At the large man's greeting, James grunted. Personally, he didn't see the allure of getting to know the people one works with. He reasoned that being 'friends' didn't make the work any easier. James used another technique in his arsenal of avoiding talking to people; he popped a cigarette in his mouth and, using his last match, lit it. He took a step back from the group so the smoke wouldn't bother anyone; while he had no intention of getting to know these people, he didn't want to be rude.

Lee saw some of the others scurry for their homes to gather supplies and belongings. He was in no such rush. His tent was not far and he didn't exactly have much to gather and no one to say goodbye to. He kicked aside the empty food cans littering the floor and scooped up his single spare magazine. 12 shots in total. With that done he could at the very least spare a few minutes to his hygiene. He stripped down, gave himself a quick once over with a scrap of material and soapy water, then changed into fresh clothes. His hair was still a damp as he stepped out and into the darkness but he doubted it mattered.

He walked slowly towarss the heavy, bolted doors to the Maze. Behind them lay the unfathomable labyrinth that had held such mystery to these people for so long. He supposed he was going to see if the rumours and whispers were true. He wasn't the last to arrive, the portly man followed soon after him. Lee had taken a position leaning against the nearest wall, his sucken grey eyes staring at the beckoning doors and imagining the hell that could lay within. He deserved no less than damnation, he who squandered the life he was unworthy of. He could practically feel the time ticking down with each beat of his heart.

The portly man - Bishop - was trying to stir conversation with them. Lee felt like cringing. He didn't want to hear any of this, he didn't want to be walking into another slaughter with friends. It was easier with strangers. He said nothing, instead pretending that he hadn't heard him.

I be dropping out, sry bye

Serbitar was the first to come to the metal doors. His “lair”, as he put it, was the closest. As he came he simply sat down and leaned on to the wall next to the doors. People started to gather one by one. Mostly they came in silence. Some came, said hello and started to mind their own business. Serbitar began to think of his past, he knew everyone yet no one ever knew him. To others he was a weirdo, something to stay away from. He wandered if it will be the same inside. For the first time in a long time he put down his hood and unwrapped his, snow white hair, from his neck. Letting them flow free, he held some in front of his face. They were truly crystal snow white. For the first time he admired them and felt happy he had them. For the most part of his life he hid them, wished that they were of normal colour. He didn’t know why the sudden change. Maybe it was because he accepted to either succeed or die, strangely he realised that at this moment he was contempt with himself and his life. The feeling was foreign, yet soothing, and Serbitar knew what he had to do to keep it.

Slowly he stood up as another person came, and for the difference of others he spoke more, and was the only one who invited everyone to meet each other as friends. Stretching himself Serbitar ignored him. His hair was hanging down straight. The ends stopped just below his (awesome) ass. Slowly he grabbed the hair and started to wrap it around his neck. Once done he again put on the hood, and waited to see if anyone was still to come or, will they be sent on their path.

The Governor slowly approached with two body guards. Many of the Community members gathered around, waiting to see the door open. He gave a nod to the two men who walked over to the door. Then the Governor spoke, "Remember; Don't lose the manual, and don't screw around down there." Louie glanced at the members of the group, as the squealing of the metal door echoed through the air. The door let loose, swinging out slowly with a discomforting squeal. Dust was thrown from the inside, causing Calli to begin to cough. The first floor, at least, appeared to be illuminated. Louie took the bag of canned food from one of the men, and gave him a silent thank you. Derek peered around the corner, down the staircase. The concrete was chipped and filthy, the old bulbs flickering every once in a while. Louie was the first to move, heading down the stairs. He was followed by Calli, who was holding up fairly well. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. What exactly was down here? Maybe those creatures in the distance? Maybe this is where they go? She decided not to mention this idea to the others, as she knew they were nervous enough. One man, the one with the white hair, didn't seemed to phased though. She gave him a smile as she passed, and then gave a wave to the Governor. She wasn't particularly fond of him, but he didn't seem like a bad guy. Derek stood at the top of the entrance, staring down the stairs. He was trying to move forward, but his body wouldn't let him. He knew what was down here... or maybe the noises he heard really were just pipes.. But despite this idea, he couldn't get his feet to work. The Governor waited for the others to enter the Maze so they could close the door.

Lee spied the Governor and his lackeys approaching, expecting to hear some over-long speech about what they were about to go in to. Hence he was relieved when the man only had a few words to say. He watched with interest as the huge, old doors were unlatched. The sound was the scraping of metal and the groan of the long rusted hinges. The dust swirled forth in a small cloud, spilling the grainy debris about their feet. He had expected to be staring into a black void but it seemed the lights in the Maze retained power from a back up generator, most likely for this exact reason.

He watched as the first few entered the narrow pass down into the unknown of the Maze. There was no point in delaying so he stepped forward. He saw the boy, he looked to be younger than 20, hesitating at the top of the stairs. He stood alongside him but didn't look at him. "No use delaying when the reaper calls, boy." He mused in a low voice. He knew the boy's position, he got the impression most of them did. Lee began the descent into the concrete corridors and pathways. He quickened his pace a little until he had caught up to the man. He offered his hand, asking to carry the food. "Let me make some use of myself." If they were going to have to do this together he might as well feel like he was contributing ssomething to the expedition. He doubted there was much else he would be good for beyond carrying burdens. After all, wasn't that what he'd been doing for the past two months?

