Chapter 55: The Town (6)

I then said, "We won't force those who want to leave, you have your own choice" I said "I'll give you a time to think about it, decide by tomorrow. You all should rest first" I said

The tension lingered in the air as I concluded my impassioned plea. The group of cave dwellers exchanged glances, their internal struggles evident on their faces. The weight of their decision hung in the balance, a choice between the perceived safety of their isolated existence and the uncertain yet resilient world outside.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, I continued, "We won't force those who want to leave. You have your own choice. Take the night to think about it, decide by tomorrow. Rest and gather your thoughts."

With that, the group dispersed, I told Roger to take care of them. He did it and go to their designated area in the camp. The night enveloped the quarry in an uneasy quiet, interrupted only by the distant moans of the undead beyond our walls.

As the cave dwellers settled into their temporary accommodations, I couldn't help but wonder about the challenges that lay ahead. The dichotomy of their decision reflected the complexities of survival in this changed world — a delicate balance between hope for reunion and the harsh reality of the apocalypse.

The coming dawn would bring not only a new day but also the resolution of their choice. In the unforgiving landscape of our reality, alliances were forged and tested, and each decision shaped the course of our journey through the remnants of a world forever altered by the relentless march of the undead.

I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. I got out of our tent, and went outside for a walk. I needed some fresh air, and some time to think. While walking, I saw Shana sitting on the top of the truck. We used the vehicles as walls and also as outposts, to keep an eye on the surroundings.

I sat down on the pick-up truck's trunk, looking at the stars. They were shining brightly in the dark sky. "The stars are sure beautiful tonight," Shana said as she jumped down from the truck. She landed gracefully, and walked towards me. "The night guard is slacking, huh? Should I be worried?" I said teasingly.

"Oh, shut up," she said and sat down on the trunk with a gap next to me. We then saw Amy, looking for me blindly with her entire body covered in a blanket. "Souta? Souta? Souta?" She called my name, in a sleepy voice.

"Amy, I'm here," I said to her. She immediately ran towards me and climb on me and hugged me, sitting on my lap. She snuggled into my chest, and closed her eyes. She was cute and cuddly.

Steff, who was with her, walked slowly towards me and sat down next to me. She put her head on my shoulder, and sighed. Using Amy's blanket, I covered her up. They both fell asleep, in my arms.

"You sure have fine girls with you. Why don't you take me into your harem as well?" Shana said teasingly.

"Shut up," I said and she giggled. She then took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket. "Hey, don't smoke if you're near them," I said, looking at her. She smiled, "Yes, leader~" she said, and put the cigarettes back in her pocket.

I sighed heavily, "What should I do with those newcomers? They have no clue what happened to the world. They don't even know how to kill zombies. And if I let them go on their own, for sure they would be killed right on the spot," I said, as I looked at the moon. It was a full moon, and it cast a pale light on the ground.

"I know that my men are hard to deal with, but they really do care about their families. That's why they are acting like that," the old man, who was their leader, said as he walked towards me. He had followed me from the tent, and he had heard my conversation with Shana.

"I haven't introduced myself properly, have I? My name is Mathew. I've been their leader for more than 20 years now," he said, while standing in front of me. He was the leader of the group that had been trapped in the mine for months, unaware of the apocalypse. He was a strong and respected man, and he had kept his people alive in the cave.

"Oh, my name is Souta. I'm the leader of this group," I replied. He already knew that, of course. He had heard my actions from the new recuits. He had also know how I blow up two buildings, and kill hundreds of zombies.

"How come someone as young as you become their leader?" He asked. He was curious about me, and my group. He wanted to know more about us, and our history.

"Well, proving you by words is pointless. Since you are going to follow me, watch me by my actions," I said. I didn't like to talk about my past, or my reasons. I preferred to show them by my deeds, and my results.

