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The first signs came in whispers.
A child vomiting behind the greenhouse.An older man dizzy during fencing patrol.A pregnant woman collapsing while tending the chickens.
By dusk, five were down with fever. Two more by morning.
And no one knew why.
Community Courtyard – Morning
Rick moved fast.
The courtyard was busier than usual, but quieter too. Conversations were hushed. The usual hum of drills and shovel strikes had slowed. Sarah rushed from the medical station, her coat stained with antiseptic and panic.
"They're not responding to the usual hydration," she told Rick as he matched her pace. "This isn't dehydration or heatstroke."
Morgan joined them with a clipboard and a narrowed gaze. "Something's off. No sign of flu. No infected wounds. Symptoms all hit within a 12-hour window."
"How many sick?" Rick asked.
"Nine confirmed," Sarah answered. "Two critical. They all ate from the same stew pot. Evening before last."
Rick's eyes darkened. "Contaminated?"
"Maybe," Sarah said. "Or worse—deliberate."
Greene Family Quarters – Maggie's POV
Maggie helped Beth unpack dry herbs they'd brought from the farm into labeled jars for the community's stock. Their new quarters were sparse but warm—sunlight through a cracked window, a wooden table, simple bedding.
Beth had a slight cough, but no fever. Patricia checked her every two hours anyway.
"Feels like the world doesn't want to let us breathe," Maggie muttered, tightening the jar lid.
Hershel stood at the doorway, arms crossed. "The world never promised fairness."
She looked up. "You think this place is falling apart already?"
He shook his head. "I think something doesn't want it to stand."
Command Barn – Emergency Council
The full council convened for the first emergency meeting since the Vultures' defeat.
Rick stood at the center, jaw tight. Morgan had mapped patient locations with pins. Sarah showed short reports of symptoms.
Guillermo: "You saying we were poisoned?"Sarah: "I'm saying this wasn't spoiled meat. The prep was clean. The ingredients were confirmed from our storage."Dale: "That storage was just reorganized after the Homestead joined."Shane: "What are you implying?"Dale: "I'm saying new hands touch new food."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Rick: "We don't accuse without proof."
Glenn flipped open his notebook. "I checked supply logs. There's one entry missing. A crate of lentils wasn't signed out before the stew."
Rick turned to Daryl. "How many people have keys to the food storeroom?"
Daryl: "Eight. Only three from Homestead. The rest are ours."
Rick: "Cut that number to three. From now on, double locks. I want inventory reviewed daily."
Shane, arms crossed: "You think it's sabotage?"
"Shit." Graves said.
Rick looked him in the eye. "I think someone is testing us."
Medical Station – Later
Sarah wiped sweat from her brow as she finished a checkup. The symptoms weren't progressing in the way illness normally did. Instead, it felt... induced.
Morgan handed her a small sealed bottle. "From Miguel. Leftover stew. He froze some out of habit."
She sniffed it. Then narrowed her eyes.
"Something's off."
Morgan asked, "You think it's plant-based?"
"Maybe. We'll isolate it. Start testing."
Rick entered silently. "Keep it quiet. No panic."
Sarah nodded. "No promises if someone else drops."
Perimeter Patrol – Daryl's Trail
Daryl moved along the outer fencing with Glenn and Miguel. He kept low, eyes scanning for any foreign prints. Eventually, he stopped near the old compost pit.
Tracks.
Barefoot. Smaller than average. Deep enough to be recent.
Glenn crouched. "Those aren't from our usual foot patrol. Too close to the southern gate."
Daryl grunted. "Someone went in or out on foot. Quiet."
Miguel pointed toward the drainage ditch nearby. "You think someone snuck food in?"
"Could be," Daryl said.
He followed the trail a bit farther—then stopped. Something rustled in the nearby brush.
He raised his crossbow.
Silence.
Then—nothing.
Carl's POV – Beth's Worry
Carl sat beside Beth, who was gently humming to a feverish child. The boy, Timmy, had collapsed during gardening duty. His breathing was shallow, but steady.
"You don't think someone did this on purpose… right?" Beth asked, barely above a whisper.
Carl stared at her.
"I don't know."
Beth's eyes welled up. "I thought this place was safe."
Carl looked toward the door, where Shane was leaning with arms folded, watching everyone.
"Sometimes danger comes with you," Carl said quietly.
Rick and Maggie – A Private Conversation
As night fell, Maggie stood near the stables, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the second watchtower. Rick approached, steps quiet but not hidden.
"You noticed it too," he said.
She nodded. "Something's wrong. People are tense. Someone keeps watching the Greene quarters. Beth's scared."
Rick looked up toward the tower. "We'll figure it out."
Maggie turned to face him. "Do you really believe this place can survive?"
Rick met her gaze. "Not unless we stop whatever's rotting it from inside."
Council Quarters – Clue Found
Late that night, Glenn burst into the council chamber where Rick and Morgan were sorting records.
He held up a small cloth bundle.
"I found this hidden behind the stew pot storage shelf."
Rick unwrapped it: dried berries, crushed.
Morgan took one look. "That's not food. That's foxglove."
Rick's eyes narrowed. "Poison."
Sarah confirmed it minutes later. "Enough to cause nausea, convulsions, low-grade fever."
Rick whispered, "Someone meant for this to happen."
Final Scene – The Watcher in the Shadows
Out beyond the compost pit, where the moon barely touched the treeline, a figure crouched beside a tree.
Their clothes were muddy. Their breath quiet.
They watched the walls. The guards. The rotation patterns.
Then slowly, they turned and melted back into the dark woods.
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If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Ptreon for early access, exclusive chapters, and more:
15 Advanced Chapters on Patreon
patreon.com/Jayzero