I would like to thank everyone for leaving feedback on the last chapter, I was pretty worried that people wouldn't bother but you guys are awesome and helped me out, so thanks a bunch!
The decision has been made. You'll see what the verdict is, the most popular vote wins.
I suppose the format in which we do this story is that you guys decide all the choices; both those in the game and those I create. Deal? There will be one choice per chapter, so that means there will be more than 5 choices per episode. (It will vary in number.)
Anyway, thanks again. All reviews are all hugely appreciated. I've bored you all long enough. Please enjoy this chapter and have a great day!
"She can't be trusted Lee. I swear. Please."
Lee didn't know what to feel anymore. He was in utter bewilderment at Lilly's actions. She attempted to murder one of their own. Lee closed his eyes briefly, still shocked about why she would do such a thing. Carley had been anything but trustworthy, a reassuring ally to have at your back. Ben watched on quietly, basking in his guilt. Carley was nearly dead because of him, and who was to say that she was safe from her premature fate? The awkward teenager just wanted to wallow away into the ground.
Lee knew that there was no return for Lilly, that she could never be trusted again. The rage began to rise in him, a blind fury that he struggled to control. He had met this caged monster before, one time. Lilly begged at him fearfully with pleading eyes, as she tried to make excuses for herself. Lee could barely see her face but for the flashing indicators.
"You're not coming with us." He muttered, releasing his grip on her. An unreadable little girl gazed up at her guardian, as he dropped down to pick up the discarded firearm.
"I'll die out here." Lilly remarked with a shaky voice, pointing out to the barren road behind her. There was nowhere to go out here, no safe location that she could retreat to. This place was complete wilderness. Lilly was being abandoned. Lee stood back up fully, towering intimidatingly over the woman. With her eyes brimming with tears, Lee felt no mercy for her.
"I don't care."
Clementine didn't recognize this man in front of her. But despite his cold delivery, she understood the reasoning. It's not nice to try kill other people. But the man she always felt so protected and safe around made her feel frightened, this wasn't the Lee that would ask her how she's doing and admire her drawings even when he didn't even know what it was, this was a different man. A frightening and remorseless man.
"You're a murderer Lilly. We can't have you with us." Kenny backed up his decision, understandably too as he would never allow someone dangerous near his family. Then again, Lee murdered before all of this, and he was still here. But Kenny let him know after he had confessed to him about his past back at the motor inn that he wouldn't forget what Lee told him, and that it could be important if it could down to a tough call.
"I'm a murderer?! You've had Lee with you this whole time!" Lilly tried to pawn off the some of the pressure on him, a last gasp attempt to get some of the heat off of her. As much as Kenny didn't like Lee for helping Larry back at the meat locker, he wouldn't throw the man out to the road too. Lee was too resourceful to just send packing, and the decision would be met with stern backlash as Lee was a liked figure among the group.
"I don't care what he did before!" Kenny yelled back, proving her attempt futile. Lilly gawked at the man, the one thing she had against him was now useless. She had nothing. Lee felt a huge burden off of his shoulders.
"You know?!"
"Yeah, he told me. I don't give a shit." Kenny exclaimed. Lee felt grateful to the older man for being willing to drop his past. Lee also had Carley to thank for urging him to tell everyone about what he did before, if it weren't for her, Lee didn't know how that comment would have went down with Kenny.
"If we keep you with us, how long until you get me?!" Kenny added, grimacing at the thought of not being there to protect his family.
"I was trying to protect all of us." Lilly looked down at the ground, realizing her fate was sealed, sobbing as she spoke. With every flash of the indicators, Lee saw the tears falling freely down her face, and he wondered perhaps had he made the right decision. This woman had nothing left to care about.
"I don't have anything left." She confirmed his thoughts, her tone was feeble. Her body language was withdrawn. Kenny's eyes widened at her rambling, as he could partially blame himself for her poor state of mind, but his arrogance won the battle and he shook his head.
"Get in Lee. Let's go you guys." Kenny turned his back on her and re-entered the RV. Lilly glanced up at Lee momentarily, a last plea.
Lee didn't feel anything for this woman. He stared her in the eye, the last thing she would see of him was his burning hatred for her. Lee climbed in the vehicle after Ben, leaving Lilly well and truly on her own. He walked straight over to the back window, watching as Lilly got smaller and smaller as the RV drove away into the night.
Blood. Blood everywhere. His hands were covered in it.
"Lee! Could you apply some pressure here for a sec?!" Katjaa asked impatiently, tired of seeing so many horrific injuries. Lee nodded weakly and pressed his hands against Carley's side, watching as Katjaa tried to remove the bullet fragments from her body. Lee wanted to puke, cry and yell in anger at the sight. Ben was asked to help but after standing around reluctantly and nearly fainting on one occasion, he was let off. He currently sat in silence beside Clementine, who had a blank expression on her round face.
They had stored some supplies in the RV back at the motor inn, some medical supplies included. Carley was still barely awake, drifting in and out of conscious which worried Lee sick. Kenny warned them to be careful around the injured woman, in case she turned unexpectedly. He was always worrying when his family was involved.
