Reminiscent Hearts

Chapter 5

The closer they got, the larger and more formidable the prison appeared to be. Garu glanced to the side for a moment and saw a mass of zombies clustered on the chain fence, flexing and bowing due to the immense pressure but not giving in anytime soon. He slowed to a stop as some people, not zombified and wielding guns, approached them wearing heavy armor.

One stood off close to the gate and the other, a woman, approached the driver side door. tapping on the glass, Garu lowered the window as she had her weapon raised slightly,"Name, how many, and how did you find this place?"

This set off alarms through Garu as he felt uneasy,"The radio broadcast said that there was a prison just 20 miles off the highway. There's 2 of us, my name is Garu." he narrowed his eyes at the armored woman noting that he wouldn't be able to take her out in this position.

She was about to say something before her comrade cut her off,"Warden wants to speak with the new guys, he says let 'em in Alex." she scoffed casting a quick glance at a camera just over the gate as she jerked her head motioning for them to enter and lowered her weapon.

Garu nodded, rolling his window back up and driving into the facility as the gate retracted open when he was closer, probably to reduce the chance of zombies coming through when it was open. As he drove, Sara noticed the men standing as though the survivors below were prisoners, each armed with a rifle and some form of protection.

A chill ran through Sara's spine before she felt Garu squeeze her hand in a reassuring way. She glanced over to him meeting his amber eyes,"Everything is going to be ok, I promise. They won't hurt you, if they do I'll kill them." she nodded her head at his reassuring smile.

However, the tension and unease never left Garu as they came to a stop where a group of 4 heavily armed men stood along a pathway,"Guess this is where we stop." his words muttered under his breath as the vehicle came to a halt.

Garu stepped out, pistol holstered at his side as he walked around and opened Sara's door. He could see her shaking, barely noticeable to anyone else, but to him it was all he needed to know that she didn't approve of the situation either. Garus's hand found hers and kept her behind him as they approached the group of soldiers.

Immediately they surrounded the duo and began their escort to where the "Warden" was located. The inside of the large cluster of buildings was nicer than it initially appeared. Farms lined most of the open grounds but there was a large clear area that appeared to be a meeting area of sorts. Three large buildings made up the what seemed to be housing, as Garu noticed people walking in and out carrying either baskets of clothes or food.

He stopped suddenly, causing Sara to walk into him. Their escorts opened a door, and lead them through a series of hallways before arriving at a solid steel door that had two guards standing on either side. The guard to Garu's right pressed a button on the wall,"You may enter." came from a speaker just below the button, as a heavy click sounded and the poles on the front of the door retracted into the ground and the door released a hiss as it unlocked. The guards watched them closely, while the two escorts behind them shoved Sara and Garu into the room before closing it behind them.

Garu stood quickly and spun around just in time to see the poles slide back into place on this side, locking the door once more. A sound resonated from behind him as a light turned on from behind them, causing Garu to stand in front of Sara as she stood.

"I apologize for my mens' behavior. That's no way to treat a Lady of that quality. Now, may we begin to talk business?" Garu felt a chill course through him, his muscles tensing as something didn't sit well in regards to the figure's words.

More lights turned on revealing a set of chairs sitting before the desk the figure was stationed at. He motioned for them to sit as Garu lead Sara over to a seat that had a glass of water next to it. Garu remained standing, much to the figure's own disappointment.

"You are more than welcomed to have a seat my friend-"

"I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather stand." Garu's stern and cold tone cutting the man off.

He shrugged his shoulders, not bothering to persuade him further, but Garu caught his attention,"So you're the "Warden" I take it? The one in charge here?"

The figure smirked seeming pleased by Garu's comment,"You are very correct Garu-"

"How do you know my name-?"

"Alex sent word of you as you were en route to my office. Now the true fact of the matter is, you need shelter, no? Somewhere that you feel is safe? Or at the very least, safe enough for her." He nodded his head in Sara's direction, causing her to look away.

Garu glanced away thinking of how he should respond, which only caused the Warden's own smirk to widen to a smile,"You know I'm right. You've probably been on the road for hours on end nonstop for days. And you, my friend, are scared."

Garu's continued silence keep proving that the Warden was right in his assumptions,"What do I do? He's right, that's why we came here, so I could keep her safe but still. Something..Something isn't right here.."

Warden noticed his skepticism as Sara took a drink of the water next to her. It was refreshing and cold, something that they hadn't had since being on the road was something cold. Garu let out a defeated and annoyed sigh, pushing down his unease he replied,"We would like that very much, but one condition."

Warden extended his arms in an open and welcoming manner,"Name your conditions."

Garu's gaze held fast to Warden's, his golden eyes locked to the dark brown pools he couldn't read,"No one, and I mean no one, hurts her or goes near her. I want to stay with her and share the same living arrangements with her, just as insurance that no harm will come to her."

Warden held Garu's gaze equally, being able to read he fear and desperation he had hidden quite well,"That can be arranged, I have one of my best men, Axton, escort you two to your new home. I hope we all can enjoy one another's company in this camp."

Garu nodded as he took Sara's hand and helped her up, he could feel her hand shaking, a sign her anxiety and fatigue were getting to be too much for her now. The door opened in the same manner it had before, Garu glanced back at Warden one last time to see him speaking into a phone like someone would to a secretary. His jaw clenched as he looked away, remembering a smile that bore into them as they walked out to meet their escort.