CHAPTER 130: REUNION BETWEEN CHRISTOPHER AND CINDY

It was afternoon in the Municipal Office compound as our group arrived for what I’d hoped would be a simple supply run and equipment check.

The transformation was remarkable every time I visited. What had once been a standard small-town municipal building had evolved into something approaching a fortress-like community center.

As we approached the main entrance, I immediately noticed Mark’s latest improvements to the building’s defensive capabilities. New reinforced barriers had been installed around the perimeter, constructed from salvaged metal and concrete that would provide significant protection against infected attacks. Solar panels gleamed onthe rooftops, positioned at optimal angles to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day.

"Mark’s been busy," I commented to Sydney, who was walking beside me with her characteristic energy, her eyes taking in every detail of the improvements with obvious appreciation.

"The old dinosaur never seems to rest," she replied impressed. "Sometimes I wonder if he actually sleeps or just powers down like one of his electronic devices. I’ve never seen him not working actually."

Rachel and Elena were examining the solar panel installations with clear interests. We had one installed by Mark as well but here there were much more but then they were nearly hundred here.

Daisy seemed amazed by the scale of the operation, while Cindy remained quieter than usual, probably thinking about the conversation she planned to have with Christopher.

I found Mark in his expanded workshop area, which had grown considerably since my last visit. What had started as a single room had expanded into a complex of interconnected spaces, each dedicated to different aspects of his technical projects. One area focused on electronics and communications equipment, another on mechanical engineering and weapon fabrication, and a third on the power systems that kept the entire facility operational.

He was bent over a workbench in the electronics section, surrounded by the organized chaos of technical projects in various stages of completion. Circuit boards, coils of wire, batteries, and salvaged electronic components covered every available surface, arranged in patterns that probably made perfect sense to Mark but looked like controlled mayhem to anyone else.

He was definitely working the others to bring him so many components but then they couldn’t refuse him with how much he was bringing to their community.

"Ryan!" He called out when he noticed me approaching. "Perfect timing. I was just finishing the calibration on the fifth Screamer countermeasure device. The entire network should be fully operational within the next few days."

I examined his latest work with genuine admiration. The artificial Screamer devices had evolved once more.

This old man was updating the version faster than some actual brands.

"The engineering on these is incredible," I said, noting the precision of his electronic assembly and the professional appearance of the finished devices. "How much of the township will each unit be able to cover?"

"With optimal positioning, each device should provide effective coverage for approximately two square kilometers," Mark replied with obvious pride. "The overlapping coverage areas will create redundancy, so even if we lose one or two units to damage, the network should maintain functionality across the entire defensive perimeter."

Mark walked me through the technical specifications of his countermeasure system, explaining how the artificial devices would work in coordination to create interference patterns that could disrupt or override the alien Screamer’s control signals. The complexity of what he’d achieved with limited resources was genuinely impressive.

"But I wanted to ask you about something else," I said after he’d finished his technical explanation. "Do you think you could make me a sword, or maybe some other kind of weapon that would be more effective against infected than my current steel spike?"

Mark looked up from his soldering iron with obvious surprise, then began guffawing loudly.

"Do you hate infected creatures so much that you need to develop even more deadly weapons against enemies you’re already killing with relative ease?" He asked between chuckles. "From what I’ve observed of you in real fight, your current combat effectiveness is more than adequate for dealing with a lot of infected encounters. That steel spike of yours has served you pretty well so far."

I smiled awkwardly, unable to explain that my request was motivated by encounters with enhanced infected like the electrical creature from the warehouse and the massive guardian from the radio station. Those battles had pushed my current weapons to their limits, and I suspected that future encounters would involve even more dangerous enhanced creatures that would require superior equipment to defeat.

The electrical infected had nearly killed me despite my enhanced abilities, and only luck and quick thinking had allowed me to survive that encounter. The massive creature at the radio station had been even more challenging, requiring every technique I’d learned and pushing my physical capabilities beyond what I’d thought possible.

"I just want to be prepared for whatever we might face in the future," I said. "Better to have more effective weapons and not need them than to need them and not have them available when the situation becomes critical."

Mark nodded with understanding, though I could see he was still curious about what had prompted such a specific request. "You know, I’ve actually been thinking about weapon design lately," he said thoughtfully. "A properly tempered blade with good balance and reach would definitely be more versatile than a spike, especially if you encounter multiple targets or need to engage at different ranges."

He moved to a different section of his workshop, where I could see various metal-working tools and what appeared to be a makeshift forge constructed from salvaged materials. "I’ve been experimenting with metallurgy, trying to replicate some of the traditional sword-making techniques using modern materials and equipment. It’s challenging work, but I think I could create something exceptional for you."

"What kind of design were you thinking?" I asked, genuinely interested in his technical approach to weapon crafting.

I was acting like some kid playing some kind of RPG for a new weapon.

"A single-edged blade, probably around thirty inches long, with a slight curve for improved cutting dynamics," Mark replied, his eyes lighting up as he described his vision. "The steel would be layered and folded multiple times to create a composite structure that’s both flexible and incredibly sharp. The handle would be weighted to provide perfect balance, and I could incorporate some modern materials for improved grip and durability."

