Everyone in Jason's group had learned how to survive. They were all strong fighters who kept their feet on the ground while trying to save those who could still be saved.
Daryl might have seemed uninterested on the outside, but he gradually adapted to this way of life and came to understand that not everyone was bad. This lifestyle led all of them—without even realizing it—to a goal far beyond mere survival. They all wanted to recover the world they had lost.
They had homes, food, and a source of clean water. But what else could they do in a place that kept them safe? That's why eighty percent of the S.C.T. community knew how to use a weapon and chose to become warriors.
Who could guess they were a strong and secure community? Many might think they were invincible, but then something would happen to bring them back down to earth. Regardless of their choices, they understood that sooner or later they would have to fight, and it was better to be ready when that fight came. There were bad people out there, and walkers might not be the scariest things they'd encounter in this world today.
While Jason and the others were trying to save lives, Ezekiel was leading a group of people toward the location Jesus had described to him—where his community was. But first, he contacted them.
When Jesus heard they had practically given away a large amount of supplies, he was both surprised and pleased. Were they really a branch of the government transformed? What was the real purpose of this strange community? Could they be trusted? The joy came from the fact that, apparently, this community had all kinds of supplies, including the urgently needed medication.
After a brief exchange between the two, he felt a bit relieved—at least judging by the other side's current behavior. They didn't seem like a community built on lies, and they clearly knew more about the world's situation than anyone else.
Since there was a chance to meet that group, he knew it would be wise to hurry and try to trade something of value. So right now, a bus with six people was heading quickly in the direction Jason's group had gone.
Because they didn't have to take many detours, Ezekiel and the others soon spotted what looked like several vehicles parked along the side of a road ahead, while Jesus observed and quickly recognized the place.
"This is the hospital where we're looking for medicine! Are you sure Jason isn't a bad guy? Why did he stop here?"
Jesus anxiously looked at the vehicles in the distance, which turned out to be only two trucks. There were only three people in his group, and if these strangers weren't what they claimed to be, his group wouldn't stand a chance.
"No, I got to know him well, and he showed me many things he didn't have to. Do you need help with this?" Ezekiel hesitated for a moment. Hearing Jesus's question, he couldn't help but wonder whether it was truly safe to go in. What if these people had gained the Kingdom's trust with hidden motives? Even he was beginning to feel uncertain now.
"Richard, stop ahead. We'll walk so we don't attract the walkers' attention!"
Ezekiel alerted Richard while tapping his shoulder, and the vehicle quickly pulled to the side of the road. Within minutes, a group of six ran toward the modified RV and noticed it was moving strangely—its center expanding outward on both sides.
Suddenly, the hospital doors slammed open. A man with slightly messy hair came running out with an unconscious person in his arms, followed by three more people.
Jesus, with his sharp gaze, immediately recognized two of the men as his companions—Dr. Carson and Eduardo—but then he saw another group of strangers emerging behind them, pointing guns at them.
"You call that a community for humanity's future?" Jesus said to Ezekiel with a worried expression.
Jerry, standing to the side, immediately replied while glaring at Jesus. "Watch your tone. Do you know who you're talking to?"
Ezekiel waved his hand, ignoring the comment. "I can't judge based on what we're seeing. These people weren't threatening when they offered us resources. Maybe your people attacked them?"
"That's impossible! Carson is a very kind man. He'd never get into a conflict, especially in such a dire situation. Most likely, those people who saved you got greedy for the medicine and robbed my people. No—I have to save them myself."
Jesus ignored Ezekiel's attempt to stop him. He walked straight into the bushes beside them and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Ezekiel clenched his teeth. He really didn't want to make enemies with such a well-prepared group, but he couldn't help but act now that he was seeing things with his own eyes. He said, "Richard, Jerry—go around the other side. Everyone else, come with me this way. If things go bad, we'll try to rescue Jesus."
Richard and Jerry exchanged a glance. Without a word, they turned and walked toward the other side of the convoy. Watching them leave, Ezekiel sighed softly.
"Man, I hope this isn't what I think it is."
Unbeknownst to Ezekiel's group, a sniper scope was watching them from the roof of a nearby building. It belonged to a group they hadn't seen—one that was being trained.
Jason and the others hadn't noticed what was happening beside them either, and the scene had already grown chaotic due to the situation.
Harlan Carson had been a doctor at Hilltop. Before the end of the world, he was an obstetrician and gynecologist with valuable experience. Eduardo, who was with him, was one of Hilltop's few fighters.
Originally, they were happy to see a group coming to rescue their people—but the newcomers kept pointing guns at them, and the atmosphere grew tense on both sides. As they approached the hospital doors, they encountered another man carrying their companion Wesley on his shoulders.
What horrified them was that Wesley's dangling wrist was gone, and blood was dripping from what was clearly an amputation.
Jason brought the man straight to the RV, laid him on the couch, and shouted behind him, "Bob, get ready for surgery!"
At that moment, Dr. Carson and Eduardo were surrounded by Glenn and the others near the roadside, not far from the modified RV. Carson looked anxiously toward the vehicle and explained with a hint of desperation, "We mean no harm! We're only here to find urgently needed medicine for our shelter!"
Even though Tyreese also had a weapon pointed at them, he added, "It's okay, don't worry. Your friend was bitten by a walker, and our team is treating him. You just need to wait quietly."
Hearing the word surgery, Carson's eyes widened. "You have a doctor on your team? I'm a doctor too—I can help!"
Seeing that the man didn't seem to be lying, Glenn slowly lowered his weapon and told Carson, "Don't worry, we've got a military doctor in our group. We'll lower our weapons now, but please stay still."
Carson and Eduardo nodded and sat quietly on the ground to wait.
Jason stepped out of the RV after leaving the injured man with Bob and George. He walked over to Glenn and the others, whispered a few words to them, and then looked at the two sitting on the ground.
Carson immediately recognized him as the one who had carried Wesley into the RV. "Hey, how's our friend doing? I'm also a doctor—I can help if you need me."
Jason recognized the man—it was Dr. Carson from Hilltop, one of the people who helped save the community. That was good news, but Bob could handle it. "Don't worry—our doctor can take care of him."
"We heard you shouting, then saw a lot of abnormal walkers around this hospital. My people are clearing them now. We're good people—something like that..."
Just as Jason was walking toward the RV door to see if Bob needed any help, a long-haired man suddenly leapt from the side of the RV. The man reached out and grabbed Jason by the throat. Jason instinctively dodged and pulled back.
With arms crossed in front of his chest, Jason realized the man was trying to take him down. Jason threw an elbow backward, landing a clean hit that loosened the man's grip. That moment of advantage was enough for Jason to break free—but the other man launched a kick toward him, which Jason dodged.
Jason rushed the attacker—whose face he couldn't even clearly see—grabbed the incoming foot aimed at his neck, and slammed it downward, knocking the man to the ground.
Jason continued to pin him down with all his strength, then quickly drove a knife into the man's lung.
The entire confrontation happened in a flash, and before Glenn and the others could react, Jason already had the attacker under control.
Glenn and the others were about to raise their weapons when they heard a warning voice behind them: "Don't move!"