Chapter 18: Eye on you

Ethan Warren

December 2022

Seven months after outbreak

Apartment, Minnesota

Season 1

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"What are your names?" I asked as we sat down at the table, everyone had their guns pointed at the new people.

"I am Lucas Buckley, this is my friend Olivia and her cousin Camila. We're from Wisconsin but we're been running for quite a while now. I promise we do not mean any harm."

"Is there anyone else?"

"No, it's been just us for quite a while now. In the beginning, there was a community but not everyone made it out," Lucas said, a devastated look flushed on his face.

"Hello," Rudi greeted, trying to grab Olivia's attention, "how many weeks are you?" She didn't respond, her focus stayed on the wood tiles of the floor, her hand placed gently on her stomach. Rudi backed off with confusion. Neither of the women have said anything since they arrived. I just couldn't figure out why.

"I can put up some sort of shelter in the back," Ashton offered.

"That would be great, thanks, Ash." The man smiled and I set my gun down finally, the rest did the same. "Dinner's at 7, you're welcome to join but you'll get smaller portions."

"Ethan," Rudi said with that look in his eyes, "the baby." I thought about it carefully, this baby wasn't going to be ours so why did it matter? But I felt bad for making Rudi sad, I didn't want him to be upset for something that I so selfishly deemed pointless.

"Fine, she'll get the same as us."

"Thank you so much, young sir," the man bowed before grabbing Olivia's hand, rather roughly, and going outside. Khai put up some branches and a blanket on top, the blanket was full of Rudi's blood but we didn't really care how it looked.

"Just because we're showing you kindness does not mean that will always be the case. You try anything and I promise you, you'll regret it," I threatened.

The three of them moved into their fort almost immediately after it was set up. I wondered if this really was the right play or if we had made a huge mistake.

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Rudolph Alinsky

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"You should name him Amon," I overheard Lucas suggest from inside their fort as I brought in more firewood. It was late at night, I don't think they expected anyone to be out at this hour. At first I even felt rather guilty for eavesdropping.

"That's not a very Christian name," Camila chimed in.

"Shut up, we're not Christian people, Camil. People just like to hear a man of God, it tricks their mind because how could a preacher possibly worship the lord and be a threat at the same time?" My heart dropped as I heard the words coming from this man's mouth. I know I should have told Ethan sooner but if he kicked them out the baby would be in so much danger.

"You should stop playing that role. It gets old after a while. What is this, like the fifth group you've tried it on?" Camila asked, her voice was soft and her Mexican accent was strong.

"If it gets us close to them, it works. They're a bunch of kids, they'd believe anything. You saw how easily they welcomed us with open arms."

"The leader threatened you."

"An empty threat besides, when did I ever give you permission to question my judgement. You're only alive because of me. You only live because I let you."

"What if it's a girl? I kinda like the name Juna, my grandmother's name was June," Olivia said, softly, completely changing the conversation.

"That's a terrible name, besides it's not a girl," Lucas practically shouted. I could just feel Olivia's expression fully change. What the hell was wrong with this man?

I couldn't listen to any more, I know I should have but it was just too much all at once.