The description sounded very impressive. "How long would something like that take to complete?"

"Give me about two weeks," Mark said confidently. "I’ll need time to prepare the steel properly, and the forging process can’t be rushed if you want a weapon that won’t break under combat stress. But I think I can create something that will exceed your expectations."

"I’d really appreciate that," I replied gratefully. "Take whatever time you need—there’s no immediate urgency, but having superior equipment available could make a significant difference in future encounters."

After finishing my extended conversation with Mark about both the defensive network and my weapon request, I made my way toward the community garden area where I’d spotted Rachel and Daisy examining the Municipal Office’s agricultural operations with Clara. The garden was located in a cleared area about fifty meters from the main building, positioned to receive optimal sunlight while remaining within the defensive perimeter that protected the entire facility.

What immediately impressed me about their setup was the scale and organization of their growing operation. Where our household garden was modest and focused on supplementing our scavenged food supplies, the Municipal Office had created something approaching a small farm. Rows of vegetables stretched across nearly two acres of carefully tended soil, with sophisticated irrigation systems and protective barriers that demonstrated serious commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency.

The organization was remarkable. Different crops were arranged in logical groupings based on their water requirements, growth patterns, and harvest schedules. Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs occupied the sunny central areas, while leafy greens and root vegetables were positioned in areas that received partial shade during the hottest parts of the day.

"This is incredible," I said as I approached the three women, who were deep in discussion about soil preparation and crop rotation strategies that would maintain productivity year after year.

"Isn’t it amazing?" Daisy replied with obvious excitement, her gardening enthusiasm fully engaged by what she was seeing. "They’ve managed to create a complete food production system that could probably feed the entire community if necessary. Look at these tomatoes—they’re twice the size of ours!"

Clara beamed with pride at the compliment. "We’ve had the advantage of more space and more people to contribute labor," she explained. "But your household garden is impressive considering your smaller scale operation. The vegetables you brought for trading are excellent quality, and the care you’ve put into cultivating them shows."

I could see why our trading expedition would be mutually beneficial. The Municipal Office had quantity and variety that our smaller operation couldn’t match, while our carefully tended crops apparently had quality that they valued for both consumption and seed preservation.

Rachel was examining their preservation and storage systems with obvious interest, probably thinking about improvements we could implement at home. "How do you handle pest control without modern pesticides?" She asked Clara.

"Companion planting and natural predators mostly," Clara replied, leading us to an area where various flowers and herbs were interspersed among the vegetables. "These marigolds repel many harmful insects, while these basil plants actually improve the flavor of the tomatoes growing nearby. We’ve also encouraged beneficial insects by providing habitat areas and avoiding anything that might harm them."

What struck me most about the garden was the elaborate security system they’d implemented to protect their agricultural investment. The entire growing area was surrounded by multiple layers of protective barriers—tall wire fencing designed to keep out larger infected, motion-activated alarm systems that would alert the community to intrusions.

They were way ahead of us but then with someone like Mark around, it was easy to set up constructions around.

"The security setup is remarkable," I commented, noting the various defensive measures they’d integrated seamlessly into their agricultural design.

"We learned the hard way that unprotected crops are too tempting for both infected and some desperate ones among us," Clara replied quietly. "Losing an entire harvest to a single infected incursion taught us to prioritize protection alongside production."

She pointed to different elements of their security system. "The outer fence is electrified using solar power, though at low amperage—enough to deter most threats without seriously injuring anything that touches it accidentally. The motion sensors are positioned to detect movement patterns consistent with infected behavior while ignoring small animals and wind-blown debris."

What the actual hell?

I know some professionals in that domain who might ran away in shame hearing this though...

The pleasant discussions was interrupted when I noticed Cindy approaching me with an expression of nervousness. She’d been quieter than usual since our arrival at the Municipal Office, and I’d been wondering when she would address whatever was weighing on her mind.

"Ryan," she said softly. "Could you... could you accompany me to speak with Christopher? I think it’s time we had a proper conversation, but I’m not sure I can face him alone."

The request caught me somewhat off guard, though I realized I probably should have anticipated it. Christopher had been an important part of Cindy’s life before the complications that had led to his departure from our household, and the unresolved emotional tension between them had been affecting both of them for weeks. I’d seen how she sometimes stared off in the direction of the Municipal Office with a wistful expression, and I’d noticed Christopher’s careful questions about how everyone back home was doing.

"Are you sure you’re ready for this conversation?" I asked gently. "I don’t want you to feel pressured to confront difficult feelings before you’re emotionally prepared."

"I’m ready," Cindy replied with more confidence than I’d expected, though I could see her hands trembling slightly with nervous energy. "Avoiding him isn’t helping either of us move forward, and I think we both deserve closure, even if our relationship can’t be what it was before everything changed."

I nodded. "Of course I’ll accompany you. Do you know where we might find him this morning?"

"Clara mentioned he was working on inventory management in the main building this morning. We should be able to find him in one of the administrative areas on the second floor."

