Chapter 3 – The Farm Secured
The farm sat quietly under the late afternoon sun, a deceptive calm masking the chaos that had erupted in the city hours before. Nia stood on the porch of the farmhouse, surveying the rows of peach and apricot trees, the vegetable garden, and the small pond at the edge of the property. Dale moved behind her, hauling supplies from the RV they had brought in earlier.
"This place… it's even better than I imagined," Nia said, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her enhanced body from the golden finger system moved with effortless grace as she checked the perimeter fence and reinforced weak points with rope and planks.
Dale nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I told you, planning ahead saves lives. You just have to make sure the farm is ready before trouble finds us."
Nia smiled faintly. She already had a checklist in her head: patrol routes, trap locations, resource distribution, and fallback zones in case the fences failed. Every detail mattered—she had learned over years of training that survival was not luck, but preparation.
Inside the farmhouse, the RV had been unloaded and organized. Dale had stacked food, tools, and water in neat, accessible locations. Nia inspected each item, confirming the system's recommendations: rations, water filtration kits, emergency medical supplies, and tools for repair and defense.
"This is good," she murmured, kneeling to inspect the small first aid kit. "If anyone gets hurt, we have what we need. And the farm can support us long-term. Vegetables, fruits, fish… we'll be fine for now."
Dale leaned against the doorway, watching her. "Fine doesn't mean safe. Stay alert."
Nia's brown eyes scanned the horizon. The city smoke still lingered faintly in the distance, a reminder that the outbreak wasn't contained. But for the first time since her rebirth, she felt a strange combination of control and responsibility. The farm was more than a refuge—it was a base for survival, and she was ready to take charge.
Meanwhile, in the city, Shane and Abby navigated a landscape that had gone from ordinary to deadly overnight. Their pre-apocalypse relationship allowed Shane to act with a protective ease, Abby trusting him fully as they moved through abandoned streets, avoiding both panic-stricken humans and the newly risen walkers.
Abby had learned quickly, keeping her distance but remaining alert, following Shane's instructions. Their bond was subtle but strong—built on trust, flirtation, and shared laughter before the outbreak, now reinforced by shared survival. Shane's protective instinct was matched by Abby's growing courage, making them a natural team.
"We can't stay here," Shane said, glancing down a street littered with overturned cars and debris. "We need to find a safe location, somewhere defensible."
Abby nodded. "The farm… your patrol route mentioned one outside the city. Could we get there?"
Shane's eyes narrowed. "It's risky, but it's the best option. Stay close."
Back at the farm, the first warning of danger arrived just before dusk. A low, wet groan echoed across the fields, unnatural and chilling. Nia froze, her enhanced senses detecting movement among the trees at the edge of the orchard.
"Father… something's coming," she said softly, gripping a baseball bat Dale had secured in a defensive post.
Dale followed her gaze. "Walkers?"
Nia nodded. "Small group, but aggressive. They'll be testing the fences."
They moved swiftly to the edge of the orchard, checking the reinforced fencing and small traps Nia had set earlier. Even a small breach could be dangerous; walkers were unpredictable.
The first ones appeared—limping figures emerging from the shadows, eyes vacant and pale. Dale gripped his bat, muscles tense, while Nia moved fluidly, anticipating each strike. Her Natasha-enhanced body made her attacks precise and lethal. The first walker approached, and with a clean, practiced strike to the head, Nia ended it instantly.
Dale followed, knocking another walker aside and urging Nia to remain calm. "Keep your focus. This isn't over."
Within minutes, the small group was neutralized. Nia inspected the fence for damage, tightening loose ropes and reinforcing weak spots. "We need regular patrols, Father. I'll take the east side; you take the west. Check the traps every hour."
Dale nodded. "Agreed. And we'll need to ration food if this is just the start. The system's supplies help, but we can't rely solely on it."
Evening fell, and the farm settled into tense quiet. Nia patrolled the perimeter silently, every sense heightened. The golden finger system suggested minor improvements: reinforced gates, more secure storage for food, and backup traps near the pond. Each suggestion was practical and realistic—enough to make survival plausible without granting godlike powers.
Meanwhile, in the city, Shane and Abby navigated the debris-filled streets toward the outskirts. They moved cautiously, avoiding groups of walkers and panicked citizens alike. Shane's years of experience as a cop allowed him to anticipate danger; Abby's bravery and quick thinking made her a reliable partner.
They paused atop a small hill, overlooking the highway that led out of the city. Smoke rose in distant columns, fires reflecting the chaos below. Shane crouched beside Abby, whispering instructions. "We stay low. Move quickly. No sudden noises."
Abby nodded, gripping her bat tightly. Despite the fear, a flicker of excitement ran through her—a thrill of survival, of proving herself. Shane noticed it, his gaze softening for a brief moment. "You'll be alright," he murmured. "We'll get through this."
Their bond, built before the outbreak, allowed them to coordinate effortlessly. He could not ignore his duties as a police officer, but he made sure Abby remained safe. And she, in turn, trusted him completely. Their pre-apocalypse relationship became a stabilizing force in the new chaos.
Back at the farm, Nia finished her patrol and returned to the farmhouse. Dale was tending to supplies, stacking rations and checking medical kits. "Everything intact?" he asked.
"Yes. For now," Nia replied. "But we need to stay vigilant. There's no telling how fast this is spreading."
Dale placed a hand on her shoulder, pride and concern mingling in his expression. "You're ready for this. More ready than I was at your age."
Nia nodded, scanning the horizon one last time before settling into the farmhouse for the night. She checked the system's daily rewards—a small stash of water, rations, and minor medical supplies. "It's enough to keep us going," she murmured, setting them aside for easy access.
Glenn had finally managed to escape the initial chaos in the city. Observing from a distance, he noted the patterns of walkers, the panicked humans, and the safest routes for travel. He moved cautiously, avoiding confrontation, and began heading toward the outskirts. Though he had not met Nia yet, he was instinctively preparing for the type of allies he might need.
As night fell, the farm settled into tense vigilance. Fires burned in the distance, groans echoed faintly across the fields, and the first night of survival began. Nia took her position by a second fence line, Dale patrolling alongside her, their rhythm practiced and unbroken.
Abby and Shane, approaching the rural outskirts after hours of navigating chaos, could see lights in the distance—the farmhouse at the farm, already fortified. They exchanged a brief look of relief. Shane whispered, "That's our destination. Keep your focus."
Abby nodded. "I'm ready."
The farm was their refuge, but the world outside had already begun to crack. Walkers moved silently in the shadows; panic spread across the city; and survival was no longer a choice, but a necessity.
Nia felt a strange calm amidst the chaos. Her training, her golden finger system, and Dale's guidance had prepared her. The farm was defensible, their supplies were sufficient, and allies—Shane, Abby, and eventually Glenn—would play their roles in the coming days.
The night stretched on, full of uncertainty, yet for the first time, there was a sense of readiness. Nia, standing guard under the moonlight, knew one thing for certain: the apocalypse was coming, and she would be ready to face it.