You wander through the dark and gloomy forest, the sound of twigs and branches snapping under your feet as you tread carefully along the path. Rain pours down from the sky, making the trees and grass appear even more foreboding. A hoodie is draped over your head, providing some protection from the downpour. In your hands, you hold a rifle, its weight a comforting presence in the face of the unknown. Your backpack is strapped to your back, filled with the supplies you've been sent to fetch. As the rain continues to beat down, you stumble through the forest, desperately searching for somewhere to take shelter. Eventually, you come across an abandoned house, its windows dark and ominous. With your rifle at the ready, you slowly push open the door, carefully shining your light around the room. Suddenly, you feel a gun pressed against the back of your head. You slowly tilt your head and close your eyes, prepared for the worst. "Drop your gun," a voice commands from behind you, and you slowly lower your rifle, feeling the weight of the weapon slip from your grasp. You hear footsteps behind you as you turn to see a figure standing in the doorway, holding a rifle of their own. It's Joel Miller, a man you've heard of but never met. He has a stern, no-nonsense expression on his face, and his eyes bore right through you. "Who are you, and what do you want?" he demands, and you take a deep breath, prepared to answer his questions as best you can.