chapter 15

I made it back in time for dinner at the school and Tabi came running towards me and hugged me. I smile a bit and hugged her back. She took my hand in her smaller one and we made our way to the lunchroom. I saw Sally and Claire handing out the food and I smile at them. I needed to talk to Claire and I also needed to plan the next time to go on a supply run. I didn't really like being the leader but no one else was going to do it, well maybe Jimmy but he is a little bit crazy for the job. After eating I called a meeting with my seconds or whatever they call themselves. "Okay guys we need to go on a supply run for food, clothing, and weapons, we might end up helping more people and maybe fighting a new threat, which are humans, these guys are a gang and I don't know where they are but from what our new guest Riley told me they're bad news," I told them. Claire looks at me and faces the wall with the map on it. "I know where the police stations are at and I can raid them for weapons, ammo and body armor and other things that would be good," she said. "Okay. Do that and tell me who you are taking with you" I said. Erin looked at me and said "I can help with food and maybe build a greenhouse for fresh food" "Good plan, go for it" I said. Jimmy said he would go on the clothes run because there were a lot of places around. Looks like we had a plan of action now for tomorrow and the days to come. I feel like I need to tell Lucy about all this but that will wait for tomorrow when I call her on the walkie.

After getting sleep and eating breakfast, Claire told me that there was a precinct close by. "How close?" I question. "Right on west 82th street, it's the 20th," she said. "Aright round up who you need and be careful," I told her, she nodded and left to get ready. Each group that was going out was to take four people with them. There were about twenty-five of us so it would be good. I wouldn't be leaving today for I was on guard watch and helping Sally take care of the kids we had. Erin was heading to the whole food market on Columbus ave between 97th and 98th street. There was also a Michaels art store and a home goods there as well. And Jimmy was heading to the H&M on 59th and Lexington ave. It looks like everything was going according to plan. I just hope it stays that way. All three teams were heading out at the same time.

Sometime later, I was just sitting on the makeshift watchtower looking over west 77th street when I saw something in the distance. It was making its way over here and I ready myself to shoot if it was a growler or a ticker. I only had my M9 while I told Claire to take her own weapon which was an M16-A9 rifle in case anything bad happen. I look over to the tower on the other end of the gate and made a hand motion for them to look at the far end of the block. Luke nodded his head and pointed the scope hunting rifle to get a better look at whatever it was that was coming our way. "It's a person," he said in a quiet voice. "Look I'm going to go see what it is, cover me," I said in an equally quiet voice. He nodded his head and I jump off the tower and made my way to them. As I got closer and closer I saw that it was a girl. I yell out "stop" and she did. "What is your name kid," I said as I point my weapon at her. "My name is Jeffrey," she said. That confused me a bit before I realize that I just misgender someone on how they looked. "Don't come any closer I need to check if you were bitten" I told him. He stood still looking afraid of me touching him. "Look just take off your shirt, I won't judge you, Jeff, I'm gay and I know what it is like in a way for people to judge you and I am not about to do that now," I told him. The look he gave me shows relief and he did what I told him to do.

"Alright, you are all clear so follow me," I told him. We walked the short distance to the gate and Luke open them up a bit. "Luke this is Jeffrey, call Sally or one of the girls to show him around alright'" "You got it, boss." I climb back up the tower and saw Sara walking out of the school waving over to us. "Jeffrey, it's your choice to tell everyone but I think you are good here," I told him. "Thank you," he said. I just smile and radio Claire and the boys to see how they were doing. "Hey Jackie, it's Claire, we got a lot of stuff so we are planning to make some trips back and forth today and tomorrow," she said. "Copy that Claire, see you soon". "Hey it's Jimmy and we got all we could carry and some more planning on heading back once we get in". "Alright, Jim keep it up." "We are good," said Erin. "Alright dude, see you soon," I said. Erin wasn't much for words but he is a good dude. Everything was going good and as planned soon we would see the groups come and go for more runs and switch people out.

