Free Web NovelChapter 407: Chapter 407: Stench 5
Ethan Dawson’s words made everyone’s expression change.
"Bleeding them?"
"Yes. There’s a drought everywhere, and water sources have dried up. To survive, some people have started preying on their own kind." Recalling the gruesome sight, Ethan Dawson’s brow furrowed slightly.
"I took Nathan Xavier into the mountains once and saw a corpse," Chet Lawrence said. "It was already decomposed, but its abdomen had been sliced open. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now that you say that... could that person have been gutted by other refugees?" At his words, both Wyatt Vaughn and Wendy shivered.
"Oh my god, that’s horrifying."
"You haven’t seen anything yet. There are far more horrifying things out there. Everyone should try to stay on the farm. The outside is full of refugees, and some might be lying in ambush. Anyone going on patrol needs to carry a gun and a whistle." Evelyn Ford glanced at Ethan Dawson as she continued.
"We have to stop the refugees from getting in. I have some smell bombs I developed myself. They’re several times worse than this stench we’re smelling now. I’ll give you some to scatter around your farm, and I’ll do the same around ours. We have to lock this place down and not let a single person in."
Ethan Dawson nodded. "Alright. I’ve already arranged patrols, so we’ll have eyes on the area twenty-four hours a day. If anything happens, I’ll send someone to let you know immediately."
After Ethan Dawson left with the smell bombs and some pumpkins, Evelyn Ford distributed the rifles, ensuring all patrol members were armed.
Wyatt Vaughn held Zoe, her face pale. "We’ve had it too easy on the farm for too long. I’d forgotten how brutal the outside world is. Evelyn, I’m suddenly scared."
Evelyn patted her shoulder. She understood Wyatt’s fear but couldn’t find the words to comfort her.
’This was just how the world was now. When someone was ruthless, you had to be even more ruthless to survive.’
The people on the farm reacted so strongly to Ethan Dawson’s words because they had been sheltered for so long that they’d gradually forgotten the dangers of the outside world. Here, they had full bellies, a roof over their heads, water to drink, and clothes to wear. In that moment, they finally remembered it was still the apocalypse. Beyond natural disasters, there were man-made ones, and people were killing each other.
Evelyn Ford gave the smell bombs to Nathan Xavier and Drako, instructing them to scatter them on the mountains outside the farm. The bombs contained irritants, similar to pepper spray, that would cause physical discomfort if inhaled at close range.
At night, the refugees would emerge to continue their journey. They would either rob other refugees or hunt them down, bleed them, and eat them.
Under extreme starvation, people lost their humanity and became beasts.
「Two days later」
Nathan Xavier and Drako found several skeletons in a shady spot while patrolling the mountains. Meanwhile, Ethan Dawson had captured three refugees attempting to break into his farm to plunder it.
Ethan Dawson was no saint. He dealt with the three of them on the spot and simply buried their bodies.
Just one day later, a patrol from his farm found a campfire in the mountains, surrounded by more skeletons and congealed pools of blood.
And the three bodies Ethan Dawson had buried were gone, leaving only a blood-soaked pit.
"Master Ford, more refugees have shown up in the mountains. They’re all gathered in a cave up ahead and even sent people to scout us out. The only reason they didn’t get in was the smell bombs. They’re not going to surround and attack us, are they?"
"How many are there?"
"At least a hundred, I’d estimate. They probably came from Oakhaven or Varden."
Evelyn Ford looked at Peter Owens. "Go get Ethan Dawson. Tell him I need to discuss something with him."
After Peter Owens left, Evelyn Ford called everyone for a meeting.
「Half an hour later」
Ethan Dawson arrived on horseback.
"Master Ford, what happened?"
Evelyn ushered him into the cabin to talk. Once they were inside, she looked at the others gathered there.
"A group of refugees has gathered three kilometers away. I’m not sure if they’ll come to attack us, but starting now, everyone needs to be on high alert. Report any strangers approaching the farm immediately. Do not, under any circumstances, open the gate to them."
After she finished, Evelyn turned to Ethan Dawson. "I called you over to give you a heads-up. There are over a hundred of them. If they decide to launch a reckless assault, we could have some serious trouble on our hands."
Anyone who had survived this long, even a refugee, was not to be underestimated.
Ethan Dawson’s expression grew serious. "I understand. It’s just... my farm has too many of the old, weak, and sick."
Evelyn rubbed her temples. There was a considerable distance between Immeasurable Mountain and Fairgate, and there was nothing she could do to help.
"Master Ford, we already deployed the smell bombs. That stuff is highly repellent. Would they really dare to cross through an area contaminated with it?"
"The smell bombs are caustic, but they aren’t life-threatening."
Evelyn was about to say something else when Ronan Kendrick, sitting beside her, suddenly shot to his feet.
"They’re here."
"What?"
Ronan Kendrick looked at everyone. "Grab your weapons. They’re coming this way."
Ethan Dawson immediately dashed out of the cabin and leaped onto his horse. "I have to get back."
’His farm was small, and most of the residents were women. He had to get back immediately.’
Evelyn called out to stop him. "Don’t use the main gate! Mr. Graham, show him the way through the hidden passage."
Then, Evelyn turned to the others.
"Mr. Vance, Mr. Lowell, Wyatt Vaughn, Zoe, and Aunt Crane, all of you stay in the cabin. As for the rest... anyone who’s scared can stay behind. Those of you who aren’t afraid to die, grab a rifle and follow me."
Some were afraid, but others were eager. Wendy grabbed a rifle and took her place right beside Evelyn.
Penelope Parker and Claire Moss looked at the rifles, their bodies beginning to tremble.
Evelyn didn’t force them. She handed out the remaining rifles and led the others out.
"Peter Owens, Ian Yates, take the east side."
"Nathan Xavier, Drako, you take the west."
"Paul Pence, Patrick Pence, Austin Moss, you take the south."
"Everyone else, with me to the main gate."
The sun had already set, but it wasn’t completely dark yet. Before Evelyn even reached the main gate, she heard the THUD of it being rammed, accompanied by crazed shouts from the other side.
"Brothers, charge! We take this farm, and we’ll have water to drink and food to eat! Slaughter all the animals hoarding the grain! Kill them all, leave none alive!"
Hearing their frenzied cries, Evelyn’s gaze turned to ice.
"KILL! KILL! KILL!"
"Take the farm! Kill the animals! Seize the food!"
With each battle cry, the sound of them ramming the gate grew louder.
Evelyn looked at Ronan Kendrick. "How many, roughly?"
Ronan Kendrick closed his eyes, concentrating on the noise. "Over thirty."
"The rest must be climbing the fences or heading for the farm in Fairgate. We thought they’d attack later tonight. Didn’t expect them to try and catch us off guard."
A vicious glint flashed in Evelyn’s eyes. "Open the gate. Prepare to fire. Leave no one alive."
The curses and shouts continued. Quincy and Miles Vaughn stepped forward and abruptly unfastened the chain locking the gate. As the first few attackers stumbled inside with the momentum, Evelyn and Ronan Kendrick had already raised their rifles.
The sound of gunshots—BANG! BANG! BANG!—rang out. The men at the gate collapsed in pools of blood before they even had a chance to raise their knives.
