A Second Chance

Chapter 3

Stepping outside into the pouring rain, I allowed myself a moment to think.

What the hell happens next? Think, Lee! Think!

I heard the familiar sound of rustling to my right. I looked over and saw a walker. It's green-grey shirt showing clearly through the crop. A swishing noise caused me to jump about a mile. I then realized who had made the noise.

Carley!

"Carley!" I said in a carried whisper, alerting her.

"Lee?" She asked, squinting through the rain. "Is everyone okay? We heard screams as we were coming up to the house!"

"We need your help!" I panicked, noticing Ben stood behind her.

"Yeah, when you guys didn't come back I figured something was up." She replied sarcastically. "What can we do?"

"Larry's dead. They chopped off Mark's legs and tried to feed them to us!" I urged, allowing myself to become worried.

"Shit! Is everyone else okay?" She asked, genuinely worried.

"They've still got Kenny in the house and I don't know where the fuck Kenny is!"

"All right, we're coming in to help." She said, worry now evident in her face.

"The main gate is too dangerous, go around the fence and see if there's a back way in. I'll keep looking for Kenny." I paused, remembering what I said before. "Do you have a weapon?"

"I don't leave home without it." She said, holding up her Glock 17 and winking. "Ben, stay close. And Lee, be careful."

"Don't worry, I will." I said, winking back. Ben was completely oblivious to our private moment.

Slowly, I crept towards the main house. I could hear Katjaa's screams coming from inside. Now was the time.

Twenty Minutes Later

Striding through the forest, I held onto Carley's hand tightly. It had been way too long. Duck and Clementine walked with Kenny and Katjaa.

"So…" Carley started, gently squeezing my hand. I turned my head to look at her.

"So…" I repeated, making her smile. You have no idea how good her smile looked. It was angelic.

"Where did you…you know?" She asked. I somehow understood her.

"Meat locker. Lilly was throwing up in the corner and Kenny was pacing." I replied, smiling slightly at her.

"Good. At least they didn't cut your arm off." She joked, recalling my 'stump'.

"Hey! I'll have you know I didn't want to do it. I had to." I laughed, bringing her in for a hug.

"I missed you." She muttered, allowing herself to relax in my arms.

"I missed you, too." I stated, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. I released her and began walking again, never letting go of her hand.

"Lee!" Clementine shouted "I found some really neat leaves! Can I take some back to the motor-inn? Can I? Please?"

"Sure, sweet-pea." I replied, earning a giggle from Carley. "What's tickled you?"

"You are a natural with kids. I like it." She smiled, causing me to blush.

"Hey, Lee." Kenny called. I knew what this was about.

"Yeah?" I asked, releasing Carley's hand and catching up to him.

"There's a station wagon over there." He stated, nodding towards the car in question.

"Yeah." I noted, knowing full well where this was going.

"Well, there's supplies. Food, water, light, clothes and guns." He explained. I simply stayed quiet. "Maybe we should…"

"No. Don't even think about it, Ken!" I warned, glaring at the older man.

"Why the fuck not?!" He questioned, glaring back at me.

"This is someone's car! They've obviously left it here for a reason!" I shouted.

"Look, we're taking this!" He shouted back, squaring up to me. I felt a slight twinge of happiness when he winced from the gunshot wound.

"No, we're not! We aren't taking this! That's final!" I growled, drawing myself to my full height.

"Lee's right. We shouldn't take this." Carley said, walking over to us.

"Oh, go on; stick up for your boyfriend why don't you?" He snapped, making my anger flare up.

"Don't talk to her like that. Do you hear me?" I growled. The only thing that stopped me from hitting him was Carley's small hand in mine.

"Whatever. We're takin' this. With or without you." He snarled, his moustache bristling. I made an obscene hand gesture towards him, causing my girlfriend to elbow me in the ribs.

"Lee! The kids!" She hissed. I looked around to see Clementine staring at us, open mouthed.

"Lets get going."

The Motor Inn

"I still can't believe you took it." I grumbled, looking at Kenny.

"Hey! It was out there for the taking." He retorted, defending his actions.

"It doesn't mean it was abandoned!" I shouted, turning quickly and marching towards him. In my mind, I knew I was screwed. We'd taken the food. He was going to go after Clem.

"I'm fucked." I stated to Carley. She turned to look at me with a confused look on her face.

"Lee, baby, don't say that. She doesn't have the batteries. I didn't give her them." She replied, taking my face in her hands. I wrapped my arms around her waist gently.

"I love you Carley Palmer." I stated quietly so only she would hear.

"And I love you, Lee Everett." She replied, kissing my on the lips.

"Eww!" Duck exclaimed, obviously having seen our confrontation.

"Thanks, Duck." I stated, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Shit." Carley exclaimed. My head snapped around as fast as it could, almost giving me whiplash.

"What's up?" I asked, worried out of my skull. She was clutching her stomach and wincing in pain.

"Nothing… Um…women's problems." She blushed. I scrunched my face up in confusion.

"What? Women's problems?" I asked, still confused.

"Women's problems!" She hissed. Seeing my overly confused face, she went on tiptoe and whispered in my ear.

"Oh!" I said, realizing what she meant. Surely, after years of being married, I would know that!

"Yeah. I don't have any…supplies." She stated, embarrassed.

"Not to worry, milady. Mr Everett is on the case." I said, bowing melodramatically. "After being married and growing up in a Pharmacy, I know what to get."

"Thanks Lee. You're the best." She replied, giggling at my acting skills.

"Hey, Lilly! Fancy going to the Pharmacy?" I shouted, striding over to where she stood.
"Why would I want to?" She asked monotonously, not bothering to look at me.

"We…um…need some feminine supplies for Carley." I stated, pleading with her.

"Why doesn't she go with you?" She spat, obviously pissed.

"She…um… is in pain." I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Ugh. Fine. When do you want to head out?" She asked, staring at me through red-rimmed eyes.

"Now. If that's okay." I replied, hoping she was in a relatively stable state of mind.

"Yeah. Just let us put these supplies away." She replied, going back to her work. I silently let out a breath I had been holding. Turning, I gave Carley a thumbs up, smiling widely.

"Thanks Lee." She mouthed.

"No problem" I mouthed back, my attention going to Clementine, who was rubbing her leaves.

My life was pretty good. Despite the circumstances.