G

Eleven days passed in a blink. I didn't really do much other than walk out to farm meat and play around with adding nourishment to our plots of seeds.

However, my team of awakeners grew step by step. Definitely with the addition of the meat, it allowed our abilities to grow at an incremental pace which was slow but visible.

That being said, I was finally feeling confident to clear the city.

I looked over the convoy of cars. Two patrol SUVs in front followed by two busses, two box trucks, and finally another two Suvs in the back. The plan was to clear street by street, this way we can rescue potential worker bees and engage in war little by little. Hopefully pulling a large number of smaller patrols before we hit the base.

Megan sat in the driver seat of my bus as we cranked up. I glanced at Riley who was flicking the safety off and on, repeatedly.

"What are you worried about? It's well planned and even if we face an overwhelming reaction force. Between me and Tyler we can shield the convoy. Jacob and Marcus can dish out damaged in the meantime. You tiny awakeners can weed out the weaker walkers. It's an easy plan with an easy to follow fall back plan." I comfort her.

Riley rolled her eyes, "I'm not worried about the plan. Just excited to start the fighting."

Oh, she was one of those insane types that sought battles. I decided to ignore her as we began to move out. With Jacob at the front, I wasn't worried about getting lost.

"Don't you find it unfair the ratio of awakeners who have special abilities?" Riley started a conversation.

"I agree. It's all men while we women are just basic grunts. It's sexist." Megan replied.

"Umm.. Sophia and another girl have abilities. So the ratio is somewhat fair plus that is only within our community. There might be some that are more women oriented." I cut the topic in half with logic.

"That's another group. We are talking about our own and two girls to four and half guys? That is an unfair ratio." Riley said.

"Right. Plus Sophia ability isn't combat related and the other girl is at most an support type. Having the ability to increase the utility of the brain is almost normal given how the overall physique change is." Megan added on.

"Intelligence is a useful trait with a lot of combat value. She just doesn't want to do anything combat related, not that it makes her useless. She is playing overseer for us." I deflected. "Plus, three guys just have normal abilities. Enhancing their weapons, better accuracy, and higher strength profile isn't all that much better than Demi's intelligence ability."

"But it has combat applications that can be applied to make them kill stronger opponents with bulletproof skin." Megan retorted.

"Okay, but with me around, why do you need to focus on the hardest to kill?" I asked before adding, "this is why intelligence is a useful ability."

Riley snorted, "what if we are away from you? How useful would it be then?"

"Having intelligence means you know how and when to retreat. This way, you don't end up making such an amauter mistake." I responded.

"But some situations can't be predicted. We might end up wounded after someone drops a bomb on you. Having intelligence won't help in that situation." Megan said.

"This is where having intelligence versus not comes into play. If you have it then you can minimize the direct damage by taking cover instead of staring at the pretty colors. Also learned to hide until I got back up." I said with a sigh of helplessness.

"What if.."

"We are here!" I yelled as I popped open the door and rushed out.

This time the folks were walking out with bags, well the ones we contacted before. Others were peaking out but quickly began to come out when they saw us loading up bags. Putting people on the busses.

It was a smooth transition when a plan was laid out. We stop, get out and cover vectors. People walked towards us which was covered by a transparent bubble. It took no more than twenty minutes and we were off to the next street. After the third, we returned back to base, offloading the bags and bees. Turned everything over to the team on defense and Layla. Then back out.

The six streets looked a little bent out of shape. One house was torn down. The others looked as if someone had a running gun battle. Cars had bullet holes, trees were uprooted, and spots of grass were just imprinted brown stains.

"I don't think anybody here. Honk twice and wait two minutes." I said to Megan as I stood in the open doorway.

Nobody moved and we moved on. We moved on and hit the last two streets of this residential block. Next street was a major roadway that had shops and businesses. We drove down it just to see if any walkers were hanging out.

Honestly, it was a stupid maneuver but I wasn't the only one seeking a little fun. We hit the intersection and spotted a big patrol. They had a crowd of people who started yelling.

