A week had passed since we looted and transported the remaining supplies from Atlanta City. We nearly cleared the entire area—stripping buildings, salvaging everything we could, even tearing down houses to access what was hidden inside.
To my surprise, Eugene managed to finish constructing a 10-meter concrete wall around our community, complete with several guard outposts. He told me that he and Guillermo managed to rally dozens of volunteers by convincing them that safety came first. Seeing him step up like that—already making such a huge contribution—it impressed even me.
As for the bullets, we're still coming up empty. Eugene hasn't found suitable materials to start production. Honestly, I doubt we'll find what we need here in Georgia. But I do remember there being a factory in Virginia—the same one where Eugene once worked under Negan and the Saviors. If it's still intact, that might be our best shot.
Now that the supply operations are complete, our focus shifts toward rebuilding our population. We've formed a search team of 50 people. Glenn, Daryl, Merle, Michonne, and I will each lead a group of ten, assigned to scout different regions across Georgia in search of survivors. I dismissed the teams earlier today, reminding them that we begin tomorrow at first light.
The people chosen for the search groups aren't just anyone—they've already faced walkers, fought for their lives, and survived. That experience might just be what keeps them alive out there.
Morning came. I woke up with Maggie still sleeping soundly beside me. I gently pulled the blanket over her and kissed her forehead before slipping out of bed. I stepped outside our home to prepare for the day's operation.
I made myself a quick breakfast—just a fried egg and a cup of coffee. Thanks to Carol, we've had some stability in our meals. She often comes by to help take care of Maggie, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. Right now, Carol's with Lori's family, making sure they're doing okay.
As I stepped outside, I ran into Merle—already geared up and waiting. "Ready, Chief?" he asked.
I gave him a nod. "Let's go."
We headed out toward the meeting point. The rest of the teams were already gathered, though some of them looked groggy—no surprise, given how early it was.
I finalized my team: Sasha and Tyreese joined me, along with eight others whose names I hadn't memorized yet but who had all proven themselves capable.
I then gathered the squad leaders—Merle, Daryl, Michonne, and Glenn—and handed out their assignments. Glenn would lead the team to the north, Merle to the east, Daryl to the south, and Michonne to the west. My group would cover any unassigned routes, scouting areas the others might miss.
I gave them a few marked-out routes to prioritize and said, "For now, we'll start heading north too. Let's move."
Each of our teams was assigned four vehicles to use for transport—just in case we found survivors who needed relocation. I had already marked our initial route on the map, focusing on a region that hadn't been fully explored yet.
"All right," I said as I hopped into the passenger seat, map in hand. "Here we come."
"Hell yeah—let's save some people," Tyreese grinned from behind the wheel. He was our driver for the day. Sasha rode in the back seat, checking her blade and gear, while one of the new guys—quiet but eager—sat beside her, keeping a lookout.
We rolled out steadily, tracing the route I laid out. Every house we came across, we stopped and checked thoroughly. Most were empty—either abandoned or stripped bare—but a few still had personal belongings scattered around, like the occupants had vanished in a rush. No signs of survivors yet, but we kept moving.
Eventually, we reached a small convenience store just off the main road. Surprisingly, there were still some supplies left—canned food, bandages, bottled water. But there was something else too.
Walkers.
A dozen of them, slow but gathered near the entrance, drawn to something inside.
I raised my hand, signaling the team to stop.
"Let's go quiet," I said. "No gunfire. Melee only. We don't want to draw more."
Sasha nodded, drawing her machete. Tyreese gripped his hammer tight, his expression calm but focused. The other guy took out a sharpened crowbar.
We approached slowly, silently, in formation. I crept behind one walker and drove my knife through the back of its skull. The others followed suit—silent strikes, quick and efficient. One by one, the walkers dropped, and soon the entrance was clear.
We moved inside and began gathering supplies, keeping our eyes sharp for any hidden threats—or any sign of life.
What's your name?" I asked the guy who had been riding in the back with Sasha.
"I'm Mike. Mike Reyes, sir."
"Well, Mike," I said, nodding, "I want you to call the others. Tell the third team to load up all these supplies. For now, we'll be checking the surrounding areas."
"Yes, sir," he said quickly, hopping out of the vehicle and jogging toward the others.
I watched as Mike returned a few minutes later, bringing the rest of the seven with him. Without needing further instruction, they got to work—loading crates, organizing bags, doing what needed to be done.
Meanwhile, Tyreese, Sasha, and I moved to sweep the houses nearby. We kept our weapons ready, eyes scanning every corner, but each place we entered was eerily quiet and completely abandoned. Not even signs of a struggle—just…emptiness.
"What do you think happened here?" Sasha asked, stepping over a broken picture frame on the floor. "Where could the people be?"
I paused, scanning the room. "Hmm… they could either be dead… or they already left this place a long time ago. Either way, this whole area feels wrong."
She nodded silently. We regrouped outside, where one of the guys approached.
"Are you guys done?" I asked.
"Yes, sir! We're already ready," one of them answered, tightening a rope over the last loaded crate.
"Good," I said. I glanced at Tyreese, who gave me a thumbs up, then looked back at the group. "All right… let's roll out, people."
With that, we mounted up and moved on to the next area—still hoping we weren't too late to find someone still alive.