Our Troubled Youths

Oak Wood - 3

Words- 2897

While the couple chit-chatted, Willow took her time admiring the forest around her. Sure, it was always around her, but she never got to just roam in it, and being trusted to roam in it at that. It was nearing the end of October, which was some of the prettiest times in the year. It was always the perfect weather, and god, were the trees gorgeous. Willow closed her eyes and breathed in the afternoon air.

"Enjoying yourself?" Kenya looked behind her, smiling towards Willow. Kenya was an Asian woman with black, long, and slick hair. Willow loved to look at her, she was absolutely stunning; plus her self-made infected many times, septum piercing complemented her round face.

"Yea." Willow finally replied. "I know just walking to Oakwood isn't much of anything, but, still. It feels right to finally be let out without their supervision and with permission."

"Yea, Clem can be strict." Violet included herself in the conversation. She always kept her hair short like Clementine did, and she had a badass eye patch. Willow thought she was pretty cool. "And Louis has always been a 'yes man' to her."

"That's what love gets you." Kenya sighed, "You admire the person you lay next to everynight, it's only inevitable you would want to make them happy as much as possible." She glanced at Violet.

"Yea.. but maybe when you love someone, showing your love could also mean being your own person, and not relying so much on the others happiness." Violet replied, glancing back at Kenya.

Willow felt as if she was in a conversation she didn't need to be in, it felt too specific. Thankfully, the conversation and tensity was cut short, and Willow was spared from the awkwardness. They had arrived at Oakwood, a group that had settled near their home years ago.

They were greeted by Sam, "Hey guys." She climbed down from their man-built watch tower, and greeted them at the front. She gave both Violet and Kenya a hug at the same time, holding each of them by her arms. She then turned her attention to Willow with a curious glance. "Who's the kid?"

"That's Willow." Violet replied.

"Oh. Clem's kid." Sam then let go of the two, and walked up towards Willow. She awkwardly raised her hand up, leaving it there and not saying anything.

"What is happening..?" Willow asked, confused.

"Uh, high five?" Sam chuckled, clearing her throat.

"A shake of the hand would probably be best?" Violet interjected.

"Right, right..." Sam held her hand to shake Willow's, to which they did. "Sorry I don't know how to act with kids, being 44 I don't know how to relate to them .." she chuckled.

"You still act like one though." Kenya giggled.

"Yea from like the 80's" Sam retaliated. "Anyways."

Sam walked into her group's man built base, waving them to follow her.

Willow was in awe, she hadn't seen Oakwood before. It definitely lived up to its name though, the outer walls were made up of butchered long logs, all similar pieces but not entirely the same. It was a decent sized community, most of them were hunters. A good bit of them were military though.

"Welcome to our little humble home, Willow." Sam extended her arms widely, proudly showing off the place. She pointed to her right, "That's where everybody sleeps." It was tons of small log built cabins. Society had really adapted, no more tents or sleeping on the floor– at least not for most groups. "Thanks to Clem and her folks, we were able to get to sleep on beds."