A Second Chance
Chapter 28
Movement to my left startled me and before I knew it, a walker had leapt on me. I battled with it for a short while but managed to stamp on its skull, effectively scrambling its brain. A slight burning raised my attention to my left arm. I looked down.
Dark red stood out against my skin, outlining the bite mark that adorned my wrist.
My heart stopped beating for a moment. It was impossible! Not again, I swore to myself it wouldn't happen again!
"Kenny!" I bellowed, my voice shaking slightly. I stared down in disbelief and felt a few tears slide down my cheek. The deer skittered away but all I could think of was my family… Carley, Clementine and little Logan.
"Damn it, Lee!" Kenny snarled, hitting a nearby tree in frustration. "This better be good! That was our dinner!"
"Do you have your hatchet?!" I pressed on, deciding against retaliating to the 'dinner' comment.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Give me it." I said seeing him approach and slipping my wedding band off, knowing what I was about to do. No way was I leaving Clementine again. He handed me the hatchet sceptically and frowned, scanning my face for any clue as to what I needed it for. I gulped, trying to rid myself of my nerves. "Whatever happens, Ken… get me back to camp."
"Sure, Lee… but why-" His eyes scanned the rest of me and came to rest on my left wrist. He stopped suddenly and shook his head. "No way… no fucking way!"
"Look, Ken." I stopped him, laying my left hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to cut it off. Maybe it'll work… but I don't know. Just… get me back to camp afterwards?"
"Whatever you say, bud."
I took a deep breath and gulped down my nerves as I positioned the hatchet against my arm.
"Don't think… just do it." I thought to myself, remembering what it felt like the last time. I let out one last breath and brought It down hard. All I can remember is pain.
Again and again, I crashed it down onto my arm, spraying blood over the crisp brown leaves that littered the ground. Eventually, the pain became too much and I felt the comfort of darkness consume me.
No-One's POV
Carley was sitting by the fire; playing go-fish with Clementine and watching her father make faces at Logan when she heard it.
"Hey! Anyone!" Kenny's voice boomed from the trees, alerting everyone to his presence. Then, he emerged dragging Lee who had his arm draped around his shoulder. Carley's heart dropped when she saw his left arm… or his severe lack of one. "Help!"
"Oh my god! Lee!" Carley screeched, launching over to Kenny but not forgetting to tell her father to look after her kids. She leaned down and moved his head slightly, terrified at how limp it felt in her hands. "What happened?!"
"He was bitten." Kenny panted, heaving Lee further into camp, where Katjaa met up with them and took him into the medical tent.
"No…" Carley breathed. Her voice was disbelieving. "Not again…"
"What was that, Carley?" Kenny huffed, clutching his chest in effort to keep himself upright.
"Nothing."
"I thought I heard you say something." He shrugged, finally laying his friend down and hugging Carley in a reassuring manner. She shook her head and closed her eyes tightly, trying to will it to be a lie. Maybe if she told herself it wasn't true…maybe she would wake up from whatever nightmare she was in.
"Katjaa…" She whispered, feeling all of the life drain from her. "Please… please help him."
"I'll try, honey." The older woman assured, rolling up her sleeves and grabbing some of the antibacterial gel Lee had found on his latest run to the city. Her large blue eyes were filled with sympathy. "I can't promise anything, but I'll do my best."
As Carley tuned to leave, Kenny's eye caught onto something glittering on the floor. He bent down and picked it up, recognizing it as Lee's wedding band. He caught Carley's arm and smiled down at her, holding out the ring. Tears welled up in her eyes as she took it into her trembling hand. It closed around the small piece of metal and she clutched it tightly.
"Thank you…" She said sincerely, holding it to her chest lovingly… almost as if she was holding onto Lee.
"It's okay." He smiled stroking her shoulder comfortingly. "Go and see your girl. She'll be going out of her mind."
Carley nodded, knelt down and kissed Lee's forehead before heading out of the tent. She was greeted with the sight of a sobbing Clementine being consoled by her father. The small girl looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps and bolted off the log.
"Mommy!" She cried, launching herself into Carley's arms. The older woman's eyes widened slightly at the use of the name, but sobbed into the young girl.
They both stayed in their embrace for a while, comforting one another.
"I… I remember." Clementine muttered when she had calmed down. Carley furrowed her brow in confusion and moved the girl away slightly so she could look at in her eyes.
"What do you remember, sweetheart?"
"You were shot in the head… Lilly…" She sniffled, her bottom lip wibbling slightly. "I remember having to shoot Lee…"
"Oh sweetie…" Carley sighed, bringing her in for a hug once again. "It's okay… it's okay…"
"Is it going to happen again?" Clementine whispered so no-one would hear.
"No." Carley said firmly, standing and picking the girl up. Clementine wrapped herself around the older woman and buried her head into her shoulder. "No, sweetheart… it's not…"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
