- Those people have a very smart camp. In the smart category, it deserves applause!
The first thing I noticed is the guy at the entrance. There's no one walking around the camp all the time to check for dead, but always someone at the entrance. He talked for a few minutes with one of the guy that brought us here, the oldest, named Arnold, who explained quickly what he knows about us. The guard didn't seemed pleased to see new people, but he didn't say anything.
As soon as we got in the camp, we were told we had to meet the leader. It didn't sound good.
But counter to what I expected, it went fine. The leader, Adrian, is very kind. We explained our plan and our goal quickly, and he said we were very lucky that we didn't met a horde of dead.
- If you want to stay with us you're welcome, but with conditions.
He looked at me right in the eyes.
- For the first day, I want you to give up your weapons. Men and women are equal, so it's not sexism, just caution. We've been attacked, so we want to be careful. After a few days, if everyone is think you're cool, you get them back and the case is closed.
It bothers me but I understand. Even without a weapon, I'm not completely defenceless. Mom doesn't have any weapon so it doesn't affect her.
- The second thing is that you have to do your part of the work. No matter what it is, we won't let you rely on others for everything. There's a lot of different ways to help, and everyone does. If you don't, you're out.
Mom nods to say she understand their position on that. Knowing her, she's gonna do as much as she can, just to make others life easier. Pure altruism, to the extreme. Stupidity, from my point of view.
- The living seems quite rare, so as long as they're not bitten or aggressive, they're potential friends. It's thanks to this rule that you're here today.
And that's all. He explain quickly how supplying is done, with teams of volunteer, and we were free to go. Because we don't have a tent, we'll have to share with some people, which means I probably won't be with Mom. Adrian, the leader, advised her to stay with Janya. She's got kids apparently, so Mom will be very pleased. Me, I'm not sure yet.
We can walk around the camp as we want, and we'll be introduced the next morning, because the night is almost over. I'm surprised the supply run was done at night, but I'll ask questions later. For now, I mostly need to be accepted.
I decide that I'm gonna explore the camp, even if it's dark. I want to know how the protection is, because for now all I've seen in tents in a forest, and it doesn't make me feel safe.
That's the thing that surprised me the most.
All around the camp, there's a sort of limit that the dead can't cross. Barbed wires are attached to the trees, every thirty centimetres, and they look strong enough to resist the weight of a man. For the dead on the ground, a ditch was dig, quite deep. It must have took a lot of time and energy. All of that completely prevents them from coming into the camp, and spares having someone constantly checking for walkers. It's brilliant.
After about 15 minutes of walking around, I realise that if I want to give a good impression tomorrow, I better get some sleep. I have no idea what time it is, but I already missed a lot of hours of potential sleep.
Because I have no idea where I'm gonna sleep, I go back to Adrian to ask him directly.
His headquarter, if we can call it that, it in a huge tent meant for family, with separate parts. There's a tiny bell at the entrance, tied to the zipper.
I shake it and hear Adrian say "yeah!"
I'm very surprised to see the teen from earlier, chatting with the leader. But that's not the surprising part, which is the kid in his arms, who's 5 years old at most. They're complete opposite. The kid's got cute cheeks, curly blond hair and curious blue eyes. The other one's got the blackest hair I've seen (probably dyed in my opinion), grey eyes, and a grumpy face. Disturbing picture. But hey, I4m not here to wonder if they're family of if he just like to take other's kids on a walk at this time of night.
- Ah, Alice.
Oh oh. Maybe the rebel teen told him what happened earlier. Let's hope he doesn't consider me too dangerous to stay.
- Jamie told me what happened in the shed.
Shit.
- You seem capable, would you be interested in going on supply runs?
Hmm. I don't answer straight away, giving myself some time to think. It's dangerous, sure, but I don't want to hide because the world is dangerous. It was already dangerous before, just not the same way.
- Okay.
The guy looks at me, surprised. I should probably use his name, now that I know it.
- Okay, you do your first try tomorrow.
- Unarmed ?
- No, we'll give you your stuff when you'll go. I saw you got a bow, do you know how to hunt ?
I shake my head.
- I only know the basics, I'm training but I still miss my targets a lot. I'm not good enough to kill deads with it. I won't take it, just my knives.
- As you want. When you'll be able to use it better, it would be good to hunt, to make sure we have other option than food we find in houses and other places.
I nod. For a few minutes, they talk about the place where we're going, what we need compared to what they found today. It seems that the most urgent is a ventolin spray for a Megan. Bad luck...
- Okay, everything's set. You'll be the first team, and Miguel and Frank the other. Try not to kill each other.
Okay, so I'm not the only one feeling the weird tension. I can't help it if he doesn't like me.
- What were you coming for by the way ?
- To know with who I can stay for tonight.
Looks like he regret asking. And I quickly understand why.
- Ah, sure ! Well, take her with you, at least for today.
Jamie make a face, then look at the kid, still in his arms. I can guess that he doesn't want me staying with him, considering he doesn't like me.
- You okay with it ?
The kid looks at me, then shake his head.
- Well, you're approved. Follow me.
He wave goodbye to Adrian, and I follow him outside, very surprised he didn't just simply said no.
- I'll sleep with him for tonight, and you'll take my place. If you need to stay with me, we'll find you a mat quickly.
- It's just for tonight, don't worry you'll get rid of me soon.
He chuckles but doesn't add anything.
The tent he shares with the kid is quite clean, and to my surprise the bed are made. Quickly, but still. Some people take the time to make their bed in the middle of the apocalypse. I shrug and chose not to focus on the fact that even in the end of the world, people are more organised than me when everything is fine.
I get comfy, but don't take most of my stuff out, I'm here only for one night after all. Jamie is going through his stuff, looking for something, but I don't pay much attention. I decide to sleep in my sleeping bag, because despite the fact that we're in September, nights are cold.
- Dylan, what do you say before sleep ?
The kid make a sign, then kiss him on the cheek. Jamie lets out a smile, but shake his head when the kid try to reach for the pacifier in his hand.
- What about our guest ?
The kid pout, then come closer to me, do the same sign, and kiss me on the cheek too. I'm in shock.
- He want you to give him a kiss too, so he's protected from monsters at night, explain Jamie.
Still surprised, I give a little kiss to the kid, he then goes back to Jamie, who gives him the pacifier without questions this time.
The kid lays down, and Jamie put a blanket on him before kissing him on the head. The kid then fall asleep.
- I turn the light off only when he's sleeping, sorry.
- No problem. It's sign language ?
He's probably not deaf, because he heard Jamie's questions. Or maybe he can read lips ?
- No, it's just a sign between us two to say goodnight.
He does it at the same time, and I try to imitate it. Jamie watch me try and smile, then shake his head.
- No, look. You bend your three fingers slightly, like this, and your thumb holds your pinky on your palm. Then you tap lightly on your cheek twice.
- Which hand do I use ?
- The one you want, but usually your dominant one.
I try the sign again.
- Yes, like that.
I smile. Next time, I'll be able to sign too !
- Come on, sleep now, because tomorrow I4m gonna wake you up early. You're gonna be introduced to the rest of the group.
I nod, and without saying anything else, he turns the light off.
Turns out I translated the second chapter and posted it sooner than I thought. Oh, well.
I invented the sign for this, and I really don't know if it already exist in a sign language somewhere in the world, if you know tell me ! There's not gonna be a lot of signs, because I don't want to invent a whole language. Later in the story, I will tell more about it, why I didn't chose to use ASL, and about Dylan too.
Thanks for reading, and if you feel like leaving a review I would love it !