The Arising: Our Community

Chapter 11

GABRIELLA

"Tyler can you hear me?" I said.

No one answered.

"Audrey can you hear me?" I said.

No one answered.

"Luke, are you there?" I said.

Nobody answered. I put the walkie talkie down onto the table.

"They will be fine" Cooper said.

I looked out as I stood up in the guard tower with Cooper, hoping to see three people walking down the road towards the gate. But there was no movement. Only a few Walkers and birds. I sat down next to Cooper. Cooper put his hand onto my knee and looked at me.

"Look. They will be fine ok. They know what they are doing. They have only been out there for a day. Maybe they are just searching for a few more days, and maybe their walkie talkies ran out of juice" Cooper said.

"I like to think you're right but, there's a little bit of me who thinks they aren't coming back. They are my best friends, they've been with me the entire way. Through everything we lost we got through it. Then we were brought in by Sam. He saved all of our lives" I said.

"That's the reason you are looking for him so badly?" Cooper said.

"Not just that. He's a good kid. It's quite and sad here without him. Can't you see it and feel it from everyone here. He's also got a family. Where ever he is he's probably dying to get back and see them again" I said.

"Yeah. That is true. I hope to see him back here" Cooper said.

We both looked out at the sun. It was in the middle of the day I think. We all left to look for Sam yesterday.

"Hey. Um. I was wondering. If your free anytime today or tomorrow. Do you want to hang out at sometime maybe?" Cooper said.

"As friends or as a date?" I said.

"A.... a date. Yeah. A date?" Cooper said nervously.

I laughed a little inside my head and slowly looked over at him.

"I'm gay" I said.

"Oh. You are? I'm sorry I didn't know" Cooper said.

"It's fine" I said.

It got a bit awkward and I could tell he was awkward as well. I looked straight ahead trying not to look at him. I heard him lean over to me and I saw his hand in the corner of my eye. I thought he was just picking something up but he put his hand down the front of my pants and started to finger me. I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled it out. I went to go down the ladder but he quickly grabbed me. He pushed me to the ground and started to kiss me. I weirdly enjoyed it. I started to kiss him back as he took off his shirt. About ten minutes later we were done and I quickly stood up, got dressed and looked at Cooper.

"If you tell anyone about today. I will kill you" I said.

"I promise I won't" Cooper said.

I climbed down the ladder and walked towards the oval to try to find Anastasia.

"Hey" I said.

"Oh hey! I was looking everywhere for you" Anastasia said.

"Yeah I was just with Cooper looking out for Tyler and the rest" I said.

Anastasia walked over to me and gave me a hard hug. I hugged her back.

"They will be back" Anastasia said.

"I hope" I said.

We hugged for a while. Then as we let go I whispered saying "sorry"

"Excuse me?" Anastasia said.

"Huh?" I said.

"Oh. Sorry I thought you said something. Anyway I think we need to start a meeting with everyone. Tell everyone the situation we are in at the moment. Maybe a few of the people know something" Anastasia said.

"Yeah. That's a good idea. We also need to get into contact with Ana. Maybe she found something out" I said.

Anastasia nodded. She then looked at me sadly.

"Are you ok? Cause you look a bit sad" Anastasia said.

"I'm fine. I just miss everyone" I said.

All I could think about was cheating on Anastasia. I completely regret it. But I didn't have much power in that situation.

"I do to. But Sam, Luke, Audrey and Tyler will all come back safely. I know it" Anastasia said smiling putting her hand on my shoulder.

I nodded and smiled a little we both started to call people in for a meeting. Anastasia and I both stepped up onto the stage. I saw everyone coming in to listen. I didn't see Hunter so she must be asleep. As everyone looked up at us I stepped forward.

"We all know that Sam has gone missing thanks to Jeremy. But we sent a team out to find him. Hunter and I came back. But the second team hasn't came back yet. Tyler, Audrey and Luke are all still out there. They possibly could be still looking and just taking an extra day. But maybe not. I called this meeting to get a few ideas from you all about where they could be" I said.

Everyone talked amongst each other. Then someone put their hand up.

"Yes" I said pointing to the man.

"Maybe the people that took Tyler, Audrey and Luke could possibly have Sam too" The man said.

"Maybe" I said.

No one else had any ideas so the meeting ended early. I saw Paul walking away so I quickly caught up to him.

"Hey Paul!" I said running up to him.

"Oh hey. What's up?" I said.

"How's it going for you here?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's good. Everyone is welcoming me with open arms. It's nice. People are telling me about the story of Sam as well. He seems like a strong kid. I hope I can meet him one day" Paul said.

"That's good to here. I will talk to you soon to see how you're doing alright?" I said.

"Yeah. I'll see you" Paul said waving.

I walked away and grabbed my walkie talkie form my holster.

"Ana. Are you there?" I said.

"I'm here" Ana said.

"Have you found out anything about Sam yet?" I asked.

"No. We have searched a little around our area, not much of anything out where we are. What about you" Ana said.

"Same. No traces. Nothing. We found a man but he had nothing. Three more of our people are missing as well but I think they will probably come back tomorrow" I said.

"Alright. Talk to me again when you get more intel" Ana said.

"I will. Bye" I said.

"Cya" Ana said.

I was about to put the walkie talkie down when it buzzed again.

"Are you looking for two men and a woman name Luke, Tyler and Audrey? Well if you are we have them here right now. It's ok. They aren't harmed. Well not yet anyway. If you would like them back I want something in return. All of your ammunition and weaponry, or we take their lives. It's up to you really. Make your choice and tomorrow we will meet at the TheBarton Park which is right next to the Swimming Centre. Make the right choice" A man said on the radio.

I dropped the radio in shock.