He smirked, "I'll do as you say," he said. He was impressed by me, and my group. He had seen our strength, and our resources. He had also seen our rules, and our responsibilities. He had decided to join us, and follow me.

"Let's cut the chase, old man. What do you want?" I asked. I knew that he had something to ask me, or to tell me. He had a plan, or a suggestion.

"I want you to make them realize how dangerous it is outside. You know it too, that they wouldn't even survive for even a day out there," he said. He was talking about his men, the ones who wanted to leave and find their families. He was worried about them, and he wanted to protect them.

"I'm currently thinking about that. Do you have a plan in mind?" I asked. "Yeah, my plan is…" we talked about his plan, then he left.

"That old man sure is weird, isn't he?" Shana said. She was referring to Mathew, the leader of the group that had been trapped in the mine for months.

"Well, everything you see is weird, so nothing is new now in this new world," I replied. I was used to seeing weird things, ever since the zombie apocalypse had started.

"We'll be going now, my body is sore because of these two" I stand up, while Amy still clings to me like a backpack. I also hold Steff's hand as she stands. "Goodnight, be sure to watch the surroundings well" I said and left going back to our tent.

She then take out her packed of cigarettes and smoke, "When it comes to being weird, you are the first come in mind you know" she said looking at the moon.

As we walked back to the tent, the night air embraced us, carrying a gentle chill. Amy, still attached to me, giggled and said, "You're not getting rid of me that easily." Steff, with a smirk, added, "Guess we're stuck with the weirdness."

Inside the tent, the dim light revealed our makeshift beds. I sat down, and Amy finally detached herself, playfully declaring, "Mission accomplished: backpack mode off." Steff chuckled, joining in the banter, "Survived another day with these two."

As we settled in, the quiet hum of the night surrounded us. I looked at Steff and remarked, "Being weird makes life interesting, doesn't it?" She nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke, "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Under the moonlit sky, our laughter echoed in the campground, creating a symphony of friendship and lovers that resonated into the night.

As the first rays of the sun kissed the campsite, I woke up from my peaceful sleep, feeling the fresh air fill my lungs. I got up early and joined the others for breakfast, sensing the mood of quiet reflection. Each mouthful felt like a heavy burden of doubt.

After we finished eating, I summoned those I had rescued from the cave. "The sun has risen, and so has the time to make your choice," I said to them, my voice piercing the silent atmosphere. "You can stay here if you feel safe and comfortable, or you can leave and explore the unknown. The decision is yours," I added, giving each one a chance to think about the direction they wanted to follow.

As they weighed their options, the morning progressed, casting patches of light on our varied group. The anxiety in the air blended with the smell of the wild nature, creating a scene of potential outcomes. The course of the day depended on the choices each person would make, and the pressure of that responsibility hung in the air like the morning fog.

I watched as they made their decisions, feeling a sense of separation in the air. About half of them, longing to see their loved ones again, chose to take a risk and leave the camp. The rest decided to stay here with Mathew, their loyal leader.

To accommodate their choices, we prepared three trucks, one for each group of twenty people. These vehicles were ready to take them to their destinations, whether it was the nearest city or another safe haven. We packed the trucks with enough food, water, medicine, and weapons for a month, making sure they had everything they needed for the journey.

The mood was a mix of excitement and sadness as the time to say goodbye came. Each person, driven by their own reasons, hugged and thanked us. As the trucks started their engines, the dust rose, signaling the start of their adventures. The consequences of their decisions lingered in the air, reflecting the uncertainty of the world we lived in.

I watched as they made their decisions, feeling a sense of separation in the air. About half of them, longing to see their loved ones again, chose to take a risk and leave the camp. The rest decided to stay here with Mathew, their loyal leader.

To accommodate their choices, we prepared three trucks, one for each group of twenty people. These vehicles were ready to take them to their destinations, whether it was the nearest city or another safe haven. We packed the trucks with enough food, water, medicine, and weapons for a month, making sure they had everything they needed for the journey.