Rise Of The Hunters - Chapter 56

“Well, start with the size of the rooms. How many beds can you get into them? If you can get two bunk beds, then the room would sleep four. How many families are there? You need to look at family size. If there are kids who don’t have families, see if a family that has room, would mind them sharing. Unless they are in a relationship, I would say only men could bunk with other men and the same for women. That way you don’t have anyone getting rȧpėd or hurt. Then, once all of that is taken into consideration, let them choose who they will be staying with, and don’t make it set into stone. People will want to move between rooms frequently because there will be fights and friendships will break up.”

Jerome and Max both nodded, deep in thought.

“That might work. We need someone to be in charge of seeing how many rooms we have and how many people are wanting to stay in one.” Jerome started writing furiously on a clean piece of paper.

“Let’s have Lisa do it. She needs something to do. Her son may help her, since he isn’t hunting right now and they aren’t working to help the compound.” Max leaned back in his chair.

Jerome thought it over, then nodded. “They would be a better choice than Mary.”

“Has she stepped out of her room yet?” Max only looked half interested in the answer.

“I think she went for a walk yesterday, but other than that, no.”

Jerome turned to one of the people standing on the side of the stage near the curtain, and informed the young boy to fetch Lisa. He nodded and ran off.

“Everyone who is here about housing, please shuffle to the back of the auditorium.”

Xun was startled at the volume of Jerome’s voice. No one else seemed to be surprised at it. As he sat there and watched people calmly and orderly move back, he couldn’t help but think how lifeless they seemed. No one argued, caused a scene, or caused any trouble. What caused them to be so obedient?

As the chaos started calming down, Alex, Max’s son, charged into the room. His face was bright red and sweat was pouring down his face.

Max sighed and leaned forward.

“Alex, you can’t just barge in here.”

“But, Dad! There’s a caravan of people outside!”

Max and Jerome looked at each other, then at Xun. All three stood up at the same time.

“The council is no longer in session,” said Max as they all headed towards the doors, following Alex.

Xun grabbed his bag and tightened the straps as he followed behind them. No one tried to jump in front of them, but most followed.

Xun didn’t recognize them personally, but the way they dressed, and the bags they carried, reminded him very much of his father.

“Please, we would like permission to join your compound.” The one talking was a man holding a young boy in his arms.

“Who are you and where are you from?” asked Jerome.

“My name is Gerald and we are from a city from the South.”

There was roughly twenty people with him, counting the children. Xun was impressed they managed to travel with so many people. Maybe they were able to fight the monsters off that would have been attracted to so many people.

“How could you contribute to our compound?” asked Max.

“We know how to work hard, and can hunt, if you need hunters. We would just like to stay for the winter if you don’t want to let us stay for longer.”

Xun had been looking at them, and recognized a lot of the gear they were carrying was very well made. He wasn’t sure how the compound made their stuff, but if they had experience killing monsters, he was willing to let them join.

“How have you fared against monsters?” Max and Jerome looked at him, but then back at the group below.

“I won’t lie, we’ve lost a fair number of people to them, but we’ve also killed a lot. They are thicker than I’ve ever seen them. We actually left the city we lived in because of overcrowding, but shortly after we left, we got word that the city had been overrun by werewolves. We’ve encountered a few, but not many.”

Xun turned to the other two and said softly, “I don’t think it’s a bad idea to let them stay just for the winter. They can stay in the barracks we just emptied, and maybe they have more info on how to fight against the monsters. We’ve only had the werewolves attack us. If other types attack, we could be in trouble.”

Max didn’t look happy about it, but agreed. Jerome, upon seeing Max agree, quickly agreed as well.

“Open the gates and escort them to the barracks. Show them the showers and give them a tour. Make sure they understand where the kitchen is and have them come to the auditorium tomorrow for job ȧssignment.” Max looked at Alex, who smiled at the special job ȧssignment.

“Should we have them take the trials?” asked Max, looking at Xun.

“No, we’re not sure we are going to let them stay past this winter, and it is more for those who will stay. If we decide later to let them stay, they can take it then, ȧssuming it’s needed.”

“Alright, but make sure they get marked.”

Alex nodded and hurried to the guards who were waiting at the gates.

As soon as he moved away, Xun saw Max watching him like a hawk with a peculiar look on his face. The relationship between the two was very confusing to Xun. He loved and missed his father, and his father had loved him. He just didn’t understand why Max didn’t seem to love Alex, who obviously craved it.