Standards

When he finished speaking, Gavin spread his hands to the people watching him.

Madison rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Just like you, boss. You're already thinking that far ahead, and you even figured out a new use for Rock Candy... It's just ridiculous."

"Not that far ahead. The Doped War God just gave us a warning."

Gavin picked up Madison's point and gestured toward the Doped War God, who was off in the distance letting his imagination run wild.

Since he'd brought the guy up, Gavin decided to give everyone a few serious words of advice. He patted the side of the RV and spoke emphatically.

"Seriously, we're pretty damn lucky that we managed to come together in the early days of the zombie apocalypse."

As he spoke, Gavin looked at Winnie, who was rolling her eyes, and laughed.

"Don't make faces, kid. You're not one of the bastards I'm talking about."

Nearby, Doris's expression fell in an instant. So I am one of the bastards?

Gavin ignored the weepy woman's awkward expression and continued.

"But, guys, just because we haven't pointed guns at each other and traded shots doesn't mean we should forget to point our guns at strangers."

"America has never been a paradise. Those of us who live here know how screwed up it is, especially the people in the White House, those damn rich folks, and drugged-up bastards."

"Anyway, we have to remember that no matter who's standing in front of us, we must stay alert. If we ever find ourselves in a situation where we have to shoot, we have to be the ones to shoot first!"

At that, Gavin slapped his thigh.

"By the way, we have Eugene to thank for what just happened. If he hadn't been in my car, things could've gotten a lot more complicated."

"From now on, we have to do things the way we did today. If we make it to my farm and settle down there, no one goes anywhere alone!"

"Working in pairs is the bare minimum. If we can spare more people, then groups of three or six will keep everyone safer."

"That's all I have to say. This area has some nice scenery, so let's rest for one more cigarette, then keep heading toward Coskana Airport!"

After he finished speaking, Gavin reached into his pocket to look for tobacco.

Eugene saw him and casually pulled out a cigarette, then handed it to Gavin.

"Here, boss. Try the Kent you gave me. This stuff really packs a punch!"

As he spoke, Eugene snapped off the match built into the Kent cigarette pack and lit Gavin's cigarette.

William stared in confusion, his mouth hanging open.

Since when had Eugene gotten so used to calling him boss?

Influence never came naturally, and a leader's position had to be secured through decisions and commands made over time.

After six years of leading the Cowboys, Gavin had long since grown accustomed to the role and responsibilities of a team leader.

He knew exactly how to give everyone a pep talk, boost morale, ease the team's stress, and enjoy a few perks along the way.

Just like now: listening to his instructions and hearing the concern behind his words, no one felt any resentment toward Gavin's commanding tone.

They were getting more and more used to following his orders. That was how influence took root.

Now, as Gavin started smoking, everyone took their coffee cups and enjoyed the rare break.

Only William still clutched the Rock Candy, looking worried.

He picked his way over to Gavin, handed him the bag of Rock Candy, and said,

"You'd better really only use this stuff for what you said you would."

"Ha, you're worried about me? If that's the case, you can hold on to it yourself. Just make sure you can hand it over, every last bit, when we need it."

Gavin waved William off, telling him to handle the stuff himself.

William studied Gavin's face carefully, trying to figure out whether he was telling the truth.

After watching him for a moment, William realized he couldn't read Gavin, so he handed the Rock Candy over anyway.

Gavin patted the back of his hand.

"You keep it. I have too much to think about to waste time worrying over a bag of Rock Candy."

As he spoke, Gavin took the Rock Candy and stuffed it back into William's pocket.

William fell silent for a moment, then leaned one foot against the side of the RV and watched Gavin quietly.

Noticing Gavin's furrowed brow, William took a deep breath and cautiously asked,

"Ga... Boss, are you worried about those two bodies?"

"Oh?"

At that, Gavin looked at William meaningfully and gave him an encouraging look.

"What makes you think I'm worried about that? Tell me what you think."

"Uh..."

Faced with Gavin's question, William pursed his lips, then pointed at the two bodies and said softly,

"I noticed that both of them had more than one fatal wound."

"The Red Dress Woman had a shotgun blast through her heart, and a rifle had also pierced her head."

"The drugged-up guy had his heart pierced by a rifle, and a knife had gone through his head too!"

As he spoke, William grew more confident. He continued,

"So what could have happened that would make you and Eugene kill them a second time after they were already dead?"

"Eugene might do something stupid just to vent, but I don't think someone as level-headed as you would waste bullets just to blow off steam. So..."

William swallowed.

"So, boss, did something happen to them that made you have to kill them twice?"

"In other words, even if they weren't bitten by a zombie, they still turned into zombies after they died, just like in the TV shows!"

In 2013, The Walking Dead had even higher ratings than Breaking Bad, the king of American television.

As for peak ratings, even shows with terrifyingly high viewership like Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Friends could only just about match The Walking Dead's second season.

Hearing William's words, Madison, who had been chatting, hurriedly looked over at Gavin. Doris and Winnie did the same.

Facing everyone's gaze, Gavin fell silent for a moment, then nodded with a smile.

"You're perceptive and serious, just like the young cop I imagined, William."

"As for what you said, that's exactly right. We're probably all carrying the zombie virus, so even if we aren't bitten by a zombie, we'll most likely turn into one after we die."

"I was going to tell you later, and I definitely was going to tell you. I also have to remind you to rest separately when you can, and to lock your bedroom doors when you sleep."

"I don't want to see someone have a heart attack and drop dead in the middle of the night, then get the chance to lunge at a teammate and take a bite out of him."

"And I really don't want to wake up and find my nice, safe camp falling apart because someone suddenly died and turned into a zombie. Haha!"

After expertly softening the emotional blow with a joke and offering a reasonable explanation to ease everyone's concern that he might have kept the truth from them, Gavin rested a hand on William's shoulder.

"You're a good one, William. As the internet and the media's widely recognized King of Texas, I'm officially declaring you a qualified, perceptive, and serious police officer."

"So, do you want to swear an oath to me? Haha!"

Laughing loudly, Gavin stood up, tossed his cigarette butt on the ground, and stamped it out. Then he dusted off his pants.

Nearby, Eugene laughed along.

"Give me a break, Quarterback. We don't do that English crap here in America. You're no queen—and you're not even a woman, for that matter!"

"As for whether we'll turn into zombies when we die, who gives a damn? As long as it doesn't stop me from sleeping with women and having kids, I couldn't care less what weird stuff is in my body!"

As he finished speaking, Eugene expertly checked his gun.

After checking his own gun as well, Gavin casually said,

"Exactly. Eugene's got it right. When I find a woman who's clean, beautiful, and smart, I'll have a kid with you all watching, just like Rick, and prove we're healthy!"

"Wait, was the kid in the TV show Shane's or Rick's?"

"Whatever. When that day comes, you can all stop worrying about the zombie virus. Haha!"

As he finished speaking, Gavin clapped his hands hard.

"All right, break's over. We're only one step away from home!"

"Stay close, stay alert, and look after yourselves. Don't fall in these last few steps, guys!"

After speaking, Gavin strode back to the Tyrannosaurus. Eugene followed out of habit, while Madison and William took the two women back to the RV.

Only Winnie stayed hunched over the RV's dining table, staring absently through the window at the Tyrannosaurus.

So...

The standards were clean, beautiful, and smart?