Cross of heart

Five

The sunset peeked out past the gates as Jen and Shane walked side by side. During their walk, Jen felt the urge to hold Shane's hand, but she didn't. They weren't a couple, they were just
Friends. Well, were they?

"Lastly but not least is what we like to call the town hall." Jen pointed at the building and it had a white house look to it but it was quite small in diameter.

"We hold meetings here, weapons, medical supplies and medical attention is received here. Well, I guess we look to this as more of a multi use building."

"You said guns are here right?"

"Oh, yea. But the door is guarded and locked with a combination."

"Man, I can't wait till I get my gun back. I almost feel naked without it."

Jen laughed, "Well im happy that only a sight I get to see. Also, i have a little surprise."

"What is it? It's not going to be something weird is it?"

"No, every Tuesday and Thursday we have entertainment here in solitude. It's only for adults and it only happens at night."

They were almost their and Shane felt kinky, "woah sounds like some sex show.." He grrr'd and she laughed," wow your mind is set on sex now but no. Its a walker fight. One man gets into an isolated fence that we build and theirs three zombies trying to eat him. But every show the man wins."

"Awh thanks for spoiling it."

They stopped and there was everyone sitting on benches cheering on Greg. This was his fourth time in the "arena"

"Let's find the gov. I think he would be pleased to see you, plus you can talk about getting your gun back."

Shane grinned,"perfect now I can have my partner in crime back."

They both found the gov by the fence.
"Jennifer and Shane, so glad you could make it. I thought you wouldn't have come because of how you feel about this." He pointed to the "arena" and Greg grabbed the chains and wrapped it around one of the walkers.

"Well, its just one night. I suppose I can put aside my feelings for this one time," said Jen trying to not look at the arena

Jen hated these. It made everyone believe that the walkers were easy to handle when they're not. Plus it was a risk of something bad to happen like actually bite the person in the ring or get loose out of the "arena".

"Jen, I appreciate you bringing Shane along but can I talk to him for a bit in private?"

"Oh, yea that's fine. I'll go talk with Tara and her sister. I know they come here all the time." She looked for Tara and waved for her attention. Tara looked at Jen and smiled motioning her to sit with her. She walked away and The gov made sure she couldn't hear his conversation with Shane.

"So Shane, how's everything so far in Woodbury?"

"Okay, so far..not the best place. Normally I don't get tied to a chair and almost beaten by a man with a knife for an arm," he said sarcastically. 

"I understand and I apologize. You were a stranger we didn't know what to do. We don't normally take in strangers."

"Well, im not no stranger when I know two people from here."

"Yes and that's what I want to talk about; I reconsidered your condition here and after being persuaded by Merle and Jen both separate helped me decide that I can begin to trust you easier and to let you settle into this community we have."

"I appreciate your offer, sir. I'd be happy to stay."

"Very well, now let's talk living conditions. Should I suspect that you would like your own apartment?"

Shane looked at Jen. She was smiling and laughing with Tara. He looked at the floor them back to the gov smiling," That won't be necessary. I think me living with Jen would do."

"Ah, I see you have a fondness for her. Refresh my memory again; how do you two know each other again?"

"I knew her since she was a little kid. Im best friends with her brother....well was best friends. Enough of this back round story...when do I get my gun back?"

"Well Shane that's not how it works...." The governor started laughing and Shane got mad. "......Look I can't give you your gun yet. It's too soon, I can't trust someone that quick. My side men Martinez, I didn't trust him till two years, and we have been here since the beginning. Merle took one year to trust, especially with that knife device we installed on him, and your little girlfriend Jennifer, shit I just began to trust her and it surprisingly took 8 months. I only trusted her more quickly because of how smart she is, how resourceful she is, beautiful, well-spoken...we all know she can speak her mind, and especially with her tight little ass..." The gov was just joking around with Shane on the last part but he didn't take it so well.

He gripped the fence and tensed,"Don't say that about Jen, I am very protective of her and I don't care who you are, I'll kick your ass."

"Good thing you want...I can have you killed right here in just a snap. But look Shane; I do like you. Im serious, I believe Jen when she said you were a good man and diligent too. I won't give you're gun back just yet. You need to build your rank up first before I give you that. You see we have our civilians; all they do is stay inside, do regular things and help with cooking and planting. you know simple. Then there are our barrier keepers; they're given a gun to protect the walls then they are given back to a higher ranking before their shift is over. Next to their City goers; they get to carry guns regularly and go out on town runs for materials...I think that's the position you want to be in cause right now your just a mere citizen. But if you want to be more ambitious their Militia and Counsel. The militia is like my own little army, they get to know and do more compromised things. Then lastly Counsel is the most difficult to join. So far it's Me, Martinez, Milton, and Merle. We make all the decisions. We know everything that is going on and make the commands, but I am treated with most respect by all in this community. So if you want to be a city goer or anything higher, you'll have to work for it. But I do know city goer would be an easier accomplishment."

"I know I should say that I would accept being a barrier keeper but I was a deputy back in Atlanta and I think I have a lot of potentials, im not going to jump the fence and say I was in on militia but I will accept city goer. I know how to use a weapon and I know how to spot out certain essentials that we need. "

"To be honest, I like how demanding you are and you know what you want...you remind me of myself and we need more people here like me. Tomorrow I'll schedule for you and Merle to go out into the woods for a shooting practice. If you do that for two weeks straight then you can start watching over the barrier occasionally and go out with town runs."

"Well thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem, you can go if you want, or stay to watch the fight."

"Yeah I think I will just leave, but I will see you tomorrow, and does this mean I don't have to be watched or assisted now?"

"Of course no, you can roam around like a free bird, well you know except outside the barrier with assistance. Understand Shane that I don't have to trust you. Im choosing to trust you cause I know you are successful. You can be very useful to us. Who knows, maybe you can replace Martinez and Merle..."
The gov. Was cut off the cheering of the crowd. From inside the arena, a walkers head was chopped off by a single chain.