Surviving Terminus (BOOK TWO IN THE SURVIVING THE WALKING DEAD SERIES)

The Welcome Wagon

     Mary had a smile plastered across her face as she briefly looked us over. Something already didn't feel right to me. No one is this happy, it's not humanly possible. Maybe it was just my paranoia, but something told me not to mention the others to her. "If you'll please follow me, I'll take you to Gareth."

     "Who's Gareth?" Abraham asked.

     "He's our leader here at Terminus, made it the place it is today. Every newcomer has to meet him before you can get settled in, consider it an interview."

     "If I knew I was gonna be interviewed I would've brought my resume." I scoffed.

     "What she means to say is that we assumed anyone was allowed into Terminus." Tara explained.

     "I completely understand your frustration, a lot of people travel here from far away only to find out that Terminus wasn't right for them." Mary explained. "Normally we would allow just about anyone in, but after recent events we had to start a screening process for everyone to ensure the safety of everyone living here." Mary began to walk away with us following her like ducklings. It made complete sense, but something was still off. I didn't like how she said "Terminus wasn't right for them." She said it with little to no emotion, her eyes were dead to any form of remorse to the situation.

     "Everyone, this is Albert." Mary said as we approached a kid who looked to be a few years younger than me. He had curly brown hair with eyes to match, had a black eye hiding behind a black eyepatch, and carried a rifle awkwardly in his hands. "He's supposed to be on perimeter watch, which is why I didn't see you come in." Figures. Albert looked way too irresponsible to be put on guard duty, and seeing his lack of responsibility to his job proved it.

     "Hey, kid, what happened to your eye?" I asked curiously asked.

     "Hunting accident." Albert answered shyly. "I was tracking a black bear, but I guess I startled it and it attacked me."

     "You hunt?" I raised my eyebrow at him in disbelief. There was no way in hell this kid was a hunter. The way he carried himself, let alone his gun, was a dead giveaway. I'm not saying its impossible to scare a black bear while hunting, but a black bear would've caused way more damage to him than just his eye.

     "Albert, you best get back to perimeter watch. I need to take our new guests to see Gareth." Albert nodded and ran off to his post. "Forgive him, he's a shy boy, but a great asset here." Mary motioned for us to follow her, reluctantly, we fell into step.

     "Somethin' ain't right." Abraham whispered to me. "A black bear would've caused more damage than that."

     "You're right, it would've." I nodded. "Did ya see how quickly Mary sent 'em off after I asked about it?" Abraham looked back at the others before giving me a nod.

     "Keep on your toes."

     "Gareth is inside, go ahead and go in." Mary smiled as we approached a large warehouse looking building. We looked at each other and slowly entered the building. A group of people were standing around painting more signs and maps for Terminus while a white haired woman sat at a table, broadcasting about Terminus on the radio.

     "Terminus. Those who arrive, survive. Follow the tracks to the point where all lines intersect. There are maps at the crossings to help guide you with your journey. Sanctuary for all, community for all. Those who arrive, survive."

     "Well, hello." A man smiled as he turned to us. "You're not here to rob us, are you?"