Well, I have to thank you all for reading my story and for leaving so much feedback. You are all awesome! I'm so damn busy around this time, so excuse me if upload time is kinda erratic but I have a lot to do and not much time to do it if you get me. I'll do my best to keep upload as regularly as I possibly can though.

I left you all with a pretty difficult decision in the last chapter, and to my surprise, it was actually evenly contested betweening leaving and keeping Ben. You guys are heartless! I love you all the same though.

So yeah, enjoy the chapter and have a great day!


Lee stood defensively in front of Ben, a steely look on his face. This wasn't what they have become, even if Ben had caused this crisis. He was not going to stand by and let Ben be thrown to the road, he was only a kid. And as much as it felt wrong siding with someone who had caused the certain death of a child, it didn't result in them losing all humanity they had left.

"No. He's staying." Lee stated. His words were resolute and unmoving, he was determined in his choice. Lee felt reinforced that this was the correct thing to do when he caught both Clem and Carley smiling delighted in the corner of his eye. But he quickly realized that those smiles came at a cost. Lee faced a very betrayed looking Kenny. Glancing at Katjaa, she appeared stoic but acceptant of the decision, returning to tend to Duck. But Kenny was unfortunately so easily dismissive.

"So that's it? We're just gonna let this fucking dumbass back in our group? No consequences for his stupidness?!" Kenny questioned rigorously; irate about the final decision. He squared up to Lee, glaring into his eyes. Lee didn't back down, staring him down as he towered over the Floridian. He wanted to avoid another violent altercation, but he had to face Kenny on this instance, to make him aware that the decision was aware and he couldn't change that using brutality. As Lee stared unfazed into his eyes, he didn't see anger;

He instead saw hurt, self-hatred, he saw a man who didn't know what to do.

"C'mon Ken, just let it go." Katjaa urged, pulling at her husband as he let himself be dragged away. Lee was relieved that he had circumvented another brawl with Kenny, but he knew that the man would never forget this. Lee was beginning to become concerned about the frequently deteriorating relationship between himself and Kenny.

What originated as a workmanlike bond, two people that could relate in taking care of something cherished to them, to Ken his family and to Lee a little girl. But what appeared initially to be a firm friendship, it soon turned into distrust and frustration at the other. The meat locker was the start of a rocky relationship, and it had been nothing but downhill from that point.

Lee was aware that only something spectacular could patch their friendship back together, but for now, it would have to remain in tatters.

A little hand slipped into his, gazing down at a beaming Clementine. Lee grinned warmly at her, walking back with her to the fallen tree. Sun beat down on them, proving that not everything was bleak, but Lee had his pocket of sunshine with Clementine.

"I'm happy you voted for Ben. He's still my friend, even if he did something really bad." Clementine chirped, smiling brightly up at her guardian.

"I wasn't going to leave him behind, that's not the kind of people we are Clem." Lee remarked, squeezing her hand gently.

Clementine paused for a moment, a puzzled expression dancing on her face. "But you left Lily behind." She recalled. Lee was surprised that she would bring that up and draw a comparison between the two separate incidents. He felt slightly anxious about the fact that was she thought of him.

"That was different sweet pea. Lily knew what she was doing when she tried to hurt Carley, Ben never meant for this to happen. We can forgive him for that, but we can't forgive Lily." He explained, hoping that she would see the sense in his words. She nodded understandably, sitting up on the mossy log. Carley followed behind them, touching Lee's shoulder.

"Well that could've gone a lot better, huh?"

Lee would have chuckled if it wasn't for her sombre appearance.

"Tell me about it, Kenny was ready to tear him apart." Lee muttered, thankful that Katjaa was able to occupy her husband until he came.

"He's a livewire Lee, like Lily was back at the motor inn. I can't blame him, but he's getting to be hazardous to the others. Please keep an eye on him." She warned, wearily peering over at the train. Lee sighed at the thought of Kenny, and what he must be going through mentally right now.

"Kenny and I aren't exactly on the best of terms either." Lee shrugged.

"I know, but just please watch him. I don't know what he's going to do, but I feel trouble brewing."

Lee could definitely agree with her on that, Kenny was spiralling into a very volatile state, he was like a landmine to talk to at times.

"Hey Lee, thanks for sticking up for Ben." Carley smirked at him. "I know you had the right to kick him to the road but you showed me yet again that you're a good man. That was sweet of you."

Lee felt a foreign sensation in his chest at the her gaze, as he attempted to not look as uncomfortable as he felt.

"Not a problem Carley." He nearly stuttered. Lee cursed himself at his dopey reply as the reporter laughed at his stumbled response. He urged himself to change the subject hastily.

"How are you feeling? Your injuries I mean." He inquired, reminding himself to constantly check on her wound.

