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

The safe territory around the CDC kept expanding, and soon several buildings and parking lots were completely cleared of walkers and corpse remains. The streets were sealed off to prevent walkers from outside from entering the safe zone, and vehicles were moved off the main roads.

Those with mechanical knowledge were in charge of dismantling vehicles and extracting special parts for repairs. All vehicles were drained of their gasoline and moved to locations where they were unlikely to be touched in the near future.

A week passed quickly, and under everyone's observation, it was considered that the training mission had completed a cycle. The next step was survival training led by the Dixon brothers.

Of course, this did not mean the training was over.

The week was merely meant to familiarize everyone with the mindset of combat so they wouldn't feel lost when facing walkers in the future. After all, what truly helps people grow is real combat experience.

With specialized techniques, as long as they didn't encounter a large horde of walkers, everyone was expected to eliminate them with melee weapons relatively easily.

Ever since Merle last spoke with Jason, he had been unusually quiet. Aside from his foul mouth, he hadn't changed much, but he also hadn't done anything out of line. Jason wasn't sure what was going through Merle's mind, but no matter what he was thinking, Jason was always prepared to handle internal crises.

On the other hand, Daryl's change in attitude surprised Jason. Ever since Jason included him in the hunting plans, Daryl's attitude toward him had inexplicably improved.

This also made the next wilderness survival training much easier. After all, there is a big difference between sincere cooperation and mere obligation.

Nowadays, Guillermo's people had officially joined as reserve guards. They were all equipped and ready to respond to enemy attacks at any moment.

That's why Jason was no longer at the CDC. While Mike and a military squad were in charge of clearing locations, Tommy and his team were gathering supplies from distant areas.

Meanwhile, Jason was exploring farther locations with Rick, Guillermo, Shane, Glenn, T-Dog, and Morgan.

His intention was to strengthen his ties with these people, as they were far more reliable than the average person under his command.

Now, many people were gathered around a highway packed with abandoned cars.

"This place is definitely a mobility nightmare…" Jason said with a wry smile as he looked at the map, hoping to locate the prison where Rick and his group had once taken refuge.

"I think we should move forward. Do you see this point here? It's a suburban factory. I've been there before. It's a large area full of factories, and there wouldn't be a problem occupying it."

T-Dog was the one with the most experience in navigating the surrounding areas.

Many people preferred to stay in their own city and rarely traveled, which was one of the reasons why, at least in the beginning, the story was centered around Atlanta. Another reason was that transportation had become a major issue in recent days due to abandoned vehicles. However, as long as they avoided rural areas, the highways were relatively clear.

Originally, Jason's plan was to grow his strength in Atlanta. He needed to lead one of the strongest and most united communities in the area. To do this, he needed multiple secure settlements in the city and a precise communication network.

"No, I'm afraid the factory can't be considered a viable refuge for now! What we need is a sustainable shelter—one that maintains a unique level of security with minimal modification costs."

"If we look at the factory, the cost of securing the exterior would be too high." Rick stated his point of view, and everyone agreed.

Guillermo stood beside him, frowning as he studied the map in front of him. He didn't seem to have a clear idea, so he grabbed his weapon and stepped aside.

"I'm going to scout the area and see if I can find a suitable location."

"Let me go with you. We'll be safer if there are two of us." Glenn also grabbed his weapon and followed him.

"Be careful, both of you! Use the radio and contact us if anything happens!" Jason watched the two leave, gave them a few instructions, and then turned his attention back to the map.

In truth, he wanted to go to the Georgia prison. He knew it was somewhere in the state, but he was still hesitant about whether expanding now was the best idea. For now, he was considering going to Hershel's farm first and saving that group of people, as they would be crucial for developing agriculture as soon as possible.

Hershel's tragic death had left a deep impression on him when he first saw it. Because of the soft hearts of many, they had spared enemies, which led to the downfall of many good people in the future.