"Okay, thanks Lee. I should have it all under control from now." Katjaa offered a small distracted smile to him. But there was only one question plaguing him right now.
"Is she gonna make it?" He inquired, dreading the answer, but he needed to know so he could expect... whatever was going to happen.
Katjaa paused briefly, which only served to make his heart split in two. She glanced at him with soft eyes and sighed.
"I can't honestly say right now. We just have to wait and see what happens." The concerned mother offered him honestly. Lee nodded absentmindedly, feeling as if he was suffocating in this RV, he just wanted some air, some time to himself to think.
"Lee, Kenny wants to talk to you for a minute." She added, gesturing to her husband up the front of the vehicle. Lee didn't know what he would want from him, but nodded anyway and strolled up to him. Stopping beside Clementine who was sitting in a very straight posture, Lee gazed down at the girl to quickly check on her. She seemed unresponsive, keeping an undeterred stare on the wall opposite her.
You okay, sweet pea?"
She gave a small nod in response, making him feel sick with worry when she was like this. Lee clambered up to the front, Kenny didn't turn to him, instead his eyes remained firmly on the road.
"Katjaa said you wanted a word."
Kenny huffed from his nostrils, before nodding over to Duck who was panned out in the passenger seat. The boy seemed far too pale, his breathing was far too audible. Lee looked between Kenny and Duck, spotting the distressed look on the fathers face.
Reaching over, he pulled up Duck's shirt to reveal a severe bite mark in his soft flesh, the red markings looked distinct. Lee could only watch in horror as Kenny glanced back at him, his eyes told the story of the pain inside him, the sorrow that was trying to conquer his senses. Lee could tell the man was trying to convince himself that everything was okay.
Lee didn't know what he could possibly say to Kenny, the situation was too bleak, too hopeless for him to sugarcoat the problem.
"Holy shit." He muttered, knowing he had to say something.
Kenny furrowed his eyebrows, not knowing who or what to be angry with right now. "Happened during the raid." His voice was low, trying to hide his inner turmoil.
"What are we going to do? We've never had a bite victim in our group before." Lee questioned, aware that Kenny would not put up with any talk of the inevitable end for his son. Looking at Duck, Lee knew there was only one option available for him, one deathly cure. It was all just too horrible to suggest, so Lee dropped it for now, hoping that Kenny himself would eventually realize the same thing when the time came.
"We'll keep on eye on him if anything happens, but nothing changes. The plan stays the same, east." Kenny murmured, not looking back at the doubtful expression on Lee's face.
"Kenny-
"What? He's just a bit sick! He'll be okay, we just need him to rest up." Kenny snapped hastily. The man was viewing this from an illogical perspective, both men knew what was going to happen, but neither had the strength to talk about it right now. Lee was wise enough to drop it.
"Does Katjaa know?"
Kenny scowled at him. "Of course she fuckin' knows! You think I'd tell you before telling her?!"
Lee nodded and looked down at the dusty RV carpet, feeling guilty for some reason.
"Lee, would ya tell Clem? About Duck." Kenny requested hesitantly, as if nervous to ask. Lee didn't know how she would take it, how was he supposed to broadcast it to her? That her only friend she could relate to was going to die. The girl was already feeling glum as to their current situation, judging from the downcast appearance on her face. Lee nodded solemnly and turned away from the man, creeping over to Clementine with dread in his heart.
All he wanted to tell her was that things were going to get better. He wanted to tell her not to give up, and to keep optimistic. He wanted to see her adorable smile that made him feel better himself when he saw it. But now, Lee had to inform her that Duck was dying, the only other child she could talk to was fading away, the process was slow but the result was definite.
Collapsing down beside her, Lee only realized then just how fatigued he was, his body screaming for slumber. When he felt Clementine quietly crawl up against his side, resting her head against his chest, he instinctively drew a protective arm around her tiny frame. He felt the her fragile breathing against him, closing his eyes. He couldn't say it. Lee couldn't bring himself to say it to her. He refused to add to her current misery and grief, but a part of him knew he had to do it, as it was better this way rather than her finding out for herself.
"Duck is bit."
Lee couldn't explain why he felt more sorry for Clementine than for Kenny.
"Huh?"
She had heard him clearly.
"He got bit by a walker trying to escape the motel." Lee had to be let it down easy and not jump to any sinister conclusions, for her sake. He decided to leave it there, giving Clementine some time to take in the surreal news. Looking back down at her shoes, the bill of her hat covered her face, Lee couldn't see her expression but he knew it would have broke him.
"I-I don't... feel good." She stuttered; the honest words of the innocent girl told their situation best. Nothing about it made you feel positive, there was too much going on, too many problems. All the spinning plates were beginning to wobble, and Lee couldn't control it. He just watched as the world plagued them with issue after issue. Lee gave her arm a comforting squeeze, it was all he could offer without lying to the girl, which he just couldn't make himself do at this point.
"What about Carley?" She asked carefully, scared it would be more bad news. Lee didn't know what was going to happen himself, her guess was as good as his. But Lee was aware that Clem took comfort in him telling her things would be alright, even if she didn't believe him.
