RH-Survival

The weeks passed quite slowly, now that they were stuck. Lalavava was not especially happy about the ape's decision; heck, most of the group wasn't. They cornered him, and demanded he free them. Patiently yet sternly, he told them off, stating that their best interests should lie in safety, not curb appeal.
"What if we need supplies!?" Lotte asked, one arm around little Orion, the other placed on her hip.
Mr. Ode shrugged. "There are things called two story windows," A snort. "Quite useful actually."
"Odey, you are crazy!" Crow said, hands thrown in the air.
"What where you thinking monkey man?" Ruby echoed, eyebrows arched.
"He don't have a tail idiots..." Gum popped as Lala narrowed her eyes.
"And here we go!" Jimmy's hands also found themselves in the air.
OppTori sobbed, "C-c-come on g-guys...we are s-s-safe...s-s-stop f-fighting please..."
Clarisse walked out from behind her massive gorilla. "He is right. We may be cured...but there are still zombies out there."
"Boat loads." Skye added.
"And, that vaccine won't save you from being eaten alive." Lennox interjects, puffing his chest in dominance. "I will not allow any of you to be hurt. I promise." A grunt. "At least help me, help you." With that, he filled the vacant spot in their hearts that had once been occupied by their fathers.
Clarisse also managed to wiggle her way into their hearts as a surrogate mother, babying and loving when the simian couldn't; also trying to mediate when problems arose.
Technically though, their family was a bit skewed. Torin and OppNervich now were dating, as were Olga and Dexter. However, with these new revelations, the tension that once filled the room and hung over them like a canopy was lifted, and the mood was lightened slightly. Figurative incest aside, this allowed for more open affection towards everyone.

The seasons went by slowly and life seemed to have returned to a some what normal routine. Awake by eight, Mr. Ode would lead the boys to the roof. From there, they would look down at the entry way; some days there were no zombies. Other days, dozens would walk mindlessly towards the door, unable to topple it.
The boys and their ape would then, depending on how many were there, discard various items over the ledge, impaling the zombies and ridding themselves of trash and broken appliances. It also gave the boys, who had started to squabble again, a time to be united. United in the feeling that they too were protecting their makeshift family.
The girls would get up a bit more slowly, and usually stumble about looking for coffee or food. Tori would kick someone hard; usually Torin, Ruby, or Crow. The resulting gasp or scream awoke the others, and they would get up slowly, and usually stumble about looking for coffee or food. In the early months, they would help an exhausted Lotte with her screaming baby.
He may have been a couple of months old, but little Orion seemed to enjoy all the attention he was given. He would giggle and coo almost every time he was passed from person to person. Orion would paw at Cardini's face, play with Dexter's glasses, stare at Jimmy's hair, and try to fit his little fist into Ode's nose. Surprisingly, even the boys didn't mind him. On more than one occasion, they argued for holding rights. But, of course, his aunties hogged the baby. Felicity especially, with her wonderful, insane little lullabies. Orion just couldn't get enough of them; laughing those little babies giggles until everyone in the room had a smile on their face.
Then, a big breakfast, consisting of caned food and maybe some frozen vegetables. Nothing impressive, but it assured that all were awake.
After their morning ritual, Clarisse and Ode took everyone to the basement for fighting lessons. Although they had managed to survive on their own for two years, the new guardians saw to it that they would survive at least two more.
"Jump! Now Miss Lala!"
"Duck sweetie! Come on Torin, you can do it!"
"Swing! Swing Cardini! Dammit, swing the damn thing!"
"Felicity, we don't do that to the attack dummies hun!"
"For God sakes Crow! And what do you think you are doing Ruby?!"
After training, sometimes they would gather around for a lunch. To save food, this would only happen after a particularly hard work out or when they exceeded expectations; which didn't happen often. Mr. Ode pushed them to be better than what he remembered them to be. There could be no room for errors, especially when barricading themselves against brain-starved zombies.

A couple of hours of free time usually followed. Lotte, Ruby, and Felicity, would just sit to chat and joke. The geniuses would build; or try to. More often than not, Mandark would shove Jimmy into Dexter, causing the Napoleonic children to squabble. Skye would her roll her eyes, and free herself from distraction by joining another group. Cardini would converse with Crow usually, whilst Tori and Torin bantered lovingly with OppNervich. Circling around, jumping from group to group, Clarisse and Nervich were linked, arm in arm. Mr. Ode, however, spent his time away from the group, watching with proud, yet cold eyes.
Sometimes, someone would approach him, and he would hold a conversation with them. Most of the time, he would still be contemplating the training earlier; the look on his scarred face was either pleased, or pissed.
As the hours would wind down though, his expression eased; he even took off his eye patch. They would gather around, like moths to flame. The room would silence, and no-one said a word, waiting for deep voice of Lennox to take them away. The old leather bindings of Shakespeare would be loosened, and he would read to them. An act a day. A lesson a day. Sometimes Hamlet, sometimes Lear, sometimes MacBeth. Always a different play, everyday, switching off. Dexter speculated it was to keep their minds sharp, having to remember numerous different plays.

Darkness would then swoop in, a black raven. Dinner was meager in taste but grand in quantity. Canned food was a staple. It was the time when everyone, despite the day they have had or the past years they endured, could come together as a collective body; happy in conversation and company. When everyone smiled, when eyes laughed and bodies were eased of the burden of hunger.
Thirty minutes later, and it was off to the roof to check again, an throw more if necessary. Mr. Ode usually did this one by himself, with the children to tired to walk up the many flights of stairs. They would check the doors though; Dexter, Lala, Ruby, and Cardini did the anterior doors whilst Mandark, Torin, Felicity, and Nervich locked them in their hallway; more safety precautions. The routine of those remaining was just as necessary, for they cleaned up and chatted, discussing topics that couldn't be brought up at dinnertime. Finally, at eight, the building was secure and sturdy as the children (and Nervichs) curled up in their makeshift beds of clothes and blankets. Clarisse and Lennox, circled around, repeating good-nights for those who hadn't fallen asleep already-usually Crow and Lala.
"Good-night little Crow."
"Good-night Clarbear."
"Good-night Lala...sleep well."
"Thank you sir."

The lights would flicker, and Clarisse would also retire to their shared bed, whispering and muttering, begging Ode to come to bed. He refused almost always at first, saying that he had to turn off the lights still.
But in the darkness, the ape would pace, those old memories and visions plaguing him. And he would recite a soliloquy to calm his mind and those of the people that could hear his worries.

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.