A Cimmerian Silence- A zombie apocalypse novel Book 1

Chapter 4

The first thing I noticed was a fence blockading me from the small cluster of houses. The land that was separated from the large cage was much too overgrown and barren, and continued beneath my feet. My surroundings were silent until I sauntered closer, and a small group of people above the gates standing on what looked like scaffolding, saw me.

"Halt!" Ordered an eerie male voice, as the others pointed guns in my direction.

I slowly raised my hands above my head.
"My name is Deanna." I announced. I reached behind me, exposing my hand gun and dropping it to the ground in front of me. "I followed the signpost from the highway."

"Are you alone?" The same man hollered down at me.

"Yes. It's just me."

While he still aimed his gun at me, the guard leaned slightly to his right and looked down. "Open the gates! Check for weapons before entry!"

Secretly, I took my pocket knife from my back pocket and dropped it into the top of my jeans, tracing it down my leg until it fell out the bottom of my trouser leg and into my boot. I stretch out my foot to fit my knife comfortably on the side of my boot.

A gate then opened, exposing and welcoming me to the inside world of 'Termination'.

A women lumbered towards me- Her hair was of medium length, braided tightly over her right shoulder. Both sides of her face were gently caressed by two short pieces of blonde hair. Her eyes were a piercing blue, much like the ocean, which could be perceived and beautiful but also very dangerous. She stopped in front of me boldly, although she stood no more than a couple of inches taller.

"Hi." She spoke sternly, while two of her guards came over to me and patted me down. She cracked a smile. "Welcome. Follow me."

The neighbourhood looked as though it formed a small semi-circle inside the fences. Houses to my left and to my far right stood tall, which slightly excited me. Everything was clean, new even- as if I had gone back in time. The smell of freshly cut grass lingered under my nose.

With the gates now shut behind me, I suddenly noticed a group of beady eyes staring into mine. The residents muttered to each other, not taking their eyes off of me.

"What do you want us to do with the gun, Maeve?" Asked another guard. The women in front of me turned slightly.

"Take it to the armoury." She responded, and he nodded in return.

Maeve took me to what I presumed was her house. It was a small bungalow, that opened to a much larger space than I expected. The room was taken up mostly by the couches and dusty bookcases , but left a small archway free that led to the kitchen.

"Please, sit." Maeve gestured her hand towards the couch and she sat on the opposite one.

"I'm Maeve, I'm in charge here. I think I heard your name was Deanna?"

"De." I interjected quickly.

"Well ok, De. Was that gun the only weapon you own?"

"Yeah," I looked her in the eyes with my lie and looked down at my boots. "I'd really like it back."

"May I check your backpack?"

"Sure." I threw it over to her, she unzipped it and gave it a feel.

"Good." She nodded as she then passed me back my backpack. "How long were you out there?"

I let out a deep breath. "Since the beginning."

I watched her eyebrows slightly raise as her eyes widened. "By yourself?" Her voice in disbelief.