Author note at the end. Enjoy.
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[Alex's POV]
The landscape shifted as he approached Hershel's farm. The calmness of the fields and the white fence came into view. Compared to what was possibly happening in the cities, this was a safe haven. 'For now, at least.' Alex thought. His eyes scanning the open fields.
The disadvantage of deciding to make a farm your base was a giant one. No covers from any angle. Anyone that drove by the quiet road would see activity. But it also came with the advantage that you could also see them coming. Though the con was far heavier than the pro in a world without society and law.
Depending on a situation, it could simply get raided through brute force instead of sneaking around. With a shake of head, Alex cleared his thoughts and tried to come up with ideas on how to introduce himself and his reason for wanting to request a stay at the farm.
He couldn't say that he was waiting for someone or a friend, since it would only bring more tension and suspicion. Yes, he was waiting for Lee, but he also wanted to get to Macon city as fast as possible to meet up with Glen at the rendez vous point.
His heart raced as he parked the truck and stepped out with his head empty. 'Fuck… Hey, nice to meet you again?' He unsurely practiced in his head. 'Remember me?' He cursed himself quietly at that one. 'Walker alert.' He didn't even try with that one.
'Fuck it.' He thought and inspected the entrance of the farm. He didn't dare to walk further than the fences. He "remembered" Hershel a little bit when he helped with the car a few years ago. The man was strict with his family and very traditional. He was also kind which was why he offered food after fixing their car back then.
He took a deep breath, trying to ground himself. He could hear the distant sounds of nature—birds chirping and wind rustling through the trees. After looking around for a while, he saw movement in the corner of his eyes. A man exited the barn with a farm tool in his hand and walking up to him.
Hershel Greene.
Compared to a couple of years ago, the man looked older and with more white hair than he had ever seen on anyone. A small part of him whispered that he looked cool. Another part whispered; he'll say no to the request.
Meanwhile, the man himself was approaching with a steady gait, his expression a mix of curiosity and caution. Dressed in rugged work clothes, the older man had a weathered look that spoke of years spent laboring under the sun.
"Can I help you?" Hershel asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. His gaze narrowed as he took in Alex's disheveled appearance and the dusty truck parked beside the fence.
"Uh, yeah." Alex swallowed hard, pushing aside his nerves. "I'm Alex. I was just passing through and saw your farm and remembered…. I… I'm looking for a safe place to stay for a bit."
Deciding to put a pin regarding the words he used, Hershel changed the topic. He studied Alex for another moment, his expression unreadable. "I've been hearing a lot of things about what's happening in the city. Rumors and news outlet and such, You know anything?"
"They're saying there's some kind of outbreak," Alex replied, keeping his tone steady despite the racing of his heart, though as the conversation continued, he calmed down a little. "People are panicking. It seemed like a good idea to get out before things got worse."
Hershel remained silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Alex shifted uncomfortably, grabbing the back of his neck. "You look familiar." The old man spoke, and Alex straightened himself a little.
"Huh, yeah. I was… Um, a couple of years ago, you helped fix our car?" He started though it ended in question, eyes at the ground. "Um, we were going on a road trip and were lost." Alex continued, digging deeper into the implemented memory. "You helped fix our car and offered us food."
Hershel's brows furrowed in concentration as he regarded Alex, the gears of memory clearly turning in his mind. "I do remember that. You and your friend were on some kind of adventure, weren't you?" There was a faint smile at the corners of his lips, but it quickly faded, replaced by a more serious demeanor.
"Yes, sir. It was just a small trip, but I appreciated your help back then." Alex felt a mix of gratitude and let go of a bit of tension as he spoke. "Things have changed quite a bit since then."
Looking over Alex's shoulder to the dirty black pickup track. "What brings you here specifically?" Hershel asked, tone more easing. "From what you've said so far, it sounds like you purposely came here."
"I'm actually waiting for a friend." Alex decided to reveal with a sigh. "Last I talked with him, he was in the city before the call cut. He told what route he'd take so we could meet up."
"Is that so?" Hershel replied, his gaze sharpening as he took in Alex's words. "And what's your friend's name?"
"Glen Rhee." Alex answered, "He wasn't one of the guys from back then. I met him in college, we're roommates."
"I understand if you're worried about letting a stranger in," Alex continued, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. "I just need a few days, maybe until things settle down. The city's getting chaotic, and I don't want to get caught up in it."
"I have a family to protect," Hershel countered, his tone firm yet not unkind. "It's my duty as a husband and a father. I can't just open my doors to anyone without knowing more."
Alex nodded, the weight of Hershel's words pressing heavily on him. "I'm aware. That's why I'm here, it's the only place I could think of. I just want a safe place to wait for him. Just until this all blows over or… until I can figure something out."
