promise of survival

The Reunion

I could hear the roar of an engine in the distance, which gradually grew louder. I didn't pay much attention to it, I didn't think that whoever was in that vehicle would stop and be willing to help anyway. Nobody ever does.

Yet to my surprise, just a minute later I see the vehicle, a green truck, pulling over and stopping right beside me. The driver rolls down the window. He was the only person in the truck.

The driver then looks up at me. Dark hair, tattered baseball cap. Normal. Probably late twenties, but the bruises and dirt covering his face made him look somewhat older.

"Want a lift?" I didn't reply straight away. Could I trust him?

With me staying silent, he then asks "Where you headed?" I didn't really have an answer since I've been wandering round helplessly for the past week, trying to find my sister.

"I'm just walkin', I'm lookin' for someone."

"Who?" the driver asks abruptly.

"My sister, we got separated 'bout a week ago. Have you seen her? Quite tall, short brown hair, her name's Olivia. Did you see anyone like that 'round here?"

"No, not a survivor. Haven't seen anyone like that. I've driven this way hundreds of times to get back to my camp, there's nothin' I could've missed."

I sigh and look at my surroundings, nothing but desert all around, and the occasional walker. I need to stay out here and keep looking for Olivia. I can't abandon my search for her, but I'm aware that I'll have a hard time finding her on my own, with no supplies too. I won't make it out here in the empty desert.

Feeling resigned, I asked "so, where's that camp of yours, is it nearby?"

"It's not just mine," the driver says. "It's one of the big ones, If you've been walkin' long"-and he can tell that I have been-"you'll have seen the name on the signs. It's close to here."

"I've seen some signs all marked up in red, somethin' with a slogan?"

"Those who arrive, survive," he said proudly. I know that's what they tell everyone at the sanctuary. It's why people keep showing up, all of them motivated by the promise of survival.

"..and it's called Terminus."

"Yeah, that's it. You the leader of this place?"

"No, his name's Gareth."

"And you are?"

"Martin."

"I'm Elle." I said since he didn't ask.

I'm definitely intrigued by the idea of an indiscriminate sanctuary. After a moment of awkward silence, I almost thought he'd just drive away and leave me here but then, he looks at me again and says; "so, if you keep walking down this route you'll end up at Terminus anyway. If you come with me I can introduce you, it'll make things easier."

I nod, I walk over to the passenger's side, carelessly toss my bag on the floor and get in. He has put the car in gear and started to drive before the door has shut.

The road gradually begins to disintegrate; the packed asphalt is speckled with gravel that had been worn away over time and tossed haphazardly across the highway. It's completely silent, but I suppose I have nothing to say anyway. They'll most likely ask me all the questions they need to when we reach the camp.

It was a short journey, 10 minutes or so. I can already see glimpses of the sanctuary, It's fenced up and I can see a few guards patrolling.

We stop just outside the gate to the sanctuary, though it looked more like a prison. Martin waves at one of the guards who waves back and opens the gate for us, It looked to me like they were all friends here. We drive forward through the gate and come to a stop in front of a large grey building. I can't see anyone else around.

I open the door on my side of the truck, grab my bag and slide off my seat. Straight away I hear the unfamiliar sound of laughter which means that there is not only more people up ahead, but people with something to be happy about.

I follow Martin. I hear three voices coming from the building, two men and a woman. Martin raises his hand and turns to me: "Wait here." I take another quick look at the camp, the place was huge. Then where are all the people? It must have taken days, if not longer, to clear out all the walkers who had congregated within.

After a minute I hear Martin raising his voice slightly, "you can come in now, Elle." I turn and open the door nervously. They are all sat at the table, I join them. They're no longer laughing like they were before I walked in, it's silent.

The woman stares at me from across the table. She leans forward, aggressively, towards me. Despite myself I instantly move back and avoid eye contact.

"Oh, it is you. What are you doing here? what do you want? I thought I had already dealt with you and your little brat of a sister."

"Get her out." She points at the door. As she stood up I catch a glimpse of the necklace hanging from her neck before the two men grab me.

"Where the hell did you get that necklace? I shout as I'm being dragged off. "That's Olivia's! where is she? what have you done to her?"