Chapter 22: A Small Child Worries About Big Matters

Meanwhile, on the roof of the RV, Gavin rested a 8x scope against his eye, silently scanning the distant road and the town of Palmer further beyond.

They were currently parked just west of the farm ruins, with enough open ground in all directions for the vehicle to accelerate and shake off any walkers, and they weren't too far from the lake. As for the highway, it was at least two kilometers away, and the Palmer resort area was even further, roughly three kilometers out.

Confirming there were no signs of undead activity in the open space, Gavin lowered the scope and jumped down from the RV. No sooner had he landed than Eugene, leaning against an old Ford, asked, "How is it, big star? Can we hide in this hellhole for a while?"

"The surroundings are better than I expected. At least we can have breakfast without any issues."

As Gavin replied, Madison stepped down from the RV with Winnie. Seeing Gavin nearby, Winnie trotted over and stared at the scope in his hands. "Boss, we have binoculars in our car. I'll have my mom bring them to you in a bit."

"What?" Gavin blinked.

"I mean, my dad has binoculars. He doesn't need them anymore anyway."

"No, I mean, what’s with the 'boss' thing?"

Gavin chuckled and patted Winnie on the head. Winnie turned and nudged her chin toward Madison. Seeing this, Madison grinned and said, "I taught her. Gavin, I only recognize you as the boss."

"I was won over by you four years ago, man. I’ll never forget how you picked up a big guy like me and tossed me aside the first time I was late for training. Besides, I've never lost when you're in charge—not in the Super Bowl, and certainly not against these walkers. If you aren't the boss, who am I supposed to listen to? That piece-of-shit redhead? I'm afraid I'd end up killing him in his sleep!"

With that, Madison shot Eugene a warning glare. Eugene curled his lip and held up his middle finger, waving it at Madison.

As for Gavin, he casually tossed the scope to Eugene. Interrupting Eugene's gesture, Gavin nodded at Winnie and smiled. "I do prefer binoculars."

"You got it, boss!" Winnie, relieved, ran back to the RV to talk to her mother about the binoculars.

Once Winnie was out of earshot, Gavin couldn't help but ask Madison, "Is her mom awake?"

"Yeah, she's been awake for a while. She was crying hysterically at first, but thankfully it didn't last long."

Madison replied, and Gavin looked toward the passenger seat of the old Ford, pointing at William as he asked Eugene, "The kid's mom is up, so why is this guy still out cold? Don't tell me he's less capable than a woman?"

"Pfft, he's just a brat," Eugene laughed. "Don't let his build fool you; he's just some kid who's pumped a little iron. He thinks he’s tough because he's got some muscle, but he’s actually soft as butter. I doubt he's even as agile as a cheerleader."

After that biting critique, Eugene opened the passenger door and hauled William out by his collar. "Sleeping beauty, it’s time to wake the hell up."

After being shaken and dragged about, William opened his eyes in a daze and immediately began looking around frantically. "Where... where’s my dad?"

William asked, trembling. Eugene dropped him onto the dirt and replied, "Your old man is already in hell. Want to go keep him company?"

"I... holy shit, where are we? Don't tell me you just left my dad there like that!" William stared around in shock before scrambling to his feet, shouting at Eugene. "This isn't even on the road! Where are we? Did you bury him before you left? At least give him a grave!"

"Shut the hell up, William! You want us to dig a grave for your old man just so we can get cornered by walkers and sleep in it for the rest of eternity?" Eugene continued his assault, his words making the veins in William’s forehead pop.

"Fuck you, Eugene! Even if there wasn't time to bury him, you should have at least left me his clothes or his watch as a keepsake! Why the hell did you knock me out?"

"Ha! I didn't want to touch anything off a walker for too long—who knows if it carries the virus? What, you want to settle this? Come on then, little cop, I’ll give you the chance!" Eugene cursed, gesturing provocatively at William.

William let out a heavy breath and suddenly lunged at Eugene. Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Madison pursed his lips and turned to look at Gavin. Meeting Madison’s questioning gaze, Gavin leaned against the RV and shook his head.

"Let them blow off some steam."

"Fine by me. I could use the entertainment anyway." Madison nodded with a grin and began watching the brawl between Eugene and William.

Although William was younger, taller, and stronger than Eugene, his fighting style was rigid—clearly the academic type, fresh out of the police academy. Eugene, however, was far more of a thug; every move he made was aimed at William’s weak points. Within a few exchanges, Eugene seized an opening and kicked William in the groin, sending the young officer to the ground, howling and clutching his crotch.

When Winnie and her mother stepped out of the RV, this was the scene that greeted them: William curled on the ground in agony, and Eugene circling him, cursing and taunting. This sight completely broke Winnie's mother.

*Doris, stay strong,* she repeated to herself, but the tears burst forth anyway.

*They're fighting... these people are so savage, so terrifying... oh God... my husband...*

Seeing her mother start crying again, Winnie’s face fell. *Weren't we supposed to be strong? Mom, were you just talking to the wind?*

Nearby, seeing the two women had stepped out, Madison said to Eugene, who was still taunting William, "That's enough, Eugene. Don't scare the ladies!"

"Ha! Scare them? They’ll have to get used to it sooner or later. The world has changed!" Eugene replied, giving William’s backside one last kick before casting a cold look at Winnie’s mother.

Facing Eugene’s fierce glare, Doris clutched her chest in terror, backing away two steps and leaning against the vehicle, breathing heavily in fear.

"Red-haired uncle, you're scaring my mom!" Winnie had to block her mother, shouting fiercely at Eugene.

This display startled Doris, who quickly grabbed her daughter's hand, terrified that the aggressive man might rush her daughter. However, seeing Winnie, Eugene's mood softened significantly. He let out a rough breath, nodded with a sneer, and said, "I’ll give you face, kid. I like you—you’re way tougher than this unweaned brat William."

As he spoke, Eugene couldn't help but glare at Doris again. "And you’re a lot tougher than your mother. Take care of her; she needs to adapt to this apocalypse as fast as possible!"

After a cold laugh, Eugene returned to the old Ford, pulled out the remaining half-bottle of cola, and took a satisfied sip. Meanwhile, William lay on the withered grass, pounding the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. His wailing clearly affected Doris, who began to sob quietly along with him, filled with fear and grief.

Annoyed by the sound of their crying, Winnie snatched the binoculars from her mother’s hands and brought them to Gavin like a treasure. "Boss, the binoculars!"

"Thanks. You're the only one who doesn't give me a headache." Gavin took them and inspected them; they looked high-quality. Clearly, Winnie's family had lived well—not only were the binoculars a name brand, but their Ford F-450 RV was also a top-tier vehicle.

Seeing Gavin was satisfied, Winnie felt relieved. She pulled her mother—who was desperately trying to stifle her sobs—over to Gavin and introduced them. "Boss, this is my mom, Doris. She’s a great cook and can wash clothes too!"

"Mom, stop crying, come meet the boss. His name is Ga—"

"Legendary quarterback Gavin King! The King of Texas Cowboys!!!"

Before Winnie could finish, Doris exclaimed in total shock. Hearing this, Madison gave Gavin a thumbs-up in admiration. "You really are something, Gavin. Even a housewife this age knows who you are!"

"Heh." Gavin chuckled and was about to say something, when suddenly, Doris burst into loud, wailing sobs.

Choking back tears, she cried out, "My husband... he drove us out from Houston in the middle of the night just to get to Dallas for the celebration of your team's fifth championship! And now he’s dead on the side of the road... how could this happen? Oh, God!"