Hershel's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of empathy crossing his features. "I can't promise you anything, Alex. But-" with a sigh, the man continued. 'Damn me and my bleeding heart.' "I can only let you stay here if you work."
Immediately, the young man's expression changed to hopeful and a smile. "I understand," Alex replied, "I'll do whatever it takes to help out." Meanwhile, in the house behind Hershel, there were people huddled around the windows of the place and peeking outside.
"Good," Hershel said, nodding towards Alex's vehicle. "Why don't you bring that in. Park it there." He gestured towards the side of the house, where there was another truck, an older model. Though both man's eyes moved to the house as soon as they picked movement, figures leaving the window to dodge their gaze.
Once parked, he stepped out of the truck, taking a moment to collect himself. The calmness of the farm was… peaceful, almost unsettling but peaceful. He walked back around to where Hershel stood, noticing the man's keen gaze fixed on him.
"Let's get a few things straight," Hershel said, crossing his arms. "There are a few rules here. First, no going into the house unless invited. My family needs to feel safe and secure, and you'll understand that, won't you?"
"Of course," Alex replied, trying to project confidence. "I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Good. Second, you'll help out with chores. It's a big property, and I could use an extra hand. There's always something that needs doing around here, especially now."
"Absolutely, whatever you need," Alex said earnestly.
As they walked toward the barn, Hershel began to explain the layout of the property. "We have livestock to tend to and crops that need harvesting. You'll be working with my son, Shawn."
"Got it, oh and I'm a medical student as well and can help if there's anything with livestock or something." Alex informed, but exchange, the man simply nodded and shrugged it off.
Just then, a younger man appeared, older than Alex, from around the corner of the barn, wiping his hands on a rag. Shawn Greene looked to be in his mid twenties, carrying a sturdy build and an air of determination that immediately struck Alex.
"Dad, who's this?" Shawn asked, crossing his arms and eyeing Alex with a mix of curiosity and caution. Especially, since his facial hair looked unshaven for a few weeks now and hair messy. Embarrassed, Alex scratched his growing moustache and beard, before fixing his black hair.
"This is Alex," Hershel introduced. "He's passing through and needs a place to stay for a bit. I'm letting him help out around the farm meanwhile."
Shawn's brow furrowed slightly, the skepticism evident on his face. "Passing through? With everything going on? You sure he can be trusted?" His eyes returned to his father, Hershel, while Alex frowned. 'Right here, buddy.' He thought.
"I'll do my best to help." Alex interrupted and saw Shawn's lip twitch in a grin.
Hershel nodded and that seemed to end Shawn's questions, and the three of them stepped toward the barn. Inside, the warm scent of hay enveloped them. Oh, and manure.
"Let's start with the animals. They need to be fed before sunset," Hershel instructed, gesturing to a section of the barn where chickens clucked, and goats bleated. "You'll learn quickly what to do, Alex. Just follow Shawn's lead."
As they worked, Alex shared what he saw happening in Commerce, whilst also sharing what was probably happening in Atlanta at the moment. After he was done, while Hershel didn't seem to listen, Shawn called him over the chicken coo and told him what they were feeding chicken and told Alex to take over.
With a nod, he gathered the grains and tossed them to the cage, watching as the little things ran to it and even fought one another. With a chuckle, he petted one, its feathers soft against his hands.
"I'm planning to head to a small neighborhood close to here to see if anyone needs help." Shawn started, bringing Alex's attention to him. "I need to check out on a friend."
Alex frowned, "It's going to be dangerous. The place might be covered in Walkers already." He told Shawn who raised his eyebrow at the name. "Walkers?"
With a tilt of head, "That's what I call them. They walk, very slowly." Alex told him.
"So, you've met a couple of 'em as well?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah, on my way here. About two dozens of them. Though don't worry, they were easy to deal with." Missing the last two words of Shawn.
"Hmm." Shawn hmmed, going back to stare at the chickens. In the corner of his eyes, he saw his dad leave the barn and head for the house. "I still want to check out on my friend. I could use your help if you know what you're doing."
"I… Yeah sure. I have supplies in my trunk, so I'd take your truck." Alex told him and Shawn nodded. "Okay, give me a sec." The older man said before calling his dad and talking to him about his intention. Though Hershel seemed to say no, at the end, he was finally convinced by his son. "Okay, let's go. The sun is setting, so we'll have to be quick."
"Take Andre with you!" Hershel called out as Shawn and Alex got into the truck. Though Alex didn't forget to take his slingshot and a couple of steel balls ammo with him. "Okay," The son replied, and Hershel nodded before walking up the porch and sitting on one of the chairs.
