16.2 Arrival

The party moves out quickly and surprisingly quietly for its size. You silently follow behind them, staying ever watchful. Though you're aware you don't have enough bullets to take them all out, you hope its threat alone will keep them in line. As you continue forward, you're able to study each man more carefully. Your attention is first drawn to the man who was responsible for your unexpected encounter. His brown hair is near his shoulders and just slightly unkempt. The beginning of a beard covers his narrow, slanted face. You quickly look away when his hazel brown eyes turn in your direction. Two of the other men are significantly older than the rest of the group, appearing to be no less than twenty years your senior. You make a mental note that they are likely the least threatening of the party. The final man slightly catches your intrigue as he stands out the most after the leader.

He's a tall, wiry man with brown, almost auburn hair. Piercing blue eyes stand out against his broad, tanned face. An intricacy of tattoos run up along his left arm, disappearing behind a tattered shirt. Returning your gaze to the leader, you can only wonder why his appearance is so different to the rest. It's hard to ignore his different apparel and demeanor. Upon closer inspection, you can see that the fur covering his body is a mix of patches from different animals. Meanwhile, the rest of the party appear to be wearing whatever clothes they had on when the apocalypse first occurred. Despite this, he seems to be less groomed than the rest despite his clean shaven face. Diverting your attention back to the journey, you notice the landscape continuing to change. The damage to the land is more apparent in this new area that looks as if it once held some type of crops.

The field is now quite overgrown with weeds and other foreign vegetation. Large stalks of the now wild plants cling to your skin and clothes while you pass through. The cuts they leave behind sting as sweat runs down your flushed, abraded skin. You soon find yourself panting from the heat and exhaustion. More sweat burns your eyes when it rolls down your face. Your mouth and throat on the other hand have become unbearably dry. Wiping your face with the back of your slick arm does little to assist the situation. If you thought it had been hot in the forest, it is nothing compared to out here. How the leader is able to wear furs in this weather is completely beyond you. Though, that is the least of your concerns at the moment. With each step forward you grow closer to the unknown destination. It was a risky move accompanying the strange group to their stop, however, your curiosity continues to drive you.

Eventually, you become aware of a large pillar of smoke ahead on the skyline. Frowning, you slow your pace, allowing the men to progress ahead of you. Despite the intrigue, you're still wary of the whole situation. As you grow closer, you begin to make out a large farmstead. Your heart skips a beat when you see a fair bit of livestock as well. While it's not quite the civilization you had hoped for, it's something. As you enter the area, you pass by several other men hard at work. It seems as if part of one of the barns was taken out and is now under repair. You can feel all eyes on you as when you cautiously walk past the workers. By the time you reach the house, the sky has begun turning a reddish color as the sun starts to set.

Slowly the men break off, all going in their own directions. Still on edge, you grip your weapon tightly as you watch them leave. Only the leader remains, his large frame facing away from you and towards the sunset. Only when he reaches the house does he stop, though does not turn around.

"So," You hear him speak suddenly and stifle your natural reaction to startle. "You decided not to turn back."

His deep voice rumbles pleasantly, sounding far more calm than you'd expect from a man of his stature. A slight shiver runs through you while you warily contemplate your reply. Before you can respond, he speaks again.

"That is good, we can always use another worker."

"Worker?" You quickly retort, moving forward towards the man. "I don't plan on staying long."

"You don't have to stay." He answers as he begins ascending the steps to the house. "But as long as you are here, you will be expected to contribute."

Something about his tone makes you hesitant to object. Regardless, you cannot let this trip be all for nothing. Before he reaches the door, you quickly scramble up the steps behind him. His large form instantly tenses when your hand gently lands on his arm.

"Wait," You all but plead, determined to get some answers. "How do you know Boyd?"

"I will answer your questions in due time." He replies, shrugging your hand away as he reaches to open the door. "But there are more important things to attend to now."

Biting your tongue, you know better than to push things. After all, the man has been surprisingly accommodating thus far. The fact that you still retain your weapon is an unexpected but likely good sign. Before the man steps inside you're reminded of another, pressing issue.

"Wait," You call out again, this time keeping your hands to yourself. "Where... where can I sleep tonight?"

The leader pauses in the doorway before finally looking over his shoulder at you. His dark eyes are both mesmerizing and slightly terrifying. Their emotionless appearance hardly matches his oddly soothing tone. This mismatched image makes it quite difficult to discern his true feelings. The inexpressive eyes casually rake over your form before returning to your face.

"That is up to you." He states directly, his gaze now appearing to look past you. "You may stay here with me or you can tough it out in the barn."

Your eyes quickly widen in alarm at the suggestion. The sudden, deep laugh that emits from the man causes you to visibly startle. Without saying another word, he enters the house, leaving the door open behind him. Swallowing nervously, you cautiously glance over your shoulder at the half repaired barn then back at the open door before you.