After Death

Chapter 8 (General Admission)

Chapter 8: General Admission

Aiden Palton

Estimated, April 2024

About 23 months after outbreak

California, The Circus

Season 3

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We've only been here a little over a day and Marcus has already went outside of the walls twice. I thought I was just being overprotective and I really wished there was nothing more going on.

Thomas looks at him with a weird look in his eyes, like he knows him or knows something about him. I would have asked Thomas but I didn't want to make a bad impression of us so early on.

Thomas had called us in for a meeting that afternoon. He didn't tell us what about but he assured us we hadn't made any mistakes.

Khai's been taking her condition very negatively. She's had multiple meetings with the doctors that lived here. I think Thomas might be trying to find a solution but I don't think she'll ever get better.

During the meeting, Thomas gave us assignments. He told us how with more people we could make this place a true home. He gave us interesting outfits. They were quite theatrical but over time they acquired an apocalyptic touch. Some of us wore them but they were a bit much. He told Ethan to stay behind afterwards. I didn't eavesdrop, I was too tired from all the walking we're done for the past few months and was looking forward to getting reacquainted with my new bed.

Sleeping wasn't easy when we were out there. Sure, we were all very tired but no matter how hard we tried I think none of us got more than a few hours.

Thomas had assigned me to gate patrol. He said I had a "welcoming face" but I think he only did it because he didn't know where else to put me. He didn't assign a job to Rudi but instead told him that his very own wife, Piper Reinhardt, would be helping him take care of Airi and Juna. I know it kinda upset Rudi that he wasn't given something to do to take care of this place. He feared becoming a burden and didn't want to feel weak. I told him he could help me on gate patrol if he ever got too bored.

I wanna say I like it here but I don't know if that's just because I need it. We need it.

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Ethan Warren

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"So let me get this straight, you and your people walked from Minnesota all the way to California for a boat?" Thomas asked me as we walked the halls of yet another building. I didn't know what this place used to be but they had turned it into a storage facility.

"Yeah, and for a while we believed it was all for nothing."

"Well it wasn't, Ethan, you found something after all," he smiled and I couldn't help but to grin back,"The job I have decided for you is very important. I do hope while you are a guest here you at least know I will not take you or your people for granted. You will stand besides me in making all of the important decisions, if you wish." I was confused at first. I knew an alliance would probably be good for us but we've only known this man for a few short hours. It wouldn't be smart too yet.

"I'll have to think about it." He nodded in reassurance. I knew I was doing right by being skeptical, after what we've been through, I probably should have been more on edge then I was. I understood that in order to keep this place from being yet another graveyard there were things we had to do, and we all had to do our part. In Loveland, we didn't really have jobs. It felt like a vacation and that made it dangerous.

People had families here. They had people they needed to protect. They didn't just let their kids run around while they cried and got high.

"You all can move into separate houses if you want. There's plenty. You could all probably have two if you really wanted," Thomas offered.

"I think we'll all stay in the same house for a few nights at least." I knew he understood why and he respected our wishes.

"Did you have a bad experience in the past?"

"You could say that, I guess."

"At first, I hated this place because of what happened to my older brother, Anthony, here. But I learned that it was what I needed so I learned to love it. I hope you will be able too as well."

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Rudolph Alinsky

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"Why the long face, Rudi?" Piper asked me as she rocked Juna in her arms.

"I just wish I could do something else. Airi and I both know how to handle ourselves out there, we could be doing supply runs."

"We both know it's for the best. I mean, look at her, she's passed out on the couch. You both look exhausted, you deserve a break."

"I can't take a break. My mind can't rest," I sighed.

"I know it can be difficult but you'll get used to it some day." She smiled but I was too out of it to smile back. She seemed really sweet, her eyes were small and her skin was fare. She was good with kids and she made me feel relaxed.

"Do you have any kids of your own?" I asked, trying to break the silence that we sat in uncomfortably. She didn't respond and I didn't bother to ask again. She kinda pretended like she didn't hear me but I knew she did. I figured at that moment that the answer would be too much and she didn't deserve that.