Chapter Twenty-Four - A Weird Weapon

"Man, that was nerve racking."

Axel slumped down on the floor as the fatigue from both physical and mental had finally sunk in.

With the exception of Michael, the others were also feeling a little tired.

He ignored them and opened the sliding gates leading to the main courtyard and immediately saw Otis at the guard tower diligently doing his duties.

Otis also noticed Michael and yelled. "Are you guys done?"

Michael smiled and responded to him with a thumbs up.

"If you don't mind me asking, how are you able to clear an entire block by yourself?" Shane moved beside him and was immensely curious since even he, who was already very fit compared to others, felt how tiring it was.

Michael turned around to face him. "Working out. You've seen me every morning and evening doing my usual workout routine."

"That's not something you can achieve just by working out." Shane wasn't as naive as the others to believe that excuse.

Michael just shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's up to you to believe me or not. Besides, I told you people before that you can also become as good as me when you have accumulated enough experience in dealing with the walkers."

"..."

"Alright, has everyone rested enough? Let's head out and clear the next block!"

After a short rest, the group once again resumed their clean up operation.

Though it did not take long for them to clear the next block of its walkers since the number of walkers didn't even reach twenty.

The group once again gathered at the courtyard. Everyone mostly looked battered and tired.

"Everyone did good. We just have one more block to go" Rick commended everyone's effort.

"Let's take a short break before we continue." Michael said.

The group replenished loss fluids while everyone shared on three canned tunas.

Half an hour later.

"Come on, let's finish up before sundown." Daryl stood up from his seat and urged everyone.

Michael quietly stood up, and the others soon followed suit.

They immediately grabbed their weapons and made their way inside the last block.

"..."

It wasn't long before the group once again returned to the courtyard. Most of them had relieved expressions on their faces.

"Surprisingly, there's actually no walkers on this block." Alex uttered. He was relieved since he doesn't really like dealing with them up close and personal.

"The real problem is that collapsed wall." Shane reminded them of the collapsed wall at the back of the prison they went through earlier.

"We just need to build a ditch around it while we're fixing it by building a new wall made of wood." Michael had already long thought of a solution for that.

He continued. "Of course, I won't be present during that time. So I'll have to leave that work to all of you."

"Then create a plan for it. A layout. We'll follow its direction during your absence." Rick also thought about something earlier, but he immediately agreed to Michael's plan since he deemed it better than his.

"Then let's wrap it up and head back."

"But before that, shouldn't we discuss what we should do with them?"

The words just left Rick's mouth when Shane immediately brought up the subject regarding the prisoners.

Excluding Oscar who maintained his calm demeanor, Axel and Big Tiny looked around them worriedly.

"Let's bring them back with us. We need all the manpower we can get. Besides, the crimes they committed might be major, but at least they did not kill anyone." Michael reasoned. He really didn't have an excuse for them since it does not change the fact that they are criminals. So he can only highlight that they at least hadn't taken anyone's life.

Rick remained silent as he has a biased view against criminals since one was the reason why he got sent into a coma.

"It's not a bad idea to bring them with us since we need the additional muscle. I'll be the first one to take care of them if I see them doing something stupid." Daryl understood the reason behind Rick's hesitation, but there was one thing he realized during this trip. There will come a time when walkers wouldn't be the only threat towards them, but humans too.

"I hate to say this man, but I'm gonna agree with them on this one. We'd need more hands if there will be a similar operation like this one. They showed us they were at least reliable, though with some minor mistakes that we can still overlook. But that doesn't mean we will trust them now. They'll still be on probation until they gain the trust of the entire group." Shane showed that he was truly thinking far ahead than most people in the group and instead focused on the advantages the prisoners can bring rather than the negative.

"We'll do a good job. We won't cause any trouble, I promise." Axel was overjoyed to see this and was quick to voice out his thoughts.

Rick was still feeling conflicted, but he knows his opinion would not matter if the majority is already against him. So he could only reluctantly agree with a condition. "I hear you, but if they do something detrimental to the group, then they're out. You three understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, no problem!" Axel repeatedly nodded his head with a smile.

