Chapter 8 :THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

The survivors walked into the farmhouse like ghost. The lady holding the little boy introduced herself as Martha, and the other two were a young couple named Ben and Chloe. They gazed out with wide, terrified eyes at the fortified windows I had in my house and at the piles of medical supplies.

However, Trent walked in as one of the owners. He removed his muddy shoes, tracked dirt all over my immacate floorboards and began to look at the pantry.

“So,” Trent said with a smirk on his face, leaning against my kitchen counter. "Where's the food? I'm starving. And maybe a beer to wash it down?"

I replied, "You get water", sternly. “If you don’t get it, it's because you haven't earned it”.

Trent laughed, looking at Adrian. "You hearing this? Look, Sarah, I'm not your employee, I'm a survivor, we all need to share what we have equally."

"Equally?" I came toward him, my hand on the hunting knife at my hip. "Did you hunt the zombies that were trying to break down this door last night? Are these barricades your construction work? Have you purchased materials?"

He rolled his eyes. “It's not like that anymore, we are a team now.”

NO, we are NOT, I said his voice on ice. It's my house. My land. My food. Trent, you're a guest here, you don't get to ask for anything.

Trent's face turned red with rage. He came towards me and attempted to assert himself through his size. Listen here, you little------

Adrian ran so fast he could race with the lightning. He grabbed Trent by his collar and pushed him against the refrigerator. The metal was making a big noise, and Martha gasped, pulling her toddler behind her.

“Try it,” Adrian growled, his mouth mere inches from Trent's. So, please, give me a reason.

Trent's eyes grew wide with fear. His hands were raised to surrender and he swallowed hard. "Okay, okay! I understand, I am sorry.

Adrian let him go and Trent staggered, rubbing the back of his neck. He glared at me with pure hatred, but didn't say a word.

“For the record,” I said, throwing the bottle of water and pack of instant noodles onto the counter. It's dinner, there's boiling water in the pot, eat it then sleep, you'll be rewarded tomorrow.

---

The following morning I loaded them into the game.

Martha and Chloe were tasked to go in the root cellar and sort and organize the stockpile. Ben was sent outside to support Adrian with fence building. Trent was given a bucket and a scrub brush.

I replied, “You are on latrine duty.”

Trent looked at me his jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

You heard me, we have an out-house out back, needs to be cleaned and sanitized, get to it.

“That's a load of crap,” Trent said. I don't do the work of cleaning toilets while you sit in the toilet, playing queen.

You can go now," I said, simply pointing towards the front door. There are still plenty of biters in the woods, but the horde is thinning out; feel free to take your chances.

Trent glared at me, his fists clenched. I thought he was going to hit me for a second! But Adrian was standing by the door, his pistol unstowed, his hand casually on its grip.

Trent picked up the bucket and marched off down the back door.

By noon, the farm house was as smooth as a five-speed model rocket. In the deep pantry Martha had discovered some flour and had made fresh bread, and the kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of the fresh bread. The house was alive for the first time in days.

But I was not able to go to sleep. I was sitting on the floor of the master bedroom, eyes closed, tidying up my mind.

I had to have food for months but the water purifier was working overtime. There would be more water if there were more people. I had to increase the capacity of this space and add another water source.

I suddenly heard a loud cry in the back yard and my focus was interrupted.

I ran out and seized my crossbow then, and got up into my legs. Adrian was already there with his gun drawn.

Martha was waiting at the fence, ashen faced. Her hands were trembling as she pointed to the line of trees.

"What is it?" I demanded.

"B-Ben," she stammered. “He was looking around the edges, and he just... he just fell down.

I turned my head to the woods. Ben was lying on the ground about 50 yards away, shaking and shaking. Chloe was running towards him, yelling his name.

"Chloe, stop!" I yelled. "Get back here!"

However, it was already too late. Ben stopped twitching. Slowly he lifted himself up off the ground, his movements stiff and unnatural. His eyes were white when he turned his head towards Chloe.

He had been bitten.

I didn't hesitate. I picked up my crossbow and shot. The bolt hit Ben in the side of his head and knocked him unconscious.

Chloe fell to her knees in the grass, crying loud and loud. It was a loud sound and came back and forth in the silent valley.

I said to Adrian, "Get inside.I said to Adrian, “go in”. "Now. All of you."

Martha picked up her young child and ran into the house. Chloe was still crying, mourning Ben's body. She wasn't walking in and Adrian had to drag her in.

I followed them but as soon as I heard the whistle from the tree line I froze.

I looked up. At the edge of the forest there was a man who was wearing a dark suit. He had a big rifle in his hands, and the muzzle was right at my chest.

He wasn't a zombie. He was alive.

He grinned, a predatory smile.

"Hello, Sarah," he called out, his voice echoing across the field. My name is Marcus, the Syndicate greets you with regards.