chapter 23

When Lucy and Beth left I was with Claire and Riley. Then a book went flying and hit Claire in the face. I look at who threw it and saw it was her son Johnny. "Johnny why did you throw this at me," Claire said. "I hate you, mommy, you're never around always working" he yelled. "But I have to in order to keep you and mom safe," she said to him in a calm voice. "Johnny why did you do that to your mom, I know she is busy but she is here with us," said Sally with a scary look in her eyes. Johnny didn't say sorry and ran away. "Claire takes the day off," I told her "wait what no," she said. "Its an order do it," I told her and walked away. I wanted to go talk to Johnny. I went in the direction he ran off to. I wanted to talk to him and tell him how messed up the world is and that his mom isn't always going to be there but she will try her best to keep him safe from anything and everything that wants to hurt him.

I find him on the second floor in a room. We hadn't touched the other floor of the school because we didn't have a lot of people yet but soon we would have to but we also had the high school that is connected to it. I made my way to him and sat down next to him. "What do you want," Johnny said in a mad voice. I thought it was cute. "I know you're mad at your mom right now but she is trying her best," I told him. "Well her best isn't good I want to be with her," said Johnny. "I know you do kid but the world is different now. Remember how I find you and your other mom and how you had to hide and stuff like that" he nodded as I continue "well there are some bad people out there and monster that want to hurt you and everyone here and your mom job to help me protect you" I said hoping he would understand. "Well it still sucks," he said with a pout. "I know buddy but guess what," I said to him/ "what?" she asks "since I am the leader I told gave her the day off so she can be with you," I said to him. At that moment I didn't think he could be any happier than he was right now. I just told him, he could be with both of his moms and yell thank you and hug me. I laugh as he ran out of the room to spend the day with his parents. It felt good making the kid smile. When I first met him he was quiet but then started to slowly open up even if it was a little bit at a time.

I went back downstairs and I saw a happy Johnny hanging off of his mother's arms. I smile at Claire and she mouthed 'thank you'. She didn't have to say it because I would have done it anyway. I would have done it for anything who had a kid here but then again a lot of these kids didn't have anyone to lean on. They lost a lot of things but yet they still find a way to laugh and smile. I wish I could be like that but I can't because I was the leader. There are about right kids here and two of them had families. I mean Johnny had his moms and Tabi had Riley and me. These kids didn't have anyone beside Tommy and his sister. I wanted to do something for them but I didn't know what. As I was walking down I made a mental list of everyone that was here. This list was long and it had close to fifty or so people on it. At first, it was just me, then Jade than the brothers, then more and more just came along.

It went from one to about forty people in a matter of months. I wanted this to be like a family for those who lost theirs or having found them or to send a message to those on the wall outside that whoever they thought was gone is alive and well. I needed to find a way to make this happen. This was not only for me but for those who needed to send some kind of sign. I needed to talk to Ken and Lucy about this the time we all meet and ask them what they think. I think out of the three settlements I had the most people. Which meet someone might have family still lost in the city or living in the other places. I was thinking about starting a wall with names and picture when I was pulled from my thoughts. Tommy ran into my leg and fall.

"Hey slow down little guy," I said pick him up. "But Benny was chasing after me we are playing tag," he said was joy. I laugh at him and put him back down. "But now you're it" he yells at me running away. "But I'm not Playing" I yell back. I laugh when I saw Benny and went after him. He yells and started to run away. But his little legs didn't get him far. "you're it" I said picking him up. "No fair" he whines and I just laugh. I put him down and walked to the office to come up with some plans to upgrade the wall and the watchtowers. I could add more because we only have four. As I was working I notice that Cameron came in. "what up shorty" I said to her. "Hey you're short too," she said. "But I'm taller than you so what's up shorty," I ask again. "Nothing I just wanted to see what you were doing," she said to me. "Well, I am the leader so I have a lot of work to do about send people out and building up this place to be safer for us to live in," I told her. She nodded and place herself in my lap. I just smile at her and continue to work.

Every now and then she would ask me a question about what I was writing down or drawing and I would answer her. She then falls asleep in my lap. She was a cute kid and I hope her and Tabi got along well. They were the only two little girls here. Tabi was the oldest out of all the kids here, so think it was her job that she placed on herself to protect these kids when it was really my job. But I didn't stop her, she is my kid after all so I guess she was following in my footsteps. I carefully got up and held onto Cameron and walked to the room she was staying in. I put in her down and left her to dream of someplace nice. But as soon as I left I heard a cry. I went back and saw Cameron get up with tears on her face. "What up kid," I ask her. She didn't say anything. She just went into my arms and I felt her shaking. I held onto and let her cried on me. I lay down and let her fall back asleep on my chest. I didn't know what it was but I just let her be.