"Katjaa is doing her best Clem, we'll just have to wait and see."
Clementine nodded wistfully. Lee could tell the gears in her mind were spinning, and at times like these, he wished he could read minds. Just to know what Clem was thinking about, if she had any doubts or worries, Lee wanted to extinguish them all and make her happy again. He wanted to see her smile.
"I'm glad I have you."
Clementine raised her head to Lee, beaming brightly at him. He felt marginally better.
"Me too." She smiled back.
She returned her head back against his chest. "I heard you outside my treehouse that day, and I thought about dropping a hammer on your head." Lee could spot the small grin at the corner of her lips.
Lee thought back to the day, and was grateful that she hadn't. His wounded leg would've have been even worse combined with a sore head.
"Hmm. That's.. nice."
Clementine gazed up at him in slight confusion. She didn't understand his sarcasm too well. "I didn't though."
Lee smirked at the idea, admiring how clever she was. Clementine had years of maturity on most other kids her age.
"Thanks." He added.
Letting a comfortable silence wash over them, Lee could feel the little girl sink into him, dozing off to sleep. Katjaa had moved back up to the passenger seat, positioning her sick child in her arms as she tried to catch some deserved rest. Ben sat awkwardly at the table at the back, his hand propping up his head. The sound of the RV carelessly gliding down the abandoned road faded out, but the leaky tap caught his interest, each individual drip a different pitch.
A murmur sounded from the sleeping girl, causing Lee to jump slightly. Clementine sat up slowly, gazing at him with milky eyes. Her skin was snow pale, and blood covered the left side of her mouth. Lunging at him, Lee cried out in surprise as the ray of light in his grey life was lost, gone forever.
"Clem?! FUCK!"
What was once his entire world now was trying to feast on him, Lee holding Clem back with all his strength; but what was the point? There was nothing good in his life without her, Lee simply gave up, allowing the infected girl near his throat, and closing his eyes.
Lee jumped awake with a gasp, sweat beads rolling down his forehead. Checking Clem over, she was peacefully dozing away, clutching onto his shirt sleeve. Lee released an anxious breath of relief, terrified about how real the nightmare felt. The ignorant sun shot through the cluttered blinds behind him, Lee watched the dust particles dance in the rays of sunlight. Not before he heard some cursing from up front.
Lee carefully sat up, Clementine latching onto him dearly as he gently set her down on the couch, letting her get some more sleep, God knows when she would get a better chance than this to get some good rest.
Sauntering up to the front, Lee saw Kenny's frustrated expression as the RV came to a gradual halt. Lee cursed under his breath as they approached yet another wedge in their plan.
"Now we gotta deal with this." Kenny muttered restlessly.
A train. A goddamn train. A few tonnes of steel blocked their path, derailed and all kinds of debris littered the crossing. The engine sat largely untouched and ready for command, but it was what was behind it that was the complication.
"Holy shit, a train!" Ben exclaimed nearly excitedly, receiving daggers from Lee and Kenny. The teen piped down and crossed his arms dejectedly. Hearing his stomach rumble, Lee noticed their next issue; food and water. All of their supplies had been left behind at the overrun motor inn, and they were all currently running on fumes, their last meal seemed so far away. Carley was still sleeping at the back, motionless, but the steady fall and rise of her chest put his worries to rest for now.
Kenny appeared to have read his mind, or heard his belly. "Lee, check those drawers. Might be something useful." He disembarked the RV with Katjaa, who was clutching onto weak Duck. The child was severely sick, there was no doubt about it anymore. Lee shuddered as he remembered his earlier nightmare.
Lee began turning open all the cupboard doors, which were all mostly empty, except for a few mocking dust bunnies. Opening the compartment above the cooker, Lee was surprised to find what looked like a bottle of pills. Grabbing them, he turned and read the label.
Antibiotics.
Lee grinned, glancing over at Carley. This is exactly what she needs, in case Katjaa had to pick more bullet fragments. These would definitely secure Carley's survival if they needed to make drastic measures. It was likely that she might have caught something, as they did not have the adequate materials for a secure surgery. Her wound was for the most part still in danger of infection, and these would help her significantly. Lee unscrewed the lid and found the bottle to be nearly empty. While not exactly ideal, they would still make do with the few pills they had.
Gazing outside at Duck, being held delicately by Katjaa, Lee looked at the painkillers in his hand again.
Duck was only a child. No child deserved this kind of pain. This medication would assist him in his fight, his battle to live. They weren't too educated on how the disease worked, so maybe these antibiotics would help him dearly. Duck deserved a chance at life. It was a longshot, it might not work, but if it did, Kenny and his family would be forever grateful. But with Carley's life also in the balance, who needed them more?
Lee knew that this choice was significant, as it could possibly save one's life at the cost of another.
Give the antibiotics to Duck? Or to Carley? It's up to you.
I'm not saying either are guaranteed survival if they get the treatment, as well as the other might not die without them, but who knows. Think about and come back to me.
Once again, thanks for all the awesome reviews on the last chapter.
