The night had deepened over the farm, wrapping everything in a quiet stillness that felt almost too peaceful.
Inside the farmhouse, most of the lights had dimmed. A few lamps remained lit, casting soft golden glows across wooden walls and worn furniture. The calm from earlier still lingered, but beneath it, something had shifted.
Luis and Mia stepped back inside from the porch after Rio called them. The warmth of the house greeted them again, but this time, the atmosphere felt different. Heavier.
Leon stood near the large wooden table at the center of the room, his expression serious. Beside him were two other men, farm workers, judging by their worn clothes and steady posture. One of them held a rifle.
Luis immediately noticed. Something was wrong. "What is it?" Luis asked.
Leon didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured for them to come closer.
Mia stepped beside Luis, her instincts already alert.
Leon leaned forward slightly, placing both hands on the table. "One of our perimeter watchers reported movement outside the outer wall," he said.
Luis's expression hardened. "Zombies?"
Leon shook his head. "No."
That answer alone made the situation worse.
"People," Leon continued. "At least two. Maybe more."
Mia felt a chill run through her. Luis glanced briefly at her before looking back at Leon.
"How long have they been there?"
"Not long," Leon said. "They were spotted near the western fence. They didn't approach directly. Just… watching."
Luis's jaw tightened. "Like scouts."
Leon nodded slowly. "That's what I'm thinking."
One of the men beside Leon spoke. "They stayed out of range. Didn't make noise. Didn't try to break in."
"Which means they're careful," Luis added.
"And experienced," Mia said quietly.
Leon looked at both of them.
"You've dealt with people like this before?"
Luis hesitates.
"No."
The room fell silent for a moment. Then Leon straightened. "I don't want to alarm everyone," he said. "But we need to be ready."
Mia glanced toward the hallway where Leah rested. "They can't get inside, right?"
Leon's eyes shifted briefly toward the window. "Our walls are strong," he said. "But walls don't stop everything."
Luis understood immediately.
Fire, weeapons or patience.
"What's the plan?" Luis asked.
Leon looked at him carefully. "For now, we observe. No lights near the outer fences. No unnecessary movement." He turned to the men beside him. "Double the watchers. Quietly."
They nodded and left without another word.
Leon then looked back at Luis and Mia. "I called you because you're not part of this farm," he said. "If this turns into something worse… you need to decide if you stay or leave."
Luis didn't even hesitate. "We stay."
Mia glanced at him briefly, then nodded.
"We're not leaving."
Leon studied them for a moment before giving a small nod. "Then you follow our rules."
Luis gave a faint smile. "Understood."
---
Miles away, hidden beneath layers of earth and reinforced steel, the bunker remained silent. Inside, however, tension quietly lingered.
Michael stood in front of the surveillance monitors, his eyes fixed on the screens. Beside him, Helen and Olivia watched.
Federick stood slightly behind them, arms crossed. "They made it safely," Federick had said earlier. "They're staying at Pablo's parents' farm."
Relief had spread through the room when they heard the news.
Helen let out a quiet breath. "Thank God."
Olivia nodded. "At least they're not alone."
But Michael hadn't relaxed, not completely.
Now, as he studied the screens again, his expression grew tense. "They're still there," he said quietly.
Helen stepped closer. "What do you mean?"
Michael pointed at one of the monitors. The grainy black-and-white footage showed the outside of the bunker, camouflaged, hidden beneath natural terrain.
But near the edge of the frame… Two figures. A man and a woman. Moving slowly, watching.
"They haven't left," Michael continued.
Federick stepped forward. "They're persistent."
Michael zoomed in slightly. The figures remained cautious, keeping their distance but never fully disappearing from view. "They're looking for something," Michael said.
"Or someone," Olivia added.
The room fell silent. Helen crossed her arms, unease growing in her chest. "Do you think they know?"
Michael shook his head. "Not yet."
Federick's voice was calm but firm. "But they suspect."
Michael leaned back slightly, still watching the screen. "They're patient," he said. "That's what worries me."
Outside, the two figures paused near a cluster of trees. The woman crouched briefly, examining something on the ground. Tracks, signs and evidence.
Helen swallowed. "What if they find the entrance?"
Federick looked at her. "They won't," he said. "Not easily."
But even he couldn't fully hide the concern in his voice.
---
Back at the farm, the air had grown colder.
Luis stood near one of the windows, looking out into the darkness beyond the fences. He couldn't see anything. But that didn't mean nothing was there.
Mia stepped beside him. "You think it's connected?" she asked quietly.
Luis didn't answer immediately. "The people near the bunker," she added.
Luis exhaled slowly. "It's possible."
Mia crossed her arms. "That's not a coincidence."
"No," Luis agreed.
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then a sudden sound broke the stillness. Adistant thud, followed by a faint metallic clang. Luis's head snapped toward the direction of the noise.
Mia's eyes widened. "That came from outside."
Another sound followed, closer this time.
A sharp whistle echoed briefly through the night. Luis's expression darkened. "That's not random."
Leon's voice came from behind them.
"They're testing the perimeter."
Luis turned. Leon was already holding a rifle.
"Positions," Leon ordered calmly.
The atmosphere inside the house shifted instantly. Calm turned into readiness.
Rio rushed in from another room. "What's happening?"
"Stay inside," Leon said.
But Rio shook his head. "I'm not hiding."
Luis grabbed his weapon. "I'll help."
Mia looked at him. "Be careful."
Luis met her gaze for a brief second. "You too. Stay inside."
Mia didn't argue, but her expression said she hated it.
Luis and Leon stepped outside into the cold night. The farm stretched before them, quiet… but tense.
Along the outer fence, faint shadows moved.
Too controlled to be infected, too deliberate.
Another whistle cut through the air then from beyond the wooden wall, a voice, low, calm.
Calling out. "Anyone home?"
Luis's grip tightened on his weapon. Leon didn't respond.
The voice came again. "We're not here to fight." A pause then, "We just want to talk."
Luis exchanged a glance with Leon. Nothing about this felt safe, nothing about this felt right and deep down he knew this was only the beginning.