Chapter 4
I woke up two times during the night for feeding and changings. Maggie came to my cell an hour or so after first light and helped me change the kids and get to breakfast. Beth took the kids after I was done eating and Maggie brought me to an office room that had been cleared fully besides a circle of a dozen chairs.
Maggie introduces me to Sasha, who is the only person in the room I haven't met yet. The council consists of Hershel, Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, Carle, Michonne, Sasha and last but not least, Rick.
The room is silent. I sit between Maggie and Carle. Rich is directly across from me with a scowl on his face.
"What's she doing here?" he growls.
"Girl's got thoughts about what needs doing around 'ere," say Daryl. He stands off to the side not comfortable being close to so many people.
"Ace, why don't you tell everyone what you told us yesterday," says Glenn from the other side of Maggie.
"Well…"
I tell them all my thoughts on what needs to be done to keep this place going strong for a long time. I get concurring and approving nods and hums from the group, that is, everyone but Rick.
As soon as I'm finished my last thought Rick has complaints.
"How are we supposed to stay outside the fences long enough to cut the trees and how, axes and saws would take forever, and if we could find chainsaws, they're too loud. And how far out are we meant to go-" I cut off his irritating rant.
"Wire the trees further out, that should slow the dead. Get a good system going, two men sawing should have a tree down in half an hour tops. Get weaker or more tired people to trim the trees branches and cut the small tops off. All the cut-offs can be stacked and will dry out good for fire starters. Use the cars, and horse to drag the logs into the field where they can be sliced and chopped," I say calmly.
"How are some wires supposed to stop the walkers?" he returns.
"I said slow, not stop. Have a person every couple of meters with sword or knife-" he cuts me short.
"And where are you getting all those people from?" I sigh before assuring him.
"Two people a tree, three trees at a time, so six people. Wire twenty meters at a time, so a person six or so meters, so four, four, two, two… so eighteen people or less." I lean back a bit more in my chair as Rick stands and starts pacing, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
"And when a horde comes though?"
"Return to the prison, clean them off at the fences and go back." He stops still glaring daggers at me.
"And what make you think you can just waltz in here and make demands, what makes you think we have the time for this?"
"There is no time anymore, there is nothing to be late or early for. And I did not waltz in here and these are not demands, they're my opinion on what can help this place last." Rick shakes his head and storms past me and out the door.
"I'm sorry for his actions, Ace. You didn't deserve to be talked to like that," says Hershel.
"Everyone has their right to their owe' opinion" I say, ever so calmly.
"I like the thoughts on the fences, but do we really have to get rid of the pigs? Are they really that dangerous?" asks Sasha.
"In my opinion one pig carries a hundred diseases, in most of yours they carry a hundred meals," I shrug, "it's just an opinion."
"We haven't found any nurseries in the area, how are we meant to find fruit trees?" asks Maggie.
"Backyard greenhouses would be thriving, they're the best bet," I answer.
"You have an answer for every question?" asks Michonne.
"You have a question for every answer?" I return, and she shows me a ghost of a smile.
"Touché." I smile at her return.
"So you know a bit about farming?" asks Hershel after a moment of silence.
"No," I shrug, "I'm just a survivor surviving." I chuckle.
"Aren't we all," says Carle.
"You have all worked hard to build a world 'ere where people will be safe for however long it last, but… I don't think this 's the place for me. I'm leaving in a couple hours," I say.
"Where does that come from? You need to rest, you need a safe place for your children, it's not safe for you out there," say Maggie.
"If this is about Rick, he-" I cut Glenn off.
"No it's not Rick. This place just isn't what I'm lookin' for, it's not a home… it's just four walls and a roof. I want a house where my kids can have a more realistic life, and I feel it's out there somewhere, just waiting for me. I have never been one for havin' faith but I tried to make this place home and truth is… I slept better in a tree for the last year then I did last night."
"You would risk your children's lives for a life you know very well doesn't exist," snarls Sasha.
"Life is what you make it and I'm making it better one place at a time," I say, standing and walking to leave.
"Life," I hear Daryl mutter.
"Life's a bitch but so am I," I call back as I exit the room and go to pack.
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