Chapter Text
Seventeen years after the initial outbreak
Utopia, GA
A lone stranger approaches. Their presence is met with muzzles raised and ready to fire on command. They’re ordered to not move any further, could be infected.
A man emerges from behind a small metal door beside the stationed guards, his face cold and unwelcoming.
“State your purpose!” He barks at the newcomer.
They raise their hands above their head. “I come seeking refuge. The sign says ‘Utopia’, that means that y’all are that safe haven, yeah?”
The man narrows his eyes and waves his hand over to the guards. “On the ground, hands on your head!”
They comply as the two guards move to get closer to them. One points his gun directly at their head and the other grabs some device off of his belt. It beeps, glowing green. The guard nods and shows it to the others. “Clean.”
The man nods back. “Bring him in!”
With that the stranger is grabbed on both arms by the guards and hoisted off the dirt. He doesn't resist but feels the guards are a bit too rough in escorting them to the inside of the looming walls. The group enters through the small door the third man had exited from. Once inside the guards throw the stranger into a room with a table and two chairs around it. He falls to the floor but before even having the chance to look back at the rough guards, the door closes with a click. Locked.
He is left to wonder what is going to happen next. The room is dimly lit as the only light emanates from a narrow window on the far wall. He rises and trudges over to one of the chairs, assuming that his purpose for being in the room has to do with the lone pieces of furniture.
Click. The door opens with a long groan, a new man enters, he isn’t any of the previous three the stranger had seen upon arrival. He eyes the stranger in the chair before moving to take the one across the table from him. For a moment the two just stare at each other, as if deciding who should talk first.
The official looking man clears his throat and places some papers he held onto the table.
“Welcome to Utopia, my name is Lex. I will be conducting a short interview just to make sure you are a fit for this place. We pride ourselves on being a safe haven for all, but we are very serious about keeping this place safe. If I feel you will cause problems within the walls we will throw you back out into the terrors of the world. So please, be patient and complacent. We are here to keep you safe.”
As he finishes speaking he smiles. The stranger nods in response.
“Aaaaalright.. let's start simple shall we? What is your name?”
“Kry.”
Lex furrows his brows while still smiling. “Cry? Like ‘c’ ‘r’ ‘y’? Crying? The action?”
“No. ‘K’ ‘r’ ‘y’. Kry. And kinda?”
Lex chuckles under his breath and writes something down on the paper in front of him. “Alright ‘Kry’, next question. What's your age?”
“Eighteen.”
More writing. “Male or female?”
“Female.”
Lex begins to write but suddenly stops. “Really?”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Hm.” He continues writing. Kry shifts in her chair.
“Alright one more question then I can get you started on your new life here in Utopia!”
Kry nods in response.
“How and why did you find/hear of Utopia?”
“...Well this place ain't much of a secret. Everyone who knows anyone out in the surrounding area knows about this place. Most say it’s a waste of time to go to ‘cause y’all deny people a lot but, apparently they're wrong.” She pauses. “Look, sir, I’ve been on my own since I was very young and I’m just looking for a safe place to finally live. I just need somewhere to belong, somewhere safe enough so I don't have to be afraid everyday.”
Lex’s pen moves following her every word. “Well, my friend, you have found the right place if you want to be safe.” His lips curl back into a grin. “Just so you know though, we will be confiscating all your weapons and anything we think could be a threat. Just a safety precaution y'know!”
“Fine by me, sir.”
“Great!”
In a few moments all of Krys weapons lay spread on the metal table between the two. It consists of a baseball bat, two pistols, a colt and glock, along with a variety of knives and sharp looking objects. There's a beat before Lex speaks as he scans over the spread.
“Hm.” He starts. “Bag.”
Kry complies and pushes the worn backpack towards Lex. He grabs hold of it and peers inside. He begins to grab at random things within it and shove them onto the table, including food and bandages, until it's basically empty. He pushes it back towards Kry, who looks to him with confusion.
“Oh, and the mask. There's no need for such things here so that will also have to be confiscated.” Lex smiles.
“I’m sorry sir but this is the last surviving thing I have of my family. I can't be letting go of it.”
His smile drops. “Well that just won't do. You agreed to getting rid of what we deemed to be contraband or dangerous. That mask is contraband.”
Her eyes narrow. “You ain’t gettin’ it. Don't even let a person have a memory of their family?”
Lex reaches a hand to pinch between his brows and exhales slowly. “Fine. But the Reverend isn't going to be too pleased if he sees you wearing it. Best to just keep it off for the most part. This will also have to be reported.”
He writes more onto the paper before him. He then goes on to explain the rules and regulations of Utopia. It's a long list, a little too long.
“Alright! With this all done… I welcome you to Utopia!”
Lex rises from his chair and offers a hand to Kry from across the table. She takes it in her own and then it is time to part ways. Lex walks to a door on the opposing wall as the one the two had entered from and opens it. An almost blinding light enters through the break in the walls, holy and pure. Beyond the doorway is something Kry had only thought was real in fairytales. Lush green trees, grass that is cut to perfection, people, real people, laughing and interacting and living life! This is what life is meant to be. A peaceful existence. She is entranced and moves without thinking towards the light, praying with every step that this isn't a dream. As she takes her final steps outside the door slams shut behind her, causing her to jump her out of her trance. With a few blinks her eyes adjust and reality sets in. What to do now?
“Nice mask, kid.” A stranger speaks to her surprise. Following the voice there is an older man next to her right, leaning against the wall beside the door. Why is he there?