May 24th, 2037.
I woke before dawn, the lodge still dark and quiet around me.
Sleep had been restless. My mind kept replaying yesterday—the patrol, Maria's sharp assessment, Tommy's handshake, Kiera's parting smile. I was in. Connected to Jackson. One step closer to Joel Miller.
And today, I'd be going back.
Good morning, Evan, APEX's text appeared as I sat up. How are you feeling?
"Nervous," I admitted. "Today's different. Yesterday I was a stranger making an offer. Today I'm... what? A provisional ally? A probationary member?"
You're someone who's proven their value. That's more than most outsiders can claim. Tommy said to come by today—they'll integrate you into their systems, introduce you to key people. This is your opportunity to establish yourself.
"And to meet Joel."
Possibly. He's part of Jackson's leadership structure, even if informally. Tommy's brother, respected survivor, Ellie's guardian. You'll cross paths eventually.
I stood and moved to the window. The forest was still dark, but I could see the first hints of dawn touching the eastern sky. In a few hours, I'd be walking back into Jackson. Meeting people. Building relationships.
Getting closer to the man I was trying to save.
"What's my approach?" I asked. "How do I navigate this without raising suspicion?"
Be yourself—or rather, be the version of yourself you've presented. Capable engineer, willing to contribute, grateful for the alliance. Don't volunteer information, but answer questions honestly within your cover story. And most importantly: observe. Learn the community dynamics, understand who holds influence, identify potential allies.
"And if I see Joel?"
Don't act like you know him. You're meeting him for the first time. Be respectful but not overeager. Let the relationship develop naturally.
That was going to be harder than it sounded. I'd spent hours watching Joel's story unfold on a screen. I knew his past, his relationship with Ellie, the choice he'd made at that hospital. I knew how he'd die in eight months if I didn't change something.
But I had to pretend I knew nothing.
"Alright," I said. "Let's do this."
I arrived at Jackson's gates two hours after sunrise.
The guards recognized me this time—one of them had been on yesterday's patrol. He waved me through without the same level of scrutiny, though I noticed he still watched me carefully as I passed.
You're known now, APEX noted. But not yet trusted. That will take time.
Jackson looked different in the morning light. More alive. People were already moving through the streets—heading to work assignments, tending gardens, carrying supplies. I could hear the sound of hammers from somewhere, construction or repair work. A group of children ran past, laughing, chasing each other in some game.
Normal life. In the apocalypse.
"Evan!"
I turned to see Kiera approaching, dressed in practical work clothes rather than patrol gear. Her hair was down today, falling past her shoulders, and she looked less guarded than yesterday.
"Morning," I said. "Tommy said to come by today."
"He did. He's at the stables right now, but he asked me to show you around first. Give you the full tour, introduce you to people." She gestured down the main street. "Come on. Let's start with the important stuff—food."
She led me through Jackson, pointing out key locations. The dining hall, where communal meals were served. The infirmary, run by a doctor named Allen. The school, where children were actually being educated. The workshop, the greenhouse, the livestock pens.
"We've got about 300 people here," Kiera explained as we walked. "Everyone contributes. We've got farmers, builders, teachers, guards, scouts. Maria and Tommy handle leadership, but it's pretty democratic. Major decisions go to a council vote."
"How long have you been here?" I asked.
"Since the beginning. I was part of the original group that helped establish Jackson. Lost my brother a few years back to infected, but..." She shrugged. "This place became home. It's worth protecting."
There was pain in that admission, carefully controlled. I recognized it—the kind of loss that shaped you but didn't break you.
"I'm sorry about your brother," I said.
"Thanks. It's... it's part of life out here. Everyone's lost someone." She glanced at me. "You said you traveled with people before. What happened to them?"
I stuck to the cover story. "We got separated. Raiders hit us near the Colorado border. I got away. Don't know if any of the others made it."
"That's rough. But you survived. That counts for something."
We continued the tour, and I paid attention to everything. The layout of the streets. The defensive positions. The way people interacted—friendly but cautious, the kind of community that had learned to balance openness with security.
And I watched for Joel.
He's here somewhere, APEX said. Probability suggests he's either on patrol, working on infrastructure, or with Ellie. Be patient.
We were passing the stables when I heard a voice that made my chest tighten.
"Kiera! Got a minute?"
I turned and saw him.
Joel Miller.
He looked exactly like I remembered from the game—late fifties, weathered face, gray streaking through his hair and beard. Flannel shirt, jeans, work boots. He carried himself with the easy confidence of someone who'd survived things that would have killed most people.
And he was real. Standing ten feet away. Alive.
Steady, APEX warned. You're meeting him for the first time. Don't react.
Kiera smiled. "Hey, Joel. Yeah, what's up?"
Joel's eyes shifted to me, assessing. Not hostile, but cautious. The look of someone who'd learned to evaluate threats quickly.
"Who's this?" he asked.
"This is Evan Mercer. He's the guy Tommy told you about—the one with the ranger lodge."
Joel's expression shifted slightly. Interest, maybe. "The engineer. Heard about that. Tommy said you got the dam running."
"I did," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "It's a good setup. Figured it made sense to reach out to Jackson."
Joel stepped closer, extending his hand. "Joel Miller. Tommy's my brother."
I shook his hand, feeling the calluses, the strength in his grip. This was real. This was happening.
"Good to meet you," I said.
"Tommy says you're offering the lodge as a waypoint for patrols. That right?"
"Yeah. It's defensible, has resources. Seems like it'd be useful for your people."
Joel studied me for a moment, that same assessing look. Then he nodded. "We appreciate it. Good to have reliable spots out there. Makes the long patrols safer."
