Chapter 105

After visiting Maggie, Lina went to the storeroom, where her latest hobby was spending time with her beloved RPG every day.

This is a deadly weapon.

Olivia isn't in the storeroom today, which is strange. And why didn't she lock the door again! Bad habit!

Olivia had been doing a decent job, so no one had considered replacing her. They already had enough to handle, and if they replaced her with people from the warehouse, the relationship that had finally eased might start to conflict again.

Lina doesn't like to get involved in these messy things; in her eyes, the important thing right now isn't this little warehouse.

It was still strange; Olivia rarely left her post. After Lina finished checking the warehouse, especially making sure her beloved RPG was safe, she carefully closed the door and went to look for Olivia.

After that great battle, Alexandria's population was drastically reduced, but it was still a force to be reckoned with. What was most frightening was that many of those who had little fighting ability survived.

Although it's an exaggeration to say that, they did put a lot of pressure on Alexander's survival.

Lina, as always, was unwilling to build a good relationship with them. In her eyes, these people were no different from zombies; they were all dead.

If they are strong enough to participate in the mission and survive, then in Lina's eyes, it is necessary to remember their names.

She no longer wanted to go through what happened in prison—building relationships with people and then watching them die.

She wasn't confident she could save so many people, so she had to harden her heart to make herself feel better.

"That's strange," Lina looked around in confusion. Logically speaking, Olivia wouldn't have gone too far, so where could she have gone?

Forget it, she should just go and tell Rick.

Absent-of-absence! Take her cookies!

But... what was Rick's job today?

Lina scratched her head in confusion, thinking that Olivia was lucky. She would write it down and tell on her later.

Feeling like she'd inexplicably gone in circles, Lina walked home feeling dejected.

No, she needs to find something to do. If she's idle all day long, she'll become stupid and bored.

When Lina reached her front door, she saw Dwayne and Sophia talking to each other at the door, looking quite happy. Lina quietly tiptoed around to their side.

"...Enid took me to find it, it's absolutely gorgeous..." Sophia happily shared with Dwayne, "And..."

"Ah!" Lina suddenly jumped out and screamed, startling Sophia and Dwayne, who turned around to look at Lina with surprise and doubt, still clutching their knives.

"Lina!" Sofia puffed out her cheeks angrily. "How could you scare me like that!"

"Sorry, sorry, hahaha." Lina mischievously poked Sophia's cheek. "What are you two talking about? I heard you and Enid go out? Is that right?"

Sophia's eyes widened in horror. "You...you heard everything?"

Dwayne looked at Lina in horror.

“That’s right, hmph,” Lina said smugly, hands on her hips. “What did Enid take you to see? Outside, right? Didn’t I tell you it’s not safe outside? How could you run around like that? I’m going to tell Carol!”

Sofia blinked and exchanged a glance with Dwayne. "Please, Lina, don't tell my mom, please, please," Sofia pleaded, pulling on Lina's hand.

“They didn’t sneak out alone; Carl went with them too,” Dwayne said.

“Then you’re just three little kids,” Lina frowned. “You really aren’t allowed to run around outside.” Karl had logged off, apparently because he was out looking for someone.

"It's not too late for you to go out freely when you're older..." Lina said with a sour face. These brats! "No, where's Karl? I need to talk to him."

“Uh…” Dwayne hesitated for a moment, then gave Karl away with Sophia’s constant winks and gestures. “Okay, he and Enid are by the lake.”

"..." Lina raised an eyebrow, put her arm around Sophia on one arm and Dwayne on the other, and the three of them headed towards the lake. Lina kept glancing at them with a gossipy look, "Aren't they...?"

"...Maybe?" Dwayne mumbled. Brother, forgive me.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Lina said with a maternal smile, "But what about you two? You don't have anyone you're dating, do you?"

“…No, no, no, no,” Dwayne quickly waved his hand, “I didn’t.”

Sofia quickly nodded, "Yes, me neither."

"Really? You're not just unwilling to tell me, are you?" Lina looked at the two of them suspiciously.

“Really not,” Sofia said helplessly. “Look at the kids around our age now, there aren’t many, are there? And… they really are…” Sofia had a look of utter frustration on her face.

“That’s true,” Lina thought. If they actually started talking about it, she figured the two kids might have lost their minds.

"When you look for a partner in the future, be careful not to marry someone who isn't very bright," Lina said. "Marrying a useless partner could cost you your life."

“It has to be like you and Daryl, right?” Sofia chuckled.

“That’s right,” Lina nodded confidently. “Obedience, reliability, and a sense of security—that’s what a good man should be like.” As she spoke, Lina looked at Dwayne. “You should learn a thing or two from him.”

“But you still call Daryl an idiot at home every day, it’s driving you crazy,” Dwayne, who had lived with the young couple for a while, revealed.

“…You don’t understand,” Lina paused for a few seconds, “His idiocy is also part of his charm.”

“…Ugh,” Sophia and Dwayne looked at Lina with disdain.

“Lina, you should be careful. If you hadn’t met Daryl, you would have been the most dangerous love-struck person ever,” Sophia said.

