Chapter 9
"So you've been living on this train for how long?" Roslyn asked Chuck curiously. They'd met the homeless man while Lee was checking out the train and he was more than surprised to find out about Chuck.
"Don't know. A bit before this whole mess started, I should think." He answered from where he sat beside Katjaa and Clementine. Roslyn sat beside Ben as he quietly ate a box of candy Chuck had given him, along with Clementine and Roslyn.
"Hmm…ya know this train leads to Savannah, right?"
"Yeah." "And we're headed for Savannah."
"Sounds right."
"And this train could help us…"
"I know you wanna take the train and I won't stop you."
"What? Are you serious? But what about you? This train looks like it's been your home to the last several months."
"It has and it is. I never said I'm not joining you, if you'll have me anyway."
"It's the least we can do, considering Kenny wants to take the train."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Lee!" Clementine jumped up and ran as Lee approached them, the little girl smiling as she rushed to greet him.
"Did you meet Chuck?"
"Yeah, I did." Lee replied.
"It's nice to meet someone normal for a change." Katjaa remarked.
"He gave us candy! Roslyn and Ben too!" Clementine proclaimed, Ben freezing up as Lee looked over at him and Roslyn. Roslyn gave him a nervous smile and hid said box of candy behind her back.
"I didn't eat any." She admitted, putting her hands up in surrender as Ben nervously looked around. Lee shook his head before running his attention back to Chuck, nodding toward him.
"Welcome."
"Thank ya."
"You met Kenny?" "Sure did. Man shares my love of the road."
"That's for certain." Duck began to couch, Katjaa patting his back gently as they turned towards the infected child.
"I'm awfully sorry your son's not feeling good." Chuck said sincerely, kneeling down beside Katjaa and Duck with a sympathetic expression.
"I appreciate your concern." Katjaa thanked, offering him a weak smile.
"We'll, with a little TLC I'm sure he'll be fit as a fiddle in no time." He stood up as Kenny walked over to the group, giving a small nod.
"And I can offer y'all whatever I've got, although it ain't much."
"Thank you…we'd like to do the same."
"Why don't we hold off on…" Kenny started, looking down at his family with concern as Katjaa interrupted him.
"Stay with us. We'd like the company." Without giving a response, Kenny walked off to inspect the train, leaving the rest of the group sitting calmly together.
"You play guitar?" Roslyn asked, looking at the guitar in Chuck's hands curiously as he strummed it quietly.
"Always have."
"Wish I could play guitar."
"Could teach ya, if things ever calm down."
"Really?"
"I'd be glad to."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it." Roslyn smiled slightly before glancing over at their group. 'It's so empty without Carley…Doug…Glenn…Mark…even Larry. We've lost too many…' She thought as she saw everyone's withered and anxious expressions. Lee was checking up on everyone, Kenny checking the train, Katjaa watching Duck, while Clementine sat quietly beside Chuck as he played his guitar, leaving Roslyn and Ben sitting there in silence.
"So…" Roslyn started awkwardly, trying to make conversation.
"So?" Ben said, raising an eyebrow.
"Cool train, huh?"
"Yeah. Too bad I'm stuck here instead of working on it."
"It's the apocalypse, Ben. Don't start getting an attitude."
"I'm sorry. I just want to be doing something important."
"Helping me watch Clem and Duck is pretty important."
"It's not getting us anywhere."
"Someone needs to get their boxers out of a knot. What's gotten into you lately? Ever since we left the motel, you've been quiet and now when you talk to any of us, all we get is attitude or silence."
"It's complicated."
"What isn't these days? Seriously, what's up with you?"
"It's nothing, Roslyn."
"Ben…" Ben turned his gaze away from Roslyn and she frowned, "You know you can trust me, right?"
"…I know, but that still doesn't mean people trust ME."
"So it's about the motel, huh? I should've known…Ben, it's in the past. We all know you didn't do it. It was the bandits who were at fault." When Ben didn't respond, Roslyn sighed as she ran a hand through her hair.
"Ben, at least look at me." He didn't move and Roslyn stood up, gazing down at him solemnly.
