III - We All Sin
Blood dripped slowly. George continued groaning as snow crunched and twigs snapped. The wind howled and the branches in the trees shook as Lori and the group continued walking through Rock Creek Park.
"You're really toughin' it out," said David. "You're a tough man to kill."
George continued limping along the snow as he looked ahead. He kept his head low and tried not to look at the dizzying maze that awaited them in the forest. But then he noticed barbed wire fence ahead.
"That's… that's a minefield," warned George. "It's one of the most dangerous No-Zones. We can't go through it."
"Exactly my thoughts," said Lori. "We're going around it."
"In what direction?" asked Jace.
Lori looked at the minefield. She saw piles of snow everywhere, with crates, uniforms, scrap metal, and guns littered all over the place. She looked to her left and right before looking back left.
"Left. Out of the woods."
"Oh, no…"
"What? We can handle roamers on the streets."
"No, it's not that, it's… that's 16th Street."
"We have to take the chance," said Lori. "Maybe they're not there yet."
"They're already there. Trust me. They had a lot of time to set up."
Luna looked into her binoculars and stared ahead at the streets and houses outside of the park. She zoomed in and saw glare reflecting off of something from the windows.
"We can't just walk through—"
"Dude," said Luna, cutting off Lori. "They're there. They're watching us."
"The X-Tribe?" asked Lori.
"Don't know. But they got snipers. They're aimed at us but they're not shooting."
"Jace's right," said Preston. "It's pretty obvious they want us on a particular path."
"We have to go… through… the minefield…" panted George.
"Ugh, I know," said Lori. "David, how can we tell where the mines are at?"
"Hell if I know," scoffed David. "Under all this snow? Whole place isn't even flat. It's just impossible to know. Must be some pretty heavy-duty stuff though. The snow didn't set it off."
Benny grabbed his backpack and tossed it above the barbed wire. It landed on a pile of snow.
"No mine there," said Benny.
"Really? That's the plan?" said Sam. "God, that's gonna take forever!"
Benny sliced the barbed wire fence and moved it away with his sword. Jace then walked forward, catching the group off-guard.
"Wait, Jace!" exclaimed Luna. "Jace!"
"Yo, what are you doing, man?" cried out Preston.
Jace continued walking ahead, taking steady footsteps towards the other side of the field. Lori looked at him while holding Bobby's free hand tightly.
"What is he doing?" groaned Vonda.
"He's got a death wish or something," said Lynn.
"He really does want to end his life with a bang," said Luan.
His shoes crunched against the snow as his hair rustled along his red, mud-stained cheeks. He walked towards a tree before hearing the crack of a gunshot from his left, followed by the shattering of a piece of tree bark. He looked towards his left and took a step back. He walked towards the left and paced forward before he was a couple meters away from the tree. He turned towards the fence and began walking straight ahead again.
"They missed," said Bobby.
"No, they didn't," said Lori. "Jace is a genius. They meant to hit that tree. They're warning him away from the mines. They want us to get through this minefield safely."
"It's windy," said David. "If hitting the tree was their goal, then we're dealin' with deadly sharpshooters here."
"Good thing they don't want us dead yet," said Lori. "Follow Jace's footsteps. One at a time. And George, grab David's shoulders and try to stay behind him, okay?"
George nodded. Lori placed her boot on Jace's shoeprint and walked ahead. The rest of the group lined up and followed the cleared path.
Jace walked closer and closer to the fence until the crack of the gunshot followed by the whoosh of the bullet forced him to stop and take a step back. He walked towards his right until he was a few meters away from where he stopped. Then, he turned forward and approached the fence. He sighed as he sat on the snow, waiting for the rest of the group.
"Don't mine-d us," whispered Luan as she made a left turn, passing the tree. "We're just mine-ding our business."
The wind continued howling.
Becky wriggled around her wrists as her body moved around the bed of the red pickup truck. She was wrapped in a blanket. The rope that tied her wrists to the tailgate were tearing. She placed her shoes against the tailgate and held the rope with her hands before she pushed her feet and pulled her wrists. She screamed as the rope squeezed against her wrists.
"Help!" she yelled. "Goddammit, let me go!"
The other cars made turns and continued moving ahead in the road while the red pickup truck had trouble moving through the snow. Becky continued to push against the tailgate before popping it open, tearing the rope from it in the process. She flipped over with her stomach against the trunk bed as she moved her legs out of the truck using her elbows to slide her body. She then flipped her body over again and rolled out of the truck, falling into the snow-covered road. She quickly picked herself up as she looked at the truck, leaving the blanket behind. The rear lights turned red.
