Preparation.

I reach my hut just as the suns last light disappears from this world.

The golden screen appears once again.

Night 2 has begun

The sand below me shakes and rumbles as the infected once again awake from their deep slumber

I quickly enter my hut, locking the door behind me, and turning on the lights.

"I'll need to wake up early and make my way towards the treehouse."

I walk toward the center of the hut, placing the key on my desk.

I sigh at the thought of waking up at dawn. I'm already getting almost no sleep from these nightmares...

I quickly slip off my backpack, carelessly dropping it along with my quiver onto the old wooden floorboards.

I make sure to carefully set my knife and bow on the floor, trying my best not to damage them.

Looking down at my clothes, I cant help but scrunch my face in disgust. I look so filthy...

I lift my shirt, deciding that it was a good idea to take a sniff.

I gag. Unsurprisingly, I smell horrible. I smell just like those putrid creatures outside. I wonder if theres a bathtub or a shower somewhere on this island.

I take a look at my bed. Just like my clothing, it's covered in black goo.

A few weeks ago, I never would've slept in such a disgusting place. It's crazy how only a few weeks and a change in environment can really change someones ideals.

I sigh, falling onto my bed.

It's cold, and lonely.

I close my eyes, a combination of the guttural groans of the infected and the crashing of the waves lulling me to sleep.

"I miss my wife..."

...

The suns yellow hue begins to rise over the horizon.

Day 3 has begun

I look out my small window, watching as light banishes the monsters, turning them into dust.

I quickly grab my weapons, backpack, and quiver.

I make sure not to forget my key as I open the door, turning off the lights. 

Locking it, I walk out onto the sand, using the map to direct me back towards the tree house.

Walking through the forest, I can't help but notice an abundance of animals, insects, and other creatures.

It seems like the zombies don't attack or infect anything that's not human.

Walking barefoot through the forest is excruciating. Atleast on the sand it was a little comfortable, but here the grass scratches at my soles, the mud clings to my feet, and the rock poke at my skin. I really hope this tower has something-anything-that can cover my feet.

Finally nearing the treehouse, I notice a flash in the trees.

It seems like old man Theodore was out on his balcony, patrolling, probably protecting his territory with his rifle, ensuring that no one treads to close.

I wave my hands in the air, making sure to attract his attention. I want him to know that I'm here.

As I get closer to the treehouse, the wilderness around me begins to shift. It no longer feels like wilderness, but like a campsite in the making.

Lanterns and makeshift lights dangle down from the branches, casting their soft glows across that little part of the forest.

Walking by, I cant help but notice that a few of the trees have been hacked at and cut down. 

When I reach the spot where they used to drop the rope ladder, I see they've cleared out the underbrush and even started laying down the foundation for what looks like several small cabins.

It's impressive how much they've managed to accomplish in such a short time. How did they do it?

"Hey, who are you?" a voice calls out from behind me.

Turning, I find 3 men, all covered in mud, dirt, and a disgusting mix of goo and gunk. Their clothing looked worse than mine, torn and filthy.

They wield iron shovels, aiming them at me like spears.

"Who are you?!" the lead man asks again.

"Im Achilles," I reply, a bit confused. "I have business with the owners of this treehouse, who are you?" I ask, slowly backing away.

"We're-"

Before the man can finish, Theodore's voice rings out from above, "Achilles, where are you! Hurry, come up here!" 

The old man drops the rope ladder as the three men in front of me begin to exchange uncertain glances

"You three better come up here too!" the old man calls, pointing at them.

They look back at me, but I can only flash them a smile before turning and climbing up the ladder. 

Climbing into the treehouse, I notice only one person inside, Theodore.

"Where's Ava, Hank, and Layla?" I ask, following him down the hallway towards the kitchen.

"I sent Ava to refill our bottles at the stream, and Hank out hunting." he responds calmly. "Layla is cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

I take a moment to glance back at the men following us. "And who are the new guys?"

He pauses for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce you. These are Elias, Dorian, and Zane."

I eye them as they shuffle into the hall behind me.

Elias was small, somewhere around 65 inches or 5'5", and pretty skinny. In fact, he looked quite malnourished. If I had to guess, he probably grew up in poverty or on the streets.

Dorian stood a bit taller, but was still quite skinny. I cant help but notice the tear in his prison outfit, revealing the mark on his arm. It was a single square, meaning he was originally a peasant from somewhere in the Aeperium. He had, long straight brown hair, probably about shoulders length that was tied into a man bun. His face seemed pale and a little sickly. He wasn't handsome per-say but had a delicate look about him that many woman would probably find attractive 

Zane on the other hand seemed like a mountain of muscle. He had dark skin, strong build, and brown eyes. His hair didn't seem to long, but it was braided in a nice and neat way that highlighted his great facial features which made it hard to tell. He seems like someone who could easily handle anything this island threw at him. He was quite mysterious, yet undeniable capable.

"I had them start working on those new buildings " Theodore continues, entering into the kitchen.

"Breakfast is almost done, I just need to finish cutting up some fruit." 

Layla stands at the counter, slicing watermelon skillfully with her knife. She doesn't seem to hear and approach and when I step up behind her, she jumps in surprise

"Wow," I say with a grin. "You made all this without a stove, oven, or microwave?"

She smiles, seemingly unfazed. "Yeah, but I didn't know you'd be coming so I couldn't prepare anything for you."

I flash her a smile. "Then it's a good thing I already ate some canned beans this morning." I tell her, moving back towards the table.

The four men watch as I pull the map out of the bag.

I walk around, spreading it on the table with a dramatic flourish.

"Gentleman! I've made a discovery!" I announce, excitement bubbling in my voice.

"A tower, just a few hours' walk northwest from here, a little bit off the beach." I say, pointing toward the small marking on the map.

"I need you all to help me explore it!"