TWD: Saving Merle First - Chapter 55: Entrusted at Sunset (Patreon)

After their day off, everyone in camp got up early. Even Hershel's family joined them on the southern lawn.

Once Nancy and Carol had finished serving breakfast, Wade looked over everyone gathered there and nodded solemnly.

"Then let's get started, everyone. Everything we do today is for a safer tomorrow."

He didn't say a better tomorrow.

In times this uncertain, safety mattered more than anything else. It was also a far stronger motivation.

Merle picked up his canteen and headed into the jungle with Daryl, T-Dog, Otis, Jim, Andrew, and Glenn, each of them carrying an axe.

Their group had only one job.

Cut down trees.

Anything with a trunk thicker than fifteen centimeters was fair game. They were to bring back as much timber as they possibly could.

Daryl's primary responsibility was perimeter security, making sure the jungle remained safe. He was basically serving as their lookout. Helping with the cutting and hauling came second.

Wade led everyone else west, toward the road.

This was where they would begin the first phase of the farm's second-stage defensive project, the Western Plan.

The work included repairing a watchtower, setting up at least ten roadblocks, digging a twenty-meter trench, and filling and positioning sandbags.

Merle, Shane, and Rick had already selected the locations yesterday, drawing on their military and law-enforcement experience.

In theory, the layout would restrict an enemy's possible routes of attack as much as possible and give the camp at least a full minute to react even if they were caught by surprise.

It was a massive amount of work, which was why Wade had brought nearly everyone.

The men handled the digging, shoveling, and other heavy labor. The women filled sandbags and took care of lighter jobs such as wrapping wire around the roadblocks and hammering in nails.

Everyone was here.

Everyone worked.

No special treatment. No exceptions.

Not even Hershel and Dale, despite both of them already being well into their later years.

Poor old men.

Wade certainly wasn't treating them like outsiders.

He also wasn't exactly treating them like elderly human beings.

The work was exhausting, and without machinery or proper industrial equipment, progress was painfully slow.

Still, nobody complained.

The man leading them was right there on the front line, taking the hardest and most exhausting jobs for himself.

By the time the last light of the sun stretched across the farm, nearly every man there was so exhausted he could barely lift his arms. Their steps were unsteady, their faces covered in dirt and dust.

Anyone who didn't know better might have mistaken them for a horde of walkers that had somehow gained intelligence.

Once the day's work ended, the way everyone looked at Wade had changed slightly.

He didn't look particularly muscular, but his stamina was downright monstrous.

He had practically done the work of five people by himself.

And now, this top-tier workhorse was sitting beneath one old man's murderous stare while enjoying the attentive care of a young girl.

A cool, damp cloth wiped the dirt from his face.

Warm salt-and-sugar water was held to his lips.

Beth had even found a piece of plastic somewhere and was using it as a makeshift fan, gently fanning him.

"Wade, how are you... how are you so amazing?"

Wade nearly choked on his water.

He turned toward Beth, whose cheeks were flushed red.

Was that really the best way to phrase that?

But when he saw the admiration sparkling in her eyes, he still nodded and answered with forced nonchalance.

"It's nothing special. Pretty average, really."

Mr. Butcher had officially run out of things to say.

If so many people hadn't been watching, Wade suspected his first instinct would've been to run.

Creak.

Someone's molars were grinding so hard they were practically about to crack.

Silver-gray whiskers seemed to stand on end, and a pair of eyes looked ready to spit fire.

Hershel's fist tightened.

That little bastard...

That little bastard was sitting there enjoying his youngest daughter's tender care while acting like it was no big deal.

Wade sensed the hostile stare and turned his head.

The moment he saw the murderous look in his future father-in-law's eyes, he gave an awkward smile.

What were you supposed to do when your future father-in-law caught you red-handed?

Wait.

He hadn't even done anything wrong.

What was there to be afraid of?

He, Wade, had always lived an upright and honest life...

Smack.

His vision suddenly went dark for an instant as something soft and warm pressed against his lips.

The confidence Wade had managed to build for all of three seconds immediately collapsed.

Hershel froze too.

For exactly three seconds.

Then, like a dump truck launching at full speed, the old man grabbed a shovel and charged straight at Wade.

He didn't even bother shouting.

His actions alone were enough to express his murderous determination.

"Holy shit!"

With disaster bearing down on him, Wade didn't even have time to reassure Beth.

He scrambled to his feet and bolted.

"Wait! Hershel, let me explain!"

"Go explain it to God!"

Beneath the setting sun, one man fled for his life, another raised the truth high above his head, one girl stood there smiling sweetly, and several others doubled over with laughter.

Merle had been sitting in the distance smoking.

At first, he thought someone had started trouble, so he tossed away his cigarette and jumped to his feet.

After taking two steps and realizing who was involved, he burst out laughing, reached into his pocket, and pulled out another cigarette.

"Wade! Run faster! He's gonna spank your ass!"

"Shut up, Merle!"

It was honestly impressive that Hershel, at his age, could still chase Wade for a full hundred meters with a shovel after spending the entire day doing manual labor.

Once the commotion had gone on long enough, Wade started worrying about the old man's health and gradually slowed down.

He looked back.

After confirming Hershel was no longer carrying a weapon, Wade put both hands behind his head and crouched on the ground.

Fine.

If he had to take a beating, he'd take it.

At worst, the father's debt could be repaid by the daughter later...

By the time Hershel finally reached him, however, the old man was completely spent.

He bent over with both hands braced against his knees, gasping for breath, his chest heaving like a bellows.

"I... I'm telling you... if one day... Beth tells me... that you mistreated her... I will use my hunting rifle... to put a hole in your head... and send you straight to God. I promise you that!"

Hearing those words, Wade straightened up as though he were accepting some solemn responsibility.

"Mr. Greene, I promise I will never let Beth down. I swear, if I ever..."

"Shut up! I want your promise, not an oath!"

Warmth spread through Wade's chest.

"I promise, Mr. Greene."

Hershel stared directly into Wade's eyes.

He saw nothing but sincerity there.

After a moment, Hershel placed a hand on Wade's shoulder and slowly nodded, as though he were entrusting him with the most precious thing he possessed.

Deep down, Hershel understood.

Children grew up.

Sooner or later, they left home.

Instead of waiting for Beth to someday end up with some unknown fool, he would rather entrust her to someone as capable as Wade.

From everything Hershel had seen in his life, he was certain of one thing.

As long as Wade survived, he would eventually become the leader of a large group of survivors.

And when that day came, Hershel would no longer have to worry about Beth's safety.

Wade would take care of those problems for him.

Wouldn't he?