The gates creaked open slowly, revealing the bustling activity within. The sound of metal grinding against metal was both reassuring and jarring after the oppressive quiet of the road.
The truck pulled into the camp, the atmosphere began to shift. The familiar sights and sounds of the camp—the crackle of a fire, the murmur of voices, the faint smell of cooking food—offered a stark contrast to the tension just moments ago.
In the back of the truck, Harper exhaled deeply, her hold on Sophia relaxing just enough to let the girl shift in her lap.
"Is it always like this?" Harper asked quietly, her voice tinged with apprehension as she glanced at Emma.
Emma shook her head, her gaze fixed on the gate they had just passed through. "No," she said softly, though there was no certainty in her tone. "But I don't blame them. We could've been anyone."
Izzy let out a humorless chuckle, gripping her crowbar like a lifeline. "Feels like a hell of a welcome committee, though," she muttered.
Kate turned to look at the group as Eric parked the truck near the storage area. "It's not personal," she said, addressing their unease. "We've all lost too much to take chances. Ben was doing what he thought was right."
Grace leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but firm. "I get it," she said. "But if this is what safety looks like, I guess we'll take it."
Kate nodded, stepping out of the truck once again. "You'll get used to it," she said. "Give it time."
As the group stepped out of the truck, the newcomers couldn't help but look around in awe. The school's transformation into a makeshift fortress was impressive. The reinforced gates, the perimeter defenses, and the signs of life thriving within spoke to the resilience of its inhabitants.
Sam was the first to approach, his broad shoulders cutting a path through the crowd. His steady demeanor and calm presence had become a pillar of the camp, especially in Kate's absence. He moved quickly, his expression a mixture of relief and curiosity as he reached the truck.
"You're back," he said, extending a hand to Kate as she climbed out.
Kate clasped his hand firmly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "It's good to see you, Sam. The place looks… different."
"We've been busy," Sam said with a faint smile. His eyes flicked to the newcomers climbing out of the truck, their movements tentative. "And it looks like you've been busy too."
Kate nodded. "We found them holed up in a convenience store. They've been through a lot, but they're survivors. Let's get the supplies unloaded, and then I'll explain everything."
Sam gave a curt nod, his practical nature taking over. "Alright. Let's get to it."
The unloading process was swift but efficient. Boxes of canned food, water bottles, medical supplies, and a few spare tools were carried to the storage areas. Harper kept Sophia occupied with smaller tasks, handing her lightweight items to carry while the others hauled heavier loads.
As the last box was placed in the storage shed, Kate turned to the gathered group. Her voice carried a tone of authority that commanded attention.
"Everyone," she began, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, "these are the people we brought back with us: Harper, Sophia, Emma, Ben, Grace, and Izzy. They've been through hell to get here, but they're survivors, like all of us. Let's make them feel welcome."
For a moment, there was silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Then, Lisa stepped forward, her warm smile breaking the tension. She crouched slightly to meet Sophia's eye level, pulling a piece of fruit from her pocket.
"Welcome, sweetheart," Lisa said gently.
Sophia glanced nervously with a shy smile. "Thank you," she whispered.
The ice broken, other members of the camp began to approach, introducing themselves and offering quiet words of encouragement. Harper's posture relaxed slightly as she saw the genuine kindness in their faces. Emma exchanged a brief handshake with Sam, her usual guarded expression softening just enough to convey her gratitude.
Izzy lingered near the truck, her crowbar still clutched tightly. Lisa noticed and approached her with an easy smile. "You did good out there," she said. "You're safe now."
Izzy nodded stiffly, her grip on the crowbar loosening just a fraction. "Thanks," she muttered.
Sarah approached the group with a welcoming smile."Alright, everyone," Sarah said, clapping her hands together. "I'm Sarah, and I'll be showing you around. We've got a lot to cover, but first things first—your rooms."
Harper placed a reassuring hand on Sophia's shoulder, the girl sticking close to her side as they followed Sarah into the main building. Emma, Izzy, Grace, and Sophia were guided to a small classroom that had been converted into living quarters. The walls were still lined with old posters and whiteboards, but the desks had been pushed aside to make space for sleeping mats and personal belongings. A few handmade curtains hung over the windows, providing a semblance of privacy.
"This will be your space," Sarah explained, gesturing to the room. "It's not much, but it's safe, and you'll have some privacy here. We'll bring in some extra blankets and pillows later."As they continued the tour, Sarah pointed out key areas of the camp—the kitchen, the water collection system, and the communal gathering space. By the end of it, the newcomers felt a little less like strangers and a little more like they belonged.
Ben, meanwhile, was escorted to the medical room, where Claire was already preparing a cot for him. She gave him a quick once-over, her no-nonsense attitude putting him at ease.
"You'll stay here for a while until we're sure that wound doesn't get infected," Claire said, pointing to a cot in the corner. "Don't try to be a hero. Rest and let it heal."
"Got it," Ben replied, settling onto the cot with a wince. He glanced at Claire as she sorting medical supply they just got. "Thanks for not throwing me out."
Claire chuckled. "We're not monsters," she said. "You're one of us now. Just focus on getting better."
Kate sat across from Sam in the camp's makeshift office, a small room once used as a teacher's lounge. The smell of stale coffee lingered, though the machine hadn't worked in months. Sam's face was shadowed, the lines of exhaustion evident as he leaned forward on the desk, his hands steepled.
Kate crossed her arms, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. "Alright, Sam, spill it. What's going on? Why the hostile welcome at the gate?"
Sam exhaled heavily, running a hand over his closely cropped hair. "It's… complicated. Things have been tense since you left, Kate. A few days after you were gone, a group of survivors showed up at the gate."
Kate's brow furrowed. "Survivors? Why didn't you let them in?"
Sam's jaw tightened, his voice dropping. "They weren't like the people you brought back today. They were rough—aggressive, like they were ready to take what they wanted if we didn't hand it over. They claimed they were looking for a place to stay, but everything about them screamed trouble. I told them no."
Kate leaned back, processing his words. "And that was it? They just left?"
Sam shook his head, his eyes hardening. "Not even close. They came back a couple of days later, same story. This time, they were angrier. Said they weren't leaving without an answer from the 'leader.' I told them you were out on a run, and we weren't taking anyone in without your say-so. That didn't sit well with them."
Kate's fingers drummed on the desk, her mind racing. "What happened next?"
Sam's voice grew grimmer. "They waited until nightfall. Thought they could catch us off guard and break in. But thanks to Tom's watchtowers, we spotted them before they even got close. Turner, Evan, and I made it clear we weren't afraid to use force. They retreated before anyone got hurt."
Kate frowned. "And then?"
Sam let out a bitter laugh. "They didn't give up. They came back again, only this time they brought zombies with them."
Kate's eyes widened. "Zombies? You're telling me they lured infected to our gate?"
Sam nodded grimly. "Yeah. They must've cut themselves or used meat as bait to draw a horde toward the school. They thought the walkers would breach the gate and do their dirty work for them."
Kate clenched her fists, anger bubbling up. "And they almost succeeded?"
Sam shook his head. "Not even close, thanks to the watchtowers again . Tom saw them coming from a mile away. He hesitated, then added, "But some of the ruffians weren't so lucky. A few of them got too close to the horde. They got scratched, turned, and… well, we handled it. The rest ran off."
Kate sat back, her fingers rubbing her temples. "So now we have a group of hostile survivors out there, and they know where we are. Great."
Sam gave a solemn nod. "Exactly. That's why the welcome was so tense earlier. We've been doubling our patrols, setting more traps, and reinforcing the fence. The people are on edge."