With a last look at Hershel, who settled into the chair with a watchful gaze, Shawn turned the key in the ignition, and the truck roared to life. "Let's see what's going on," he said, glancing at Alex. "I'll drive. Just keep your eyes peeled."
Alex nodded.
"So, How bad do you think Atlanta has gotten?" Shawn asked, his voice steady but shaky as if he was remembering something. Andre sitting in the back, outside.
"It's probably worse than you think," Alex replied, his thoughts drifting to the chaos that would happen at any major city without any preparation. "For some reason, the authorities didn't outright announce the situation or what they are doing. Instead, they tried to hide it as best as they could."
"You sound like my dad." Shawn jokingly commented, shaking his head, eyes on the road, but Alex didn't mind it.
"Scared and desperate people are the most dangerous in a crowd. It'll cause a stampede and accidents." Alex continued.
"More people will die due to it than if the authorities had warned people and gave them step by step guide."
Shawn nodded, his expression serious now. "Yeah... It's why I want to check on some neighbors. They could be in trouble, especially, Chet. He hasn't been answering my calls."
"How long ago?" Alex asked cautiously and Shawn looked at him before sighing. "Since yesterday."
At Shawn's answer, the remaining car ride was quiet.
Though when Alex noticed that the bumpy ride turned smooth and houses were appearing more frequently, he broke the silence.
"Be careful." Alex warned, touching his slingshot ammo in his left pocket, while tightening his hold on his ranged weapon. To lift the mood a little, "What do you think your toy can do against… walkers was it?" Shawn shot back, with a shaky grin.
In return, Alex also smiled a little. "I don't know." He shrugged, "Just hoping I at least get a walking dead instead of an alive one with my aim."
As they drove deeper into the quiet neighborhood, the houses seemed to grow more scattered, some abandoned with cracked windows and overgrown yards. The sun dipped low on the horizon, taking the light of day with it.
"Just up ahead," Shawn said, pointing toward a familiar street. "Chet lives a few houses down on the left."
Alex peered out the window, his stomach churning with uncertainty but nodded. Taking out an ammo, he prepared himself, inspecting any and every house he could as they drove past them slowly.
They rounded a corner and parked the car in front of a modest house. "Okay." Shawn muttered, getting out, followed by Alex, and Andre who jumped from the back. "We do it fast and quiet and get out." Andre started and Alex agreed. "I'll keep a look out at the front." Alex offered and the other two nodded before entered the through the unlocked door.
Instead of doing nothing, Alex searched the ground as well for any stones that could be a good replacement for his slingshot ammos. 10 minutes later,
BANG!
Alex got the scare of lifetime.
And as if to answer the call of the gunshot, several walkers showed themselves from the alleyways, backyards, and some even crawled from open windows in the houses.
Not a moment later, Andre and Shawn ran outside, both with grim expressions. "What the fuck was that!" Alex hissed at them, taking aim at the closest walker and releasing the band before Andre could aim and pull the trigger. The head of the dead snapped and fell on his back, unmoving.
"Not now, let's get out of here." Andre interrupted with Shawn running in the driver's seat. Following him, he got jumped in the back with Andre as they watched the walkers trying to keep up with the truck. Their walking speed stopped them though.
While analyzing the walking dead, Alex's eyes shifted to a movement in one of the houses. With a frown, he watched as the door to the house opened.
And a walker stepped out.
Alex's eyes widened at the sight, and he couldn't help but gulp.
'They're smart as well…' He concluded. His body getting tense and hair all over his body stood at end.
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Author Note:
Hello again.
Hope you had fun reading this chapter. I wanted to introduce the concept of "smart" walkers a little bit early since I saw some clips of walkers that could climb ladders, open doors, and stuff on YouTube. For some reason, the producers didn't continue with it, so I will.
Other things in this chapter, I hope I integrated Alex well with the incoming plot and his meeting with his mission objective in the next chapter. I'm kinda looking forward to writing the next few chapters.
I hope you I've done a good job to entertain you all so far. Insert: Are you entertainment? gif.
The more I read the BIO of Greene family and all, the more I am coming to the conclusion that I have to include the series' casts as well. But we'll see in the following chapter. Right now, I can keep dodging it a little bit since Hershel doesnt introduce all of his family in the game. I'm going with the excuse that he's traditional, so the girls' wont be present while men are walking around in his yard. Which fit his character after reading his bio in wiki.
Anyway, next chapter, meeting Lee and Clementine, some complication, maybe... And more...
Hope you guys enjoyed. Stay safe.
Author out.
TO BE CONTINUED