Like planned, we stopped and the team with visibility began firing upon the walkers. The back team held their positions.

"Kneel down and cover your heads!" Jacob roared.

I walked off the bus and targeted the brutes. Between my fire spears and Jacob eart spears, we cleared out the brutes in seconds. As for the crowd, they were kneeling and covering their heads.

The fight lasted barely a minute under the assault. It wasn't nearly as hard as I expected and probably would boost our heads a little. I could only hope my pregame strats work.

"Stand up and walk over slowly." Jacob instructed while never leaving the safety of the barrier.

There was a loud roar from the back followed by the sound of a building exploding. Gunfire erupted from the back.

"Dont run, walk slowly! You run, we will shoot you!" Jacob yelled as someone from the front fired off a warning shot.

Marcus lightning was deafening as he entered the fight. I didn't need to back him up but I jumped on the bus to keep an eye out.

Honestly, the back crew wiped out the surprise attack quickly. The poor victims were searched then allowed to board the busses. My poor bus was filled to the point that I had to stand in the doorway.

We met one more attack but it was quickly put down. It was really anti-climatic.

"Tyler, how are you holding up?" I asked over the radio.

"I'm still good." He responded.

"Okay, we will do one more round then call it a day. Tomorrow will be more exciting for us." I said to the group.

Riley looked like she was sulking. "I didn't even get to fire a single round."

I couldn't help laughing. What did she expect? I already said that the small patrols wouldn't be a problem. We had the hardware, they had the focus and determination. Add in the confidence of being able to fight barehanded. We were almost as good as standard elite soldiers.

"Kaden. One of the doctors said they were going with a group from the college. He hopes we can pick him up from there." Demi's voice broadcasted from my phone.

"How far is that college from our routes?" I asked.

"About ten miles away from the third sector. According to the pictures, I'm receiving. They are nowhere near as geared as us. Some sporting bows, bats, and lacrosse sticks." Demi said through giggles.

Should I bring that group under my wing? I'll consider it later for now. We should focus on the sections I picked out that had the most important personnel. Then store products to supplement the growth.

"Let him know, we will take a few days. Since it is further out than I planned." I said after careful consideration.

He was, after all, a surgeon.

The final run was simple. We picked up the people without much trouble. Stopped by a hardware store, empty it out, and proceeded home.

Just in time for the sun to tip over the highest point.

"Fuck, I'm sitting in patrol car tomorrow. I don't care what you say!" Riley snapped at me.

I laughed and wrapped my arms around her. "Come on. I guarantee that you will get some action tomorrow. If not, I'll make it up to you in bed."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't want your promises. Just some action!"

I laughed a little more as I tried to kiss her but she gave me her fuzzy hair instead. So I rocked with her instead as people unloaded the busses.

"Hey, i.."

"Yeah, yeah. You love me. I get it, I'm awesome and you are super cringy." Riley said as a smirk broke out on her face.

"I wasn't going to say I love you but that I think we should take a longer break. I smell lunch." I said while releasing Riley.

She stood there stunned as I walked away.

"Hey! Wait, how can you smell food way out here? You were going to say the L-word!" Riley shouted after me.

"Okay, you win. Now can we go eat?" I conceded as I stopped and turned to look at the road.

The sound of engines revving left me confused. I only heard of the college community. Could there be another group out here?

"Be alert, possible enemy coming from north road." Marcus shouted.

Eleven cars and trucks came speeding down the road like they forgot what obstacles were. They pulled right into the driveway and slammed on a break.

My guys already took positions that gave them both a defensive position and perfect coverage.

It was not interesting at all how a man in black cop uniform got out of the car. Nor did he look cool or intimidating when he perched up on the door of the car.

"Well, well, well.. what do we have here?" The man said in a classic southern accent that made me want to shoot him more.

He had that classic straight jaw with his black hair comb forward. That stomach gut that said he didn't take working out to keep up with his job. He was the type of guy I wouldn't take seriously at all.

But his men held shotguns, rifles, and standard issue pistols. They looked very much like a group of ruffians than any professional law enforcement officers.

