The group of survivors were amazed at what they saw as they entered Breanna's camp. At least a dozen wooden houses were built high in the trees with thick rope ladders and rope bridges connecting each one.
"My God! It's like Star Wars...or Lord of the Rings." David said in awe.
"It's necessary for survival. Zombies can't climb." Breanna said chopping a rope from a tree. A ladder unraveled and fell by her feet. "Let's go."
Everyone began to climb but David was still on the ground in awe. He heard a grunt and felt warm breath on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the behemoth of a man looking down at him. Scared, he gulped and ran up the ladder.
"Don't worry!" Breanna stifled a laugh. "That's just Rufus. He's harmless...unless you cross him."
They entered what seemed to be the largest of the tree houses and Breanna took off her shoes. She looked at the others who understood that they should take their shoes off too. She went to the center where a large ruby cushion sat on the floor and set herself on it facing towards the rest of the group. Rufus arrived and stood guard by the door.
"There must be an elevator. No way he could have climbed that tiny ladder." David tried to whisper to Sarah who only nudged him in the ribs back.
"Did you take note of these symbols?" Breanna asked. JC nodded and pulled out his note pad and passed it to her. She looked down at it and instantly her eyes widened. To avoid any further questions though she cleared her throat and retained her composure. "I don't know what these are...sorry."
JC gave her a look. "Okay...you made it seem like you knew what they were."
"No, but I do know someone who might but he won't speak with you unless you gather him a basket of blueberries."
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, he's a smart old man, but he's a kook. He only speaks with us if we bring him blueberries from the fields just beyond camp.
"Aren't there zombies out there?" Mel asked.
Breanna looked at the group. "You guys look fully equipped. But if you don't want to know more about these symbols..."
"How do you know he'll know what these are?" JC asked.
"Trust me, he knows everything." Breanna asked and gave a small yawn. "But if you're too scared to go out there, I'll send one of my men to help you. He'll meet you at the fields."
"I'll go." Sarah said standing up. "I need to get some exercise anyway. Listening to David complain all the time has stressed me out." David stuck his tongue out at her. She grabbed it and gave it a twist causing him to wince in pain.
"Be careful." Mel said.
"It's day time, I'll be fine." Sarah moved towards the door, patted Rufus on the arm who only looked down and snarled. Sarah snarled back. This made Rufus smile and oblige, moving out of her way.
"I'll be back later."
She grabbed her gun and climbed down the ladder, Rufus looking down at her.
"Are you coming with me?" She asked the giant of a man. His arms were probably twice the size of Sarah's body. When he didn't make a sound Sarah shrugged and continued on her way.
The blueberry fields were just out of sight from the camp in a clearing by a trickling brook. The sun danced through the leaves and butterflies fluttered by the buttercup flowers and peonies. Sarah couldn't help but think that this place seemed too surreal. Out there is a world that is slowly coming to an end and here in the forest is a random haven. She smiled when she found the blueberry bushes growing along the brook. She began to pick them and tossed a few in her mouth. The sweet purple juice overflowed all over her tongue as she bit down on each tiny morsel. A small shiver crept up her spine at the euphoric feeling. It reminded her of childhood.
"Enjoying the berries I see." A male voice from behind said. Sarah looked behind her, her mouth full of the berries. The tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes smiled. She quickly swallowed the berries just to get a word out. "You must be the guy that Breanna sent to help me."
A small pause. "Yeah...yeah that's me. Why are we picking blueberries anyway?" The man asked.
"To get the old man to answer our questions about the symbols we found on someone."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh..."
"Do you know anything about this old man?" Sarah asked.
"He is crazy, that's for sure."
"I'm Sarah by the way." Sarah said offering her hand.
"Bradley, nice to meet you."
The two continued to speak and grew quickly accustomed to each other as they traded survival stories and enjoyed blueberries.
"No way! You got it right in the head?" Bradley asked with sheer amazement.
"Yeah, I mean it's nothing. It was only 100 yards away." Sarah said.
"No, that's amazing. I'm sincerely impressed."
Sarah hid her flushed cheeks with her hair.
"Okay I think this is enough." Sarah said and began walking back to camp.
"Wait, let me show you a short cut." Bradley said.
"Huh? The camp is only a little bit ways over there. How can there be much more of a shortcut?"
Bradley laughed. "Fine I was joking. But I want to show you something." He offered his hand to her this time. She hesitated. "I should be going back..."
"Come on, please?" He said trying to throw her off with some puppy dog eyes.
Sarah looked around for a minute. "Fine...but only for a second, okay?"
"I promise. Just follow that path that way." He said letting Sarah take the lead.
Bradley looked back and grinned. He's sure no one will find the body of the man he had just killed.
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