'What's up with them? Even if they're hungry, they shouldn't be that hungry.'
Noticing the tension in the room, Simon walked over to Winter, wanting to minimize the bad energy. Everyone else continued to watch as Simon made his way over. Some watched with fear, the blood on his body a subtle reminder that the horde of walkers was cleared by him. While the others stared at his backpack with greed written all over their face.
Grabbing a chair, Simon sat next to Winter, a light breath escaping his lips. "Sorry for the awkwardness. Everyone's just on their toes with everything that's been going on."
Winter nodded, not everyone had the capabilities to kill walkers with somewhat ease. Maybe if they leveled up a few times, but that can't happen if they wouldn't take the initiative.
"It's fine, I don't blame them. It's hard but at some point they're gonna have to face reality." Staring outside the window, he added, "We all do."
Faint sorrow could be heard from his tone. Simon wanted to ask what he meant, but knew better than to inquire about such things.
Winter looked over at Simon with a gentle gaze. "Was he a lover?"
Startled by the sudden question, Simon raised his eyebrows in confusion.
Seeing his reaction, he repeated. "The man that was bitten, was he your sister's lover?"
Simon nodded as his face down casted. "Yeah, his name was Charles. They had just started dating about a year ago, then this happened. He was a great guy, he would sometimes bring me gifts when he came to visit Ava."
There was a slight silence before he continued. "You probably didn't know, but my sister's a registered nurse at this clinic. Charles brought me here to get my physical done for basketball." Spreading his arms he added, "Then this happened."
Before he could continue, the door to the room—which Sage and Ava was in—opened. The two walked out closing the door behind them. Scanning the room, Sage sighed in relief when she locked eyes with Winter.
"H-How is he?" An older man with a chubby build questioned.
Ava glanced at him with subtle disgust. 'Two-faced pig.'
Previously, he was one of the main ones protesting against letting Charles stay inside. But now here he was acting all coy now that some 'strong' people came along.
Not wanting to be rude, Ava mustered a thin smile. "We decided it was best to let him go. Since he was already bitten, there was no chance of bringing him back."
Scoffing, a middle aged lady folded her arms against her chest, "We could've- no. We tried telling you that, yet you just wouldn't take no for an answer. But it takes somebody else a few minutes to convince you? What a hypocrite." Her voice condescending and dripping with sarcasm.
Ava stared at her, once again at a loss of words. She knew it was true, yet again she didn't really have a say as Sage released the arrow.
"Though you're right, the attitude was unneeded. She had a reason for doing so and no one was hurt in the process." Sage retorted, annoyance visible in her tone.
Rolling her eyes at Sage, she added, "Regardless if anyone got hurt or not, she still put our lives at risk. You can say what you want, but that was pure stupidity."
The room went silent. They knew she was right, it was how she said it that was wrong. Subtly, faint sobs could be heard. Tears began forming in Ava's eyes as she hanged her head down. She felt a multitude of emotions at the moment. Anger, Sadness, but most importantly guilt.
Because of her selfishness, she had indeed put the group's lives at risk.
Unable to bottle up his anger anymore, Simon had enough. "AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?! HUH?!" Not giving her time to respond, he continued, "Yes, he was bitten by a walker, but only after he went to find supplies for us!"
"You complain about about my sister putting your life at risk, yet what have you done for yourself?!"
The room once again went into pin drop silence. Ava watched her brother, a sense of pride growing in her heart.
"It's fine Simon, she's right." she voiced.
Simon was ready to argue but Winter placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head. Simon shrugged off his hand—forgetting about the carnage he amassed—and collapsed onto the chair.
'Heck I do?' Winter thought to himself. 'Kid has an attitude.'
Sage comforted Ava as Winter stood there thinking to himself. There was nothing that they could do, other than be there. It was an internal struggle and they wasn't part of their group. But there was a way to be petty.
Winter smiled slyly, "So Ava, Simon here told me you were a nurse. Though I have all these medical supplies, they'd be more useful if someone knew how to properly use them."
Sage understood the memo. "You too Simon, it's not everyday someone is willing to take a risk. But not only did you do so, you came back in one piece. Says a lot."
Tension in the room began to lighten up, yet the jealousy was apparent. Their loaded backpacks suggested that the two were stable and probably had more where that came from.
Tabitha,—the lady that voiced her displeasure—was filled to the brim with jealousy. Why did they ask Ava instead of her?
To her, Ava was a burden. Someone who thought with their heart instead of their head, would surely not survive in this new world. So why did they pick her?
"She's too hesitant." Tabitha voiced out. "If she can't get her feelings in check, she would ultimately become a burden."
Her words caused a nod of heads from everyone in the group, Winter also being someone that nodded.
Seeing that he agreed with her statement, brought forth a stronger force of confidence. "If anything, she might be the cause of your downfall. What if she isn't able to act in a time of need? What if she decides to give out your resources because she 'feels bad' for someone. If anything, she's just a loose cannon."
Winter nodded his head replying, "That's quite a lot of ifs."
Tabitha smiled to herself, thinking she had successfully persuaded him. Unfortunately for her, his next words felt like a bucket of cold water was dumped on to her.
"But even so, isn't she better than someone like you?" Winter questioned. "A person who is willing to sellout their own 'teammate' for an opportunity, is no better than a Judas."
Sage chuckled to herself understanding the reference.
******