Meanwhile.
As the sun set.
A dozen figures stood outside the metal fence of the Prison.
Following the last rays of sunlight, they stared blankly at the Prison, their expressions varied.
"Is this… the Prison?"
Maggie couldn't help but take two steps forward, facing the Prison, her eyes alight with hope.
This same look appeared in the eyes of many women in the group, especially those with children.
They looked at the Prison, as if in that instant, they saw the future.
It was their own future, and also the future of their children.
Beside them.
Rick bent down, his hands resting on his knees.
His light-colored shirt was already soaked with sweat, which dripped from his head, 'plink' onto the ground.
But he kept his head held high.
Through his calm and composed silver-gray eyes, he kept his gaze fixed on the Prison, unwilling to look away.
The tightly woven metal fence surrounding it, the vast open flat land, and the massive living quarters constructed of concrete.
Even within each room of the living quarters, there was a large metal door for protection.
"This… this can become a second Centers for Disease Control."
Rick murmured to himself, the appearance of the Prison had exceeded his expectations.
And beyond his expectations, was a pleasant surprise.
They could finally have a stable place to settle down, they could live safely in the Prison, and no longer have to worry about Walkers day and night.
Suddenly.
Rick looked back at Lori, then at Shane.
The three of them seemed to see the joy and surprise in each other's eyes.
"Shawn was right."
Hershel walked up tremblingly, his mouth slightly open.
Indeed, as Shawn had said, this Prison was an impregnable fortress.
Even if they encountered a horde of Walkers, they could deal with it methodically while living here.
Even if the outermost wire fence, as the first line of defense, was breached, they could still retreat into the cells to protect everyone.
Looking at the joyful expressions on his daughters' and employees' faces, Hershel suddenly felt a bit fortunate…
Fortunate that he hadn't clung to his own opinions that night, holding onto the Farm.
He was old, but his daughters had just grown up, and the Prison was the most suitable place for them to grow.
Moreover, besides the Prison, there were also Rick, Shane, Shawn, Daryl… these powerful core members of the team.
As long as they were there, the team would steadily move towards a better tomorrow!
As soon as he thought of this, Hershel's hunched back straightened a bit, and the fatigue caused by continuous travel instantly disappeared by more than half, as if he had suddenly become 20 years younger.
A faint sobbing sound came.
Carol couldn't help but cry, but her flushed face was full of uncontrollable joy.
She tightly held Sophia's hand, her heart filled with uncontrollable excitement…
For some people, their spiritual pillar is family, or their children.
But in the hearts of some, only they themselves are their spiritual pillar.
Originally, spiritual pillars varied.
But at this moment, the Prison became everyone's spiritual pillar!
Just by looking at the Prison, the gloom in everyone's hearts was swept away, as if they had returned to the civilized world.
For a moment.
Although the team members' thoughts were not entirely the same, they all developed anticipation and confidence for the future, fantasizing about the wonderful times that would come after taking down the Prison.
But in the next second.
Silently…
A gun barrel was gently pressed against the back of T-Dog's head, who was at the very back of the group.
Feeling the cold touch from the back of his head, T-Dog slowly raised his hands, but before he could speak, he heard a deep male voice from behind him.
"What the hell are you guys?"
Startled--!
The sudden sound made everyone, who had somewhat relaxed, suddenly jump!
Rick's heart skipped a beat, then he spun around abruptly, reaching for his waist, and Shane behind him reacted just as quickly.
"Uh, uh-uh~~"
But before they could draw their guns, they saw several figures appear behind them.
A gun pointed directly at Lori made Rick and Shane's movements slow down.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
The man was about 185 cm tall, with a large build and not-too-deep red marks on his cheeks.
Looking at the clothes the unfamiliar man was wearing, Rick, while subtly continuing to reach for his waist, began to negotiate.
"Are you guards from this Prison?"
"No need to make the atmosphere so tense, I'm the sheriff of King County, and I brought my people here to find shelter."
"You can put down your guns first, we can sit down and slowly…"
Bang--!
But before Rick could even finish speaking, a bullet hit the ground next to his foot, kicking up dust.
"Maybe you haven't understood me yet, I mean… get on! Your knees!!"
The tall man, wearing a blood-stained Prison guard uniform, stepped forward and pointed his gun at Lori's head.
He looked directly at Rick, his tiger-like eyes fierce, and he yanked Carl from Lori's arms, gripping one of his small arms in his hand.
"OK! OK--"
Seeing Lori and Carl controlled by the other party, Rick had no choice but to raise his hands, place them behind his head, and kneel straight down on the ground.
Rick subtly exchanged glances with Shane, whose temple veins throbbed, while Rick subtly shook his head at him.
They had come in a hurry, and for a moment they had let their guard down, not expecting there to be anyone here.
There were large numbers of Walkers distributed throughout the Prison; the people inside should have all turned by now.
"That's right."
The man grinned, walked forward, and brutally smashed Rick with the butt of his pistol.
Rick fell heavily to the ground, blood continuously flowing from his nose, and the man roughly dragged Rick to the side of the road, pressing the gun to his forehead.
"Now, tell me your purpose for coming here!"
Rick struggled out of his dizziness, the world before his eyes seemed to be spinning, but he still forced himself to speak.
"It's the Prison… we're not here for you."
"My people include old folks and children, we need a place with a concrete ceiling."
"Ho ho--"
Hearing Rick's words, the man couldn't help but laugh and turn to his companions.
"This sheriff says he wants to lead his people to take the Prison!"
The man's teasing words drew a burst of laughter.
The man laughed, then suddenly stopped smiling, looking coldly at Rick.
"What kind of joke are you telling?"
"It takes at least 3 to 5 bullets to kill a Walker, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Walkers in the Prison. Do you really think you people can take the Prison?"
The man felt Rick was just wasting time.
He was a guard from the Prison; if it could be taken, he would have led the remaining people to take it long ago, why would he wait for Rick and his group?
"Using knives, using cold weapons, won't attract the Walkers' attention, and can still take this place."
Rick raised his head, looking directly into the man's eyes.
The man's previous words suddenly made Rick realize… that the man in front of him was a coward.
A coward leading a group of cowards; their escape from the Prison was probably due to abandoning others.
They had a treasure trove like the Prison, yet they hesitated to attack it.
Not to mention the interior of the Prison, they couldn't even take the outdoor exercise yard.
The fear brought by the apocalypse and the Walkers had long consumed them.
Strong on the outside, weak on the inside!
-------------------------------
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