Chapter 143

  Destruction happened a lot in camps which took the inevitable tolls. Such hits couldn't be predicted; only anticipated or presumed as inevitable. That was why William wasn’t surprised by talks and texts about camps, their quality, and quantity, or how quite bad and important they were. He understood them more than he wished.

  They weren’t built to last a long time, so what of Camp Roshwell, the camp with almost ten years of history? The land with farms was unique, so Walkers protected it enough for their own sake and people.

  The Assembly Island was on standby, fighting and controlling Walkers and supposed destruction, or vying for a chance to go to the next level. Camps were temporary solutions to a large problem, so their crucial components weren't something William could even detest or know well. As long as people survived, they shouldn't matter a whole lot, but they did.

  It compelled typical problems that Asia and Europe knew very well. Rebuilding and working through losses was very human, which was why camps were scattered in an interesting web by the Federation.

  Or lost because of lack of worth or inability of aid.

  It was an interesting tactic, William must‘ve thought when he read a book about these problems. He remembered how he lived through them while Ellie talked about them from her perspective, giving him new and bad ideas and reminders.

  William wasn't upset with her, or thought of this as something neglected. It was a fight. Nothing else.

  The average lifespan of a camp was a few years at best, and even smaller-scale camps had their use. Small habitats in the mountains were safer, either focused on some components or resources while farming was reduced. Thus, the Federation more often than not opted for secured places with Walkers and thousands of people at a time, leaving the others with the focused bits.

  It proved to work, yet William wasn’t entirely sure how well this land profited from everything. That was where Ellie reached her senses, pulling up her sleeves and saying what he already assumed.

  Those lands lived for the Federation like minions feeding their kings. The rest weren't her guesses, for this land had a whopping million people to feed if not more. That truly shocked him, but it was true. The size of buildings and these streets made sense.

  It wasn't Ellie's expertise or position to judge or interfere with this topic. Her opinion was more than valid, but she still had some concerns because of William's unknown past.

  Everything led to years of work and experimental plans and quite haughty and rare methods. In this era, they were gambling on many frontiers because they could afford to play and pay to make them possible. Places like Asia and Europe were different because they couldn’t afford extensive losses of this ideology.

  Still, it didn't dwell on some vast hopes. For some people, it was a depressing reality because regular humans Outside struggled and were like tokens passing through Walker’s hands, or were they always on their—or the Federation’s—mercy?

  William frowned quite a few times after discovering how this whole scheme emerged under his fingers, sounded in his ear, and echoed in his head. He began to hear voices, making his mind muddled and his breath uneven. Then nudges and heat spread as his emotion stirred and he fidgeted and grasped his right hand.

  His perspective was distinct thanks to his decade of Outside, where he saw things with his own eyes Ellie couldn't imagine, while he played with fire.

  In many ways, he was enlightened and glad to discover multiple truths and changes. Many of them felt right and wrong, yet after years or even longer, he was glad.

  In the end, he couldn’t refute anyone or anything. The Federation was doing their best and people and Walkers weren’t in the wrong or right path.

  Why? Some were right and some were wrong, but so what? This place was incredible and the people were living here, and they wanted to keep at it. Some others did so through stale efforts and blood or tears. Were some better than others? Not really. There was uncertainty and necessary compromise everywhere, and Ellie urged him to assume multiple ideas rather than take her for granted.

  William was impressed by how Walkers of the Federation were willing and take this approach. He wondered who they were, or how guilty and fearful they were because they were playing and paying with human lives and who knew what else.

  “I guess this is the reality that I wanted to see when I stepped into this building. How odd..” William muttered. “I thought this would happen in the upper floors.”

  “Upper floors? Well, I don't know what were you expecting. In my opinion, it is depressing, but it is what it is,” Ellie said. “The past won’t change itself while the present works for everything and the future. We can keep going like our predecessors, or we might figure something else, or learn from that or this. It is possible to grow up anywhere, you see. The past isn’t bad. We will figure something out. That’s what Miss Heidi is saying all the time! She is excellent and clever, albeit savage in many ways.”

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  “Savage?” William raised his brow. “That, coming from you is rather surprising if we are talking about a leader of librarians and... books. I mean, sorry. I didn't mean it like this.”

  Ellie giggled, not expecting to see him slightly flustered. “You’ve never met her so you don’t know what I am talking about, but you've met her father... so...”

  “Right. Father... Hopefully, she won’t bite my head off when she sees me having his card and everything. But again, you said some interesting things yesterday. You should’ve told them a day earlier, by the way.”

  Ellie laughed and played innocent very well. “I believe she knows that very well because she wants something from him,. You shouldn't be worried over nothing. Kaufmans are weirdoes but they are big bosses. Heidi is mine, while... Kaufman is retired.”

