Over the next few days, we gradually settle into the rhythm of life at the Indian Hills Inn, grateful for the temporary haven it provides. The inn's residents, a tight-knit group who have weathered their share of hardships, welcome us. Their kindness and the safety of solid walls are a rare comfort in a brutal world. Together, we merge our efforts, working side by side to reinforce the inn's defences—securing doors and windows, setting up makeshift barriers, and establishing watch rotations to keep the dangers of the outside world at bay.

The daily routine brings a semblance of normalcy, but there's an undercurrent of unease that I can't shake. I notice small things that unsettle me as we adapt to our roles. Karen, one of the inn's residents, seems to take a particular interest in Lori—her offers to help Lori with chores, fetch her extra blankets, or ask about her health. Usually, Carol is nearby to help with the pregnancy symptoms.

Every time I glance over, Karen watches Lori, her eyes lingering too long on the subtle curve of Lori's abdomen. There's something off about it. It feels invasive as if her fixation goes beyond simple worry.

One evening, as we sit around the fire in the inn's common area, the warmth of the flames does little to ease the growing tension I feel, and I observe Karen again. She's sitting across from Lori, her eyes fixed on Lori's belly, almost as if she's in a trance. Lori is making small talk, but there's a tightness around her eyes and a stiffness in her posture.

I lean closer to Rick, my voice low so as not to be overheard. "Have you seen the way Karen keeps staring at Lori?"

Rick's brow furrows slightly as he follows my gaze to Karen. "Yeah, I've seen it. Probably just concern."

"Maybe," I reply, though the doubt lingers heavily in my mind. "But it feels...off. It's like she's too focused on Lori, watching her every move."

Rick nods, his expression serious as he considers my words. "Keep an eye on it. If it gets worse, we'll step in."

A knot, the same knot I've started getting every time I look at the woman, is hard to push aside. My skin prickles, and I look at Rick. Karen's behaviour might be innocent. But something tells me it's more than that; something deeper. And I can't shake the sense that whatever happens with Karen will only worsen. He takes my hand and tilts forward to kiss my head.

At the start of the second week, an uneasy atmosphere hangs over us like a heavy fog, likely my own doing. I notice Daryl and Michonne near the makeshift armoury we've set up in the corner of the inn. They're methodically inspecting weapons and supplies.

"Hey, D, Michonne, got a moment?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the gnawing discomfort.

D looks up from her task, her eyes meeting mine with a smile. "What's up, Loz?"

I glance around to ensure no one else is close enough to overhear. "I need a favour. It's about Karen."

Michonne's attention sharpens at the mention of the woman. She leans against the table, arms crossed, brows furrowed, and lips pressed into a thin line. "What's going on?"

"Karen's behaviour has been off. I don't know how to explain it; her fixation on Lori has become unnerving. It's like she's always watching her, showing up out of the blue like she must always know where Lori is."

D's brow furrows, her gaze thoughtful. "You think she's a threat?"

"I'm not sure," I admit, scanning the room again. "But it's unsettling." I focus back on them. "I was hoping you two could watch Lori when she's around Karen. To make sure nothing happens."

Michonne nods. "We'll keep an eye on her. If anything seems off, we'll make sure to handle it."

D reaches over to squeeze my hand. "Got it. We'll be extra vigilant."

My shoulders sag, and I smile at them. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I want us to be safe."

"No problem," Michonne says firmly. "We've got your back."

As the days rolled on, the oppressive tension in the air shifted, giving way to a rare opportunity for light-heartedness. The weight of our apprehension about Karen and the ongoing struggle for resources had not disappeared, but we found a brief respite in the small joys we could still create.

Determined to lift everyone's spirits, D, Amy, and Beth organized a scavenger hunt for the kids—Carl, Sophia, and a few of the younger adults. It was a chance to break the monotony and bring some much-needed fun into our lives, even for just a few hours.

They gather in the inn's spacious garden; the late afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the property. The once well-maintained garden has fallen into disrepair, but we've cleared a section and set up makeshift markers and clues. The idea is simple: a scavenger hunt to keep the kids entertained and distracted.

