Well, here's another chapter, I hope you're enjoying it so far. If you have any comments you want to make regarding the story, any points, any tips or criticisms, feel free to let me know. Enjoy!
Ed sighed slightly as he rummaged through the pharmacy office. He hadn't found any keys at this point, and he had been searching for some time.
He found some batteries, a medkit, a remote control, and a photo.
A picture of Lee's parents and brother, including himself. All smiling for the camera in front of the pharmacy.
It must have happened some time ago, since Lee looked younger. He did not yet have the mature features that he has now.
This made him think of his parents. They had already died, but what if they had been infected too, and had come out of their graves?
He shook his head and felt his stomach turn at the mere thought. This was the first time he was thankful that they were already dead, they wouldn't have to go through that.
They wouldn't have to face those things, and most of all, they wouldn't have to see what his son had become, totally the opposite of what his father said he would become.
Getting up, he turned and looked at Clementine, who was exploring the office with a certain refinement of curiosity.
He sighed again, with images of the girl thanking Lee and telling him to be careful going through his head.
- Clem... what did I say about talking to Lee?
There wasn't really anger in his voice, in a way, he would even like to know what the girl thought about him... or rather, what she thought about him being a murderer.
Clementine looked at him for a moment and lowered her head, hugging her arm in front of her body.
- I know, but... you said that whenever someone does something good for me, to thank that person... and he did...
She answered, and he bent down to her height, looking at her with some kindness in his eyes, but still keeping a serious expression.
- What do you think of him? You know he killed someone...
he asked, but it was more a question about himself than about Lee.
The girl was thoughtful for a while.
- He saved Duck... helped us... and saved me... he is not a bad person.
She answered.
- Ok... and what do you think about him killing someone?
he asked, and the girl arched her eyebrows for a moment.
- I... you heard, it was just an accident, and even though you said that all murderers are liars, I don't think he is. And he even helped that guy who pointed the gun at Duck... he's nice.
She answered, and this time Ed was the one who was thoughtful for a while, until he sighed again.
-... How would you feel if daddy had killed someone too, when all this started?
he asked, and the girl stared at him with a certain intensity. There was a certain gleam in her golden eyes, and Ed felt as if she was looking deep into his soul.
Strange that he felt this way about a little girl.
-... I don't know... it depends. Was the person you killed one of those monsters?
she asked, somewhat uncertain.
- I... I didn't killed. Hypothetically speaking.
" You never stop lying? Not even to your own daughter? What a great father you are."
-... If the person was one of those monsters, then I wouldn't mind, I guess...
The girl answered, looking down.
- And if it wasn't?
She remained silent, trapped in her own thoughts. Confused by all those questions from her father.
-... Why would you do that? If the person was trying to hurt you... I guess I wouldn't... judge you.
She answered, searching for the best words to say.
Ed stared at the girl for a while longer, until he put his hand gently on her shoulder and stood up.
And once again, he preferred secrecy over telling the truth.
(...)
- Jesus, man... it's going to take more than a week for things to sort out.
Glenn said, looking at the destruction and the bodies spread over the streets where he passed by with the car.
-... Do you really think this is going to get solved? I mean, that the government will do something?
Lee asked, not wanting to sound negative, but this situation was not something that seemed to be solved in a few days, or months.
If all the cities are like that, then a large number of people have died, both civilians and the government itself.
- I... I hope so. It can't stay like this forever, can it?
Glenn asked, giving Lee a quick glance, a little nervous at the thought that things would go on like this.
- I don't know. I hope not. But if things get worse, a lot of people will give up... others will simply die...
Lee said with a distant look as he watched the infested streets around him, trapped in his own thoughts.
If that old man hadn't dealt with his parents, they would be just like those things wandering around the city... he didn't want that.
Like that woman they encountered...the despair she must have felt at seeing herself becoming similar to those creatures.
He didn't want his parents to have gone through something like that.
Sighing, he closes his eyes tightly and rests his head against the seat.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an alarm. It was still muffled, but it shouldn't have been a few streets away.
And they were very close to the pharmacy.
Lee and Glenn looked at each other, and the boy stepped on the gas, while Lee picked up the shotgun he had left in the back seat.
- Oh, shit...
Glenn said in a low voice, and Lee's eyes widened at the sight of all those zombies in the front of the store.
-... We'll have to make our way through the alley. Leave the car here!
