“As long as Security’s always guarding the gates, I don’t see that happening soon. It’s a definite possibility, though.” After all, zombies weren’t always adults. Jackie smoothed her hair back out of her eyes. “Which is why I’m against the whole ‘keeping them unprepared’ thing. I wouldn’t take a little kid out to actually meet a fucking zombie, but from afar? Studying them? Explaining to them what all that growling is outside the walls? I think they should be aware of the threat. They’d grow up cautious, but not living in terror.”
Her head inclined when he mentioned a self-defense class for children. “I don’t know that it’d be a disaster,” she voiced her opinion. “If they’re separated into different classes, maybe. Girls in one class, boys in another. Or separated by age groups. Don’t forget that parents used to sign their kids up for things like karate back in the good old days. Of course a bully-type would try to beat up some wimpy kid on the playground, but that’s expected anywhere.” A thoughtful pause. “There’s a woman who just moved here, name’s Micah. She’s a self-defense instructor. Maybe you could talk to her about setting up lessons for the kids. If nothing else, it’d give some of the kids an outlet for some of that energy.”
“Suppose we are.” Jackie arched her shoulders, propping her hands on her hips. “And I suppose it is. Just don’t go thinking that we chicks are breeding stock. That’s the kinda thing we escaped from, isn’t it?” There was a joking tone in her voice, even though she was serious. “It’s a good thing, but it’s a dangerous thing, too. Having so many kids around. Harder to pack up and escape in a hurry, if something went wrong.” Her grin returned. “But then, they’re hella fun to hang out with, too.” She recalled doing that parachute game with a group of kids back during the summer.
She grunted a laugh. “It’s not all fires and explosions, though.” She decided not to mention the extra-curricular activities Talia had mentioned to her. “Taking it easy doesn’t mean not giving in to curiosity,” she pointed out. “You can keep tabs on things without getting involved in the actual hands-on shit. But it’s not really for me to decide what you can and can’t see.” She paused, then added, “Hobbies are supposed to be relaxing, anyway.”
Jackie strode over to the filing cabinet she’d just moved, resting her hands on the cold metal in preparation to roll it out of the room. She glanced up at Evan. “My vote goes to Lilah, if you’re picking a babysitter. We’re trying to keep her involvement at the minimum for right now, until we’re completely set up.” She hesitated, studying his face for a reaction. “The plan was to pick up where they left off. With the undead test subjects. Lilah’s the only one who isn’t immune, so… Extra precautions.” That had to mean something, right? That they were being extra careful this time around? “But no, it wouldn’t bother me if you tagged along.”