-A few months later-
We really do have it made here. Beatrix and her people let us in without any disagreements or trouble.
Now that it's winter we have to really dress warm when we go out.
We've grown close as well, and we've learned a lot about each other. I've learned that Beatrix use to be a cook at a restaurant. Adira thought that she could relate to Beatrix because she used to be a fast food worker.
Russel, the blind guy, was a customer service representative. I thought that was pretty interesting.
Alexander, or Alex, was an accountant.
Lastly, Walt worked in Retail. We've also put him in the group with the kids even though he's twenty three.
"The kids" consist of Wyatt, who is an actual child, Noah, Maya, Coby, Arya, Sadie, and now Walt.
In the fields we grow corn, carrots, potatoes, and beans. We also have plenty of chickens and a few horses.
Sadie, Nat, Lucina, and Robert are out looking for any supplies we may need. We really don't need it, but they figured we might as well go ahead and search the city sometimes.
"Hey Nico," a voice called from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Yeah?" I turned to see Beatrix walking up to me.
"Noah, Coby, Walt, and Archer are shooting bows and we were wondering if you and Wyatt wanted to."
"I'll go ask him. I'm sure he'll want to."
"Okay. Meet us out by the range when you're ready," she started to walk off but turned around to remind me that the range is by the barn.
I thanked her and walked up the pathway to the first house.
In the first house is me and my family and the kids, along with Beatrix, Russel, and Alex.
The second house had everyone else because there's more beds in there because their dining room has beds set up in it. We all eat either in the first house or by the campfire.
I opened the door and called for Wyatt, and he answered from upstairs.
"Would you want to shoot bows with some of the others?"
"Yeah! I'll be right down!" he called.
Wyatt has been wanting to do some stuff with weapons like shoot a gun and a bow, so I figured he'd want to.
***********
"So Archer, are you finally going to live up to your name?" I heard Noah ask once we got over there.
"I hope so. It's been a while, so if my aim is bad blame that," jokes Archer
"I'm sure you won't be that bad," responded Wyatt.
Archer turned and said, "I didn't know you were here. Thanks for the support, too. I may need it. Who knows?"
"You gonna shoot, Nico?" asked Berkinley.
"No, I'll just watch," I responded.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
*****************
The four that were out getting supplies returned not too long after we finished shooting.
"Find anything important?" I asked. Beatrix and Walt were with me.
"We found some medicine, some food, some clothes," Sadie said, "oh and there's something we want you to see. There was a huge group of walkers on the interstate coming from the northeast."
"A what?" Beatrix asked, shocked.
"I don't know how many there were, but there had to be at least fifty. Maybe even up to one hundred."
"And they're coming towards us?" I questioned.
"Yeah. Chances are they'll get into the city and split up. Then there would be more for us to look after."
"What can we do to stop them, if there's anything we can do?" asked Walt from behind us.
"Let's try to think of something," I say, "Sadie, if you had to guess, what time do you think they'll be here?"
"Probably by sunset. They're not going fast, but there's still a lot of day left," she responded.
"Let's get everyone gathered together to talk about this," I suggest.
************
We had our 'council' ,as you could say, meet in the upper floor to of the barn.
The council includes me, Liam, Beatrix, Walt, Adrian, Adira, Coby, Noah, and Maya.
"We could just let them come into town and kill them like we normally do," Adrian shrugged, "They won't be able to get in here because the fences. We could just stay at camp until the majority wander by. If there's any that stay in the city, we probably won't even notice."
"That's our rock bottom option," I respond.
"Where are they coming from?" asked Adira.
"Sadie said they're coming from the northeast and that they'll be here by sunset."
"We can go up north and check stuff out like we were thinking," suggested Liam, "See if anything forced them to travel our way."
"We could. If we can't think of any way to stop them, we're just letting them come in like Adrian said. Hopefully the majority will pass through, and if any are left we can take care of them like we usually do."
Everyone was silent for a moment, thinking. Nobody thought of anything else we could do that would work.
"We're gonna let them come into town and stay at camp for a few days. We're more than good on supplies," I announce, "we're also going to send a group of people up north like we had planned. We'll see what we can find. They'll leave later today."
Liam asked who was going up north, and I responded with "Who wants to go?"
Noah, Adrian, Adira, and Coby raised their hands.
"Maybe Arya would want to go," Adira suggest.
"You can ask her," I say," we'll start getting everyone else's stuff ready."
****************
The group heading north will be riding in Coby's truck. We were putting some supplies in the back when Adira came back with Arya, saying she wanted to go.
"We're almost done here, then you can be on your way," I tell her, "Don't go on the highway where Sadie said those walkers are. Find a way around."
"We will," she replied.
"I let you guys discuss the seating arrangement."
"Already done," said Noah as he put the last backpack in the back of the truck then climbed up and sat down, "I'm sitting back here and you guys are in the backseat."
I lifted up the tailgate and told Coby that's he's good to go once the other two get in.
"Be safe!" I shout as he starts to drive off.
"I'll make sure they stay safe!" Adira shouted back.