Becky limped in the opposite direction with her wrists still tied together in front of her stomach as she passed the convenience stores, bars, post offices, shops, and other buildings. The pickup truck began to drive in reverse as Becky headed for the intersection. She looked to her right and found a fire station.
"Get back here!" yelled a cannibal in the pickup truck.
Becky exhaled quick, short breaths. She turned right and began to cross the street before tripping to the ground. Her left foot twitched and stung, causing her to cry out in pain. She placed her hands on the snowy pavement and got on her knees. The truck then entered the intersection and continued to back up past the street she was on.
"Get up," whispered Becky. "Come on. Get up!"
Becky groaned as she crawled towards a nearby car. She held the bumper of the car and picked herself up as the pickup truck braked. She quickly limped inside the fire station driveway, walking past the fire truck, as the pickup truck began to drive forward, making a left turn.
Becky hid behind the fire truck as the pickup truck braked in front of the fire station driveway. She grabbed a shard of ice and began to rub against it against the rope as she heard the doors to the pickup truck opening.
More blood dripped.
George lifted his feet into the air and limped forward before he screamed. Lori stopped where she was and looked back. George shook his head as Lori walked towards him.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Keep going," gasped George.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Just go! Go."
Lori turned around and continued leading the group through the park. George sighed as he kept his arms wrapped around David and Bobby's shoulders.
"Bullet just moved inside of you, right?" asked David.
George kept his eyes forward.
"You need to be in a stretcher, not limping for miles."
David glanced at the glaring lights in the distance.
"I'm gonna kill 'em all. Every single one of those sick fucks that did this to you. I'll gun down any cannibal we come across— they'll get what they deserve."
"David… you'll make it. I really think you will."
"With you lookin' out for me? Of course. But you gotta worry 'bout yourself more than me."
"Not… what I'm talking about. Florida. Miami. You'll make it. You'll… see your son."
"So you heard. Lori told you?"
"Yeah. I don't know why… you kept it a secret. I would have liked to come with you."
"You're doin' fine here. You got a girl that you gotta take care of."
George patted David softly.
"Well… when you make it… make sure to show your son… a man capable of mercy. That brutal side of yours… can come in handy… but your morality comes first. Otherwise… you're gonna push him away… and it'll be like it is now… as if he were still gone."
David sighed. George coughed as sweat began to run down his face. The growls of roamers were heard in the distance. Bobby then released George's arm from his shoulder and walked ahead as David stopped where he was.
George looked ahead as he heard flesh being sliced down and bones being split apart. He groaned as he held his abdomen.
Three cannibals stepped out of the pickup truck. The driver remained inside, though he held a pistol beside him. The cannibals raised their sidearms as they slowly stepped inside the fire station. One headed left of the fire truck while the two others headed right. A cannibal on the right walked ahead while the other stayed back.
They heard a clunk.
"Damien. The hell was that?" asked the cannibal in front.
Damien remained silent as he watched the cannibal run to the back of the fire truck. He was then met with a scream as a fire axe swung down, cutting halfway into his head before his body dropped. He flinched as he lowered his sidearm, placing his hands over his mouth. He rubbed his balding and graying head as he continued walking ahead.
The cannibal on the left ran towards the back of the truck. Becky quickly swung the axe to her ribs, causing the cannibal to groan out in pain as she fire her pistol once. Becky removed the axe from her ribs and swung it again at her head, slamming the blade on her head against the truck.
The blood that blended in with the truck also reached the wheels. The cannibal's body slowly rubbed against the truck as flesh and blood poured out of the gash of the dropping body.
Becky panted as she heard the cocking of a hammer and felt the barrel of a pistol against the back of her head.
"You done?" asked Damien.
Becky let go of the axe as she raised her hands drenched in blood.
"You better kill me now, 'cause what I'm gonna do to you is a lot worse than—"
Damien swung down the pistol grip at Becky's head, knocking her unconscious. He stood up and stepped on the puddle of blood as he walked towards the red pickup truck. He opened the passenger's seat and grabbed rope.
"Get some of the others to come here," Damien told the driver. "These bodies are not gonna go to waste."
The driver nodded as Damien closed the passenger door. He drove away as Damien walked back to the fire station, loosening the ropes. Becky remained lying on the ground as Damien knelt down next to her, tying her up.
The sound of crunching snow became softer as the group stepped out of the park and into the streets. George coughed as his sweaty face appeared disoriented. He heard group members chattering among each other, but was unable to make out the words. He then looked up at Luna, who handed him a bottle of water, saying something to him.
He took a sip, immediately coughing it out along with drips of saliva and blood. He panted before drinking more water.
"You're doin' great," said Luna. "You're really strong, you know that? It's… it's inspiring."
