Beyond What We Know [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 2 - Just around the Connor

So, here we are 4 years later; about 2 and a half after forming the community. After meeting up with my best friend on that hell of a day, I suggested we used my uncle's farm in Eaglecreek. I heard from a family friend in our travel that he died shortly after turning just like my mother, therefore the farm was empty and the animals and crops needed care. So we took the opportunity. We met more people along the way, and a few others who happened to stumble upon our farm. Our community isn't that big, there's only 15 of us; but everyone is very nice and helpful, and I'm glad we had the luck of meeting all these people.

I had been cleaning and organizing my room for about an hour when I heard what sounded like knocking coming from the barn; there was no curiosity, I already knew what was causing that noise, and I couldn't help but smile as I made my way inside the wooden building. I looked up to see a man in the first floor next to the wall and a small toolbox.

"Good morning, you."

He looked over for a second and smiled softly before continuing his work, "Oh hey, Ella, what's up?"

Connor Khalil aka CK, my best friend: a dude with wheatish skin, dark brown hair and the sweetest eyes. A super talented carpenter and a big brother to everyone in need. Fixes most wood-related things and repaired all the holes and damage our barn has sustained. If you're looking to share comfortable silence, Connor's who you should go to.

I decided to walk up the two small flights of stairs on the left side of the barn that lead exactly to where he was sanding. "Whatchu doing there, early bird?"

He laughed, "Yesterday I noticed a weird whistle inside the barn. When I came in here today, I saw this little hole up here so I'm fixing it."

Connor also helped build most of an extra house, small and cosy, for 3 of our members. We always try to find a place for everyone in the community, where they'll feel helpful and appreciated, and this is definitely Connor's. After his parents kicked him out for being who he is, an (ex)friend of theirs let him stay with him until he could take care of himself. Uncle Joe had a carpentry, albeit not very successful, strangely enough. Connor took a liking to the job and Uncle Joe taught the little guy everything he knew. Died in his sleep 5 years ago, unfortunately, but he was a good man at his core, and I know he supported Connor in every way he possibly could. As for Connor's parents, no one knows what happened to them. At first, I thought he wanted to know, even if just for the sake of knowing, but as time went on I learned that when someone treats you as subhuman for simply being you, they don't gain a good reputation on your book, regardless of who they are. I know things aren't like this for everyone, but CK sees me and Uncle Joe as his only family, and he has the right to.

When I appeared at CK's door on the day my mom died, he already knew what had happened. He had been watching the news and when he saw me, I didn't have to say anything; he just knew. I never knew my dad, so my relationship with my mom was stronger than most; at home, we only had each other. Connor would come over a lot and stay for days, but then he would always go back to his own home with Uncle Joe, so in a way, we're the same. Besides being best friends our entire lives, we understand each other deeply. I guess that's why he let me ruin one of his favourite shirts from bawling my eyes out and then crash on his couch for an entire day. It was hard at first, but knowing he was gonna be there with me like he always had made it much more bearable. I really couldn't ask for anyone better.

"Oh, that's great! How have you been, though? 5 years today, isn't it...?" I softened my voice for the second question, to which his first reaction after closing the toolbox was a broken smile and a slight nod.

"I'm as good as can get. I'm still not totally used to him being gone, but I know that he wouldn't want me crying after him, so I've been remembering all the great things he did for me, you know? It's like he always said, "Good memories should prevail". But yeah, not exactly the right time for a party." We both chuckled.

"What about you?"

I shrugged, "Nothing new, gonna spend the morning checking up on everybody, making sure everything is up and running, you know the drill."

"No, I meant you you."

I knew that. But as the leader of the community, I've always felt like I should be strong for everyone and keep the morale up and the people together.

"Oh... I'm fine."

CK raised an eyebrow.

"No, I mean it! No problems plaguing the group, no sick animals, most crops are flourishing this time of the year, I really don't have anything to worry about", I chuckled. "So, I'm just keepin' myself busy by taking care of my people. Plus, it's been months since we saw that last madman. I wonder if it's over..."

Madman. That's what everyone called the people who turned. Madman. Sounds like something out of a videogame, doesn't it? But it's literally what they are: they're mad. And it has been a long time since we've seen one, which kind of makes me think: what if the only thing left of humanity are communities like ours spread across the globe? We don't have any means to communicate with other regions - let alone other countries -, if not by actually going on foot or by truck, or maybe horse – we have a few -, so we're left to ourselves. No television, no Internet, no radio. We do have our phones, but even if for emergencies, who will we call? We only use them to have fun and get our minds off of things.

"Maybe it is, who knows. We're currently alone out here, so we should focus on surviving for as long as we can. Don't beat yourself over the head with it, yeah?" CK gently placed a hand on my neck and planted a kiss on the top of my head, finishing with a half smile. Then, we both walked down the stairs and out of the barn.

I should check on the others.