Devon's arrival

Posted on Sun Feb 22nd, 2026 @ 11:54am by Leader Serena Reynolds M.D. & Survivor Devon McCadden & Council Member Timothy Reynolds & Council Member Timothy Cotton

1,362 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Winter's hope
Location: Wisconsin Homestad
Timeline: October 2nd 2010, mid morning

Serena took a break from checking on things and with PJ strapped to her chest, she set out to find her husband and TJ.

She found them easily enough. "Gentlemen" she said brightly holding out two Thermos of coffee.

TJ was just shooting the breeze with Tim when Serena came up with Patrick and two Thermos of coffee. "Hi Doc! and thank you!" He said as he readily accepted the Thermos of coffee. he took a sip, "Oh so good and it is hofamily!

"That's a good thing." their coffee stores were pretty full for now.

Timothy took the steaming mug with a grateful smile. "Thank you, my love." He leaned in and kissed her on her cheek. He didn’t want to embarrass either her or TJ by kissing her lips in front of him. He then smiled warmly again and leaned down, kissing little Patrick's head. "And hello, my little man!" He said in a soft voice. "Are you helping you Mama?"

PJ giggled at his father while his mother nodded with a smile. "He is a very good helper." She said brightly. She looked out towards the boundary. "Any movement?"

Timothy shook his head as he gently caressed their son's small head. "A couple deer out on the road, but they bolted before I could get a bead on them. Other than that, its been quiet."

Serena nodded. "Well... maybe in the spring we can set up some hides for hunting?"

Timothy nodded as he indicated that they start walking while they talked. "Yeah, hopefully those creatures out there don't eat them all first." He had seen a group of the zombies corner and devour an unlucky deer weeks earlier, when they had made a supply run into town. "The main thing we need to focus on building, is a proper wall around the compound. Otherwise, both we and any livestock we manage to gather, are still vulnerable to attack."

TJ nodded as the trio walked. "Agreed. A wall is a necessity for the community and compound to survive. These traps and trip wires are only meant to be temporary measures."

Serena nodded and then frowned as she heard something off in the distance. "What was that?"

TJ was instantly alert, his weapon up. His eyes scanning the forest. "What Doc? What did you hear ?"

She pointed to the fence line. "Out there. Not dead. Listen." The sound that drifted to them was of footsteps.

TJ did as instructed and listened and the sound of footsteps crunching on the leaves reached his ears.


----Meanwhile----

Devon walked in her full survivor gear several miles from the Jordon County Park. Her gear consisted of a military jacket, tactical cargo pants, and a backpack with her buckler strapped on. A multi-tool dagger, a sword, and a quiver of arrows hung around her tactical belt. She carried the bow in one hand and a shepherd's axe in her other hand as a walking stick.

Ahead of her, Rory scanned the ground, sniffing. Devon whispered, "Rory, don't go too far." Her Irish settler Aussie shepherd hybrid turned toward and yelped. It tripped a small wire, making a noise.

Rory’s yelp cut through the quiet, followed by the sharp rattle of metal. Devon dropped into a low stance out of habit, eyes sweeping the trees. The pup circled her legs, tail going a mile a minute, completely unaware of what he’d set off.

“Easy,” she murmured, laying a steadying hand on his flank. Her gaze tracked the line of the wire to where it had snapped. A trip alarm. Someone’s perimeter.

They weren’t alone out here.

-----------

Hearing the tripped noisemaker off to their right as they were walking and talking quietly, Timothy instantly tensed up and brought his rifle up, aiming towards the sound. "Stay here, babe," he said in a quiet, serious tone. It was the tone, not of her loving husband, but the veteran warrior who had seen more than his fare share of battlefields. Without waiting for her reply, the former Ranger melted off into the woods silently.

"Do as the captain says. Doc." TJ whispered as he disappeared into the forest.

Serena sighed and did so.

----------

He saw the woman and her dog before they saw him. Thankfully, they were unwind of him, so the dor couldn't smell him. Targeting the dog, Timothy spoke in a clear, commanding voice, loud enough to be heard, but not attract any other unwanted attention. "Stay where you are, and keep hold of your dog. Try anything funny and he'll get the first bullet."

Devon's head quickly snapped towards the person's threat. She narrowed her eyes, covering Rory, who was panting and fumbling around confused, trying not to yelp loudly. Devon offered her hand forward, replying coolly, "Hey, don't threaten Rory."

Rory whimpered, barking softly as Devon place a gentle hand on its head.

"Stand easy lady. Do as the man says." TJ spoke softly but firmly from behind the lady and the dog. His weapon pointed unerringly at her

She turned to him, nodding slowly, replying, "Easy. I'm not here to cause trouble. Just passing by. Who are you?"

"We'll ask the questions lady if you don't mind." TJ replied his voice tone conversational, "However you should know you are on our land."

Devon looked at him, not with annoyance but with an unreadable slightly irked expression at being called lady the second time. Ignoring his repeated 'lady' comment, she stepped a few paces ahead while keeping the peace, "It's McCadden. Devon. Or Dev. I didn't know this land belonged to anyone. I can leave if its too much trouble."

Timothy considered her for a moment, then sighed softly. Gas it not been the current season of weather, he might've summarily turned her away. However, despite the state of the world, he was still a good man. "If you can keep your dog under control, you can keep warm in our barn. Until we decide what to do with you." His eyes hardened slightly. "Of course, you will have to turn over all weapons that you possess, for safety and security reasons. I'm sure you can appreciate that."

"Rory?" Dev eyed her three year old puppy with a smirked, but quickly covered it with a short quip, "He wouldn't hurt a fly. Anyways, I'm disarming myself but with a promise I will get it back."

She quickly assessed her situation, between herself and the two men. Outmaneuvered, she quietly slugged her shoulders down, not in defeat but with grace. Whether she'll get her weapons back or not, depends on them. Her weapons were her only lifeline to the wilds.

"We'll see. No promises." TJ replied in a matter of fact, no nonsense tone as he picked up the discarded weapons, "Now if you'll please come with us. Have someone you need to meet."

Tim stood to the side as TJ escorted Dev and her pup to the holding area that had been set up in the barn for this very reason. He quickly and whisper-quietly moved through the trees, resetting the sprung trap. He then grew very still as he opening his senses to the forest around him, searching for any sign that there was more danger nearby.

After nearly a minute, and nothing happening, he let out a gentle breath. Turning, he made his way back in, back to where he had asked Serena to wait

Serena was waiting with PJ strapped to her chest. She had not moved as stated. When they came through with the newcommer she kept her face calm.

After TJ and Dev passed Serena, Tim followed a few moments later. Stepping up the her, using his bulk to help shelter their son from the icy wind that had started to blow. "Storm's coming, babe," he said softly. Get PJ inside where its warm. TJ and the others can get our new arrival checked and settled, then you could give her a full physical, after our little man here is sleeping." He placed his right hand atop PJ'S tiny cranium.

Serena nodded. "Shall do." she kissed his cheek and headed for the house.

 

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