Hruday looked up only to find an unfamiliar van crashed near the compound. Tensed, he ran down the stairs, and when he reached the spot, he noticed everyone surrounding two middle-aged men, telling them to go back in hushed voices.

Hruday came and asked Roy, who was coming outside, "What's happening?"

Roy replied, "I was about to come to you. Those guys might be criminals. They came here crushing those zombies with the van, parked adjacent to the compound, and crawled through the hole under the compound. Although we had barricaded it, they cleared all the barricades."

Not knowing who was hearing this, Hruday said, "Bring the pushers," and quickly pushed through the crowd to take a proper look at them. Their shirts were covered in blood, and they held a machete and a baseball bat, both stained red.

Quickly reacting, Hruday pointed at the compound. As he did, they heard the noises of the van being pushed against the wall. The zombies now had a step to climb on the compound, and even the bait motivated them to do so. Hruday felt his fears materializing in front of his eyes.

Even if those zombies didn't come inside, should he let these men go, kill them, or question them?* His heart raced as he felt blood rushing to his mind. He didn't know what to do or what to say. After finding a proper course of action, he signaled everyone to keep quiet and barricade the hole. He signaled the uninvited guests to drop their weapons and follow him. They didn't drop the weapons. Hruday understood their concern, but he wasn't willing to bet that those criminals wouldn't swing the weapons.

People protested about his decision, "Why are you even letting them in?"

Hruday thought, *They don't understand. If we turn them away, they might call all the zombies here. But how do I explain this without causing more panic?* He felt like he didn't have any power, but it was a very strange feeling compared to his fear of uncertain variables that he had to deal with without digging a hole for his own graveyard.

Mark, Roy, Michael, and even Hector came with weapons, reassuring the crowd that they would handle it. Feeling both powerless and strangely relieved, Hruday led the two men to his house. He made them drop their bloodied weapons in the bathroom and sit in chairs as the rest, including a sick Hector, sat on the sofas.

Hruday said sharply, "Introduce yourselves." Internally, he wondered, *Should I start by saying we don't want any trouble?*

Hector started coughing and clearing his throat, regretting not being able to appear strong and healthy. He signaled Hruday that he would handle it.

Hector said firmly, "Look, you guys are stuck here with nowhere to go. You'd better—"

Cutting Hector off, the bulk-looking guy sneered, "Huh, so are you."

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Hector was enraged by the arrogance and said, "You guys better do as we say, or else—"

The bulk criminal scoffed, "Or else what?" As he stood up, he revealed untied ropes and two small knives.

Hector was taken aback. Hruday's heart started pumping adrenaline, not knowing what to do.

Michael interjected, "Wait! I know them. They appeared on the news."

Hruday quickly regained his composure and addressed the group. "Everyone, stay calm. Let's hear them out first."

Ethan, the cunning criminal, stepped forward with a sly smile. "Name's Ethan. We're just looking for a place to stay. We've handled our share of trouble out there."

Brandon, the bulk criminal, added arrogantly, "I'm Brandon. Used to be military. Took care of some personal business. Now we need shelter."

Hruday, skeptical, asked, "Personal business?"

Brandon said in a heavy tone, "I don't want to talk about that." But Ethan added, "Let's just say we had to deal with our fair share of trouble, and obviously we crushed it. You see, humans are more dangerous than these zombies, and we know how to deal with them."

Michael whispered to Hruday, "I remember seeing them on TV. The guy who killed an entire gang of rapists for revenge and went missing."

Ethan smirked hearing this, "He's got a flair for the dramatic. But we're both survivors, and we can help."

Hruday, irritated, retorted, "We already have leaders here. You're not going to waltz in and start giving orders."

Brandon, challenging, replied, "Not looking to take orders from anyone, either. Just want a place to stay."

Hector's internal monologue: *This guy... I get it. He did what he had to for his daughter. But can we trust him? Can we trust either of them?*

Hector interjected, "If you want to stay, you follow our rules. Prove you can be trusted, and we'll see."

Ethan, subtly, said, "Trust is a two-way street. We'll show you what we're made of. But don't expect us to be pushovers."

Hruday, firmly, said, "Drop your weapons first. Then we'll talk."

Brandon, defiantly, responded, "Not happening. We need these to survive."

Hruday, stepping closer, insisted, "Then you don't come in. Simple as that."

Ethan, calculating, said, "Alright, alright. We'll play along. For now."

They dropped their weapons, and the tension eased slightly. Hruday led them to his house, making them sit down for further questioning.

Hruday addressed everyone, "Alright, let's get something straight. You follow our rules and contribute, and we'll give you a place to stay. But step out of line, and you're out."

Ethan, with a smirk: "Understood. We're here to help."

Brandon, reluctantly: "We'll see how it goes."

Hector, watching them closely, thought: *They might be useful, but I can't shake off the feeling that we're inviting trouble. I understand his motive, but trust needs to be earned.*

Michael, whispering to Hruday: "We need to keep an eye on them. Especially Brandon. He's dangerous."

Hruday, nodding: "I know. We'll handle it."

Hruday addressed everyone, "We've got new members. Ethan and Brandon. They'll be joining us, but they'll be watched closely. Let's hope this works out."

Hector, quietly to Hruday, said, "You sure about this? They could be more trouble than they're worth."

Hruday, resolutely, responded, "We need all the help we can get. But we'll be ready for anything."

The evening continued with a tense atmosphere, everyone wary of the new arrivals. The potential for conflict remained high, and the camp must stay vigilant.

Hruday was now looking at the night sky, sighing at his decision to let the criminals stay and sleep with Hector and Mark. He then looked at the distant sky, feeling empty and lost.

There, he saw a small mushroom cloud. He couldn't believe what he was looking at. It was so small, but it definitely was a mushroom cloud, smaller than his fingernail as he measured it. He couldn't understand if this was a dream or if he was hallucinating. His heart slowed down. He turned around and ran towards the storage unit.