"Alright, everyone ready?" I ask, glancing at the group as they put the final touches on the hunt. D is setting up the final clue, Amy is ensuring all the others are hidden, and Beth is preparing the small prizes they've gathered.

"Ready as we'll ever be," Amy grins, her excitement palpable. She hands me a small map she's drawn up.

"We've made sure the clues are challenging but not too difficult," Beth explains. "We want them to have fun, not get frustrated."

D, always the organizer, nods. "Let's see how they handle it."

As Carl, Sophia, and a few others approach, their faces light up with curiosity and excitement. They've been cooped up too long, and the chance to run around and solve clues is a welcome change.

"Hey guys!" I call out, waving them over. "I want to thank Beth, Amy and D for all this work. They've set up an amazing adventure for you." I clap lightly, "Let's give them a quiet but no less heartfelt applause."

There's a scattering of muffled claps.

Carl's eyes widen as he takes in the colourful clues and markers they've set up. "What's this about?"

"It's a scavenger hunt!" Sophia's face brightens with a huge smile. "What do we have to do?"

D hands Carl the first clue, a small note folded neatly. "You'll need to follow the clues hidden around the garden. Each clue will lead you to the next one; there's a little prize at the end. Just remember to work together and have fun!"

Sophia and Carl eagerly take the clue and start reading it aloud. The others gather around, chattering excitedly. I watch the garden buzzing with energy and laughter as they dart in different directions.

D grins, leaning back and surveying the scattered clues and makeshift treasure markers with a nod of approval. "Looks like we pulled this off."

"Definitely," I agree. "You four are fantastic."

Amy chuckles. "A little distraction goes a long way."

As the hunt continues, laughter and cheers echo through the garden; I feel a slight, hopeful spark. It's a fleeting moment of normalcy, but it's something to hold onto.

As the second week continues, Lori, Carol, and I gather in the RV for a thorough stocktake of our supplies, needing to prepare for the eventual journey to Saskatchewan. I know Lori and I aren't friends and probably never will be, but something, anxiety most likely, compels me to speak up. "Lori, how are you doing?"

She pauses mid-sentence, her pen hovering above the paper before she continues writing. "I'm fine," she replies, her tone clipped, her eyes never leaving the list.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Carol's subtle shift in focus, her movements slowing as she listens in. "I'm worried," I murmur.

"About what?" Lori's words are sharper this time, but she still doesn't look at me.

Taking a breath, I step closer, trying to meet her guarded gaze. "About the way Karen is with you."

Lori's pen stills again, and for a moment, she says nothing. "…Oh?"

"Yes," I try to find the right words. "I know there are issues between us, and keeping our distance has always seemed best, but this isn't about that. I want to make sure you're truly okay."

Lori hesitates, her voice softening just a touch. "Karen... she lost her little girl when they were escaping the dead. She's concerned."

Carol, who had been quietly sorting supplies, speaks up. "I've noticed she stares at you a lot."

Lori turns her head towards Carol, her expression guarded. "It's not usual for pregnant women to be around," she deflects.

"Would you be more honest if I wasn't here?" I suggest gently. "Be more comfortable if I left?"

Lori's response is immediate, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She makes me uncomfortable," she admits, finally meeting my eyes. "But how can I say anything? She's been nothing but nice and helpful."

Before Carol or I can respond, there's a sudden knock on the RV door, and it swings open. Karen steps inside, her smile bright as she greets us. "Afternoon, ladies," she chirps, her eyes quickly finding Lori. "Oh, Lori, let me take over," she insists, hurrying over to her. "You should sit down and rest."

Lori's hands go limp after Karen takes the list. "It's fine." she begins.

Karen is already steering her towards the bed. "Nonsense, you're ten weeks along, Lori. You need to rest. Making a human being is tiring enough—that's all you should be focusing on." She giggles at her comment, her eyes flicking to Carol and me with a hint of reproach. "I'm surprised you two have her doing this work."

I frown at the woman and approach her, taking our list from her hands. "She's pregnant, not an invalid."

