God Must Die

Tolerance

    I look at Mr. Parker with shock. Bandits? In two days? Why?
    Mr. Parker began, "Yes. Bandits. During a few days, people were getting a little too territorial and overly violent. This caused mayhem in certain people. They decided to rebel, and now they're what we call 'bandits.'"
    I look at him, then down to the ground. In two days, and people have already lost their minds? It's crazy to believe.
"Sir," Roger begins. "Why are we still here? It's obviously not safe, with zombies around one corner and bandits around the other, we won't make it to another month."
Mr. Parker sighs. "Look Roger, this place is getting safer. We have a good fence going on and quite a couple of guns, along with loads of food and water. We're safe."
Roger sighs. "Whatever you feel is safe enough sir," he replied, facing away from him. I look around to distract myself. I saw Ed and Leo working on making the fence safer. Gwen was talking with my dad, looking unamused. I'm not surprised. I look back at Mr. Parker and Roger.
"Things happened too quickly," Mr. Parker began. "The announcement was only, what, a day or two ago? The world is losing its shit."
I nod my head in agreement, the same with Roger.
After a couple of hours, nighttime fell. We were in the kitchen with the electricity dimming out. The little farm house might lose power soon, making me nervous. I tried to ignore that while eating dinner. I look around the table to observe.
Leo, while eating a steak, was chatting it up with my dad. My dad cut up his chicken while chuckling at what Leo previously said. I look the other way, seeing Gwen to the left me eating macaroni and cheese. Apparently it was the last one, and if we'd wanted more, we'd have to go and find one. On my right side, I look at Ed, quietly eating his pasta, while his uncle was at the end of the table, laughing at the jokes between the men. Roger sat on the other side of the table, eating some steak quietly. There was something about him that I couldn't get pass. He was mysterious. I look around again to see the girls eating as well, Kirsten with a steak and Megan with a salad. I look down at my salad as I ate silently.
Mr. Parker then stands up, raising a glass on wine. "I would just like to have a toast," he said joyfully, raising his glass higher. "To us survivors of the apocalypse." We all raised our glasses and drank, while Roger only watched.
Roger looked up at Mr. Parker. "Sir," he began. "As much as that is an honor to be alive, this is only the beginning." Everyone looked at him, giving him a confused look. I slightly smirk. He wasn't wrong.
"What do you mean?" Mr. Parker seemed confused. Why were they all confused? Were Roger and I seriously the only ones seeing the point? Roger spoke up, "Is it not clear enough, sir? It's been a day or two. You're cheering now that we have survived. Let's get something clear. This is only the beginning. Even though the world isn't doing well, it doesn't mean it just ends in two days. We can try and celebrate now, but that might not last." Everyone was quiet for a moment.
"I agree," I finally spoke up, putting the attention on me. "And to be safe, we should have shifts, you know, to protect the house." Mr. Parker was nodding along, while my dad- scratch that, Tony- was looking around the table. "You don't need to get everyone worked up," he begins with a stern tone. "Tonight we're lucky."
"Tonight is just a starter! We won't always have good luck!" I reply, raising my voice a little. God, why doesn't he get it? Mr. Parker hits the table and looks at Tony and I. "That's enough," he said, making us all quiet. "I agree with Roger and Dakota. I was celebrating a little too quickly. I think we should take shifts tonight, to protect the house. Roger, mind helping me out tonight?" He looks at Roger and Roger nods his head. "Good. Then Ed and Leo can have the second shift. After that, Dakota and Tony. Then if necessary, we'll bring in Megan and Kirsten."
Really? I thought. Out of all the people, he chooses Tony?
Ed speaks up. "Uncle, I think I'll take the third shift with Dakota," he says before looking at me. "We don't need her to kill her dad," he adds smiling. I smile back. Mr. Rogers sighs then replies, "Alright fine. Then Tony and Leo can have the second shift."
We all nod our heads, then Gwen speaks.
"What about me? When's my shift?" I look at her with a sympathetic look. "Well, uh, honey I think it's safer for you not to take any shifts, okay?"
Gwen looks down for a second then looks up at me and nods. It was set then. We decided to continue our meals before cleaning up and getting some rest. It was going to be a long night.