Hey! What a surprise! A chapter that isn't really late! Finally! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
I don't own The Walking Dead or The Walking Dead game. (Darn it :C).
"Is there any way to get around it?"
Everyone in the group except for Lilly were standing outside. In front of them, train cars rose loomingly into the purple-gray sky.
Kenny looked back at Ben, "Doesn't look like it. On foot, maybe. Can't really afford to do that now," Kenny stated, dashing Ben's optimism.
Lee looked around for a moment. This would be a good place for the group to rest, he thought; lord knows how much they needed it. Brush surrounded the small clearing by the train, which would prevent walkers from sneaking up on them silently.
"This seems like a safe area. All this brush will stop anyone from creeping up on us," he suggested.
Kenny nodded and turned back towards the group, who were standing a few paces behind them.
"Lee's right. Everyone can relax. Me, Ben and Lee are going to look around the train. Tell us if you need anything," Kenny announced.
Lee watched as Katjaa carried Duck towards a small stump. Poor kid. His breaths were ragged and shallow, and his eyes were half closed. There was no way to tell how much time he had left.
"Hey. Are you okay?" Lee jumped as a voice next to him spoke softly. He looked to his left to see Carley looking up at him.
"I'm...okay, I guess. I didn't hear you coming," Lee replied honestly, knowing it was probably his injury affecting his hearing.
Carley reached up and skirted his injury lightly with her fingers.
"It's probably only temporary," she assured, seemingly reading his thoughts. Lee doubted that, but didn't say anything.
"You know, I never thanked you," Carley's smile brightened her face, and Lee couldn't help but stare at her lips.
"For?" he asked cluelessly, still staring.
Carley gently slapped his arm playfully, "For saving my life, you idiot!" she laughed.
Lee smirked, "I guess I did. So now you owe me."
Carley lifted her chin smiling, "Hold up a second, buddy. I don't owe you anything. I saved your ass twice, remember?" she finished her sentence with a smirk.
Lee grinned; yeah, she had.
"I guess your right," he admitted, the grin still pulling at the corners of his mouth. Carley shifted legs and placed a hand on her hip, her face changing from amused to serious.
"We should really go check out the train. The sooner we're back on the road, the better," she reasoned with a glance a Duck, who was in his mother's arms. Lee nodded solemnly. He turned back towards the train and climbed up into a car. He looked back and held out a hand to help Carley up, even though he knew she didn't need it. She took his hand in hers without hesitation and let Lee pull her into the train car. The pair stood for a moment, still holding hands. They looked at each other, the same 'this isn't over' look on their faces, and let go.
Lee crossed the car to the open door on the other side. He looked back at Carley.
"I'm going to check things out over here. You stay and search the car for anything useful," he told Carley, and she nodded. Lee jumped out of the train car and was immediately taken aback by the large amount of wreckage. Cars lay crunched and forgotten on piles of rubble. Cement cylinders lay strewn about for no reason. Lee looked towards the car behind the one he was just in. It stood at an awkward angle, only one side making contact with the tracks.
"Derailed..." he said to himself as he crouched down to look at the wheels. He looked up to see the coupler. Shaking his head, he turned back toward the car the Carley was in. There was no way he'd be able to pull the coupling bar when it was broken like that. He stepped back into the car. Carley was still there, searching through an area in the back, consisting of a mattress, lots of garbage and a few crates.
"Find anything?" He asked her curiously. Carley nodded, handing him a bottle of water.
"Give this to Duck, will you? Katjaa mentioned in the RV that he looked thirsty," Carley suggested and continued rooting through the car.
"Sure," Lee agreed, crossing the train car towards her. He noticed that her hair was in her face, so he brushed it behind her ears. Carley looked back at him, her eyes glowing and cheeks tinged pink. Lee thought she looked adorable. He gently kissed her rosy cheek. Her skin was soft and warm. He pulled away hesitantly, and smiled at her-Carley returned his smile with a hug.
"Take care, okay?" she told him, the side of her face pressed against his chest.
"All right," he responded, stroking her hair softly, "I have to go now, though."
Carley nodded her response and slowly released him from her embrace.
Lee turned towards the exit on the side of the train car and jumped out on the other side. He spotted Katjaa sitting on a stump with a very miserable-looking Duck laying in her lap. As he started walking towards the group, he heard a quiet voice close to him call out softly.
"I did it."
Looked up to see Ben with his forehead in his palm, leaning against the rail on the train. Ben looked up at Lee, his eyes red and bloodshot.
"I was the one giving supplies to the bandits."