"Hey Lucy, it's Jackie, you there?" I radio her. "Hey what's up? I need some help" she said. "What do you need". "We need some help getting supplies and working out some plans on building up watchtowers like you said to do". "Alright, I'll send over someone to help you get started," I told her. "Thank you, Jackie, I'll be on the lookout for them," she said. "Hey, Victor, I need you to go over to BMCC and help them out a bit," I ask him. "Sure, no problem, I'll head out now," he said. I saw Victor a few minutes later leaving the school and wave to him. "Thanks for doing this Vic be safe," I told him. "No problem you save me and I guess I'm good at building shit," he said with a smile on his face. We let him through the gates and I watch him leave. "Just sent someone Lucy". "Thanks again," she said and I force my watch back out to the street. Ten minutes later I saw Claire down the block and wave to her. I saw that she had some more people with her and two carts and some boxes of whatever she had found at the 20th.

I jump off the tower to go open the gates and to help her out. "Claire, who are these people?" "They are from the 20th and cops, they are good people and can help out on runs and guard watch" "Alright well, I'm Jackie and I run this place and you three are?" "I'm Bobby, I'm 22 and I just started working at the 20th I'm a rookie not even a month on the job when this all started," he said. "I'm Harry, I'm 35 and I am an army vet and I tried to save as many as I could from this thing," he said. "I'm Will, I'm 44 and the captain of the 20th and how is someone like you the leader when you barely reach five foot five," he said and laugh. I just look at him with my coldest glare and point my weapon and shot the growler that was coming up from behind. "That's how I'm the leader" and I walked away. I just saw Claire smile and walked through the gates and dropped off the stuff they have gathered. "We are heading out for our second run, see you soon Jackie". "Alright be safe, call if you need anything." she nodded and walked down west 78th street to where the 20th was. Soon after she left, Erin and his group came and I nodded and he left his things to get back out for more. An hour later, Jimmy came with the clothes and some other things. "What do you got there Jim?" I said. "Okay, so don't get mad but we went further down and found a shop with army clothes and military-grade stuff," he said. I look pissed and he knew it so I didn't say anything and just glare at him. He made a sound and rush in and went running out to finish another run before the sun goes down. I look at Luke and he just smiles. We've been on the watch for about five hours and in that time our three teams all made one run each and were now coming back from their second run and calling it a day.

Soon everyone was here except Victor because he was helping out Lucy and in a week and a half I will be meeting with her and Ken to get to know each other and work on ways of living together and facing problems and threats. We did inventory and food check and to see what we need and assign everyone a weapon besides the kids. After checking everyone and regrouping and talking to my co-leaders about what they saw and encountered and talked about helping Lucy build up BMCC and any news from the outside if Ken reaches it. After our meeting, we went to the lunchroom where Kari and Dani were cooking up some dinner and I went to go help them serve it. After everyone had gotten some food I grab mine and went to sit with Tabi but Riley was sitting next to her instead. I smile at that because Tabi was only close to me but I was happy to see her reach out to someone other than me. I sat down next to them and dug into my soup and can fish. It wasn't the best but it was the best we could do until Erin builds that greenhouse on the roof of the school. After eating I call everyone to a meeting and sent the kids to bed. "Okay, we need to find more medical supplies and food. I looked on the map of the city we have and that all of you should see on the halls of this place are marks with recruiting stations and such where we could find MREs, which are meals ready to eat and if we can find that we can get some more food that will last longer" I told them. "I see where you going with this," said Harry the new guy. "We also need to stay away from hospitals, I know I said we need medical supplies but there are free clinics around with good stuff that haven't been cleared out yet or even opened, so we also need to find those as well, and I marked twenty or so places on the maps for us to check out, they are most in Zone C while the stations are in all the Zones, so after, since we have new members we can look for more supplies and maybe find new people as well, we are here to save and try to live until the fucking government sends out supplies via drops," I said and ended that meeting. This also means everyone who wasn't on guard shift had to go out but I wouldn't send inexperienced people out unless they wanted to go outside the walls.[1]