"Fine. Just…you know where to find me if you wanna talk." Kenny and Lee proceeded to walk over to them and tell them the train was ready, much to Roslyn's relief.
"Let's go." Kenny said as they all headed for the train and piled in one by one. Roslyn carefully lifted Clementine up and into the train car before following suit. She listened to the argument between Lee and Kenny about Duck's…situation and frowned as she heard Kenny's adamant state of denial. 'He's bit…there's nothing we can do.' Katjaa and Duck soon entered the car as Lee and Kenny went to start up the train, the locomotive soon moving gradually down the tracks as the familiar scenery passed behind them. Roslyn sat quietly at the back of the train car with her knees pulled up to her chest as she stared outside at the passing trees and occasional walker. Chuck and Lee stood at one side, looking outside, with Katjaa, Duck, and Clementine on the other as Ben sat alone near the door.
"Got to be hard on ya, eh? Three adults taking care of four kids." Chuck said as he turned to Ben and Roslyn, "No disrespect to the pair of you."
"None taken." Roslyn muttered as Ben frowned and looked a the floor.
"We'll be fine. We've gone through just as much as anybody else." Lee replied calmly.
"Those two are gonna grow up quick. The girl sooner, obviously." Roslyn couldn't help but smirk at the comment as Ben pouted with a look of frustration.
"I'm already grown up." He mumbled irritatedly.
"I don't doubt it, son." Roslyn jumped up as Duck began to cough, blood seeping from his lips as Katjaa desperately tried to stop it.
"Lee! Roslyn! I need you. Right now. I need you to go get Ken." Katjaa said pleadingly as Roslyn rushed over to her side.
"What's…" Lee started as he knelt beside Katjaa and Roslyn worriedly.
"Would you get that off his face? My hands are full here." Lee was about to reach for a rag on the floor near them, but Roslyn quickly snatched it up.
"I've got this. You need to get Kenny." Roslyn stated as she wiped Duck's face gently, cleaning it of most of the blood splatter. Lee watched in silence as Roslyn worked, her worried gaze locked on Duck's sickly pale face. She saw his dull gaze stuck to the floor as the life seemed to drain slowly and painfully from him.
"He's out of time." Roslyn murmured, holding the now bloodied rag up to Katjaa and Lee.
"Kenny needs to stop the train, but he's in denial."hnn
"I'll take care of it." Lee said, taking the rag from Roslyn's hands with a solemn nod.
"Make it fast. Please." With another understanding nod, Lee left the train car to find Kenny.
"Thank you, Roslyn." Katjaa said.
"Don't mention it. I just…I just want what's best for Duck. For the group." Roslyn said quietly.
"I know you do and that's good. You're a very sweet girl, Roslyn. A lot like Clementine, actually."
"If I was, I wouldn't deserve any of this. You, Duck, Clementine, Lee, Ben, and Kenny…you all deserve better. Especially you and Kenny." "
Thank you. I'm…I'm going to miss him so much…" Katjaa seemed close to tears as she spoke, but kept her calm yet somber disposition.
"I know…we won't let him become a walker. I can imagine you'd never want that, as a parent."
"I thought the same thing, that I cannot allow my son to be one of those things."
"It's for the best."
"…I know. I love him and Kenny more than anything. More than life itself, even."
"It's your child, so that's pretty understandable."
"I just wish things could be different."
"…we all do." The train pulled to a slow stop and Roslyn gave Katjaa a sad smile as she stood up.
"Lee did it. We should get going." Katjaa nodded and followed Roslyn out of the car silently. Duck's breathing was shallow and his dull eyes were slowly closing as his body tried to fight the infection.
"Ken, it's…I think it's time." Katjaa said quietly as Kenny and Lee walked up, running a hand gently through Duck's hair.
"The boy's been bit. In case you haven't figured that out." Kenny said to Chuck, who nodded his head in understanding before turning his gaze away from Kenny and his family.
