"Who's there?"
Ravi Kapoor was a bit puzzled, since, of all the people expected to attend this eting, everyone had arrived—except the children. Who else would show up at this hour? His doubts were quickly resolved when Jason walked through the door with a faint smile on his face.
Ever since the eting had started, he had been listening to the concerns and opinions of all these survivors; even now, it surprised him that so people didn't want to leave this place, and he couldn't help but feel angry about it.
Are you going to die just because of your stubbornness?
Jason knew what was going to happen to these people. Even now, he was risking not only his life but also the lives of his companions. But when he heard those words of distrust and refusal to leave, he at least needed to vent so he wouldn't feel guilty.
"Commander Jason! Has sothing happened with security? Why are you here?"
Ravi looked at Jason as worries filled his thoughts. At that mont, everyone stopped talking and looked at him in silence.
Jason looked around at all the people inside the church. He walked to the front without hesitation, gently patted Ravi on the shoulder, and said, "No, nothing has happened, fortunately. You don't need to worry, my friend."
After saying that, Jason looked at everyone and said, "I apologize for eavesdropping on your private eting! But thanks to that, I now understand your doubts, comnts, and points of view about my people. When I heard everyone was here, I had to co, uninvited, and help you understand my true intentions."
The group gathered in the church began shaking their heads when they heard Jason apologize. No matter what their opinions were, they weren't stupid—and they would never go against an ard man, especially not one who was being polite.
Of course, the words Jason had just spoken were superficial, and he honestly didn't care about those silly details if he really thought about it. When he saw that everyone had fallen silent, he pulled two pistols from his waist.
When they saw Jason draw his weapons, before they could say anything, they froze and instinctively huddled closer together. Everyone stared at his guns in horror, unable to understand how things had taken such a sudden turn.
"No, no, no, stay calm. I'm drawing my weapon because what I'm about to say is related to this gear." Jason smiled, then continued in a clear voice: "Today is our group's first day in this place. Our initial goal was to bring our friend Noah back ho. After that, we'll head toward our main objective…"
With his slow and steady words, he made it easier to connect with what he truly ant. After a short pause, Jason continued, "I heard you don't understand the purpose behind our good will. I get it—even if I were in your place, I'd be wondering the sa thing."
"Who are these clowns playing hero when the world has gone to hell?"
"Ha, sotis I don't even understand myself, but when that happens, I hold on to one clear thing I've known since I first learned about the walkers: survive. Yes, I want to rebuild society, and for my people, that's no longer a distant dream. Today, my people are protecting over four thousand people."
"I guess I don't need to explain my intentions in giving you this cordial invitation to follow ?" As he asked, Jason's eyes scanned the crowd, and no one dared to speak.
"Now, I'll ask you directly: do you want to join the S.C.T. community?"
Jason's words slowly surprised the people in the church. No one expected such a turn of events, much less that he would take the ti to slowly explain all their doubts. So of them then glanced at Ravi.
At that mont, Ravi was genuinely impressed. From the beginning, he had supported the idea of joining Jason's group. He had a very good impression of these people who had saved Noah and shown so much respect—they were an incredible group, regardless of whether they were military.
However, considering all the opinions voiced in the church a mont ago, Ravi still asked Jason, "Commander Jason, to be honest, we were discussing exactly that topic, so I need to ask a few questions on everyone's behalf."
"Of course I heard everything you said!"
"So of you are foolish enough to want to stay in this place abandoned by the world. Do you really think it's safe to live here? For those families unwilling to move, you're basically killing your loved ones."
As Jason said this, he took a few steps forward and handed a pistol to a man. The man didn't know what to do and instinctively extended his hand. Jason didn't let go completely—he just rested the gun in the man's hand and said, "Would you kill your family?"
"What?" the man stamred when he heard Jason's question.
"I don't want explanations. Yes or no—would you kill your family?"
The man looked toward Ravi, who simply nodded for him to answer honestly. "No, sir…"
"That's good. You clearly love your family. Now you—would you kill your family with this weapon?"
Jason kept asking the sa question to different people in the church, and just when everyone thought he wouldn't stop, he looked seriously at a particular man and asked, "Tell , my friend, would you kill your family with this weapon?"
"Do you think I'm afraid of you? Do you think I feel threatened right now, like the others?" The gray-haired man looked at Jason as a cold sweat ran down his back.
Jason's eyes went cold—he had found the stubborn one in the group. He then said, "If a group of people ca into this shelter, ard like we were, pretending to be good, and just when you're holding so pointless eting where you haven't even figured out your priorities… that group gathers the children in one place and takes them as hostages. Can you imagine that, my friend?"
The mood in the church turned even darker after hearing Jason's words. Everyone couldn't help but imagine Jason's group as the bad guys in that scenario.
Sensing everyone's thoughts, Jason smiled and said, "You have no idea how to survive, or what kind of people are out there now. It's only a matter of ti before the won in this shelter are taken, the n killed, and the children too."
"None of you can grasp the real problem here, so I'll talk a bit more about those questions you have. Every human being has value nowadays. Work in my community, and you'll receive food. Everyone can contribute sothing, and even the elderly have much to offer."
Ravi looked at Jason, who was now speaking harsh truths about reality. He understood that he himself didn't have the kind of character required—he wasn't a leader, just a communicator. He couldn't force these people to make a decision.
"If you follow , I'll protect your brothers, friends, even your dogs. If a bullet cos your way, I'll step in front of it. And as long as I live, I promise you won't go hungry. That's all, Ravi. I want to know first thing tomorrow morning who's coming with us. I can't stay in this place for long."
"Yes, sir…" Ravi nodded and watched Jason leave the church.
Right then, everyone was lost in thought—even the families that didn't want to leave had serious expressions on their faces.
Jason didn't give them the chance to ask questions. He had just finished saying what he needed to say, leaving nothing on his conscience. If they chose to stay, he wouldn't mourn their deaths.
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