A/N: Hello! This is my first post on the site, and my first time trying to write this seriously for a non-assignment Story. Also fair warning, I'll be using a fairly large plot divergence, as well as a fair amount of Alternate Universe content, so keep that in mind. Please leave feedback, and if you have any questions, leave those too!
Legal Stuff: I own no rights to The Walking Dead™, nor the characters created by Telltale Games or Robert Kirkman. This is a work of non commercial fan fiction, and is in no way representative of the brand.
However, I do own Smeglehash™, my new word. That's mine
Honestly, you'd think that the police wouldn't be flying down the street at this hour. Inside a suburb, a constant stream police cars seemed set on waking the entire neighborhood up despite the early hour, their alarms piercing the silence, residents around the block started to shift awake from the continued noise. Inside a particular house, however, the occupant was trying to ignore the outside.
Lee Everett grumbled at the continued noise, trying to use his pillow to cover his head, much like a fussy child would. His hope of once again returning into the land of sleep, however, ws dashed by another car passing, its siren seeming more shrill as it sped off to parts unknown. With a resigned sigh and now fully awake, Lee shifted himself up in his bed, taking time to rub the sleep lingering in his eyes. He heaved another sigh out, and swung out from the comfort of his blanket. Pajama clad, Lee decided that he was better off getting dressed and ready, despite the lockdown his entire neighborhood was put under now that there was a viral infection spreading rapidly.
Eager to rid himself of his awful morning breath, Lee went to the bathroom first. Grabbing his toiletries, Lee applied some deodorant and brushed his teeth thoroughly. Smiling at the reflection to show off his white chompers, Lee took stock on his appearance. He thought he still looked young despite being nearly 40, and his face had retained much of his youthful look. His dark hair, recently cut, looked as good as it usually did. Lee inspected his beard, now grown out, and briefly thought of shaving, but dismissed it just as fast. He thought it made him look more sophisticated anyway.
As Lee walked to his closet, his sock padded feet falling silently inside his empty bedroom towards the large storage space. Throwing open the door and quickly flicking on the light, Lee was briefly blinded by the sudden illumination. Before him lay a modest assortment of clothes, either hanging up upon various shelves with coat hooks or lying folded neatly in small stacks up on top of the shelves. Lee studied his selection, briefly wondering if he would just forgo an outfit and stay in his pajamas, but silently rejected the notion, wanting to look proper for the day. Deciding to just keep it as an undershirt, Lee left on his white t-shirt, and found a navy blue button up which he threw around his shoulders, making quick work of the buttons afterwards. Shirt and undershirt firmly on, Lee slipped out of his pajama bottoms, slipping on his green jeans from the previous day. Satisfied with his quick work, Lee decided to get something to eat from the kitchen. Stepping into his living room, he admired it for a moment, but felt a coldness emanating from the lack of other people.
Living alone was still a somewhat strange prospect. Lee found that, even after their separation some 12 or so years ago, he fondly recalled living with his wife, before the feelings turned hollow as memories of the aftermath flooded back. Lee silently clenched his hands as the bitter residing anger that stayed after the divorce resurfaced. The affair had long since past, and she was gone for good, apparently moving with the senator all the way out to the west coast, enjoying the good life he offered her. Lee calmed himself, and resumed his morning activities.
His house was a modest affair, especially given Lee only needed to care for himself. A single bedroom and bathroom combo, with a standard living room and slightly cramped kitchen, it was all he needed to fulfill his needs. Tasteful decor and pieces of art sat among the walls, and slightly shabby furniture made it a combination of both homely and modern. His favorite decorations sat atop a nice table, behind the couch. On that table were photos of his neighbors, and his closest friends. Ed and Diane Barnes. They were some of the first people Lee talked to after the public court cases against his wife and his move. He could still remember the awkwardness at the start of their friendship.
But the couple were good people, and Lee found they were great friends. Ed was an engineer and definitely handy round the house, fixing anything or tinkering away hours at a time. Diane was a doctor, and after some introductions, was a major boost for Everett Drugstore, where she now sent most patients to grab their medication. Both were most proud in their daughter Clementine though. Smart, nice and especially bright, Clementine was a very special 11 year old. Lee had hung around her since she was born, and was something of an uncle to her now. Thinking of the girl caused Lee to instinctively turn his head, staring out a window to Ed and Diane's house. Clementine and Sandra, the regular babysitter, were locked down there, same as he was.
His stomach promptly reminded him to focus on alieving the hunger he felt. Not in the nood to make anything, he simply grabbed a protein bar and a glass of water before setting down on the couch. With a flick of the power button, his television came to life, and soon displayed a news channel. A sharply dressed man looked straight at the camera, his lower half covered by a podium with "Breaking News" in constant scrolling text.
"Reports from Atlanta City Police say the city outskirts are suffering the worst now from this new virus. Dozens of attacks by infected persons have now been recorded as hospitals try to deal with increased intake. The United States Army is arriving within the next 3 hours to set up emergency camps for the infected. However, we need to restate that all residents in the towns of Athens, Rome, Anderson and Agusta need to say indoors, or evacuate to a public shelter. We repeat, stay in your homes or go to a public Shelter. Now, on a updated report on safety procedures with Carly out in Macon. Carley, what is the instructions the city government have set for the town at this time?"
"Well, currently-" Lee powered the TV off, already aware of the procedure in Macon.
People were losing their heads over the seasonal flu, Lee laughed to himself at all the reactions people were having, trying to make it seem like the end of the world.
This was all going to blow over soon.