The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Five, TCOM Part III

TWO WEEKS LATER.

February third, two thousand and twenty two.

In the past two weeks, the group had completely changed up their camp. Barbed wire had been put on the top of the fences, booby traps were placed on the outside of the building, every single gun they had was loaded fully. And so much more. They had to be completely ready in case Nova and her group came to attack them.

They weren't sure if Nova was coming for them. They weren't even sure if she knew the way to the camp after all this time. But they had to be prepared.

Sophia's wound was almost healed completely. She was able to walk and move around. She had also just turned thirteen. The group celebrated her birthday by telling her and Madison that they could stay permanently. However, they did make Madison promise to never steal again.

Sophia walked into the kitchen which was where Ellie, Cisco, Alexis and Madison were. They were crowded around the table, looking at a map of their camp.

Sophia: What are you guys doing?

Cisco looked over at Sophia and smiled.

Cisco: Making sure everything is in place for when Nova attacks.
Sophia: Do you not think that if she was going to attack, she already would have by now?

Cisco sighed. Madison put her hand on his shoulder in attempt to comfort him.

Cisco: I... I don't know. I'd like to hope so. But we can never be too sure.

Sophia nodded.

Cisco pointed at the building on the map.

Cisco: We need to booby trap the inside of this building.
Alexis: Why?
Madison: Surely they wouldn't get inside.

Cisco sighed.

Cisco: I mean... we never know. What if they do?
Ellie: You're right. We have to make traps inside.
Cisco: Maybe you could do it?

Cisco looked up at Madison and Alexis. The two of them glanced at one another and then back at Cisco.

Alexis: Yeah. We can do it.
Cisco: Ask Vi and Josh to help. I'm sure they will. Sophia could, too.
Sophia: I'll do it.

Cisco looked across the table at Ellie.

Cisco: Come with me and check everything outside?
Ellie: Of course.

Ellie smiled at Alexis before walking out of the door behind Cisco.

Once they were outside, Cisco and Ellie began walking the perimeter of the fence, making sure nothing was wrong.

Ellie: So. You and Madison.

Cisco smiled a little, blushing.

Cisco: Yeah. I... I didn't see it coming. We're not official. But there's definitely something there.
Ellie: I told you that you could win her over.
Cisco: I didn't even win her over. Josh and her never have liked one another. I just thought they did.
Ellie: Really? I thought they did, too.

They continued walking, looking up at the barbed wire at the top of the fence to make sure it was okay.

Cisco: You don't see anywhere that's missing barbed wire do you?
Ellie: Nope.
Cisco: Good. This way, they'll have to come through the gates... not over the gates. It'll take us less by surprise.

Meanwhile, Alexis and Madison walked over to Joshua and Violet who were sitting on the sofa together.

Alexis: We need to booby trap the house.
Violet: What? Why?
Madison: In case they get inside.

Violet and Josh looked at one another in confusion.

Josh: I'm sure that's not necessary.
Madison: It is.
Alexis: What if they get in?
Josh: Then we deal with it when it happens. But they're not getting in.

Sophia walked up to the four of them.

Sophia: It is necessary. Now get the fuck up and help think of ideas!

The four looked at Sophia in shock. But her angriness worked. Joshua and Violet got up in order to help. The five of them walked to the kitchen to think of ideas.

Madison: How about bear traps?
Alexis: We don't have any. Besides, we wouldn't be able to hide them.
Madison: Okay you have a point.

It fell silent.

Suddenly, a yell could be heard from the yard. It was Cisco asking for help with the barbed wire. Alexis, Madison and Sophia happily agreed to help, walking outside one by one. Violet and Joshua stayed inside, trying to think of ideas.

Josh: How about we drop a sofa or something big on their head?
Violet: No... I think we should do bags of those bricks we have in the yard. And drop them on people's heads.
Josh: But my idea could seriously hurt someone.
Violet: Yeah, hurt one person. If it manages to even hit anyone at all.
Josh: My idea is more practical!
Violet: It is not!

Josh and Violet both started to get angry.

Ellie and Sophia hurried into the building to see what all the yelling was. They walked in to see Violet and Joshua screaming at one another.

Ellie: Woah, woah, woah. Cut the shit. What the fuck is going on?!

Violet and Joshua looked at Ellie and Sophia, sort of embarrassed because of the attention they drew.

Violet: We're trying to think of ideas for traps. My idea was to fill duffel bags with the bricks we have in the yard and then hang them off the second floor's banister and drop them on Nova's side's heads. Joshua here wants to use an idiotic, massive and heavy sofa to drop on them, hurting one enemy at most. It's completely stupid.
Joshua: It's a good idea!

Ellie sighed.

Ellie: We're doing Vi's idea. It's more practical. I'm sorry, Josh.
Josh: Mine is practical too!
Violet: It's dumb.

Josh huffed, pushing Violet's shoulders and sending her body to the floor before storming out of the front door and slamming it behind him.

Ellie: We're all gonna kill one another before Nova even gets a fucking chance.

Ellie held her hand out for Violet. She took it, gratefully as Ellie pulled her up.

Violet: Thanks.
Ellie: Don't mention it.

Violet, Ellie and Sophia began building brick traps by filling duffel bags with bricks in order to drop them down from the second floor of the building onto the enemies' heads.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER.

Ellie: And the brick traps are... done.

The four of them smiled at one another, satisfied.

All of a sudden, Alexis, Cisco and Madison burst through the door.

Cisco: We've got fucking company.