The Community (2)

In the morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. I was lucky to have met good people that took me into their community. Knowing that the world as I knew it has ended and this apocalyptic world was the one, I woke up in, I was not quite sure what will happen to me. In fact, I was frightened right after waking up at that abandoned hospital, but for some reason something at the back of my mind just kept telling me to keep going.

'Maybe my inner consciousness is telling me to survive so that I can find my family.' I thought to myself while washing my face.

I look at myself in the mirror in front of me and sighed. I look exactly as I did before I was in the accident. If it is true that it has been eight years since the year of my accident, then I do not have any answers as to why I did not age even a day since then.

'I cannot let anyone know of this or they will think of me as one of those monsters.' I thought while wiping my face with a towel.

The daemons that Doc and Stephen had told me were monster that I could only see in fairy tales and fictional stories. Now that they truly exist in the real world, they are an object of fear for humans. Me not aging a single day maybe seen as something odd and can be tagged as supernatural, and the people in this community might deem me as a danger.

'This is a secret I must keep to myself for now.' I told myself.

I walked outside and the sun had just risen in the east. It is early in the morning but some of the members of the community are already doing their business. I saw Stephen walking towards me.

"Good morning." Stephen greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning." I replied. "So, are we going straight to the training grounds?"

"Yes. I thought I will introduce you to the warriors first before getting breakfast." Stephen replied. "We will be having our early morning jog before getting breakfast."

"Okay." I replied.

Stephen then started to lead the way to the warrior's training grounds. We pass little houses and then a small market along the way.

"Good morning Stephen." An old that was starting to open a fruit stall greeted.

"Good morning Marie." Stephen replied. "Here let me help you there."

Stephen helped Marie with carrying some basket of fruits to her stall.

"Oh, is this young lady the one you rescued outside?" Marie gave me a warm smile. "I am happy that this boy Stephen here was the one to find you. He is a good boy that always wants to help."

"You praise me too much Marie." Stephen chuckled awkwardly. "I just want to help if I can." He put each fruit basket on top of the stall.

"But it is true, you are such a helpful and nice boy. If it were others, I am sure they will just have left her there." Marie said with a sad face. "Well young lady, you are most welcome here in our community. If you need anything, do not be shy to ask. I am Marie by the way." She extended her hand for a shake.

"T-Thanks." I said with an awkward tone and shook her extended hand. "My name is Claudia." I gave her a smile.

"Grandma…" A young girl came to us running while carrying a basket of apples. She tripped and was about to fall when I caught her by reflex.

"Careful now." I said and smiled at her. "This are quite heavy for your age. Why don't I carry them for you okay?"

"T-Thanks…" The young girl looked at me in surprise.

"Jelly! How many times have I told not to run while carrying the baskets?" Marie scolded. "Please forgive my granddaughter, she is always in a hurry."

"It's okay. So, your name is Jelly. You are the one taking care of the fruit trees here, correct? Stephen told me. I tasted one of the apples you have grown, and it was quite delicious." I gave her a smile. I looked at the young girl and can't but help thinking of my daughter. "How old are you, Jelly?" I asked while helping her carry the basket of apples.

"I-I just turned twelve." Jelly replied shyly. "I am happy you liked them, my apples."

"Yes. They were quite juicy and tasty." I replied.

"Here let me help you." Stephen extended a helping hand. "The baskets are quite heavy." He said while taking them from me.

"Not really." I replied but handed the basket to Stephen anyway. "I can handle the weight."

"There." Stephen said while putting the last basket on the stall. "Well, we will be going on our way. I will take Claudia to the warriors training grounds."

"Oh dear, you want to be a warrior?" Marie asked. "I hope you change your mind. There are many other jobs you can get besides becoming a warrior."

"Y-You can help us here int eh stall." Jelly said while looking at me with pleading eyes.

"Well, I…" I was lost for speech with their sentiments.

"I have already told her about it." Stephen came in. "Claudia said she will just try out first. If she is not cut out in becoming a warrior, then you can help her get another job."

