Chapter 17: A False Breath
Sophia's rescue had temporarily boosted the group's morale. After that terrifying day on the highway, they felt a sense of victory. Carol never left her daughter, Sophia, and continued to cast grateful glances at Jayden. This event further solidified Jayden's position within the camp. He was no longer just a warrior; he was a protector. He had performed a near-miracle.
But this false relief didn't address the underlying problems. They were still in the open, and Dale's trailer was beyond repair. They had to continue on foot. After a few days of arduous walking, they found a small, abandoned church in the woods. The cross on its steeple rose like a monument of hope in this dark world.
The church offered them temporary shelter and a breath of fresh air. The interior was dusty and cobwebbed, but its walls were thick and it had only one entrance. It was easily defended. First, they cleared the area and checked for walkers. Fortunately, the church was empty.
That night, they held a meeting, seated in pews in front of a giant statue of Jesus. Rick, as the group's leader, spoke. "This will buy us some time, but it's not a permanent solution. We need to find a place. Somewhere we can defend ourselves, maybe even grow food."
Everyone's eyes turned to Jayden. He was the group's best explorer and hunter.
Jayden felt the weight of this expectation. The location of the Greene farm was clearly visible in his mind. He could lead them there directly. But how could he explain it? He couldn't say, "I have a feeling there should be a fertile farm fifteen kilometers to the northeast." That would jeopardize his greatest secret, his knowledge of the future. He should let events unfold naturally, guiding them with only small tweaks.
"I'll set out to scout tomorrow at dawn," he said. "I'll scout the immediate area, water sources, and potential shelters. Heading north seems logical; we'll be away from the major cities." This was their first step in the right direction.
Shane was uneasy during this meeting. Rick's leadership had been further reinforced by Jayden's recent heroic act, and Shane was feeling increasingly isolated. His leadership instincts and his desire to be the group's alpha were driving him to take action. "Jayden shouldn't be the only one going. As a group, we can cover a wider area. Besides, we'll be hunting. We need fresh meat."
This was Shane's attempt to reassert himself and take control. While Rick understood Shane's intentions, he acknowledged the idea made sense. "Okay. Let's organize a hunting party. But we can't all go. The church needs to be protected."
Rick thought for a moment. His son, Carl, was deeply shaken by recent events. He wanted to spend time with him, to teach him something about the normal world. Besides, he didn't want to let Shane out of his sight. "Shane, you and I will go. We'll take Carl with us. I'll teach him the basics of hunting."
This decision sent a chill through Jayden. He remembered that moment, that scene. The deer. The gunshot. And Carl's fall... This was the tragic event that had led them to the Greene farm. It was a twist of fate. He couldn't stop them. If he did, they might never find the farm. Was this a terrible price to pay for their survival?
"I'll stay here," Jayden said, his voice flat. "I'll make sure the church and the others are safe."
It was the perfect excuse. No one would question his true motive. He was the group's protector, doing his duty. But inside, he was torn apart by the knowledge of the impending disaster. Was the fate he had altered—saving Sophia—now forcing him to watch another tragedy unfold? Was this system, this power, a blessing or a curse?
The next morning, Rick, Shane, and Carl, bouncing around happily, set off deeper into the woods. Jayden watched them go, feeling an invisible weight on his shoulders. They weren't just going hunting that day. They were going on a date with destiny, and Jayden couldn't do anything about it.