Chapter Text
The forest was silent, save for the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves in the cool night breeze. The group huddled around the flames, their faces illuminated by the flickering light, each of them lost in their thoughts. The bunker was behind them now, but the memories of what they had encountered there lingered in the air, heavy and unspoken.
Rick stared into the fire, his mind replaying the events of the past few days. The enhanced walkers, the scientist, the lab—it had all been more than they could have anticipated. They had faced horrors before, but this was different. This was calculated, controlled. And that terrified him more than he cared to admit. But there was no room for fear. They had to keep moving, keep fighting, because the alternative was unthinkable.
Daryl kept his eyes on the treeline, his crossbow within easy reach. He wasn’t one for reflection, but even he couldn’t shake the feeling that they had crossed some kind of line back at the bunker. The world had always been dangerous, but now it felt darker, more twisted. He glanced at Nico, who was sitting apart from the others, his expression unreadable. The kid had proven himself in the fight, but there was something about him—something that Daryl couldn’t quite put his finger on. He wasn’t sure if it was the boy’s past or the things he kept hidden, but it made him uneasy.
Carol sat beside Maggie, her hand resting on the younger woman’s shoulder. Maggie had been through so much, and Carol admired her strength. But even the strongest had their limits, and Carol could see the cracks starting to form. She squeezed Maggie’s shoulder gently, offering silent support. They were all tired, all on edge, but they had each other. That had to be enough.
Abraham was sharpening his knife, his movements precise and methodical. He didn’t like the uncertainty of their situation, didn’t like not knowing what was coming next. But he trusted Rick, and he trusted the group. They had gotten through worse before, and they would get through this. Still, the encounter with the enhanced walkers had shaken him. They weren’t just dealing with mindless undead anymore—they were facing something far more dangerous.
As they prepared to move on from the bunker, the group reflected on their experience, more bonded and wary of the dark forces that lingered in their world. The fight had taken its toll on all of them, but it had also strengthened their resolve. They set out once again into the wilderness, aware that their fight for survival was far from over.
The plan was to head back to their temporary shelter, a small cabin they had discovered a few days prior. It wasn’t much, but it offered some protection from the elements, and it was off the beaten path—hidden enough to give them a night of rest without fear of immediate attack. They had been pushing themselves hard, and even the strongest of them needed a break.
They decided to spend one last night in the cabin before departing, saying their goodbyes to Daniel, who had insisted on heading back to his own home. It was a bittersweet parting—Daniel had proven to be a valuable ally, but they all knew that the road ahead was dangerous, and they couldn’t afford to slow down for anyone.
"Take care of yourself, Daniel," Rick said, shaking his hand firmly. "You’re a good man. Stay safe out there."
Daniel nodded, his expression serious. "You too, Rick. And… thanks. For everything."
Daryl gave him a nod of respect, and even Abraham offered a gruff, "Good luck, man." It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Daniel smiled, a small, tired smile, before turning and heading back into the woods. The group watched him go until he disappeared from sight, then they turned their attention to the cabin.
Rick nodded, and the group began to settle in, finding spots to rest. Nico chose a corner near the back, away from the others. He didn’t want to be in the center of things, didn’t want to draw attention. He was exhausted, his body aching from the day’s journey.
He sat down, drawing his knees to his chest, and closed his eyes, trying to shut out the world. But his mind wouldn’t let him rest. He kept thinking about the day’s events—the walkers, the tracks. The mutant's words still hung over him like a dark cloud, and Nico couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He knew he was different, that he didn’t belong here. But he didn’t know how to change that.
“Nico.”
He opened his eyes to see Glenn standing in front of him, a can of food in his hand. “Thought you might be hungry,” Glenn said, offering the can.
Nico hesitated, then took the can with a small nod. “Thanks,” he muttered.
Glenn sat down next to him, his expression kind but curious. “You okay?” he asked. “You seem… I don’t know, on edge.”
Nico shrugged, staring at the can in his hands. “Just tired,” he said. “It’s been a long day.”
Glenn nodded, understanding. “Yeah, I get that. It’s always a long day out here.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft murmur of the others settling in for the night. Nico stared at the can, his stomach twisting with a familiar mix of hunger and nausea. He hadn’t eaten much in days, his appetite dulled by stress and exhaustion. He knew he needed to eat, knew his body was screaming for fuel, but the thought of food made him queasy.
Glenn seemed to notice his hesitation. “It’s not much,” he said, his voice gentle. “But it’s something. You should eat. Keep your strength up.”
