The conversation between the two continued for a while longer. Maggie talked about the farm's horses, about how Nelly was stubborn and kept escaping the fence, while Jason made up stories about how he had survived in recent times since the end of the world had begun. At a certain point, however, she gently warned him that her father didn't like it when the topic fell on the "dead." She said they had already lost too much and that it would be better to avoid that kind of conversation if he wanted to stay on the farm.
Yes, he managed to touch on the subject of staying there longer, asking carefully if that wouldn't be a problem. Maggie promised she would talk to her father, although she gave him no guarantees....
Convincing her wasn't very difficult. Fortunately, Maggie hadn't lived long enough in the end of the world to distrust everyone. He also recognized part of the blame in his own appearance. Being handsome always made things easier when it came to gaining others' trust. People, after all, judged much more by appearance than they liked to admit.
In social psychology, appearance plays a central role in how people form quick judgments about others. This phenomenon is strongly linked to the so-called halo effect, a cognitive bias in which a positive, easily observable characteristic, such as physical attractiveness, confident posture, or signs of health, influences the overall perception of the individual. When someone is considered attractive, they tend to be automatically associated with traits like competence, trustworthiness, intelligence, and even morality, even without any concrete evidence.
This type of judgment occurs almost instantaneously and unconsciously. Studies indicate that the human brain takes only a few milliseconds to form initial impressions, based on visual patterns deeply rooted in evolution. Characteristics like facial symmetry, balanced body proportions, and signs of physical vigor are interpreted as indicators of good genes and survival capacity, which historically increased the chances of cooperation within social groups.
Furthermore, appearance directly influences the level of empathy and tolerance granted to a person. Individuals considered attractive usually receive more opportunities, more patience in the face of mistakes, and more favorable evaluations in social, professional, and even legal contexts. The opposite is also true: people perceived as physically unpleasant or "outside the norm" tend to be judged with greater severity and distrust.
In scenarios of scarcity, stress, or constant threat, such as crisis situations or social collapse, these biases intensify. The brain begins to prioritize even simpler cognitive shortcuts, reducing complex analyses of character or intention. In these contexts, appearance becomes an even more determining criterion for quick decisions of inclusion, exclusion, or protection.
It is important to highlight that these processes do not reflect conscious or moral choices, but automatic evaluation mechanisms. Although socially problematic, they continue to operate even when people believe they are acting rationally and fairly, reinforcing how much appearance silently shapes human relationships....
Of course, appearance wasn't everything. During the conversation, he had been sincere with her; all the stories he told were about his past life with the addition that the environment was a zombie apocalypse. It wasn't difficult to alter his past to fit this reality, and during the conversation, he also subtly showed the interest he felt in her. He knew very well that, in the original story, Maggie would end up with Glenn. But this was no longer a television series. It was the apocalypse. The circumstances were different, the choices too. In a world where every day could be the last, finding someone beautiful and strong to accompany you until the end of your life was an opportunity that simply couldn't be ignored....
Furthermore, while talking to Maggie, he ended up developing a genuine feeling of affection for her. It wasn't just about physical attraction, although it was impossible to ignore the fact that she was beautiful and had an incredible body. For him, liking someone required more than appearance: it was necessary to talk deeply, to know values, principles, and how the person viewed the world. Depending on that alignment, he could end up liking… or hating someone. And Maggie was, surprisingly, someone he found himself easily capable of "loving"....
From what he discovered, Maggie was born from Hershel's marriage to Josephine, who passed away when she was still a child. She grew up on her father's farm alongside the family and also the family of the foreman Otis, always maintaining a good relationship with everyone. Hershel had been a present father; once, when Maggie was still little, he took her to visit Amicalola Falls, the largest waterfall in Georgia, a memory she cherished fondly.
When Maggie was fourteen, Hershel remarried, this time to a woman named Annette. The change shook her, and she went through a rebellious phase, starting to smoke and steal small things. Until one day, her father sat down with her to talk and told her that, above all, they should "love others." That conversation marked her deeply. Maggie ended up accepting Annette as part of the family and, over time, came to love her like a mother....
