Joel

Joel had only his gun and backpack with him as he crept into the abandoned building. Hunger and exhaustion drove him to search for supplies and hopefully a safe place to spend the night away from danger. He climbed to the second floor and then the third, checking every corner until he found a closed door. His instincts told him something was behind it, so without hesitation he kicked it hard, breaking it and making it echo in the darkness.

What he saw upon entering put him on immediate alert: a small campfire still burning inside. That could only mean one thing: someone was nearby. His fingers tightened on the trigger as his gun aimed at the figure that appeared in front of him, a woman who already had him in her sights.

"Put the damn gun down," Joel growled, his voice deep and cold. He had no qualms about pulling the trigger if the situation called for it, but he hoped it wouldn't be necessary.