Dawn breaks as Andrea Mitchell sit atop the barrier wall around Oasis hoping to soon see the camp's "reluctant visitor" return. As the seemingly appointed head of the camp, she has had to deal with difficult choices and the repercussions of those decisions and this choice has been one of the hardest. The salvage party that went out for supplies has been trapped in the area once known as Fenton Missouri, ten members of the camp went out with two having been attacked and possibly bitten by infected with another injured. She has decided to put her faith in their recent captive William Daniels who says he can retrieve and save them. The part of the decision that has people conflicted was releasing him to feed and build his strength.
"I think you have misplaced your faith, ma'am. That was no man we had in custody and you unleashed him back upon the rest of this world, it won't be coming back." The words of her second in command, Derrick Patterson, pierce her thoughts as she looks over her shoulder towards the grizzled enforcer. The older gentleman being a former deputy quickly became the man she turns to most, in this case however she went against every plea he made.
"He promised he would return by dawn and the sun has just began to rise, so try to have a little faith. I know it is less than idea to use someone like this but these people look to me to make the hard decisions. I do what I have to for these people and I wish you would stand with me on this because..." Andrea's words are cut short by the young lady watching the horizon announces movement coming into sight. Andrea snatches up the rifle beside the chair she has called home for the evening oblivious to the fact nearly every member of the camp has come out hoping she was right about his return, while some want to see what he will be when he returns.
As the gate opens, Andrea comes down the wall to the gate walking out to meet the returning William covered in red and black splatters across his chest and arms. In his right hand, William carries the leg bone he has slowly picked clean along his return. Andrea tries to reach him before the others get a clear view of him.
"I am glad you proved a man of your word, but you cannot return like this." Motioning Derrick to bring the water and towel from right inside the gate as she returns her attention to William. "You come back here after I fought so hard to get people on board with this looking like a savage animal. Why do you insist on keeping everyone afraid of you?" Her words coerce him to toss the leg bone aside as Derrick reaches the two with the bottle of water and towel. William cleans himself slightly with his eyes locked on the her second in command before finally walking passed the two towards the gate with a question of his own.
"Why do you insist on thinking none of you should be?" His words are cold and emotionless as he enters the walls of Oasis heading towards the building he has been held captive for the last three weeks to finish cleaning himself and preparing.
After a quick clean-up, William meets with Andrea and Derrick inside as he begins outfitting himself with the gear he requested. Derrick has been less that inquisitive about their captive, even less about the condition he is in. In this case, his concern is about the members of this camp trapped outside and the people who will join this thing to rescue them.
"You have been less than forthcoming about your plan, so before we go any further I need to know what we are doing here before I agree to even go with you." Derrick stares at William as he looks up with a blank look on his face. The two men lock eyes as the grizzled old man refuses to show the least bit of fear to this abomination, William simply stares as he continues to load the supplies he has asked for before speaking and never taking his eyes away.
"Not so much an issue as you will not be joining me, Mr. Patterson. Infected pick up on scent caused by emotions and I don't need you stinking up the area with that degree of hatred. Now can we go out and find my assistance in this?" William slides the short sword into the sheath he has sewn into his vest as he turns to the door, "And have you gotten the last request ready Miss Mitchell?" Derrick gives an odd look to her as William pauses for the answer.
"Not yet. I was waiting to hear your plan and manpower needs before we asked for volunteers."
"What am I not being told?" Derrick shows confusion at this forgotten detail as Andrea takes a deep breath and walks out the compound door behind William. Outside in the open area, any who would volunteer have gathered and quickly assemble at attention and William begins walking amongst their ranks slowly and nearly stalking. As he walks along reaching the end of the first row of thirteen people, he pauses before giving one simply answer.
"None of these." William stands as Andrea motions the entire row away. William continues to walk amongst the rest of the nearly fifty volunteers as the camp's doctor meets them and begins drawing a syringe of blood from each and collecting them into a sealed glass bottle. Derrick's confusion turns to anger as he realizes the final request William had made, most of the anger towards Andrea for seemingly asking no questions.
"What is your name?" William pauses behind a small blond woman hovering over her, the woman stands never acknowledging his attempts at intimidation, "And why should I take you?"
"Marty, sir. Marty Richards. I am a decent shooter and very practiced at scouting." She refuses to turn and look at the man, missing the slight look of admiration he shows for her before walking around to face her.
"I will be the one scouting things before the rest move in, so unless you are good with a bladed weapon or behind the wheel, I have no use for you. Do you think you can still help?" He stares down to Marty as she glares up to him and slowly nods her head. William turns to Andrea acknowledging this woman as his first before dismissing the rest of the row of people. It takes less time to finish cutting the volunteers down to a small party of four.
"For you last four, I only have a few simple rules. Do not fire a weapon unless absolutely necessary or I tell you to. Do not try to be a hero out there, I am taking all the risk and your jobs will be get those people back once I get them an opening to get out. The moment we walk out that gate, we are not a democracy. You do what I say when I say or you let me know you stay here instead."
The four agree as William walks over to gather the three sealed jars of fresh blood he requested as he glares at the old man who gives a look that could kill,"Don't worry Mr. Patterson. I'm not looking to sample the camp like you think I am. Miss Mitchell, make sure your best shooters are ready tomorrow evening in case we have stragglers trying to follow us. If they follow my lead, it shouldn't be an issue." William turns to motion the four with him and heads toward the gate. Once the party has exited the gate and it closes, Andrea walks up the steps to the top of the wall watching them walk out of sight.
"Tell me I'm right in this, Derrick. Tell me I made the right choice." Andrea stands never turning around to face him as he stands behind her watching the group fade out of sight.
"I wish I could, ma'am. I think you place trust in that thing you shouldn't." He turns and walks away down the platform on the wall leaving her to deal with the decision she has made. Andrea knows what he may be capable of and hopes he is not the monster he seems.
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