After The End

Chapter IV

After Omar had shown Ronny what they did with biters they caught, he could see that Ronny wasn't convinced that what they were doing was right. Omar said, "Ronny, we're not monsters. We believe everyone here has a role. Even after death they can still be helpful. They can still help the group survive. Luckily, for both you and I, there is one other person here who believes that what we're doing isn't completely correct. His name is Thomas. He had come to us from a boat just like you. I will be assigning you two to work together. You both will do runs together and you both will share a tent. Think of it as becoming friends with your roommate in college. I already let him know this arrangement. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll both like each other". Ronny asked, "How does me having a partner help me better understand the morality of this group"? Omar smiled and said, "As you guys bond, you'll both being to share your opinions on everything. But most importantly, you'll both learn our ways at the same rate and from the same examples". Omar then pointed to a man sitting on a log toward the center of the village. Ronny walked over to the man and saw that he looked as if he were in the wrong place. Ronny sat next to him as he said, "Hi, I'm Ronny". The man looked over at Ronny. He looked like a typical survivor. His clothes were ripped and dirty. His face had dirt where his thick beard wasn't. His hair was longer than a man had it in the old world. It was put up in a bun. The man said, "I'm Thomas". There was an awkward silence before Thomas said, "So, I guess were now partners. Can I trust that you'll keep me safe"? Ronny said, "As long as you'll do the same". Thomas looked around at the people in disgust. However, he also had an anxious look to him as well. 

Before Ronny could speak, Thomas said, "So what's your story, man? How did you end up on this island"? Ronny said, "When this all happened. I found a group in Seattle. We stayed in the city for a bit but we were eventually forced to leave. We were headed for Mount Vernon". As Ronny mentioned Mount Vernon, some people nearby gave him glances in an, almost, aggressive way. Ronny saw this but continued, "On our way there we all were kidnapped. Luckily most of us got away. However we were all split up. I found a boat and made it here". Thomas said, "So this isn't your first group? It's my first time being in a group. When the world ended, I was alone in Olympic National Forest. I'm a real nature person so I didn't realize the world ended until I started to head back home and I saw the chaos. I met people on my journey since, but most either left for their own reasons or they died. After a while, I thought it'd be better to be alone but one thing led to another and now I'm here". As they talked, Omar walked up to them and said, "See guys? I knew you'd like each other. Listen, I'll let you get back to talking, but I'd just thought I'd let you know that tonight the village will be having a banquet. Now it's not a banquet in the traditional sense. It's just that we have a surplus of food and I thought we deserve to have something good in a world where nothing seems to go right. Oh, and also there will be alcohol if either of you wants some". Omar laughed as he walked away to tell others about the banquet.

Later that evening, Ronny could smell pork on the grill. He became hungry as he saw the first few people getting their food. As Ronny walked up to the baskets filled with cooked pork, he was hesitant to put food on his plate. Omar was on the other side of the basket and said, "Don't worry Ronny. There aren't many of us here so you can take as much as you want. Hell, you can come for seconds later". Ronny smiled as he piled his plate with pork and beans that were provided. He then sat with his back against a log near the tent he and Thomas had to share. He looked at the tent and saw a stretched biter face on the tent cloth. Despite him seeing the biter skin everywhere, it still felt wrong. 

Just as Ronny began to eat, Omar went to the center of the group and said, "Everyone, may I have your attention"? As everyone focused on Omar, he said, "How's the food tasting"? Everyone cheered and clapped as Omar said, "That's great to here. However, let's not forget the people who sacrificed themselves to get this food. Ryan, Walter, and Owen, you will all be missed. A moment of silence for our people". As everyone went quiet, Ronny realized that Ryan and Walter were the people who had helped him earlier when they were looking for their people. Once everyone began to talk and eat again, Omar walked over to Ronny and said, "How is it"? Ronny said, "It's good, but Ryan and Walter are dead"? Omar said, "Isn't it crazy? You and I both saw them this morning. You really have to count your blessings if you can wake up in the morning and lay your head that night. Both Ryan and Walter were people who I always trusted to get the job done. Even in death, they didn't disappoint". Ronny said, "So how did you guys find pigs"? Omar said, "There have always been a few wild hogs on this island. But otherwise, most of the ones here were from the local farms". Ronny took another bite as Omar said, "It's unfortunate they died, however, like I said Ronny, everyone here helps the group, even in death. They helped us not starve". After a brief moment of silence, Omar said, "But listen Ronny, I need to ask a favor of you".

Meanwhile at Mount Vernon, Gavin was sitting in, what appeared to be an office. It was Tyler's office. Within the room was a desk with a chair behind it and two in front of it. On the wall behind the desk was a huge map of the northwestern area of Washington. Other than the map, the other walls were bare and beige. Tyler was sitting in the chair behind the desk and Gavin was in the front. Gavin said, "After I was whipped by this guys, everything went fuzzy. I heard someone say 'we're getting out' and then gunshots. Next thing I knew, I was here being operated on". Tyler said, "That's quite the story you have, Gavin. I'm impressed with your survival skills". Tyler leaned on the desk and said, "You took that beating like a champ and you still fought to stay alive. What motivated you to stay alive"? Gavin said, "Well I'm not sure". Tyler said, "Anger. It was anger. Anger for everyone who wronged you. Anger for those who put you in that position". Gavin didn't say anything as he thought about what Tyler said. Then Tyler sat back in his chair and said, "How would you like to rejoin the military"? Gavin was unsure if he had heard what Tyler had said and asked, "I'm sorry, what did you say"? Tyler said, "How would you like to rejoin the military. If you did, you'd have your own house for starters. Not to mention that you'd be fully protected by the community. 'Cause, like I told you before, our objective is not to bring in stragglers. It's to protect the vault people. As of now, we only see you and your people as an extra set of helping hands. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the reality. It's not like we're forcing you all to stay either, you may leave if you wish. So in some ways, I'm going out of my way to allow your people shelter when I didn't have to". Gavin said, "If I rejoined, would I be able to go to my friends' aid if they're in trouble"? Tyler said, "Sure, of course. To each their own. However, I can't send anyone with you to help them. So is that a 'yes' for you reenlisting"?

Gavin thought for a moment as he said, "Sign me up". Tyler grinned as he said, "It's good to have you back, Sergeant". After a few minutes, Gavin walked out of Tyler's office building and looked for his people. He had found Kyle, who was working on wall. Gavin said, "Look at you. Finally up and moving again". Kyle turned around to see Gavin as he said, "C'mon. You know I'm not down and out for long". Gavin said, "I see they have you repairing the wall. How come you're not out exploring with Xavier"? Kyle said, "Well, I asked to stay here. I feel like I need some time to clear my head". Kyle looked at the town that the walls were protecting as he said, "Knowing that I can keep this place safe from the inside clears my head. Besides, they have Frank with Xavier". Gavin said, "Well, guess who's now part of the military operations at this base"? Kyle looked at him shocked and said, "It can't be you already". Gavin nodded his head and said, "It looks like now this could be a long term solution for all of us. So if you ever have any issues, let me know and I'll see what I can do to fix it". As they talked, Grace walked up to them and said, "Hey Gavin". Gavin turned around after hearing her sweet voice. "Hey" he said in a calming voice. Grace said, "So I heard you're now a part of the military aid here". Gavin said, "I am. How did you already know that"? Grace said, "Word travels fast around here. I just wanted to say it's courageous of you to join. I hear all the time of how many military officers are killed when we try to expand west. I hope you don't get hurt or killed". Gavin said, "Well you clearly haven't seen me in a gun fight yet". Grace said, "I hope you're as good as you say. It'd be much more boring around here if you were to die".