The Company

Chapter Twenty-Two: Everyone Literally Thinks I'm The New Jesus

"'Cuz some kid called out your death two weeks ago!" Carl said. "What happened to you, man? You look like-"

"If you say I look like death, I'm gonna punch you right in the face."

"Sorry."

"You've got no idea," I mumbled. "But my death? Why the heck did he call my death?"

"He said he saw you fall over and not wake up," he explained. "He checked you for a pulse, but there was nothing. He tried to get you out of there, but he started to get shot at. But here you are, all in one piece! What happened to you?"

"He's right about me falling over," I said. "But I was knocked out at most. The rest is...a story for another time. But I need a doctor like, right now. Think someone could do that for me?"

Carl nodded. "Yeah. On the way. I'll help."

I leaned on his shoulder as we walked in. It was great to finally have some company before I actually lost my mind.

"So what's with the sword, Lancelot?" I asked. "Did We become the freaking Round Table or something?"

"Huh?" He must've not been paying attention. "Oh yeah. This. We got them from the lab block. Everyone's got some kind of weapon. They really stepped up their game while We were gone."

"Yeah, I saw those pistols," I said, then shook off the thought. I really didn't need to see that again. "What've they got now, rifles and longswords?"

"Yeah, actually," Carl said to my surprise. "There's actually a rifle and sword at your grave. The Washington wanted to make that kind of memorial for everyone who died, but I guess if you're not dead now, it's fair game at this point."

"Holy crap!" I cheered excitedly. "I get a futuristic sword and rifle? This is the coolest thing ever!"

"Yeah, guess so," Carl shrugged.

"Could you go grab it while I go see a medic?" I asked. I was ecstatic at the idea of getting my own rifle and sword. "That would rock! I'm gonna be like Master Chief, or-"

"Let's get you checked out first, alright?"

When I walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing to just look at me. And I mean everyone.

"H-hi?" I said, unsure of what exactly to say. "What's up, I guess?"

Everyone's jaws fell to the floor in complete silence.

"Can I get a doctor over here?" I asked. "I- uh- kinda fell off a cliff."

All of the medics raised a hand at once.

I cocked an eyebrow, confused.

"Crap, I need some music to listen to," I muttered. I'd gotten the habit of talking aloud to myself while I was out in the woods. "Does anyone have a phone charger?"

A mass array of phone chargers were chucked at me with still no words other than mine being said.

I wanted to try something. "How about some music playing?"

Everyone with a phone turned theirs on and blared music.

Holy crap, I thought to myself. Is this because everyone thought I was dead?