"Oh man, this place is so packed. I swear this is way more than the one we held last year." Harlan Carson said, his brother by his side, both looking around the festival grounds from the railing of the recently built hotel.
"I'm not sure where to even begin… they really went all out this year. We need to top them next time." Emmett said, adjusting his glasses.
"Well we got two years… if they hold one at the Sanctuary… they are kind of the black sheep of the community." Harlan replied.
"Tell me about it." Emmett said, with a soft sigh. "I still feel like some people look at me differently because I had to be with them."
"Well, forget those people Emmett, they're not worth worrying about. People will be petty, even in the apocalypse, it seems." Harlan said, putting his hand onto his brother's shoulder and smiling.
"Yeah, true… thanks… and you know I hate being called that." Emmett replied, sneering at him.
"Sorry… it's just… odd to call you by your last name… since, it's mine too, but I'll try." Harlan smiled warmly. "Let's get down there, I'm itching to check out some of the tables. I heard Earl made some special weapons for today, not that I ever get out to fight much" He smirked.
"I want to check out what those guys from the Kingdom are setting up. I heard they got some really cool armor they've made." Carson said. "Seriously though, have you ever been out to fight?" He asked with a smirk right back at him.
"I could ask the same about you, don't see the need for armor for a man who spends most of his time reading inside." Harlan laughed. "Meet back up here for food in an hour or so?"
"Sounds good to me, see you later." Carson said walking in the opposite direction of his brother. He made his way down the stairs and looked through the crowd towards the outer part of the fair, still amazed at the amount of people.
He walked through the crowd, the smell of different kinds of food making his stomach already growl. A familiar, scarred face came into view, Mark walking alongside Amber. Mark seemed to be feigning a happiness, as he walked slowly, while Amber walked, her arms crossed and face clearly displeased. Carson did a quick, awkward small wave which was briefly returned from Mark, before he walked behind other people.
"I'll never understand why they chose to stay at the Sanctuary…" Carson mumbled to himself as he continued to walk. A bigger man he didn't recognize shouldered him, and hurried off into the crowd. Carson stopped and touched his left shoulder, gritting his teeth as he looked back at the man. "Asshole…"
"Excuse me! Sir!" A man ran up to Carson, looking frantic. He had light brown hair and appeared to be in his thirties. His stubbled appeared, as if he just shaved earlier that morning. "Do you know where a doctor is… please… my-" He began.
"My brother is a doctor… but I can help too. I've been helping him out with it, what's wrong?" He asked, touching the man's arm in an attempt to calm him down.
"It's my sister… we were just arriving and… she started shaking… I think it's a seizure." The main said softly, shaking as he looked terrified.
"Hey calm down, I'll go and see what's going on, where is she? Right outside the gate?" Carson asked him.
"No… god no maybe a mile out… I ran here, as fast as I could…" He said. "People have been ignoring me… I can't get anyone to help!"
"Hey don't worry, we'll go help her, just lead the way." Carson said, fixing his glasses.
"Let's hurry!" He said rushing away, Carson following after him down the road, and towards the wooded area, where the man took a sharp left and disappeared into the trees.
"How far is she?!" Carson yelled after him, holding his glasses as he ran. "And slow down! I can barely keep—"
Carson was cut off by a swift hit to the side of his head, as he ran by a large tree several feet into the wooded area. Carson fell down and held his head, looking up at bald woman, looking down at him with pure hatred in her eyes, holding an old, rusty tire iron. The man stopped running, and turned back towards him, pulling a knife out from under his shirt, and holding it tightly as he walked towards Carson.