I spent most of the night walking around the house, making sure everything was set up and orderly for the group to take the next week or so easy, as to not further stress their bodies. When first light started approaching through the windows I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs so I turned around and was surprised to see Daryl and Meryl already up for the day. "Hey girly! You're up early." Meryl chuckled when I took a second to respond. "Yeah, I don't sleep much, it's not really needed unless I have a critical injury that is taking a while to heal." Meryl and Daryl both grunted in response. "You sure are one interesting cookie, that's for sure." I chuckled at Meryl's response. "You guys are up pretty early, I'm assuming that's the hunter part of your brains, do you guys ever sleep in?" "Nah, theres too much to do during the day and not enough light." Daryl responded this time.
"Well that definitely makes sense." No more response from the brothers. I took this time to make a hearty breakfast for everyone, grabbing eggs, bacon, and some sausage to start cooking. While frying up the bacon and sausage Meryl came into the kitchen. "Damn girly you're gonna win over everyone giving them bacon, I don't think any of us have seen it since the turn." I chuckled lightly to myself. "Yeah, having your own farm and slaughter house definitely has it's perks." "Do you need any help from me or Daryl?" I hummed to myself thinking. "If you guys could start the coffee and get some oranges juiced that would be perfect." Meryl nodded and called his brother in to help. "Hey Darylina, get to squeezin' them oranges while I make some Coffee, help the boss lady out." Daryl grunted and started in on his task.
As I was setting the table and getting all of the food portioned out the rest of the group slowly trickled in, grabbing either coffee or juice and sitting down to eat the feast of food before them. Daryl spoke up seemingly impatient to get the day started. "So, when are we going on this tour? I wanna get out before noon." I nodded and stated "As soon as everyone is done I can meet you guys outside." Rick smiled at this and said "We will be out there in just a few minutes." With that I smiled, nodded my head and went outside to go get the vehicle we would be riding around the town in.
I have a feeling they're going to love this. I think to myself as I near the garage across the street that houses a solar charged tour cart to grab it and take back to my house. As I enter the garage I see Tyler finishing up putting together a solar charged gold cart, he looks up as I enter and snarkily asks "So are they staying?" I nod my head and say "Yes, I think they will be a very good addition to the town, all of them have skills that can greatly benefit us." Tyler smacks his lips and shakes his head. "For all you know they could try and take over this fucking town, you're being stupid." I glared at Tyler. "Tyler, I have said this so many times and I will say it again, if you don't like how I lead, then you can leave. I don't hold anyone prisoner here and we need numbers, they're a good group and I'm not going to kick them out just because you don't like them." Tyler scoffed as I grabbed the keys for my vehicle of choice and got in the drivers seat.
"I'm your 'adviser' aren't I?" He said using air quotes around the word adviser, then continued. "I advise you to make them leave, they're no good for this town, they have been out there for god knows how long and are probably feral!" I turned to face him angrily. "Tyler, the only reason I even gave you the position to be my adviser was as a favor to your father, if you don't stop this nonsense I will have no choice but to send you off to do a different job, they are good people and can train the others on how to survive if there were ever a time where this place may not be safe anymore." Tyler tossed his tool down and walked towards me. "I'm going to laugh in your face when this all goes to hell woman, you'll be sorry you didn't listen to me, those people will ruin this town!" Tyler looked at me waiting for a response, I scoffed and stated "Tyler, you are no longer my adviser, you have one week to find a new job, if you don't you will be kicked out." with that I started the tour cart and drove across the street to the waiting group.
"What was that all about?" Daryl asked. "I no longer have an adviser, guess that job is open now." I laughed to myself. "What happened?" Rick asked, getting in the seat next to mine. I waited to respond until everyone filled the remaining seats. "He doesn't like that y'all are staying, and honestly he only got the job because his father begged me on his death bed, I'm tired of his crap. If he doesn't find a new job in a week, he's out, he is not that beneficial to the town and I'm sure the whole town would agree with me on this as no one really likes him." There were murmurs across the group. Meryl spoke up as we were nearing the end of the housing district. "So y'all will just leave the jobless for the wolves?" I shook my head. "Not really, but he's had several mishaps over the course of the last year and people are starting to get tired of it, the only reason he hasn't been cast out yet is because the votes have always been split 50/50 on him staying or going."
"Well if you're the leader of the town shouldn't you have the deciding vote?" Rick asked turning in his seat to look at me. "Normally yes, but because he was my adviser I'm considered biased am I not? It doesn't seem fair to make a deciding vote on someone who works for me, no matter the decision." The group hummed in response. "What are the rules and everything of this town exactly?" Maggie spoke up then. I pulled over just as we hit outside the housing district and turned to look at the group as I spoke. "Probably should've brought that up last night huh?" I paused for a second before continuing. "Most things people do get a vote, there are certain exceptions, if anyone is caught raping, murdering, molesting, or abusing someone, it's an automatic execution, if the victim, or families of the victim wishes to carry out that execution they do it, if not I normally handle it." I pause again to look at the faces of the group, no one seeming upset about that.
"Smaller things like stealing, fights, or not providing the correct amount of whatever they're trading for a different supply, then there's a voting process. First, we vote on whether or not the crime fits them staying or being sent out, then dependent on which one is chosen, we vote for the length of how long they stay in the jail, or we vote to kick them out and vote how many weeks of supplies they're given." "That's a smart system, but if you don't mind me asking, you said trading, does that mean all supplies are traded for with other supplies?" Rick asks. "Yes, that's why everyone has jobs, not only does it help the community but it gives us a semblance of normal society. Although some people think it's too much like the old ways due to some people being 'richer' than others, I think it really keeps things under control and helps evenly distribute supplies." "What do you mean by 'richer'?" Daryl says looking at me.
