[b][indent]---Jean---[/b][/indent]

It was the second meeting already, where we were supposed to pick who went where; either out with the scouting group, or staying to help fix up the farm.

The day was still young as I walked up the gravel drive toward the farmhouse. The place immediately made me skeptical, wondering if this little run-down farm was really going to be some sort of strong hold. I kept my opinions to myself as I joined the growing crowd. Roscoe and Akira were still stupid as ever, and took off after some squirrel or something. At the last second, I was able to catch Roscoe by the collar, but Akira was already gone. He ran across the field, barking like an idiot, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to call him back. Cursing under my breath, I tied my make-shift dog leash to Roscoe's collar and drug him with me. Hopefully, Akira would come back when he found whatever it was he was so determined to catch.

I had decided the night before that I wanted to go with the group to Florence. I didn't want to stay bound to the farm, especially after I had seen what kind of condition it was in. No, staying still was not my thing. Regardless, I listened to Jed's little speech. I didn't dislike him, but he didn't give me any sense of confidence in his capacity to be a leader. Maybe it was just because I was a horrible, cold-hearted person, but I didn't like his sentiment. At a time like this, compassion had to be kept in check. We couldn't allow ourselves to make decisions based on emotion, and instead had to chose what would help the greatest amount of people survive. 

Say someone were to steal from our food source, or god forbid, murder someone. We had no prison, and even if we did, could we afford to waste resources housing and feeding a criminal? Where do we draw the line? Do we forfeit our humanity for the sake of survival? I worried Jed was too nice, and would be unable to hold everyone together in one of those sticky situations. Even if no one had clearly stated he was going to be our leader, right now, everyone's logical choice would be to turn to him, since he was running these meetings.

On the other hand, there was Morganna. Now, she was something. I didn't particularly like her either (and I was starting to consider that maybe I was just a pessimist) but she certainly gave the impression of being able to hold her own. I was concerned she would maybe act for her own gain, instead of for the good of the group, but I had more confidence in her leadership then Jed's.

She already looked annoyed by time I joined her and the rest of the group. She sat in the drivers seat of the truck, arms crossed. I didn't want to set her off like I had seen that other kid do, so I made a mental note to watch my attitude around her.

“Hey there,” I said, raising my hand in a simple greeting. “I'm Jean; I'm gonna be tagging with your group.” Roscoe growled softly, but I silenced him with a sharp jerk of his leash.