One year later...

Grace ducked her head as she passed under the gate. Some had already entered before her, while others continued to file behind. Armed guards stood on top of the walls, and a few were stationed on the ground, each holding various types of guns. She didn't feel threatened, however, only relief. To enter a camp meant they were safe. They only needed to be accepted.

They all shuffled into a contained portion of the camp, safe from the others potentially lurking outside but not quite within the camp itself. But none of them complained as this was standard procedure. Every camp practiced this method in some shape or form to keep those already living within safe.

A man with light brown hair and a shotgun strapped to his back approached, and he adjusted the mask he wore. Again, everyone wore a mask when they were close to the outside, but Grace was curious about the design. This camp seemed to be wearing something that resembled a gas mask, but their eyes were fully exposed.

"Welcome to Harringdale. May I ask the reason for your arrival?" the man asked conversationally.

Grace looked around to see if anyone would speak, but she spoke up herself when most eyes turned to her.

"We hope to stay here. Our original camp was overrun."

The guard inclined his head. "I'm sorry to hear that. But we have rooms available and would be happy if you become part of our community. Just sit tight, and our inspector will be here in a moment."

"Thank you."

With another nod, the guard stepped back and waited with the others.

Grace turned her head, her brunette ponytail whipping to the side when she heard a low whistle come from her left, and she raised an eyebrow at her brother.

"Maybe we should've come here earlier," her brother, Zachary, said. "Look at their guns and tech. They must be loaded with resources."

"I liked where we were before."

Zach grimaced at her tone and put a hand on her shoulder. Near-identical deep brown eyes met in understanding. Both had friends there who were killed or turned, but this was the life they now lived.

"At least we have each other?" Zach offered.

Grace sighed and bumped her shoulder against him. "At least we have each other."

Her attention suddenly pulled to the other side of the room where another door stood. A few more clicks and slides and the heavy door began swinging inward. A few people had to step back to make room for it. However, to Grace's surprise, only one person stepped through. Usually, when there was an inspection, at least a few people in safety gear were the ones to conduct it, but the man before her had none of it.

He wore the same mask like the rest of them—albeit with thicker straps holding it in place—but there was an odd metal device sticking to his left temple. Blonde hair was pulled back partially with the shorter strands falling loose, and, much to Grace's confusion, he wore a black hoodie and joggers. The only thing that made sense was the well-worn military boots he either had from before or had taken from a dead man. She supposed there was no proper dress code for inspections, but it contrasted with previous experiences. Perhaps this wasn't the inspector at all, and she was jumping to conclusions.

But with all that aside, he looked vaguely familiar.

"Sorry to pull you out here on short notice," the guard that spoke to her said to the newcomer, but the newcomer waved the apology away.

"Don't worry about it. I wasn't doing anything important."

The newcomer's eyes scanned the crowd, taking a few steps forward before halting. He looked directly at her.

Grace found she couldn't look away as the man's hazel eyes bore into her. His eyes held no emotion and sent a chill down her spine. She couldn't put her finger on where she's seen it before. Even more, the guards who were watching rustled uneasily. Someone gasped as one guard even pointed their gun towards the man, and the first guard fiddled with something in his pocket. The exchange was far too casual for her compared to what she saw.

The gaze didn't last long, however, and the man blinked before turning around.

"They're clean," he said while walking out. "But some are injured. Especially the girl."

And with that, he was out of sight.

There was a long line of silence, and Zach furrowed his brow when the guards began chuckling to themselves.

"What was that all about?" he asked pointedly. "You call that an inspection? How are y'all—"

"Is that all?" Grace cut off her brother before he could say anything stupid. "We should be quarantined, shouldn't we? How can someone know you're not infected by just—just a glance? He didn't even approach any of us."

The first guard gradually schooled his expression, but there was still a hint of mirth in his eyes. "It's a long story, but you'll catch on eventually."

Grace did not like that response. "No, tell me now. I don't want to step foot in a camp that's potentially filled with infected people if you won't do this properly."

The people behind her muttered in agreement, all starting to shift back and resigning themselves to be on the move again. She heard the guard sigh.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to make everyone uneasy." He nodded his head back, signaling the others to open the door wider. "That was our residential zombie expert, if you want to call it that, and more. You'll get to know what all he does here in time, but I'm afraid I'm not in a position to tell you much more. But if it'll make you feel safer, you are free to quarantine yourselves in our temporary residences. Meals will be provided and delivered to you so you won't need to venture out, and you can give requests to whoever is there. It'll get to the right person. You will, however, be required to see our doctors. Does that seem reasonable to you, ma'am?"

Grace mulled it over in her head, stealing one last glance at the people behind her. None seemed to hold a strong opinion, leaving the decision to her.

"That sounds better, but I've already disinfected and treated our injuries. They're only scratches."

"Not that I doubt your ability, but we have real doctors here. As in, that is what they practiced or were students at the time before all this happened." The guard's eyes swept over the survivors. "I suppose I can't force you, but please, it would put all of us at ease if those who currently have wounds would go see them."

Grace looked at her brother with a raised eyebrow, silently asking what was going on. Zach only shrugged unhelpfully, tousling his black hair a bit before nodding.

"Sure, I guess it wouldn't hurt," Zach said.

The guard's eyes crinkled as he smiled behind the mask. "Then you are free to enter."

Hmm...wonder who the inspector is and what on earth happened 😉 Don't forget to leave vote and/or comment!

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