Chapter 88 People

The storm didn't pass until the morning of the next day. John stood up after he put his game in his backpack. He walked over to the door and opened it; he saw many trees surrounding the barn had fallen.

John walked out and jumped over a tree before he made his way up a small hill. John then watched as the sun rose on the horizon. Sitting on a log, John pulled out his radio and turned it on.

John said, "Angel, you there?"

Amy said, "Of course, Honey. Why didn't you talk to me last night?"

John said, "Sorry, there was a bad storm. I tried but there was too much interference."

Amy said, "Oh. How are you doing?"

John said, "Doing good, I been tracking a group of people who destroyed Noah's community."

Amy said, "How is the road?"

John said, "The same as always, although it is lonely without you and the kids."

Amy said, "I'm glad you miss us. Come back soon, okay."

John said, "I will come back as soon as possible. Don't worry too much."

Amy said, "I'll try, but I give no promises."

John then talked to Amy for a while longer as the sun continued to rise. Finishing their talk Amy said, "I love you, John."

John said, "I love you too, Amy. I'll be back soon."

John then turned off his radio and sat down for a while. He made himself some instant coffee and drank it slowly. The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted when a man came walking from in front of John.

John had long noticed this man using his Map. John sat there unperturbed as the man walked closer slowly. The man announced himself when he was about 20 feet away from John. John observed the man and saw that he was quite nervous. The man had sweat on his forehead and twitched around some. The man had dark hair and eyes and he was pretty tall. His clothes were clean, and it was clear that he had a place

John patted the log beside him and started to pour another cup of coffee. The man seeing this walked over cautiously and sat down beside John. John handed him the cup as they sat in silence for a couple minutes.

John said, "I noticed you watching me."

The man was shocked, "How did you know?"

John said, "I caught a glimpse of you multiple times."

The man said, "Oh. Why didn't you move away?"

John said, "Didn't see a reason, you were keeping a distance. So, what do you want?"

The man said, "My name is Aaron. I have a settlement nearby. I want you to audition to join us."

John said, "Audition? Am I joining a play?"

Aaron laughed awkwardly before he said, "That's the best way to describe it. I wish there was another word. Makes it seem like we are some type of dance troupe. That's only on Fridays."

John looked at Aaron, not laughing at his stupid joke. John thought, 'I'm the only one that can make shitty jokes.'

Seeing John looking at him, Aaron coughed before he said, "It's a community, there are several houses. I want you to join, but that isn't my job. My job is to convince you to come back with me. -- Now I know you want to know, exactly what you are getting into. I have some pictures in my pack."

Aaron then pulled out an envelope from his pack. He opened the envelope and showed John multiple pictures inside. He explained about the walls and different parts of the community.

Aaron said, "Sorry about the picture quality."

John said, "I don't give a shit. Where are the pictures of your people?"

Aaron said, "There was a problem when I was developing the photos."

John said, "Alright, ono last thing, then I'll follow you."

Aaron said, "Okay, what is it?"

John questioned, "How many walkers you killed?"

Aaron said, "I don't know, a lot."

John questioned, "How many people you killed?"

Aaron hesitated, but said, "Two."

John questioned, "Why?"

Aaron said, "They tried to kill me."

John stared at Aaron for a second, before he said, "Alright, you passed my test. Let's go." John then stood up and drank the rest of his coffee before he threw his mug into his backpack.

Aaron stood up as well and gave the empty mug back to John. John threw that on his pack as well before he lugged it onto his back. Aaron put his backpack on as well, then he led John through the woods and to the road.

They walked down the road for about 20 minutes before they arrived in front of a big tree that blocked the road. The tree must have fallen last night.

They climbed over the tree and came to the other side. John saw a car and an RV parked next to each other. A man came over to them and Aaron introduced him as his husband, Eric. John and Aaron got into the RV, while Eric got into the car, and they drove off. Heading northeast, they drove for a while before they arrived in front of a 15-foot gate.

John looked at the wall and saw that it was made of steel plates, 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. There were some steel beams used as supports on the outside.

John shook his head some when he saw this, sure walkers wouldn't be able to climb up these beams, but humans could easily use them to scale over the wall.

Aaron honked and someone opened the gate quickly. The man who opened it had a sketchy vibe surrounding him. Aaron drove in through the gate quickly, Eric did the same and John watched as the man closed the gate.

Aaron then got out of the RV and John followed him. John looked around and saw, many houses within the walls. On top of each house was enough solar panels to provide the electricity for the house.

A woman came walking over slowly. She was observing John with a keen eye, John looked at her as well. She looked to be at least 55 years old, had a reddish-brown hair. She walked over to Aaron for a couple minutes, listening as Aaron explained about what he saw while watching John.