The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the camp. Afternoon activities bustled around Kate as she walked through the courtyard, her mind preoccupied with plans for improving the camp's defenses. Since Sam's recount of the attacks, she'd been restless, trying to ensure every weak spot in their sanctuary was fortified.
Passing by the workshop, she heard the unmistakable clink of metal tools on a workbench. Curious, she slowed her steps and peered through the open door.
Inside, Eric was hunched over a battered radio, its casing cracked and wires spilling out like entrails. His brows furrowed in concentration, and the faint hum of his low muttering punctuated the silence as he adjusted a soldering iron, carefully working on the device.
Kate stepped into the room, leaning against the doorframe with a small smirk. "You've been at that thing for days. Are you trying to resurrect it or declare war on it?"
Eric didn't look up but let out a low chuckle. "Bit of both. Chris brought this back from their last supply run, said it might be worth fixing. Thought we could get some signals, maybe pick up chatter from other survivors." He paused, finally glancing at her. "So far, though, it's mostly static and frustration."
Kate walked closer, folding her arms as she examined the cluttered workspace. Tools, wires, and scraps of metal were scattered everywhere. "And here I thought you were just hoarding junk for fun."
Eric raised an eyebrow. "You're funny. You should try stand-up when the apocalypse is over."
"Don't hold your breath." Kate grinned. "Any progress at all?"
Eric gestured at the mess on the table. "Some. The circuits were fried, but I've managed to patch a few things together. Problem is, the antenna's missing, and without it, this thing won't pick up a signal even if I sing to it."
Kate tilted her head, teasing. "I'd pay to see you sing."
"Not happening," Eric shot back, smirking before returning his focus to the radio.
Kate lingered a moment longer, watching him work. It was one of the few times she'd seen him this focused, his usually sharp, sarcastic demeanor replaced with a quiet intensity. "Keep at it," she finally said, her voice softer. "If anyone can get that thing working, it's you."
Eric nodded without looking up. "Thanks, Kate. I'll let you know if I manage to pull a miracle out of this pile of junk."
With a small smile, she turned to leave.
Kate left the workshop, her thoughts shifting to the task at hand: finding Tom. After the recent attacks, they needed to modify the main gate. Though the current setup had held firm, Kate couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't withstand another determined assault.
Crossing the courtyard, she passed the garden where Lisa and Jake were busy planting seeds in freshly tilled soil. Jake waved at her and ask" looking for dad?, he's in the room" , his face lighting up with a shy grin. Kate waved back and anwsered "yeah, i want to talk about the gate" Jake stood up and said "i'll go with you,i'm done here", they headed for the classroom where Tom, Lisa, and Jake shared a room.
The school building was quiet as they stepped inside, their boots echoing faintly against the linoleum floors. Kate reached the door to their room and knocked lightly.
"It's open," came Tom's voice from inside.
Kate pushed the door open to find Tom sitting on his bunk, sketching something on a piece of scrap paper
"Hey, Tom," Kate said, stepping into the room.
Tom looked up, his pencil pausing mid-sketch. "Kate. What's up?"
"I need to talk to you about the gate," she said, crossing the room and pulling up a chair. "I've been thinking—after what happened with those ruffians, we need to make some modifications. Reinforce it, maybe add a secondary barrier."
Tom nodded thoughtfully, setting his pencil down. "I've been thinking the same thing. The gate held up well, but it's the weakest point in our defenses. What do you have in mind?"
Kate leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "I was thinking we could add a sliding metal plate on the inside. Something we can drop down quickly if the gate is compromised. It wouldn't be a permanent fix, but it'd buy us time to regroup."
Tom rubbed his chin, considering her idea. "A metal plate's doable, but we'd need to scavenge the materials. I've got a few ideas for where to look."
Kate thought for a while and said "What about using the old lockers from the gym? They're sturdy enough, and we're not exactly using them for anything else."
Jake looked up , his face lighting up. "Oh! We could rig some kind of pulley system to lower it. Like in those tower defense games where you can upgrade your walls."
Tom smirked at the suggestion. "Not a bad idea, kid. Simplifies the whole thing."
Kate gave Jake an approving nod. "You've got a knack for this, Jake. Keep the ideas coming."
