A mixture of anxiety and excitement filled me as I approached this large community called Terminus. I had been on the road for the majority of the apocalypse. I had a group once, but I didn't want to talk about that right now. My only companion was my pitbull, Stella. I got her as a puppy before this all started. She was my family's beloved pet. Speaking of my family, they're gone too. My dad died along with my old group. He and I used to hunt together. I was shooting bows right from the age of seven. That was the only advantage I had in this world. I could shoot. I wouldn't be alive right now if I couldn't shoot arrows. It was what kept me and my dog alive. She had killed the dead before too, but I rarely gave her the opportunity. I didn't know what I would do if she got hurt. This wasn't exactly how a sixteen year old wanted to spend her life.

Stella trotted beside me happily as we got closer to the gates of this supposed sanctuary. There were maps and signs all over the place that said to go to Terminus. I didn't quite trust it, but if there was a sanctuary, I could do with some rest.

"Welcome to Terminus." The man at the gates said. "You look like you've been on the road for a while."

"I have." I responded.

"Wow, a dog." He said with awe. "I haven't seen a dog since the beginning but I'm afraid I can't let her in unless I can confirm she won't misbehave."

"I have a leash." I said quickly, unclipping a tattered old leash that I acted as a second belt unless I needed to use it.

"Very well. I just need to ask you a few questions before you come in." He nodded. "Have you ever killed anybody and if so, why?"

"No." I told him truthfully. I had never had to kill any people.

"Okay." He scribbled something down on his clipboard.

"Has your dog ever killed any people?"

"Absolutely not." I answered as I clipped the leash to her collar.

"Alright. That's all I need to know for now but before I let you in, I need you to lay down your weapons." He commanded. I reached for the long bow that sat on my back with the quiver of arrows. I lay my bow gently on the ground in front of me then sat the quiver on top. Around my waist was my real belt, not a leash. I opened the sheath for my hunting knife and laid it down with my bow and arrows. Finally, I took the smaller knife from the inside of my boot.

"That's it." I said. I felt exposed and unsafe without my weapons.

"Quite an arsenal you have there." He commented. "I'm sorry but I'm going to half to check you for anything else." My heart quickened as I felt extremely vulnerable. He quickly patted down my legs and arms, doing a poor job of frisking. I was relieved though as this was an uncomfortable experience for me. "Okay, Callie. Here is your official welcome to Terminus." He led Stella and I through the gates, my weapons in his hands..

"These weapons are still yours but we're going to put them in the armory for safe keeping. You're more than welcome to take them to practice in the archery range or if you go out but I doubt you'll need to go on a run." The man said as he closed the gate. I nodded hesitantly. I understood his reasoning but I didn't feel safe without them. The man handed another guard my weapons and told him to take them to the armory. The man grabbed a gun and continued walking. I didn't like the fact that he had a gun. "I'll show you where you'll be staying then you can get something to eat after." We walked over to where there were multiple storage containers. "I know they aren't the best, but we don't have a lot of room right now. There are beds in there for you and lanterns for light."

"Um...okay." I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Something about this situation didn't feel right.

"There are others in there to keep you company." The man informed me and he unlocked the container. He opened the door and Stella ran in happily. Suddenly, a foot slammed against my back, shoving me inside. The doors slammed close as I hit the floor.

"What the hell?" I gasped, running up to the container door. "Let me out!" I shrieked.

"That's not going to happen." Someone muttered behind me.