The New Era

The Deal

Marijorie smiled when she saw Morgan and Rick come into the staff lounge. She opened her arms in amusement, and smiled. They greeted each other and shook hands. Rick didn't, however, he decided to keep his hands in his pockets, looking down, as if in a trance.

Amy and Jacob had already settled at one of the tables. They had just received her dish, and they were trying it out. Amy was still hesitant to eat, and she kept poking at the meat, unsatisfied.

Jacob, facing his fears, took a bite with his fork. He chewed slowly, letting the taste sink into his mouth. It was a little bitter, but it was then drowned by spices Marijorie had implented. He told her, encouraging her to take a bite.

She shook her head, gave a weak smile. "I just don't know. Is it that good?"

"Why else am I eating it, then?" he smirked.

Amy looked to the meat, and gulped. She poked at it again, before taking one small piece up with her fork. Her hand shaked as she put it close to her mouth. She could smell the strong scent of spices, and she, for some reason, could smell the blood. She hesitated, glancing at Jacob, who gave a small nod, smiling. She took a bite.

"Good?"

She smiled, still chewing. The taste was alright, she figured. She chewed a little bit more and swallowed. She told him, "It's a bit bitter, right?"

Jacob nodded, but then replied, "But she did add some spices to cover it up."

Amy nodded. Marijorie came to them, smiling. Jacob quickly covered his eyes with his hand, taking his gaze away from her. Marijorie's smile was something.

"Are you two lovelies enjoying the meal?" she asked, still smiling.

"Yes, it's awesome," Amy said smiling, and added with a thanks. Marijorie, satisfied, replied with a your welcome, before heading off to another table. Amy then gave a glare to Jacob, hissing, "That was an asshole move, J."

Jacob apologized, and said stupidly that her smile was enough to blind him if he weren't careful enough. Amy couldn't help but give a huge eyeroll, which made Jacob quickly look down, feeling idiotic to even have mentioned.

They were soon silenced by yet another band of howls. Amy and Jacob gave each other a knowing look. It was probably the beasts Jacob and Helen had hunted and killed. The beasts that were on their plate right now. The beasts they were eating.

Jacob slowly swallowed his recent bite, he quickly got a glass of clean water and drank. Apparently water outside of the dome had been mixed with another element, or acid, more rightly. And it can only be drank by the creatures, not humans. So now they just reuse the water in the dome, the water sources are filtered by volunteers who are trained by Rick and some other people.

Sometimes the water, if it were absolutely scarce, they would reuse urine, or piss, Jacob likes to think of it. He looked at his glass, wondering if it were urine before. He couldn't help but feel a sense for throwing up, but he covered it.

Marijorie quickly came over and gave them asked if they wanted more. Amy quickly waved it off and said she was full, Jacob agreed. Marijorie just decided to give them some vegetables leftover from last night's dinner. Amy and Jacob decided to be nice, and took the filled plates.

"I'm so full," Amy said, taking a glance of the mountain full of vegetables.

"Yeah same here," Jacob said, putting his hands over his stomach. "But we gotta eat them, or else they'll get bad."

"No shit," Amy said, picking up a pepper. She took a bite, then asked him, "So, I wanted to always ask you this, but I never got the chance."

Jacob's ears perked, and his eyes grew wide. His heart began to beat madly. He had always backed out of asking her out, but could it be that she, surprising him, would ask him out? He held his breath.