Disclaimer: The Walking Dead Series is NOT my work. It is owned by TellTale, all rights, commendation and acknowledgement goes to them.
However, "Derek Brooks" is my own fictional character and apparently the only thing I own in this story.
Chapter 7 – Food for Thought
Several hours has passed and the school was now completely corpse free. The blood stains and debris were also scrubbed out, courtesy from Violet and others, and while the smell was not entirely gone it was tolerable at the very least.
Clementine, AJ, and Derek have integrated themselves pretty well despite the occasional strange looks. There was still a mindful distance between the two parties but the Ericson kids would not deny that their help was greatly appreciated. Even Mitch, the one who had the most mistrust against the trio, was starting to warm up a little towards them, just a little.
The Ericson students gathered at the courtyard, circling themselves around a small campfire. They relaxed their aching muscles and tired bodies as their vigorous labor took a toll on them. Louis tossed the bloodstained gloves off to the side, happy to finally be rid of the smelly wraps.
"For something that's mostly flesh and bone-" he groaned as he crossed his legs and placed them on an elevated position. "-they're quite heavy."
Mitch hummed in agreement, wiping the pouring sweat from his forehead. "The smell didn't help either." He ripped the dirty wet cloth mask off him. "Much better…" he sighed in relief.
"You guys got it easy." Violet muttered. "Try scrubbing blood off the floors and walls."
"No thanks." Louis gave a dry chuckle.
The teens remained in peaceful silence, too tired to even engage in small talks. Ruby notices something on the corner of her eye. She turned to look and saw Derek and company dragging corpses farther away from the school.
"Now why are they still outside?" she raised a questioning eyebrow at Louis.
The latter shrugged. "I told him that it was far enough but he insisted on dragging it further away."
Violet groaned in annoyance. "Dammit Louis! We eat here!" she angrily gestured towards the courtyard. "Those things would smell within a few days!"
"Pfft. It won't reach here." he waved her off.
Violet pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes it- You know what? Nevermind. At least those guys are taking care of it."
The teens continued staring at the trio until Ruby spoke up. "Should we help them?"
They murmured amongst themselves, claiming that they're 'too tired' or 'they did enough'. In the end, it became an awkward suggestion bringing only silence. It didn't take long, however, that the trio finished piling the bodies further away from the school and got back just in time before dark.
The teens noticed Derek slowly approaching them. He offered a two fingered salute towards them and flashed a gentle smile. "We're just going to take a break for now. If you guys ever need anything just holler alright?"
The teens awkwardly stared at him, unsure what to say. Thankfully, Ruby was the first to address him back. "Thank you hon. You guys take a break." She smiled back.
Derek nodded in thanks and left. The teens stared at him walking away from them, completely disregarding the fact that it was completely creepy.
"He's nice. I like him." Ruby said.
Louis and a few others nodded in agreement. "They're not that bad if you think about it. What do you think Vi?" he turned towards her.
Violet shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't really care. They're gonna leave anyway." She poked the fire mindlessly with her stick, stoking the flames.
Omar nodded in agreement. "I think it would be best if we just mind our own business. Besides, the sooner they leave the better. We don't have enough food to go around if they stayed."
The sounds of opening doors got their attention. They turned towards the source and saw Aasim coming out of the main building. He walked towards them with a frustrated look.
"Uh-oh." Louis jabbed his elbow towards Violet. "Angry teen coming through." He smirked.
Aasim didn't say anything. He quietly took the nearest available seat and sat down. All the teens leaned forward to him, curious about what happened. The teen looked at them weirdly. "What?"
Louis lazily pointed his stick at him. "You've got that look man. You talked to Marlon and it didn't end well."
Aasim sighed. "Was it that obvious?"
Ruby nodded. "Not gonna lie hon. You're pretty easy to read."
Aasim blushed in embarrassment but it faded away as quick as it came. "I talked to Marlon earlier and…"
The teens leaned in closer.
"Well… What do you guys think about them?"
"Them? Who's them?" Willy asked, confused.
"Them you dingus." Violet gestured towards the newcomers with her head. Willy 'ahhhd' in realization.
The teens exchanged looks with one another. They hadn't exactly gotten to know them yet. They mostly focused on their work and didn't talk much but considering the amount of help they've been in cleaning up the school and clearing the school from walkers they won't deny that they're pretty useful. They're still not sure what to make much of it, however.
"Ehhh… They're helpful."
"They're not that bad."
