~ Luke ~

"I need scavengers to make a run into town as soon as possible." Randy's voice carried over the noise of people working. People stopped, looked at each other and continued with their work. Nobody in their right mind would want to go adventuring when death awaited around every corner.

I made my way to Randy and watched the people work. Some were doing normal day things such as mowing grass or on their hands and knees tending to a garden. Others, however, were carrying metal sheets and chain link fence rolls towards the walls.

"What's everyone doing?" I asked, following them with my gaze.

"You look refreshed after a good shower. And everyone here has a job. Let's call it... the price of admission. It's not much. Not like the you need to pull your own weight routine. Just stuff that helps out and keeps people active and their minds off what's happening." Randy surveyed everyone from atop a overturned bucket he used as a perch.

"Yeah. The shower was refreshing, thank you." I motioned to the people carrying metals toward the walls. "I guess their job is reinforcing the gates?"

Randy rose an eyebrow. "And why would you say that?"

I continued to point as I named off everything. "The material they are using is lightweight, but durable. Like tin roofing. And the chain link fence is a cliché item people use. They also are walking to the gate, so I put two and two together."

Randy laughed in amusement. "Very perceptive. Say, do you have a job yet?

I shook my head. "I didn't know about admission until now. What should I do?"

Randy stroked his beard as he thought. "Are you a good runner?

I turned so I was facing his way, "Um... I think so. I was on the football team."

"And you are already smart..."

I could normally figure things out pretty fast, but I was stumped here.

"Have you ever won a game of hide-and-seek?"

And I thought I was confused before...

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's a very important question." He might've been smiling, but his tone couldn't be anymore serious.

"Might as well humor him a bit."

"I guess I'm a decent hide-and-seeker."

Randy rested a hand on my shoulder. "I have a job just for you then. Come with me."

Randy led me over to a house I soon learned to be occupied by the Tallard's. The husband had a unique name that went along with his toned body, tanned skin and dark hair that made his brown eyes seem even darker. His name was Brick. Then there was a small woman with long black hair, freckled faced and the greenest of eyes and light caramel skin, his wife Jenna. They had twin sons, Jack and Timmy, seven years old. Jack was the adventurous one, while Timmy was always cautious. They weren't aware of the catastrophic events happening outside the gates, and for good reason.

Brick was shoveling compost for Jenna for their garden. He stuck the shovel into the ground and wiped his brow.

"Hello Rand! Sure is hot today." Brick said as he shielded his eyes from the sun.

I have to admit. It was hot, but Brick mentioning it made it seem even hotter. My shirt collar was feeling damp by now. Whether it was from my hair or sweat, I have no idea.

"Brick, this is Luke. He'll be the newest Scavenger."

Brick stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you! So you are going to scavenge huh?"

I had no idea what he was talking about and it must've shown on my face because Randy spoke up.

"You'll go out with Brick and a few others to get supplies. I know this is sudden and you have a lot of questions. So let me clear some of them up. Some of us have seen and been through this virus before. This isn't the only city it's hit, you know. Brick and I met a few days before it hit here. It's going to get bad."

I shuffled back and forth on each foot uncomfortably.

"Before we know it, winter will be upon us and these generators don't run on hopes and dreams. Neither do our stomachs." Brick added in.

"He's right. We need food, water, clothes, medical supplies, gasoline, you name it. Anything helps."

I looked back and forth between them. "So, I'm going to go out there, while zombies are on loose, to get poptarts, sparkling grape juice and underwear?"

I was serious, but Jenna snorted in laughter. "I'm sorry, but that was too funny." She covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughed.

"Precisely." Randy nodded.

"He seems like he'd be okay if that's all that was brought back..."

I thought about it for a moment. All pairs of eyes were on me, I could feel them. I don't want to look like a baby in front of the boss, a hulk and a beautiful lady.

"Alright, I'm in."

"In what?" Lucy strolled up from behind with Annie.

"I have a job Luce. You got one yet?" I pivot on my heel, made eye contact with Annie and suddenly dropped my eyes to the ground.

"Great..."

"Well, I've been helping out in the kitchen with the other girls and Annie. Since I helped Ma... I figured I could help out there."

Randy slapped my back in laughter. "She has you beat Luke! She is on top of things."

I couldn't suppress my smile. "I'm proud of you, I'm sure she is too."

She hugged me and stepped back. "So what are you going to do? Help with the wall?" She looked over at the shovel and the compost, "or shovel... manure?" She giggled.

Jenna laughed again. "You both crack me up."

"Actually I'm going out with Brick to get supplies."

Lucy went quiet with a face of stone.

"You're going out there? With those things and those people, like the ones from our house?"

I looked at Randy and Brick for some support, but they looked away.

"Thanks for the help guys..."

"Well, yes. But I'll have Brick and others with me so it'll be fine. We'll be back soon, safe and sound. I promise." I didn't know if any of this was true, but I had to say it to reassure her, and myself.

Annie finally spoke up, "Your brother is smart and skilled. He can handle himself I bet." She smiled at me. I wanted to smile back, but I didn't feel like getting beat up.

