Chapter 33: Life on the Road
That brief period of peace at the Safe House couldn't last forever. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The supplies at the house began to run out. Daryl and Maggie's search for Andrea proved futile. The group was forced to leave the comfort of those stone walls and return to the harsh reality of the road.
The next three or four months were a constant struggle for movement, escape, and survival. They were no longer a single convoy; they were a nomadic tribe, huddled in the few vehicles they could find. One night in an abandoned warehouse, the next under a bridge... Every day was a new danger, every day a new challenge.
This process changed everyone. Everyone became weaker, more vulnerable, but also tougher and more skilled. Rick was now a true war leader. Daryl had become the master of the jungle. Glenn and Maggie survived by clinging to each other.
For Jayden, this period was a relentless training ground. As the group's primary hunter and explorer, she pushed her abilities to the limit every day. Every hunt, every building cleared, every danger avoided filled her skill and level bars.
One day, while foraging for food on the outskirts of a small town, they were cornered by a group of walkers inside a convenience store. While the group panicked, Jayden's mind remained calm.
"To the roof!" he shouted. Using his [Basic Parkour] ability, he climbed from a dumpster to an awning and onto the convenience store roof. He helped others pull them up. This earned him valuable EXP.
[EXP: 2850 / 5000]
The biggest challenge of this nomadic life was Lori's growing belly. She was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and every movement posed a risk to her and her unborn baby. She was exhausted and had to rest frequently. The group's pace was adjusted to her condition, a danger for everyone.
The breaking point came one cold, rainy night. The abandoned farmhouse they took shelter in was more crowded than they'd anticipated. They were attacked by a pack of walkers and barely escaped with their lives. During the escape, Lori fell and lost consciousness for a moment. There was a huge panic, but thankfully, she and the baby were okay. Still, the incident served as a warning.
That night, soaked and exhausted, they gathered around a small fire they'd lit under a bridge. No one spoke a word. The despair was palpable.
Jayden was the one to break the silence.
"We can't go on like this," he said, his voice clear and determined. Everyone looked up at him. "This isn't living, just not dying. We're constantly running. We're thinking about the next meal, the next shelter. This isn't sustainable for Lori and the baby."
He paused for a moment and looked at the group's weary faces.
"We need more than just a house. We need real walls, not just walls. Fences. Watchtowers."
"What are you talking about, Jayden?" Rick asked in a tired voice.
Jayden looked directly into Rick's eyes. And that's when he spoke the words that would change the group's fate.
"I'm talking about a prison."