"Thank you," said George. "You Louds... have always been there... for me. You guys… are one special family. Probably… the toughest… the most caring… the most honorable people I've met. I'm so glad… to have been… part of your group."
"Don't talk like that," said Lori.
"Like what?"
"Like you're gonna die. You're gonna make it. So, please… just shut up and save your energy."
"You've always… had hope, Lori. But I think… we both know… this may be the last time… I ever talk to you… and your family. So… can I just talk?"
Lori looked at George and scoffed as she turned around. She quietly sighed as her eyes watered up, shrugging and motioning her hands as if allowing George to talk. George took another sip of water and cleared his throat.
"Luna. You make life… more enjoyable. Music will always live on… and your voice helps it carry it on… in this world. And when things got serious… you always stepped up… and had people's backs. That sniper fire saved me… countless times when we fought… against rogues. And when you trained Jace… just like David trained you… you proved just how special… it is to combine talent… with hard work. You can follow in Lori's footsteps. You're a leader. Even if you don't see it."
Luna sniffled.
"Dude… I didn't feel like crying today. But… t-thanks. You freed my parents with Lori— and for that, I'm real grateful. I really am. But please… you're doing great. Try not to slip into a coma. 'Cause ima' really miss you, George."
Luna wiped her nose as she lay her head on Sam's shoulders, watching George wheeze softly as he faced Luan.
"Luan. It amazes me… how you manage… to crack jokes… especially when we all feel… like shit. Your optimism is rare. It's valuable. And you're very… compassionate. Very, very compassionate. I know… you hate killing… you would try to avoid it… but when the time comes… to protect the people… you love— you do... what needs to be done. Only thing I wanna tell ya'... don't beat yourself up… for what you did... to Black. It's justice."
Luan took a deep sigh. Her voice quivered as she looked away from George.
"I didn't think you'd notice. I… I really needed to hear that. Here I was, wondering about what could be the best gifts that I could get for Christmas…"
Luan wiped her eyes as she faced George.
"... I got my answer. The best gift to my family— I'm looking right at him. Thank you. For being a present by being… present. I'm sorry— that was a bad joke."
George smiled.
"It was good enough for me."
He then turned towards Lynn, who flicked her short hair behind her shoulders as she checked the chamber to her PPK/S.
"Lynn. You know… what defines you? Strength. Courage. Boldness. You go with your gut… and that keeps you alert… fearless… alive. Your gut… also helps you spot something… no one else can. Richard… Pike… you suspected them… and your suspicions… were right. And you weren't afraid… to act on them. You track well… you find clues… like a detective. And you never quit. You got that… competitive edge on you. Aim to win… but don't let your losses… beat you in this world. You got this, Lynn."
Lynn shook her head as she finally faced George.
"You can keep rooting for me afterwards, George. But right now, I'm bettin' on you making it across that finish line. You're almost there. Just push a lil' more."
George nodded before chuckling softly. He then began to cough severely, tiny spots of blood landing on his sleeves. He groaned as he pressed against his abdomen before shaking off the pain. He sighed as he smiled, looking at the group.
"You all worry about me too much. Everything's gonna be fine— with or without me. I have hope... that you Louds will hold on… to the idea of justice."
Lori held on to her hatchet, looking ahead while reflecting on her thoughts. She didn't want to disappoint George. But she also didn't want to bare the thought of sparing some of the cannibals. She kept quiet.
"I got more to say… to Lincoln… Lana… Lisa… and Lily…. So, girls… tell Lincoln this…"
An empty can rolled across the icy sidewalk in front of the fire station. Two lamps hung on the wall showered the station with light. The smell of rust lingered in the air.
Becky blinked as her green eyes focused on the cannibal pacing around. She looked at the round glasses on his face and noticed him rubbing his graying, balding head. She felt warmer since a blanket was wrapped around her back and shoulders. She then tried to stand up, though her hands were pulled back by a rope tied to the fire pole.
"Why tie me up?" asked Becky. "Am I not worth killing?"
Damien raised his head in surprise and pushed his glasses back as he walked up to Becky, crouching in front of her.
"If I were you, I'd be scared for my life. You are worth bein' alive. But not to us."
"Why am I still breathin' then? I'm all yours, right?"
"That's what Calvin wants. We like our meals fresh. Me included. But personally— if it were up to me— you'd be dead by now. So, be grateful. You can cherish the gift that you're being given right now."
"Gift?" whispered Becky.
"Life. It's a beautiful thing. Almost breaks my heart to know you won't enjoy it much longer."
Damien stood up. Becky kept tugging on the rope.
"Why do you want me dead?" she asked. "Hey! Answer me!"
"I don't need to. You need to shut up."
"Don't tell me to shut up! I wanna know what the fuck you're gonna do to me!"
"No. You're gonna judge me."
