usatvline Chapter 73 Camp Night
Chapter 73 Camp Night
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“Li Ailun, a UN security official; Susan, an expert from the WHO; Moore, someone we met in town…”
Li Ailun looked at Guillermo and introduced himself and his companions to outsiders for the first time.
"...We originally planned to go directly to the CDC, but we heard about the Atlanta shelter on the way, so we stopped by to check it out. Do you have any information about it?"
"As far as I know, when the disaster first broke out, the important locations were protected by the military, but the shelters in the city didn't hold out for long before falling. As for the CDC, I don't know..."
Upon learning their identities, Guillermo was immediately filled with respect.
Unfortunately, they were trapped here, cut off from information, and knew nothing about the situation at the CDC.
"Tsk...that's quite an impressive background."
Moore was also surprised. Although he had long guessed that the two were not simple, he did not expect that they actually had some background.
United Nations, World Health Organization... these are terms that were previously only seen in the news.
[The CDC, huh...]
Moore narrowed his eyes, a strange glint flashing in them, then suddenly remembered something and asked again:
"By the way, when the disaster broke out, the radio said that the CDC was researching a cure for the virus. Is that true?"
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Susan thought for a moment and said:
"From what I understand, the CDC was already working on this project before the disaster, but judging from the current situation, perhaps they failed... but who knows..."
Susan didn't have much hope for this, but seeing the despair in their eyes, she changed the subject, leaving them with a glimmer of hope.
"...So you're going to the CDC?"
Guillermo suddenly remembered that she had said she had something important to do, so he asked her with some curiosity.
Susan glanced at Li Ailun first, then nodded and said:
"...Well, we still need to go there and take a look. Until it's confirmed that the CDC has been compromised, anything is possible."
......
"You all rest, I'll go tell them to prepare dinner."
After chatting for a while, Guillermo said goodbye, got up and left the room.
"Allen, they lack medical supplies here, we..."
After he left, Susan turned to look at Li Ailun, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, but she only said half of what she was saying.
Li Ailun naturally understood what she meant, and after thinking for a moment, he said:
"Let's talk about it before we leave tomorrow. Let's observe for another night..."
Only Moll on the other side was completely confused, not knowing what kind of riddle the two of them were talking about.
......
...Nighttime, West District Reservoir Camp.
The people in the camp sat around several campfires, keeping the flames at a minimum, for fear that too bright a light would attract the zombies at night.
Around the campfire, Rick told everyone about his experiences during this time.
"...completely at a loss, mixed with fear, confusion and bewilderment, mainly feeling lost and helpless."
His son, Carl, lay dozing in his arms, while his wife, Lori, nestled close to him like a little bird. The reunion of his family made him feel incredibly comfortable.
"Words cannot describe it; sometimes words are so pale."
As Dale listened to Rick's story, he put down his water glass and said with some emotion.
“I felt like I was isolated from the world. I thought I was trapped in a nightmare of unconsciousness and would never wake up.”
As Rick spoke, he put his arm around his wife's shoulder, as if only through such contact could he feel her real presence.
"Mom said you're dead..."
Little Carl looked up at his father and suddenly said something.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Lori felt a sudden panic and instinctively looked up at her husband's face. She still felt a sense of unreality.
She had already accepted the reality that Rick was dead, but now he was standing alive in front of her.
Rick noticed the guilt and panic in his wife's eyes, and unaware of the situation, he took the initiative to explain on her behalf:
"...It's perfectly reasonable for her to think that way, so don't blame her."
Lori realized what was happening, glanced subtly at Sean, who sat expressionless by the fire, and then carefully organized her thoughts before speaking:
"When the situation worsened, the hospital staff told me they were going to transfer you patients to Atlanta, but nothing ever came of it..."
"..."
When Sean heard Lori's explanation, he looked up at her, somewhat surprised, as she nestled against Rick.
Lori noticed his gaze, but quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact.
If anyone was feeling completely lost, it would be Sean. Ever since Rick appeared, he had sensed a subtle anger emanating from Lori.
This made Sean feel very innocent, but he had no way to explain it.
Because Sean himself didn't understand what happened. He had confirmed that Rick's heart had stopped beating, but he didn't know why Rick came back to life two months later.
"I'm not surprised to see Atlanta in this state; it seems even hospitals have been overrun by zombies."
Rick nodded in agreement upon hearing his wife's explanation.
"That's right, I went through a lot of trouble to rescue everyone, you know?"
Lori's current attitude made Sean feel a little uncomfortable. He continued Rick's words, actually wanting to remind her that he was the one who saved her and her child.
"I don't know how to thank you enough, I don't know what else to say..."
Upon hearing this, Rick looked at Sean and said gratefully.
Through the conversation, he also roughly understood what happened after he fell into a coma and was hospitalized, including how they left Kings County after the disaster broke out and how they got to Atlanta...
It's fair to say that without Sean protecting Lori and Carl all along, he wouldn't be able to reunite with his wife and children today.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Lori silently lowered her head, her gaze somewhat unfocused.
"..."
Seeing Rick looking at him with gratitude, Sean was speechless for a moment.
Looking at Rick's family huddled together across from him, Sean realized clearly that everything he had gained over the past two months was gone.
Perhaps it never belonged to him to begin with...
"Words seem inadequate again. Oh well, it's just a trivial matter..."
Only the wise old man, Dale, vaguely sensed that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he chuckled and took the initiative to change the subject.
Crackling sounds...
Before he could finish speaking, a strange noise came from behind him, drawing everyone's attention.
It turned out that Ed's family was adding firewood to another campfire, which caused sparks to rise and the firelight to suddenly become bright and conspicuous in the dark.
Sean also looked in that direction and offered a reminder:
"Ed, could you please stop adding firewood so casually?"
"It's too cold, buddy."
"No matter how cold it is, the rules can't be broken, don't you think?"
Sean was seething with anger, but he still forced himself to speak:
"Keep the fire small, just a little bit, so as not to be discovered."
"I told you, it's too cold. Can't you just mind your own business?"
Ed remained unmoved, speaking with an indifferent expression.
Being repeatedly rejected made Sean feel that his authority had been challenged. Already harboring a lot of anger, he stood up abruptly and strode over there aggressively.
Seeing this, the others remained silent, and no one offered any advice.
They also felt that Edward's actions were somewhat inappropriate; if the firelight attracted the walkers, everyone in the camp would be in danger.
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