The pounding of walkers outside the department store door echoed faintly as Rick leaned against the wall, catching his breath. Glenn stood nearby, watching him closely with quiet curiosity, while the others cautiously observed their newest addition.
Morales broke the silence first.
"You're lucky Glenn found you when he did."
Rick offered a calm nod, carefully measuring his words.
"Luck... and timing."
Merle, never one to let silence linger, smirked as he spat tobacco on the ground.
"Yeah, right. Somethin' tells me you're a bit more than just lucky, cop. You handled yourself like a damn soldier back there."
Rick didn't answer directly. He simply gave a small smile, playing the role he knew would be safest for now.
"Experience helps."
Andrea crossed her arms.
"So what's your story? You military? Police?"
"Was a sheriff's deputy," Rick answered. "Before the world ended."
Jacqui softly added, "Well, you handled yourself better than most. That counts for something."
Merle's eyes narrowed, studying Rick for signs of weakness or dishonesty, but Rick held his gaze steadily. He wouldn't let anyone sense his deeper knowledge.
Glenn, sensing the tension, changed the subject.
"Alright, we've wasted enough time here. The herd will break through eventually. We need to move."
T-Dog nodded, stepping forward.
"Yeah. Back to camp."
Morales turned to Rick.
"You coming with us?"
Rick allowed himself a small pause before replying.
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
They moved cautiously through Atlanta's broken streets. Glenn led them expertly through alleys and side streets, using routes that avoided the larger herds.
Merle kept walking near Rick, still suspicious, his fingers tapping the handle of his hunting knife.
"You got anyone you're lookin' for, cop?" Merle asked, voice low.
Rick's jaw clenched.
"My son," he said simply. "Carl."
Nothing else. He refused to speak of Lori or Shane. Not now.
"Kid's probably dead by now, like most," Merle said with a shrug. "World's a cruel bitch."
Rick glanced sideways at Merle, his voice cold but steady.
"He's alive. And I'm going to find him."
Merle chuckled but didn't press further.
After hours of moving carefully, they arrived at the survivor camp—a makeshift collection of tents, RVs, and small fires positioned on the outskirts of the city near a quarry. The surrounding woods offered some cover, but little protection if a large horde came through.
As they entered, several people looked up from cooking fires and conversations. Children played near the RV while the adults kept watch.
Rick's eyes immediately scanned the camp.
His heart stopped for a moment.
There they were — Lori. Shane. And most importantly, Carl.
Carl saw him first.
"Dad!" the boy cried, running forward.
Rick knelt, arms wide, catching his son in a fierce embrace.
"Carl…"
For a moment, the world vanished — no walkers, no betrayal, no pain — only the small boy in his arms.
Lori approached hesitantly, her face a mixture of shock and fear. Shane stood behind her, stiff, nervous. The moment was thick with unspoken truths.
Rick forced a smile for Carl's sake.
"I told you I'd find you."
Lori whispered, "Rick... you're alive…"
Shane stepped forward, trying to sound relieved.
"We thought you were dead, man."
Rick stood, his eyes locking briefly with Shane's — not with anger, but quiet calculation.
"I was lucky."
For now, he would play along. His true concerns would wait. Carl's safety came first.
Later that evening, Rick sat near the fire with Glenn, Morales, Andrea, and the others.
He listened carefully to their discussions — their worries, their struggles for supplies, the danger of staying so exposed.
Finally, he spoke.
"This place isn't safe."
Morales looked up.
"It's the best we got."
"It won't hold," Rick said calmly. "The walkers will keep coming. Eventually, they'll break through."
Andrea frowned.
"So what do you suggest?"
Rick leaned forward, voice steady.
"I've already established a community north of here. We've secured land. Built defenses. We have a steady supply of food, water, medicine, and weapons."
Glenn looked surprised.
"You've already built a community?"
"Yes," Rick answered honestly. "We call it The Right Arm."
Jacqui whispered, "A real settlement?"
Rick nodded.
"We're training. Farming. Guarding against the dead and the living. If we stay scattered like this, eventually we'll all fall. But together — we'll thrive."
Silence hung in the air. He let them absorb it.
Morales rubbed his chin.
"You'd take all of us?"
"All of you," Rick confirmed. "We're stronger together."
Even Merle sat quietly, no longer mocking. The offer meant safety, food, and purpose — something even his twisted mind craved.
Andrea finally said what most were thinking.
"It's better than hiding out here like sitting ducks."
Shane, who had been listening from the edge of the circle, stood abruptly.
"Rick... you're talking about leading all of us somewhere else?"
Rick turned to him, meeting his eyes.
"We need to think long term, Shane."
Their gazes locked once more — not as friends now, but as future rivals.
The tension was thick, but Shane forced a grin.
"Alright, man. If you think it's the best shot, I'm with you."
But Rick knew. Deep down, Shane wasn't truly with him.
The next morning, Rick wasted no time. He organized them into smaller teams:
Glenn and T-Dog would help him scout the safest routes north.
Andrea, Jacqui, and Morales prepared supplies.
Merle and Shane maintained security and patrol.
Lori and Carl stayed under protection.
Merle even approached Rick as they loaded a supply truck.
"You really think your little kingdom up north can keep us safe?"
Rick met his gaze.
"It's not a kingdom. It's a chance. You'll see."
Merle chuckled.
"Well, you got guts, lawman. I'll give ya that. But let me tell ya — out here, people can turn uglier than any walker."
Rick smiled faintly.
"That's why we're building something better."
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