I start to pack up my stuff. It doesn't take long. I don't have much. I roll up my sleeping bag and finish packing up the food in my duffel. I look down below to see how they are doing and Lola still looks upset but at least the growling stopped. I slip the bag over my shoulder, throw down the sleeping bag and climb down the tree. "Everything good to go?" Mia says with a hint of impatience. "Yep," I say. "Let's go Lola. We finally get to have back up on our food runs," I tell her with a smile. We start to leave camp, Mia taking the lead with me and Lola close behind and the two men taking up the rear. The men are quiet one looks to be about late twenties and the other looks like twenty. Both look very similar. They have the same hazel eyes and light brown hair. Their skin tones are both pale. I'm guessing they are brothers. Both are quiet and fierce looking but the younger one seems like he has something more, like he sees light at the end of the tunnel. The older one seems rough, fierce, and deadly. Mia sees me studying them, "Oh where are my manners? Shilo these are the brothers, Athan." She points to the younger brother who gives a barely visible smirk. "And Byron," She motions to the older brother and he gives a hard nod with a grunt. "Hi," I say, trying to be friendly. Neither of them answer. "They have been through a lot, it is hard to trust after what they went through," Mia whispers. "They mostly just trust each other but they have learned to put faith in me," she says with a slight bit of bragging. Mia seems a little arrogant, but at least she isn't trying to kill me. After a while the sun starts to rise and we still have a mile and a half to go. Mia starts to make small talk, "So your dog's name is Lola." Lola growls at the sound of her name coming off Mia's lips. "Feisty one isn't she," Mia says. "Yea I taught her well. But the overprotectiveness is all her. Once she learns to trust you, you will see what a sweetheart she is," I say and pat Lola's head. "Interesting name how did you come up with it?" She asks. I know she doesn't mean to pry, I mean she has no idea what I went through, but I still feel the twist in my heart when something about my dad comes up. She gives me a puzzled look while seeing my discomfort. I am not much of a cryer but one single tear rolls down my cheek. Mia pats my arm, "I see, another story for another time." We are silent for a while after that. Finally after forever of traveling we make it there. I see a gigantic wall in front of me with a huge metal gate. Two people stand on the wall above and see Mia. "Open it up," yells one to someone below. When we walk in a person comes up with a 5th wave head set and examines us. "All clear!" They yell to one another. "Welcome back Mia." "Thanks Amar," Mia says politely. He smiles and looks at me,"And who might you be?" "Hi I'm Shilo." "Well nice to meet you Shilo I'll see you around," he says and walks off. "Nice isn't he?" Mia says. The brothers go their separate ways. And Mia brings me to a huge tent. A sign next to it says mess hall. "This is where we eat, of course, and we have meetings here to assign people jobs and this is where justice is distributed," she says. "Wow that is a lot of things for one tent." Mia whips open the front tarp and I see people everywhere. I see some eating at tables, I see others waiting in line, I see a big crowd standing around someone with a clipboard in their hands. There are so many! Here I was yesterday thinking I was one of the few left. "Oh my God! How many are there?" I say with a beaming smile. "Hmmm let's see I think about 57, but with you here that counts as 58," Mia says. "Wow," I say. And Lola starts to growl. She had been so quiet I almost forgot she was there. Her fur stood up, she started to foam out the mouth, she barked so ferociously I was almost afraid of her. Lola then took on the defensive stance in front of me. Everyone started to scream. Plates were dropped, food went everywhere, everyone was running around screaming for the exit. But Lola smart one she was realized there was only one exit, and I was right in front of it. Quickly machetes were pulled out, guns, bow and arrows, and daggers. Children ran to the back of the tent. Someone even pulled out a grenade and was ready to launch it. "Lola calm down," I yelled above the chaos. "Human they are human, non-hostile." "Calm down everyone, she is just a very protective dog, she hasn't seen a human who hasn't tried to kill her master in over a year," Mia yelled at everyone. Lola calmed a little but like with Mia she still had her fur standing up and a low growl rumbled up from her stomach. Weapons were put away and people started to murmur questions. Mia went to the front where a piece of wood laid and stepped up onto it. I think it was supposed to resemble a stage. She motioned for me to come with her. I did, dragging Lola along with a firm grip on her collar. "Attention everyone! This is Shilo our newest member and her overprotective dog Lola. Lola means you no harm but let's just say if any of you try's to hurt Shilo I will politely step out of the way for Lola," Mia gives the threat with an annoyance like she has given this speech a hundred times. "Now then let's clean up," she saws with a mocking smile. I guess being the leader does have its perks. A loud groan erupts through the mess hall as everyone does what they are told. "Ok now that that is dealt with let's see about getting you a tent."
