A Better World

Chapter 3

"How are we doing today, sir?" asked the man. Kenny could not believe what he had just heard. Was he really asking that?

"Are you seriously asking me that question in the middle of an apocalypse, I mean are you kidding me right now?" asked Kenny in complete shock.

"Sorry, sir I'm just trying to make some conversation," said the man. This was luckily able to calm Kenny down, but just a little. The officer could be seen talking to an office specialist. He got handed a paper that had what looked like an address listed on it. He turned around and walked back to the RV.

"Alright, this slip is for you and the rest of your family. We have more than enough housing available, plus more houses being built. All expenses are exempt from your month to month stay. You will have access to clean, refined water that we process here on base, as well as clean, sustainable electricity from wind turbines, solar panels, and hydro-electric generators. Do you have any questions for us?" asked the soldier, waiting for Kennys response.

"Actually yes, we do. If you're willing, we actually have two other families with us right now. Do they get their own housing as well?" asked Kenny, somewhat surprised that they were given all this free stuff.

"If they wish to, then of course," said the soldier. Kenny looked back to Lee and Lilly for their answers.

"That would be really helpful, so yes, me, Carley, and Clementine will take housing," said Lee, smiling at Kenny, thanking him.

"Sounds good, I'll get them a housing slip. And the other family?" the officer asked.

"We appreciate the offer, but we will respectfully decline. Me and my dad will be taking our supplies and energy to help down in Texas in Fort Hood. I was stationed at that base before all of this went down," said Lilly, with Larry nodding in approval.

"Well best of luck to you and your father. Do you have any means of transportation?" asked the soldier. Lilly didn't think about that. How were they going to make it down to Texas?

The officer came back to the vehicle with two other slips of paper, handing them to Kenny. Kenny turned around and handed the slips to Lee and Lilly.

"Why do me and my dad need a slip?" Lilly asked, confused.

"Two reasons really. Either (A), you end up changing your minds and want to get housing here. Or (B), you do make it down to Fort Hood, and they dont let you in without a slip. For some reason, their rules about residents are a little more strict than ours, Im not sure why, but in case you need it, that slip should help you get past their gates and security," said the soldier. Lilly thanked the soldier on their way in and passed the gate. The gates lever lifted, and the group could be on their way.

"Good luck you guys," said the man, waving to them. Kenny waved back thankfully.

"Thanks, you guys, youve been a big help," said Kenny, as he started to move the RV forward to enter the base. They entered inside and the first thing that they took note of was the utter size of it on the inside. It was absolutely massive. Trucks and equipment were being moved in every direction imaginable, literally. There were cranes moving machinery to underground cellars for storage. Tandem rotor helicopters were moving giant shipping containers from trains and boats. Lee took note of it.

"What do you think that is Ken?" asked Lee. Kenny thought about it for a bit. He could think about the only thing that made sense.

"I'm not sure, man. Food most likely, maybe ammunition, supplies, potentially even water. Whatever it is, its gotta be able to supply everyone here thats for sure," said Kenny, trying to find somewhere that he could park.

"You're probably right. One things for sure, they definitely arent messing around with anything," said Lee, looking over at Kenny.

"Oh, come on man. Are you really going to do that to me? You're right and Im probably right. Thats just harsh dude," said Kenny. Lee smiled at his efforts to annoy Kenny, but it faded fast when he remembered why they were there, to survive while the military did its thing. It was going to be months before all the zombies were taken down.

Lee looked over at Clementine and Carley. What were the three of them going to do when this was all over? For one, he would love to go back and teach history at UGA. But there was a problem, he committed murder before the apocalypse. If things go back to normal then that means the United States, as well as the rest of the world, would reconstruct their governments as well as their policies and laws. Reconstruction of government wasn't the problem, in fact it was good. The problem was that the authorities would hunt down and put him into prison. He really didnt want to start that whole process over again.

He decided not to think about that. He started to have thoughts about his future, about Clementines future. He looked down at Clementine who was drawing on one of her papers. What was going to happen to her? Would she be put into foster care, or another home? If he was being honest with himself, he didnt want that to happen. He wanted to care for her, he wanted to adopt her. Lee couldn't help but smile at the thought of being her father. In a way, he kind of already was. He would have wished the safety of her own parents on her, but to both her and him, that wasnt an option. They were already dead, and Clementine knew it. She didnt take the news very well at first, who wouldn't? It took her a couple weeks to start to accept it, but she was able to come out of the other side. On the bright side, things were starting to look up for everyone. Lee just hoped it would stay that way.