The group had been traveling for hours, moving cautiously through the countryside, their feet tired from endless walking. The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, and they were ready to stop for the night.

"We need shelter," Rick muttered, looking over his shoulder at the group. "There should be a house up ahead. Let’s check it out.”

Abraham grunted in agreement. “We could use a good night’s rest, and that place looks like it might have supplies.”

They followed Rick down a long, overgrown driveway that led to a large, gated villa. The place seemed almost untouched by the chaos outside—its high walls and lush garden looked pristine compared to the ruined world around them.

“Looks like no one's been here in a while,” Carol remarked, eyeing the tall gates and pristine exterior. “But who’s keeping this place up?”

“Who cares?” Daryl growled, always the pragmatist. “It’s a damn villa. There could be food, water, even weapons. Let’s check it out.”

The gates were slightly ajar, so they made their way inside, trying to keep quiet. As they entered the villa's main courtyard, the sight that greeted them was almost surreal. A wide, glistening pool sat in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by lounge chairs and garden statues. The air smelled faintly of chlorine, a stark contrast to the decay of the outside world. They moved cautiously, wary of any possible dangers.

“Everything looks so... normal,” Glenn whispered, eyes wide as he looked around the luxurious grounds.

Rick, ever vigilant, led the group toward the villa’s entrance. The front door was unlocked, and they stepped inside, greeted by a vast marble foyer. Chandeliers still hung from the ceiling, and paintings adorned the walls, untouched by time.

“This place is like a damn mansion,” Merle grunted, his tone a mix of awe and disbelief. “Somebody’s living high while the world’s burning down.”

“Keep your eyes open,” Rick warned. “There might still be people here.”

They split up to search the villa. Daryl, ever the loner, headed toward the back, while Carol and Maggie explored the kitchen. Glenn and Rosita checked the living rooms, and Sasha kept watch near the windows. Michonne and Carl remained close to Rick, ready for any surprises.

As they searched, no signs of other survivors were found. The villa was eerily quiet, and yet there was something unsettling about the emptiness. It felt almost like the owner had vanished, leaving everything behind in a hurry.

"Looks clear," Rick finally said, his voice echoing through the vast hall. "We should rest here for the night."

But just as they were about to settle in, a soft sound broke through the silence. A splash.

“Did anyone hear that?” Tara asked, raising her eyebrows.

Everyone froze. The sound of water splashing, followed by the distinct sound of a light laugh, echoed from above. Rick motioned for everyone to stay quiet as they slowly crept to the staircase. They moved toward the source of the sound, heading up to the second floor.

On the second floor, there was a large balcony overlooking the pool below. The group approached the balcony, cautious but curious.

And then they saw her.

A woman, gracefully swimming in the pool below, completely unaware of the group’s presence. She was dressed in a bikini, the fabric bright and vibrant against the blue water. Her movements were elegant, almost effortless, as she glided through the water, her long hair floating behind her like a veil. The sight was so surreal that for a moment, the group stood frozen, unsure of what they were seeing.

“Is she...?” Merle’s voice trailed off, a mix of disbelief and confusion. His eyes narrowed. “What the hell is she doing?”

“Is she even real?” Eugene whispered, adjusting his glasses as if trying to make sense of the situation.

Daryl's eyes widened in disbelief. “She’s in a damn bikini… in the middle of this hellhole?”

Carol blinked, then muttered, “She doesn’t seem to know what’s going on out there, does she?”

Rick, always the leader, took a step forward, but his gaze never left the woman in the pool. “I don’t think she has any idea about the world outside.”

The woman swam leisurely, her laughter echoing lightly as she reached the side of the pool, resting against the edge. She closed her eyes, her face relaxed, as if she were on vacation, unaware of the apocalypse that had ravaged everything around her.

“Should we... approach?” Tara asked quietly, unsure whether they should disturb her.

“She could be dangerous,” Michonne said, eyeing the woman suspiciously. “But she doesn’t seem like a threat.”

Rick hesitated. “Let’s get a closer look.”

The group moved toward the edge of the balcony, trying to stay out of sight. They peered over the railing, watching the woman for a moment longer. Her carefree attitude and peaceful presence were completely at odds with the world they knew now.

“Anyone got any idea who she is?” Glenn asked, his voice hushed.

“I don’t recognize her,” Carol said, shaking her head. “But she’s definitely living a different life than the rest of us.”

Just as they were about to move forward, the woman stood up in the pool, wiping her eyes. She slowly looked around, her gaze landing on the group of survivors watching from the balcony. For a moment, she looked surprised, then confused.

“You’re... here?” she said, as if coming out of a daze, her voice smooth but tinged with a hint of shock. “I... didn’t expect company.”

The group stood in stunned silence as she climbed out of the pool with practiced ease, water dripping from her toned body as she reached for a towel. The sight of her calm and collected demeanor, dressed in a bright bikini in the middle of an apocalypse, seemed almost surreal to them.

“Who are you?” Rick asked, stepping forward, his tone cautious but firm.

The woman glanced at him, then smiled faintly, almost knowingly. “I’m Song Jihyo. And you all are...?”

Rick hesitated for a moment, still processing the situation. “We’re survivors. The world’s... different now.”

Jihyo wrapped the towel around her shoulders and stepped toward the edge of the pool, her demeanor completely unshaken. “I figured as much,” she said with a soft laugh. “I haven’t left this place in... a while. I’ve been keeping to myself, honestly. Didn’t know the outside world had fallen apart so much.”

Merle snorted, his brow furrowing in confusion. “You’re telling me you’ve been living in this villa, swimming around like nothing happened?”

“I’m... not entirely ignorant,” Jihyo said, her voice still calm. “I’ve heard the rumors. But I’ve been in a safe space. Why get involved in all of that when I don’t have to?”

Daryl raised an eyebrow, stepping forward with an almost skeptical look. “You’ve been living like this while the rest of us are fighting for survival? Don’t you know what’s going on out there?”

Jihyo looked at him for a long moment before responding, her voice cool and collected. “I’ve always had a different way of living. My life... well, it’s complicated. But yes, I’ve kept to myself. Doesn’t mean I’m not aware of what’s happened, though.”

Rick nodded slowly. “I see. But you’re not alone here anymore. We need to figure out what’s next.”

Jihyo looked around at the group, her eyes softening slightly. “I didn’t expect to find anyone. But... maybe I could help. If you want.”

The group exchanged looks, still unsure what to make of her, but the offer was one they couldn’t ignore.

“Alright,” Rick said, his voice steady. “We could use all the help we can get.”

As the group made their way down to meet her, the surreal feeling of the situation began to settle in. Here, in the midst of a world gone mad, they had found someone who seemed untouched by the chaos, someone who had been living in luxury while the apocalypse raged on. And yet, something about her calm presence made them think that perhaps there was more to Jihyo than met the eye.

And in the uncertain world they lived in now, maybe that was exactly what they needed.