Chapter 42
Leaving the CDC?
The CDC, in the cafeteria.
It was getting late, and Lori and a woman were washing dishes at the sink.
Everyone else had already slipped away to play in some unknown corner.
Since learning that the CDC has plenty of food and is not dangerous, and with the vaccine development still a long way off, everyone has become idle.
There's no need to worry about where tomorrow's food will come from; you only need to think about what to eat tomorrow.
No need to worry about where the zombies will come from, just think about where to play – whether to read a book, play a game, or sleep…
It seems like I've suddenly entered retirement.
Rick, however, couldn't stay still. With a gun slung over his waist, he patrolled the CDC constantly.
He recalled that Jenner and Tite hadn't shown up at breakfast that morning.
So Rick went to Jenner's door and knocked gently.
As the knocking echoed, Rick stood in the hallway, his brow furrowed.
Then, they continued knocking on the door, and the sound gradually grew louder.
Rick realized something was wrong, turned the doorknob, but found it was loose. He gently pushed the door open.
There were many empty bottles scattered on the floor, and the carpet smelled faintly of alcohol and a sour odor, indicating that Jenner had drunk quite a bit the day before.
The blankets on the bed were messy, and there were signs of sleeping on them.
Rick observed from the doorway for a while, then went into the restroom and took a closer look.
As far as he knew, the only people in the CDC were Jenner and his group.
But there was absolutely no need for them to kidnap Jenner. Jenner had given them food and a place to sleep, so there was no conflict of interest between them.
They're already considered to be in cahoots.
No! There's another person who's not on our side.
Only Tite, whom Caesar had brought to the CDC, was brought into the team.
After a brainstorming session, Rick quickly identified the suspect, but then he couldn't help but think about it again.
Did Caesar bring Tite into his team just for these supplies from the CDC?
Thinking about this, Rick felt a chill run down his spine.
Yes, Caesar knows the CDC much better than I do, so it's normal for him to have ideas about the CDC's food and supplies.
After all, he has to feed so many people, so it's normal for him to need food and supplies.
However, Jenner might not agree.
Could it be that Caesar and his team want to force Jenner to open the doors of the CDC so they can come in and loot the entire facility?
Rick thought and thought, and this was the only possibility.
Soon, he arrived at Tite's door. After a moment's thought, Rick went up and knocked on the door.
Rick placed his right hand on the holster at his waist, unfastened the holster, and took two steps back to maintain a clear view.
After waiting for a while, Rick heard footsteps approaching from inside the door. Rick's heart pounded harder and harder, and his palms began to sweat.
creak-
The door opened, and Tite's unkempt pink hair obscured her face, but Rick could still sense the deep resentment beneath it.
"What's up?"
Rick's gaze passed over Tite and fell into Tite's bedroom. The bedroom wasn't big, but the door was wide enough that Rick could see everything inside at a glance.
There was no trace of Jenner.
Rick forced a smile and asked, "I saw no one in Jenner's room. Did you see Jenner today?"
While asking the questions, Rick stared intently at Tite's face, trying to read something from it.
"Oh, Jenner!" Tite said without any hesitation, pointing towards the restaurant. "He went to have breakfast."
Rick paused for a moment, then heard Tite ask, "Is there anything else?"
"It's okay, bye!"
Tite quickly ended the conversation, and as the door closed, she crawled back into bed.
Rick was left standing in the corridor, secretly lamenting his overreaction. He looked down at his hand resting in its holster and chuckled to himself.
Meanwhile, in the CDC's cafeteria.
"Jenner?" Lori looked up and saw Jenner after washing all the dishes. "Hey, what's this?"
Jenner's eyes were surrounded by large, dark bags, and his face looked haggard. His sparse hair was also unusually disheveled. He waved his hand and asked, "Lori, is there anything else to eat?"
"Oh, yes, yes!" Although Lori didn't know the details, she decided to tell Rick about it later.
She turned off the oven's keep-warm function, took out the breakfast that had already been prepared, and placed it on Jenner's table.
"Thanks."
Jenner buried his head in his food, looking like he hadn't eaten in a long time.
While Jenner was eating, Lori noticed that Jenner was wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and that there were wrinkles from the ropes on them.
It looks like it has been tied up for a long time.
Jenner was filthy, like... like Jenner had been rubbed against the ground.
Lori kept her suspicions to herself, maintaining her polite smile, and asked, "Would you like me to make you something else?"
"Phew~" Jenner let out a long breath and refused, "No need, I'm full."
Jenner stood up and looked at Lori: "Lori, there are some things I need to tell you. I've been hiding some things from you."
Lori's smile froze instantly. Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she immediately forgot about politeness: "What are you hiding?"
"Let's wait until everyone is here before I start talking."
Jenner didn't explain, only telling Lori to inform the others to meet in the central command room.
Watching Jenner's departing figure, Lori felt a sense of emptiness, just like when she was forced to leave Kings County, just like when she was forced to leave the quarry camp.
Lori held onto the island counter behind her, took a few deep breaths, then took off her apron and hurriedly left the restaurant.
She was going to find Rick and explain the situation.
The CDC, on the second basement floor, is the central command center.
Jenner stared at the bright red countdown on the wall, her eyes filled with reminiscence of the past, especially the days when Candace was still around.
Those days when I lived alone could only be called simply existing.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
They are coming.
"Jenna, what are you hiding from us?" Lori pulled Rick away and asked impatiently.
Her insecurity erupted instantly, and Lori desperately needed Jenner's explanation.
Jenner turned around, glanced at Lori and the others, and finally settled her gaze on Rick.
Tite was not among the crowd.
"Rick, the CDC isn't some kind of paradise. It can't support you for long," Jenner said bluntly.
"What does this mean?" Lori stood in front of Rick, oblivious to her husband's feelings. All she cared about was whether her child could have a chance to grow up healthy.
"Do you want us to leave the CDC?"