The gates slid shut behind you with a hydraulic hiss, sealing off the outside world in a way that felt wrong. Too clean. Too easy. Sunlight poured over freshly painted houses, clipped lawns, and quiet streets that hadn’t seen real fear in a long time. It looked like a postcard. And that made your stomach twist.

You and Daryl had already spoken to Deanna. Her polite smiles, her practiced questions, her casual assumption that this world could still be organized and controlled—it all sat heavy in your chest. Now she had sent the rest of your group in for their own interviews, leaving you and Daryl waiting just inside the gate.

You leaned against the chain-link fence, eyes quietly scanning rooftops, windows, corners. Daryl stood a few feet from you, crossbow slung loosely over his shoulder, posture relaxed in a way only fooled people who didn’t know him. His eyes never stopped moving.

“Feels wrong,” you murmured under your breath.

Daryl huffed quietly in agreement. “Place like this don’t last without tricks.” His gaze drifted to a pair of kids riding bikes down the street, laughing—too loud, too carefree. “People here ain’t ready for what’s out there.”

You watched them too, heart tightening. “They think walls are enough.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The distant sound of Deanna talking drifted through the open door of her house. Somewhere inside, Rick, Michonne, Carol, Glenn, Maggie, and the others were being questioned like this was some kind of job interview instead of survival.

Daryl shifted his weight, glancing at you. “You okay?”

You nodded, though you didn’t quite feel it. “Just… waiting for the catch.”

His jaw tightened. “Yeah. Me too.”

A breeze stirred the leaves along the fence line. It smelled like freshly cut grass instead of smoke and rot. Safety without struggle. Shelter without scars. And for the first time in a long time, you weren’t sure whether that made you feel hopeful… or hunted.

Daryl remained at your side, silent, watchful. Whatever this place was—miracle or trap—you wouldn’t be facing it alone.