Chapter 30: When the Dead Walk
That single gunshot from the fields was as much a beginning as it was an ending. Rick stood over Shane's lifeless body, crushed by the weight of having just killed his best friend, his brother. Just then, a small silhouette emerged from the darkness: Carl. He had seen what his father had done.
As Rick tried to explain something to his son, something incredible happened behind him. Shane's body began to twitch. His eyes opened, but there was no sign of life in them. A rasping sound escaped his throat. Jenner's secret was being proven in the most horrifying way. Shane hadn't been bitten, but he had returned.
Shane, rising to his feet, took a step toward Rick. But before he could go any further, a second gunshot pierced the night. It hadn't come from Rick's gun. Carl fired the gun he held with trembling hands, shooting the man he had once considered an uncle in the head. A young boy had killed a monster to save his father.
But that second gunshot was a fatal mistake. It wasn't just an echo; it was a dinner bell for a massive herd of walkers that had been migrating for hundreds of miles. At the edge of the forest, the first figures emerged from the trees. Then dozens, then hundreds. The farm was about to be swallowed by a sea of the dead.
Jayden had prepared for this moment. Standing in the courtyard, his system interface flashed red.
[WARNING! WARNING! Numerous Enemies Approaching! HERD DETECTED!]
At that very moment, the primitive alarms he'd set up around the farm—tin cans attached to taut ropes—began to ring one after another. This gave them only a few seconds' head start, but in this world, a few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.
"HERD! EVERYONE HOME!" Jayden shouted.
Chaos erupted. The group was caught off guard. They scattered under the pressure of walkers coming from all directions. But Jayden remained calm. His mind worked like a battle strategist.
"Andrea! Amy! Get to the roof! Provide high-level fire support!" he shouted, guiding the two women.
"Lori, Carl, Sophia! To the basement of Hershel's house! Now!" He cut down several walkers with his machete to provide them with safe haven.
[Basic Cold Weapons (Level 2) Skill +75 EXP gained]
[EXP: 1195 / 3500]
The battle had spread to every corner of the farm. Jayden was running from one place to another, helping those trapped, trying to clear a path of retreat. His silenced pistol gave him a huge advantage with its silent, deadly shots. Patricia was captured by a walker. Jimmy was trapped inside the trailer and died. It was a complete massacre.
Rick and Carl had taken refuge in the barn. As a last resort, Rick set it on fire. The flames illuminated the night sky, creating a massive distraction for the walkers. This gave the group one last chance to escape.
But not everyone could escape at once. The group scattered in different directions into the night. Andrea, fighting to the last bullet, was left behind.
Jayden held onto T-Dog's wounded arm, dragging Carol and Amy behind. Sophia never let go of her mother's hand. "To the highway!" Jayden shouted. "To the rendezvous point!"
When they managed to escape the farm, they looked back. What had once been a place of hope and peace was now a burning inferno. Their peace, their home, all had been reduced to ashes.
When they reached the highway, they chanced upon Rick, Carl, and Hershel. But the others were missing. Daryl, Maggie, Glenn, Beth, Andrea... They didn't know where they were.
The group was once again fragmented and homeless. Jayden tiredly checked his status panel as he stared out at the burning farm's horizon. This night had pushed him to his limits. [System Profile Update - End of Chapter 30]
[Name: Jayden Mendoza]
[Level: 5]
[EXP: 455 / 5000]
[Hit Points (HP): 150/150]
[Stamina (STA): 150/150]
[STATISTICS]
Strength (STR): 13
Agility (AGI): 13
Stamina (END): 13
Perception (PER): 12
Intelligence (INT): 11
[Assignable Points: 0] (Points from Levels 4 and 5 are assigned to Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Perception)
[SKILLS]
Basic Cold Weapons (Level 3) [EXP: 150 / 1000]
Basic Archery (Level 2) [EXP: 480 / 500]
Basic Firearms (Level 2) [EXP: 110 / 800]
Basic Parkour (Level 2) [EXP: 210 / 500]
Basic Melee (Level 2) [EXP: 450 / 500]
Basic Hunting (Level 2) [EXP: 150 / 500]
Basic Repair (Level 1) [EXP: 50 / 250]
Basic Lockpicking (Level 1) [EXP: 45 / 250]
Basic Throwing Knife (Level 1) [EXP: 210 / 400]
[INVENTORY SUMMARY]
Carbon Arrows: 18
Glock Bullets (9mm): 11
Silenced Pistol Rounds (.22): 42
Throwing Knives: 3/3
Canned Food: 2