"No problem." Big Tiny also voiced his agreement while Oscar responded in a calm tone. "Okay."

"Otis, come down! We're heading back!"

"Okay!"

Soon, everyone boarded the school bus and drove out of the prison. The bus made a short stop at the gate as Axel came down and quickly ran back to close the gates before returning.

Along the way back, Michael proposed the idea of looting the houses they will pass by. For the same reason they raided the prison, for winter preparation. This time, mostly towards the need for thick blankets and clothes.

Everyone agreed as additional supplies are very much welcomed, no matter the quantity.

It also saves them time and gas while remaining productive on the way back.

In one of the last houses they were searching for supplies for, Daryl discovered an ancient looking weapon.

"Fweet!" Daryl whistled as he picked the sword-like weapon.

Rick quickly came over when he heard the whistle while Michael also made his way down the stairs.

"What's that?"

Daryl shrugged his shoulders and slowly unsheathed the weapon. "It's a sword, but I don't know what kind it is."

"It's a Kampilan." Michael immediately recognized the thing in Daryl's hands.

"You know this?" Daryl turned to look at him and asked.

Michael looked around him and picked up a shattered family portrait from the floor and looked at it. "It's a traditional weapon from the Philippines. It seems this house once belonged to a Filipino family."

"This is neat." Daryl smiled widened as he felt that he might have found a treasure.

Michael had felt the sword was calling out to him the moment his eyes laid on it. "Can I have it?" 

Daryl looked at him, then at the sword. He hesitated for a moment before eventually handing it over to him. "Alright, but in exchange. I want a new crossbow when you return or something with an equivalent value."

Michael smiled and took the sword from his hand. "I'll keep an eye out."

"Hmmm.." He suddenly groaned in satisfaction when he grabbed the hilt of the sword.

'The heck was that?' Michael was bewildered by that weird feeling. It was like two long lost lovers finally reuniting.

"You okay?" Daryl looked at him weirdly.

"I'm fine." Michael chuckled. He knew his actions might have looked weird.

Rick also fancied the sword, but remained silent when Michael was the first one to bring up his desire to acquire it.

"Alright, let's get moving. We don't have much daylight left."

Rick immediately urged them. He wants to quickly return back to camp before dark due to the dangers the night might pose.

They were the first ones to return to the bus, but they didn't have to wait long before Shane, Otis and the others returned.

The bus once again resumed its journey back to the farm. This time, there are no more stopovers.

Axel noticed that Oscar looked downcast. "What's wrong, man?"

Oscars glanced at him. "I'm just worried about my kids and my old lady."

"Me too man. I wonder if my family is still alive." Alex shared the same sentiments.

Michael glanced towards them and felt generous today. "Write down your address later when we're back at camp."

"What?"

"Write down your addresses. If I have time, then I'll try to drop by those places during my trip."

The looks on the faces of the prisoners brightened up hearing his words.

"Really?!"

"Yeah, but don't expect much. Society and order had long fallen." Michael smiled with a snort.

"We're already thankful that you're going out of your way to do this for us." Alex was feeling thankful.

Michael smiled and leaned back on his seat with his arms crossed. "I'm not doing this for free. I still expect you three to behave and not cause any trouble. Help the group when necessary, especially towards threats and I'll make sure to bring your families back with me, if they are still alive that is."

Daryl and Rick exchanged a look.

On the other hand, the dark clouds looming over the prisoners had dissipated, and their faces became a little brighter.

Michael held the Kampilan sword and started studying it.

'This sword is weird. Everytime I hold it, it's like I'm holding an extension of my body. Could it be that this body has Asian blood? Hmm..well, my face is indeed not very western.' Michael just had more questions again than answers.

'Just what are you? What is your connection with the previous owner of this body?' Michael curiously studied the sword. His mind filled with questions and wonder.

****

Greene Family Farm.

"Hey, they're back!"

It was already dusk when Andrea spotted the returning bus in the distance and immediately alerted the others.

The survivors immediately dropped what they were doing and gathered back at the camp.

"I wonder if everything went well." Amy was a little worried.

Jill stood beside her friend. "We'll know once they get here."

