the End...

Part 5

"Great, we're running low on toilet paper," Raine sighed putting down the worn down clip board.
To be honest, we were running low on quite a few supplies, we hadn't gone on a scout in a few weeks.
"Well we'll just have to speak to Gov," Haven said, strutting past us and out of the shed.

 " He'll probably just initiate another scout, and we'll finally realise there is nothing left out there," it was unusual for Aria to be so pessimistic.

"Oh come on Aria," I said, "there has to be one kind of convenience store we haven't checked yet. What's got you so down anyway?"
"I don't know, maybe reality Is just sinking In that life will never be like it was before. We're never getting out of here."
"And on that happy note, " Skylar added, patting her on her shoulder, "let's go get us some toilet paper."

When we told Gov about our decreasing supply of toilet paper, he was reluctant, but finally agreed on calling another scout. He had been reluctant to send anyone outside the gate because of recent attacks and the Infected had been restless as of late.
He let out a low sigh and his face hardened. "I'll go tell Peter to arrange a group then," he said. I rolled my eyes. I hated Peter. He was an arrogant asshole we couldn't stand.
He had been recruited in one of the first citizen recruitments, which made him think he was more important than the rest of us. He gave orders like he was in charge, and don't get me started on how he thought he was entitled to rations before the rest of us.
And man, oh man was he gunning for Gov's position. It was actually scary the lengths that he was prepared to go.

Gov started for the door but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. "Uh...Gov? Just uh, there's just one more thing I wanted to talk to you about...". Oh shit. Now I'd done it.

"Something else Hunter?"

"Well, uh, since you asked, I was just wondering if you'd filled that gap on the scouting team?"

Gov's face fell, his expression hardening. I felt guilty for bringing the incident up again. We'd lost a good guy out there last time they went scouting, how we lost him I was still pretty sceptical but Peter claimed it was an accident. Before Gov assumed what I was doing and shot me down I quickly interjected: "Because I happen to know someone who would be good for that position, great actually."

"And would this person happen to fire a long distance weapon? Something old like a bow and arrow perhaps?" The statement would have had a lighter, mocking edge to it if the situation wasn't so dangerous.

I took it in my stride and pushed further, "Someone you know can hit just about any target."

"Look, Hunter, I know that you want to get out there and see everything and be a part of the action. Everyone wants to know what's left behind these fences, but some people I just can't allow."  I knew he was protective, I had prepared for this, but still, I felt my heart swell. It reminded me of my parents. I almost felt guilty for asking.  Almost.

"Gov, you know I'm one of the best shooters here. I can hold my own. It wouldn't hurt to get a new perspective out there. They've probably seen the same thing so many times before they won't see the potential. I can."

"I know that you'd be able to do it but... I've turned someone down already. If I let you go it would look like I'm playing favourites and you know I can't do that."

"So let us both go. Another pair of fresh eyes wouldn't hurt. It could be like a trial, whoever is the most efficient gets a permanent spot. I won't disappoint you."

Gov sighed like he was being annoyed, and really who could blame him. I was known as someone who pesters, "Fine. You get one chance. One. And if anything goes wrong, and I mean anything, you come straight back and you never ask to go back out there again."

I tapped my chin to appear as if I was thinking it over, but I knew I couldn't keep the excitement from showing on my face, "You drive a hard bargain Gov, but you've got yourself a deal."

And with that a turned on my heal and swaggered out the door. I say swaggered but I probably looked like a new born horse gaining its land legs. 

***

Turns out the person I was 'competing' against was none other than the ever lovely Payton. Just in case you didn't pick up on my sarcasm, there was a shit ton. She was probably one of the worst people on this earth, and that includes the infected. She thought she was the be all and end all, a true gift from God.

In short, if mean girls took place in the apocalypse she'd be Regina George.

She was a prissy, little miss know it all who didn't like to get her hands dirty but loved showing off. That's probably why she wanted to go on a scout, to look like a hero to all her little butt munching friends. That or the weird thing that's going on between her and Peter, which just FYI, gross. I smell serious daddy issues from that shit pile.

Anyway, back to the point, she was the last person that belonged on a scout.

Just as I was strapping on the old, beat up arm guard, excited and rearing to go Peter saunters up to me, a smug look on his face that I was itching to slap right off.

"Gov, uh, warned me you were coming with," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"I have some issues." Of course he does. "You're little weapon of choice over there," he motions with his head to my bow and quiver lying a little way off, "really isn't appropriate for a scout.Arrows are a limited and non-renewable resource now. We can't really afford to have you just shooting and leaving them all around, now can we? So unless you've got another trick up your sleeve..."

"I'll use something else," I said, cutting him off, I was not just a one trick pony."I have plenty of tricks up my sleeves and if you don't watch out you may fall victim to one. I'll just pick up a... machete and then we can be on our way." 

So there I was, machete in hand, standing at the door just itching to see what was outside, how much our small town had changed and I had never felt more nervous. The prospect of the infected isn't what had my nerves a buzz, I just didn't know how I would react to seeing our little home town in shambles, desolate and completely bare, with rotten old corpses being its only inhabitants. But this was what life was these days, I would just have to accept it. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and Peter pushed open the doors.