Chapter 42 – Seeking Help
One kilometer outside the CDC.
The newly built concrete wall was already taking shape, extending along both sides of the road like two gray pythons crawling across the ground.
The construction team was working overtime to speed up the project. In Jackie's plan, this wall would eventually enclose the entire CDC, including farmland, pastures, and residential areas—enough to accommodate thousands of people.
Rick and Sean leaned against the Humvee, watching the construction crew in the distance while chatting idly.
The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was gentle.
If it weren't for the occasional roars of Walkers echoing in the distance, it would have felt like an ordinary afternoon before the apocalypse.
Rick took out a cigarette, lit it, and handed one to Sean.
Sean accepted it, placed it between his lips, but didn't light it.
"I was wondering…" Rick exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at him sideways. "Haven't you thought about finding a girl at the base and settling down? Don't you get lonely being single all the time?"
Sean smiled and shook his head. "Not right now."
"What? Your standards too high?"
"No."
Sean removed the cigarette from his mouth and twirled it between his fingers. "It's just… I'm not in the mood for it."
Rick looked at him with amusement in his eyes but didn't press further.
After a few seconds of silence, Sean suddenly asked, "How are things between you and Lori?"
Rick's expression softened, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Much better. She's not acting so irrational anymore, and she stopped talking about divorcing me like she did before the apocalypse."
Sean nodded and finally lit his cigarette, taking a deep drag. "In times like these, there's no way she could survive alone after divorcing you. She's not stupid, and she probably won't bring up those feminist ideas again."
Rick laughed. "You talk like you understand women."
Sean laughed as well. "A little better than you, at least."
The two exchanged glances and laughed together.
As Rick chuckled, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, a few weirdos came by a couple of days ago."
"Weirdos?"
"Yeah. A group of survivors showed up saying they wanted to join us, but the first thing they demanded was universal suffrage, equal distribution of power, opposition to dictatorship, and protection of women's rights."
Sean's eyes widened. "How did people like that survive this long?"
Rick shrugged. "I was about to explain things to them, but Merle just pulled out his gun and fired a few shots at their feet. Those idiots got so scared they nearly pissed themselves before running off. Merle even shouted that he'd gladly discuss universal suffrage with the Walkers."
Sean burst out laughing and slapped his thigh. "That Merle guy can actually be useful sometimes."
"Exactly."
Rick grinned. "Recently, all sorts of strange people have been showing up at the base—cultists, environmental activists, women's groups. They all demand offices, refuse to work, and expect free food and shelter. Otherwise, they say they'll sue us."
" Sue?" Sean sneered. "Who are they going to sue? God?"
"Kyle and Amy were getting headaches dealing with them. When they reported it to the boss, he only said one thing: 'Kick them out. There are plenty of empty houses outside. They can go wherever they want, but they're not eating and drinking here for free.'"
Sean nodded. "That's exactly how it should be handled. People like that shouldn't be tolerated."
Rick stubbed out his cigarette. "The boss also said that from now on, if we encounter idiots like that, there's no need to report it. Just throw them out. We're also adding screening questions for newcomers. Only people with the right values are allowed in."
As the two continued talking, the sound of an engine suddenly echoed from the distance.
A Humvee sped toward them.
The vehicle moved at high speed, kicking up a cloud of dust behind it.
As it got closer, they could clearly see the bloodstains covering the body of the vehicle, making it look as though it had just returned from a battlefield.
Rick and Sean immediately became alert.
Rick grabbed the walkie-talkie. "Attention security team, incoming vehicle approaching fast. Stay ready."
"Received."
The Humvee suddenly slammed on the brakes at the barbed-wire gate, leaving two black skid marks on the ground.
The door flew open, and someone jumped out.
Marcus.
The young man who had gone to the University of Georgia with Sandra.
But now he looked exhausted. His eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were stained with blood.
"I need to see the boss!" he shouted. "Now!"
The guards didn't dare delay. They quickly opened the gate to let him through while someone immediately called the office on the third floor.
"Miss Amy, Marcus is back, and he urgently needs to see the boss."
Amy, who was in the office, put down the phone and turned to Wu Fan. "Marcus is back. Looks like an emergency."
Wu Fan nodded. "Send him up immediately."
A few minutes later, Marcus pushed open the office door and entered.
He looked travel-worn and haggard. The moment he saw Wu Fan, he strode forward.
"Boss!"
Wu Fan stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You've worked hard. Sit down and explain everything slowly. Where's Sandra?"
Marcus sat down, took a deep breath, and began speaking.
"We made it to the University of Georgia. At first, everything went smoothly. There was a refugee camp established by the National Guard. Sandra led a group inside to make contact while I stayed with the vehicle."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"Then gunshots suddenly rang out from inside… but they weren't from our people."
Wu Fan frowned.
"The gunfire attracted all the nearby Walkers," Marcus continued. "A massive horde came from every direction. Sandra and the others got trapped inside one of the teaching buildings and couldn't escape. I tried driving in to help them, but there were too many Walkers. I couldn't break through."
"I waited for three days."
His voice became hoarse.
"I kept circling the area every day, searching for an opportunity, but the number of Walkers only kept increasing. The entire campus is completely overrun now. We still haven't heard anything from Sandra…"
He looked up at Wu Fan, his eyes red. "Boss… I had no choice but to come back for help."
Wu Fan remained silent for several seconds.
The Walker clustering effect.
Once a large number of Walkers gathered in one location, it naturally attracted even more from surrounding areas.
Just like the Whisperers, massive hordes could migrate over long distances.
In only three days, thousands—possibly tens of thousands—of Walkers had probably gathered at the University of Georgia.
"Go get some rest first," Wu Fan finally said. "Eat something and sleep for a while."
Marcus stood up and nodded before walking toward the door.
But just before leaving, he turned back.
"Boss… Sandra, she…"
"I'll bring them back," Wu Fan said calmly.
After the door closed, Wu Fan leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette.
Smoke slowly drifted into the air.
He opened the system panel and glanced at his points—more than seven thousand.
Enough to buy ammunition.
Enough to refuel.
Enough to make the trip.
But the real question was: who would go?
Rick's squad had to stay behind to protect the construction team. The others were either inexperienced or lacked sufficient combat ability.
There was only one suitable choice.
Wu Fan picked up the phone.
"Tell Merle to come see me."
Ten minutes later, Merle pushed open the door and entered.
"Boss, you wanted to see me?"
Wu Fan looked at him. "How's your squad's training going?"
Merle's eyes lit up. "Ready for combat anytime!"
Wu Fan nodded and stood up.
"Get your men ready and come with me."
Merle blinked. "Where to?"
"The University of Georgia."
Wu Fan put on his coat, grabbed his car keys, and said:
"We're going to rescue them."
Merle froze for a moment before grinning widely.
"Understood!"
He immediately turned and ran out while shouting into the squad walkie-talkie:
"Brothers! Time to move out!"
Wu Fan walked to the window and stared outside.
Hopefully… they weren't too late.