Rurik dashed past the guard dug, clinging to his tattered cap as the dead lurched towards him.
Just as he stepped into the palisade I screamed out for the bridge to be raised
To my dismay the order had failed to be fulfilled. I located the source of the disturbance. Dan and Ellis were at each other’s throats! Pushing them apart I ordered them to pull the lever.
“You could have killed us all!” Dan yelled waving his spade “Get out of my way! I’ll pull the lever myself!”
“Not if I get there first!” Ellis laughed as he playfully shoved Dan out of the way hooting and hollering towards the hall
I looked back towards the opening the bridge clicked, clacked, and grinded, but failed to move. Finally, just as the zombies nearly touched the edge, the bridge slammed up and latched shut.
I couldn’t help but yell for joy. I knew we we’re going to make it!
Never a doubt in my mind otherwise!
-----
Winter came, did it? These seasons look exactly the same to me. Good thing I started to dig out my private bedrooms, had Ellis carve up a few things of furniture. I’ll be getting some statues installed to spice things up.
I sat at my desk, fiddling with the pen, it had never occurred to me how close I could be to death. Nor how far I was from completing my mission. They wouldn’t be able to check up on my progress because of the Zeds outside. But they will lose interest soon, then what? They’ve never been the types to accept failure with grace.
Suddenly there was a light tap on the side of the soil wall, it was no other then Dan McNeele. He stepped inside and sat down on sturdy chair that was the centerpiece to my room.
“Aye cap’n.” He muttered tapping the fine furniture as if to test if it was real “We’re opening up the cave like you wanted sir, we’ll be going down shortly.”
“Great!” I clapped my hands, at least my mission can continue its progress. However, I doubt that I will be able to achieve it before the year is up. I have less then a season, three months. Suddenly I was overcome with the sense of dread.
“What’s wrong cap’n?” Dan asked seeing my plight
“Well…” I muttered looking over my contract with the people who assigned me the mission. I can already picture the expression of the disappointed Liaison, his wrinkled face and piercing eye---- wait…
…Your contract is binding to your life. However if you through any way lose power, and unable to complete the task on schedule, you will be given an extension…My jaw almost hit the floor, with a dry chuckle and a coy smile I turned to Dan “Well, it’s just that my term is almost up.”
“Your term?” He asked confused
“Yes! Aren’t you aware that the leader’s position only lasts for one year?” I said flipping the sheet, slow enough for him to see writing, fast enough for him to not comprehend it “Then I need to find someone to pass the staff onto.” I walked to the wall “I need someone whose been here since the beginning, no one else deserves to lead this fort more then one of the founders.” I turned back “I was thinking of you Da-”
“Nope.” He muttered crossing his arms
I sighed and cursed, Dan would surely be competent enough to lead the people, or at least scare them into submission until I can get back into power “Well… I suppose Ellis would be more then willing to take th--”
“ELLIS!?” He screamed throwing his spade across the room, nearly chipping my fine furniture “He can’t even lead that horse of his!”
I shrugged “I see no better candidates.” trying to cover my smirk
He huffed and buried his head into his shoulders “Fine, I’ll take it.” He muttered bitterly
I grabbed his hand “Great!” I yelled “You’ll take over as soon as spring arrives. Now mobilize the troops, we’re going down.”
-----
It passed without a problem, we went deeper into the cave, putting up some floorboards where we could, and it soon became obvious that we were much wealthier then we had initially expected.
-----
The next few months passed quickly
We made our first shotgun, but without shells we cannot retaliate against the Infected.
Food is running low, I fear we may run out if we do not butcher something.
And then spring.
-----
The infected still loomed outside, I sat back in my chair, relived at my duties (in more ways then one) as Dan was announced the new overseer. Laughing with the contract in one hand and a hidden cigar in the other I sat back in my throne. I had not squandered my last few moments of power.
But as I finished the cigar and tilted back up I scoffed at the door
Gold is such a bad color for doors.
Here's the save
LINKYou're up Master.