Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 18

The wagon turned onto the off-ramp, heading towards a messy cacophony of noises that filled the air. The trio donned smiles, longing to be back in their beds once more, while Marcus stared on ahead. A situation was quickly approaching and time would soon reveal the truth to the group.

"How many people are in this colony of yours?" Marcus pondered out loud.

"We have... I'd say, a hundred?" Damien replied, looking at Debra for assurance.

"Yeah, I think last time we did a consensus we had a hundred and twenty-something," She confirmed, still looking ahead.

Marcus answered with silence, continuing beside them as they passed one barren street after street. Turning a corner brought Marcus face to face with the proof of the colony. A wall of cars, stacked and welded together with a plethora of sheets and posts of metal. As far as his eyes could see, the roadways were obstructed by the makeshift fortifications.

"Come on, Marcus," Damien called back, walking up to the structure in front of them.

A break in the wall marked an entrance, where a growing number of people began to emerge. As they approached, Marcus noted either side of the makeshift wall and the numerous vehicles that now stood stacked and welded together.

"HEY!!" A woman yelled, waving her hands. "Bout time you guys get back!"

Marcus chuckled to himself, but as he looked over at the smiling faces of Damien and Greg, he could sense her eyes on him.

"Be weary, Young Marcus. I know you want to trust this group, and even this colony..." Kou led off, the 'but' never coming, yet never leaving.

Anxiety began biting at the back of his thoughts, and his mortality seemed all too fragile in that briefest of moments. Adjusting his shoulders, he felt the weight of the Rozan blade shift on his back, next to the small sack that the group allowed him to take for himself.

"It'll be alright," Marcus whispered to himself.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Debra whispered next to him, leaning in.

"I only know what you guys have told me, Debra," He replied, meeting her suspicious gaze. "For all I know, I'm walking towards my death."

A slight grimace came across her expression, her eyes shifting down and away.

"I remember those days," She began, looking up into the sky as she rolled her neck, popping it. "Not knowing who to trust. Not having anyone to trust."

"You don't seem to want to trust me," Marcus replied, laughing dryly. "But can't blame you there."

"Yeah, but once you get inside and see the colony, meet the Doctor, and talk with her, I'll be more trusting," Debra said, looking over as the wagon fit through the narrowed pathway.

Marcus nodded, unsure what to do next as the trio passed the entrance and met with a crowd of smiling faces. Children, elderly, men and women... Everyone seemed happy.

"How much did you bring back?" One older man called out.

"Any fruit?" A little girl asked.

One child, a small boy, ran up and grabbed Marcus's hand with a hopeful smile. Another hand shot into Marcus's view, grabbing the child and pulling them back. He raised an eyebrow as he lifted his head, but the adult on the other end of his gaze met it with maternal protection.

"We don't know who that is, Andrew." She stated, never wavering in her gaze.

A sad smile lingered on his face minutes later with the group now walking towards a decorative structure.