"that is god to hear." Marie sighed in relief. "Well, I will not be taking your time any longer. Have a nice day."

"Thank you." I replied.

"Please visit us again, okay?" Jelly said while looking at me with sentimental eyes.

"I will." I replied and gave them a smile and waved goodbye.

"I will give you another apple when you come by." Jelly shouted from behind.

We walked past the market and I saw the training grounds at a distance. I saw people doing some light training.

"Jelly's mom was a warrior." Stephen said while we were walking. "She… did not make it back after one mission outside."

"Oh my…" I was at a loss for words. I then realized why Marie and Jelly did not want me to become a warrior.

"They are just thinking of your wellbeing, so don't take it as an offense that they did not want you to be a warrior." Stephen said.

"It's okay. I completely understand their circumstances." I replied.

Knowing that a family member did not come back after going out must be dreadful. I cannot help but think what my family would have thought knowing that I was left and abandoned in the hospital.

'Maybe they think I am dead.' I thought.

When we were near the training ground, I saw a familiar face from a distance. Anna was distributing towels to the warriors in the training grounds.

"Steph…" Anna saw Stephen and me walking towards the training grounds.

I was about to greet her a good morning when she passed me by and go straight to Stephen.

"Good morning Stephen." Anna greeted him. "Are you ready for your morning jog? I have prepared your towel and drinking bottle just right over there. I will give it to you after training."

*WHISTLE*

"Someone is getting a special treatment." A man who just whistled said. "That is unfair you know." He pouted.

"That is how a woman shows her love Devon." A muscular girl said.

"Well, I can't help but feel jealous, Sasha. Anna is giving the captain special treatment." Devon replied. "Hey captain, you really are a lucky fellow huh."

"Cut it out Devon." Sasha elbowed Devon.

"Ouch…" Devon reacted. "Hey, is that what you do to your vice captain Sasha?"

"Sheesh, if you just act respectable then I would respect you." Sasha retorted.

"Stop now both of you." Stephen said. "And Anna, you do not need to do this. I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

Anna's smile went upside down and her gaze landed on me. "Hmph."

Anna stomped away towards the benches.

'Well, not everyone is welcoming.' I thought to myself seeing Anna's cold treatment.

"Oh, you brought the newcomer here captain." Devon said and walked towards me in large strides. When he was just in front of me, I cannot but look up to see his height he must be at least six feet and four inches by estimate. "Hello, I am Devon. Do you remember me?"

Then I remembered that he was with Stephen when they rescued me.

"Yes, I remember." I replied. "Thank you for saving me back there. My name is Claudia."

"You really are quite a strong woman." Devon said with a grin. "To have faced off with that daemon and only using a gun and hand grenade. You've got guts."

"T-Thanks for the compliment… I guess." I smiled awkwardly, not sure whether what Devon said was a compliment.

"Don't not mind this big oaf. He just likes woman with guts." Sasha said. "I am Sasha by the way. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand, and I shook it.

"Nice to meet you as well." I replied with a smile.

"So, Claudia is here because she wants to join the warriors." Stephen said.

"Whoa… really?!" Devon said in surprise and grinned widely. "That is so cool. With your guts, I believe you can do good. And seeing you in action the other day while fighting off that daemon, I believe you have a great future as a warrior ahead."

"Well, that is good to hear because we are a little short handed now but… are you sure about this Stephen?" Sasha looked at Stephen questioningly.

"Of course, she needs to pass the test first." Stephen replied. "She is willing to take the test and after she passes, we will see."

"Okay, then let me give her the test." Sasha replied. "Being that she is a girl like me. But don't worry, I won't go easy on her as well."

"Of course." Stephen replied. "Is that okay with you?" He asked me.

"Sure." I replied and smiled. "I am ready to take any test."

"That's the spirit." Devon said.

"Hmph, what can a little girl like you do." Anna who was watching us by the bench said but the others ignored her.

"Let is start the test by ten in the morning." Sasha replied and I nodded in understanding.

My heart was pounding just by thinking what kind of test they would give to me. I was nervous but excited at the same time.

Edited by: nalyn