"I don't like hearing that," Lina said, displeased. "Not just anyone can catch my eye, you know."

"Lina's love-struck, Lina's love-struck!" Sofia and Dwayne broke free from Lina and ran away with mischievous grins.

"You brat!" Lina wrinkled her nose. How was she being love-struck?

The three of them played around for a while before reaching the lakeside. Karl and Enid were talking, standing quite close together. Lina grabbed Sophia and Dwayne, and the three of them quietly crouched down to the side, watching the two of them.

"What are they saying?" Lina watched curiously for a long time, but couldn't hear anything, and if she got any closer, she would be discovered! "This little atmosphere is quite nice," the two looked at each other affectionately.

Dwayne covered his face. "I'm sorry, Karl! We will all remember your contributions."

"Wow! They're holding hands!" Lina exclaimed excitedly. "Are they getting together? Why don't they kiss?"

"..." Sophia looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't. No, Lina, you...?

Lina tugged at Sophia's cheek. "Let me tell you, dating is only interesting when you watch other people date." It has to be with Amy to watch the drama unfold; her partner would definitely understand her.

Sophia was skeptical; she didn't understand what was so interesting about it. All she knew was that watching the little brat Karl flirt with girls with such affected maturity was really...strange...

After all, she couldn't get the image of Karl crying and calling for his mother and father out of her mind.

Although that happened a long time ago, and she wasn't much better back then, it's still very strange.

"Let's go, let's sneak over and give them a fright," Lina said mischievously.

Sophia and Dwayne hesitated for a moment. "Maybe we shouldn't? Carl brought a gun," Sophia quickly came up with an excuse.

“He’s not that timid,” Lina said after a moment’s hesitation. “But you’re right, let’s just leave it at that,” she added, “it wouldn’t be good if the child got really scared.”

"Let's go, we'll catch him and go find Rick." Lina stood up and strode aggressively toward the 'young couple' by the lake.

Sofia glanced at Dwayne, who nodded and turned to run towards Lina's house, with Sofia quickly following after Lina.

"Karl, Enid!" Lina stood with her arms crossed, looking at the two of them. "I know everything!"

"Huh? What? What?" Karl was startled by Lina's sudden appearance, released Enid's hand, and stammered as he looked at Lina and Sophia behind her.

Sofia hid behind Lina, winked at the two of them, and then shook her head.

“We won’t sneak out next time, we promise, right?” Sofia said.

“Uh, yes, we promise.” Karl said, echoing Sophia’s words.

“…I don’t believe you guys for a second,” Lina rolled her eyes. She was tired of making that kind of promise herself.

“Next time you go out, remember to bring your weapons and communicators, and be careful,” Lina said. “Of course, I suggest you don’t wander around outside. Although we’ve been through a lot, many times, things can go wrong just because of something very small. I don’t want any of you to get into trouble, you know?”

“Understood,” Carl nodded honestly.

“This is my secret, you can’t tell anyone,” Lina said mysteriously in a low voice. “I’ve hidden a gun and a box of bullets in the shoe cabinet in the living room. If you absolutely have to go out, then take those.”

“You’re really strange,” Enid said, looking at Lina with some curiosity.

“Since there’s no way to stop you anyway, and other people are already doing it, I won’t bother. Let’s talk about something more practical,” Lina said with a shrug.

The three children nodded obediently. Lina looked around in confusion. "Where's Dwayne?"

Sophia looked at Carl, who immediately understood, "Did he tell you I was here? I knew it was him!" Carl looked around unhappily, wishing he could find Dwayne and give him a loving punch.

"Ahem, um, where's Rick?" Lina quickly changed the subject.

“My dad, uh, my dad…” Carl stammered, “He and Michonne went out this morning,” Carl said.

"Really?" Lina felt a little strange. "They're dating now?"

No wonder they're father and son; they even date together!

“…Maybe, perhaps…” Karl glanced at Enid and stammered.

“Okay,” Lina nodded. “I’ll talk to him when he gets back. But, I still have to tell your parents about what happened between you two, I mean, about sneaking out.”

“…Okay, okay.” Karl gave an awkward laugh.

"Alright, I'm going home now. You guys should head home early too," Lina said, turning to leave.

"Uh, Lina!" Receiving the anxious, pleading looks from Sophia and Karl, Enid had a sudden inspiration and quickly called out to Lina.

"What's wrong?" Lina asked Enid, puzzled.

“Can you tell me about what you’ve been doing outside?” Enid asked. “I…I’m very curious,”

“Let Carl talk to you,” Lina said with a knowing smile. “You two chat more, chat more, hahaha.”

“…Lina!” Karl looked at her awkwardly.

“How do I know if a boy is telling the truth or just bragging?” Enid said. “I want to hear you say it because I want to be like you; you’re strong.”

Although the boys were attacked for no reason, Lina was clearly pleased by Enid's words and was no longer in a hurry to leave. She began to talk enthusiastically about her adventure of chasing the governor.

While listening attentively, Enid secretly gave Karl and Sophia an OK sign.

The crisis has been temporarily averted.