I also need to add some towers on the roof of the school and add more protections on the walls. I was going to the office when I hear talking in one of the rooms. "I like what is going on here, they are trying to help people and I don't care if this kid is running it". It was a bit hard hearing the other voice through the door but it sounded like Will wasn't happy that I was running this place and not a man. I guess he forgot I saved his life with what I like to call I once in a lifetime shot I made. However, this didn't bother me one bit because I had people on my side and if Will tried anything, he wouldn't win. I know for a fact Zac and his brother would stand by me and so would Sally and her wife because I brought a family back together. And I just helped people and give them a place to call home while he is new here and has done nothing but make comments.

At the start of this all, I didn't have a plan or knew what I was doing. I was just trying to live the best way I know-how. By that simple fact, I lived and I helped people and I taught them but what got me the most was the fact that they trust me to be their leader when I'm just some twenty-year-old gay kid from the hood. I couldn't and wouldn't let them down, I wouldn't run and hide like I did last time. Everything is different and I have people to help me when things get tough and I am grateful for that and for them. Just let Will try anything, he won't see the end of it. I left the door behind me as I walk to the office to get a list of people that will be going out and to make sure that they are okay. After going over the list I went to where my cot was. It wasn't where it was last night. I look around and saw Sally, she smiles and points out the door whispering "Tabi took it". I just sigh and went in search of my bed and my little bed mate. I went next door and didn't see Tabi. I went to the door across the hall and stop myself from opening the door. I hear Tabi's voice. "Jackie is cool, she saved me from one of those things and she let me ride on her back and read to me so I can sleep, she also let me sleep with her because I was scared but I thought she wouldn't like that but she didn't move me or stop me, I was really mad at her when she left but then she finds someone who is super pretty and cool just like her," Tabi said. "I'm not cool, I just want to live and be happy like everyone else here and if you even need a bedtime story, I got you," said Riley. That surprises me. I didn't think I had that much of an impact on Tabi but now she is making friends with Riley and that makes me a bit happy. I stood outside the door but I didn't want them to know I was eavesdropping on them so I call out "Tabi where are you with my bed" I heard her laugh and when I walked in and she got up to run away. "Oh no you don't, you bed thief," I said and went after her. I laugh when she tried to wiggle out of my hold and pick her up and throw her over my shoulder.

I saw Riley there with a smile on her face and saw that my cot was now an air mattress with two pillows and some sheets and covers. I put Tabi down and took my shoes off and went to lay down. Tabi got up and handing a book to Riley, she said "Pick a random one to please" from her favorite book the Grimm brothers' tales. Jade was next to me on her bed fast asleep and getting bigger. My dog was beautiful and I think I now might have this weird little family inside of something bigger than all of this. I wouldn't get carried away and say that but it felt like it. Riley opens the book and turns to snow white. As she read, Tabi begins to fall asleep, and by the time she was done reading Tabi was asleep on her lap. I help move her to the end of the bed and went to the middle so she can cuddle up to me. Riley looked at me and I look right back at her and told her to lay down and that everything was okay. She nodded and lays down. At first, her back was facing me and I let it be, I wasn't tired but at the same time I was. I didn't want to see Allen's face in pain or blue eyes. Then I felt something move and thought it was Tabi but instead it was Riley who turns around and throws her arm around my waist. I froze at the contact and then I began to relax. It was weird having someone other than Tabi here but in a way, it felt good. I didn't really like it when people touch me but this was okay. Soon I fell asleep not dreaming of Allen or the blue-eyed kid but I dream of having a family of my own.

