Clementine noticed everyone staring at her and Max. She quickly released his hand, a faint smile flickering across her face.
"Max, let me introduce you to everyone," she said, pulling him toward the group.
They were still lying on the ground, hesitant to stand. Their eyes remained fixed on the man before them, the man who made them feel as though nothing about them could be hidden. Fear lingered in their expressions.
Clementine looked at them in confusion. Jane, realizing he wasn't a threat and sensing the awkward tension, stood first. One by one, the others followed, though none dared meet his gaze.
"This is Max Walker… the one I've told you about," Clementine said proudly.
She was about to introduce the rest of the group when a horde of undead surged toward them. In her excitement at finding Max, she had completely forgotten about the walkers closing in from behind.
Clementine snatched up a gun from the ground. "Max, we need to go. I'll introduce everyone later," she said nervously.
The others scrambled for nearby weapons, preparing to run.
"Don't worry about the walkers. Continue the introductions," Max said calmly, not the slightest hint of concern in his voice.
Clementine trusted him completely. With Max here, she felt no fear. Ignoring the advancing horde, she turned back to the group.
"This is Jane… a good friend of mine."
Jane stared at her in disbelief as the walkers drew closer. The others panicked; only Max and Clementine remained composed.
"Stop with the introductions!" Jane snapped, gritting her teeth as she forced herself to face Max. "There are hundreds of walkers heading straight for us. Can't you see that? We need to run...now!"
"Yes, we need to go," Rebecca added nervously, glancing at Max.
Sarah grabbed Clementine's hand and tugged urgently. Everyone's eyes pleaded with her to move, but Clementine avoided their gazes and looked at Max instead, silently asking what to do.
Jane opened her mouth to argue further.
Then the earth began to rumble.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Hundreds of vehicles raced toward them, engines roaring and shaking the ground. Blinding headlights cut through the wilderness, illuminating the chaos.
The group stood frozen as the vehicles formed a protective circle around them, blocking the walkers' advancement.
Armed men and women poured out, hundreds of them.
They moved with precision, slaughtering the undead with guns and blades alike. Thick leather armor protected their hands, feet, and necks. They resembled a disciplined army. They cleared the area of corpses and removed the Saviors' bikes.
The group had not seen so many survivors gathered in one place since the outbreak.
Within minutes, gunfire and the thud of collapsing bodies filled the battlefield.
Everyone stood stunned; Clementine included.
More than ten men and women carried a table and several chairs into the clearing, placing them carefully at the center.
The group stared in disbelief. Moments ago, they had been paralyzed with fear at the sight of the massive horde. Now, as the undead were systematically slaughtered around them, they didn't know what to think.
Their eyes turned to Clementine, searching for answers.
She had none.
Instead, she looked at Max. "Who are all these people?"
"My love, don't worry," Max replied gently. "They are my Blood Angels. You must be tired and hungry; eat first I'll explain everything later."
With a simple wave of his hand, several Blood Angels stepped forward and placed food on the table, fresh bread, cooked meat, and cleaned water.
Max sat down. Clementine followed, taking the seat beside him.
The rest of the group remained standing.
"Don't be afraid," Max said sincerely. "Please sit. I'm grateful to all of you...for protecting Clementine and staying by her side."
Hesitantly, they obeyed. Their eyes lingered on the food, hunger overpowering suspicion.
"Eat," Max encouraged. "As much as you like."
Gunfire echoed in the background as they began eating, still wary but unable to resist.
Clementine introduced everyone, recounting everything that had happened since the kidnapping, losses, struggles, and the narrow escapes.
Max listened quietly.
At times, his eyes flashed with anger, but the emotion vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Jane ate in silence, watching Max and Clementine converse as though nothing else existed. It felt surreal to her, like a picnic in the middle of a battlefield. Walkers were still charging, and gunshots still rang out as they ate.
She glanced at the others and saw the same disbelief mirrored on their faces.
One thing was certain: Max was not someone to be trifled with.
To Jane, he didn't seem entirely human at all. What disturbed her most was that he was the same age as Clementine, whom she still considered a child.
That was the hardest part to accept.
Her attention shifted as a guard approached. He placed a fist over his heart and bowed slightly.
"My Lord, the medical team and scout unit will arrive within minutes."
Max nodded.
"The main camp is far from here," he said calmly. "We will remain here tonight. Set up the tents. At dawn, we leave. Gather all usable supplies from the area."
The guard saluted and departed.
After everyone finished eating, more vehicles arrived.
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Jane wondered: if this many people were already here, how large was the main camp Max had mentioned?
"Clementine! It's so nice to see you again!"
Molly rushed forward and pulled Clementine into a tight hug. They immediately began talking excitedly, laughter breaking through the tension.
Meanwhile, Carlos stepped forward nervously.
"Sir… would you allow my daughter and me to join your camp?... I'm a doctor. I can be useful."
He wanted safety for his daughter, and from what he had seen, the man before him was the only one capable of providing it.
Before he could continue, several guards turned sharp, cold eyes on him. Carlos stiffened, wondering if he had said something wrong.
Max glanced at the Blood Angels. Instantly, they looked away.
"Forgive them," Max said calmly. "They are not fond of people calling me 'Sir.' If you wish to join my community, you will address me as 'Lord.'"
Carlos nodded quickly. "Yes… Lord."
He glanced at his daughter, urging her silently.
She swallowed. "L–Lord," she whispered.
"You may join," Max said evenly. "As for your daughter, I hope she proves an asset… not a liability."
Rebecca trembled slightly before stepping forward.
"Lord… may I join as well?"
Her voice shook. If he refused her, she and her baby would be left alone to die.
"I will be honest," Max replied. "Your pregnancy makes you a liability. However, I can overlook that if you possess useful skills. What was your occupation before the outbreak?"
"I… I was an elementary school teacher. But I can do anything. Please… let me join."
Max smiled faintly. "An elementary teacher? Excellent. We have many children in the camp. You will be a valuable addition. Report to the medical tent and check your baby."
"Thank you, Lord," Rebecca said softly before hurrying away.
Jane remained silent.
She disliked belonging to groups and preferred working alone. But she also understood that surviving alone much longer was unlikely, and everyone she cared about was here.
She stepped forward.
"I don't have formal job experience," she said flatly. "But I'm good at killing walkers… and people."
When Max did not respond immediately, she lifted her chin and added quietly, "Lord."
He gave her a faint nod.
"Very well."
Max turned back to the group.
"You all must be exhausted. Go and rest in your assigned tents. If you do not know your placement, speak to someone wearing a blue badge. They manage logistics and will guide you."
With a subtle wave, he dismissed them.
The group moved toward the blue-badged members, who were already constructing tents and organizing supplies.
Max then walked toward Clementine and Molly. Seeing them laughing brought the widest smile of the evening to his face.