"Come with us!" Hershel finally said, his tone softening.
Calista, Leah, and Merle followed Rick and the others, trudging unevenly as they headed toward Rick's camp.
This place was a bit different from the neat, well-kept main house of the Hershel residence. It felt more like a temporary encampment.
Instead of taking the three of them to the tool shed, Rick led them straight to the campfire, where dinner was already giving off a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
He had clearly noticed how exhausted and hungry they were, and decided to let them eat first before arranging where they would stay.
As it happened, to thank Hershel for taking them in, they had invited everyone from the farm to join them for dinner tonight.
Several tents of different colors were scattered around, and in the open space between them, a bonfire burned steadily. A large pot hung over the flames, bubbling and steaming, filling the air with the scent of food.
For the starving Calista and the others, it felt nothing short of heaven.
The rest of Rick's group and the remaining people from Greene Farm were gathered around the fire.
Carol, Jacqui, Lori, and Patricia were tending to the pot.
To Calista's surprise, Otis was there too, cheerfully helping Maggie and Beth carry a crate of canned goods.
Nearby, Maggie and Glenn kept exchanging glances, an unmistakable hint of youthful flirtation passing between them.
When Rick and the others arrived with Calista's group, everyone paused and turned to look.
The mood was slightly tense, but mostly curious.
After all, if Rick and Hershel had brought them here to eat, they were probably not a threat.
"Everyone," Rick said calmly, "this is Calista, Leah, and Merle. They ran into trouble and got separated from their group. They'll be staying at the farm for now.
Calista is the one who left supplies outside the CDC before, and Leah helped guide us. As for Merle… you all know him already."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere immediately turned friendly.
"Thank God, come sit!" Carol was the first to greet them warmly. She quickly dragged over a few empty wooden crates as seats. "You must be starving. The food's almost ready."
Her eyes were full of genuine gratitude as she looked at Calista and Leah, especially Leah.
Sophia had already returned with Carl. The little girl clung tightly to her mother, smiling at Leah.
Once they sat down, Carol rushed over to Leah, tears spilling out as she grabbed her arms tightly, her voice trembling and disjointed.
"Thank you! Thank you, Leah! If it weren't for you, if you hadn't shown us the way, I might have lost Sophia! She was being chased by those things… I… I don't even know how to thank you!"
She held on tightly, as if Leah were the only thing keeping her afloat.
Then she turned to Calista, her eyes just as full of gratitude.
Jacqui stepped forward as well, gripping Calista's hand firmly, her eyes reddening.
"Calista, I really don't know how to thank you. You saved me!"
That note had given her hope when she needed it most.
Carol hurried back to the pot, ladled out a full bowl of steaming stew, grabbed several pieces of baked flatbread, and practically pressed them into Leah's hands.
"Quick, eat while it's hot! You must be starving. Try it, I made it myself, added some wild celery. I hope you like it…"
Tears still streaked her face, but she forced a warm smile, fussing over Leah like a host worried she hadn't done enough.
Jacqui also filled a large bowl for Calista.
The warmth of their slightly flustered hospitality made something stir in Calista's chest.
She really was starving. After two days of running and hunger, even the smell of food made her stomach tighten painfully.
Taking the bowl, she said sincerely, "Thank you, Jacqui. It smells amazing."
She lifted a spoonful to her mouth.
Potatoes, a bit of salted meat, and wild vegetables. It was simple, but to her, it tasted like the best meal in the world.
The warm broth slid down her throat, chasing away the cold and weakness in her body.
She took a few more quick bites before forcing herself to slow down, then looked up and said, "It's really good. Honestly, this is the best stew I've ever had."
It wasn't just politeness. In her state, the comfort this meal brought was overwhelming.
And their cooking really was good.
Leah murmured her thanks as well and ate quietly, though a little faster than usual. She was clearly just as hungry.
Lori smiled and nodded, handing over a few clean metal bowls.
Merle glanced at the three of them. Calista and Leah each had someone attending to them, while he stood there with no one paying him any attention.
Then he looked at Daryl, who was just standing off to the side, shifting around without saying a word, not even thinking to grab some food for his starving older brother.
Annoyance instantly flared.
"Shit! Baby brother, you're still as dumb as ever!"
Daryl shot back without hesitation, "Shut up, One-Armed Man!"
With no help coming, Merle grabbed a bowl and served himself.
He didn't care about appearances anymore. Squatting off to the side, he wolfed down the food, letting out satisfied grunts between bites.
While everyone else was focused on the food and the emotions of reunion, Calista quietly observed everyone around the fire.
The one who drew her attention most was Otis.
That chubby, kind-looking hunter was still alive.
Her heart jolted, and her gaze immediately shifted to Shane.
Sure enough, Shane still had his thick, curly hair, nothing like the buzz cut she remembered.
In the original storyline, Shane shot Otis to save himself and claimed Otis had been killed by walkers. During the struggle, Otis had torn out a chunk of his hair, forcing Shane to shave his head to hide the evidence.
But now, Otis was alive and standing right there, and Shane's hair was untouched.
That meant the key event that led to Shane's complete descent and his break with Rick had never happened.
Was it because Leah guided them to the farm earlier? Not only was Sophia saved, but Carl was never accidentally shot by Otis, so there was no need to risk going to the high school for medical supplies.
Whatever the reason, the outcome was clear. Otis never went on that doomed mission with Shane, and everyone survived.
A strange feeling rose in Calista's chest.
Ever since arriving in this world, she had only been focused on survival, for herself and for Rock Fortress. She had never intended to get involved with Rick's group.
Leaving behind supplies and that note had just been a small act of goodwill. Something that might help.
And Leah had simply pointed the way.
Yet those small actions were like stones dropped into water, the ripples spreading outward and, without her realizing it, saving so many lives.
The realization that she had, unintentionally, changed the course of fate left Calista momentarily dazed.