"Have you checked them?" Even after hearing the explanation, Daryl kept watching the dozen men and women warily.
"Basically, they all have their student ID cards. Those who don't have them on hand are vouched for by others in the same group. I saw two of those young people being dragged away by walkers when we arrived to help them. At the very least, we can be certain of that."
Shane's voice lowered a bit as he said this, and the college students, along with several girls, seemed to hear him, causing them to start sobbing.
"I'm sorry!" Daryl nodded slightly at the dozen students, but then heard some remarks that made him turn his gaze.
"Stop crying like idiots. Because of people like you, our escape went wrong." A girl with round glasses looked at the women who were crying as if this were a dramatic scene from a bad movie.
"Nara, can you keep those comments to yourself for later? It really seems like you feel nothing for the deaths of others," said an angry girl upon hearing Nara's voice.
"Screw you, Carla, you were dead weight when we fled the university," Nara said coldly.
Shane approached the students and said, "Alright, listen up, everyone. I know you're all very shaken by what you've seen and lived through so far. I'm also truly sorry for the friends you've lost, but you need to understand that this place is not just a community of survivors—it's also a military outpost, and I'm just one of the group leaders here."
"I'm currently busy with a lot of things in this place, so I can't give you a clear answer about this place right now. Also, I ask that you stop fighting over personal grievances!"
"What are you really saying? Are you going to kick us out of here?" A muscular guy stepped forward among the students.
"What's your name, kid?" Shane stepped forward and stood in front of the young man. The young man felt an uncomfortable sensation from the man in front of him, which scared him a little, but then he looked at the dozen people behind him and stubbornly replied without showing weakness, "My name is Bruno Lastra. You can call me Bruno."
Shane didn't speak. He just stared into Bruno's eyes, and Bruno stared back. The two of them locked eyes for about ten seconds before Shane suddenly smiled and patted Bruno on the shoulder. "Bruno, right? You've got a good attitude. You can call me Shane. You'll be provided with a meal until the leader of this community returns. All you have to do after that is convince our leader or captain to authorize your stay. Agreed?"
"We're fine with that." Bruno extended his hand for a handshake, but Shane just smiled and raised his hand to pat Bruno on the shoulder instead.
"Alright! Follow me to your unit and keep quiet. You're still strangers to us!"
"Understood, sir!" Everyone responded instinctively.
"And one more thing—save that attitude for when you're facing walkers. Got it?" Shane smirked and led the way.
As he arranged for the students to stay in cells in another section of the prison, Shane didn't want these people to learn too much about the place. It was better to wait for Jason to return and let him handle it.
Shane, who had just left the unit, disappeared from the students' view. The guy who called himself Bruno pressed up against the unit door. He didn't return to the group until he heard the sound of the door closing in the distance, and then the individuals began to whisper among themselves.
"Bruno, you were too impulsive just now. What if you made him angry?" said a blonde girl with a beautiful appearance and a well-proportioned figure, sounding a bit fearful.
Before Ian could respond, a mature-looking guy spoke again, "Celia, you're overthinking. I don't think these people are bad. Even though that guy just now was scary, he's probably a soldier or a cop. Didn't you see those tanks and the people carrying guns?"
"Yeah! I think the same as Mario. And there are kids among them. We saw two kids earlier when we arrived. Now that I think about it, one of them was wearing a police officer's cap with a badge on it!" A girl with glasses also spoke. She looked very calm—not pretty, but she had a strong intellectual presence. Her voice was pleasant, and she was well-organized in her thoughts.
"So, what do you think about that captain? Didn't Shane say we have to wait for their captain to come back and make a decision?" Bruno spoke again, and the room suddenly fell silent.
After a while, Nara, the girl with glasses, spoke up: "Well, considering the situation and seeing how you acted like a jerk despite knowing our position, we need to find a way to be useful."
"I think we should figure out what he or his group needs. Mario, your advantage is being familiar with electronic equipment. You could offer to help them repair some of their devices or even suggest smarter solutions."
Nara looked around at everyone and smirked mockingly. Her voice sounded indifferent as she said, "Well, that's one idea. As for me, I don't feel like revealing what I can do for now. If you're smart, you should follow that plan. I'm going to my cell." The girl named Nara then walked straight to the innermost cell to rest.
The rest of the students looked at each other without saying a word and silently found a cell to rest in.
Outside the cells, in the shadows, Daryl stood silently. After waiting a while and seeing that the others had stopped talking, he quietly walked toward the door. At that moment, Shane was already standing there with a bag of food, waiting for him.
After opening the door to receive the food, Daryl no longer concealed the sound of his footsteps as he headed toward the various unit doors to distribute the meals.
After this, he still had many other things to do. He had to inform everyone about the new arrivals and make sure they understood the changes happening in the prison.
...
"Shane!"
Shane, who had just handed the food to Daryl, turned around and saw Lori walking toward him. He quickly asked, "What's wrong, Lori?"
Lori asked anxiously, "Did you just return with everyone else? Where's Rick? Has he come back?"
Shane shook his head. "Rick and Jason took some people to gather supplies."
Lori looked disappointed when she heard Shane's words. She had been eagerly waiting for this day, thinking today would be the day she reunited with her husband when she arrived at the prison. She wanted so badly to tell Rick the news about her pregnancy, but once again, they were separated.
"What's wrong, Lori?" Noticing Lori's frustration, Shane was a bit puzzled. He couldn't imagine what had happened to make her react this way.
"It's nothing! I just want to see Rick!" Lori forced a smile and didn't tell Shane the truth. She still wanted to share the news with her husband first.
"You don't need to worry. Rick is a tough guy. Plus, Jason—he's a very determined and terrifying person. With him by Rick's side, even if something happens, they'll get out safely." Shane reassured her with a smile.
He felt relieved. After all, Rick was fine, and it was only a matter of time before he was back with his family.
Lori just nodded, and at that moment, Carl came running toward them in the distance, wearing a large hat, followed closely by a little girl, Sophia.
"Mom! Uncle Shane! This place is awesome! There's a tower with big guns! And we're living in a cell—it's so cool!"
Carl ran up excitedly. Everything about the prison was new and exciting to him, and even living in a cell thrilled him for now.
"As long as you like it, this will be our home from now on!" Lori smiled and patted her son's head. Even though the conditions here weren't as good as at the CDC, she was very satisfied. At least she knew this place was secure enough to have her next baby safely.
Beep! Beep!
Suddenly, the people in the courtyard and plaza heard a loud sound, like an air raid siren, coming from downtown Atlanta!
Shane grabbed his radio and asked, "What the hell is that sound?"