All of that, he discovered during the conversation with her. Maggie opened up with surprising ease, sharing parts of her life that she normally wouldn't share with just anyone. It wasn't hard to notice that there was interest on her part too; it reflected in the casual way she spoke, in the implicit trust in her words, in how she didn't shy away from personal topics....
But it didn't take long for the two to be interrupted when footsteps approached down the hallway.
With his keen hearing, Jason noticed the presence even before the light creak of the wood betrayed someone outside. Maggie simply turned toward the door upon hearing the approach, interrupting herself mid-sentence.
They were talking about pretty random things.
The doorknob turned.
The door opened slowly, and a girl entered carefully, as if afraid of interrupting something important.
She was shorter than Maggie, had a delicate body, light blonde hair falling in loose waves to her shoulders. She wore a simple light cotton dress and carried a folded cloth in her hands, as if she had been pulled from some task midway. Her blue eyes, curious and soft, immediately sought the bed....
And then found Jason... awake.
The girl stopped mid-step upon seeing him awake in bed, her cheeks gaining a light pink tone. She lowered her eyes for a moment, fidgeting with her hands as if she didn't quite know where to put them.
"Maggie…" She called, her voice soft, a bit shy. "Dad said lunch is ready. Everyone's already at the table."
Maggie turned in her chair, a quick smile appearing upon seeing her sister.
"Ah, Beth. All right, I'll be down soon. Thanks for letting me know...."
She stood up, stretching her legs, and made a casual gesture toward Jason.
"This here is Jason Vellgrace, the guy Otis found and well... brought here as you know...."
"And Jason? This is my sister, Beth...."
Beth raised her gaze, still with the discreet blush on her face, and waved lightly.
"Hi… glad you're better."
Jason nodded, offering a friendly smile.
"Hi. Nice to meet you. And thanks for… well, for all this."
Maggie crossed her arms, observing the two attentively.
"Hey, Jason, why don't you come eat with us? You only nibbled on what I brought, and that doesn't count as a meal. You were on IV for three days; you need something real. Dad won't mind. In fact, he'll want to see you up."
Jason thought for a moment, feeling his stomach rumble softly, despite all the earlier acting.
"Yeah… I think I'm still hungry. It could be a good idea."
He pushed back the covers and stood up slowly, testing his own balance. Maggie advanced instinctively, extending her hand as if expecting him to collapse any second.
"Hey, take it easy. Don't play the hero and fall flat on your face."
But Jason didn't need help. His feet touched the floor firmly, and he straightened up without effort, his body responding as if the days of fever had never existed....
Maggie blinked, retracting her hand. It was only then that she really noticed. Standing, the difference was striking. Jason must have easily been six foot three, surpassing her in height without difficulty. His body was muscular and defined, not bulky like a gym body, but extremely perfect. And his face… it was impossible to ignore. Well-defined features, eyes that seemed to capture the light, a natural confidence that made him ridiculously attractive, the kind that made anyone pay attention to him effortlessly.
She swallowed hard, raising her gaze until it met his. For a brief instant, the air in the room seemed denser.
"Wow… you're pretty tall."
Jason shrugged, with a casual smile.
"Family heritage, I guess. Shall we?"
Beth nodded quickly, still with that shy air, and was the first to turn toward the door, leading the way. Maggie made a discreet gesture for Jason to go ahead, but he preferred to wait, letting her pass right after her sister. So, he ended up walking beside her down the narrow hallway.
The smell of homemade food, something between stew and fresh bread, rose up the stairs, mixing with the aroma of old wood that permeated the house.
Jason instinctively ducked his head when crossing the bedroom door, but even so, the top of his forehead lightly brushed the frame. He let out a low grunt, rubbing the spot with a amused grimace. "These old doors weren't made for people my size."
Maggie laughed, a light and spontaneous sound that echoed down the hallway. "Yeah, the house is old. Dad says it was built for the short folks of the last century...."
She walked beside him, their shoulders almost touching in the tight space. Ahead, Beth descended the steps, casting curious glances over her shoulder, a restrained little smile on her face.
