Chapter 37 Chapter Thirty Seven - They Did Not All Die (1/2)
Within the relative safety of the thick hedgerows, steel bars and mutant plants, with food and water in abundance and life continuing albeit at a stranger pace, it had been as if the men of the former squad and their newfound companions had lived in an oasis in the middle of the desert for sometime.Yes, there were still dangers from time to time and they had to watch their supplies carefully, but they were alive and content.
However, now their most dangerous adversary had arrived upon their proverbial doorstep; other humans.Not all of humanity could be tarred with the same brush, but it was surely a fact that when it came to their own survival, humans were selfish creatures.The men within the contained environment were no different to those they believed they might face without; they sought to protect their current way of life from those who would see it with envious eyes.How dare they be able to access food, water and have shelter from the nightmares unleashed at the end of the world?!
The gun shots warned them that they would face people, but they did not know what sort or whether they would be able to deal with them yet, however, with the numbers of ability users on their side, especially with two being above the rest in strength, they fancied their chances.Well, one.Dexter had to roll his eyes as he noticed that Ren Zexian had not followed them.A big black hound growled softly at his heels instead.Good dog, he thought to himself as he and his men quietly climbed the inside wall and crouched behind it in wait.
The rumble of engines muffled their footsteps anyway as vehicles pulled up outside the length of wall stretched across the road.They heard the click of a door opening.”What the f....!”
”You think that there are survivors here?”
”A wall like that doesn't pop up out of nowhere, so it's likely.”
”These look like garage doors...”
Dexter felt that these were not organised men, not army troops.Army troops would have quietly analysed the situation within the safety of their vehicles and assumed that any living behind the wall were potentially hostile.After all, those defending their turf would kill others to protect it.But these men had no qualms, were way too nonchalant about the whole thing.Did they not fear that there could be a fight, that they could die by human hands?Or were they overly confident in their own abilities?Dexter rubbed his temples within his hand.Dammit, he wasn't a tactician either, why did he have to worry about this shit?
”What should we do, sarge?We came all this way after all?Should we forget about it and head on to the army base after all?”
Sarge?Patrick leaned closer to Dexter and whispered close to his ear; ”Does that person not sound familiar or is it just me?”
Dexter shook his head and pressed a finger to his lips, wanting to know what these people intended.Were they peaceful?If they were heading to the army base, were they looking for a place of safety?Could they trust them?
”Hmmm...”
”Baby,” a slightly, fawning female voice called out, causing Tyler's eyes to light up.A woman!They hadn't seen a woman in months!Dexter rolled his eyes heavenward.So what?From her tone and context, this one was already spoken for.”I thought we would be able to eat fresh lamb tonight...”
”Go rest,” a gruff voice replied, but there was a note of softness to it.”I'll approach first, you stay safe in the van.”Heavy footsteps approached the wall before pausing at the metal doors barring entry.Knuckles tapped at them.”I'm assuming you can hear me,” the man yelled out.”We come in peace, looking to trade.Are you willing?”