Survival or Struggle?

Andy and the others leaned against the wall, pondering their victory as well as the others surrounding them. Some people were hugging, others were crying(whether from relief, terror or something else they didn't know). But all in all, it was a win. Having ditched their weapons after everything was over, the much deserved quiet was around them. Jinxx was sporting some nasty bruises though, courtesy of the zombie trying to kill him. But it had been an amazing performance by the man. Jake actually hugged it out with him out of relief and amazement. The others just watched on with slight smiles on their faces.

"Dude! That was awesome! That was some Daryl Dixon shit." Jake said, smiling and sliding down to the ground in relief. Jinxx simply smiled back and ducked his head.

"Couldn't very well leave you guys to die. What kind of friend or brother would I be?" he asked playfully. Jake chuckled and the others shook their heads in amazement and relief.

They stayed quiet for a moment or two before CC's voice broke the silence.

"This place isn't safe anymore." he muttered softly. The others looked at him, though Ashley looked to have agreed with CC.

CC, come on! This is a victory. Bask in it." Andy stated.

"We won't be 'basking in it' if we're dead the next time." CC argued. Ashley quickly came to CC's defense.

"Yeah guys. What if more of those things come back? We need a proper barricade and who knows what else." he explained. CC nodded, seemingly relieved that someone else other than him took notice.

The others couldn't help but agree with that statement and nodded, suddenly solemn. Jake got up off the ground and the rest of the group got off the wall and stared out at the property. The gate and the wrought iron fence around it would hold. Maybe putting some barbed wire around it would help some. Maybe doing that all the way around would give them a chance. Zombie's would be caught in it and they would be able to deal with them easily. With that thought in mind, he made sure to tell the others about his idea. They all seemed on board with it, moving around to the front of the building to get more people's attention.

"Everyone!" CC shouted, getting most of the people's attention. Everyone else out of earshot was hushed by someone who actually heard. CC continued after everyone was quiet.

"I know we're still basking in our victory. But this attack shows how vulnerable we are. We need to get a better defense surrounding the entire compound. We'll be able to survive better that way." CC said, explaining.

"What exactly do we do?" Someone asked in the crowd.

"A friend of mine got a brillant idea: barbed wire. We'll put it over the the gate and the front fence and build a strong barbed wire fence around the rest of the area. It's better than sitting here and waiting for another wave of them to come." CC said.

People began arguing and this time Ashley was the one to speak up.

"Do you want to live or do you want to die? Because this plan might be the only plan to keep us alive!" he shouted so everyone could hear them.

Everyone got quiet after that, though there was still some hushed arguments before it quieted down completely. It was as if they couldn't exactly contemplate that they really would die if they didn't do anything. So it kind of hit home for most of them. Though, obviously it didn't hit everyone. But you couldn't please everybody. Ashley had to stop from rolling his eyes at some people's reactions. He couldn't believe the nerve of some people. CC put a hand on his shoulder as some people who didn't listen walked away.

"You can get everyone to join in." he said softly, Ashley nodded stiffly.

The ones that did stick around actually went and got out the barbed wire that had been stored around the complex. The five men silently walked towards them and help put the barbed wire on top of the gate and on the fence. They obviously got cut up pretty easily, but they didn't have time to run and get protection. They needed to do this now. Now the hard part was building the barbed wire fence to surround the rest of the compound. Quite a few of them would have to find strong pieces of lumber, not sticks. These pieces needed to hold up human bodies, or those creatures.

So, with that in mind, the five went and got some weapons. Jinxx went with the crossbow again, but had two pistols and the ammo as a back-up. Andy went with a shotgun and plenty of ammo(apparently a lot of people were afraid of using it because of the kickback on it). Jake went with an AK-47 and some pipe bombs he carefully stored in a knapsack he had with him. CC went with simple machetes. Ashley decides to get a semi-automatic rifle along with a katana. So with everyone suited up, a few others decided to go along with them. The more lumber they found, and the more people; it easier it was to build the fence.

It was hard to argue that point. But also it was dangerous to have so many people. But the others who wanted to go convinced them that they would be in another area searching and would come back on their own. And the guys couldn't and wouldn't change their minds. So with that, they left the complex and heard the iron doors slam shut behind them. Jake couldn't help but wince at the noise.

"Now or never." Jake said, shrugging.

"Now or never." the others echoed.

The one group with them, consisting of six people, split off from the guys. Andy and the others continued in the direction they were headed.

"So? Where to?" Andy asked, turning to them.

"There should be an old lumber mill about five miles out." Jake said, taking out a map he had nabbed before leaving and letting the others gather around as he pointed at it.

"Well, let's go then." Andy said as Jake folded up the map. Ashley and CC looked at each other, knowing that they were all in for a fight to and from their location.

"Here we go again." Ashley muttered as he walked with the others ahead of him. CC only nodded, keeping pace with him.

There would a fight, no doubt. And it wouldn't be easy. If those creatures were out near the complex and everywhere else before that, then it would stand to reason that they would meet those disgusting things on their way there and back. The question wasn't if, it was when and how many.

Notes