Karen's eyes widen slightly, and she straightens up, clearly taken aback by my bluntness. Her smile falters momentarily before quickly masking it with a veneer of hurt confusion. "I was just trying to help," her voice tight but striving to sound innocent. "I didn't mean to overstep. It's not my place to say anything, but I just thought…" She trails off, the forced cheerfulness in her tone now laced with a hint of defensiveness. Karen glances briefly at Carol as if seeking reassurance or solidarity in the face of my accusation. Her fingers twitch, and she steps back to regain her composure. "I only wanted to make things easier for Lori," she adds, her voice softening, though there's an edge of resentment beneath the surface.

"Uh-huh." I stare her down. "Well, Lori is a strong, independent woman who can stand and write on paper—all on her own."

Karen hesitates, her eyes darting between me and the list she was holding. There's a tense silence as she processes my words. Her shoulders sag slightly, and she reluctantly nods.

"Alright," she says, her voice clipped and strained. "If that's how you feel, I'll… I'll leave you to it."

Karen moves with deliberate slowness as if to emphasize her reluctance. She glances one last time at Lori, who's still sitting with a strained but appreciative smile, then slowly turns to leave the RV. As she steps outside, the door closes behind her with a soft thud, and the tension in the air lingers. I watch through the small window as Karen walks away, her posture stiff and her head held high though her shoulders are hunched.

"Okay, that's it. I don't care if I'm overreacting." I turn to Lori. "I don't care if you think I would make better zombie bait," I spy a quirk on Lori's lips. "That woman is crazy and is out for your baby. I have seen enough horror movies, and I am positive that is what she wants."

"And if you're wrong?" Lori gets back to her feet and takes her list from me.

"Then call me paranoid and lock me in the RV. I don't care."

The sun has dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the overgrown lawn of the Indian Hills Inn. D and I walk side by side along the edge of the property, our boots crunching softly on the gravel path. The fading light paints the sky in hues of orange and purple, making the world look almost peaceful, if not for the ever-present reminder of the dangers lurking beyond the inn's boundaries.

"I swear, the longer we stay here, the more I forget that there's a world full of dead out there." D chuckles.

I laugh softly, shaking my head. "Those days seem like a lifetime ago. Remember when all we had to worry about was getting our assignments in on time?"

D's eyes crinkle in a smile. "Yeah, the last-minute crunch when we had like 40mns before the deadline."

We round a corner of the property, the last rays of sunlight illuminating the quaint old gazebo that stands deserted in the middle of the garden. D adjusts her grip on the flashlight strapped to her belt, and I do the same with my walkie-talkie, sensing some tension in the air as we check the perimeter.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I venture, glancing sideways at her.

D raises an eyebrow. "Sure, what's up?"

"I've noticed something... or rather, a change," I hesitate. "What's going on with you, Michonne, and Daryl? I remember you and Daryl seemed were pretty close back at the farm, and now..."

D's expression grows thoughtful as she glances ahead, her voice lowering. "Yeah, it's been a bit complicated. Daryl and I were getting close, but then he started pulling away. It's confusing. One minute, he seemed interested, and the next, he was distant."

I nod, "Some of those hunting lessons, way back when we were still in the quarry, were intense. And he was ready to take on a horde to find you."

"And now, with Michonne here, things are different. She and I are getting on well and getting a lot closer." D sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's hard to say. Daryl's always been unpredictable. One minute he's all in, and the next, he's backing off. Michonne's been through a lot, and though grieving, she seems open to new possibilities."

I give her a sad smile and squeeze her shoulder. "That's rough."

D nods absently, her gaze focused on the path ahead. "Yeah, it's a mess. I guess I'm trying to figure out where I stand now."

We stop near the edge of the property, taking a moment to survey the landscape. The soft light of the twilight made everything look almost serene.

"Have you talked to either of them about these feelings?"

D shakes her head, her lips pinched, and her voice strained. "I don't even know where to begin with that." There's a moment of silence before she lowers her voice. "Anything new about Karen?"

"No change there, and I know I could be making a huge deal out of nothing, but I just can't get rid of this feeling."

D raises an eyebrow, curiosity in her voice. "And how's Lori handling it?"

I shrug. "She's been surprisingly receptive. I expected her to push back, but Karen's behaviour seems to weigh on her more than anything I could say or do."

"Either way, we'll keep an eye on things. We'll make sure nothing happens."