I woke up before my alarm and move Riley's arm from around me and Tabi from my chest. I got up and Jade got up as well and I change out of my clothes into some new ones. I put on Jade's dog bag and we made our way to the lunchroom to see what we can make for everyone. Kira and Dani were already there cooking. I smile a morning to them and they did the same. Today I would be going out with Will, Harry, and Bobby. I didn't want to go out with Will but Bobby wanted to come with me and get to know me. He would smile at me but I'd just look away or glare at him, which happened sometime yesterday and just now when he walked in wearing new clothes replacing his uniform. "Morning Jackie," he said and I just looked at him and drank my water. He was still smiling at me and I hated it. I wanted to ship that smile off his face. I gave Jade her dog food and got some food for myself from Kira. I told them to get up early so we can leave and go to the City MD on Broadway and the Mount Sinai Urgent Care on Columbus ave on the corner of 91th street. After we all finished eating everyone else come in. When everyone was here I told them all to be safe and those who are on guard will be for the whole day.

Soon Claire was by my side handing me more ammo for my Beretta M9 and I thank her. I check and clear my weapon and loaded the magazine and the other follow. We walked up to the gate and this time I saw Sara and Hallie on watch with a handgun and a simple hunting rifle. I smile at them, it was good to see them looking better and helping out. "Bye girls," I said and wave, they wave back and open and close the gate for us. We walked west towards the water and then north once we got to Broadway. "So how are you Jackie," said Bobby. I roll my eyes and sigh I didn't want to talk to him. "I'm fine and stay quiet, I'm trying to hear," I said. "But I don't hear anything," he said. That's when I hear a growl and saw one growler come from the side of the building. I just looked at him like he was dumb as fuck and took out my bad max and went to go kill it. Two hits later I made my way back to them and stood in front of Bobby. "Stop talking you'll attract more so shut it, thank you," I said with a cold smile on my face and eyes. He just nodded and was quiet for the rest of the trip. I was happy to have him quiet and we were a block away from the City MD when I heard some more growling. I look around and saw about four of them and I said in a whisper. "One for each of us" and then I made my way to one taking out its legs and hitting it hard with my bat. I look and saw the others do the same except Will. "What the fuck are you doing Will!" I yelled whisper at him. "I'm taking control of this now," he said and fire his M9 killing the growler. "See simple and easy." He said. "Oh my god what the fuck you can't do that you'll bring more!" I said. "Whatever no it won't I'm better and smarter than you," he said. I just look at him and thought to myself is he really pulling this shit now.

Before I could even say anything I hear the ticks of a ticker and some growlers. Will like the dumbass that he keeps firing his weapon bring more and more. "Run!" I yell at the other two" There are too many to fight we need to hide now" I said with anger in my voice. They both look at me and back at Will. Will was surrounded now and his gun stops firing, he must've run out and now was swing his bat but it didn't help him. He was surrounded and then we heard a cry of pain. He got bit and there was nothing anyone can do for him now. I watch as he fell to the ground. "I told you so Will" was all I said and left him there. We now had to wait until the growlers clear out and kill of the few that stay behind. I saw Will cover its bite and I radio Sara and Hallie not to let Will back in because he was bitten. They understand and told the others. I watch as he got up and struggle to move. I didn't feel anything for him because he brought this upon himself. That when Bobby pulls out his M9 and shot Will in the head. "What the fuck you could bring more," I said to them. "I know but he was my boss and I know he would do the same for me," he said. I just look around and saw a fire escape. "We hide up there and pick off the leftovers without firing our weapons, understood?" I told them. They nodded and we made our way up there. We were waiting for three hours and I saw that there were five growlers left in the area. That was easy to take care of and I saw Jade run to me from her hiding spot.

We clear it out and walk the block to City MD and clear it. We find what we needed and pack our bags with bandages, gloves, gauze, and other supplies. I also fill Jade's bag and we clear out about a third of it. If Will didn't pull that stupid shit we could of brought more. We pack our bags and some garbage bags to bring more back with us. The sun was setting by the time we finished and we walked back to school. We pass Will's body on the way home but it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.