Lee said, getting out of the car as soon as Glenn parked, and ignoring the incredulous look that the young man sent in his direction.
Lee held the shotgun in one hand and took out his newest axe, swinging it at the head of a zombie that was slowly walking towards the office door.
Running forward, he takes advantage of the momentum and knocks the next one down, swinging his axe soon after.
A runner came towards him, and Lee's eyes widened.
As that thing approached, Lee crouched down and at the same time leaned forward slightly. Since the creature was running, it wasn't too hard for him to use his body to throw it backwards, pushing its legs up as soon as the runner bent over its back.
Glenn quickly approached and stabbed the ice pick into the runner's head, looking at Lee soon after, who was killing another zombie, which was standing in front of the office door, and entering the drugstore.
Lee ran inside and stared at the situation.
The windows had been smashed, and some zombies were grabbing Doug further into the corner of the drugstore.
To his left, Kenny was punching the head of a runner who was grabbing Katjaa, and had half his body going through a window, which was cracking more every moment.
Ed was kicking some zombies that had grabbed Clementine, and Diana was helping him, but many hands were grabbing the girl's feet.
Larry, on the other side, was fighting a runner, who had probably come through the front door and headed toward him, since both doors were slightly open, broken.
Carley was trying to hold off the ones coming through the doors, but she alone could not do it all.
Time seemed to slow down, and Lee took a deep breath, feeling his muscles tighten.
First, he raised his shotgun and fired at the runner who was trying to bite Larry, since he was the closest to him.
- Kenny!
He shouted his friend's name, as he threw the axe in his direction.
Kenny turned around, and out of reflex, caught the axe in midair, smashing it into the runner's head shortly after.
- Ed!
Lee shouted the man, as he threw the shotgun at him.
Ed turned, and grabbed the gun, aiming and firing at the zombies soon after.
He just ignored the strong kick of the gun, and the numbness he felt in his arms right after shooting, and continued to kill the zombies.
Running forward, Lee picks up a piece of broken board that was lying on the ground and smashes it into the head of one of the zombies that was grabbing Doug, punching another soon after and pulling the man back.
- Go down the alley, the car is in the street ahead!
Lee shouted, looking at Glenn, who had killed a runner with the ice pick, and gasped as he looked at the creature's body on the ground.
Carley's scream caught his attention, and he ran toward the woman, who had run out of ammo and had her leg grabbed by one of the zombies, while trying to get away from another who grabbed her arm.
Lee elbows the one holding the woman's arm in the head, and stomps on the one holding her leg.
The woman broke free and walked away, grabbing some ammo from her purse further back, and shooting at the zombies that were approaching behind Lee.
She ran toward the office and Lee followed her, punching one of the zombies that had half his body inside the drugstore through the window, and grabbing him as he ran.
Kicking the rotten woman in the head, he turns and runs back toward the office, until he is stopped by a hand.
- Oh no, you're not coming with us, you son of a bitch!
The old man says, trying to punch Lee, who widens his eyes, but reflexively dodges to the side.
- Goddammit, old man!
Kenny shouted angrily, shoving him violently to the side, as he closed the office door as soon as Lee had passed.
- Thanks!
Lee thanked him, running down the alley as soon as he left the pharmacy.
- Not a big deal, pal.
Kenny said, looking at the car, now full.
Duck, Katjaa, Diana, Clementine and Carley were in the car.
- Here, the gas! We can get the truck!
Lee shouted, grabbing the gasoline from the trunk and starting to run towards the street where Kenny's truck was. With luck, the zombies would be too focused on the noise from the pharmacy to notice them there.
- Are you sure about this?
Glenn asked, looking at Lee through the car window.
- Yes! Take them to the motel!
Lee shouted, grabbing the axe Kenny had thrown at him and killing the zombie in his path, handing the gasoline to Ed, who began filling the tank of the truck as soon as they arrived, and after he had thrown the shotgun in the back of the truck.
- Go faster, damn it!
The old man shouted, but Ed just ignored him, concentrating on his work.
- They're coming!
Doug said, glaring at Lee, who was taking the lead and killing one of the approaching zombies, trying to lure as many of them as he could towards him.
- Okay, we're good to go!
Ed said, throwing the gallon of gasoline into the back of the truck.
Kenny got in and started the car, watching the others get in shortly after.
