Chapter 35 – Kindness Is Worse Than Feeding Dogs
CDC
The group stood by the fence, watching as the gray-green Puma rose from the distant forest and flew toward them.
"I'm back!"
Someone shouted.
The roar of the rotors grew louder as the helicopter approached.
But instead of landing, it flew directly over them… and turned back toward the forest.
Confusion spread immediately.
"Why didn't it land here?"
"Did they forget us?"
"What's going on?"
Merle stood on top of a Humvee, a cigarette hanging from his lips. His eyes narrowed as he watched the direction the helicopter disappeared in.
He jumped down.
"Drive," he ordered. "Go pick them up."
Three Humvees roared to life and headed into the woods.
Deep in the forest, the Puma had already landed on a hidden platform.
Hans, Dawn, and the other newcomers stood still, staring at their surroundings in confusion.
"This is a forest… right? Why is the ground metal?"
Dawn crouched down and tapped it.
Clank.
Hollow.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"There's something under here…"
Hans bent down as well, knocking twice.
Metal. Empty space beneath.
"This clearing… it's man-made," he said slowly.
The trees around them were real, but the ground beneath was a massive steel platform hidden perfectly among them.
Before they could process it—
VRRROOOM—
Engines approached.
Three Humvees broke through the trees and stopped at the edge of the clearing.
Soldiers stepped out in formation, disciplined and silent.
Then the helicopter door opened.
Wu Fan leaned out with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Has Merle arrived yet?"
A man stepped forward with a grin and saluted.
"Boss, I'm here."
Merle.
Wu Fan pointed at the newcomers.
"These people are joining the base. Handle registration, quarantine, and processing."
Merle nodded immediately.
"Understood."
Wu Fan turned back into the helicopter.
"Sean. Glenn. Come with me."
The helicopter lifted again.
Sean frowned.
"Where are we going now?"
Wu Fan exhaled smoke.
"Pick up Rick."
"There are still survivors on a hospital rooftop."
Glenn quickly climbed in. Sean followed after a pause.
The helicopter turned toward Atlanta again.
Inside the cabin, Sean glanced at Wu Fan.
"You're not just flying around randomly, are you?"
Wu Fan smirked slightly.
"Military refugee camps."
Sean narrowed his eyes.
"You're going to take all of them?"
"I take useful people," Wu Fan said calmly. "Not idiots. Not selfish trash. Just normal people who can survive."
Sean didn't respond further.
Grady Memorial Hospital
Rick and the others were already waiting on the rooftop.
The moment they saw the helicopter return, tension eased.
Hope returned.
The rope ladder dropped.
Rick climbed up first.
"Everyone here?" Wu Fan asked.
"All accounted for," Rick replied.
"Good. Hold tight. We're not done yet."
The helicopter lifted again.
Then turned toward Atlanta.
Below them, the city was no longer a city.
It was a graveyard filled with movement.
Walkers crowded every street like a gray tide.
Rick stared down.
"…Too many."
Sean exhaled slowly.
"This place is hell."
Glenn suddenly pointed.
"Boss! Look!"
A rooftop.
People waving frantically.
Burning debris sending thick black smoke into the sky.
"HELP US!"
"DON'T LEAVE!"
Rick leaned forward.
"We should save them."
Wu Fan didn't turn his head.
"How?"
"No landing zone. No safety. You want to risk everyone for strangers?"
Rick hesitated.
"They'll die."
Wu Fan glanced at him.
"Then go down and lead them to the CDC."
Silence.
Sean immediately grabbed Rick's arm.
"Don't do it."
But Rick had already made up his mind.
"I'll go."
The helicopter circled back.
Two ropes dropped.
Rick and Sean slid down.
THUD.
The helicopter left immediately.
Chaos erupted below.
"HEY! WHY DID IT LEAVE?!"
"ARE YOU LYING TO US?!"
Rick raised his hand.
"We're here to help."
"Just the two of you?!" someone shouted. "Are you insane?!"
Sean punched the man who grabbed Rick.
BAM.
Blood sprayed.
"Shut up," Sean said coldly. "Or I leave you here."
Silence fell.
Rick helped the man up.
"We'll take you somewhere safe. Follow us."
No one moved.
Fear. Doubt. Anger.
Rick sighed.
"Then stay."
He turned away.
Sean followed.
"Kindness doesn't work on people like this," Sean muttered.
Rick didn't answer.
On the helicopter
Wu Fan looked out at the city below.
The ruins stretched endlessly.
Glenn asked quietly,
"Boss… will they be okay?"
Wu Fan didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"I hope so."
The helicopter flew onward, disappearing deeper into Atlanta's sky.