"Take as much time as you need." Lee said softly, looking at Duck sadly. "
There ain't no time left to take." Kenny looked as his wife sorrowfully, his gaze lingering to Duck for a moment.
"What're we gonna do?"
"We can't allow him to become one of those things." Katjaa mumbled in reply.
"But what if…what if he doesn't?"
"Kenny, he's gone. I know that's hard to accept…for both you and Katjaa. Still, there's only one thing we can do in a situation like this." Roslyn said, her eyes downcast as she spoke.
"She's right. Kenny, I love you very much. I love our son more than life itself. I need you to hear me. What you are saying, that he may not turn, is foolish."
"But–"
"No."
"There's…come on Kat. There's gotta be another way."
"If you think of one, you let me know."
"Isn't there some sort of pill of something we can just give him? He can just drift off to sleep, right hon? I mean, jeez, this is our son."
"I KNOW. But it's…here." Katjaa pointed to her head, "Or nothing."
"Well…just…who then? You want me to?"
"I'll do it." Roslyn said, barely above a whisper, as she raised her hand.
"Roslyn, we can't ask you to do that." Katjaa stated.
"You don't need to. I don't want you or Kenny to do this and no one else is gonna volunteer. I can do this."
"No, Roslyn–"
"I'll do it." Lee proclaimed.
"No, it should be a parent."
"No parent should have to do something like this."
"Lee's right, Kat. We should say our goodbyes and…" Kenny couldn't continue and Roslyn could feel the tears he was choking back.
"Lee, you'd be doing this family a great service."
"You should take him into the forest." Roslyn suggested.
"Yeah. Lee, give us a minute to say our goodbyes?"
"Of course." Lee said somberly. Katjaa and Kenny proceeded to take Duck into the woods, a silence hanging heavily in the air. Roslyn couldn't even look up from the ground, keeping her hands in her pockets as she listened to the leaves rustling.
"What's happening?" Clementine asked softly, looking up at Lee and Roslyn. Roslyn shot a look to Lee, not wanting to talk about nor explain the situation…especially to Clem.
"I'm gonna take care of Duck."
"I thought he was going to die."
"I'm putting him out of his misery."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Look, Clem, things will–" A bang sounded through the forest and everyone jumped, both shocked and wary of the sudden gunshot.
"NO!" Kenny cried as birds soared from the treetops in fright.
"Ben! Roslyn! Take Clementine into the train!" Lee ordered before running off into the woods towards the source of Kenny's scream. Ben was instantly by Roslyn's side, trying to usher Clementine into the train but looking at Roslyn knowingly.
"We have to get her on the train, Roslyn. This is their battle, not yours." He said, still attemptIng to get Clementine to move. The child wouldn't budge from where she stood as she looked up at Roslyn worriedly, placing her hand in Roslyn's own.
"Roslyn? We have to go." Roslyn glanced down at the girl and sighed, turning away to look at the forest. 'It's so quiet now…what happened?' She wondered.
"Roslyn?"
"Let's just board the train, 'kay Clem?" Clementine nodded and Roslyn lifted her up into the train gingerly, careful to make certain she didn't get hurt somehow. She, Chuck, and Ben soon followed, finding a spot in the abandoned train car whilst they waited for the others to return. Clementine sat close to Roslyn, snuggling into her side until the older girl draped an arm around her protectively. Chuck sat at the edge of the doorway, staring into the forest silently as if he expected something to be horribly wrong. 'And he's probably right.' Roslyn thought. Ben remained standing not far from Roslyn and Clementine and kept an eye on them. It was odd though, especially considering how…off he seemed. 'Come to think of it, he's been quiet ever since Katjaa and I were talking. Heck, even in the RV something was wrong. That kid's a puzzle sometimes.' As Roslyn let her thoughts wander, time seemed to go by faster, yet freeze all at once. She heard the gunshot fire and echo through the trees as she brought Clementine closer to her on instinct, the child accepting the action and hiding her face in Roslyn's side. 'Rest in peace, bud.' Roslyn thought sadly, images of Duck going through her mind as the group waited with bated breath. Lee and Kenny soon returned with sorrowful expressions, tears streaking Kenny's face as he made his way back to the front of the train in silence.
