13 Reconciliation

The mix of bewilderment and pain on his face was really amusing. Hey, don't look at me like that, I have two years of intense combat under my belt. That hit really was a freebie.

"How did you-"

I inturrupt him by pointing at my temple.

"Two years of grueling apocalypse survival. You think I'd survive to become one of the remaining 1% by shying away from fights?"

A look of realisation dawns on his face already ridden with reluctance. No doubt the latter came from realising that he couldn't let out his anger at me. Noone who survived until the rifts appeared would have been able to avoid fighting other humans, much less the zombies.

"Huh. So that wasn't bullshit."

"Yup."

He clenches and unclenches his fists multiple times.

"Why did you do that without asking me first?" he finally asks.

"Because I was afraid you wouldn't agree."

It really was that petty of a reason. Of course, that was only the reason on the surface. I'm still very scared that he'll die and even I can't guarantee that I'll survive so in the case that I leave him behind I want him to survive. Besides, having a strong and reliable comrade you can count on is definitely a bonus.

He seems stunned by the bluntness of my answer. His mouth closes and opens a few times until he finally sighs.

"Alright, what's done's done. Tell me everything you know."

A few minutes later.

"... I might need a day to digest this, do you mind if I go back home for today?"

"Alright, just remember to avoid people so you don't catch it."

...

After he left I decide to order some books so I could draw some benefit from -Mentally gifted-. Mainly books about outdoor cooking, camping, hunting, greek mythology and a book called 'The art of war'. Never know when that might be handy. My bank account is looking very poor right now. As it is right now I might actually have to get a job to pay the rent for the coming two months. Shit.

You know what? Fuck it. SMS loans for the win.

-----

Meanwhile, in a closed meeting room ten people sat around a round table. A notable thing however was how everyone was wearing casual clothes, drawing a bizarre contrast to the professional environment they were in.

"Hello, everyone. If none of you have any objections I hereby announce this meeting between fellow... returnees... to have officially begun."