The problem became apparent precisely halfway down the last step of the stairway, causing me to nearly trip into Valorie. A firm hand grabbed my shoulder and righted me. McTavish smiled.

Stiffly resuming my walk, I wondered why I was tripping over myself like a schoolgirl.

[Your ownership of Safe Zone 221 has been Redistributed]

[You have been Blacklisted from Safe Zone 221]

"What the shit?"

I heard the angry crowd before I rounded the corner. With hasty steps, I witnessed over a dozen people clamoring near a magical doorway. The carved mahagony frame held a similarly beautiful door that remained ajar.

"Let us in!"

"Why can't we go inside?"

"Look! There's even fresh food."

"Bugger off. This gateway belongs to the Crocs!"

"...like the footwear?"

"No! Like the giant angry beastie that chews on normies like you as an appetizer. Get lost before I make you into swiss cheese."

The pump of the shotgun was clear for everyone to hear. The crowd backed away but didn't go too far, somehow feeling safer near the doorway than anywhere else.

Reaching the front of the crowd I surmised easily that this punk was extremely lax and inexperienced with guns. Even if he tried to aim the shotgun my way, I could disarm him before he fired. Though, with all these people around, a stray shot was dangerously possible.

Frowning, I tried to move closer, but a barrier blocked the doorway. I bounced off the threshold.

"Huk-huk-huk! It's funnier every time. Ye can't get in ya daft cunt."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. The Safe Zone's arrs."

"There's supposed to be free access for everyone. How are you hogging it to yourselves?"

The twiggy British punk had a lazy expression plastered to his face. He had piercings on his nose, lip, and eyebrow that perfectly matched the stupid he exuded. Half of his head was shaved, and the other was bright green that swooped down the side. I couldn't take him seriously. Especially not in that ridiculously hyped-up accent.

Behind him was the inside of my Safe Zone. It looked like a luxurious country cabin made for hosting parties. There was a bar with a strange four-eyed creature serving food and beer to the rest of the Crocs while this loser stayed by the doorway.

I named him Cricket. Because I wanted to smash his smug face with a heavy mallet.

Cricket hefted the shotgun onto his shoulder and leaned on the doorway.

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"That was you love? Well, we have to thank you then. Since we er' the first ones inside, the boss got to figuring out we could have it all to arrselves."

"Don't be dicks. There's plenty of room for everyone here."

"Oooh! She's got a mouth on her she does. Tell you what, if you do me a little favor, I'll consider-Waoh!"

A sword was flung at the doorway, bouncing off the invisible barrier. It wasn't me, but the action spooked him enough to raise his shotgun and wave it around. Backing away, I saw that Valorie was suspiciously missing her weapon.

I appreciate the assist, but if you don't stop staring daggers at him, even he'll be able to figure it was you.

I don't think she cared. Luckily Mctavish stepped forward with his hands up in a peaceful gesture.

"Listen."

He cleared his throat, aware the shotgun was pointed his way. It made me wonder if the barrier worked both ways or if Cricket could actually shoot through it. Would the buckshot ricochet and knock off that nose ring?

"I know I promised your people a Safe Zone, but this is taking things a little far, don't you think?"

"As if. Do you know how much ammo we used to help take this base? Why should we part for what we paid for? Crocs don't spell charity."

There was hooting and hollering from the other members eating food.

"That's just bad business. But let's say... if some of ya want to pay. Well, that's a different story."

A blond man stepped forward from the crowd, offering his weapon.

"You can have my sword! And all the stuff I can find. Just please give me some food. I'm starving."

Cricket grinned inhumanely.

"Sure, sure, stick around, and maybe we'll have use for ya. For now, we're only accepting earth stuff. Guns, ammo, drugs, medicine, and good fun, of course."

He made another gross gesture with his crotch as he did before. I was about to throw something myself when shouting erupted.

"I got some weed in my pocket."

"I... I found this inhaler."

"I'll clean your guns as much as you want."

The fervor with which the crowd called out baffled me. They offered anything and everything. A few people were allowed in almost immediately to party. Others walked away dejectedly, crying even. Their eyes appeared hopeless and sullen. A lone man lamented it was safer in the cage than out here.

Looking around I felt immense guilt weigh on my shoulders. My ignorance allowed something precious slip from my grasp. I practically handed it to these miscreants on a silver platter.

"This is my fault."

My eyebrows furrowed when McTavish voiced my thoughts.

"I shouldn't have trusted them to have good intentions. I promised them a Safe Zone for their cooperation, but I didn't think about the harm they could cause. My only thought was on saving more survivors."

"You can't be blamed for trusting people."

"No. No. I made several mistakes leading up to this. It is only right I make up for it."

He looked around and addressed the entire crowd, including the ones lining up to trade things.

"There was a second boss that I alone killed. The safezone should have spawned down that tunnel. It will be free to enter for anyone. You won't have to pay. Follow me and I'll lead you to it."

I stood on the sidelines with Valorie as they all rallied to him. The Crocs remained, hesitant to leave their safety and cross the man who single-handedly took down a troll. Valorie watched the refugees with a disgusted expression before wandering off. I understood why.

McTavish had already rescued them once. We fought to save them too. Yet they were clinging onto his boat with no intention of letting go. Some of them helped out, gathering supplies and making sure the working vehicles had enough gas. However, most of them waited in the truck, oblivious to the situation they were in.

I understood the desire to curl up in a ball and forget that the world I knew was gone. I also understood that McTavish was doing a good thing and his heart was in the right place.

Thinking about the group I left behind in that watering hole, I still felt obligated to go back and help them. Even Zeke.

The feeling was stupid and silly, but I felt like McTavish somehow understood it better than I did. So, I decided to follow him for now and hopped into the passenger seat. Valorie returned just as we were setting off. Munching on some hard bread she'd found, she hung onto the side of the vehicle as it revved up.

As the driver punched the gas, Valorie passed me a second loaf before throwing the Crocs the bird.