The stairs creaked under his weight. Jason kept a calm pace, aware of the subtle warmth of Maggie's body so close to his. It wasn't intentional, but it also wasn't uncomfortable; it just seemed natural, as if a silent connection had already formed during the conversation in the room.
Beth noticed, but didn't comment, just clutched the cloth she held in her hands and quickened her pace a bit.
They entered the spacious kitchen, bathed in sunlight streaming through the dusty windows. A long wooden table occupied the center of the room, set with simple plates, mismatched cutlery, and a steaming pot that exuded a comforting smell. Hershel was seated at the head, his white beard neatly trimmed and his expression serene, drying his hands on a cloth. Beside him, Otis, the burly man Jason vaguely remembered from the road, wore a worn cap and had a still-sweaty face. Patricia, a middle-aged woman with her hair tied in a practical bun, stirred something on the stove, while Jimmy, a skinny boy of about eighteen, was already seated at the table, drumming his fingers impatiently.....
Everyone stopped what they were doing when the three entered.
Otis was the first to react, widening his eyes upon seeing Jason standing. "Well, well… look who's alive and walking. Boy, you gave me quite a scare on the road. You sure you're okay to get up like that? You looked like you were about to head to the other side when I picked you up."
Jason nodded, opening a sincere smile as he extended his hand.
"Yeah, thanks to you. Jason Vellgrace. Thanks for bringing me here… I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for that."
Otis shook his hand firmly, laughing.
"It was nothing, kid. Otis. Pleasure." He nodded his head. "This is my wife, Patricia. And that's Jimmy over there...."
Patricia waved with the spoon, and Jimmy raised his hand in a quick greeting, visibly embarrassed.
Hershel observed the scene in silence for a few seconds. His gaze went from Jason to Maggie, noting how she remained too close, almost protectively. He cleared his throat and pointed to an empty chair beside her.
"Sit down, son. It seems you're recovering better than I imagined...."
Jason nodded in thanks and pulled out the chair, sitting carefully.
"I was lucky to have good care. Thank you, sir. For everything."
Patricia brought an extra plate from the cabinet and placed it in front of him.
"Eat while it's still hot."
"Thanks...." Jason repeated.
Without hesitating, Maggie grabbed the ladle from the pot and served a generous portion of stew onto his plate—vegetables, a bit of dried meat, and a thick broth—before serving her own.
Gradually, everyone began to eat. For a few moments, only the clinking of cutlery and the light creak of the table could be heard. Hershel took a sip of water, wiped his mouth with the napkin, and spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"Well, I expected you'd need a few days to fully recover from the state you arrived in here, but you've not only recovered quickly but are already able to walk and eat peacefully.... I know I said it before, but that's impressive...."
Jason maintained a calm posture.
"As I said before. I was lucky..." He replied. "And had good care."
Hershel nodded slowly… then let the next sentence drop with too much care to be accidental.
"And, since you're feeling better… I imagine you're thinking about heading out soon."
The air changed.
Maggie stopped chewing for a moment.
Jason didn't rush. He calmly wiped his mouth, set down his cutlery, and raised his gaze to Hershel, respectful.
"Actually...." He sighed and spoke with a sincere voice: "I wanted to ask if that would be possible… to stay. At least for a while."
Hershel raised an eyebrow slightly.
Jason continued, his voice firm, without sounding desperate:
"I don't have anyone else out there. No group, no safe place. If you let me stay, I'll help with whatever is needed. Heavy work, watch duty, whatever you need. I don't want to be a burden."
The silence that followed was dense.
Maggie was the first to break it.
"Dad...." She said, without raising her voice, but with conviction. "He almost died out there. And… you always said that helping those in need is the right thing."
Hershel looked at his daughter.
Then at Jason.
Then at the whole table, which remained silent, since it was Hershel himself who made the decisions for them there.
Finally, he sighed slowly.
"Let's eat first...." He said: "Then we'll talk."
It wasn't a yes.
But it also wasn't a "no."
Jason nodded, accepting the space given to him.
"Thank you," he said simply, casting a grateful look at Maggie, who gave a soft smile.