In Too Deep Season Two: Far From Home

Part 1: All Work and No Play

It's an early morning day, and I'm spending it out in the woods alone.  The sight of walkers are no where to be seen.  All that I see is the morning light begin to break through the trees and hitting the ground.  The leaves are starting to fall, but some still remain as of now.

These early morning walks are meant for me to check the traps for the walkers, and to see if we need any areas that need our focus.  So far there hasn't been any sign of walkers getting stuck into our man made spike posts, but this isn't a surprise.  We've had this area cleared out for quite some time now.  Our main concern is catching the attention of a different threat.

Since we took out the Deltas boat, we haven't had any contact with them or any raiders.  There was a group of survivors that we planned to contact, but never ended up finding them.  Either way, we have been keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors.  The Delta left a lot of physical wounds to our group, and they left some mental wounds as well.

Most of the group appeared okay after we won, but signs of damage and scars soon became apparent.  Fear of going out at night, trouble sleeping, and other similar fears would begin to arise for everyone.  I've come to learn that when you are at your safest, then that is when your pain and fear begins to show itself. I like to think we're getting better as a whole, but everyone has their lows.

My ears are used as a therapy device usually, and my mouth never opens to release my own fears and trauma.  Luckily, Clem and Aj have been a good distraction from these pains.  Playing with Aj and spending time with Clem has helped me stay focused, and Clem does lend an ear to help me recover.  However, I still struggle to open up to her since I don't want her or anyone to worry.

This is still better then when we were fighting.  No danger is imminent, and we're all in good spirit when we're together.  Its been about a month or two now, but it still hard to be certain of the date.  Either way, walkers seem like a distant memory right now, and so do the raiders.  Hopefully it stays that way.

Once I complete my rounds of checking the border and the traps, I'll to make my way back to the school.  Aasim, Willy, and Louis should be checking our hunting grounds, so I'll meet up with them before heading back.

I get close to the area, and can hear them instantly.  Willy and Aasim are laughing very loudly, and its most likely due to Louis.  I walk on the path and wait for them to finally notice me.  The three of them stop and get serious once I arrive.

"You guys should still at least try to be quiet.  You never know who or what is around."

Louis writes on his paper and hands it to Aasim.  "How was the border?  Any walkers get in?"

"Yeah, the border was fine, but don't change the subject. Just be more careful."

Louis shakes his head and starts to walk ahead to check more traps.  The others start to do the same, and I follow behind.  "So what was so funny then?  I heard you guys almost a mile away."

They all start to snicker and Aasim turns to me with a grin.  "I don't know if you would find it very funny Y/N."

Willy lets out a rapid fire of giggles, and soon Aasim joins.  I start to wonder what they're talking about, but soon get the picture.  I let out a sarcastic laugh, and start to check the remaining traps.  "I think I get what the topic might have been about now."

"What was it then Y/N?"

"Well me obviously."

The two stop laughing and turn to Louis.  The three are surprised by my guess, and don't know what to do. 

"Why do you think that Y/N?  It doesn't have to deal with you.  We promise."

"Then why wouldn't you guys tell me? Its not a big deal if it was."

Aasim speaks now.  "We honestly thought you wouldn't find it funny.  It has to do with....Willy's problem."

I let out a sigh, and finish up checking the traps.  Not much here it looks like.  "Did you guys find anything down the other paths?"

"Yeah we got some, but not enough to last a week."

I nod my head and start to walk back down the path.  Food has been getting lower and lower lately.  We used up most of the Delta's supplies by now, so we've had to return to relying more on our hunting and fishing tactics.  Scavenging is getting harder too since we've searched a lot of the buildings in the surrounding area.

They soon follow behind me in silence for a couple moments.  Louis writes down on his paper, and hands it to Willy.  "Louis is asking what's causing this."

"Probably just overhunted and overfished this area.  Maybe if we go out the border to hunt it'll work out, but that'll be a large risk.  We can focus on that when we get back to the school."

I take a few more steps in silence and then return to our previous topic.  "You guys should probably not joke around while out here. One minute you could be laughing, and then you'll be caught with your pants down."

The three of them try to hold back their giggles, but soon release their laughs. I stare at them with a blank face, and wait for them to stop. I don't have time to be messing around, especially when I have more tasks I have to do.

They stop laughing and we walk in silence. They can tell I'm annoyed so they start to whisper and write back and forth.

Finally, Aasim sighs and begins to speak. "Laughter is sometimes the best medicine, and it seems like you could use it Y/N"

I shrug my shoulders and keep my gaze ahead of me.  "I'm sure I'll be like that at some point. Just trying to stay focused and do what needs done for the group. Can't waste the short time I have in a day on things that won't help us survive."

Louis writes something and hands it to Aasim.  "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you need to work yourself to the bone. He's right Y/N. You do deserve a break from all you do. It'd be nice to see the old you again."

I walk silently and think about what was said.  The old Y/N has been gone for sometime. I have been making progress, but the stress from running this group is getting to me. A break is what I need, but I'd probably spend most of the time stressing about the group.

"I'll try to relax when we get back. I just worry about everyone already, and now that food gathering is a problem....it's just more fuel to the fire."

"It'll work out Y/N. We've been fine so far, we can all talk about it after dinner. You should just leave the rest of the chores to us today. Spend some time with Clem and Aj. Just relax."

That does sound nice, and it definitely wouldn't hurt. "Alright, but if you need any help you'll get me."

"Sure Y/N, just enjoy your day off."

I nod my head and walk forward. I trust them, but you never know what will be thrown at you outside the walls. All I can do is have faith and hope everything goes fine.

The three of them drop me off at the school, and then head off to the river. Part of me already feels better just walking inside the gate, but I also feel uneasy.

Not long ago this place was attacked by raiders. We don't have nearly as many defenses as before, so my mind is already worrying about any future attacks.

I turn my focus back to the present and look around the yard. Everyone is out doing their own thing, but I don't even know what to do. It's been so long that I forget what I do for fun.

I look up at the sun and think. I just want to rest, so I go where no one goes to anymore. I walk off to the side of the school, and take a seat in front of the graveyard.

I sit and look at Tenn's grave. I close my eyes and lay on the ground while I think of what Tenn would want to do today. Where ever he is must be better then this. Constant fear and uneasiness.

I look up at the sky and let out a yawn. "Well Tenn, hope you and your family are happy. The one down here misses you."

I stare at the sky, hoping for a reply. After a few minutes, I close my eyes and reluctantly do something I truly hate.

Dream.