Chapter 22: The Growing Shadow
Tensions on the farm were growing under Shane's shadow. Unnerved by Rick's leadership and Jayden's growing prestige, Shane sought ways to consolidate his own power and influence. He decided to do this the best way he knew how: violence and control. In an area a short distance from the farm, he began providing firearms training to the other members of the group, especially Andrea.
Jayden observed these training sessions from afar. He could see that Shane wasn't just teaching basic shooting techniques; he was instilling a mindset: dangerous philosophies like "Shoot first, think later" and "Destroy anything you see as a threat." This was the polar opposite of Rick and Dale's "we must protect our humanity" approach. Unknowingly, Shane was building his own small army, sowing division within the group.
In preparation for this potential civil war, Jayden implemented his own plan. He decided to strengthen the farm's defenses. He didn't build large structures to tempt Hershel or Shane. Instead, he crafted simple, effective, and unobtrusive traps. He placed tin cans attached to stretched ropes in the farm's blind spots, near the fences leading into the woods. These were a rudimentary alarm system for any wanderers or intruders approaching at night. He hammered sharpened stakes, covered with leaves, into the ditches along the paths leading into the woods.
He explained these activities as "a basic precaution against wanderers." Rick supported this proactive approach. He admired Jayden's logic and foresight. But Hershel was not happy with it.
"This isn't a military base; it's a farm," Hershel told Jayden one day. "These stakes, these wires... You're turning this place into a fortress. We're trying to live in peace here."
"Peace only lasts as long as you can defend it, Hershel," Jayden replied respectfully. "I hope we never need any of this. But we have to be prepared for the day it does."
This encapsulated the fundamental conflict between the two groups' philosophies. Hershel clung to the past, while Jayden prepared for the future.
Meanwhile, Daryl was growing increasingly distant from the group. Sophia's rescue had robbed him of one of his greatest motivators. Now he was simply the group's hunter. He spent his days alone in the woods, stopping at the camp only to bring food. One day, Carol, along with her daughter Sophia, brought him a plate of food to thank him. Daryl was at a loss for words at the heartfelt gesture. He accepted the food, mumbled a thank you, and hurried away. He was unaccustomed to this kind of human connection.
The group's next challenge came when a walker had contaminated one of the farm's water sources. A bloated, disgusting walker lay at the bottom of one of the wells. They had to remove it. This was a task that required teamwork from everyone.
Different ideas were floated. Finally, they decided to use Glenn as bait to lure the walker up. The plan was dangerous and disgusting. Jayden, seeing its weaknesses, intervened.
"The rope should be tied to a harness, not Glenn's waist. It distributes the weight better. And we'll use less effort if we use a pulley system instead of just pulling," he said.
Thanks to his INT and practical intelligence, they devised a safer and more effective plan. But this world can thwart even the best-laid plans. When they pulled the walker halfway down the shaft, his rotting body gave way under the pressure and he snapped in two with a sickening thud. The walker's legs and lower body fell back into the shaft, while his upper body dangled above. The plan had failed.
Finally, they had to shatter the walker's head with a few blows from T-Dog's axe. The shaft was now completely unusable. This was further proof that no matter how hard they tried, they could always lose, that things could get worse at any moment. Jayden accepted the small reward the system had given him.
[Group Quest Completed! +100 EXP]
[EXP: 1680 / 2000]
This small EXP gain was nothing compared to the clean water source they had lost that day. The shadow was closing in on the farm, growing darker with each passing day.