Chapter 32: Between the Stone Walls
The group fell silent for a moment when they arrived at what Jayden had called the "Safe House." After months of running, fear, and uncertainty, this stone house felt like a fortress. It might have had a broken window and a neglected garden, but it had thick walls, a roof, and most importantly, no dead people inside.
As they entered, their astonishment deepened. The "stockpile" Jayden had mentioned wasn't an exaggeration. A pantry full of canned food, several gallons of water, basic medical supplies, blankets… It wasn't a palace, but in this world, it was a palace.
"Jayden…" Lori whispered, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You… you saved us all."
Carol hugged Sophia and sobbed quietly. This was the first time they'd felt truly safe in weeks.
Rick put a hand on Jayden's shoulder. "How did you do this?" he asked, his voice filled with admiration. "How did you find it, and when did you move all this?"
Jayden told the story he'd prepared. He said he'd found the place on one of his scouting trips to the farm, found it abandoned, and every time he returned from a supply run, he'd move "the extras" or "the extra things he found" there. "It was just a plan B," he added. "I was hoping we'd never need them."
The story was a bit weak, but no one questioned it. Right now, they weren't questioning it; they were grateful.
The Safe House gave them a much-needed break. For the first time, they could sleep without the stress of taking turns. The children, Carl and Sophia, had the opportunity to play in the garden as if nothing had happened. Amy, more mature after the trauma she'd experienced on the farm, was helping Carol and Lori organize the house. She was no longer just a victim, but a survivor and a contributor.
But this peace was overshadowed by the pain of Andrea's absence. Daryl and Maggie volunteered to scour the nearby areas for him the next day. But their hopes were low.
Jayden used this time off to improve himself. He pulled the "Home Repair and Carpentry Handbook" from his bag and sat on the porch, reading it intently. When he reached the last page, the familiar message flashed through his mind.
[Skill Book Read! New Skill Learned: Basic Repair (Level 1) EXP: 0 / 250]
He was now not only a warrior and explorer, but also a mechanic. He got his first practice by clumsily but effectively repairing the house's broken window with scraps of wood he found.
[Skill Used: Basic Repair! +15 EXP]
That evening, as Rick and Jayden stood watch together on the roof of the house, Rick broke the silence. "You have a vision, Jayden. Those little defenses you built around the farm... this house... It's like you're anticipating what's to come."
"It's not intuition, Rick," Jayden said, looking up at the stars. "Just preparation. This world is unforgiving of those who are unprepared. We must prepare for the worst so we have a chance at the best."
Rick thought long and hard about these words. This young man was becoming not only the sword of the group, but also its shield and its brain. And Rick had to learn how to build a leadership relationship with him in this new order.