To Help or Not to Help

Rather than expected response of surprise and curiosity, Grant just received looks of confusion from the three.

That was when Grant realized his mistake. He smacked himself on the forehead for his stupidity before he went on to explain himself.

"What you three don't know, is that Earth has been linked to other planets through Dungeons. These dungeons not only act as passageways between planets, but they can also become homes for wild monsters until someone claims them.

Richard, you may remember the skeleton that showed up the first night you fought the zombies?

It was the night I went out wandering through the streets yelling "Skeletor!!""

Richard nodded his head to express that he did in fact remember. Since it was so random, he was pretty sure that he would never forget it let alone forgetting it after just a couple weeks.

"Well what you don't know about that Skeleton, is that he is in fact from a different planet.

On the day I went on a supply run without you kids, I ran into him again. After a little bit of fun, he ended up approaching me and we had a conversation which inevitably led to him inviting me to his dungeon.

That was where I have been for the past couple weeks while the storm was raging. I would have returned much sooner than I ultimately did, but since he was much stronger than I am, I decided to stay back and train with him since we had established a kind of partnership."

After saying so much, Grant paused to see what their reactions were, and after looking at each of their facial expressions, he finally felt like he had succeeded in his little prank because they were all looking at him with shock and awe.

"You met a talking skeleton Grant?! That's hard to believe, you know?! And you're saying he's from a different planet? So basically, he's an alien skeleton? And you're friends?!"

Robin was clearly the most surprised because she bombarded Grant with a torrent of questions without giving him even a moment to respond.

Her bombardment of questions only came to an end because she ran out of breathe from speaking so quickly.

Richard and Ally wanted to ask questions too, but Robin basically covered most of what they wanted to ask.

"Calm down Robin, let me explain. Yes I met a talking skeleton, but he's not much different than you or I other than the fact that he's made only of bone. He's quite a nice guy, in his own way, I guess. He has taught me quite a bit in the few weeks that I have known him.

My main purpose for tracking you guys down, was to invite you back to the dungeon with me. Skit, that's the skeletons name, agreed to give me the Earth side of the dungeon if I helped him with a little project of his.

The dungeon can be modified using mana and currently it's large enough to house thousands of people with no issue.

I had never had any intention of inviting anyone other than the three of you to stay in the dungeon with Skit and I. But after hearing what the four outside said, and how much you seem to believe in them, Ally, I was considering if we should bring them with as well.

I have no desire to rule, but I know it would be hard for you guys to abandon these people after they have taken you in with seemingly no questions asked."

Richard caught the anomaly in Grant's statement, because he ignored the entirety of what he had said except for one detail. He even used air quotes while he was asking his question.

"Wait, you said "with Skit and I," are you telling me that you are living in this "dungeon" with the alien skeleton?!"

Grant just laughed hearing Richards question. He could understand how he would get caught up on that one detail.

"It is true. Skit cannot return to his planet due to the low amount of mana in the dungeon core, so he will be staying in the dungeon or in the surrounding area for quite awhile.

That's not important right now though, you'll meet him eventually anyways, so don't think on it too much.

What do you guys think, are these people worth placing our trust in? Should we invite them back with us?"

A heavy silence reigned for a few moments before anyone so much as twitched. Whatever decision they decided to make at this point could possibly influence the lives of thousands of people. They could easily walk away now and forget that they had ever met these people since there wasn't anything that they could do about it.

But if they walked away, it was inevitable that these people would die. And they would have to live with knowing that they could have done something to help them and they chose not too.

"I know I'm the youngest and I don't understand some of the stuff you guys are talking about, but I think we should save these people! They have been very nice to Richie, Mom, and I since we came here. Plus, they told me I look cute in my track suit!"

All three of the other people in the room couldn't help but burst out laughing when they heard the last reason that Robin used to promote the idea of them being saved. It was very much like a young kid to be swayed by a few compliments.

Ally readily agreed, which wasn't a surprise to Grant, because she had been advocating for him to help the people of the camp from the very beginning.

But what surprised him, was that Richard didn't seem convinced that helping them was the best idea.

"I know we should help the people here and I know it is the right thing to do. But what happens when these people feel safe and secure? Everyone is working hard right now because they are all motivated by the fear of monsters and hunger. But what happens when we provide them with a safe place to live?

Will they still be the same unified group they are now? Or will we have to deal with people like those bastards who killed my father?"

Grant was surprised that Richard's reasons for not wanting to invite them were exactly his concerns as well. He had been thinking about those exact issues when he heard Scott talk about being the leader of the camp.

He was only the leader of the camp because of necessity. And if that necessity disappeared, so would he. What would he do then, especially since he was stronger than the average human at this point?

The same logic applied to everyone else in the camp. Just like Richard said, they were unified now out of necessity, but what happens if Grant provides them with the safety of dungeons and then provides for them? Will they still work hard?

"You two worry too much. You do realize that the three of you are stronger than anyone in this place, right? If the need truly arises you can use that strength to enforce the rules that are laid out in advance. People just need guidance and a purpose. If you give them a purpose and make sure that they do not have a chance to fall into depravity, then everything will work out just fine."

Grant and Richard both just looked at Ally with surprised looks on their faces. This level-headed woman just told them, in a roundabout way, to rule with intimidation?

"It could work of course, but after enough time, it could inevitably backfire you know? Plus, I want nothing to do with ruling these people, as I've said before. Eventually I plan to venture far beyond even the boarders of Arizona itself and figure out what is happening with the world. And for that to even become an option, I have many things that I must accomplish. I do not have time nor the patience to take care of these people. Do you want to lead them Ally?"

"You must be joking, Grant. I can barely keep my own kids in line these days, let alone lead thousands of people.

If you want my opinion though, Jerrod would be your best choice. Based on what you said, the three who are in charge now would not be a great choice for the long run, but Jerrod has proven that he will do what needs to be done to provide a safe haven for his family."

Although, Grant had the same opinion, he still didn't know what the right choice was in this situation.

After sitting in silence, Grant just screamed in frustration at his lack of conviction one way or the other before he slammed the table and stood up.

"Fuck it! Lets help them. I do not want to forsake people simply on what they may or may not do in the future."