Dead Mystery

Chapter Two

As I step outside, the smell of cedar hit me like a train. I instantly sneeze and repeat. My eyes catch an old man sitting outside our house and I lower myself down to his side.

"Hello, Mr. Dane. What are you doing outside my house?" I ask, but he stares at the ground. I sigh, knowing that he has brain issues that no one can fix. "Do you want to go inside? I promise Terry will take care of you..." I pause, "Lori would've wanted you to be safe. And you aren't safe out here."

He looks at me, then smiles, "Velma, such a sweet girl," he took a piece of my hair and twisted it in his fingers, "I bet Lori would love to meet you."

I furrow my brows at this, but still smile in pity, "She sounds very lovely, but let's get you inside. It's really hot out today. Terry can get you a nice glass of water."

"Oh yes, yes that sounds swell," he smiles and takes my hand. We stand up and I let him inside the house. After asking Terry to help him, I leave the house once again to work my way to my farm. With curt smiles to those who pass by, I finally arrive at the agricultural center and sign in at the front desk. Grabbing a shovel I begin my work on the crops. Jeffery greeted me at the lettuce crops.

"So how's it going? I haven't seen you in a while," Jeffrey begins hoeing the dirt around the lettuce that isn't ready yet.

I push my wheelbarrow through the dirt and inspect the crops, "I know. It's been way too long since everything. Cleaning after the Leak left us in different sections. It's nice to see you again."

Jeff picks up some lettuce and hands half to me, "Before we say anything else, I need to tell you something," he questions me with his eyes and I nod, "Listen, the Guard is doing a cleanup around the Wall, making sure there aren't too many of the Damned pressing against it. They're drafting a bunch of townspeople and Mr. Dane is one of them."

In shock, I put down the wheelbarrow, "But, don't they know? He-he can't... He'll be in danger! Jeff, we need to-"

"It's okay," he interrupts, "I'm taking his place. He's my uncle, I have to take care of him. Ever since Lori passed, I know he hasn't been well. But the Manor doesn't care. They just need strength in numbers."

"Jeff... Are you sure? You know some people don't make it back," I keep my voice down.

"Don't worry your sweet head over it. And don't say goodbye, you won't have to," Jeff smirks as a chocolate skinned woman passes by me in chains.

I furrow my brows, "I don't understand why the Manor has slaves."

"I do... It's not skin color if that's what you're thinking. It's the fact someone's sick and are close to dying. The Guard keeps a careful eye on the sick, you know, because of what happens when someone dies," Jeff whispers. The woman coughs, hunching over and vomiting. A guard comes over to her and puts his hand on her back. She stands back up again and spreads fertilizer while the man follows her with his hand to his gun.

"It's still awful."

Jeff just purses his lips, "They're the things we must do to survive."

"Yeah, but why make them work?"

"Well, think about it. The Manor doesn't want anyone to get too close to those who are dying and they don't want any pain when it comes to destroying their brains. If you have them working, it just means they don't have time to get close to anyone, except the guard," Jeff sighs, and catches my grimace, "It's a hard world we live in, but things are looking up. It's been what, a year since we've been in the Manor? Look how great we've been off. It is way better than living out there and you know that. Stop trying to find awful things about the Manor, and start living." Jeff turns away and continues to hoe.

After four more hours of harvesting, I finally bring back all the food. Going up to the sign in desk, I sign out, the woman handing me nineteen Pelz. I walk through the town watching kids play Zombie Hunt. They pretend to be the Damned and another group of kids hunt them down with finger guns. It's all they can do to forget what they've seen in the past. I can only imagine the game I would make if I were in that position. I stop by the farmer's market and wait in line. I pull out eight Pelz and smile. This will be the first time me and my sister will eat like kings. I couldn't help but get excited. As the last person buys their food, I put my Pelz on the table.

When I looked up, I couldn't believe who was there. Freddy.