The Walking Dead: A New Beginning From the End of the World

Texas

Dell Diamond Stadium

This was a large stadium in the city of Texas. One year after the end of the world began, this massive stadium had undergone drastic changes.

After the fall of civilization, the stadium became the main refuge for Madison and her group, who transformed it into a small survivor community. Over time, they built some makeshift farms for livestock and food cultivation, tents around the pentagon where survivors slept, a greenhouse, a dining area, and even had a source of drinkable water.

If Jason were here, he'd probably think the place was adequate and that they had progressed much faster than his own group when it came to agriculture. And although there were no more than forty people living there, they had managed to build something functional that met all basic human needs.

Also, due to the small number of people, this place was considered a great achievement compared to other communities.

At the main gate of the stadium, there were only two guards — which was already considered a lot, given the number of residents.

Their patrol speed and frequency were very uncoordinated. With at least two-thirds of the area left unmonitored, there were many blind spots, but this didn't worry them much, as they hadn't been trained to detect the unusual.

In a VIP suite inside the stadium, a young woman was sleeping. The room had a bed, lamps, and a nightstand.

Right next to the nightstand was a radio with a series of numbers that reminded its owner of a very particular voice channel.

Since she had been forced — almost without being given a choice — to become the leader of Broke Jaw Ranch, Alicia had found it suffocating to know that so many lives depended on her decisions, even if the community had prospered.

Lately, in her dreams, she had been recalling that dispassionate conversation with a completely unknown man, just before the base was overrun by walkers.

She remembered him well: that cold and detached man who didn't seem to care about what was coming. From that moment on, she knew that everyone in the world was just trying to survive. And just when she was about to ask him more, communication was lost, and since then, she hadn't been able to speak to him again.

Hearing noises outside, the girl named Alicia Clark slowly opened her eyes and immediately sat up in bed, staring blankly at the open space beyond her room.

"It's been just under half a year now…"

She lifted her head slightly and then looked at the radio on the nightstand, puzzled by her obsessive thoughts about someone who might already be dead.

Alicia could still clearly remember Jason's words. The irony of it all was: how was he supposed to find her, with millions of walkers and infinite chances that either of them — or both — might be dead?

As all these thoughts raced through her mind, she got dressed, and as her senses fully awakened, she looked outside at the people working in the shelter.

Alicia sighed with relief. "At least we've managed to survive here this long. Nowadays, that's all that really matters."

Then she left her room and walked toward the suite's balcony, where she could see everything happening in the refuge and outside. With a faint smile, she looked around and said, "You're up earlier than usual…"

"And you've slept more than usual…" Nick replied softly, his expression somber. This was the first time since arriving here that he saw his sister looking a bit different. He knew she had been through a lot, and it seemed that this peaceful place was helping her heal.

But now they had to go out for supplies again, and he couldn't help but worry about what might happen.

"What are you doing up here? You seem really distracted. Another bad dream?"

Pulling herself from her thoughts, Alicia turned to look at Nick, who was now facing her, asking what was on her mind. After all, he had made it his mission to take care of her and their family — now the most important thing in his life.

"It's nothing important…"

Hearing the question, Alicia smiled faintly and didn't answer. Then she pulled the radio from her belt and looked at the voice channel written on the back.

Nick noticed her movements and frowned. He had heard his sister mention a refuge in Atlanta — something told to her by a complete stranger. According to him, they were expanding and securing a safe zone for many people.

"Seems like you still haven't let go of that imaginary refuge. Do you really think it's possible to hold a city? Even the military couldn't do it. Life here is better than anywhere else."

Understanding what her brother meant, Alicia sighed and said, "If that radio ever crackles again, maybe that same person has achieved something big."

Nick smiled and then pointed out, "First we need to plant more crops — then we can start thinking about that refuge your radio buddy told you about."

"The scouting group will head out earlier this time so they can return before dark." Alicia didn't usually dwell on Jason when it came to keeping her mind clear.

There were people and a shelter to take care of. She knew that if she allowed herself to be distracted by things that were nearly impossible, neither she nor her family would make any progress here.

Knowing how dangerous a supply run could be, Alicia had to meet with the others and carefully discuss how they would proceed.

At that moment, a meeting was underway to discuss the supply expedition. In one corner of the room, Alicia held a knife and silently watched everyone, while her thoughts wandered into what the future might hold.

If she ever got the chance to meet that person who once spoke so indifferently with her, she would definitely want to learn more about him.

"Everything will be decided by the future…" thought Alicia Clark, with a small smile.