quietest and if I have you check the room first, I should be okay. But don't do anything stupid," Wretch, the Smoker, said. "Better yet, tell him the Smoker with the chili sent you. Let him know about his friends being in town." Leaf nodded, running off into the night. "Now then, Puke, you were saying something the other day about…uh, Sentients, was it?"

"Psst…hey, kid…Jonah," Leaf was saying from outside the safe room. Jonah stood up, walking over to the barred door. "Hey, hey, the Smoker with the chili sent me. Listen, your buddies, the Hunter, Charger, and Witch trio…they're in town right now. I don't know where they're at, but be careful with your current companions. Try to keep them away from each other." Jonah's eyes widened.

"Really? Hey, thanks!" he replied, barely remembering to keep his voice at a whisper. "Hey, if you spot them, tell them I said hi."

"Sure, kid, sure," Leaf replied, jumping onto the roof of the safe room. "Oh, and your path should be pretty easy tomorrow. Wretch…that Smoker from earlier, that's his name, is spreading the word to leave your group alone tomorrow until you guys make it to the next safe room."

"Alright, thanks," Jonah said. He walked back over to the couch once more, watching the clock in the room.

"Man, this is great," Francis said. "There hasn't been a single thing all day! I could get used to this!"

"Don't get your hopes up, Francis," Bill said. "We may have had it easy today, but you never know what could happen next." Taking the rear of the group, Jonah was looking around, the katana now on his back.

"Hey, why do you think nothing's come near us all day?" Zoey put out there, Jonah smiling. He was the only one in the group who knew that many of the Special Infected were more sentient than previously believed, but that they only attacked because they were used to being shot at on sight.

"Maybe there's a party somewhere," Jonah put in, the others getting a small chuckle.

"Oh, shit," Louis said, pointing his gun at the safe room door, a mere twenty yards from them. In front of the door was a Witch, crying. Jonah tensed up. He didn't want them to start shooting, but he knew if he stopped them then there would trouble for him.

"Calm down, Louis," Bill said, putting his hand on the barrel of Louis's AK-47, gently lowering it. "We'll get a little closer, see how she reacts, alright? Then we'll figure out what to do. Francis, you keep your shotgun ready."

"Got it," Francis replied, cocking said weapon. "Just give the word and the bitch is crowned."

"Alright, here we go," Bill said. They slowly walked forward, stopping every few feet, until they were about six yards away from the Witch. "Shit. No way of getting past her," Bill whispered. "Alright, everyone, guns ready." They all checked their weapons, while Jonah gulped. "Ready…aim…"

"Wait!" Jonah said, jumping in front of the group, arms outstretched. "We can't do this!"

"Kid, get down," Francis said.

"No! This isn't right! She's still a human!" Jonah stopped when he noticed everyone paling, the crying stopped. Jonah turned around as the Witch tackled him, feeling his back hit the ground. He grimaced, closing his eyes as he waited for something to start hurting.

"Jonah!" Jonah looked at the Witch, who had started crying again, her arms wrapped around his waist, her head buried in his stomach.

"Someone mind explaining what the hell just happened?" Bill asked, the first to recover.

Later in the safe room, Ellie hiding behind Jonah, the four Survivors were staring at Jonah as he finished talking. "So…what you're telling me is that most of the Special Infected…like this Witch…are still somewhat sentient," Bill said. Jonah nodded.

"Well…that…is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard," Francis said, kicking the nearby table in the room. "So, if they've been able to talk all this time, why the hell do they keep attacking us?"

"Because you shoot first," Ellie said from behind Jonah.

"Because…because we shoot first?" Francis repeated.

"The Survivors before you…they always shot first…without asking or trying to make contact," Ellie replied, getting a little farther behind Jonah. Francis was starting to scare her a bit and she was also worried about Bill. "Everyone else just became used to it…Jonah's the first Survivor I've ever met who didn't attack…the first one Ryan and Fred have met, too."

"Speaking of which," Jonah said, "where are they? Why were you here, alone?"

"I…got separated from them," Ellie replied. "I got lost…and didn't know where to go…I just went for the nearest light…and found this place…" She began to cry again, clutching the back of Jonah's shirt. "I'm…no good alone…it's the fear that was ingrained into me when I became like this," she said, trying hard to keep her crying under control.

"Um…Ellie, was it?" Zoey asked, walking forward cautiously. "Do you remember which way or what direction you came from? Where you were separated?"

"I…"

BOOM

"Oh, great," Bill said, looking out the bars. "Just what we fucking need. A damn horde."

"We'll be okay in here, won't we?" Jonah asked.

"Yeah, but it's whoever's out there that's the problem," Louis replied. "If it's more Survivors, then we have to find some way to help them."

"Damn it, Fred, I told you not to go that way!" a voice yelled.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who pissed him off!" a second voice snapped back. "I told you, but you just had to keep egging the guy on!" Jonah looked out the window to see Ryan and Fred running down the street. He threw the door open, waving to them.

"Hey!" he yelled. "Over here!"

"Kid, close that fucking door!" Francis exclaimed, yanking Jonah back, then having to jump to the side as Fred came through the door, Ryan close behind. Francis kicked the door shut. Fred and Ryan, however, were currently looking between Bill, Zoey, and Louis, holding their hands up, while the Survivors held their weapons up and aimed.

