Whoosh--!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh--!
A fierce commotion erupted in the night, instantly waking everyone in the house.
A few quick ones had already rushed out with rifles, only to see the wide-open gate, Zombies slowly entering through it, and the receding figures of two motorcycles speeding away.
"Shit! We were fucking robbed!?"
The voice that rang out was filled with intense disbelief and a hint of humiliation.
The tables had turned; now the robber was being robbed.
"Huh?"
"Do you guys smell something?"
At this moment, one person twitched his nose a few times and asked with a frown.
They followed the scent and came to the side of a car.
On the smooth ground, a cigarette butt stood upright, its fire already blown to the end by the wind, with a long, sparking ash precariously swaying, about to fall.
Upon closer inspection, beneath the cigarette butt was a puddle of liquid with an irritating smell, almost blending with the ground in the darkness.
"It's gasoline! They punctured the fuel tank!"
The person at the front exclaimed, just about to retreat, but at that very moment, a spark fell, and an entire row of car bottoms instantly ignited in a scorching flame, engulfing everyone nearby and burning persistently.
Screams began to spread with the flames, which started to flicker little by little, sparks instantly shooting onto the car bottoms.
Boom--!!
Rumble--!!
"Hahahahaha!!!"
Merle heard the huge explosion behind him and laughed hysterically like a madman.
"Oh, ho!!"
Daryl, uncharacteristically, joined his brother in wild laughter.
They rode motorcycles with crude designs, Shawn sitting behind them, lightly flicking the cigarette butt in his hand.
The cigarette butt with its sparks gradually extinguished, leaving only the gradually blurring figures of the three people and two vehicles in the distance.
[Completed Apocalypse Mission, Successfully Retrieved Motorcycles]
[Reward: Module — Cigar]
[Cigar: Strength +1]
Cigar Module
…
By the time Shawn and the two others returned to the Camp, it was almost dawn.
Although this trip only brought back one gun and two motorcycles, it held different meanings for Daryl and Merle.
At least under Shawn's leadership, they not only brought back the motorcycles but also caused a huge ruckus at that group's base Camp.
When they looked at Shawn again, both their eyes, by prior agreement, showed an added measure of approval.
This boss isn't bad; at least… he can protect them.
"Little brother, did you see it? That flame shot up 5 meters high, even blowing up the car with it!!"
Merle laughed unrestrainedly with his characteristic voice, putting his hand on Shawn's shoulder after getting off the motorcycle.
"Idiot, stop laughing, that family is looking over!"
Daryl, however, calmly rebuked him, as Hershel and the others in the distance cast curious glances.
"Don't cause trouble for Shawn." Daryl was considering Shawn.
"What are you afraid of them for?" Merle grumbled, but his voice unconsciously became much quieter.
"Alright, the motorcycles are back. You two go rest first."
"Get some good rest, and don't forget our deal with Hershel."
Shawn said to them while handing the keys back to Andrea.
"Where did you go?" Amy asked curiously.
"To start a big fire."
Shawn didn't answer directly, just smiled at Andrea, then pointed to the two battered motorcycles behind him.
Andrea instantly understood, nodded discreetly, and didn't make a fuss.
These things were better done privately; otherwise, if Hershel's family knew, it would inevitably lead to arguments and confrontation.
Having experienced the marketplace Camp and the trip to Atlanta, Andrea deeply understood the drawbacks of Hershel's way of thinking.
Sometimes, a well-intentioned lie can lead everyone to a better future.
"Do you want some breakfast?"
"Otis brought some oatmeal and milk as exchange for yesterday's prey."
Andrea held up the pot; inside was oatmeal mixed with milk, smelling faintly of fresh milk.
Shawn nodded, took the small pot, and quickly ate the oatmeal clean.
Patting his stomach, Shawn comfortably exhaled a breath, carrying the thin morning mist.
"Phew--"
The satisfaction of being full swept over his entire body, but Shawn had no intention of sleeping.
He had slept all day yesterday, and even now, Shawn was still energetic, without a hint of sleepiness.
"How did you two sleep last night? Were there any Zombies?"
Shawn asked with concern.
Last night, he had taken both Daryl and Merle, two major combat forces, with him, indeed neglecting Andrea and Amy.
Amy shook her head: "My sister and I slept together, and we slept very well last night. It's been a long time since I've seen my sister sleep so peacefully."
Saying that, Amy leaned over and whispered into Shawn's ear.
"I heard my sister mumble your name in her dream. She said thank you for being here, thank you~~"
Amy made Shawn tickle a bit, and Andrea, with a cold face, raised her hand to strike.
"If you say another word, do you know who kept mumbling: Shawn, Shawn is my hero…"
But before Andrea could finish, Amy, blushing, clapped her hand over her sister's mouth, giving her an embarrassed glare.
Shawn took in the sisters' actions.
"It's not admiration, more just gratitude, as for Amy… just a little kid."
Shawn shook his head; having just started a fire, he was exceptionally rational at this moment.
"Alright," Shawn said, "I'm going to get some things for the Camp. When those two wake up, let them go hunting. Don't just wander around the Farm all the time."
Shawn got up, and Hershel, who had been waiting for a long time, seized the opportunity to follow him, walking alongside Shawn.
"What's wrong, does the Farm owner also have a habit of going for a walk in the morning?" Shawn teased.
Hershel, however, was not in the mood to fool around with Shawn; his face was grim, showing no expression.
He looked at Shawn: "You will make me feel at ease, right?"
Hershel didn't directly ask where Shawn and the two others had gone last night, nor did he ask why there were two more motorcycles in their Camp… He just wanted to get a promise from Shawn.
"Of course, I've already said that we and the Farm have common interests, and our relationship can be even closer."
Shawn responded with a smile.
Hershel just stared into Shawn's eyes for a long time, then nodded and turned to walk towards the wooden house.
Turning back, Shawn put away his smile and shook his head: "What an insecure old man."
It was just a promise; anyone could make it, and say whatever they wanted.
Hershel repeatedly wanting confirmation was merely due to a lack of security; he wasn't yet ready to face the apocalypse outside.
Shawn subtly glanced at the barn on the other side of the wooden house.
Others didn't know, but he knew that Hershel had filled it with Zombies, and this was also the reason Shawn wanted to enter the jungle; he had to prepare some defensive measures for the Camp, otherwise, they wouldn't even know if Zombies snuck into their home in the middle of the night.
Entering the jungle with the Ma Bone Warhammer, there was no other sound here except for the occasional chirping of insects.
The ground of this jungle was uneven, making it impassable for vehicles, and Zombies would easily trip on it. Only living creatures accustomed to the environment, like horses, could pass through safely and efficiently.
"A natural barrier," Shawn exclaimed.