About a Woman

The caravan arrived back before sunset, stopping only to drop Jake off just out of sight before getting into Doraville. Dora and Jake thought it might be best to break the news of the deal to the town without him being present, in case there were some serious objections. Dora promised to return the buses if the council would not agree to the deal. Once inside the gates Dora immediately called a council meeting, where Mary railed at her for the head wound. Seth was also in the 'clinic' during the meeting and Mary disinfected his wound and wrapped it up again.

“Alright Seth you are good enough, go on, just rest for you tonight.” Mary said.

“Can't I stay?”

“No.” said Dora firmly, “I need you to talk to the other juniors and see if anyone has spoke to Willy. We need to get in touch with him, so you go find out who saw him last and get back to me after the meeting. And keep your mouth shut about what happened today, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, you told me already!”, grumbled the boy. Dora and Steve had spoken to the others when they dropped Jake off and told them to stay quiet until the town meeting later that evening.

Paige had a huge pot of stew heating up on an electric heating element on the granite counter and most of the council members had a bowl in front of them. Mary helped herself to dinner and frowned when she saw Dora didn't have a bowl. She put the bowl she had down in front of the other woman and said, “Eat.”, then went and got another for herself.

The other council members watched the interaction, but didn't say anything. Dora grudgingly spooned a little into her mouth, then nibbled on some crackers they had taken in one of their food raids a while back. Everyone from the council was there Mary, Alex, Ruben, Paige, Steve and Freddie, they all knew something had happened on the trip to get the buses and were wondering what had caused Dora to appear so animated.

“So,” started Ruben, “You agreed to this?” He was the first to speak after Dora filled them in on the details of the deal she wanted to make.

“Well everyone there did yes.” said Steve.

“He is worth it. He can keep the shamblers off our backs and might be able to help with any of the super zombies we run into, what is wrong with the deal?” asked Dora.

“It is because he is one of them. He isn't on our side.” said Alex, “I know I am not giving him Peter's blood, no way.” Mary nodded approvingly.

“No one has to, I will pay him off month by month if I need to, but I want him. Steve and I saw first hand what he can do. It is not even for the buses, we know we could get some somewhere else if we had to.”

“I will pay him. And help you pay for anyone who doesn't want to pay Dora.” said Freddie.

“Good, that makes three of us, so that is like fifty pints each at this point.” said Dora.

Steven nodded, “So Teflon Freddie, why will you pay? This is the kind of thing you normally get out of?”

“Well I didn't say I would pay with my own blood, but I will come up with something.” Freddie laughed at their expressions, “Look around, we are in charge here, we are the leaders, we lead by setting the example. I knew when I joined the council that I would have to make sacrifices for the people. That is how government is supposed to work, a thankless job for the leaders. When push comes to shove, I will do my part.” he winked at Dora, who smiled back.

“Okay so that is three in favor for certain, Ruben, Mary, Alex and Paige you have to decide where you stand, you could still kill this deal if you want to.” said Steve.

“I think we know enough to decide on it now.” said Ruben, “I just didn't want to make a decision too hastily.”

“I vote with Dora, she has made some fucked up decisions, none more questionable than this one, but in the past she was right.” said Paige.

Dora nodded once to Paige, “Eloquent, thanks.”

“Then that is it, you have four votes to our three.” said Alex.

“When have we ever let you off the hook that easy, every one weighs in, everyone votes.” said Dora.

“Hah,” said Ruben, “it is unanimous, of course. We have to provide a united front to the others. It sounds too good to be true, a zombie to lead us through the other zombies, but I will pay the price. Alex? Mary?”

“Unanimous. It needs to be. It is probably the last decision we will make as a council, after this trip we can lay the mantle of governance at the Iowan's feet.” said Mary, “Don't think for a second that I agree with feeding this monster, but if it means one more person gets through alive I am willing.”

Alex nodded and said, “I will go along with it too, despite my reservations. You going to tell the others Dora?”

“Yes, the sooner the better, how about in twenty minutes before it gets to be full dark?”

“I will round everyone up, we will do half at a time. Maybe Seth will get back with news on Willy by then too.” said Paige.

As everyone went about their business Dora approached Mary, “How are Peter and Mike doing?”

“As well as we can expect. I am more worried about Seth. You have someone watching him? If he turns, well we don't need that right now do we?”

Dora shook her head, “No, I don't have anyone watching him, but when he gets back with news on Willy you need to tell him to come back in the morning to eat breakfast here so you can change the bandages again. You should know if it is getting infected by then, right?”

“It has taken up to five days for the infection to show. He barely got nipped, I won't stop wondering about him until the bite is fully healed up. Do you know how you are going to tell the people?”

“Oh probably the brutal truth will be good enough. Are you going to be around for moral support?”

“Yeah, just let me run a bowl of this over to Tim.”

“You need any help with that?”

“From you? No, you are the last person he wants to see. He belly aches about you every time I see him. I only let him off his chain when I have someone else to cover him better, so there is no danger of him pulling anything with me. Plus I am not even bringing the keys this time and I will tell him that when I see him.”

“Fair enough, but if you are not back in five minutes I am charging over there with my gun out.”

Mary laughed, “Yeah that would be great. I am sure Steve would like nothing more than to bring Tim more fresh clothing. I will be quick.”

Dora puttered around her kitchen for a few minutes, it finally dawned on her that she would be leaving it in a day or two. She sat down and had a thoughtful look on her face when Mary and Paige came back through the front door together.

“What?” Paige asked.

“I am going to miss this place.”

“Oh, yeah, it will be your turn now, to go through what the rest of us have had to deal with. I hadn't thought about that.” said Paige.

“It is funny really, I think I have lived more in the past six weeks than I did the entire time I lived here before.”

“Well emotions have run higher in the past month and a half than they did before. It will create a stronger memory, passion always seems to.” said Mary.

“I suppose you are right doctor. Are the people ready Paige?”

Paige nodded and gave Dora a hand up from the chair she was sitting in. “How is your stomach today?”

“Fine really, I just eat smaller meals, more often and it seems to do the trick, it didn't stop me from kicking ass on our bus journey, that is for sure.”

“Now that you know what is happening you can deal with it better. I still do not think you should have gone, it was too much of a risk.” said Mary.

Dora waved her hand in a calming motion, “Water under the bridge sister, I am glad I went. Lets get this show on the road ladies.” Together they stepped out to the waiting crowd of people.

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This section was last updated on 6 Aug 2009

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