SafeHaven

Chapter 1

Now...

Hunter

I opened my eyes, waking up from my nap. I looked at the moldy ceiling of a building we had taken refuge in for the night. I blinked a few times before realizing I had to get up.

I groaned as I sat up, my body aching. I was exhausted, haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks. I rubbed my eyes and yawned.

I looked to my side, seeing my gun resting atop of a crate. I looked at it, a black Colt 1911 pistol. The brown handle with the words "Mercy" carved into it. Just staring at the words made my stomach turn. I couldn't stand the sight of it.

I sighed and rubbed my neck.

"Hunter." I turned to see Frank sitting in a chair over a small burning fire, "Food's ready."

There was a pot over the fire which Frank was stirring the contents inside.

I nodded and stood up, walking over to him. He got a small bowl and poured a stew he was making with the ladle he had in hand. He then handed the bowl to me to which I nodded and took it.

I then walked over to a boarded up window. Looking outside through the small openings, I slowly drank the hot soup from the bowl. It was good, Frank was a good cook. It tasted like chicken stew with some pieces of vegetables and stuff, didn't matter, it was healthy and good.  It was food.

Outside, I saw the street empty. In one of the parts of a ruined city. Down the block, I saw a couple of infected roaming around. They haven't noticed us, good.

I then turned around, eating the stew. I looked around the place, an abandoned restaurant. I noticed that in one of the booths, Mick was sleeping. In the other room, I saw Riley standing watch, looking through the openings of the boards outside to the building, shotgun in hand.

Frank and Riley were awake while Mick and I slept, eh? Well, he needs rest. We have to move out soon. I finished the rest of the stew and placed it down on the table.

"Wake up Mick, Frank. And have him eat." I told the big guy, "We move out in 20."

He nodded as I walked over to Riley. I grabbed my rifle which was leaned on the doorway. An M4 Carbine with iron sights and dual magazines. I only have 3 more mags left so I have to mind my ammo.

Riley looked outside, the man was in his late twenties. He was tall, well built and had red hair. I've know him for a while now.

"Al, go get some rest and eat." I told the ginger, "I'll take watch."

He nodded, "Roger." He said walking past me

I sighed and looked outside. The same infected i saw before were still there, wandering. I also saw huge pieces of broke mirror leaned on a wall where I can see the reflection into another street. I didn't see anything coming our way.

"We have to regroup with Doc and Connor." I thought to myself

It's been a few days since we got separated. Back in the Sixth District, we ran into a Horde, bigger than usual, and we had no but to split up. The way to the White Quarter that surrounds SafeHaven from there parts is dangerous. Especially since we have to take the expressway that runs over the entrance of the Quarter.

I'm sure Connor is fine, Doc is with him. He was hurt pretty bad, pushed off a truck and hit the pavement hard. Nothing too serious I hope.

I looked at the others, Mick was awake and eating. Riley and Frank were discussing something as they ate.

I leaned against the wall as I looked outside, thinking of what I'll do when we get back to SafeHaven. It's been weeks since we left in search of supplies and food.

A couple days ago, we managed to get a truckload of food, medicine, and supplies on to the road to SafeHaven. It was guarded by several scouts and the truck had modified parts that can deal with Infected who get on the way. Later the day, we were radioed in and told that the truck made it. Our mission was done, we got the stuff safe, we could've left.

But we were in the Sixth District, it wasn't safe for us to leave on foot. Hordes of Infected swarmed all over us and we had no choice but to pull back deeper into the District. Took us days to get through and out of it.

Now, we we're in the outskirts of the Sixth District and the expressway to the White Quarter was just a couple of miles away.

"Hey, Hunter." Mick called over

I looked at him, the blonde was giving a serious look.

"Tomorrow's the Council Meeting." He told me

I nodded, "Yea."

"What if you miss it?" He asked me

I shrugged, "I don't care either way." I told him, "The meeting is just an excuse to eat fancy food and drink wine without people bitching about it."

Mick shook his head, "Yer damn lucky then. Being able to eat that stuff." He told me

"I guess so." I replied, "But the dinner isn't what bothers me. It's the meeting itself."

Frank chuckled, "You were never the conference type, Hunter." He said, "It's understandable that you don't like meetings."

I nodded. He was right, I never liked long and boring meetings. Especially with those people, so full of themselves. I can't stand to be in the same room and hear their shit, knowing their troubles aren't as close to big to mine. But I had no choice but to attend, I was a Council Member after all.

"Connor also has to attend if we make it home." Riley stated

"Yea." Frank said

I was gonna say something when Mick spoke up.

"That's if we make it home." He said

There was a brief moment of silence in the room. We all knew he was right, we've always known that. Every day, outside the walls, we expect to never go back home.

But despite the negative possibility, we still come out and look for food, supplies, and all that shit. We do it for the people of SafeHaven, for those who can't come out and fend for themselves. We are the ones who do this because nobody else does. And for Mick to constantly reminds us of the horrifying truth is like he was reminding us that the sky is blue.

I sighed,

"Ain't that a bitch."