The Strangeness of it All

"Okay." Aiden nodded towards the elderly man and the crowd of people. Though before the throng of people could start buzzing with excitement, the man immediately followed up with an ice-cold statement, "However, I can only take a small portion of you guys out. In fact, I suggest that you don't leave at all."

That was simply the truth. Escorting a hundred people would be difficult. Even if there were a few ability users amongst the crowd, they would only exert elementary control over their powers. With that amount of power, it would only be good for magic tricks or entertainment, not killing a zombie in a few shots. It would also take a couple of months to train it to that level.

As for the strong and healthy young people that should be able to fend off zombies... Aiden scanned over the crowd.

There simply seemed to be very little. Only a handful. Not enough to protect a hundred people or even just five people. It would be demanding too much in this brand new world.

Even with Aiden and Oliver's powerful abilities (plus theirs and Hillary's past experiences), they are unable to coddle these strangers from all harm. It would be best if they stayed at the factory and formed their own base, simply make a life here than take risks to go outside.

Aiden had quickly expressed his concerns towards the people. Many were quick to be persuaded. All they really needed was food and water, and those could be solved by farming and scouting for resources. Aiden (and a reluctant Oliver) had promised to help them get started with some resources in exchange for the solar panels, and even began discussing future plans for trading, which would mutually benefit both sides. The majority of the crowd were influenced by his calmness and eventually settled down, already agreeing with every word the man was speaking.

Of course, there would always be the few that want to leave.

"I don't want to be here! I want to leave!"

"Me too, I don't want to stay."

"Can you still take us with you?"

A good handful of people still wished to leave, eleven if he had to be exact. Oliver crooked his lips down, noticing a certain pattern amongst these people: They were young, healthy, and strong. The same handful that Aiden had first identified as capable in the apocalypse, at least in theory.

If they all left, then there would be no protection for the rest of the group.

Plus, they all seemed... strange. A weird look in their eyes. It wasn't full of bad intentions nor the pleading look that the old man had. Their gaze contained a certain degree of awe and wonder. Oliver quirked a curious eyebrow up, although he often flaunted his and Aiden's own powers, they have not exactly done much to take the attention of these group of people.

They simply came into the factory, Aiden somewhat acceded to the request of the old man and now they're discussing terms.

Unable to hold back on his thoughts, he asked.

"Why do you want to even go with us?

A woman was quick to answer, "A man had warned us about the apocalypse and told us to go to this factory. He seemed to have other things to do, but before he left, he told us that there would be a powerful man who would be able to help us in the near future, and that man-" She waved a hand towards Aiden, "- fits the description of your friend."

'Another reborn person,' was what popped into the minds of the group of four.

Surely, that person had good intentions in helping more people. However, the current situation was simply weird. The rest of the crowd wasn't insistent on going with them, yet the group of youngsters was.

"Can you describe this man you're talking about?" Oliver put a facade of gentleness and asked softly.

"Ah- yes! His name is Jacob. He has dyed red hair and dark brown eyes. A little on the tan side. Kind of around your height and was a bit muscular. And... Oh! He has a large scar over his nose. He's an acquaintance of everyone here. Quite friendly, but somewhat aloof. He was the one that convinced us to go to the factory before... this disaster happened." She scratched her head in embarrassment for being unable to provide any more details of that man. Though, no one else could add on to her description. They were somewhat unfamiliar with him.

Aiden and Oliver had tried to think of anyone on that description, but no one came to mind. It was possible that the red dye had washed out or he changed his name, thus skimming over the person they were talking about. However, a nose scar, even a small one, would be a notable trait. Yet, they couldn't think of anyone.

Quickly, the thoughts were brushed out of their minds. Aiden had to either take away all these healthy people and leave the rest to learn how to protect themselves without any leverage.

Tapping his arm in thought, Oliver dragged out a small "hm," tensing the nerves of the people before him. Aiden was also in deep contemplation. But, they both knew they already came to a decision.

Oliver put on a soft grin, yet his words were sharp, "We aren't taking any of you."

He quickly raised a hand towards the handful of people that wanted to argue, "We aren't taking any of you because we'll take you guys later. Right now, just live here for a few weeks. We'll give you a good amount of food in exchange for solar panels, but we aren't taking any people."

No matter the choice, there would be a backlash.

Take everyone? Then all would be a buffet that would attract large amounts of zombies towards those unused to the apocalypse.

Take all the strong and healthy? The rest would simply rot inside the factory, willing to go outside, however extremely vulnerable. Even with resources.

Take only a small portion of the healthy? More than likely that the rest would still insist on going too.

The best route was to turn all of them down. Aiden would like to save all these innocents in some way, and the most favorable method for everyone was that the crowd before them stay at the factory.

In addition, the handful of those that want to leave was suspicious. Who would simply believe the words of a simple acquaintance? Believing that a powerful man would help provide for them and help them? Well, it seemed that only they believed in it and the rest were somewhat still unbelieving...

Or that rebirth had only informed those he thought had a better chance at survival and the rest were up to their own devices. He had clearly told them of Aiden's power and merits. So, why leave those who were vulnerable with no information?

What was this 'Jacob's' intentions in telling just this handful of people?

And why do they believe in his words so deeply?

Strange and suspicious was all that came to Oliver's mind. This 'Jacob' character was able to convince a hundred people to go to a factory, make eleven youngsters frantically believe in a man that would eventually save them, and ran off to do something with no one stopping him in fear of the future and the unknown of the apocalypse.