TWD: Saving Merle First - Chapter 158: The Road Home (Patreon)

The sun was sinking toward the horizon. Tyreese heaved a container of gasoline into the pickup's bed, then braced himself against the side rail, struggling to catch his breath.

When he turned around, Wade was carrying the last two containers from the trailer. He set both in the truck without the slightest effort and even took a moment to stack them properly.

"Aren't... aren't you tired?"

"Uh, not really. Guess I'm used to hard work."

"What kind of work did you do?"

"Butchering at a slaughterhouse."

"...Didn't they have machines to help with that?"

"Sure. Why?"

Tyreese shook his head. "No reason. You're... in incredible shape."

Wade studied the muscle hidden under the so-called Hammer God's bulk, his expression difficult to read.

Bro, you're plenty strong. You just picked the wrong guy to compare yourself to.

A small smile tugged at Sasha's lips before she quickly suppressed it. "Can we get going? It'll be dark soon."

Wade checked the sky. "Yeah, let's move. There aren't even two more containers of supplies left inside anyway."

Beth started the engine, then passed him a bottle of water and a handkerchief. "Here, Wade. These are for you."

"Thanks." He took them, and Beth pressed the accelerator to begin the drive home. Tyreese and Sasha followed in a pickup they'd found for the trip.

Five days later, on an afternoon in early December, the group finally arrived back at camp.

From his post on the watchtower, Rick spotted the approaching vehicles. He lifted his binoculars to make sure it was them, then called over the radio.

"Holy shit! Wade, you sure took your sweet time!"

"Roads weren't great. Slowed us down a little. We can catch up in a minute. Mind opening the gate?"

Rick called for someone to help, and the gate swung slowly open. As soon as the vehicles were inside, it was shut again.

Wade parked, and Rick came jogging over with several others.

"Whoa, easy! I was only gone a few days. What's with the celebrity welcome? Though, to be fair, I am pretty handsome."

Rick laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. But when he noticed Tyreese and Sasha beside him, his smile faltered. "Who are these two?"

"Tyreese and Sasha. He's the older brother, she's the younger sister. They're family."

Before answering, the newcomers took a good look around. A concrete wall more than three meters tall towered over them, its surface so fresh it seemed to have been recently maintained.

Beyond it stood a spacious dining hall, an enormous warehouse, and orderly rows of homes. Sasha even noticed a building with a medical symbol on the door, presumably the infirmary.

The siblings exchanged a glance. Wade hadn't been boasting. The settlement really was huge, well equipped, and full of people. Maybe they'd finally found the right place.

Hearing themselves introduced, they turned back toward Rick. His clear blue eyes, weathered features, upright bearing, and sheriff's hat all suggested a man in charge.

A little nervous under his gaze, Tyreese stepped forward. "Hello, Captain. I'm Tyreese, and this is my sister, Sasha."

"Captain?" Rick chuckled at the title, then shot Wade an amused look. "You didn't tell them you're the one running this place?"

Wade turned in surprise. "What? Do I really not look like a camp leader?"

"..."

"..."

The siblings had no answer. Tyreese's friendly smile slowly faded into an awkward grimace.

Seriously, what kind of settlement leader personally drives more than a hundred miles to hunt down fuel without a second thought?

And Wade looked more like a man who solved problems with his fists than a wise leader. How the hell were they supposed to know? Anyone would've assumed he was just another scavenger sent out to bring back supplies!

Rick looked toward Glenn. "Glenn, get a few people together and put everything into storage."

"You got it." Glenn nodded cheerfully.

"Princess, give these two a tour, then take them to the supply warehouse for their everyday essentials."

Princess appeared from the crowd, beaming at Tyreese and Sasha.

"Ha! Don't be nervous. Wade isn't mad at you. He just loves messing with people. Maybe that wasn't especially funny from your side, but don't worry. You're hardly the first to get the wrong idea. Come on, I'll show you around and explain how everything works here..."

Still talking, she ushered the pair away.

Wade greeted the remaining people gathered around him, exchanging a few words with each before they dispersed. Beth, backpack over one shoulder, spoke to him briefly and then joined Maggie. The sisters headed off together, chatting as they went.

"How have things been while I was gone? Anything important happen?" Wade asked.

"Nothing major," Rick replied. "Everything's moving according to the arrangements you made. Shane's scavenging group did bring back five survivors, though. They all wanted to join our scavenging team, so they've gone to Ryan and the others for training."

"Good. Sounds like we're still on schedule."

Wade glanced toward the residential area. Doors and windows had been fitted to the houses, and someone had even hung curtains. Little by little, the place was beginning to resemble a neighborhood from before the outbreak.

Rick followed his gaze. "Shane's people salvaged those from town. They spent days working with T-Dog, Ethan, and the rest to get every door and window installed."

Wade's mouth twitched. "...Nice. At least it feels a little more like somewhere people actually live now."

Bzzzz... bzzzz...

He tilted his head toward a low mechanical roar carrying through the air. Was that a chainsaw?

"Are we cutting trees today?"

"Yeah. Otis and Jimmy organized a crew to go into the hills. We need enough firewood put away before the serious snow arrives, or we're in for a miserable winter."

Wade looked up at the pale sun, which offered little warmth, then at the clouds rolling slowly across the sky. His eyes narrowed.

Winter really was almost here.

He turned back to Rick. "Tell Marcus to build up our stock of fever medication. Make sure the guards and scouts working outside get priority. Once the rain and snow start, shut down anything around camp that isn't essential..."

Then another thought occurred to him. "And radio Shane. Tell him to bring his crew back. Before the winter weather hits, we've got to make one more trip to Atlanta!"

Rick frowned. "What for?"

"We're going to the library to bring back books!"