Leo's arrival had slightly shaken the balance of the group. Their responsibilities now extended beyond just themselves—they now had a child to look after. Early in the morning, Arden walked toward the school's main gate. His eyes were bloodshot from sleeplessness, but his mind was sharp.
"Meeting time," he said in a firm voice.
Everyone gathered at the makeshift HQ they had set up in the main corridor. Maps, food inventory, radio parts, and a few homemade weapons were laid out on the table. Arden spoke:
"Surviving isn't enough anymore. We said this school would be a fortress, but any threat from the outside could break us. We need stronger defenses."
Kyra nodded. "We've barricaded the entrance, but it's weak. Just a few desks and cabinets... Not enough."
Tom chimed in: "There's a construction site nearby. Might be some usable materials—concrete blocks, steel rods... maybe even a crane."
"Risky," Mia said. "Those things are more active at night, but someone still has to keep watch during the day."
Arden paused, then made his decision.
"Today, one team will head to the construction site. The other will reinforce the internal doors of the school. Leo and Mia stay here. Kyra, you're coming with me. Tom, you're in charge of defense."
As the group began to split, Leo quietly approached Arden."I want to come too..."
Arden crouched to his eye level."Your job is here. We need someone inside to keep watch. That's one of the most important tasks. Got it?"
Leo nodded, but his eyes were still fixed on the outside.
By midday, Arden and Kyra were moving in silence. Every corner, every shadow along the way was a potential threat. The construction site was a few blocks away. They maneuvered through abandoned cars and overturned trash bins, Arden watching every movement around them.
"It's too quiet," Kyra whispered. "That's not a good sign."
"You're right," Arden said. "Zombies usually make noise. Silence means someone else may have already cleared them out."
When they arrived at the site, it was a treasure trove of materials—steel plates, pipes, planks... But something at the entrance caught their eye.
A trail of blood, dragged along the concrete.
Arden placed a hand on his weapon. "Be ready."
They slipped inside quietly. The place wasn't just abandoned—it was organized. Materials were stacked neatly, a section had been cleared… Someone had been using this place.
Then a voice echoed:
"What are you doing here?"
Both turned at once, hands on weapons. A group of five stood nearby. Three were armed. Dirty, tired, but sharp-eyed.
"This is our zone," one of them said. "You're trespassing."
Arden kept his voice calm."We're just looking for materials. We're based at the school a few blocks away."
The man, clearly the leader, stepped closer and nodded."Everyone's got their own turf. But we're after the same supplies. Can't afford to share."
Kyra stepped forward:"We're not asking to share—how about a trade? We've got medical supplies, food stocks."
The man thought for a moment."Fine. One condition. Tomorrow, same time, same place. Bring what you've got. If it's worth it, we'll trade."
Arden nodded slowly."We'll be here."
As the group walked away, Kyra whispered:"Can we trust them?"
Arden shrugged."No. But we don't have many choices."
Back at the school, Tom had reinforced the entrance with planks and nailed metal sheets to the doors. Nina had managed to restore part of their surveillance system and even got one of the outdoor cameras working.
Leo had achieved something small, but impressive: he'd discovered a generator in the school basement and, with Mia's help, had tried to bring it back to life.
"Fuel's low, but it'll run for a few hours," Leo said proudly.
Arden smiled and put a hand on his shoulder."Good work. You're becoming someone we can count on."
That night, there was a faint but real sense of hope among the group. But that hope rested on tomorrow's trade—either it would open new doors, or ignite a confrontation.
Arden wrote a brief note in his journal:
"A new group. Unknown variables. Strong. Could be dangerous.In this world, everyone is either dangerous… or dead."