"Um…we come in peace?" Fred put out there.

"Wait, they're okay!" Jonah exclaimed, pushing between Fred and Ryan. Once the three had lowered their weapons, Jonah turned around.

"Jonah?" Fred asked, his jaw hanging slack. He quickly readjusted it, the Survivors wincing as they heard a cracking noise. "Damn it, thing came unhinged again."

"Ryan! Fred!" Ellie said, jumping onto Ryan's back, crying. Ryan nearly fell to the floor from the sudden extra weight.

"Ellie?" he said, turning to look at her. "Where the hell have you been? Fred and I have been looking all over for you!"

"Anyone else thinking this is a dream?" Bill asked, Zoey, Louis, and Francis nodding. "Good. I didn't want to feel like I was going crazy?"

"Oh…well…this just became awkward," Ryan said, setting Ellie down on the floor.

"Tell me about it," Francis said. They then heard a banging and looked at the door to see a Tank hitting it repeatedly. "I'm guessing you guys pissed him off."

"He did it," Fred said quickly, pointing his good arm at Ryan. Ryan shot him a glare beneath his hoodie.

"Hey, you woke him up first," Ryan said.

"Far as I'm concerned, both of you pissed me off," the Tank suddenly said, his voice low and gravelly. Jonah walked forward, the Tank looking at him. "Whatta ya want?"

"Hi," Jonah said. He felt his knees knocking and gave his legs a couple of hits, trying to make them stop. He looked back up at the tank. "I'm Jonah."

"Okay…is that it? Can I get back to trying to rip these two in half?"

"Um…what's your name?"

"What's my…kid, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a giant beast of mass destruction that could tear you in half without so much as a sweat."

"But…you don't really seem like a mean guy…" Everyone watched, dumbfounded, as Jonah struck up this conversation, surprised at this timid boy's sudden courage. "You just seem a little upset right now."

"Well, yes, I suppose I am," the Tank replied. "Oh, name's Geoff, by the way. Anyways, yes, I am upset. Here I was, having a nice nap one minute, the next, that Charger over there has just woken me up with a rock to the head and then that Hunter makes a few comments about all Tanks having a pea sized brain. Stereotyping jerk. I will have you know that my IQ is much higher than that of my brethren. Furthermore, I would appreciate very much if you two would come out here so that I may give you your just desserts."

"Look, I am very sorry about the rock to the head. But climbing with only one arm is a lot harder than you would think," Fred said. Geoff thought about this before nodding.

"Okay, I will concede you that. But that still does not forgive your extremely insensitive comment," Geoff said, addressing Ryan.

"Um…sorry about that," Ryan said, rubbing the back of his head. "I've just…well, I guess that I was expecting you to be like the other Tanks I've run into. Sorry…"

"Well, I suppose I can let this go once," Geoff said. "Um…apologies, but do you mind if I come in?"

"Yes, actually, we do," Bill said. "Sorry, but this is all too much. I mean, talking Special Infected. What the hell were the odds? And then this space is getting too crowded. Look, as it stands, there's only enough room for five at max. That means you three," Bill said, pointing at Fred, Ryan, and Ellie, "are going to have to leave. Nothing personal, but to be honest, the thought of spending a night in the same room with three Special Infected is too unnerving for me. And I'm fairly sure I speak for the other Survivors as well."

"Hey, no skin off my nose," Ryan said. "I feel the same way about spending a night with four Survivors. Especially the skuzzy-looking one," Ryan said, looking pointedly at Francis.

"Hey, give me a break," Francis said. "I haven't been able to bathe in two weeks."

"So that's what that smell was," Zoey said, taking a step away from Francis. Bill shook his head, sighing.

"Okay, seriously, out," he said, pointing to the door. Jonah watched as they left before making a decision, and following them. "Jonah…what are you doing?"

"Get back in there," Ryan said, pointing at the door. Jonah stood there and shook his head.

"No. I'm staying with you guys," he said. He turned back to Bill and the other Survivors. "Listen…I'm sorry for the burden I've been on you four. And thanks for helping me. But…I've lived with Special Infected for a week and…well, I'm more used to it. It feels more natural to me. With them, I don't feel like I have to fight for my life. Though it wouldn't hurt for one of them to learn how to cook," he said. "Anyways, thanks for the help. And I wish you the best of luck." With that, Jonah closed the door behind him and walked forward, Fred, Ryan, and Ellie watching, while Geoff decided to follow him. Jonah looked to his left when he heard coughing, Fred, Ryan, and Ellie finally having caught up, Ellie in her usual piggyback position on Ryan's back. "Wretch?"

"Ah, so you do remember me," Wretch said, walking forward into the light of the street lamp. He leaned against the post.

"Um…can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, kid. If it's within my power, I'll see what I can do."

"Could you…keep an eye on that group?" he asked, jerking his thumb toward the safe room. Wretch looked slightly surprised before nodding.

"Alright, fine," Wretch said. "I'll try to."

"Thanks," Jonah said. He looked ahead to see the four Special Infected, Geoff included, were a little ways ahead and he ran to catch up.

This was going to be a longer chapter, but, unfortunately, I got lazy with it. Sorry 'bout that. Also, all but the four Survivors are mine. Also, the next few chapters are going to start having large time skips for a little bit. Maybe the next two to four. Please Review.