Chapter 4

Lilly's POV

Dawn had arrived faster than I expected. We listened and noted that it was quiet and the perfect time to move. Scarlet and John went out first, glanced around, then gave us the okay to join them.

"What is the safe zone?" I questioned as we got into our formation, now with me in front of Scarlet.

"It is a compound that is letting in survivors we heard about from the camp we were previously in." Mary was the one to answer me quietly as she followed behind John.

John glanced back at me and then returned to watching around us for any danger. I knew he wasn't as trusting as Mary or Scarlet but I felt like I haven't really given him a reason to not trust me and was taking a little offense in the way he was always watching me, but then again in these times I guess you really can't trust anyone.

After what seemed like four or five miles I noticed a large metal gate in the distance. The gate stood around twelve feet high made of welded steel plates and rusted fencing. Old highway signs were bolted into it and were being used for extra reinforcement. Razor wire was looped at the top with pieces of fabric and plastic swaying in the wind like flags, and at it's center two metal doors chained together with locks and cables. In some places you could tell someone or something was trying to get in but had failed.

"I think we made it to the safe zone," Mary sobbed out as she held her shaking hand to her mouth. John turned towards everyone with a wobbly smile and grabbed Mary's hand to press his lips gently to her bruised knuckles.

"Finally," Scarlet let out a shaky breath. "Maybe we can finally have a minute of peace."

"Hopefully, it has been a crazy few days and I could really use a minute to catch my mind up on everything."

Maybe I shouldn't have spoken so quickly as a glare from the top of the gate caught my eye. I knew we wouldn't be welcomed instantly so I should've expected the gun aimed at us.

"We aren't infected!" John shouted to whoever was behind the gun. "We are just looking for sanctuary! We have my wife, a toddler and two young women in my group!"

The gun lowed slightly.

"How did you know to come here?" A deep voice shouted back.

"We heard of a safe zone from a camp we were in before it was raided and we had to leave," John seemed to gain confidence as he continued answering. "We have traveled a long way and would like to discuss our staying here, if that is possible?"

The metal doors on the gate creaked as they were unlocked and opened slowly. A tall male with blonde hair pushed back and gun in his right hand strolled about halfway to us and stopped.

"I am Liam Graves," the man voiced "I am the one you would consider a leader in the compound."

"Liam this is Mary, Lilac, Scarlet, Lilly and I am John. We would like to seek sanctuary with you and we will contribute any way we can."

"You would need to go through a process of making sure you aren't infected before we can offer you a place within the compound." Liam seemed to be open into letting us stay. "Let me escort you to the tent just inside the gate, that is where we will have you strip and be searched for any bites the look infected."

We all looked at each other and slightly nodded.

"Of course. Lead the way." I replied for everyone.

I took the first steps toward Liam putting myself in the line of danger in case this was all a trap. I couldn't risk the lives of the group that had kindly taken me in especially a child.

Everyone followed behind me glancing around as we made our way inside the gate toward a dark green military looking tent. The gate doors closed and I turned to watch as a man and young woman started locking the doors securely.

"We make sure our people are safe here," Liam noticed me watching as the doors were locked tight.

"I would hope so," I whispered more to myself but I noticed how his mouth turned down at my words.

The enterance of the tent had clear plastic flaps that were pulled to the side so we could enter. A woman and man were at a white table in front of what looked like makeshift dressing rooms.

"This is Jake and Alice." Liam explained, "They will be the ones to look over you and make sure you are clean from any infection."

Jake and Alice gave a nod to Liam and ushered us forward taking us one at a time into the dressing room. Of course Jake only had John to search and Alice had the rest of us.

Alice is extremely friendly and talked about what her and Jake are responsible for in the compound. It turns out Alice is a caretaker here at the compound, she helps with the children that are here and teaches them basic school subjects during certain days. Jake is a guard for the front gates and also volunteers to help Alice with medical tasks that need to be done.

"They are clean Boss," Jake informs Liam as I step out of the room with Alice.

"Okay, so let me explain a few things first before we get you all assigned to lodging." Liam rubs a hand down his face then continues, "Everyone that stays here contributes in some way. We can get you assigned tomorrow if you would like the night to think about what you would like to do. We have around fifty people that live here and we have been getting a few survivors every other day, it seems word spread fast. So on top of you contributing to what you want we also are taking shifts to expand the compound. We have three meals a day starting with breakfast at 8 AM, lunch at 12 PM and dinner at 6 PM. I can answer any questions tomorrow when we discuss your daily jobs here. Now if you follow me I will take you to were you will be staying."

I followed him out the tent and down what seemed to be a man made dirt path until we reached a area that had cabins and what looked like tree houses. Scarlet jogged up to me and asked, "Want to be put together in a treehouse?"

I nodded to her thinking it was for the best and turned back towards Liam to let him know.

"I figured you ladys would like to be housed together. We have a two bedroom treehouse that would be perfect for you. And for John and Mary I have a cabin that has two bedrooms also for Lilac to stay with you."

"Thank you." Mary didn't bother to hide her sobs.

Before we reached the first lodge a scream tore through the silence and Liam sprinted towards the left.

Before I could follow I heard the whisper,

"Tether, I will find you.”