Bishop was a bit put off by the lack of communication between them after he had greeted everyone. He had a feeling they wouldn't make it very far if they were all so solemn. He followed in behind the young boy, deciding to stay quiet for now. The air was thick with dust and it caught in Bishop's throat, causing a short cough. He kept his shotgun in hand, no one knew what was down there and he would not allow their group to be ambushed or caught off guard by god knows what.

Again he tried to make conversation with the group. "What munitions does everyone have?" He asked looking around, Derek seemed like he was carrying a very light load. "I have three shells for my shotgun, four pipe bombs, and a length of wire for traps." He hoped that he could get everyone communicating and working more effectively. "Also I have a very good knowledge of traps and I'm sure I could rig up a few things if we run into...opposition. For lack of a better term." He hoped that they wouldn't run into anything too tough or deadly. Or anything at all really, what he wouldn't give for a bit of information about what they were up against. He wondered what everyone else brought to the team. The one girl was carrying a medical bag so he could guess what she was good at, and one of the men had a gas mask. As he was looking at his comrades he noticed that one of them looked deathly ill and as though he hadn't bathed for days, he wondered if the man was terminally ill.

James follows the large man; Bishop, he thinks, into the Maze in silence. He pulls his crowbar from the strap on his back and idly twirls it between his fingers as the group congregates inside the doors. When Bishop tries to start conversation again, James presses the prying end of his crowbar against the wall and scrapes it down the concrete. He quickly goes back to twirling the crowbar, smiling. 'Gordon's been with me since I was, what, 15?' He thinks, the crowbar turning to a blur as he twirls it faster and faster. 'Hell, I haven't used another weapon other than my knife since....' The smiled is wiped from his face, replaced by a frown. 'Since before.' James tosses the still spinning crowbar lightly into the air, catching it with his off hand. He was eager to get this over with; no point lollygagging. James turned to the group.

"Ready?"

Serbitar watched as other entered the maze. The construction and design was old and like a war bunker, simple. He made sure that everything is strapped to him like it should be. No point losing anything at the beginning; he thought. His pipe strapped to his back across his waist. Like walking through a hallway of a house he walked forward. Casual and relaxed. His ability to hear things would work perfectly in this place. And since he couldn’t hear nothing than this band of pig-bedders , he knew there was nothing to be afraid of, at least for now. He moved forward, sliding by the wall and gently pushing people aside he came to the front of the group. “ I don’t know who the leader will be, but we need organisation and discipline. Alone we will never survive. Ill be at the front. I know this is hard to believe but I can hear many times better than any of you, which is why; firstly I will be at the front, and secondly you will try to stay as quite as possible. Now workout between you who will be the leader, for we need leadership, if nothing else at least for deciding which direction do we take.” Serbitar said with a cold voice, as he glanced back at his new teammates. The volunteers were a tad scared but willing and ready. ‘pity none will come back alive.’ Serbitar thought to himself.

Derek walked down the stairs slowly, not being able to stop due to those behind him. He glanced as the door shut behind them, a latching sound echoed through the hall. He glanced over at Bishop and showed his few blades, not revealing the hidden one. He watched Calli show her handgun. He turned away when she began to ramble on about her medical training. Another man was asking about who the leader would be, and that stumped Derek. Who should be in charge? He liked the fact that Calli didn't seem to have a mental problem, and he also liked Bishops communication skills. He would pick one of them if he had to choose. He filled with the makeshift blade, twirling it between his fingers. He would wait to speak up, see what everyone else said.

Calli grinned as she finished talking about her medical training. It was so interesting, to her at least. She placed the handgun back in its holster. "So, Bishop," She began, "Aren't you the guy who makes the toys for the children in the Community?" She grinned. It was so sweet for him to do that for them, especially with how hard it must be for them... but why did he leave? Wouldn't they want to go to him for comfort? She was in no position to judge, so she spoke no word of this. She had a feeling they would get along greatly. She glanced over at the rest of the group, as one spoke up about picking a leader. She hadn't thought about that... She didn't want someone like Bishop to be put in a position that could make him feel guilty because of choices he made. She would pick on of the silent types, as they had probably been through tough situations before.

Louie walked ahead, glancing at where the tunnel went both directions. He peeked around the corners, his hands on his revolver. He slowly paced back to talk to the group. "Well, we can go either direction.. I assume both take us to the stairs." He paused as the others spoke, "They're both right. We need to figure out what everyone has, and who is going to be in charge." He withdrew the flashlight and the two batteries. "I've got these, and my revolver. The kid has a few blades." He wanted to think on the leadership thing. Maybe they could go down a few floors, and then make the decision? But if something went wrong, there would be total chaos and no leader to calm everyone back down. They needed to make the decision now." He leaned against the nearest wall, and waited for the others to speak up.