The Alert

Prison in Western Georgia

After hearing Shane's warning, Sam Valdez wasted no time and ordered everyone to mobilize for a possible large-scale confrontation with walkers at the prison.

Upon learning about a massive horde of walkers, he commanded the mobilization of all people inside the prison. This place must not be breached by any walker, as it represented the future of humanity.

At that moment, tanks, heavy machine guns, and a large supply of ammunition were transported to the towers surrounding the prison. Everyone was gripped by panic at the possibility of a walker horde heading toward the place they had only recently begun to call home.

In open spaces, experienced soldiers positioned mortars, ready to launch an attack as needed. Many knew just how terrifying a walker horde could be, and all feared what it could do to their newfound refuge.

"Is it really a good idea to mobilize like this? The horde might not even move in our direction," said Mike, standing next to Sam Valdez. He understood better than anyone the terror that a walker horde could bring.

"We can't take that chance. This place won't be destroyed while Jason is away. If we're wrong, this will still serve as training for everyone in this prison," Sam Valdez replied with a stoic expression.

It wasn't good to grow complacent with security when the world no longer worked that way. Those under the protection of the S.C.T. had always been shielded from harm, and what happened to Lori—who, having lived in a secure environment, developed a false sense of reality—led many high-ranking officials to believe they needed to make things harder for civilians.

In the distance, mortars and heavy machine guns were placed at strategic points, and a tense silence settled over everyone. If a massive walker horde reached the prison, it would be met with hundreds of thousands of bullets.

Sam Valdez looked at the radio on his chest and decided to try contacting Jason, who had yet to report back since leaving the CDC.

"Zz... Captain, this is Sam, over!"

"Zz... Captain, can you hear me?"

Sam Valdez waited for a moment and sighed. It seemed his leader was in a tight situation. Under no circumstances did he believe Jason was in danger. Jason was a man gifted with the knowledge and skills necessary for this world—something Sam had witnessed firsthand since joining his group.

Just as he was about to put the radio away, a very familiar voice crackled through the communicator:

"Zz... This is Jason, I'm back online. Is there anything important to report?"

"Zz... Sir, there have been minor anomalies at the prison, but thanks to that, we discovered a horde of walkers not far from our position. We are prepared to repel the threat if it moves toward the prison. What are your new orders?"

"Zz... Stick to the protocol I created for this situation. Don't forget the details. Remember, I trust you."

"Understood, sir!"

After finishing his communication with Jason, Sam Valdez walked toward a tower to get a clearer view of the situation and began issuing orders over the radio. He knew the horde might change direction, but he didn't want to be caught off guard.

…

Hershel's Farm

At Hershel's farm, Shane's group was trying to persuade the family's elder to leave the place as soon as possible.

"Shut up! What right do you have to interfere in my family's affairs and decisions?" Hershel was visibly irritated by Glenn's words. His eyes were wide open, fixed on Glenn, his frustration over losing parts of his family making it impossible for him to contain his anger.

Patricia and Beth stood behind him with troubled expressions, unable to speak in this situation.

Glenn was also frustrated with Hershel's stubbornness. His normally calm face turned serious as he shouted, "Maggie and I are in love! I love your daughter, and I know your family well enough to believe that the last people who should get hurt are your daughters."

Hershel's mouth opened in shock at Glenn's words, but he said nothing.

As the situation spiraled out of control, Lori stepped forward and said, "Hershel! I'm Lori, Rick's wife. You should know that Rick is a good friend of Jason. You know Jason, don't you?"

Though Hershel didn't speak, he nodded silently upon hearing Jason's name.

Seeing that Hershel was listening, Lori continued, "You might not know this, but Jason worked with the CDC researchers long before everything started. The researchers there explained to us that once the virus reaches its maximum spread in the human body, the infected are completely controlled by it."

"In simple terms, the infected are not alive. They have no memories of their past lives. The only thing left in their bodies is the instinct to feed, which is why they bite people. Have you ever seen anyone survive or move with a rotting body?"

Before Lori could finish, Hershel interrupted her, shouting, "I don't care! My son and wife are infected with this disease! I want to save them, and I don't want to hear your words! I'm not leaving with you!"

"Hershel!"

"Dad!"

Patricia and Beth were visibly scared and instinctively wrapped their arms around the stubborn Hershel. Both of them knew that all those people were dead. They simply didn't want to accept the fact, and Hershel's stubbornness was even stronger.

Glenn's expression kept shifting, and when he saw Hershel about to turn around and head back into the house, he couldn't hold back anymore and shouted, "Hershel! I heard there are many walkers gathered in your barn. The only thing you're accomplishing is putting your entire family and neighbors at risk because of your impossible wish! What will happen to Maggie if you die here?"

When the people nearby heard that there were walkers in the barn, their expressions instantly changed, and Shane immediately moved toward it.