The walk to the Municipal Office’s main building felt longer than usual. I found myself wondering what I should do if their conversation went badly, or if Christopher reacted poorly to seeing Cindy again after weeks of careful avoidance.

No, there was no anything bad would happen?

I was once again being negative.

The second floor housed most of the community’s organizational activities, from supply management to work scheduling to long-term planning sessions.

We found Christopher in a corridor near the administrative offices, examining a clipboard full of supply inventories with the kind of focused attention that suggested he was using work to distract himself from other concerns. When he looked up and saw us approaching, his expression went through several rapid changes—surprise, pleasure, wariness, and finally a careful neutrality.

For a moment that felt much longer than it actually was, both Christopher and Cindy simply stood frozen, staring at each other across the hallway.

Finally, Christopher broke the silence. "How have you been, Cindy?" He askked with a wry smile.

"I’ve been good," Cindy replied, though I could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "Really good, actually. How about you? Are you settling in well here at the Municipal Office?"

"I’m doing fine," Christopher said. "The work is interesting, and the people have been welcoming. Margaret has given me significant responsibilities with the supply chain management, which helps keep me busy and productive."

Another silence fell between them. I found myself feeling like an intruder on a private moment, but Cindy had specifically asked me to stay, so I remained nearby while trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

"You look happy," Christopher said suddenly, his voice softer and more genuine than his previous polite responses.

Cindy nodded, a small smile spreading across her features. "I am happy. Really, genuinely happy, actually."

"Is that because of Ryan?" Christopher asked, glancing briefly in my direction before returning his attention to Cindy.

Cindy blushed slightly at the direct question, but she didn’t try to avoid giving an honest answer. "Yes," she said simply. "Ryan has been... he’s been very important to my happiness and healing over these past weeks."

Christopher laughed—not with bitterness or sarcasm, but with genuine amusement and affection. "That bastard always did have a talent for making people feel better about themselves," he said, though his tone made it clear the insult was intended as friendly teasing rather than genuine criticism.

I found myself confused by his reaction and his choice of words. "Why are you calling me a bastard?" I asked, genuinely puzzled by what I’d done to earn such a characterization when I’d been trying to help both of them.

Christopher looked at me with a deadpan expression. "This guy is still as dense as ever when it comes to romance department, isn’t he?" He asked Cindy.

Cindy giggled—the first completely natural, unguarded sound she’d made since we’d begun this conversation. "He’s actually gotten worse, if that’s possible. Sometimes I think he genuinely doesn’t understand the effect he has on people, especially women."

"Hey," I protested, though I couldn’t deny that their assessment might have some validity. "Could you two please stop analyzing my romantic awareness in front of me? This is supposed to be your reconciliation conversation, not a critique of my social skills."

Both Christopher and Cindy laughed at my discomfort, and suddenly the tension that had been filling the hallway began to dissipate.

Cindy stepped forward and spread her arms in the universal gesture of someone offering a hug. "It’s good to see you, you idiot," she said with a smile.

Christopher smiled back—the first completely genuine smile I’d seen from him since we’d arrived—and stepped forward to accept her embrace. "It’s good to see you too, Cindy."

They hugged with the warmth of friends who had missed each other and were relieved to discover that their friendship could survive the complications that had temporarily driven them apart. It wasn’t a romantic embrace—it was the hug of two people who cared about each other and had finally found a way to move past the hurt and confusion that had been affecting both of them for far too long.

As I watched them embrace, I felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over me that was almost overwhelming in its intensity. Christopher and Cindy had both been important parts of my life, and seeing them find peace with each other and with the changes that had occurred felt like a weight lifting from my shoulders that I hadn’t even realized I’d been carrying.

When they finally stepped apart, both were smiling. They had turned the page on their romantic complications and discovered that their friendship was strong enough to withstand the changes that life had brought to all of us. That what I hoped and my selfish wish, I suppose.

"Thank you," Cindy said to me quietly as we prepared to rejoin the others. "I couldn’t have done this without you around."

"I’m glad it worked out well for both of you," I replied honestly. "You both deserve to be happy, and you both deserve to keep the friendship you’ve built together beyond that."

"I’m glad it worked out well for both of you," I replied honestly. "You both deserve to be happy, and you both deserve to keep the friendship you’ve built together beyond all the complications."

"You’re speaking like one of those goody-two-shoes protagonists from a romance novel, Ryan," Cindy said with a giggle, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she walked beside me down the Municipal Office corridor.

"Wh...what?" I froze in embarrassment, heat creeping up my neck as I realized how earnest and perhaps overly sentimental my words had sounded. I was just speaking what I genuinely thought and felt, but maybe I did say some weird, overly dramatic things sometimes without realizing it.

"But I like that about you," Cindy said suddenly, and before I could process what she meant, she stepped closer and kissed me softly on the lips.

I blinked in complete surprise, my mind going blank for a moment as the unexpected warmth of her kiss registered. When she pulled back, I saw her walking ahead with flushed cheeks, a shy smile playing on her lips.