- Come on, Lee!
he shouted, looking at Lee, who turned and ran toward the car, jumping into the truck, and dodging three runners who ran after him.
Kenny sped up the car, and could see in the rearview mirror, the runners getting further and further away, but not giving up the chase.
- Jesus Christ... that was so fucking close.
Kenny said relieved, shaking his head slightly and focusing on the road.
- Damn... I should have thought the place would have an alarm.
Lilly said, running her hand over her head, closing her eyes tightly.
They heard three knocks on the glass, and Lilly rolled down the window on her side, looking at Lee.
- Take the left here, Kenny.
He said, and the man did as he was told, being able to see Glenn's car up ahead.
- Damn... they came back just in time... what's your problem, old man?! That guy just saved your life and you pay him back by trying to punch him?!
Kenny asked angrily, looking at the old man in the rearview mirror.
- I know Everett's type. Sooner or later he will become uncontrollable, and we will all suffer from that man's cruel nature! And my name is Larry, asshole!
Larry said, crossing his arms and looking angrily at Kenny.
- Okay, what the fuck are you talking about, Larry? The cruel natured man saved your life, more than once in keeping me from kicking you out!
Kenny said, returning the look.
- Will you stop this discussion?! Come on, Dad. Your heart, we're lucky you haven't had a meltdown over this whole situation.
Lilly said, putting an end to that argument, but causing another one, this time between her and Larry.
Ed had his eyes focused on the road, thoughtful, a lost gaze.
" Sooner or later he will become uncontrollable, and we will all suffer from that man's cruel nature!"
Those words repeated over and over in his head, and he wasn't sure why.
Why did he feel as if Larry had meant him, and not Lee?
(...)
After a few minutes, they finally arrived at the motel.
Kenny got out of the car and ran towards Katjaa, hugging her and Duck, relieved to see that they were both okay.
Ed ran toward Clementine, and Diana, also relieved that both were okay, but not showing as much as Kenny.
Lee jumped out of the bucket, with his axe in one hand, and his shotgun in the other. He walked across the parking lot and placed the shotgun propped on the wall next to one of the rooms.
He sighed in relief, feeling the adrenaline leaving his body. His eyes focused on the blade of the axe, soiled with blood.
It wasn't the most practical weapon in the world... but he liked it.
It was heavy, but he could handle it with some ease.
It would get stuck easily, but he felt like he could ignore that, compensating with something else.
Brute strength, maybe.
As he stared at the blood on the axe, he remembered the people, or monsters, or creatures, or whatever the fuck those were that he killed.
It still had a strange feeling killing them, but it seemed that each time he did it, the feeling eased.
And although he still feared those things, he seemed to lose some of his fear each time he saw an open head, or dead body falling to the ground.
He was getting used to killing them... but was it really a good thing?
He feared that he would change by killing too many of those things, that what made him essentially himself was disappearing more and more with each zombie he kills.
- Hey... Lee.
Lilly's voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he turned to the woman, looking at her with a light, curious gaze.
-... I wanted to thank you... I saw, back at the pharmacy, that runner grabbing my father... you could just ignore it, considering everything that happened.
Lilly said, arms crossed and with an expression even a little embarrassed, but she was willing to look him in the eye.
- No need to thank me. Even after everything, what kind of person would I be if I just left him to die?
He said, and Lilly seemed to look him up and down.
As if analyzing him, perhaps.
-... I expected murderers to be more... cruel, especially one who beat a senator to death.
Lilly said, and Lee's eyes widened.
- That's what the media said. That senator's rich family controls, or used to control, the media.
Lee said, and the woman arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
- I didn't beat him, in fact, I barely punched him. He fell, and broke his neck when he hit the edge of a table ... it was an accident.
He said, and the woman looked somewhat surprised, although Lee could still identify a small spark of doubt in her gaze.
- I never meant to kill him, punch him a few times, but that's all.
-... All things considered, I'll try to believe that.
She said, with a less rigid tone, and a lighter expression.
Lee smiled slightly at her, Lilly was willing to believe him, and he couldn't help smiling in gratitude.
- Thank you.
He said, and the woman stared at him for a while, until she turned and walked towards her father.
Lee, in her eyes, was... intriguing.
He sighed slightly and walked over to Kenny, who was talking about something with Katjaa. As soon as he saw him, he turned and smiled in his direction.
- Hey, Lee, glad you showed up just in time, Katjaa almost got caught by one of those runners.