"I think you boys should put down your guns. You don't want to shoot a cop. It's not only against the law but you are unlawfully trespassing on restricted grounds." The man said in a smug way that might have worked on someone without an ounce of intelligence.

Me, I just waved my hand, sending fireballs at the man.

His eyes widened and he, with all due respect, scrambled behind a skinny teen that held up his hand. His skinny ass fingers looked like claws as my fireballs winked out of existence.

Scratching my head, I glanced at the cops. "Open fire!" I said after confirming that the kid was the only threat.

The kid took a step but I just released more fireballs that just distracted him. I could tell he had a powerful ability but it required more focus to target individual fireballs.

The cops must have thought this would go a different way because some of them had just been laying against their cars when I sent the fireball. Maybe the sight of the boy extinguishing it gave them courage.

The first thing they did was dive for cover. Given that they park their cars facing us, which was a long way from the side to the trunk under fire. Many of them were dropped in the first round of shooting. Only four were able to actually hide but they weren't exactly hiding.

"We don't want to kill all you. Just some of you. So how about you boys lay down your guns and walk out with your hands up." Jacob shouted as everybody stopped firing.

Well, everybody on my side.

"Fuck you! You kill my brother, you sadistic prick!" The moment he finished his words, someone shot him.

Riley tugged on my sleeve, "isn't this too much? Some of these people have to know those cops?"

I glanced back to see if any of them were brave enough to watch and there were quite a few. Whispering and probably plotting their escape.

"Alright, I'm bored. Look, the rest of you can lay down your weapons. You not only get to live but walk away." I shouted as I stopped my attacks.

The boy collapsed to his knees as he struggled for breath.

"How can we trust you?" Someone shouted.

"Because I don't think you would kill me or my men even if I turned my back and took a piss. Thus having you returned isn't a problem. The problem is if you think you can keep those guns in your hand for another ten seconds." I responded.

Two of them dropped their guns and stepped out. The third guy hesitated but threw his down while spitting.

"Fucking cowards." He spat as he stepped out.

The man was the big burly type that had a broken nose. He walked over to the boy and dragged him to his feet.

"Alright, we surrender. What do you want to know?" The man said with none of that prisoner mindset.

I glanced at Riley before waving my hand. "Go on and go."

The man look taken back but helped the boy into a car. The other two had jumped into a truck and sped off.

"We should have just ended them. We all know people like this will make mistakes after mistakes." Tyler said as he lowered his gun.

I gestured with my chin at the crowd. "They don't know how those men would act, just what they see of us. And that is a group of killers."

Demi's voice came over the phone. "I figured out where they might be hiding. There is a bunker with plenty of canned goods. It was built about twenty years ago by doomsday enthusiasts."

I smiled as I looked away from Riley's penetrating gaze.

The crew went to clear out the bodies and cars. I looked away from them and began walking towards the bridge. Riley silently shadowed me.

As I put my foot on a bridge, a man with silver hair walked over. He was dressed a little more business casual than the others. His bag had a brand name that I recognized but couldn't place.

"Do you mind if I ask you some questions?" The man's voice was pretty laid-back and deep.

"Name and profession. For example, I am Kayden, a former analyst. Hobbies are boxing and mixed martials arts. A little gun shooting at the range and gaming. My weaknesses are this lady here, dislike for leading people, and the feeling of having a burden that requires me to think for others instead of focusing on my own self-interest." I said.

The man looked awkward. "Reginald O'Neil. I'm the coroner for the jail. I don't have to list my hobbies, do i?"

I just smiled, "what is it that you want?"

"I figured you were housing people in the cells and I just ain't as young as I used to be. I need a proper bed but I ain't willing to ask for something without giving up something. Even though I spent a large amount of my time around dead bodies, I am still a certified doctor." The man said all in one go.

I raised my eyebrow and started laughing. "I'm sorry but we have a surgeon who has more than ten years with his hands in people and a lot of positive results. Enjoy your cell or wall down the street about five miles is a farmhouse."

The old man's awkward expression went unfriendly but he didn't say a word. Just watched as me and Riley walked inside.

