POV: Jenna
Jenna sat perched on a low wall just outside the camp, tossing a shiny bolt in the air and catching it repeatedly. It was one of her newer finds, and while it probably wasn't important, it sparkled nicely in the sunlight, which was reason enough to keep it.
She glanced back at the camp, where Rick was pacing like a caged animal, and Carl was sharpening his blade yet again. Tensions were so thick they might as well have set up a wrestling ring in the middle of camp and invited Theo and Kane to duke it out. Not that Kane would bother—he preferred his fights messy and psychological.
"You're unusually quiet," Carl's voice cut through her thoughts as he approached, wiping his blade clean.
Jenna shrugged. "Just thinking."
"Careful," Carl teased. "You might strain yourself."
Jenna smirked but didn't rise to the bait. "You ever feel like we're walking on a really thin wire, and below us is a pit of very hungry piranhas?"
Carl chuckled softly. "Every day. But you get used to it."
"Great," Jenna muttered. "Can't wait."
She tossed the bolt into her spatial space, hopping off the wall. "So, what's the plan? Are we just waiting for Theo to self-destruct, or…?"
Carl sighed. "Rick wants to try another group meeting. Clear the air. But with tensions this high…"
Jenna rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because forcing everyone to sit in a circle and talk about their feelings is definitely going to work."
Carl smirked. "Got a better idea?"
"Always," Jenna said, cracking her knuckles. "But let's save it for Plan B."
---
POV: Rick
Rick stood near the campfire, watching as the group gathered. The humans were tense, their eyes flicking nervously between each other and the zombies. Jenna's group, for their part, seemed blissfully unaware of the unease they were causing, their groaning a constant backdrop to the uncomfortable silence.
Rick cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, let's get this over with. We've got bigger problems to worry about than each other, so we need to get on the same page."
Theo crossed his arms, his glare fixed on Jenna. "How are we supposed to get on the same page when some of us aren't even human?"
Jenna raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. She figured anything she said would only make things worse, and besides, Carl had already warned her to let Rick handle it.
Rick shot Theo a warning look. "We've been over this. Jenna and her group have proven themselves more than once. If it weren't for them, half of us wouldn't be here right now."
Theo scoffed. "Yeah, and how long until they decide we're not worth keeping around?"
Jenna couldn't help herself. "Oh, please. Like I'd waste my perfectly good hoard on you."
A few people snickered, but Theo's glare only deepened. "See? She doesn't even take this seriously!"
Rick held up a hand before the argument could escalate. "Enough! This isn't about taking sides. We're in this together, whether we like it or not. The second we start turning on each other, we're done."
The group fell into an uneasy silence, the tension still palpable. Rick sighed, running a hand through his hair. This wasn't going to be easy.
---
POV: Kane
From the edge of the meeting, Kane watched with mild amusement. Rick's attempts at diplomacy were admirable, but ultimately futile. The cracks in the alliance were too deep, and Kane had no intention of letting them heal.
As the meeting wrapped up, Kane approached Theo, his expression calm and composed.
"Don't let them get to you," Kane said quietly. "You're asking the right questions."
Theo nodded, his jaw tight. "Rick's too blind to see the truth. But I'll prove it to him."
Kane smiled faintly. "I'm sure you will. Just be careful. The others might not take kindly to your… persistence."
Theo nodded again, his resolve hardening. Kane suppressed a smirk. Theo was so predictable. All it would take was one well-placed nudge, and the alliance would shatter completely.
---
POV: Carl
Carl caught up with Jenna as the group dispersed, his expression serious. "That could've gone worse."
Jenna snorted. "Yeah, we only almost murdered each other. Progress!"
Carl rolled his eyes. "You're not helping."
"Wasn't trying to," Jenna replied, her tone light. "But seriously, Rick's got his work cut out for him. Theo's a powder keg, and Kane's holding the match."
Carl nodded grimly. "We need to keep an eye on them. Both of them."
Jenna tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Carl sighed. "If it involves duct tape, probably not."
"Duct tape solves everything," Jenna said with a grin. "But no. I was thinking maybe we stage a little… intervention. Show Theo and Kane we're not as easy to mess with as they think."
Carl considered this for a moment. "What kind of intervention?"
Jenna's grin widened. "Oh, you'll see."