….….
The train thundered down the tracks, the group having been so affected by the day's events that they had gradually spread out on the train. Lee just entered the car, shutting the door behind him that had a window where they could see a somber looking Ben. Roslyn was curled up near a few crates and boxes with her backpack at her side in the farthest corner of the car, wanting to be left alone for a time. Duck's death had shaken her to the core, having only been a child who was bitten and taken out. She watched as Lee immediately took a seat beside Clementine at the edge of the entryway, speaking to her in a soft and calm tone. Though, that calmness vanished when Roslyn noticed how suddenly angry he became at something Clementine had said to him. He stood up and stomped out of the car looking for Chuck, leaving the rest of them in the dreary train car with a thick silence in the air. Any other time, she would be chatting with Clementine or Ben, pretending for a moment that everything was like it was the way before everything came tumbling down and the world practically ended. Now that Duck, a child and Roslyn's friend, had died, everything felt darker. Yes, the world was in an apocalypse and she'd seen death plenty of times, but she'd lost Carley on the same day and Duck brought such optimism to the group that he managed to make her smile when everything seemed pointless. Lee soon re-entered the car and Roslyn watched him talk with Clementine, eventually sitting behind her and beginning to cut her hair. Poor Clementine seemed upset as Lee snipped away her hair as it grew shorter and shorter. 'What did Chuck say to him?' Roslyn wondered, as she sat in silence and watched Lee tie back a few stray hairs before handing Clementine her hat. Lee noticed Roslyn staring and soon walked over, kneeling down to look her in the eyes as he spoke.
"Hey Roslyn. How you holding up?"
"Things could be better." Roslyn replied simply.
"True. Still, what are ya doing back here by yourself? You're usually talking with Clementine or Ben."
"I don't feel like talking. Too much has happened in only a few hours. None of us can really handle it, even if we try to convince ourselves we can. Ben, Clem, Kenny, even you and I are broken up for similar yet entirely different reasons."
"Now, don't go assuming something so depressing."
"I know you loved Carley." Lee's eyes widened as he looked at Roslyn with surprise, unable to utter a word as she continued.
"She loved you too, even if she never said it. She would talk about you when you were gone…she did really like you. Even with your past, she saw through it. I only wish she could've told you."
"…thank you for that, Roslyn. Still, what you're saying about us all being broken…it ain't true."
"No? Have you even talked to Kenny or Ben?"
"Kenny is upset for reasons we can all understand. Ben, he's still shaken up after what happened at the motel."
"What about you and Clem?"
"She's just a little girl, Roslyn. She's never had to deal with anything like what she has in the past few months. Me, well, I try to keep going. I have to, for you and Clementine. We've made it this far and I don't intend on giving up."
"I understand you staying alive for Clementine, but me? Why? I'm nineteen, Lee. I can take care of myself."
"Nineteen?"
"My birthday was at least a month ago, I think. Still, I'm old enough to fend for myself without someone feeling they need to take care of me."
"Remember back at the motel? You got shot in the arm. If it wasn't for someone caring about you, that wound would've gotten infected. When we left Lilly, you seemed to angry to think straight. What if that happened again? What would happen to you?"
"What's your point?"
"We need to stick together to survive. None of us can assume we'd be better off on our own, 'cause we wouldn't be."
"…I just want everything to be the way it was before…" Roslyn murmured, her gaze downcast as she hugged her knees closer to her chest and Lee looked at her sadly.
"I know." He said, giving Roslyn a comforting hug. She tensed up at first, but slowly relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder before he pulled away.
"Why'd you cut Clementine's hair?" She asked suddenly, tilting her head to the side.
"Safety reasons." Lee answered with a smile.
"If you're talking safety, she should probably be able to use a gun."
"Funny, that's exactly wheat Chuck told me. I planned on teaching her, but I can't have her shoot anything with you back here."
"I'll move if you let me help."
"Deal." Then, for the first time that day, Roslyn managed a faint, yet genuine, smile.