"I'm okay, you know, considering. It stings a bit from running over to you guys but I'll survive." Carley informed, holding her side. "-Hopefully anyway." She added jokingly.

"We can get Katjaa to have a look at your stitches again, we don't want you to mess them up. We need you to keep on the road to recovery." Lee suggested, Carley appeared grateful for his concern over her wellbeing. An amused grin played on her lips.

"I'm sure that won't... be... necessary..." Carley's words faded as her appreciative gesture flipped to one of fear, staring out over his shoulder. Lee spun around to be met by the sight of a figure slowly wandering towards them; it was unrecognizable. Lee reached for his gun in his back waistband, standing protectively in the way of a frightened Clementine as the mysterious figure advanced nonchalantly towards them. As it got closer, Lee could make out that it wasn't a walker but rather a scruffy looking elderly man, he didn't seem to be carrying any weapons, but Lee wasn't going to take any risks.

"Back away! We don't want any trouble!" Lee warned, hand gripping his Glock. He really hoped he wouldn't have to use it.

The man sneered mockingly. "What, man can't come round to chat with the folks that are pokin' round his home?" His accent was strong, his clothes were tattered and filthy, his hygiene was deplorable.

"What do you mean your 'home'? I didn't see any buildings around here." Carley exclaimed, seeming understandably suspicious about the stranger.

The man nodded towards the halted locomotive. "That massive train over there. You can't miss it." He remarked, receiving a glare from the reporter for his sarcasm.

"You live in the train?" Lee questioned in disbelief. It wasn't the most luxurious location, that was for certain.

"Sure do. Best way of keeping the creepy crawlies out. Besides, ain't like I had any place to be envious of before all this nonsense." He shrugged, seeming very relaxed around them.

"I'm Chuck by the way. Charles, if yer fancy."

"Name's Lee, this here is Carley and the little one is Clementine."

Chuck's face lit up at the sight of the girl, bending down onto his knee to wave at her.

"How are ya keepin' missy?" He asked cheerfully, Clementine smiled shyly as she hid behind Lee's leg, returning a quiet 'hi'. Lee was slightly wary of Chuck around Clem initially, but he told himself he was being paranoid and too judgemental. Chuck seemed like a decent man, from what little he had seen from him. He appeared to be no threat to the group right now, but Lee would have to keep an eye on him regardless.

Lee spotted Katjaa emerging from behind the train, gazing over at him and nodding. Lee knew what she was telling him. The time was upon them sooner than he had expected.

It was time to deal with Duck.


"Ken. It's... I think it's time."

Kenny couldn't fathom what was happening before him. His son, his only ever son was drifting away. Never in his deepest, darkest nightmares did he ever horrify himself with a thought like this. It all seemed like a dream, an out-of-body experience of some kind; because with the whole afternoon to let the fact his boy was about to die sink in, he still thought this was some twisted vision. He would wake up and be happy again, and not have to deal with this. Not have to handle his one and only son was leaving him gradually, one breath at a time.

"The boy's been bit. In case you haven't figured that out." Kenny muttered desolately to Chuck, who nodded mutely, knowing remaining mute was the best kind of condolences he could offer the grieving parents right now. Kenny didn't pay too much mind to the new face, Lee had probably dealt with and frankly, he just didn't care about who he was or why he was here. Kenny's dreary eyes fell on Ben, who instantly dropped his gaze to the ground, the guilt eating away at him still.

Carley stood back with Clementine, who appeared quietly inconsolable as her eyes flashed her pain at losing her friend. Lee had a slight feeling of regret looming over him, remembering those antibiotics that could have gone to Duck.

"Take as long as you need." Lee near whispered, trying to alleviate Kenny and Katjaa of anything he could right now. Kenny glanced over at him, shaking his head weakly.

"There ain't no time left to take." He replied, his voice shaky with threatening tears. Kenny turned back to his wife, struggling to look her in the eye. "What are we gonna do?"

Katjaa paused for a second, her eyes giving him her response. They both knew what had to happen.

"We can't allow him to become one of those things." She stated, rubbing Duck's head soothingly. Kenny wasn't going to take this, he just couldn't.

"But what if... What if he doesn't?" He aimlessly flared, his last throw of the dice was hopeless, and he didn't expect anything more. Katjaa shook her head firmly at the feeble suggestion. Kenny's denial was clogging his better senses.

"Kenny, I love you very much. I love our son more than life itself." She had to stop momentarily to control herself from her jagged emotions, stabbing her heart mercilessly. "I need you to hear me. What you are saying, that he may not turn, is foolish."

"But-

"No." Katjaa spoke firmly. "We both know it's... here." She pointed to her temple "Or nothing."

Kenny slipped a mournful sigh of frustration. "Well... fuck...just... who then? You want me to?" He offered bravely.