Nico nodded, forcing himself to open the can. He took a small bite, chewing slowly, trying not to gag. The food was bland and stale, but it was better than nothing. He managed a few more bites before his stomach started to rebel, and he set the can aside.
Glenn didn’t press him, didn’t say anything about it. He just sat there, keeping him company. Nico appreciated that. He wasn’t used to people being patient with him, to them understanding his struggles without needing to talk about them.
After a while, Glenn spoke again. “You know,” he said softly, “we’re all trying to figure this out. Surviving, I mean. It’s not easy for any of us. We all have our… things we’re dealing with.”
Nico glanced at him, unsure where he was going with this.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is, you don’t have to go through it alone,” Glenn continued. “We’re here for you. We want to help.”
Nico looked away, his throat tightening. He wasn’t used to this—people caring, people wanting to help. It felt foreign, almost uncomfortable. But at the same time, there was a small part of him that wanted to believe it, that wanted to let them in.
Before he could respond, a loud crash echoed through the cabin. Everyone jumped to their feet, weapons drawn, eyes scanning for the source of the noise.
Rick took point, his revolver in hand as he signaled the others to spread out. Daryl followed silently, crossbow drawn and eyes sharp, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Nico stayed close to Glenn and Maggie, his own sword ready. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was clear. This was the part he understood—the fight.
They moved carefully through the cabin, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind against the windows put them further on edge. Then, from the corner of his eye, Nico saw a flash of movement. He turned just in time to see one of the smart walkers—a grotesque, modified version of the typical undead—lunge at Rick.
“Rick, look out!” Nico shouted, his voice sharp.
Rick dodged to the side as the walker crashed into the table behind him, knocking it over with a loud crash. Daryl was on it in a heartbeat, his crossbow bolt sinking into the creature's skull. But it didn’t go down immediately, thrashing violently for a few moments before finally collapsing.
“Damn things don’t die easy,” Daryl muttered under his breath, reloading his crossbow. “Stay sharp. There’s more.”
As if on cue, another smart walker burst through the back door, its movements unnervingly fast for a creature that should be mindless. Maggie fired her handgun, hitting it square in the chest, but it barely slowed down. Glenn rushed forward, swinging his knife at its neck, while Abraham came from the side, tackling it to the ground. The walker snarled, snapping its teeth wildly as Abraham drove his blade deep into its skull.
“They’re getting smarter,” Glenn panted, wiping sweat from his brow. “We can’t keep underestimating them.”
Nico tightened his grip on his sword, his pulse quickening. He had seen these walkers before, had fought them in the bunker, but out here, they felt more dangerous. More calculated.
“They’re hunting us,” Nico said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just like before.”
Rick nodded grimly. “They’re not just wandering. They’re following.”
Another crash came from upstairs. Nico didn’t wait for Rick’s command. He darted up the stairs, his senses heightened, adrenaline surging through his veins. When he reached the top, he found two more smart walkers tearing through the walls, their heads jerking around as they searched for prey.
Without hesitation, Nico leapt into the fray, his sword slicing clean through the first walker’s neck. Its body crumpled to the floor, but the second walker lunged at him with terrifying speed. Nico barely had time to react, raising his blade to block its gnashing teeth. It clawed at him, snarling as it tried to force him to the ground.
Suddenly, an arrow zipped through the air, striking the walker square in the temple. The creature slumped forward, its weight heavy against Nico’s body before he shoved it aside. Nico looked up to see Daryl standing in the doorway, his crossbow still raised.
“Nice timing,” Nico muttered, catching his breath.
Daryl gave him a curt nod. “Don’t get used to it.”
They made their way back downstairs, where Rick and the others were finishing off the last of the smart walkers. The cabin was a mess—furniture overturned, walls splintered, and blood staining the floor. But the danger had passed, for now.
Nico sheathed his sword, his body still trembling from the rush of combat. He looked around at the others—Rick, Daryl, Maggie, Glenn,Carol, Abraham—each of them exhausted but alive.
As they gathered their supplies and prepared to move on, Rick gave the group a final look, determination etched into his features. "We need to be smarter. Faster. These walkers aren’t what we’re used to. They’re hunting, but that means we can kill them before they spread."
Nico nodded in agreement. He understood more than anyone what it was like to be hunted, to be prey. Nico felt his shoulders relax, the adrenaline slowly draining from his system. He looked around at the others, seeing the same mix of relief and exhaustion on their faces. They were all tired, all worn down from the constant fight for survival.
As they made their way back downstairs, Nico felt a strange sense of calm settle over him. He was still wary, still unsure of his place in this group, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn’t alone.