TWDG\\II-South State

TWENTY-NINE

AJ
"Okay, then." Adrix said. "I'll just tell you basic information newcomers commonly ask."
He and Harriet sat across from us, Harriet sitting awfully straight as she watched us. Like she was scared we might break the expectations of children.
"So; HW was once a shelter camp for homeless people, the containers placed here for good reason before everything went to shit. I worked as CEO for project manager, dividing and subdiving food between the hungry. One day, the first walker made an appearance within these gates; as you could probably predict, an outbreak began spreading among us. People barricaded eachother from the sick, where eventually those in quarantine were also infected, and there were only two cleared out safe houses out of 45. The Army and Coast Guard arrived about four months after the outbreak, handing me and some of my other Co-workers weapons, and training on how to use them, as well as orders. To shoot anyone displaying any sort of symptoms that determined that person was going to turn into a biter." Adrix took a deep breath, and shook his head. "That left a total population of 15; 6 woman, 1 child and 8 men. Even then, the Army was finding it difficult to be able to keep feeding us. I didn't see it then, but those boys began taking those survivors out to slaughter them; when eventually they decided to do the same thing to me.
"One of those guards took me out, and was obviously too soft to go through with it, and let me off. Told me to never return. I spent three months living out in Wyoming Bush Park; down where you guys were stuck with your car. When I had enough courage to come back, I found that the entire place was cleared up. No Army, no nothing. They went through killing off survivors to finding no use for this property. But I did.
"I fixed this place up, and eventually, people started coming for refuge. I helped them, told them they could stay here, as long as they put in their fair share of work. And they did. The best part was, this place is very discrete, the interstate down the street was like the only civilisation left. Over seven years, people from everywhere arrived. We have over 24 doctors, and 35 other facilities. And I'm allowed to brag, because I watched this place evolved. I mean, it is just a bunch of containers. But the system works."
"What about the food system?" Clementine asked. "How does that work?"
"There's a hunting route that shares the same to a community close by, yet we've studied the days they go and leave, so we can remain unnoticed. It runs through Brey Park, where most wildlife stays migrated, even though Winter. We have two trucks that venture out South every two days to enforce food for everyone. We have a hard working farm inside, certain people are facilitated to work and be provided with food from there too." Harriet explained.
"Wow." Gabe said, in awe. "What about the water-"
"We funnel, filter and boil our water before storing it in water tanks located at the back of the camp. During Winter, we gain the clear water ice in Eskiya Lake, Brey Park, before taking it back and melting it in the threshold." Harriet explained.
"Protection system?" Violet asked, as she leaned forward.
"Approximately nineteen guards stand watch outside the camp, outposts supporting their watch." Harriet said. "You kids are going to be fine here."
"That's what the last community said." Violet griped. God. I wish she didn't keep reminding us. The guilt of not being there for my last friend is still present, the same disheartening feeling arriving when I had pulled the trigger on Tenn...the memories of these events are still raw. "Do you guys not remember?"
"Listen." Adrix said, with a sympathetic tone. "I don't know what you guys have gone through, but-"
"No." Clem spoke. "You don't. I'm sorry, but...it will take a little time before we get settled into this...this world."
"I'll never get settled into this." Violet spoke. "This is stupid-too good to be true."
"Are you hearing yourself?" Gabe asked, his jaw unhinged. He must've seemed pretty offended at Violet. "Why are you talking like an idiot?"
"How else are you supposed to understand me?" Violet snapped.
"Enough!" Adrix said, his outburst quieting down the room. "I understand how difficult it must be. I can see that you have recently been in conflict; it's obvious by certain fresh wounds, and you all seem pretty hesitant and frazzled. But please-we are determined to keep you people safe in exchange of hard work."
The room fell silent.
"It was South State, wasn't it?" Harriet questioned.
The words felt like a knife, tightening deep into the anxious pit of my stomach.
"We saw you at the 8-4 Intersection, about four miles from that area." Harriet continued. "It...it looks like you folks barely made it out."
"That's an understatement." Violet spoke, but her voice was calm now. Quiet. "They numbered down our people. Most of the people we set off with...just gone."
Clementine looked down, obviously riddened with guilt. I squeezed her hand for solace; this wasn't her fault. It was no one's fault.
"We want to help you." Adrix said, reaching out to hold Louis's shaking hand still.
We were all broken. But we weren't going to give up on trying to ind a safe home.
"Okay." Clementine spoke. "Thank you."