Calista judged the timing was right and walked over with her backpack. "We found some useful supplies. It's not safe to stay here too long. We should head back."
Maggie took a deep breath and nodded, forcing her expression back to normal.
"Okay. Let's go back."
She looked calm again, but something in her eyes had changed for good.
On the way back, the mood in the pickup bed was even heavier than before.
Maggie kept her lips pressed tight, saying nothing.
In her mind, the scene of walkers lunging at her replayed over and over, along with the way Leah and Glenn had killed them without hesitation. The contrast with the "patients" in the barn was impossible to ignore.
Her father's beliefs were starting to crumble inside her.
Daryl still sat in the truck bed with his back to everyone, quieter than before, as if deep in thought.
Merle, on the other hand, looked pleased with himself, convinced he had successfully planted something in his brother's mind.
Calista rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window with a faint smile.
This trip had not only brought back supplies, it had also subtly shifted the balance of opinions on the farm.
They had grown closer to Maggie, and Merle had clearly been trying to pull Daryl to his side.
A very productive outing.
Calista glanced at Leah beside her. Leah looked back at the same moment.
The sisters exchanged a look. No words were needed.
The pickup carried the six of them back to Greene Farm.
The moment the truck stopped, Calista sensed something was off.
Rick's group was still arguing.
Shane stood off to the side with his arms crossed, his face dark, several cigarette butts crushed under his boots.
Dale, Carol, and Lori stood together, their faces full of worry.
T-Dog and Jacqui looked unsure what to do.
Hershel stood on the porch steps, his expression colder and more severe than ever, with Beth standing uneasily behind him.
Rick stood in the middle of the camp, as if being pulled in different directions, looking utterly worn out.
"Looks like we missed something good," Merle muttered, nudging Calista with his metal arm, clearly enjoying the scene.
Daryl jumped down from the truck bed but didn't go to either Rick or Shane. Instead, he leaned against the hood of the pickup, keeping a careful distance from Calista and the others.
His gaze moved between the arguing group and Merle before he chose to stay out of it for now.
Since Sophia had been found in time this time, the group had not gone through the long search from before. As a result, he had not formed the same deep bond with Carol.
Right now, Daryl felt more like a lone wolf lingering at the edge of the group.
Calista signaled Leah and Merle to stay quiet.
The three of them silently carried the supplies to where Maggie indicated, then found an out of the way spot to sit, making it clear they were not getting involved.
Calista lowered her voice. "Just watch. Don't step in."
At that moment, the core of the argument flared up again.
"We can't stay here any longer, Rick!" Shane's voice was hoarse with anger. "Right now, there are dozens of walkers locked in a barn less than a hundred yards from where we sleep. That's a ticking bomb!"
"Then where are we supposed to go, Shane?" Carol spoke up, her voice pleading. "There are walkers everywhere outside. This farm has food, water, and solid shelter.
Hershel took us in. We can't give all that up because of something that might happen. The kids need safety!"
She held Sophia tightly, the fear clear on the little girl's face.
Lori stood beside her, one hand unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen. Her tone was steadier, but her stance was firm.
"Shane, I understand your concerns. But we have children. Carl, and… and Sophia. They need stability. If we leave, are we going back to wandering the roads again, always on edge?"
"Stability?" Shane nearly shouted. "Living next to a barn full of flesh-eating monsters is stability? Lori, wake up!"
"Enough!" Rick cut in sharply. He turned to Hershel on the porch, trying to keep his voice calm. "Hershel, we need to talk.
We have to talk about the barn. We understand how you feel, but everyone's safety has to come first."
Hershel's gaze was cold as he slowly walked down the steps.
"Rick, I believe I've made myself clear. This is my home. What's in the barn is my business.
I appreciate your help clearing the area, and I sympathize with what you've been through. But if my way, my home, makes you uncomfortable…"
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the group before settling on Rick.
"Then maybe it's time for you to leave."
The words hit like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples through everyone.
"See? I told you!" Shane shouted at Rick. "He doesn't care whether we live or die. He only cares about his dead 'patients'!"
"Dad, please don't…" Maggie stepped forward, looking at Hershel pleadingly. "They've helped us so much. Glenn and the others even risked their lives to get supplies today…"
"Maggie!" Hershel cut her off sharply. "Go inside with Beth. This doesn't concern you."
The stubbornness and pain in his eyes stung her. She bit her lip but stayed where she was.
Rick felt a wave of helplessness. He tried one last time.
"Hershel, we can figure something out. We could reinforce the barn, or…"
"There is no 'or,'" Hershel said firmly. "They stay in the barn, or you leave. Those are the only choices."
Shane finally snapped. He strode up to Rick until they were nearly face to face, his voice low but filled with anger.
"Rick, what are you waiting for? Are you really going to gamble everyone's lives on Hershel's fantasy?"
In the middle of the heated argument, Rick lost control and blurted out:
"…She's pregnant! Where are we supposed to go!?"
The air froze.
Lori's face went completely pale.
Carol, Dale, and the others looked stunned. They clearly had not known.
Shane turned sharply toward Lori, shock and something more complicated flashing in his eyes.
Rick himself froze for a moment after saying it, then was swept up by even stronger emotions.
The night before, while talking with Lori, he had noticed something was wrong.
When he pressed her, she broke down and confessed everything. She was pregnant, but she did not know who the father was.
Rick stared at Shane, then glanced at Lori. Suddenly, he turned and strode toward the edge of the farm.
He needed to calm down. Or more than that, he needed somewhere to release everything building inside him.