"Pa and Ma said the same thing you know. 'We'll be back.' " And with that she walked off.

Brick filled his cheeks with air and then blew out. "That was a doozy." He and Randy exchanged nods.

"Let's just get this over with." I said trying to change the topic.

I was tugged off to the side by my arm. I turned to see it was Annie, "Hey... you alright?"

"Lie."

"Yeah. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" I looked over my shoulder, as if to see Jeremy watching. Luckily, there was no sign of jealous jock boy anywhere.

She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow. "Fine, huh?"

"Why is she so cute?"

I coughed and started to turn away, "You know. I don't think your boyfriend would like this to be happening."

Annie frowned. "So he did say something to you yesterday. What did he say? Tell me."

I mentally face palmed. I was defeated, I had to spill the beans now. "Told me to stay away," I wanted to stop, but the words just fell out, "and he didn't want to see me hitting on you again."

"Why would you say that!? Oh my... you did it this time. She's gonna laugh at you."

Annie giggled softly, "You were flirting huh?"

The tiny smile that spread thinly across her lips made my face hot.

"Those lips are just asking to be kissed... You just met her! Besides, her boyfriend will beat you to a pulp! ABORT, ABORT!"

I tend to laugh when I'm nervous, that's exactly what I did. "Or something like that, yeah." I bit my lip.

"Stay safe out there, will ya? For your sister's sake," She turned around and looked over her shoulder, "and mine." She winked and walked off.

"What just happened...? ... She likes me! Haha! ... she was just being nice, she doesn't really like you..."

I sighed. Sometimes the inner thoughts are a real bummer...

"Show the abs next time. If she winked from this, she'll drool from them."

I blushed, shook my thoughts clear and walked off with Brick.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

~ Annie ~

I skipped off and left Luke standing there.

"I wonder what he thought of that."

I smiled to myself.

"He's cute when he's flustered... Stop it, you have a boyfriend... Jeremy has been acting weird lately though... Gosh, Luke is adorable though!!"

"What are you smiling about?" Jeremy's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"What? Oh nothing, sorry I was just coming to find you!" I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled my face into his chest.

"Mhm. Sure you were. Were you talking to that new guy?"

I didn't want to get Luke in trouble, but I couldn't lie.

"He probably saw and is expecting you to lie, so tell the truth... Oh come on, be a rebel! A girl is able to talk to whoever she wants to."

"Yeah, I was. He's going out with Brick to scavenge today. I wanted to wish him luck." I tugged on his shirt.

Jeremy huffed, "I told him..." he breathed deeply.

I placed a hand on his chest. "Just leave him be, Jerm... he didn't know. I'm with you, remember?" I kissed the corner of his mouth lightly.

He looked at me and moved himself back.

"I gotta go. Brick is waiting for me by now." He hurried off without a goodbye.

My arms felt heavy as they hung at my sides.

"What's wrong with him... does he even love me? Maybe it's something I did... yeah that's it. I did it this time, but what did I do..."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

~ Luke ~

Brick led me to a small group of guys huddled around a minivan.

"Everyone, this is Luke. He'll be the one joining us today."

Everyone acknowledged me and slowly all came up and shook hands.

They were various ages. Full heads of hair to hair regrowth commercial actors. Young and dumb to old and wise. You know, people.

Dominik was a husky kid with big, bulky glasses that jutted out of his long brown hair. He sat on the back of the van making a spear out of a stick with a pocket knife.

Then there was Ralph. A small man with a peppered goatee and strips of gray in his black hair with his receding hairline. He was wrapping a rope around his arm and tossing it into the van.

Derek and Justin were the average best friends. Both laughing at things the other said, headlocks and noogies. Derek was a bit taller than Justin. His fair skin accented his dirty blonde hair and pinched face.

Justin on the other hand was a bulky guy. He looked like he worked out as much as he could. His wavy brown hair stuck out over his ears, probably because of his hat.

Brick shut the back of the van and moved in the middle of everyone.

"Alright. Today's objective is to find medicine and food and water. You know, the essentials. Anything else we find along the way that would be helpful can be grabbed as long as we have room. Food, water and medicine first."

I rose my hand out of habit.

"What are you doing? This isn't school you nerd. Put your hand down!"

Brick laughed and called on me. "Yes Luke?"

Everyone was looking this way.

"I don't like to be the center of attention! Ugh."

"Shouldn't we also look for seeds? Winter is coming, and we can't really go out to the closest McDonald's anymore. We should prepare for the worst and plant our own food."

In unison everyone turned their head to look at Brick for his response.

"That's a good observation. You're right. Nice thinking Luke."

I felt pride swelling up inside. Justin slapped my back like I'd seen he do to Derek.

"Nice! It's good to have a quick thinker like you with us." He bound off to find Derek.

I like feeling like I belonged, like I was needed. I wanted to help and be on a team again, even if this wasn't football and my life was at stake.

"Don't leave without me!" A voice from behind shouted. I turned and all that happiness sank away.