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The room was dimly lit, the hushed tones of Enid and Beth providing a constant backdrop as they hovered around Raven's bed, their presence unwavering since her eyes had fluttered open hours before. Rick paced at the foot of the makeshift bed, his brow furrowed with a concoction of concern and command.
'There's a group, been tailing us for miles,' Rick finally broke the silence that had settled over them. He glanced out the dusty window, eyes scanning the horizon. 'And it gets worse -- there's a herd coming.' He turned back facing Raven directly, his face set in grim lines. 'We've got to reinforce these walls, bolster our defenses... And we need more people on our side.'
Raven's eyes sharpened; despite the weakness still clinging to her limbs from months in a coma, her mind was alert. She took in Rick's words, weighed them with a leader's calculus. 'Put out the call,' she said with an authority that belied her frailty. 'All available hands – reinforce the walls. Start preparations for supports against the herd.'
The whisper of surprise didn't escape Rick as nods rippled through those who heard Raven's command. The group, ragtag as they were, sprang into action with newfound vigor spurred by Raven's voice. Even after three months of silence from their erstwhile leader, her word was still their command, and it seemed her hold over their loyalty was unshaken. Rick watched this display, a slow realization dawning upon him; despite his taking charge during Raven's absence, it was her leadership they awaited.
'Steady on those supports!' boomed through the encampment as fortifications began rising against the coming storm of teeth and hunger; resolve fortified within every soul to meet what lay ahead head-on.
The next day
As Raven's eyes fluttered open, the sterile smell of the hospital room mixed with a pungent sting of disinfectant nudged her back to consciousness. She rose gingerly from her bed; her movements were shaky but determined. Through the grimy window, she could see her camp, a disheartening sight of tents askew and structures in need of repair—a mirror of the morale within.
But within that sight lay a spark, an ember of leadership waiting to be fanned into flame. She stumbled slightly as she made her way to the communicator by her bedside. Pressing down the intercom button with a strength that defied her frailty, she ordered in a clear voice, "Call the siren for assembly at the front—meet by my house in front of the bunker." Her instruction was swift and without debate. The alarm reverberated through the air moments later.
As people emerged from every nook and cranny – faces etched with weariness – they gathered in front of Raven's makeshift abode. There was Rick too, standing apart from others, his gaze locked onto her with an unreadable expression.
