After The End

Chapter II

After the initial greetings, Xavier and Frank received their assigned jobs. They both were part of the supply teams. Unfortunately for them however, they were put in the same group. Their first objective was to go to the local town in search for any metals that could be used to support the wall. With them was the team leader, Mylie.

As they enter the town, Mylie said, "Alright boys, you know the drill. Anything metallic or any essentials we take". Xavier said, "Here that Frank? Anything essential. That doesn't include snacks". Frank said, "Fuck you Xavier. Just because I'm big doesn't mean I eat a lot". Xavier said, "I'm sure you do other people's work for them to give you their rations". Mylie yelled, "Both of you stop it! You're both acting like children. Be men and grow the fuck up. We came here as a team, that means we work together". Xavier gave Frank a dirty look before he started searching a near by building. Frank went to a building in the opposite direction. Ever since their arrival to Mount Vernon, Xavier has tried to avoid Frank as much as he could. He felt as though he wasn't worth the rations, space, or time of day. He had much more important priorities. Gavin's, Kyle's, and Sarah's health troubled him. If it were up to him, he would've stay at the base to see how they were doing.

After several hours of sifting through junk and debris, Mylie gathered Xavier and Frank to head back to base. Xavier was eager to get back to check on his friends. After a long car ride back, Xavier hopped out and headed straight for the medical center. As he walked past each tent, he saw beds filled with people he hadn't seen before. Then he saw Kyle. He was laying in his bed reading a book. Xavier said, "Hey man. How are feeling"? Kyle's mouth and tongue finally stopped swelling as his slur was gone. He said, "Well, I'm feeling much better now. The doctor here has everything. I got a sneak at the medical locker and saw all types of pills. He gave me antibiotics and cream. He told me tomorrow I can start doing regular activities". Xavier said, "Back at the biker camp, when Zack had us lined up and he showed you to us, I thought we were gonna die". Kyle smiled and said, "I guess it's a good thing we have Sarah".

Xavier walked away to find Sarah and Gavin. Not far from Kyle was Sarah's bed. She was laying on her side, facing away from Xavier. Xavier walked up to her and quietly called her name. He then shook her slightly. From behind, Xavier saw a bandage wrapped around her hair in a similar direction as an eye patch. She said, "It's just a minor setback. Gavin needed my help. I made a sacrifice to save him, but the question is - was it worth it"? Xavier said, "We lost too many as it is. Saving a friend is important. You did the best you could and now Gavin is alive because of it". Sarah rolled over to reveal her face to Xavier. Her left eye was covered with bandages. The bandages were soaked in blood. Sarah said, "I sacrificed my sight for him. I didn't even have to sit down before the doctor told me I'd have to have it removed". Xavier grew a bit uncomfortable as this was a side of Sarah he hadn't seen before. Xavier said, "Sarah, it's ok. You have plenty of people here who are willing help you". Sarah grew angry and said, "I don't want help". She rolled over and said, "I just want to be left alone".

Xavier left Sarah alone as he looked for Gavin. He walked past each tent before he realized Gavin wasn't there. He then searched for the doctor and asked where he was. The doctor said, "Earlier today Tyler ok-ed for him to leave". Xavier said, "Where did they go"? The doctor said, "He took him with him to show him the city". Xavier then went out to look for Gavin. After looking for a bit, he found him. Much to his surprise, Xavier saw Gavin walking. He was standing next to, Xavier assumed, was Tyler. Tyler looked similar to Gavin. He was strongly built, also wearing his military uniform. Xavier yelled for Gavin. Gavin turned around and saw Xavier. Xavier said, "You can walk now"? Gavin said, "Kinda, it hurts but the doctor said it would hurt for a bit". Tyler said, "Are you friends with Gavin"? Xavier said, "Yeah, I've been with him since the beginning". Tyler said, "It's an honor to meet you. I'm Major Tyler Williams and I am the highest ranking official at this base. Some would say I'm the leader, but I like to believe the entire military are the leaders". Xavier told him who he was as Tyler said, "So Gavin, you mentioned you were in the military"? Gavin nodded his head as he looked at Tyler. Tyler said, "Well I have a few questions I need to ask you, preferably in private". Tyler alluded to Xavier encroaching on their conversation. Gavin told Xavier, "Hey, Xavier, I'll catch up with you later, ok"? Xavier was a bit confused and worried but said sure and walked away.

Tyler said, "Now that we're alone, I need to ask you a few questions. Firstly, do you know anything about the three phases that we're currently tasked to do"? Gavin shook his head. Tyler said, "Well, I'll explain it to you later so you better understand us. My second question is how much do you trust your people"? Gavin, a bit confused, said, "Well, we've been through so much together. They haven't really done anything to betray me". Tyler said, "Really? No one has challenged you before? No one has done something where you had to suffer as a consequence"? Gavin thought about it and said, "Well, there was one person but now I'm not sure if he's alive anymore or not". Tyler said, "How influential was he on your group"? Gavin said, "Does that even matter? He's no longer with us". Tyler said, "Who was he? How did he hurt you"? Gavin thought back to Seattle, his inner hatred grew, "Ronny. His name was Ronny. He was found by someone in our group and day one, he was snooping around. Then our group was attacked by a group called the bikers. They lured biters to our camp and Ronny believed I was gonna get everyone killed. He stole the leadership role from me". Tyler said, "And you think he's dead now"? Gavin said, "I'm not sure. But while he did do all of that, he still was a great person. He's the reason why we escaped the bikers. He's the reason why we even escaped Seattle to begin with". Tyler said, "Well, maybe he'll show up soon. I want to meet this man, he seems like quite the character". As they walked Gavin and Tyler ran into Grace.

Gavin was immediately stunned when he saw her. Grace said, "Hey Tyler. It's nice to see you again". Tyler said, "You as well Grace. How's Albee"? Grace chuckled and said, "Oh boy, he's quite the troublemaker". Gavin said, "Is Albee your son"? She nodded as she said, "Well, I don't believe we've met before. My name is Grace and you are"? Gavin said, "Sergeant Gavin Young". Just then, Tyler's radio went off as someone said, "Sir, we're having trouble with the eastern wall". Tyler said, "I'm on my way" as he excused himself from the conversation. Gavin said, "So a beautiful lady like yourself should have quite the back story". Grace blushed and said, "Oh, well it's pretty boring. When the world ended, I made it to one of the fallout shelters in Seattle and basically waited there until the military rescued us. When I got here, they saw I was good with kids and told me I would run the daycare. But I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, because I heard my fallout shelter was the only one they've been able to rescue". Gavin said, "Well, I guess you're very lucky then. But I guess that means I'm even luckier to be in the presence of such a lovely lady". She giggled and said, "Oh stop". Gavin smiled and for once, felt joy. He couldn't put it into words. Grace said, "I should get going. I still have a daycare to run. Maybe we can chat again soon". Gavin smiled as she walked away. He was unsure of how he was feeling. Even before the apocalypse, he was always serious as the military hardened him and made him tough, but in this moment he felt something he hadn't felt before. Perhaps it was love, however, it was too soon to know for sure as only time would tell. He walked back to Xavier to tell him about this wonderful person.