Just as I opened the door, I heard Layla running behind me. I smelled the other council people in the lobby. Heard them talking about how I would react to being replaced as the leader.

To be honest, my hand froze on the door and there was a wad of anger that got stuck in my throat. But my brain processed this all in a blink of an eye and I realized how free I would be. I no longer had to care about people. No longer had to rack my brain in order to secure their safety. I could relax and focus on what I really like doing, gaming.

There was no weight to be lifted off my shoulders as they were broad enough to carry everything if I had to.

I walked into the lobby with my back straight. My eyes landed on Viola who had the strongest voice in denouncing me just now.

"Kaden, can we talk to you in the meeting room?" Layla said from behind me.

I took off my vest and removed my phone from a pouch. I handed it to Riley.

"Put that up for me." I said to Riley then I turned to Layla. "Lead the way."

The others fell in on us and I stood in the elevator as they tried to hide the nervousness. It must have been mind numbing having to stand in an elevator with someone tapping their cane. Making that soft thud noise which reminded you that with a thought, you could end up ash that someone who steps on the next day.

I walked into the conference room and dropped down into a chair. I crossed my hands over the lion's body as I smiled at them.

"We have talked over the last few days and have come to a conclusion that it would be better if an awakener isn't the head leader." Layla started off. "So we come to an agreement with the community to have you step down as leader. I'm sure you know about your own violent tendencies and how you are slowly becoming more distant from what can be called the old humans."

I raised an eyebrow, "okay. I don't mind stepping down. But I'm keeping my room unless someone feels like they can take it from me?"

Nobody said anything so I stood up.

"Wait, we just want to clarify that things will still be as normal. Other than you not being king?" Layla said as she crossed her hands over her lap, a victorious smile on her lips.

"Define normal?" I said with a playful smile."

"You still go out and scavenge for supplies and people. Protect the community and help train the enforcers?" Layla said.

"Oh, that is what you mean by normal. I'm sorry, I am retiring from the battlefield. I'll help out the farmers with growing food but otherwise, I'll kick my feet up and enjoy the benefits." I spoke while suppressing laughter that built up within me.

Without wasting any more time, I exited the room amidst loud chatter that was against my wishes.

Did they think I was going out because I liked it? No, it was because I felt that was the best option to eliminate the threat that the walkers posed. After we begin slaughtering their patrols, they will most definitely plan on how to cut us down. They aren't dumb creatures like how movies portray them. For them to capture the humans, that meant they had the ability to reason.

Shaking my head, I walked to my room to find Isabella dancing in pink panties and t-shirt. Her body got a tad bit.. fatter. I could have sworn her stomachs poke out a little more. Ignoring the fact her legs had little craters and her ass had a healthy bounce even though it wasn't necessarily rounded.

Isabella looked at me and frozed with the wii sticks in her hand. She looked at the coffee table which had a few candy wrappers and a two liter bottle of Pepsi.

"It's not what you think?" She said with a playful smile that made her eyes look like a dazzling full moon.

I just closed the door and dropped onto the couch, kicking off my shoes in the process.

"Don't stop. I was enjoying the view." I said as I couldn't help but break into a smile.

Isabella paused the game then grabbed a trash can. She cleaned off the table and then switched the TV to anime she was probably watching before.

"Don't tell Riley." Isabella said as she dropped beside me and leaned into me while flashing me a deep smile.

I cupped her cheek and leaned into her. Taking a deep whiff of her warm cinnamon scent. Relishing in the heat that started to explode from her body the moment our lips touched.

Isabella broke the kiss and turned on the anime. I haven't watched anime in a long time, years. Yet, the first thing I see is the filler beach scene. Have a decent fight scene.. let's rest at the beach.

I was instantly bored but there wasn't anything for me to do. No pc to play games.. Well, maybe I should bring a pc up here.

I jumped up and grabbed my cane, heading straight to the door.

"Wow, leaving right after stealing a kiss. Wonder which one of us is the virgin." Isabella teased.

I ignored her because the girl was a little quirky.