Quickly Jeff raised the gun at the stranger and Sam drew his bow. But the guy just smiled at us as about ten more people came out of the trees. Men and women, the youngest probably our age. The oldest in his mid-fifties. They were all wearing the same apocalyptic clothing, and I don't mean something Mad Max "we weren't there yet" style, but ordinary, soiled, and discolored clothing. They carried big rifles, and huge backpacks so full of whatever it was that they could barely close.
None of them took aim at us.
"Easy boys" the man spoke to us passively: "You look like they've been through a lot. They look hungry we have food and water, and, if they put down their guns we'll be glad to share some with them.”
Sam lowered his bow, Jeff undid the safety on the gun. The man smiled and l