Andrea immediately slung the hunting rifle over her shoulder and got down from the RV as she waited for them like the rest.

Several seconds later, the school bus stopped beside the camp. They quickly noticed the new faces inside the bus and thought they're a new addition to the group. They weren't wrong, but their expressions said otherwise when they finally saw those three people wearing prison clothes.

"Prisoners? Why did they bring them here?" Carol was the first to voice out her confusion.

Lori quickly went over to her husband and questioned him in a soft voice. "Why are they here?"

Rick sighed helplessly. "It was decided they will be joining us."

Lori's eyes widened in surprise. "Why?"

Rick shook his head. "Later, we'll explain it later."

On the other hand, Axel and the rest remained standing beside the bus with uncomfortable looks on their faces.

"We're clearly not welcome." Oscar whispered.

Axel looked at him. "Obviously, we're not going to receive a good first impression when we're wearing prison clothes, are we?."

Otis was welcomed by his wife and Hershel's family, while Daryl who was on his way to freshen up when he was blocked by Carol and the other survivors he's close to.

While Shane remained inside the bus while watching Rick talk with his wife in jealousy.

"Why did you guys bring those three? Wouldn't they be dangerous to us?" Andrea pulled Michael to the side, who quickly got surrounded by Amy, Jill, and the rest he's close to.

"No, Rick and the others will keep an eye on them. Most especially Daryl. Right now, the group has more women than men. I'm not looking down on the women, but the lack of men in the group causes a hole in the group's security. That's why we decided to bring them with us. This is not permanent since they are still in their probationary period. Report to Rick and Shane or Daryl if you see them doing something stupid." Michael gently explained it to them and that they had taken the necessary steps to keep them in line.

'At this point, this may sound like I'm just dumping all of these responsibilities to Rick and the others.'

"Learn how to work around them. Adapt quickly. Now that society and order has fallen with no law to oversee our actions anymore, we're gonna meet people even worse than those three. Only by adapting will you survive this harsh world." Michael reminded them. He doesn't want them to live an almost sheltered life under his wing. He wants them to learn and adapt to the new ways of the world, or else they'd easily cower in the face of challenges. Especially now that he's leaving for an extended period of time.

They remained silent and worriedly looked at each other.

"Relax. Instead, how about we check out the things we brought from the prison?" Michael knows what they are worried about, but he can only give them a reassuring smile.

"Alright, listen up. We've got good news! We have now secured the prison and even brought the remaining supplies from there. The supplies are enough to tide us over the winter months if we manage it well." Rick clapped his hands and immediately addressed the crowd.

Hearing his words, the worried and displeased expressions on their faces were immediately replaced by joy and relief.

"Now, these supplies will stay on the bus and I trust that no one among you is dumb enough to steal from us. If you're caught doing so, expect to be kicked out of this group. Does everyone understand?" Rick warned them solemnly.

"Yeah."

"Got it."

"Alright, we'll keep an eye out."

Everyone voiced their support, but no one really knows if they were sincere about it and wouldn't become greedy and do something stupid when everyone is not looking.

"It was through our blood and sweat that we got those. You better hope that I don't catch you first, because I would not hesitate to end you." Daryl warned. His words made everyone gulp, they knew he wasn't kidding, he meant every word he said. They personally witnessed how he didn't mind dirtying his hands during the Jim ordeal.

The group disperse soon after. Rick gathered the pillars of the group in front of the bus, including a displeased Hershel while Otis helped the prisoners set up their tents several yards away from the group's camp.

"What's this stunt you've pulled, Rick? You brought prisoners to my property without asking for my opinion." Hershel voiced his displeasure, glaring at the man.

Rick sighed and looked around him. "I'm sorry, but we can't just leave them there for dead after taking all of their supplies."

"But you could have just left them somewhere along the road. You didn't need to bring them here..to my PROPERTY. Those people not only pose a risk to my family, but to your people as well." Hershel immediately calmed himself and expressed his dissatisfaction and opinion on this matter.

Rick looked at Shane, who just shrugged his shoulders at him, before turning his sight to Michael. It was obvious he wanted him to deal with the old man since this was his idea in the first place.

"It was my idea."