ex recruiter

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It had started to become a tradition that Aaron bring things home on a run and store them in the garage of the house he now had. It quickly started to look a mess with all the little trinkets he bought back and the license plates on the wall even though there hadn’t been many on his walls just yet. It just made the house feel more like his instead of living in some strangers home which was the furthest thing that he wanted. Although there would be times that he was lonely it was something he fast got used to. If anything, Aaron was just happy to be in a safe zone and being able to bring people into it. It just made the place become a community instead of some regulated zone. 

He’d just finished putting up a new license plate when he heard the knock on his door. The first thought he had was that it was Eric but he thought that his old friend would be busy settling in and instead thought his visitor would be Deanna or Reg. Opening the door he was surprised, and pleasantly so, that it was Eric. “Hey there,” he smiled leaning against the door but didn’t say anything else while Eric spoke. He felt bad for him and once he was finished moved out of the way to invite Eric in. “Of course it is. Come on in. I have some tea that I can make. Want a cup?”

The way Aaron leaned against the door intrigued Eric in a way that had not happened since the NGO when they had been practically insperable. Nothing romantic or sexual had happened but at the same time he thought that there had always been the possibility of it which meant quite a lot in itself to Eric but not enough to leave him hanging around like a lost puppy. It was so typical of Aaron to be so welcoming, Eric had told him in the past that he thought the other man would even be like that to strangers. Eric was not as trusting as Aaron even though he’d had it a bit easier in coming out and trusting people with revealing that part of him. “I haven’t had tea since before this thing started. Isn’t kinda like gold dust now or is that coffee?”

Remaining silent for a moment he thought over the idea a few times. It did seem logical to make the pits safer, but at the same time he imagined that as much as it would keep out the living it would end up doing the same for the dead. Chewing at the inside of his cheek for a moment he placed his hands on his waist.

“A fence won’t do the pits any good if we block ‘em off. We create a fence then we might as well not have the pits at all. Caution signs would be better than fences since the dead don’t read. But if ya have a better idea on what ‘t do with the fences about maybe leavin’ a portion open then I’m listenin’.”

“Caution signs wont do shit, sir. We need some kind of fence. We use the crane as it is to lift them so we could still use that along with the fences. Leaving a portion open would still be good but it would need to be like a small gate. That way the risk is almost gone and you still get the biters.”

Maggie looked at the man, before back at everyone. “This, this isn’t normal. Not anymore.”

Aaron had never been thing kind of nervous in a long time, it felt so strange but like such a luxury as well. And so trivial. He had no doubt that Eric would be accepted and not just because he had already spoken briefly with Deanna and what accepting Eric could do for the community. In his mind, Aaron had already picked out a job for Eric but he wasn’t really sure if Eric would want to go and recruit. In truth, Aaron was torn between it. He knew Eric was good at construction. The time they had spent together in the NGO proved that and the recruiter knew that his friend was more than capable. 

Seeing the smile on Eric’s face as the man came out of Deann’s office. The meaning behind it was clear as anything and Aaron couldn’t help himself by wrapping his arms tight around Eric in some kind of accomplished happiness. He’d got in and that was the best news he had since the world went to crap. Looking up from the embrace he saw Deanna by the door giving the two of them a curious look but it made Aaron blush so he stepped out of it and looked at Eric. “I told you that you would get in. I knew it. I always said you should believe me more.”

A little later in the night he was still trying to get used to having so much space but to no avail. It was too big, too peaceful and too lonely. Neither helped how he felt about it all so he turned to his bag pack, the only thing he had with him in the world, and pulled out a bottle of scotch that he had been slowly nursing and refilling with any alcohol he could fine. It was good how easy it came to find booze. Everyone seemed to get the main supplies and leave, for the most part, the alcohol behind. Taking a large swig of the scotch, Eric looked out onto the street as if he was studying it as hard as he could with a bottle in his hand but that didn’t deter his mind or sight. It made him think about this place and the people in it. More specifically one person. 

“There’s not much else we can do for ‘em. We do somethin’ ‘t ‘em then we won’t get the biters. Jus’ be more careful around ‘em. That’s all.”

“It was purely by chance,” he said thinking about the memory, “and not long after we arrived back from the NGO. I was looking for my mom and when she wasn’t home I went to find anyone I knew. It was a long shot but it lead me to Alexandria and then to you. I guess I did end up finding someone even if it did take a while.” Slightly cheesy but he was only saying what he thought. It was a kind of relief to find someone he used to know. “The interview is really simple. Just be honest with Deanna and I’m sure you will get in.”

Hesitant hands gave away his weapons despite not wanting to let any of them go. In half his mind, Eric wanted to keep  a small dagger but instead gave it in. If this place was going to be anything for him then he knew that he would need to trust it.