Chapter 5 – Arrival of a Stranger
By late morning, a truck approached the Greene farm along the dirt road. Dust rose behind it as the vehicle slowed and stopped near the farmhouse. Nia and Dale walked cautiously toward the truck, prepared for anything.
The door opened, and a young woman stepped out, confident but wary. "Hi… I'm Andrea," she said carefully. "I heard this place is safe."
Nia studied her silently, taking note of her posture, her alert eyes, and the subtle readiness in her movements. Dale extended a hand, greeting her politely. "I'm Dale, and this is my daughter, Nia. Welcome… but we do things carefully here."
Andrea nodded. "I understand. I can follow rules."
At first, Nia saw Andrea only as a capable newcomer—strong, confident, and alert. She had no idea Andrea was Abby's older sister. Nia's focus was on evaluating her skill and reliability, not her personal connections.
Hershel observed silently, then finally spoke. "You'll need to adapt quickly if you're staying here. We all help each other, and we all follow the same rules."
"Yes," Andrea said firmly, glancing at Nia. "I can do that."
Dale helped Andrea unload supplies, while Nia watched the tree line and checked traps. Her instincts told her to remain alert—there was always danger nearby.
By afternoon, Andrea had settled in, assisting with chores and learning the layout of the farm. Nia instructed her on basic patrols, fence checks, and how to handle livestock carefully.
"You move well," Nia noted. "That agility could be useful if any threats come near."
Andrea smirked. "Don't worry. I can handle myself."
Beth peeked out from the kitchen, observing the two. "Do you think we'll see walkers here?"
Hershel shook his head. "Not many, but even one is enough to cause trouble. You must stay vigilant."
Nia nodded. "Exactly. One walker is all it takes to put us at risk."
As night fell, a faint moan echoed from the treeline. Nia stiffened, sensing movement in the shadows. "Walkers," she whispered. "Three, approaching from the northeast."
Dale grabbed his bat, Andrea a wooden stake, and Hershel a shovel. Nia moved to the ridge overlooking the orchard, ready to strike.
The walkers shuffled closer, drawn by the scent of humans and livestock. Nia struck first, crushing the lead walker's skull with her crowbar. Andrea followed, impaling another with her stake, while Dale and Hershel handled the last two.
After the fight, Nia checked the fences again. "We need regular patrols. Every hour, someone checks every corner, every weak point."
Dale chuckled. "Chores quickly become survival lessons out here."
Andrea wiped sweat from her brow, impressed by Nia's skill. "I didn't realize farm life could be like this."
Nia smiled faintly, still scanning the treeline. "It's calm now, but danger is always near. We prepare for it, every day."
Later, by the fire inside the farmhouse, Nia finally spoke with Andrea. "By the way… what's your connection to the school? I don't recognize you from Abby's friends."
Andrea hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I'm… Abby's older sister. She told you about me?"
Nia blinked in surprise. "Abby's sister? I had no idea. That explains a lot."
Andrea shrugged. "I don't usually get involved in school life. But now, we need to focus on survival, not past connections."
Nia nodded. "Agreed. Let's make sure everyone here makes it through the night."
The farmhouse settled into tense quiet, shadows flickering on the walls. Outside, distant moans reminded them that the world was changing, but inside, a fragile alliance was forming—Nia, Dale, Andrea, and the Greene family, prepared for whatever threats were coming next.