04. Together? Or not...
1168 Words
"How far is the base?" Fran already wondered as they walked already for a while.
Steven pointed at nearby hill and smiled. "We are almost there. Around corner is the wall. Be careful. Sometimes there are more zombies there and we must wait for them to kill those."
They all got silent and heard even from far growls and large fight.
Steven pointed at another group of people that was hiding in nearby bushes and slowly did the same.
The other group glanced at them with caution, but seeing that they all are careful, they relaxed and waited for the fight to end.
Unfortunately, Sarah was curious person and wanted to see what is going on.
She wanted to pass few people that stood near the edge and pushed one unintentionally out of bushes.
Fran wanted to curse and rose pipe to smack her head but Steven stopped her with pleading eyes. He silently begged everyone not yo kill her and they stopped their move.
The man that was pushed out looked at Steven then at the woman and then at person that icily stared at the stupid person with her strange colored eyes. She already covered her face and only her eyes could be seen.
It seems it was singularly this person's fault.
He just nodded towards Steven that relaxed and grabbed Sarah to go back.
Sarah was actually dumb to fight him and was about to argue when she saw Fran staring at her with scary expression. Out of fear she calmed down and grumbled in her heart.
Soon the noise slowed down and the man peeking trough bushes waved his hand. "Let's clear the rest of them."
Fran passed Sarah and walked straight behind other group. She never felt so much negative energy and she needed to get rid of it.
Next to the tall wall made out of stones was around two dozen zombies that fought with bunch of people.
With growl she just smacked the nearest and then another and another. People stepped back as they saw that she used this to release her fury.
With heavy breath she stood over dozen bodies and glanced at petrified people staring at her. "What?"
Moments ago her eyes were burning in fury, but now she innocently blinked and lowered the scarf. "What?"
"Nothing. Take the stones from those you killed." Steven pointed at the zombies and saw Lucia already gathering it and giving straight to Fran with a big smile.
"I guess people shouldn't make you angry." Lucia joked and saw Fran blushing.
"I thought it's better if I release the anger then to think about it and get even more furious. Now I'm fine. Thank you for your help." She took the stones with various colors and smiled. "Two blue ones. Nice."
She had no idea how important those stones are, but it's never wrong to have them, right?
The other group passed the two petrified women with snort and entered main gate.
Steven went behind them and spoke to a man in military uniform. "I have four survivors."
Fran saw the man glancing their way. He was huge. At least 1.90 and burly body with muscles. His black hair was cut short. Two dark eyes inspected their condition and stood bit longer on covered girl that held rusty iron pipe that she obviously used as weapon.
"Come and sign up." He pointed at nearby office and turned his head towards Steven. "You got lucky. Saving females gives more points. Anyway, go to the point service and report. Here is my signature."
He gave him paper with four signatures and Steven smiled widely at the four women. "They will take care of your accomodations. See you in future."
He rushed away and left them alone.
Fran just passed them and went straight towards the office. Right behind her was Lucia that just has plan to follow her no matter where they were going. The other two glanced at Steven that rushed towards other office and with reluctance entered behind the two.
An older man in uniform smiled at pale girl. "We need to make pictures of you all."
She took off the scarf. "No problem."
He first made picture and asked. "Name?"
"Francisca Tyler. Fran." She answered.
"Put your hands here." He pointed at scanner and she calmly did so.
"This is it. Do you want a house or apartment?" He glanced at her curiously and saw her thinking about it.
"House." She wanted to try planting. But if she must share house with others...
He saw her expression and smiled. "Go there. This city had before hundreds of thousands of people, but now we don't even have ten thousand. Don't worry, everyone has space. Here are house details on side. Check them out."
He turned towards Lucia and smiled. "I need to make picture."
"I understand." She glanced sideways at curious looking woman and whispered. "Give me house next to hers. She is my idol."
He winked at her and agreed with nod.
Fran saw that there are many houses available, but she wanted one with big yard.
Looking trough papers she found one and pointed at it. "This one."
He nodded. "If you want to plant vegetables, our main canteen buys off vegetables for good price."
"Maybe later. I'm lost in time. I don't even know anymore what date is today and where am I now." She sighed and put the cover on again.
He started laughing as he searched for keys. "It's normal. From what city are you?"
"Never lived in the city." She smiled at him and spoke truthfully. Base was more layer of ant hive than a city.
"Oh. You are now in C city. Today is 26th August." He could see her sighing and gave her a map. "Here is the house you got. Now about payment."
"Payment?" The other girls looked at him in wonder.
"Did you think you can live in shelter for free? You can earn points by working, exchanging zombie stones for points or going for tasks." He calmly explained.
Fran understood it and pointed at house. "How much?"
"First month is for free. Thirty points monthly." He saw that she agreed and turned his head towards Lucia. "Still want the house?"
"Uhm, Fran, can't we live together?" She glanced hopefully at the young woman.
"I don't need anyone. But if you want to stay in my new home you have to pay half or work all I order you to do." Fran was not dumb to let anyone into her home for free.
"But..." Lucia struggled and saw Fran leaving. She was unwilling to listen others to order her around. She glanced at the old man with a sigh. "Are there cheaper places?"
"Yes. Apartments are fifteen points. If three of you take one apartment, you can pay each five points. Many share apartments, do it is not a big deal." He didn't want to make their life harder than it already is.
- Writer
