Undead School

Chapter Nine: Nothing We Can Do

I awoke the next morning with my mind still on the cobra armband. I did my best to shake it off I rose from my mat and started waking people for breakfast. After waking people I was going to start breakfast, but Kiera had beat me to it. Instead, I offered to do dishes. Things likes dishes and baths take up a lot of water, so I knew we would need to make a trip to get water again today.

I grabbed a mid-sized tote that I decided would be the wash bin, and got to work washing the trays, forks, and clay cookware that were used the previous day.

Will came over to where I was washing to check his filter and water supply. "With having to do dishes every meal, we are going to run out of water fast." He commented. "Going to need to send someone out to get more water from the river this morning."

I nodded, but knew I couldn't offer myself with my dead shoulder, which ached as I scrubbed the dishes. "A lot of us are injured or working on other projects. Drake, Lydia, and Kiera were talking about something last night and probably will be unavailable today."

"Yeah and I was going to check out the power system in the school. We have electricity right now but it won't last forever, that's for sure." Will said while he checked up on every part of his filter.

"We can send Rae out then. She is willing and capable." I noted, and Will nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah. She's smart, brave, and really strong..." Will realized what he was saying and shut himself up. "I mean... yeah, I will ask her at breakfast."

I smiled but didn't say anything and just continued washing the dishes in peace. Once I was done, it about time to eat. Kiera had made a small portion of scrambled eggs for everyone and set out the fresh fruit that we still had.

Everyone ate their breakfast quietly, and once we had finished, Carmen collected dishes, and then everyone waited and looked expectantly at me. Crap, I had to start talking again.

"For today, we need to gather water, check to see how the power works in this building, and figure out what we want to do for our future. Are we going to live down here forever, or do we want to try and maintain control of the whole school someday?" I took a breath and looked around at my friends. "We have a lot to think about. Will can check the power, Rae can get more water, Drake, Lydia, and Kiera were already looking at expanding, and Carmen and I have a little more secretive project to look at."

Everyone nodded, but Rae went a little pale at the idea of going herself. I went to talk to her while everyone else was gearing up for their tasks. "There aren't any zombies out back in the field so you will be safe."

Rae looked as if she was going to say something for a minute, then just nodded and grabbed the milk jugs. "Be back soon!" She said cheerfully and waved. Once everyone had cleared out, Jason came up to me as well with his arms crossed.

"You missed giving someone a job, sweetheart." Jason said matter-of-factly.

"You mean I expected you to just ignore us and not help with anything like usual. Wow I'm sorry for expecting you to be an ass as you always are." I snapped at him and heard Carmen snicker nearby.

"Fine." Jason said and threw his hands up in defeat. "I guess I won't try and be useful." I watched him load his gun and take off out of the gym.

"What a-" I started but Carmen came up and handed me one of the machetes, and brandished her own.

"Jason aside, I assume you want to search for Evan again." Carmen asked me and I burned with shame. I knew Carmen would understand, but saying it out loud made me feel awful again.

"I know it's stupid but he's my brother and he is still out there." I said trying to explain myself, but Carmen just shook her head and started walking.