“Whazzup? ” Juan cocked his head curiously.
“Hey, I know you guys said I can't go into the store, but I really do feel I need to inspect the store and the other shops once they are clear.
You know, before we move people over the wall. All these buildings are really old and we can't be too sure if they are sound structurally. ”
Juan almost laughed. He was pretty sure most of the old buildings were better built than the newer ones, but Eric looked very sincere.
“Yeah, man, that's cool, ” Juan said.
“I don't see that as an issue after we're sure its clear, ” Travis agreed.
Eric climbed onto the wall and cautiously stood up. He gained his balance and folded his arms over his chest.
“What you guys did with the construction site to make it into a fort is outstanding, but”
“Eh, I understand.
” Juan shrugged. “We're taking risks all the time. ”
“But we can't risk too much or we lose everything.
” Eric pushed his glasses up on his nose.
Juan couldn't blame him for looking nervous. He had heard Eric's story and knew that he and his girlfriend had barely survived out there on their own.
Travis looked down the street toward the corner where he had killed the zombie the night before.
“We've already lost too much to risk the loss of everything. That's why we need a safe, secure location outside the main construction site for when we break into the hotel. So if there are zombies in there and they manage to get into the construction site, we can contain them.
Eric nodded.
“I know. I do. I understand. We're all just-” He motioned to all the people watching them from below.
“-scared to be on the other side of this wall. ”
Juan and Travis looked back toward the line of stores. Juan knew they were both thinking the same thing.
They had no choice.
“I know that they sent you up here for reassurance. I can promise you, and everyone down there, that we will not move anyone over into the new area until we're absolutely sure its clear of zombies. We'll also make sure the zombies won't be able to get in, ” Travis said in a very firm voice.
“We have no choice. With the summer storm season just around the corner and the temperatures sure to start hitting in the hundreds, we need to have a good sound shelter for everyone. ”
“Yeah, one fierce storm and we're flooded out down there. City Hall can't be a permanent home for everyone. It wouldn't be sanitary for long, ”
Juan added.
“I guess the way things are set up right now just feels so safe.
Risking anything is just scary. I'm not dissing what you guys are saying or insinuating that you don't know what you're doing, just some of us…
” Eric faltered as he gestured down into the construction site.
Juan looked down as well. A good-sized group of people huddled together. Eric's still emaciated girlfriend was holding her Jack Russell Terrier, Pepe, and looking up at Eric with a worried expression. Juan thought she was a pretty little thing. She had long tanned limbs and pale blond hair, but her cheeks were hollow and her shoulders bony.
He could understand Eric's desire to protect her. The people gathered around her were also looking worried. Juan realized Eric was a spokesman for more than his own fears.
“Man, we got loved ones, too. We're not going to risk them. Okay? ”