"I guess they're pretty cool."
"They're not half bad in a fight too."
The teens voiced out their own opinions, some having the same one as others.
"What about you man?" Aasim asked Mitch, who was the only one who didn't voice out his opinion unlike the others.
Mitch perked up at the mention, noticing the rest of the teens were looking at him now. He bit the inside of his cheek, torn apart between overcoming his suspicions and agree with them or keep holding grudges.
He opened and closed his mouth like a fish before saying: "I-I don't see why you need my opinion for this. What's this for anyway?"
Aasim rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I've been thinking. I've talked to Brody earlier about the little incident this morning and we both agreed it was just a huge misunderstanding and that we should give them a second chance."
Mitch narrowed his eyes at him. "What're you getting at?"
Aasim took a deep breath. "So… I've been thinking about how better it would be if those guys stayed here instead."
"WHAT?!" The entire group exclaimed loudly. Their collective voice echoed throughout the courtyard that they feared that some walkers would hear them from outside.
"Hey you guys alright over there?" Derek asked from afar, he stopped fiddling with the rifle and turned towards them. Even Clementine and AJ stopped playing and looked at them with concern.
The teens exchanged awkward looks with one another, waiting for someone to speak up. They glared and 'subtly' jabbed each other in the ribs, hoping one of them would clear things up before things would get weirder. Unfortunately, the task ended up on Louis.
"I-uhmm… We're good! We were just discussing about… Taxes!" Louis answered.
An audible forehead slap followed.
Derek shrugged. "Oh, alright then. Just checking." He went back to fiddling his rifle while Clementine and AJ continued playing their own game.
The teens collectively sighed in relief then focused their attention to Aasim.
"What do you mean?"
"You want them to stay?"
"Are you crazy?"
Their voices overlapped each other that they started to become incomprehensible. Aasim raised both of his hands, attempting to calm them down. "Guys, guys, j-just think about it for a second alright!" The teens stopped talking and let him explain. "L-look. They've been outside far longer than all of us combined. We saw them fight walkers left and right as if they were nothing! A-and not to mention they handled those bandits pretty well. Just think about it! With their help we could clear out the entire forest from walkers. Maybe even help us with the hunting and gathering. Maybe even clear out the part past the river where the twins- "Aasim widened his eyes as he immediately shut his mouth. He casted a regretful look towards Violet and Tenn. "I- "
"It's okay." Tenn said. He had a look of sadness in his eyes but he offered a small smile. "Even though they're not here anymore. They wouldn't want us to be sad."
Violet's eyes had a look of longing and pain. She closed her eyes and looked away. "Sorry. You can… You can continue. I don't mind." She bit the insides of her cheek.
Aasim awkwardly looked away and reluctantly continued, this time minding his own words. "Clear the forest past the river where we can expand our hunting grounds just like before. We won't have to worry about walkers anymore."
The teens murmured in agreement, agreeing to the idea. They could use some sort of experts within the school. Their knowledge and practice would be a boon for everyone. However, not all of them were on board with the idea; Namely, Mitch, Omar, Willy, and Violet.
"There's a reason why Marlon didn't agree to your idea man." Mitch said.
Omar nodded in agreement. "They're still strangers and while we appreciate their help. We just can't trust them yet."
"Yeah." Violet chimed in. "Besides… Something about that guy rubs me the wrong way."
"Who?"
"That Derek guy." She clarified.
Louis turned his body and faced the aforementioned teen. The teen in question was minding his own business in the process of cleaning the rifle humming quietly to himself. Louis turned back to Violet and raised an eyebrow. "You're just paranoid."
Violet shrugged. "Maybe. But it's what kept me alive."
"Guys, please." Ruby cut in. "We don't even know if they wanted to stay or not but they're right Aasim. We should at least get to know them a bit more. Letting them stay here permanently is different than a few days you know."
Aasim sighed in defeat. "It's just something to think about, alright?"
The group went quiet. The sounds of crackling wood from the fire were the only sounds could be heard. Suddenly, Louis spoke up. "Do you think they're dating?"
"Bro…"
AN: I've been busy with my research lately that I didn't really have much time and energy to write. Thankfully, I managed to write this small chapter for you guys.
Also, if you guys noticed that the Ericson teens are more distrustful against Clementine and her company compared to canon was mainly because of Derek attacking Mitch and Brody. While it was cleared as a misunderstanding, there's still a lingering effect. Just like real life.