One could say that everyone paid the price for their own actions and ended up losing the prison, which was one of the best places to live—far better than Alexandria or any other large shelters that appeared later on.

Morgan pointed at a large open space on the map and said, "Have you noticed this? There's a large open area on this side of the road. I think there should be a farm nearby. What do you think of the terrain?"

"It's an open space. If we find an unused residential building in the center, we could renovate it."

Upon hearing this proposal, Jason simply shook his head and, after a moment, said, "Even though the farm has good terrain and visibility, it lacks secure defenses. Even if we built a perimeter around it, it would consume a huge amount of manpower and materials—resources we can't afford to waste, especially since we need to leave the city as soon as possible."

"It would also be difficult to create strong defenses. Not to mention, we now have new survivors arriving at the shelter. I think the ideal place would be one designed to house a large number of people, far from the city, with solid exterior defenses and farmland we can cultivate."

Everyone fell silent for a while. They knew that the farm wasn't a great option, but the real problem now was finding a place that met all their needs.

Just as Jason was about to suggest naming the prison, he noticed Rick's expression light up.

At that moment, Rick, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "Jason, a place like the one you described really exists!"

Everyone turned to look at Rick. He glanced at Shane beside him, smiled, and said, "It's got good land, walls, and it's far from the city! Can't you think of where it is?"

Shane scratched his head, frowned, and thought for a moment. Suddenly, he realized it and exclaimed, "Prison!"

"Yes, the prison! It meets all our requirements and has full facilities— a cafeteria, an infirmary, and an armory! Now, the question is, does anyone know where there's a prison nearby?"

After Rick finished speaking, he turned to look at those around him. They exchanged puzzled glances before all turning to look at T-Dog in unison.

T-Dog's expectant expression gradually darkened as he saw everyone staring at him.

"Wait a minute! What are you all trying to imply by looking at me like that? Just because I'm Black, I'm supposed to know where the prison is? Is that what you're saying? I'm a religious man, you sons of bitches!"

Hearing T-Dog's rapid response, Jason hid the smile on his face and interrupted, "Man, we just think you're more familiar with the surrounding area because of your community work, so you're more likely to know than the rest of us, that's all!"

The others nodded in agreement, and Morgan patted T-Dog on the shoulder. T-Dog was speechless for a moment before saying, "Sorry, I really don't know!"

Jason grabbed the radio and contacted Merle and Daryl's group, who were out hunting in the surrounding areas. "Zz... Merle! Can you hear me? Answer me, quick!"

"Zz... Ha ha ha! This is your old friend Merle! Is there anything I can do for you, our esteemed leader of the S.C.T.?"

"Zz... Speak in words we can actually understand! I need to ask you something—do you know where there's a prison near Atlanta?"

"Zz... Are you kidding me? Got an old friend you need to bust out of jail? Ha ha ha!"

"Zz... Merle! You know I can stop you from getting alcohol, right?"

"Zz... Alright, alright, I'm just messing with you! Yeah, there's a prison west of Georgia, near Atlanta. Why?"

"Zz... Do you know exactly where it is?"

"Zz... I just know it's west of Georgia. I don't remember the exact location. Shit, I've never been there! Why the hell would I need to know where that damn prison is? You think I visit them like churches to spread the Lord's word?"

"Zz... Alright, got it! You can get back to what you were doing."

"Zz... Yeah, whatever!"

"Merle has changed a lot. I guess he considers you a friend. He's not someone who submits to others easily," Shane said, having listened to their conversation. Ever since they left Atlanta, Merle's attitude had changed significantly.

Jason replied indifferently, "He stays true to his way of living. It's not like he's truly a bad person."

Shane nodded at those words.

BANG!!!

A loud gunshot echoed through the forest in the distance.

Then, Glenn's terrified voice came through the radio.

"Zz... Guys! We're under attack! Oh God, Guillermo's been shot—get here fast!"