Chapter 7: CH 007: The Casino base
Their journey had come to an end as they arrived at a large casino, but it was far from the vibrant hub you would expect. Unlike its usual flashing lights and vibrant colors, the casino now stood eerily quiet, its sounds muted. Gone were the clinking glasses, laughter, and humming slot machines, replaced by an unsettling stillness.
The gentle music that once filled the air was now a distant memory. The silence was understandable, given that any signs of life could attract threats from both beasts and humans. This was the group's base, a testament to how the harsh realities of the current world had shaped them.
A barricade of cars had been strategically parked in front of the casino, forming a makeshift barrier to prevent outsiders from entering easily. The group had passed a different route when coming, so they didn't have to go through the trouble of climbing over them.
A weathered CCTV camera, mounted above the casino's entrance, kept a watchful eyes on the surrounding area, monitoring anyone who dared to approach.
Gunther, familiar with the security setup, waved at the camera, and the door slid open with a soft hiss, granting the group access inside.
As they entered the casino, the group was met with a warm and weary smile from the survivors who had sought refuge within its walls. The air was thick with the scent of worn clothes and stale air, but the sense of community and bonding was evident.
The refugees, huddled together in small clusters, looked up from their makeshift beds and meager belongings, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and desperation. They welcomed Gunther and his group with open arms, grateful for the presence of fellow humans in a world that seemed determined to devour them whole.
The casino's once-flashy interior had been transformed into a humble sanctuary, where survivors could find solace and support in the face of unimaginable horrors.
Welcome back, lads!" A warm smile spread across the face of Anthony Claud, the leader of the base, as he approached the group with open arms. From a quick view of his rugged facial features, it could be roughly stated that this man was in his mid-fifties.