The sun had shifted lower in the sky, casting golden rays through the windows of the abandoned school as Kate and Tom made their way back toward the workshop. They'd spent the last half-hour sketching and debating ideas for the gate modifications in Tom's room, and now it was time to bring their plans to life. Tom had agreed to take the lead, but they needed to review the available materials in the workshop first.
"So, the lockers from the gym should be sturdy enough for the metal plate," Kate was saying, her strides purposeful as they walked through the dimly lit hallway.
"Yeah, but we'll need to weld a frame for it. That's going to take some work—and we're running low on welding rods," Tom replied, his tone laced with the pragmatism that came from years of dealing with limited resources.
Kate nodded thoughtfully. "We'll add that to the scavenging list. I'll see if Eric or Chris can keep an eye out for supplies on their next run."
They rounded a corner, the distant hum of conversation and faint clatter of tools from outside filling the air. Tom was about to say something when an earsplitting scream cut through the noise.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Kate and Tom froze mid-step, their eyes locking in mutual alarm.
"That's Eric!" Kate exclaimed, already breaking into a sprint.
Tom was right behind her, his heavier boots thudding against the linoleum. "Damn it! What now?"
The two of them rushed through the courtyard, adrenaline coursing through their veins as they approached the workshop. Kate's heart pounded in her chest. Was Eric hurt? Had someone—or something—gotten into the camp?
Kate shoved the door open, ready for the worst.
What she found instead was Eric, sitting on a stool, cradling the battered radio in his arms like it was a newborn baby. His face was split into a triumphant grin, his eyes shining with an energy she hadn't seen in days.
"I DID IT!" he announced, his voice echoing in the small room.
Kate blinked, her brain struggling to catch up to the sight in front of her.
Tom stormed in behind her, out of breath. "What the hell, Eric?!" he snapped, his voice laced with frustration. "You scared the crap out of us! We thought you were being eaten alive or something!"
Eric looked up at them, his grin never faltering. "Relax, guys. Nobody's dying here—except maybe the static on this thing!" He held up the radio triumphantly.
Kate's hands dropped to her knees as she exhaled sharply, the adrenaline rush leaving her shaky. "You mean to tell me… that scream was because you fixed the radio?"
"Yup," Eric said, entirely unapologetic. He patted the top of the radio affectionately. "This baby's picking up signals now. Actual, real signals!"
Tom threw his hands up in the air. "Unbelievable. I swear, Eric, one of these days you're going to give me a heart attack!"
"Hey, what can I say? I get emotional when I achieve greatness," Eric quipped, setting the radio down on the workbench.
Kate straightened up, her irritation giving way to curiosity. "Wait. Are you serious? You got it working?"
"Dead serious," Eric said, leaning back and crossing his arms, looking smug. "I managed to rig an old antenna from a busted walkie-talkie. It's not perfect, but it's enough to pick up nearby frequencies. I even caught part of a broadcast a few minutes ago."
Tom's frustration was starting to ebb, replaced by interest. "A broadcast? From where?"
Eric shrugged. "Not sure yet. The signal was faint and cutting in and out. But it sounded like someone broadcasting from another survivor camp. I'll need to tune it better, maybe tweak the setup, but this thing's alive."
Kate leaned over the workbench "You're an idiot for screaming like that. Next time, just yell 'Eureka' or something. Keep it less… heart-attack-inducing."
Eric held up his hands in mock surrender. "Noted. No more victory screams. Probably."
Kate couldn't help but chuckle, the tension in her chest finally dissipating. "Nice work, Eric. Really. This could change everything."
Eric gave her a mock bow. "Thank you, thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to fine-tune this bad boy and see if I can pull in that broadcast again."
Tom clapped him on the shoulder, his earlier annoyance fully replaced with camaraderie. "Just don't blow it up, okay? We'll leave you to it."
As Kate and Tom left the workshop, the sound of Eric humming happily to himself followed them into the courtyard.
"You have to admit," Kate said, glancing at Tom, "he's damn good at what he does."
Tom nodded. "Yeah, when he's not scaring the hell out of everyone. Let's hope that radio ends up being worth all the drama."
Kate smirked. "Knowing Eric, I think it just might."