Chapter 12: Back to the Farm
'Whoosh—!'
'WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH—!'
A massive explosion roared through the night, instantly waking everyone in the house. A few of the quicker ones had already rushed out with rifles, only to see the main gate wide open, walkers slowly shambling in, and the silhouettes of two motorcycles speeding away.
"Shit! We fucking got robbed!?" The voice that rang out was filled with intense disbelief and a hint of humiliation.
What goes around, comes around. Now it was the robber's turn to be robbed.
"Huh?"
"Do you guys smell something?" one person asked with a frown, sniffing the air.
They followed the smell to the side of a car. On the smooth ground lay a cigarette butt, which had already burned to its end, blown by the wind. Its long, glowing ash was teetering, about to fall. Looking closer, beneath the cigarette butt was a puddle of liquid with a pungent smell, nearly invisible against the dark ground.
"It's gasoline! They punctured the gas tank!" the man in front cried out, about to retreat. But just then, a spark fell. The entire row of cars instantly erupted in scorching flames, engulfing everyone nearby in a fire that raged on and on.
Screams began to spread with the flames, which leaped from spot to spot, sparks instantly shooting under the cars.
'BOOM—!!'
'KA-BOOM—!!'
"HAHAHAHA!!!"
Hearing the massive explosions behind him, Merle laughed like a madman, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"WOOHOO!!"
Daryl, in a rare display, joined his brother in crazed laughter. They rode on the motorcycles now covered in vulgar graffiti. Shawn, sitting behind Daryl, flicked the cigarette butt from his hand. The butt's glowing embers gradually died out, leaving only the fading silhouettes of three men and two bikes in the distance.
[Apocalypse Quest Completed. Motorcycles successfully retrieved.]
[Reward: Cigar]
[Cigar: Strength +1]
(Image Here)
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By the time the three of them returned to the camp, the sky was already beginning to lighten. Although they had only returned with one gun and two motorcycles, the trip had a different meaning for Daryl and Merle. At least under Shawn's leadership, they had not only gotten their bikes back but had also raised hell in the enemy's camp.
When they looked at Shawn again, a new level of recognition appeared in both their eyes. This boss wasn't half bad. At the very least… he could handle things.
"Did you see that, little brother? The flames shot 5 meters high! It blew the cars up and everything!!" Merle shouted in his unique voice, laughing without restraint as he got off his bike and slung an arm over Shawn's shoulder.
"Idiot, stop laughing! That family is looking over here!" Daryl snapped, more calmly. In the distance, Hershel and the others were casting curious glances their way.
"Don't cause trouble for Shawn," Daryl said, thinking of Shawn's position.
"What's there to be afraid of?" Merle muttered, but his voice was unconsciously much quieter.
"Alright, you've got the bikes back. Go get some rest," Shawn said to them, handing the car keys back to Andrea. "Get your strength back. Don't forget our deal with Hershel."
"Where did you guys go?" Amy asked curiously.
"To start a big fire." Shawn didn't answer directly, just smiled at Andrea and then pointed at the two defaced motorcycles behind him.
Andrea understood immediately and nodded discreetly, not making a big deal out of it. It was better to keep these things private. Otherwise, if Hershel's family found out, it would inevitably lead to more arguments and conflict. Having experienced the quarry camp and the trip to Atlanta, Andrea deeply understood the flaws in the thinking of people like Hershel. Sometimes, a white lie could lead everyone to a better future.
"Want some breakfast?"
"Otis brought over some oatmeal and milk, as a trade for yesterday's hunt." Andrea held up a pot. Inside was oatmeal mixed with milk, carrying the fresh scent of dairy.
Shawn nodded, took the small pot, and quickly finished the oatmeal. He rubbed his stomach and let out a comfortable breath, which turned into a small cloud in the thin morning mist.
"Hah—"
The satisfaction of a full stomach swept over him, but Shawn had no intention of sleeping. He had slept the entire day yesterday and was still wide awake, not feeling the slightest bit drowsy.
"How did you two sleep last night? Any walkers?" Shawn asked with concern. He had taken both his heavy hitters, Daryl and Merle, with him last night, and had indeed neglected Andrea and Amy.
Amy shook her head. "My sister and I slept together. We slept very well last night. I haven't seen my sister sleep so soundly in a long time."
As she spoke, Amy leaned in and whispered in Shawn's ear. "I heard my sister say your name in her dream. She said thank you for being here, thank you~~"
Amy's whispering tickled Shawn. Andrea, with a stern face, raised a hand to swat at her. "You say one more word… I wonder who's the one always muttering: Shawn, Shawn is my he—"
But before Andrea could finish, a blushing Amy clamped a hand over her sister's mouth and shot her an embarrassed glare.
Shawn took in the sisters' interaction. 'It's not love, more like gratitude. As for Amy… she's just a kid.'
He shook his head. Having just set a massive fire, he was feeling exceptionally rational at the moment.
"Alright," Shawn said. "I'm going to go get something for the camp. When those two wake up, have them go hunting. They shouldn't just be hanging around the farm all day."
Shawn stood up. Hershel, who had been waiting nearby for a long time, took the opportunity to walk up and fall into step beside him.
"What's wrong? Does the farmer have a habit of taking morning strolls?" Shawn teased.
Hershel, however, was in no mood for jokes. His face was grim, his expression unreadable. He looked at Shawn. "You're going to give me reason to trust you, right?"
Hershel didn't ask where the three of them had gone all night, nor did he ask why there were suddenly two more motorcycles at their camp… He just wanted a promise from Shawn.
"Of course. I told you before, we and the Farm have a common interest. Our relationship can become even closer," Shawn replied with a smile.
Hershel just stared into Shawn's eyes for a long moment before finally nodding and turning to walk back toward the house.
Turning away, Shawn's smile vanished. He shook his head. "Such an insecure little old man."
A promise was just a promise; anyone could make one and say whatever they wanted. Hershel's repeated need for confirmation was simply due to his lack of security. He wasn't ready to face the apocalyptic world outside.
Shawn glanced discreetly at the barn on the other side of the property. Others didn't know, but he knew that Hershel had it filled with walkers. And that was the reason he was heading into the woods. He had to prepare some defenses for the camp; otherwise, walkers could sneak up on them in the middle of the night, and they wouldn't even know.
He entered the woods with his horse bone club. Aside from the occasional chirp of an insect, there was no other sound. The ground in this forest was uneven, impassable for vehicles. Walkers would easily trip and fall on it. Only creatures like horses, accustomed to the environment, could pass through safely and efficiently.
"A natural barrier," Shawn mused.