Highschool of the Dead: Fanfiction Darkpenn

Chap 24: all good things part 2

Yosemite

"I know you told me that this part of America was beautiful," said Kemi. "It's not that I didn't believe you, but ... whoa."

"Used to be a National Park, called Yosemite," said Rise. "Apparently, a National Park was an area put aside by the government to protect it. There are hot springs here, too. Very good for aching muscles."

Kazuki, on the buckboard of the wagon next to Hotaru, was studying a map. "According to this, the settlement should be just up ahead," he said.

"Fraser," said Rise. "Have you ever been in this area before? Where are you from?"

"This is new territory to me," said Fraser, who was riding behind Rise. "I'm from Chicago, originally, which is right in the middle of the country. But Sachiko has told me about Yosemite."

"How are you going with the horse, James?" said Sachiko, next to him.

"Uh, well ... pretty sore, to tell the truth."

Sachiko laughed. "A spell in the hot springs will help," she said. "The two of us, maybe. Oh, did I tell about the rule that says you have to be naked?"

"Now that sounds like something that would make the trip more than worthwhile," said Fraser.

They rounded a bend and the settlement came into view.

"Looks like it's going pretty well," said Rise. "How many people are here, Fraser?"

"Forty-seven people came here, including Dean and Sam, and Eleanor and her three kids," said Fraser. "Enough to make a go of it. There's been some trading between Columbia and Yosemite, nothing really big but enough to stay in touch."

There was a fence around the settlement, with a gate. The travellers had been seen, and a group of people were heading towards the gate.

Rise and his group stopped and dismounted as the gate swung open.

"Welcome to Yosemite Settlement," said Dean. He and Rise shook hands warmly.

"You know Fraser, Sachiko, Kaz and Hotaru," said Rise. "This is Kemi. And we have someone else you haven't met, as well."

"This is Haru," said Hotaru, showing Dean her child, who was soundly asleep on her shoulder.

"Two years old," said Kazuki. "Her name means spring."

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Two years old, and she made the trip from Japan?" he said. "And then from Columbia?"

"Little ones love to travel," said a voice. It was Eleanor, her wheelchair being pushed by Sam. Jane, now ten, was next to her.

Rise knelt down so he was the same height as the girl. "Hi, Jane," he said. "I don't know if you remember me, but we met about three years ago."

"Of course I remember," said Jane. "You helped us get out of Sanctuary, and you pulled my mum through the tunnel, and then you fought the zombies."

"I don't know how many times I've had to tell them the story," said Eleanor. "But it's very important to them, so I certainly don't mind."

The group began to move towards the settlement. "We've brought some goods from Columbia," said Rise. "Including some more horses. The herd in Columbia is getting pretty big."

"Damn things are breeding like rabbits," said Fraser, with a laugh.

Rise looked around. There were houses and buildings made of timber and dry mud, and fields where things were growing. There was an enclosure for cows and another for horses, and there were horses ploughing the fields as well. Two saya-mills whirred away.