Remus Lupin walked through the dark forest searching for a place to set up camp.
After James and Lily were killed he found no need to keep an address, no one was left to visit him anyway. Not for the first time in his life Remus Lupin felt completely alone. He travelled often, never staying in one place.
When traveling Britain became tedious Remus moved to America. He worked small muggle jobs and only stayed in one place long enough to get his first pay check before moving on. It wasn't much of a life but it meant he could get his mind off of all the death and destruction he left behind.
But there was one person he couldn't shake the image of. Padfoot. Why didn't he see it coming? How could he have been so stupid to think he was on their side? It was always there in the back of his head. A constant reminder of how stupid he had been. It was his fault James, Lily and Peter were dead. In some ways he was glad they weren't around to see how badly he had failed them.
Remus was quickly brought out of his dreamy state by a loud twig snapping close behind him.
"Lumos," he whispered spinning around wand at the ready.
But all he could see were the thick shrubs and sharp brambles he had just been stumbling through.
Probably a chipmunk he thought to himself lowering his wand but not yet turning his back on that one spot of shrubbery. After a few more seconds of tree staring Remus decided to push on through the dense forest.
Camping was a "great" idea Moony really "top notch" now no one is around for miles to hear your screams when the axe murderer jumps out of those bushes. He pushed those thoughts away when all of a sudden a white hot pain erupted in the back of his head.
He fell backwards and the scarred face of a man not much older than him was the last face he saw before the world went dark.
Water splashed his face. Is it raining? His head ached. His eyes were heavy and once opened all he could see was blurred figures. He closed his eyes willing his headache to stop when a deep voice spoke.
"Open your eyes brother; you bear our scars. You will go to a better place we are here to save you."
His voice was loud and he seemed to be speaking to the people around him instead of Remus himself.
These people are crazy! They sound like they're going to sacrifice me to some obscure god or something! Remus tried to move his arms but found them bound together behind his back. He had no choice but to open his eyes and face his kidnapper.
The man couldn't have been older than twenty. His hair was a raven black colour that shone in the camp fire's flickering light. He was strong. He looked like a savage with his long hair that hung in his eyes and his clothes which were worn and had a fair number of holes. He looked around at the other men and women surrounding them taking note of how they all wore black while this apparent "leader" was clad in bright red.
Each person had a machine gun strapped to their back and a machete hanging from their belts.
"There is no need to worry," the kid in red said though every face looked stony and threatening, "we don't want a fight, just come with us now there's no point in struggling. We have a new home for you now." He smiled reassuringly waiting for Remus to answer. When he didn't he added quickly, "I'm Noah. I'm in charge of this group of soldiers."
"Well hi there Noah," Remus said sarcastically, "it's not that I'm not thrilled to meet you but I'd rather not do introductions with my hands tied like this."
Noah signalled to a woman standing close by who grabbed Remus' arms roughly and sliced through the rope with her machete. Remus rubbed his wrists which were bright red from the rope burn.
"Where are you taking me anyway? What is this 'better place' you're talking about?"
Noah looked surprised, "haven't you heard of the W-zone?" he asked looking around the others who had equally stunned faces.
"Well no, I'm not exactly from here" Remus replied sheepishly.
"That explains the wand," exclaimed a short man who's gun seemed to be considerably bigger than him.
Remus' hand immediately flew to his pocket. Gone. "What have you done with my wand?" He shouted angrily.
Noah raised his hands in mock surrender, "calm down there! We have it somewhere safe. You'll get it back, but not until the General decides if you aren't dangerous."
Remus breathed out a heavy sigh. There were too many of these homeless looking soldiers for him to get away from. There was an even smaller chance of him fighting his way out without a wand. So he stood up and put his hands in the air signalling that he was coming quietly.
The soldiers led him through the forest in a tight square for what seemed like hours and no one would give him any more information on the so called W-Zone.
That was until he caught up with a very young looking boy with bright blonde hair. The boy's name was Sparrow he spoke with a strong southern accent and clearly was far too nice to ever turn his gun on anyone.
"So y'all not from here," he said panting from the weight of the gun plus the first aid kit strapped to his back.
"Yeah I'm originally from Wales " Remus answered curtly getting impatient with the kid who ignored all his questions about the W-zone.
"Never heard of it" He answered, "know this Lupin am gonna be straight with ya; the W-zone is a hell hole"
Remus snorted out a laugh, "is there any way for me to cancel my room?"
"Oh no, once ya've been caught that's it. No way out. See it was set up by the USMLF or the United States Magical Liberty Federation. Bunch of rich bastards. They have a thing 'gainst wolves so they built an underground city and hid us there. Now if we spot any wolves in the area we gotta bring 'um in so they don't bite no more wizards."
"How do you survive underground?" Remus asked, suddenly extremely interested.
"The wizards set us up with our own water supply and they send us food 'n' medicine but part from that we on our own."
Just then everyone stopped, almost making Remus crash into the woman in front of him. They stood in front of a massive oak tree. Noah walked forward and knocked a tune into the trunk. A door appeared on the tree trunk and Noah opened it revealing an artificial orange light. The soldiers walked in unfazed. Remus stared for a moment before being pushed harshly in line with the soldiers and inside the tree. There was a short dimly lit tunnel with orange rock walls. Then the tunnel opened up revealing a blinding orange light. Remus blinked. This place was unbelievable.