When she was fast asleep again I got up to finish working. It was noon when I heard Lucy voice. "What's up girl," I said. "Nothing much I am just sending some of my guys your way to trade some clothes for some medical supplies," she said. "Alright cool," I said. After the short talk, I went to the rooftop and look out over my city. I wanted to go out and find some more supplies and people. And take down a few of the undead. I sat down on the ledge and thought this was a good place for a tower when I hear a voice behind me. I look up and saw Riley standing next to me while a smile on her face. "What's up Love," I ask her. "Nothing much just looking for my kinda impulsive lover," she said was a smirk. "Whatever you know you like it," I said poking her side. She kisses me and pulls me from my seat onto my ass. "I know what you did for Cameron," she said. "What did I do?" I ask. "You help calm her down and let her feel safe, that's what you did Jackie," she said to me. I didn't really think it was much but I guess I help her out a lot. I just wanted everyone to feel good and safe here even if we lived in hell. Hell was outside the school walls but no inside and I'll make sure of that.

I'd give everything I had to protect these people. I wouldn't even think twice about it. I knew Riley knew this but I know she would still worry about me. Soon I was back inside with Riley just hanging around until Hallie came up to me and said that Lucy group arrive. I told her to let them in and to trade with them. She nodded and left. Today was my plan was simple, try to bring people together to actually feel like they have a family even if there loved ones are good and to get a message to the outside. I bet the rest of the world thinks we are all died and gone but we aren't we are still kicking it. I needed to spend some time with Ken to see what he is doing to send out a message.

I was making my way back to the office when I hear Zac yelling. "Jimmy I know you gay but don't fuck up," he said. "I know Zac but I care about victor and he cares about me!" said Jimmy. I walk in and look at all three brothers. "Whats going on," I ask. "Nothing just making sure Jimmy doesn't get anything," said Zac. "I'm sure Jim can take care of himself, after all, I did make him my left hand because of his ways of calming people down and bringing them together," I told her. He looks down and nodded. "So Jim you can fuck whoever you want just keep it down," I told him while he blushes a bright red. "Yes boss," he said and I walk away laughing a bit. Today was kind of like a breaking point for some and for others they already had a point to break but now are trying to come back from that. I know Riley had one before we met and Sara and Hallie had one as well because they are doing good now. Claire and her family are trying their best and if I can help I will. I wanted the people I am looking out for to know that I am trying my best and everything I can to make them safe and maybe reconnected them with their family like I did for Sally and Johnny when I first meet them. Sara came in telling me there were more airdrops some close by and same next to BMCC. I told her ok and to call Lucy to let her know she needs five people to get it. She nodded and ran off again.

After telling people what to do and giving orders for resting I went in search of a few boards and markers. I also wanted to find a bigger classroom so I went looking on the second and third floor in search of one. Twenty minutes later I find the right size room on the third floor I was planning for us. After cleaning it out and find some boards and markers and taping a few pieces a paper on the wall. I wrote a few names. Alex, Greg, and Neil on the paper. I didn't know why I wanted to do this but I just knew it will make people feel better. I didn't know if these people were alive or not but I just wanted to let them know and myself know that they will always be in my heart as the people that became somewhat of a family for me when I needed them the most. I guess if I really think about it this was some type of closure we all needed to move on and to keep them with us in a way. After writing those three names I went back downstairs and told Riley what I did. She wanted to go up and write some names herself and after a while she told more people about it and soon they were people crying and letting whatever they had held inside out. I didn't cry because I already let them go when I saw the wall and I didn't look back until now. Soon people left and went back to whatever they were doing before this and I went downstairs to spend some time with Tabi and Riely until a call from Ken came over the radio.

"We need help," he said and a panic." what's up ken what do you need," I ask "my men are trap and I can't get to them in time and you are the closet," he said. "Alright I'm going tell me where they at," I said. He told me between 86th and 88 street on fifth ave. I ran to get my gear and I told Riley I was going out. "Not alone" she shouted after me and grab her gear as well. "Alright love lets get it moving," I told her and she ran up behind me. Sara and Hallie open the gate for us when they saw us run out the doors. We went racing out trying to get to Ken men in time before they all died. We cut through central park when I felt my skin start to burn. "Fuck we got a freak on our hands," I told Riley. "Fucking shit," she said but we kept moving towards Ken's men. Twenty minutes later we reach where the men were and we saw a lot of growlers. "Fucking shit did they make a shit ton of noise to attract so many," I said. Riley just shook her head. We need to clear them out and get the men out of here. I need to think of a plan when Riley pull out her M9 and started firing. "What the fuck babe" I yell. "Just shut up and shot them," she said. I took out my own Beretta and fire off as well. They started coming our way and we were taking them down as well. But we were also attracting more to us. Little by little the growlers were dropping and I told yelled at the men to make a run for it. I saw four of them run like hell. Ken said there were only four and I was happy.

"Let's get the fuck out of here," I said and Riley nodded. We started to run until I hear the howl of a freak. My skin was set ablaze and I felt myself reacting to the call. "Fucking shit" I need to take down that freak but really was with me. I didn't want to put in her, even more, danger. "Run Riley" I yelled at her, "LIKE HELL I WILL" she yell right back at me. "Shit just fucking gets up then," I said and started running to where the Freak was. I ran and to my surprise, Riley was keeping up, a bit slow but still keeping up with me. I guess training with Claire paid off. Three blocks over the freak were there and I was ready to fight it. "I know you're not going to leave just don't get hit by it and support me alright," I said to her. "Ok I got you and I'll keep off any growlers or tickers that come our way," she said. I nodded and went running to the freak for a fight.