The Wall Five
“What
were you doing out so late, Jen? I was worrying my ass off waiting to hear from
you. If you walk out like that again…I’ll…” Hank couldn’t finish; he was
seething. Jen would go off on her own before when they lived in the settlement
but that didn’t antagonize him more than here. There are so many people here,
too many potential threats. Jen didn’t have an explanation and soon ran to her
room to sulk, Hank let her go.
“Marla,
thank you for bringing her home. If anything were to happen to her…”
“She’s
being a teen; no one got hurt.” Marla spoke unsure of how to broach the
subject. “So, you wanna tell me how you did on your placement test?” She
smiled.
“Oh,
yeah. Come in, I’ll get you something to drink.” Hank came back with two room
temperature beer bottles. “Compliments of a friend, a welcome to the
neighborhood gift. Unfortunately, my fridge is being temperamental.” Hank
explained.
“It’s
okay, I could use a drink. It’s been a rough day.” Marla sighed as she twisted
the top off.
“Well, I
got Close Combat Trainer. I guess it’s exactly what it sounds.” Hank blurted
out.
“You
made the NCD force, that’s impressive. I wasn’t sure because of your age that…I
mean, not that you’re old, it’s just that you’re….well….old?” Marla smiled awkwardly
unsure how to remove the foot she just inserted into her mouth without tearing
anything.
“Yeah, I
know, I am older. Before the world changed, 55 wasn’t that old actually. Now…now
it seems like the human life span has become increasingly shorter, so 55 is ancient
to you young kids.” Hank smiled but inside it was a terrible thought to think
that his daughter may not make it to 55.
“I’m not
that young, I’m 24. That’s practically middle aged.” Marla laughed. Her
thoughts were in turmoil thinking that perhaps asking Hank for help wasn’t a
good idea, not now that he’s made the NCD. However, if Marla was able to get
him on their side, having someone inside the NCD may be more beneficial and
worth the risk.
“Hank,
tell me what you know about the Dead Heads.” Marla thought it better not to
wait any longer even though she almost laughed at the expression on Hank’s
face.
“Well,
not much. I just heard that they’re dangerous, that they don’t approve of life
behind the Wall; they caused that walker attack when we first arrived in the
city.” Hank spoke as if he was giving a report.
“Would
it surprise you to know that I was once a Dead Head?” Marla tested him.
“You? Well,
no actually, it wouldn’t. But…”Marla interrupted him.
“Hank, I
need your help. The lives of my friends, your daughter, and the whole city
could be in danger. Please, just hear me out. The Dead Heads are being set up.”
Marla mirrored her earlier conversation with Pete. Hank leaned in to listen
thinking perhaps it was a mistake to move to the city as Marla began to speak a
polite knock sounded at the door.
“Excuse
me.” Hank stood to answer the caller and was greeted by a screener and his
team.
“Good
evening citizen, we are here to conduct a random screen. Please have all
occupants present for the screen.” The man wore a white lab coat over blue
slacks and button down shirt. He spoke through a medical face mask that muffled
his words.
“What’s
this all about?” Hank asked a little put out at having to submit to this.
“Hank,
just do as he says, please.” Marla was beside him, her hand on his elbow.
“I’ll
get Jen.” Hank left to walk upstairs. The team of four spread out throughout
the lower floor sifting through articles of clothing, papers, and drawers. The
screener tested blood from Marla first.
“Marla
Goode, says here your shift ended hours ago yet you’re still here at your
newbie’s home?” He asked.
“Yes, I’m
finding out how he did on his classification exam.” Marla didn’t want to give
him any more information. Hank reappeared at the bottom of the stairs.
“Jen’s
gone. Her window was open.” Hank said with worry.
“That’s
unfortunate, it’s curfew for minors. If she’s caught on the streets now, she’ll
be arrested.” The screener smiled; Hank was nose to nose standing over him in
two strides.
“Hank,”
Marla tried to diffuse the situation, “we’ll find her.”
Judith
Grimes rode the train from the outer wall; the late day chill caused her to
pull her jacket tighter. She always gets anxious when she meets her brother,
with so much going on in the city that most people don’t even know about, it
could get very dangerous to continue these meetings. But Carl needed her, now
more than ever, and she was going to stand by him.
The
train rambled from the outer wall through the various districts full of newbies
and non-conformists. Judith viewed them from the window and wondered why they
were here; why was anyone here. The train stopped at the last station before
entering the inner wall. Judith sat still as screeners and guards entered to
check the credentials of the remaining passengers.
To enter
the inner wall you have to either live or work there and carry the right
identification issued by the Data Collection Agency with whom Judith worked as
an employee.
“Miss,
your ID please.” The young guard spoke through a military grade mask. The
guards wore them for protection against any biological threat civilians in the
city may pose. She handed him her ID and she passed through the checkpoint
without incident. The train continued on its route and Judith felt a sense of
dread in her stomach. She always felt this way when she went to see the head of
the council.
Judith
was the only one of the Dead Heads to be able to get behind the inner Wall but
she also has access to the council chambers. As she left the train station and
walked the clean streets, passing polite and happy people, she entered the
Council Hall. The ornate columns and the capital with its graceful scroll brought
to mind pictures of Greek Architecture she had seen in books.
These
were the last few remaining shadows of human engineering, a sign of a civilization
long dead. Judith walked to the reception and asked to see the Head Council
member.
“He’s
expecting you, Ms. Grimes. Go in please.” She spoke politely. Judith walked the
familiar halls and entered the tall dark oak doors. There sitting behind an
oversized wooded desk was the target of the Dead Heads and the supposed reason
for suffering behind the Wall.
“Hi,
dad.” Judith spoke with a small smile.
“Judy, I’m
glad you’re back.” Rick Grimes stood to greet his daughter.
To Continue…
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