As the group was sitting around the fire eating, the driver and seemed to be leader asked Adam if she could ask him some questions. He said sure as long as the answers didn't put his group in danger.
She seemed to be thinking hard on what to ask first when Adam spoke up instead. "Maybe this will help. I'm at a loss here. I've never run into any kids before, so this is new to me. I normally find men with slaves. They are easy, I kill a few and make them run away. Problem solved; they're gone. I killed them all a while back and ended up with 4 new girls to feed. So far that's turned out ok. Connie's got a smart mouth on her but once you get used to it it's ok. She's actually funny sometimes." Looking over the group he tried to put on his mean face as he continued. "I will deny that if you ever tell her. She'd probably turn it up and I'm just now getting used to it. So please don't make it worse. Anyway, here is my problem. This world is a war zone. Everyone is at war with everyone else. Kill or be killed. Normally that doesn't bother me. I do my best to not be killed. Simple. The problem is, I don't want 8 new people to feed but I can't turn my back on kids. They are not my enemy. You 3 girls are kids too in my book. No matter the age, you don't have that look in your eye. The hard look the most of us end up after enough killing.
If I let you leave on your own, I'm condemning you to a death sentence. Or worse. But taking in more useless people to take care of is not good for my tribe." He realized he insulted them but didn't know how to say it any easier.
Judy saved him but cutting in. "What he means is, inexperienced. More people to train. More people to feed. More work for him. He's not lazy but his full-time job is keeping us safe. We are just now getting to the point that he doesn't have to bring us fresh meat. At first he had to spend time feeding us instead of protecting us. In doing that he was putting us in possible danger. Safety first is what he is always telling us so when he can't do patrols, he is breaking his own rule. He has been alone for 20 years, so his public speaking is not the best. The idea of basically doubling our size overnight is, uh, even I don't know what to say. Scary?
The driver stood up, "My name is Suzie, and I'm not offended. We are hanging on by a thread out here and left on our own we won't survive." Looking at her group she continued. "I know I've talked tough and always looked for the bright side but inside the idea of being responsible for all of your lives has been a weight on my shoulders. I've been scared to death most of my life, I think we all have but it's one thing to be scared for my life verses being scared for yours. I understand what Adam is saying. Adding more weight to his shoulders is not something to take lightly."
Looking more at Adam she continued, "The younger kids and I all left our home months back, Candice and then Krystal joined later. We met them as we were traveling. My family home was attacked and as the oldest child I watched over the younger ones. We had a bug out plan, dad drilled it into all of us from the time we could walk. The hardest thing I've ever had to do was take the kids and run. We had no idea who or how many there were, but we heard guns and dad didn't shoot unless it was life or death. He hunted with a bow; guns are for war he said. Well it must have been war and I don't know who won!" Everyone could see the pain in her eyes as she talked. "And had we been 30 minutes faster coming back from the fishing hole we would probably be dead. Based on the smoke I figure dad was holden em off, so they burned him out.
Dad had a sister that lived in this area, her name was Paula and she lived with a group of people. Sort of a big bunker from what I remember. Don't know much more, just random talk from time to time. Before the end they talked on the phone some but after, he never heard from her, so we assumed they didn't make it. But to hear tell, they had lots of big trees so I figured that would be the place to go. Anyplace with lots of big trees sounds safer than most."
Adam looked at her, hard. "Your dad had a sister named Paula and she lived in a compound with lots of big trees. Tell me anything you remember hearing about it. Maybe I've seen it."
Suzie scrunched up her face, thinking. "Well, I assume she spent most of her time naked, dad always did." Laughing a bit but it didn't reach her eyes. "I think they were all nudists before the end. Of course, now that's nothing but from what I gather back then it was taboo to some people. All I remember is she had a few 'sisters'. Some of the husbands died so they just joined the family. Geez this was before I was born, all I remember is she had a few kids and her sisters did too so they all just lived together, and the kids all called them Aunt Paula or Aunt Beth. I don't remember any other names, don't even know how many kids. I think the guys dad started the camp, called it his bug out hole. He made a bunch of money when he sold his business or something and built this dream camp. Hidden away in the trees is all I remember hearing."
Now Gwen and Judy didn't know much about how the camp got started but their curiosity got up big time based on the look on Adams face. They could tell he was stressed out.
He looked at the newcomers and with a sad and hard look said, "I have a large bunker, and just the fact that I say that to you puts your life in danger. I have never let anyone outside of the camp know we exist. I don't mean to scare you, just making sure you understand. As of this moment, you are part of my family. That means I will protect you, but that means you have to live with me. I can't protect you out here. The choice of letting you go is now off the table. Sorry, I would normally never force anyone to do anything other than run. I don't have any choice here." Here he seemed to be at a loss for words. "I had an Aunt Paula. I had 3 aunts; my dad's dad built the bunker. It's in a bunch of big trees hidden from the world. All of them were killed 20 years or so ago. Dad let a woman and 2 kids into camp. He thought he was saving them. In truth they were the advance scouts for some raiders. I showed up towards the end just in time to kill them all. Paula lived for a year after but never got out of bed. I only know what happened because of what she told me. I don't know that she was your Aunt, but it fits. My only worry is, and I'm sorry to have to say this. Are you for real or are you just another scouting party?" He put his hand up to stop them from talking. "I have one motto that I've learned that has kept me alive; never trust anyone. Now here I am putting my existing family in danger by a good story. I'm leaning toward believing it, seems like the odds are you are already part of my family. I can't fathom how anyone could have planned this out. But know this, if this is not real, I will find out and my pets will entertain you for a while."
Suzie looked at the 5 little kids, then back at Adam. "I'm not going to say that I'm not offended. I have no right to be, but it still hurts. For a brief moment there I felt hope and that was, wonderful? Exciting? But after a moment to think, I realize that from your perspective this is de ja vu. The idea that you think I would put these kids in that much danger is insulting but then again, in this world you've seen worse. You don't know me, hell I don't know you. We both could be lying, so I'm not going to let any of this take away anything from the light I see at the end of the tunnel. IF somehow, we can verify, that would be awesome, but it really doesn't change anything. You've told us too much, so we go with you. That is only logical. If you decide to not trust us, don't take it out on the kids. Candice is a sneaky bitch and Krystal is a tricky twit, but I trust them with my children's lives."
She stuck her tongue out at them smiling. "What can I say, they are women and the only way a woman wins is by being smarter than the dumb apes running around everywhere."
Gwen and Judy started laughing, harder than the others felt that joke deserved. They were all watching them waiting for an explanation it seems. Judy just laughed harder but threw them a bone. "I promise you will understand when we get home. To tell you now would ruin it." Laughing harder... "Just remember; you said ape. That's all I'm gonna say. Its not bad I promise."
The rest of them just watched the interaction with curiosity.
Adam, still looking troubled got up and said. "We can't bring your wagon in the compound, no road or path big enough. I know you need it to carry the kids. We'll figure it out when we get closer. For now, everyone sleeps, I'm keeping patrol so you can relax. Tomorrow night, if we don't make it to the compound will be a problem but I'll worry about that tomorrow."
