Living with the Dead

Five

As the tree's thick shelter started to thin out, they beheld a large flat land supporting several large tents, weapon bins, and a large fire, the fire that was spitting out all of the smoke. Dozens of people flooded the 'camp,' gathering around the fire as the sunlight started to drain out of the sky.

I couldn't help but just stare in amazement. I have never seen anything like it.

"You should see your face!" the boy laughed

I ignored his comment. "Is there strongholds like this everywhere?"

"Meh, while supplies last, people are chosen from the camp to go 'rob' a grocery store to get food for all the people who shelter here."

"Oh, how many people are there?"

The camp looked like, with all the tents, it could support about 20, maybe a little less.

"Probably 17 or something, I don't keep count, but the leader does."

A surprised expression crossed his face.

"Speaking of the leader, we have to tell him there is another mouth to feed!"

The boy grabbed my hand and dragged me behind him, dodging the tent strings and people.

After running around a bit, the boy stopped in front of a large tan tent at the edge of the clearing near the chain fencing that surrounded the camp. The boy walked in and I reluctantly followed.

The tent swallowed me as I walked in. A large man with muscular figure was sitting down on a make-shift mattress made of straw and torn sheets looking at a crumpled piece of paper. He had a shotgun on his back with a knife and pistol on his belt.

"Excuse me sir?" the boy said softly.

The man looked up, his dark blue eyes looked at the boy the me.

"Who is this girl?" he asked.

I felt uncomfortable being stared at so I stepped back an inch, closer to the door.

"Well," the boy started "She was making a ruckus right outside the border and I went to go investigate and-"

"You don't just bring in random people from the woods Julian!"

Julian? Weird name.

Julian looked down shamefully. "She needed help! She fell into the thorn bushes surrounding camp! A biter could have heard!"

The man contemplated the new information. Julian looked breathless. I was thankful he fought for me, no matter how annoying he might be.

I shot Julian a grateful glance and he acknowledged it with a nod. Just after, the man spoke.

"Ok, you can stay- what's your name?"

"Camille, Camille Hogan."

"Ok 'Camille' you can stay, as long as you help the camp by doing assigned duties I give you, such as cleaning the camp, washing clothes and bedding, tending to the fire, and going to get food out of the Walmart down the hill. If you don't for fill these duties, you will be banished to the cold, dangerous forest.

A wave of relief washed away most of my fear.

"Thank you sir, I will follow my duties, no doubt."

"Good. That's the attitude I like to hear. Julian, escort this young lady to the vacant tent that was cleaned up just yesterday. Are you hungry young lady?"

I shook my head yes and the man smiled. "After she gets settled take her to the eating area, I think there is baked beans tonight." He licked his lips. "Also, call Martie to my office, he is on Walmart duty. Rations are running on a low."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Julian said quickly as he stepped out of the tent. I started to get out to when the man spoke.

"By the way Camille, my name is Doven."

"Ok sir. Thank you for everything."

Doven smiled and I walked out following Julian to my tent.

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My tent is fairly large, bit big enough to fit me and Koda.

KODA! Where is he, where is he?

I started whistling loudly. "Koda? Koda!" I heard screaming in the distance, it sounded like a little girl. I ran over towards the noise, Julian must have heard it to, because he followed close behind me. I turned the corner and... Koda? A little girl squealed as Koda tackled here and covered her face in slobber. I exhaled a sigh of relief, and picked up Koda. I helped the girl get to her feet. She looked about 5 or 6 and was giggling like crazy. "I'm sorry my puppy gets exited sometimes," I explained to the little girl, "Are you okay?"

"Yah I'm ok!" she pointed to Koda "She's cute!"

"It's a him, his name is Koda."

She smiled at me and pet Koda "He's pretty"

"Thank you, hey you want a piece of candy?"

She gave me a toothy grin and shook her head yes.

I grabbed my bag of candy and opened it. "Pick one." She dug her small hand in the bag and pulled out a Smarties candy.

"Thank you!" she said. The girl skipped away towards a small tent.

I smiled and put the goodie bag back in my backpack.

Julian looked longingly at my bag. "What?" I teased. "Do you want some candy to you big baby?"

"Heck yes woman!"

"Ok fine, since I'm feeling a bit generous today, I have Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, Now or-"

"Did you say Tootsie Rolls? I will take one of those!"

"Ok then." I threw a Tootsie Roll at him and he barely caught it.

"Thanks." He unwrapped the candy and popped it in his mouth. "Oh," he said with his mouth full "It seems like decades since I had one of these babys, always been my favorite candy, and always will be."

I laughed and started to go towards my tent. "I'm gunna rest, wake me up when dinners ready?"

"Yeah sure, see yah later."

I unzipped my tent, Koda hopped in and I laid my sleeping bag down. I put my backpack on the ground and snuggled into my grey sleeping bag. Koda curled up on my chest inside of the sleeping bag. I slowly closed my eyes, my body filled with exhaustion. Finally I could close my eyes and actually feel a little bit safer for once.

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So, what do you think of Julian? The new camp? No spoilers :3

Leave comments and up vote, there will be more chapters soon!

~C