"You don't have to..."

"I'll do it." Lee stepped forward, willing to assist the pair in any way he possibly could, even if that meant being Duck's executor.

"No, it should be a parent." Katjaa dismissed quickly.

"No parent should have to do something like this." Lee stated, strong in his argument. No person should be forced to ever put down their own offspring.

"Lee's right, Kat. We can say our goodbyes and... just let that be it." Lee was slightly surprised that Kenny was content with the idea of him putting an end to the suffering. He seemed grateful for his merciful offer.

"I don't know..." Katjaa was still unconvinced at the idea, not wishing to land such a crushing burden on the man. "Lee, you'd be doing this family a great service." She remarked, an appreciative expression beyond words or actions. Katjaa gazed over at Clementine caringly, not wanting her to spectate something so horrid.

"Why don't we take him into the forest? So Clementine doesn't have to see." She suggested, receiving a thankful nod from Lee.

Kenny was aware the time was upon them now. There was no escaping this one, he had to face it.

"Give us a moment to say goodbye." Katjaa asked humbly, wishing for one last moment with her son before the dreaded end came around.

"Of course."

Katjaa went to pick up Duck, but paused to take him in as he was. Alive. Barely, but he was breathing, his chest rising and falling, his eyelids struggling to keep open. These were his last few minutes, these were the worst minutes of her entire life, without any kind of disputing. Scooping her son into her arms, Katjaa began to wander away into the woodlands, Kenny taking a breath before following behind her. Clementine took this chance to get a look at her friend, his head slouching over his mothers shoulder. His face was pale and tired, this was the last time she would ever see him again. She never got to tell him goodbye. Lee watched as they disappeared, feeling as if he could've done more to prevent this from occurring, wishing he had been there to stop this tragedy from taking place.

"What's happening?" A soft voice asked from behind him. Twisting and kneeling down beside Clementine, Lee knew it was essential to be honest with the girl.

"Duck is dying."

"I know." She mumbled drearily, his words making the agony seem all the more deep. "What are you doing?" She questioned again.

"I'm going to make sure he's okay." Lee muttered, glancing out into the forest. Clementine seemed conflicted by his reply, taking him too literally.

"But how... he's bitten."

"By making sure... he doesn't come back." He sighed, the gun in his waistband feeling all that heavier.

"Oh." It was all she could say, it was all she could muster up to respond with. Clementine was still accepting that Duck was about to die.

"Look Clem, things will-

BAM

"NOOOO!"

A gunshot rang from deep in the forest, followed by Kenny's trailing cry. That wasn't the plan, it was Lee that was meant to do it. Everyone glared into the woods in heavy concern.

"Carley, take Clementine and the others into the train and stay there!" Lee ordered, making sure the rest of the group was safe in the scenario that things went south. Carley was about to protest when Lee bolted into the shady depths of the trees, Clementine watching in confusion and fear as her guardian disappeared into the foliage.

Sprinting as quick as his legs could carry him, the possibilities of what went wrong all ran through his head. A feeling of dread began to sit in his stomach, resting there as he ran. Emerging into a small opening in the forest, Lee came to a stop, ignoring his screaming lungs, and could only watch as Kenny sobbed over his lifeless wife, Duck perched up against a tree, his struggle to breath was the only sign of life he could emit.

"Kat! Kat! Katjaa! Why, Kat? Honey, oh fuckin' God..." Kenny broke down upon his wife's corpse, weeping openly as the blood began to pool around her head.

"Oh my God..." Lee exhaled, not beginning to understand the mountain of torment Kenny was going through. Closing her eyelids to give her some peace, Kenny glared back at Duck with tears streaming freely down his face. Picking up the gun that had fallen beside Katjaa, he got to his feet and faced his child, his back facing Lee. Gurgling and snarling began to sound from all around, stumbling figures and rustling branches. The dead had come.

"Get outta here Lee." Kenny muttered, eyes still trained on Duck.

"What?" No, Ken-

"Just go dammit! Get back to the train, make sure the others are safe. I-I gotta do this myself." The Floridian's voice was low, his words standing as an order.

"Ken, we don't have much time! The walkers are coming, we deal with Duck and we get out of here!" Lee urged desperately, looking around him at the incoming walkers.

"Just go, Lee. I'll meet you back at the train. I just... gotta do this alone."

Lee couldn't tell if Kenny was genuine in his promise to make it back to the train, but could he take the risk of leaving him behind to make sure the others were secure? He had just lost everything important to him, how did Lee not know that Kenny would follow his wife?

Lee stood between the line of safety and friendship, and one of them was at risk.


(Stay with Kenny)

(Go back to the others)

A tough choice for you all to decipher! The last choice of this episode, so make it count peeps. Get your say in, this is all up to you!

Thank you all for reading! Have a great day.