Until I Die(18+)

8.

     "HE DOESN'T LIKE THE IDEA," Dad says apologetically, hands on his hips.

     Me and Eric share a glance, my disappointment clashing with his anger.

     "Eric checked the fences last night," I tell Dad in a quiet voice. "He doesn't think they'll hold if more than ten of them find us."

     We stood behind our cabin, me wrapped up in Dad's jacket to stop myself from freezing. Mum was inside. We thought it was best she didn't get involved.

     Dad's eyes cut over to Eric. "You don't think we're safe here?"

     "Nowhere is safe," he repeats his words from before. "But some places are better than others. In my opinion we can make this place work but we need the numbers, and for Harold to be willing to build up the defences. It would also be good to have someone on watch at all times."

     "Me, you, Jo, Karen, Harold, Jennifer, John, Derek and Jane..." Dad ticks them off with his fingers, not counting the two kids. "That's nine people."

     Eric shakes his head. "No offense to him but Harold isn't up for the physical work, or taking watch. And I don't see Queen Jennifer wanting to get her hands dirty any time soon. As for Derek and Jane, they have kids to watch over."

     "Harold and Jennifer can watch over the kids," Is my input. "Derek, John, Dad and Jane can help you with the defences. Hell, I can help you with the defences. Dad and Mum can keep watch."

     Halfway through Eric was shaking his head again.

     "I don't want you outside of these gates." It sounds like an order.

     "I won't argue with that," Dad backs him up.

     I hold up my hands in exasperation. "You want me to survive this, don't you?" I aim the question at Dad.

      "Of course I do-"

     I don't let him finish. "Then how am I supposed to do that if I'm locked away from it all? If – god forbid –this is the world now, and it doesn't ever go back to how it was before, then shouldn't I learn how to do these things?"

      I glance at Eric, hoping that maybe I'd be able to get through to him if not Dad.

      His arms are crossed over his chest, lips pursed. He doesn't look convinced.

      I lick my lips and step towards him, knowing that if I got through to Eric then Dad would follow. "What happens if I get separated and-and find myself alone with one of them? Or a lot of them? If I freeze up again, I'm dead. But the more I'm around them, exposed to them, hell maybe even learn how to-to kill one, then maybe I could just save my own life."

     There's a stare down between me and Eric. Dad looks between us. Eventually Eric gives a slow bob of his head and my shoulders relax.

      "She's right." His eyes cut over to Dad. "Our first priority is to write up a rota for look-outs. Then we need to convince Harold to let us set up some traps. Hell, a bunch of cans attached by string so we can hear 'em coming will be a step up from what we have now."

      "I'll speak to him again," Dad assures.

      "Then me and you will head out." He turns back to me, eyes darker than before. "And I'll show you how to kill one."

     –

     Writing out the rota was fairly easy.

      The only problem was convincing people to play ball.