He thanked him, squeezing Lee's hand firmly, who smiled back.
- No need to thank me, man. I couldn't look at that and do nothing.
- I'm serious. We appreciate it.
Kenny said, putting his hands on his waist and looking lightly at Lee.
- Thank you, Lee. For all you've done... and I'm sorry I got a little weirded out when I heard that you...
Katjaa said, bowing her head slightly as she said it.
- Don't worry, Katjaa. I understand, especially when this guy is so close to your son, I would think it strange if you weren't a little concerned.
Lee said, smiling slightly at the woman, who looked at him appreciatively.
- Where is Duck?
he asked, looking around until Kenny pointed in one direction.
Turning around, Lee arched an eyebrow when he saw the boy chatting excitedly with Clementine, while devouring the protein bar Lee had given him.
- Hm, a strong boy indeed.
he said, with an amused smile on his face.
- Exactly... but still, even though I am thankful that everything ended well, I can't feel very happy with that son of a bitch in the same place where my son will be sleeping.
Kenny said, growling slightly at the mention of Larry, who was talking to Lilly, leaning on one of the beams ahead with his arms crossed.
- Yeah, I hear you.
Lee said, sighing and putting his hands on his waist.
- How is he alive, anyway? I saw that runner go after him the moment he came in, just before Katjaa was grabbed.
Kenny said, and Lee sighed again.
- Well, when I saw him fighting that thing, I didn't even think, I just shot at that runner.
Lee said, looking at Kenny's expression, who had an arched eyebrow.
- What can I say? I'm not like him, if I see someone who needs help... I'll help. That's how my father raised me.
Lee said, crossing his arms, and Kenny sighed.
- Well...I can't blame you for thinking like that, damn...I can forgive, I guess. But I'll never forget what he did. I just hope he won't be a problem from now on.
Kenny said, looking once more at Larry, before turning away.
- Yeah, I hope so too. We have two kids with us...but, I don't think he'll be stupid enough to try anything with you, me and Ed here...I guess.
Lee said.
- I don't know, man. People can be pretty stupid sometimes...but, let's hope for the best.
Kenny said.
- Well, I'll leave you two alone now, I think you need it.
Lee said, smiling slightly at them.
- All right, man. Thanks again.
Kenny said, watching Lee walk toward Ed and Diana, until he returned to talking to his wife.
- Hey, um... how are you guys doing?
Lee asked as he approached them, somewhat uncertain, since his last conversation with Ed had not been one of the best.
But, he couldn't stop himself, they would be in the same group from now on, whether they wanted to or not, they had to interact with each other.
And Lee simply couldn't stop it, his father and mother had raised him to be a good man, and he felt as if he was dishonoring their legacy by acting otherwise.
He had already dishonored them too much in life, he didn't want to do the same in death.
- We...we're fine, Lee...thank you.
Diana said, running her hand lightly through her hair and looking at Clementine, who was timidly responding to the things Duck was saying.
- How is the girl?
he asked, and Ed sighed, as he looked at her.
- She's fine ... it was nothing more than a scare.
He answered, and looked down, feeling a little conflicted.
- Look, Lee... I'm sorry for the way I treated you, for the way I judged you, I... I mean... you did so much for me and my family and I treated you that way...
Ed apologized, and Lee arched an eyebrow, smiling slightly afterwards.
- Don't worry, man. Everyone gets stressed out in situations like this, and they make some mistakes they didn't mean to make...
He said, losing himself in his own words and bowed his head, sighing soon after.
- It's all right. It's one of the prices to pay for what I did.
He said shortly afterwards, shaking his head and pushing away those thoughts that insisted on running through his head.
-... How do you feel? I mean, you admitted right away that you were a murderer... how does that make you feel? Don't you care how others see you, or treat you?
Ed asked, in genuine curiosity, crossing his arms.
- Honestly, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my back... not by openly saying my sin, but by accepting it, living with it. As for other people, it's okay for them to treat me with distrust at first, I'm changing the way they see me now, so I think that's what's important.
He answered, and Ed stared at him for a while, trapped in his own thoughts.
- Well, I've bothered you long enough, I'll leave you two alone.
Lee said, smiling gently and waving to the two of them, turning away soon after.
Lee's words echoed through Ed's head, along with Larry's words.
And he couldn't help feeling a little conflicted.
What was he supposed to do?