No Way Out

Chapter 2: The New World

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" shouted a middle-aged man, aiming a rifle at Tristan. "Nobody move, nobody scream, nobody try anything, and nobody dies."

We all just sit there in our go-karts, staring at the huge group of survivors. They are all holding what looked like M-16 rifles, and wearing their Army Combat Uniforms.

"Well, hello." the stranger said, now sort-of grinning, "What? Lighten up... or at least cry a little bit." After that, I turned toward Tristan. He's just sitting there waiting for something to happen. "Get up, walk over here." he pointed at Chicken.

Chicken stood up and walked, slowly towards the man. "What do you want from me? Tell me, I'll do it. Just don't kill us."

"You sure about that?" the man asked, "'Cause I don't feel like you're going to enjoy this... no I'm just playin', I was just gonna tell ya you have some messed up teeth." he says as his entire crew laughs hysterically. "Oh that's funnier than the fact that these idiots call you 'Chicken'. No seriously though, go back over there you ugly trash."

Chicken walks slowly back over to Tristan, who is now pulling the gun out of his pants. I looked at him and he signaled me to be quiet. I've learned just to trust him and what he thinks is best.

"Ok, so here's the deal. We do want to help, but, you have to do what we say and when we say it. That whole thing was just to scare you, show you who's boss. My name is Sergent Calvin Rodgers, and this is my crew," he says as he gestures behind him. "Come on, we have something to show ya."

We all got in our Go-Karts and followed behind the crew. I still didn't know whether we should trust them or not, but those corpses were coming through the door any moment.

We drove past the Middle School, where it looked overrun, and out of the city limits. After about 15 minutes of driving, the trucks ahead of us stop. Calvin steps out of the truck in front and, with no hesitation, pulls out a gun and shoots a corpse right in front of him. Does he feel any remorse at all? Does he not see them as people? Will I feel this way eventually?

I disregard my thoughts as Calvin gets back into the truck. We continue on our way to wherever Calvin was taking us. On our way there, I see things that I use to see daily; McDonald's, Dollar General, churches. You would never guess that something like that would have such a big effect on your life.

30 Minutes Later

We turn a corner to see a massive wall surrounding an old Wal-Mart. I see words painted on the front of the wall. As we get closer, I can make them out, "Sanctuary. A place where survivors, SURVIVE." Seeing that makes me feel a little bit better about these people.

We reach the wall and Calvin honks the horn in his truck. Immediately, the gate starts to open, and we all drive in, slowly. I follow Calvin and his crew into what looks like an airplane hangar, but is actually just Wal-Mart cleared out in the front. "This is where we keep the vehicles." Calvin said, "If you ever need one, you must get permission. From me.

"Come on, I'll show you around the place." Calvin said as he signaled us outside. We all shut off our engines and followed him.

We walk outside to see many huts made out of wood. "This is our factory." Calvin says proudly, "Each hut serves its own purpose. From farming, fishing, and making clothes to crafting weapons for those who don't use guns. Everybody has a job, you will all have a job." he starts to lead us to another area.

We see the garden section of Wal-Mart, but it isn't much of a garden section anymore. It is filled with guns and knives and other weapons good enough to take out a corpse. "Each of you will get a 9mm. pistol and a knife. Oh and-"