"That's the idea."
"You got engineering experience, Tommy said. Boston QZ?"
"That's right. Worked on infrastructure—water, power, that kind of thing."
"We could use that here. Always something breaking down." He glanced at Kiera. "You showing him around?"
"Yeah. Figured I'd give him the tour before Tommy puts him to work."
Joel smiled slightly—a small expression, but genuine. "Tommy'll do that. He's good at finding ways to make people useful." He looked back at me. "Welcome to Jackson, Evan. Hope it works out."
"Thanks. Me too."
He nodded once more and headed toward the stables. I watched him go, my heart still pounding.
That was Joel Miller. The man I was here to save.
You did well, APEX said. Natural, respectful, not overeager. He'll remember you positively.
Kiera was watching me with a curious expression. "You okay? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine. Just... still getting used to all this. Community, people, normalcy. It's been a while."
She nodded, understanding. "It takes time. But you'll adjust. Come on—let's find Tommy."
We found Tommy at the stables, working on repairing a fence. He looked up as we approached and grinned.
"There he is. Evan, good to see you. Kiera give you the tour?"
"She did. This place is impressive."
"We've worked hard to build it." He set down his tools. "Alright, let's talk business. You said you're interested in joining patrol rotations?"
"I am. I know the area around the lodge pretty well already, and I can handle myself."
"We'll need to verify that. How about this—tomorrow, you go out with a patrol. Kiera, Jesse, and one other. Standard sweep, nothing too intense. We'll see how you do."
"Sounds fair."
"Good. And in the meantime, we've got some electrical issues in the west quarter. Wiring's old, keeps shorting out. You up for taking a look?"
"Absolutely."
Tommy smiled. "Knew I'd like you. Come on, I'll show you the problem."
The next few hours were spent working on Jackson's electrical system. The wiring was indeed old—pre-outbreak infrastructure that had been patched and repaired dozens of times. I traced the issues, identified shorts, and made repairs using tools from Jackson's workshop and my own knowledge.
People came by to watch—curious about the new guy, the engineer who'd shown up with a working lodge. I answered questions, made small talk, and tried to project competence and friendliness.
You're making a good impression, APEX noted. Several people have commented positively about you to others. Word spreads fast in a community this size.
By midday, I'd fixed the electrical issues and earned appreciative thanks from the residents who lived in that quarter. Tommy clapped me on the shoulder.
"Good work. You're as good as you said."
"Just doing what I know."
"Well, we appreciate it. Come on—let's get some lunch. You've earned it."
The dining hall was crowded, filled with the sound of conversation and the smell of food. Tommy led me to a table where several people were already sitting.
"Everyone, this is Evan. He's the one with the ranger lodge. Evan, this is Maria—you met her yesterday—Eugene, Allen, and—"
"Ellie," a voice said.
I turned and saw her.
Ellie Williams.
Nineteen years old, auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail, sharp eyes that assessed me with the same wariness Joel had shown. She wore a faded t-shirt and jeans, and I could see the tattoo on her forearm—the one that covered her bite mark.
She was real. Sitting three feet away.
Careful, APEX warned. She's protective, suspicious of strangers. Don't give her a reason to distrust you.
"Hi," I said, keeping my tone friendly but not overeager. "Evan Mercer."
"Yeah, I heard. You're the lodge guy." She studied me for a moment. "Joel said you seem okay."
"I try."
"He doesn't say that about most people."
That was true. Joel was famously cautious, especially when it came to people around Ellie.
"I'll take it as a compliment," I said.
Ellie smirked slightly. "You should." She grabbed an apple from the table. "I've gotta go. See you around, lodge guy."
She left, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
That went well, APEX said. She's curious about you, but not hostile. That's a good start.
Maria leaned forward. "Ellie's protective of this place. If she's not actively hostile, you're doing better than most newcomers."
"Good to know."
Lunch was simple but good—stew made from vegetables and venison, fresh bread, clean water. I ate while listening to the conversation around me. Jackson's dynamics became clearer—Maria and Tommy were the official leaders, but Joel had significant informal influence. Eugene was the engineer before me, now semi-retired. Allen ran the infirmary with quiet competence.
These were the people who kept Jackson running. And I was starting to become part of it.
After lunch, Tommy pulled me aside.
"You're fitting in well. People like you. That matters here."
"I'm just trying to contribute."
"You're doing more than that. You're offering value without asking for anything in return. That's rare." He paused. "Tomorrow's patrol—it's important. We need to know you can handle yourself out there. If you can, we'll talk about making this arrangement permanent."
"I understand. I won't let you down."
"I believe you." He smiled. "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
I left Jackson in the late afternoon, hiking back to the lodge as the sun began its descent. My mind was full—Joel's handshake, Ellie's assessment, the way the community had cautiously accepted me.
I was in. Not fully, not yet. But I had a foot in the door.
You did exceptionally well today, APEX said. You've established yourself as competent, trustworthy, and valuable. Joel and Ellie both have positive first impressions. Tomorrow's patrol will solidify your position.
"And then what?" I asked quietly. "I'm part of Jackson. I know Joel. I've met Ellie. But I still don't know how to save him. Abby's coming in eight months. How do I stop that?"
One step at a time. First, establish yourself completely. Earn trust. Build relationships. Then, when the time comes, you'll be in a position to act. You can't save Joel from the outside. You have to be part of his world.
I reached the lodge as darkness fell, the lights inside welcoming me home. I'd done it. I'd made contact with Jackson, met Joel Miller, and started building the foundation I'd need.
But the real work was just beginning.