"What a wild night," Arthur self-deprecated, easily hopping over the fence. He saw Ravenna sleeping soundly on the ground and, not wanting to disturb his lovely horse, silently slipped inside the firm office. Feeling famished, Arthur realized he hadn't eaten anything all day. He went to his duffel bag, grabbed some canned tuna and water, and ate until his stomach was somewhat satisfied. 'Still not enough if I want to survive for a long time,' he thought. Arthur shed his hooded coat, placing his bow, rifle, and dirk where he could reach them quickly. The only thing he didn't remove was the hidden blade bracer, just in case.
He went to the bathroom and tried the tap. 'Yeah right, as if the water would continue running without someone managing it,' he mused. He looked around and found a stocked case of water, which he warily used to wash the blood that had splashed onto him. After cleaning up, he went out of the bathroom, glanced down at his "little brother" with a smile—'heh, blessed as always'—and quickly pulled on a sweat suit. After dressing, Arthur stretched his body and lay down on the makeshift bed he had made earlier, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. It was the combination of the recent killing and the fact that he'd had to end the woman's life that kept him awake.
Meanwhile, the quarry camp was quiet, the sounds of crickets and distant water the only witnesses to the strained silence inside the small canvas tent. Rick and Lori were a tangle of limbs beneath a thin blanket, their proximity dictated more by the small space than settled peace. Carl slept on his side, his breath light and even, mere inches away.
Rick reached out in the dark, his fingers tracing the curve of Lori's arm, a movement more about confirming reality than offering affection. "I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I swear... I thought I was losing my mind, chasing shadows. You and Carl..." He paused, swallowing hard. "I thought you were gone."
Lori turned toward him. Her scent—a mix of woodsmoke and a lingering, faint trace of their old soap—was a painful jolt to his system. "We thought the same," she murmured, her voice tight and hollow. "Shane told us the hospital was swarming. That he tried to get to you. The city..." She trailed off, the word itself heavy with disaster. "He said you were dead." Rick's hand stilled on her arm. "I tried to call," he said, recalling the endless, pointless radio transmissions from the patrol car. "Every morning. Just hoping someone... anyone..." A pause stretched between them, thick as fog. Lori avoided his gaze in the darkness. "We didn't know," she said simply, the lie or the half-truth barely shielded by the canvas wall. "We just left. Just ran." "It doesn't matter," Rick insisted, pulling her closer, his voice fierce with relief. "Look at you. You kept him safe. You got us here." He kissed her then, claiming the life he had thought was forfeited.
The sunshine streamed through the window, rousing Arthur. Already dressed in his gear, he went outside and saw that Ravenna was awake. "Morning, Ravenna, we'll have a lot of searching to do," he said, gently brushing her mane. Ravenna neighhed at him. Arthur smiled. "Atta girl," and he pulled her rein, guiding her out of the gate. They soon began trekking along the side of the city, near the woods. Arthur did not dare to go deep into the city with Ravenna in tow, sighing as he thought, 'Didn't want to risk my mount's life, so I could leave her in the forest or a safe area in case I really have to explore.'
Time passed quickly. In the forest, a rabbit hopped around, suddenly perking its ears before twack—an arrow pierced its head, pinning it to the ground. Arthur approached, retrieved the arrow, and grabbed the prey by its ear. He whistled, and Ravenna trotted over. "This is the fifth prey I have hunted now, Ravenna," he noted, tying the rabbit to her back, alongside two more rabbits and two squirrels. Ravenna snorted, a forceful exhalation of air through her nostrils. Arthur laughed lightly, patting her. "Sorry, girl, it's a waste to leave a small game here."
After exploring the outskirts for half a day, Arthur raided several houses, looted essentials, and finally found a map. He traced the way to the quarry. Looking at the sun, he realized, "It seems like we'll arrive at night, Ravenna." He mounted her and began guiding her as she cantered. "Let's just be alert on the way, okay, girl?" Ravenna whickered in response. Arthur patted her neck and focused on the path.
After Ravenna cantered for a long time, they arrived at the entrance road toward the quarry. It was already dark, and Arthur unstrapped his bow just in case. Ravenna trotted calmly, Arthur looking relaxed but his heightened senses working to detect any unusual movement or sound. Then his ears twitched as he looked back and saw a jeep speeding up behind him. He patted Ravenna to relax as the jeep overtook them and stopped right in front.
A person got out of the jeep and pointed a crossbow at him. 'Daryl Dixon. The Korean man must be Glenn, then T-Dog,' Arthur thought, recognizing them from the show. Then another man, dressed in a sheriff's uniform and a cowboy hat, got out, pointing a Colt Python at him. 'Rick Grimes.'
"Who are you?" Daryl asked, staring fiercely.
"A lonely hunter looking for a group to join," Arthur replied with amusement.
"Bullshit. You look too clean to be surviving alone," Daryl pressed. "What do you think, Sheriff?" he asked, turning to Rick. Arthur raised an eyebrow, impressed by Daryl's vigilance.
Rick lowered his Colt Python and holstered it before approaching Daryl and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We don't kill the living, Daryl. Let's observe him for now," Rick replied, then turned to Arthur. "I'm Rick. This man who pointed a crossbow at you is Daryl. Those two are Glenn and T-Dog. What's your name?"
Arthur smiled and introduced himself. "Name's Arthur Kenway. This beauty here is Ravenna. Nice to meet you, Rick. You too, Daryl. And those two in the back of the jeep, Glenn and T-Dog, if I heard it correctly." He chuckled. Suddenly, a gunshot echoed. Arthur immediately frowned. "What's that?" Rick, Daryl, and the others' faces became worried. "It came from the camp's direction," Arthur hastily replied. "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go!" He thought to himself, 'The last scene I saw before I transmigrated, did it happen now?' as Rick and Daryl boarded the jeep truck. "Let's go!" Rick urged. Arthur patted Ravenna, who immediately started trotting, then cantering, before breaking into a full gallop.