  “Retired Walker... An old one, even?”

  “He is old but that doesn't mean anything.” Ellie reminded. “You even met him and I have barely done that a lot, but I know how he is.”

  William rolled his eyes and looked around the room. “I still can’t believe all of this can be so limited. The payment for this room alone is twenty credits. Who even affords it? And these texts and stuff? Why does it even matter this much? What are even credits if not pieces of paper?”

  “Answers are easier than you would think, William. It is typical of Walkers to see such items with vigor, fear, and unrestrained heart. Some credits are nothing. People who are very keen on learning learn and do it no matter what. You know… get in, and get what they want. You are both, and since people worked this hard on it, some credits are like a reputation to give this place some value, so some gap is there. It is about worth and giving credit where credit is due. These credits in our pockets are like a token to everyone who maintains this process and work. And if some person wants to see it, they can afford it in their research or willingness, while many don’t. There is nothing wrong with both of them. It's almost like a circle.” Ellie described her truth and the truth of all Kaufmans.

  “Yea? This whole idea seems unreasonably great, yet what sir Kaufman gifted me with this card might be something else, right?”

  “No idea there. I think he is a shrewd old man, so use it and use it well. That’s my suggestion to you, as you would be clueless without it, or...well, someone who wouldn’t have many other choices besides me. You, however, have it, so we shouldn't be talking outside of the box. You are still new. We are taking things slowly rather than pushing you around like an idiot. Oh, that's my job, by the way. I am your guide and teacher, or so Miss Heidi wants, so I can push you around like an idiot but I am not doing that. Are you glad? That’s my opinion anyway. Remember that no matter what, nothing here is that bad for you, but some stuff is more optimal. I mean, you are a bloody Walker!”

  “Not bad and so on. Yeah. I get it, but why do I feel it is wrong? I have no idea what it even means to be a Walker. Yet I am here, learning stuff of the past that is kept out of the people’s reach. Out of Outside of all things, where everything started.” William argued with a speck of anger.

  He was right, the same way as Ellie was right. Both of them had their truths and hopes, and each was looking for something else and new. Ellie was getting to know him better and her research and opportunity were taking great turns thanks to him. Heidi and Burton had some great ideas and gave her plenty of research to get into her head. Some of which wasn't that good, though most of it was still their little secret. Hopefully, it will turn into something greater later, because if it doesn't, some Walkers won't be happy.

  Each youth was different, with a distinct past and future hopes. One was a young librarian hoping to be a teacher for young Walkers. The other was a Walker who underwent Baptism and unknown transformations. That was a big gap indeed, yet not that big if one looked at it closely from age and mind. They kept each other company, knowing they wanted it for a better beginning.

  William learned a week’s worth of stuff with her assistance in a couple of days, if not more. She saved him much more than that, as she knew what to tell and look for, while William listened to her and got to know what was around or not.

  That wasn’t the case when he was younger. Outside was crazier and even camp Roshwell couldn't change everything. For now, William noticed his ignorance and was both grateful and glad Ellie was there for him. Unfortunately, she won’t be here for him forever, so Ellie made sure to assist him with the functionality and how to learn and look for answers in this library.

  She was even teaching him methods of learning, or how to do this efficiently. Outside had no such methods, which always made Ellie frown in disbelief and dissatisfaction. She thought the Federation and this library could do so much more. However, Outside was also doing what it could do and sometimes even more. It was about focus and not everything should be perfect.

  What Ellie was doing had its verification and truth. For example, William's full-pass card didn't matter too much, now that she had great access on her own. It wasn't entirely honest; his card was more special for several other reasons. It owned free access to on all floors and . Thinly, Ellie thought of taking advantage of him, sneaking into archives that weren’t available even to library workers. Sneaking into Kaufman's stashes sounded thrilling, and looking around Heidi’s private collections was even better. Many things were still ongoing in research, not ready to put into display, or they weren't good to use.

  Arguing, discussing, and playing with words or looking for answers, this youthful pair soon left this tricky and pretty room with a heavy heart. They won’t return here as a pair. Now, it was up to William to learn what she started.

  William planned to visit most lower rooms a couple of more times within the next six weeks. He had enough time for most important matters, and even better, he didn’t lack focus or time. He didn’t plan to forget this opportunity or disappoint Ellie who had a lot of suggestions.

  As they left and advanced, there was nothing else. They reached the end of the exhibitions and restrictive rooms.

  Ellie looked at William, sighed to herself behind his back, and figured her chance had come. She quenched her fists in anticipation and hoped for her best.

  It was time to crack the upper floors!