The rest of the group exchanged glances before following him one by one, while Hershel's expression changed drastically. He broke free from his daughter's grasp and ran toward the barn.

"Ahhh! Grrrr!"

The unique growls of walkers echoed from inside the barn, and Shane's face turned grim.

He never expected there to be a barn full of walkers in this farm, where he had been sleeping for the past few days. However, just as he was about to open the barn doors and finish off the walkers inside, something in the distance caught his eye—two figures.

Shane squinted for a better look and realized it was Jimmy… and the person next to him—no, that wasn't a person!

"What is that?"

With an unnatural expression, Shane ran toward Jimmy as if possessed by a demon and snatched the stick from his hands. The other end of the stick had a rope tied to it, which was wrapped around the walker's neck.

Yanking the stick forcefully, he angrily returned to the group, handing control of the walker to Richard. Then, he pulled out his gun.

"Are you kidding me? Do you even realize what you're holding onto, Hershel?" Shane raised his pistol, glared at the walker, and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet hit the walker's thigh with precision, and the sound made everyone step back a little. Shane looked at everyone and asked loudly, "Is this one of those sick people you want to save? Huh? They're not sick, they're not people, they're dead, and that's something you refuse to see!"

"Jason was right when he said these things shouldn't be underestimated, and I will never feel anything for these things that want to kill us. This thing right here will end up killing us all if we don't do what we're doing at the prison!"

"Hershel, let me ask you a question. Do you think a breathing person could withstand this?"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three consecutive shots hit the walker's chest.

"Three shots to the chest—would anyone alive be able to take that?"

"Shane, that's enough, man," Glenn said with a nervous look.

"Yeah, it's enough..." Shane approached the walker and fired one last shot to the head.

Bang!

Having taken care of the walker, Shane walked toward Hershel with an angry expression and pointed at him: "Enough trying to convince you about this situation. Didn't you say they were just sick? Do you really think your son and wife will talk to you again when they come out of that barn?"

Slap!

Hershel, who had been silent all this time, suddenly raised his hand and slapped Shane, roaring in a choked voice, "You have no right to say that about my wife and son!"

Patricia, standing behind Hershel, was also looking at Shane cautiously, while Beth was frightened by the whole situation unfolding before her.

"Jason mentioned that we should consider you as a token of our gratitude for saving Guillermo, but I won't let everyone die because you refuse to leave this place."

Suddenly, a hand grabbed Shane and forcefully pulled him back. Shane turned to the side and saw Daryl, who had been silent, only to hear his deep, raspy voice: "That's enough. He's just trying to hold onto his reality—show some respect."

That reality, the one many cling to in certain situations, can push a dead man forward and keep him alive.

Daryl, more than anyone, understood something like that. After all, much like the walkers, he was dead inside.

…

The people in the barn hadn't realized that the forest was full of walkers, all heading straight for the farm.

With each passing second, the sky grew darker, and the people more anxious, yet Hershel remained impassive. Shane shook his head in disappointment, signaled to his people, turned around, and walked toward the car.

"Hershel! Think about Maggie! Think about your daughter! Do you really want everyone to die with you?" Glenn still tried to persuade him, hoping to use family bonds to influence Hershel, even if it was just to leave temporarily. But the old man stubbornly stood his ground and didn't respond.

Morgan hadn't interfered in this whole drama since arriving at the farm. He wasn't one to meddle. If Hershel wanted help, he would give it, but in this situation, there was nothing he could do.

Seeing Shane walking toward the car, Morgan patted Richard's shoulder beside him, shaking his head slightly to signal that they should leave this place.

Just as the three of them turned around, Morgan suddenly saw a few staggering figures emerging from the edge of the forest in the distance. The sun had already set, and Morgan could only make them out in the dim light that remained.

Sensing the people around him, Morgan pointed to the edge of the forest in the distance and asked, "Look, are those walkers from the horde?"

Richard grabbed his gun and looked through the scope into the distance. The few walkers wandering through the forest had begun moving toward the farm, and behind them, even more were following.

"Shit!"

Richard paled and shouted behind him, "We need to go, now! The walker horde is coming!"

Everyone else was filled with anxiety upon hearing those words, and Glenn rushed over to Patricia, saying, "We have to convince Hershel, but if you don't leave this place too, you'll die."

But Hershel, who had been standing there all this time, suddenly turned around, went inside the house, and told Beth, "Pack your things, sweetheart. We're leaving this place."

Glenn was almost brought to tears with joy. His words hadn't been wasted after all—now he had nothing left to say to Maggie.

Now that they had decided to leave, everyone quickly packed their belongings and loaded some essential supplies into the car. Hershel remained silent the entire time, sitting in the back seat of the car, staring at his house.

"The walkers are getting closer, let's hurry."