The Living Nightmare

Chapter 5: Mapleville

    It's been a week after that incident and the three of us haven't really spoken much. All we've really spoken was if we stopped to search places and that was it. There really wasn't much to talk about oth-- "'Mapleville'? What the hell is a 'Mapleville'?" Terence asked and I slowly stopped the truck and turned to him and he pointed to a large green sign by the asphalt road and I stepped out of the truck and walked up a large, green road sign that had the real name painted over by 'Mapleville- 2 Miles' and I scoffed then shook my head. "Mapleville sounds like a trap." I said as I hauled myself into the driver's seat and took it out of park and into first gear. "Well, I dunno. Remember that place we visited a few days ago? It had a dumb name and we got food and drinks and some ammunition from them!" I looked at Claire then sighed, both of their eyes burning into my skull waiting for an answer. "Fine! We'll go check it out but if they do something funny, don't hesitate to fight." They nodded and I started to drive again. I think the real reason Terence was excited was because he thought the whole place would have pancakes.

    It wasn't long until we drove up to a town with large walls and a gate with a sign 'Mapleville' and I swear, I wouldn't be surprised if someone with a shoe on their head came out and said 'Welcome, folks! This is the place of truth, I reckon!' But actually, a decent person came out; muscles poked from his tank top, an orange jacket tied around his waist and a pistol in the side, he had a military helmet on, and a wide smile. Gray hair poked from spots under the helmet and he looked about forty. I turned to face my companions and instructed,"Stay in the car." After that I was very, very surprised to see Clair blushing and looking at a teenager that was standing on watch with a rifle.

I groaned and stepped out as the man spoke. His voice was aged and scratchy, a scar went across his right eye, he had on orange sweat pants, a white tank top, short white hair, and a long shaggy beard. He had a few medals that stood out. A military vet...  huh don't see those very much anymore. ¨Greetings! You must be newcomers, haven't seen anyone that looked like you or a car like this in a very long time. Names Mike and I am glad to welcome you. What's your name, son?¨ He asked me directly and I thought for a moment. ¨My names Tyrone." I said in a quick second and he chuckled then put a hand on my shoulder. ¨Glad to meet you Tyrone. Anyone in that car that I need to meet as well?¨ He asked and I thought for a moment, they had nice security, guns, food, water, and maybe other people. I couldn't tell because the walls were too high to see over. I decided to  look at the car then did a 'Come on' gesture and then the two nomads came out of the truck and Mike whistled once he saw the shotgun and the rifle, how bad in condition they were in, then the condition that Claire and Terence was in. ¨You three have seen some sh--¨ Clair took her baseball cap off and readjusted her matted blonde hair. ¨Yeah, we've seen stuff.¨ She said with a blank stare at him and I saw him graze his hand over the small caliber handgun then he wiped some sweat off his wrinkled forehead. ¨Well the doors open if you guys need a place to stay.¨ Mike said and turned around and yelled up to the higher part above the gate and a large locking system was heard and Mike slide the gate open and walked inside of the gate. We looked at eachother and I told Terence to get into the car and to drive it inside with a commanding tone.  "A'ight, capin'!" He said which made Claire and I laugh and walked inside to see that it was a well kept area: There were small farms in the area for crops, there were children playing and there were animals, everyone was laughing and playing, there were even houses! Terence came behind us and I swear when I turned around, he almost passed out, the car stopped immediately. This is just amazing. Mike turned around and smiled at us, "Welcome to Mapleville, folks. This is the truth."