"I'm already judging you no matter what! You sick fuck. You and your pals love eatin' us fresh? Love tyin' people up?"
"That's not—"
"What's next? You're gonna fill me up first? You fucking sick weirdo!"
"Shut the hell up!"
"You didn't touch me, right? Tell me!"
"For God's sake, listen!"
"No! I rather be dead than listen to you anymore! Kill me, now!"
"If you let me ex—"
"Kill me!"
"Shut the—"
"KILL ME!"
"-FUCK UP!"
"I wanna die now! DO IT! FUCKING KILL ME!"
Damien took out a knife and placed it against Becky's neck as he covered her mouth. She screamed, though Damien was still able to understand what she said.
"Do it!" she said with a muffled yell. "Kill me!"
Damien yelled as he sliced the blade across Becky's throat. Becky gasped and coughed as blood poured out of her throat. Every deep exhale she made was followed by a bloody cough.
"Yeah. Can't fucking speaking now, right, bitch?"
Becky swung her head left and right as she groaned in pain. She gritted her teeth as she tried to hold her breath, though a cough forced her to take in a sharp breath, stinging her cut throat.
"Please," groaned Becky in a barely audible voice. "Stop this."
"Shit. Shit. Shit!" exclaimed Damien. "You should've listened! And this wouldn't have happened!"
Damien reached into the pocket of his bomber jacket. He took out a lighter and lit it up as he rubbed the knife blade against his jeans, cleaning out the blood. He placed the flame of the lighter against the knife blade.
Becky continued to cough as her face reddened. Damien then placed the flat side of the knife against Becky's throat, burning the wound. Smoke poured out of the knife, causing Becky to groan in pain. She tried to scream, though all Damien could hear were agonized breaths.
Damien removed the knife and placed it above the flame. He then placed it against Becky's throat again. She continued to flail her legs as she moved her head around. Damien grabbed Becky's hair and pulled it still before he continued to cauterize Becky's wound. Her wrists continued moving, the blanket hiding the rope burns on it.
Bobby continue to hear the sound of water splashing up and down inside a water bottle next to his left ear. George continued limping forward as his sweaty face remained pale. He then turned to his left.
"Bobby. There's one thing… I really like… about you. I said it… in my message… to Lincoln. And I'll say it again... to you. Your compassion. Killing is too common. Necessary, though. Which is why… you let Lori do it… for us… all the time. So that… you won't have to. I would like it if… you could kill too… but that's too much… to ask of you. You don't want… to kill. Fine by me. All I ask… is for you… to remain compassionate… and be Lori's… moral compass."
"Moral compass?" said Bobby.
"You know… what's right… and what's wrong. Remind her… time to time. You're her husband. You'll do a better job... than I ever could."
"It makes it harder to help you out when you think you're gonna die, you know," said Bobby. "Both of us could be her moral compasses. Right, George? George?"
"Yeah."
Bobby looked at George worriedly. He called out to Preston, who stopped and walked back.
"What's up?" Preston asked.
"It's been a while since we took a break," replied Bobby. "We've been at this for a long time. Everyone's getting tired and hungry."
"Agreed."
Preston jogged forward for a bit before tapping Lori's back.
"We gotta stop and take a break," he said. "We're tired and hungry."
"We can't stop now," said Lori. "Home is closer than we know it."
"Home is still like a dozen blocks away!"
"Which is why we can't stop! We gotta beat the cannibals there!"
"They already… beat us there," groaned George. "If they haven't… there's no way… the X would let us… get home first. People are cold. Hungry. Tired. If we don't rest… people are gonna… collapse."
"But time is running out for you…" said Lori.
"If I keep going… I will collapse… and I'll never… get up again. Let me… take a breather. Feed everyone else."
Lori gulped as she nodded slightly. She looked around her surroundings and found a playground in Kalorama Park, which was near the street they were at. It was an open park around it, perfect for spotting out enemies.
"Over there," said Lori. "Everyone! We're gonna take a break! Eat something. Sit down and chill. Take a shit. Anything to relax yourselves. We're doing all that in the park over there!"
The group members murmured happily among each other. George smiled as he lowered his head, limping towards the park with the help of David and Bobby.
In the distance, the X-Tribe survivors moved closer. Some of them were holding sniper rifles while others were loading sidearms and sharpening their melee weapons. They were preparing for a battle.
Smoke lingered in the air as Becky sniffled. Tears flowed out of her eyes as quick pained gasps exhaled from her mouth.
Damien grabbed a few bandages from his backpack and wrapped them around Becky's neck.
"I'd really hate to be you right now," he said. "All you had to do was shut up. At least now you'll listen."
Tears flowed down her face as Becky shook. Damien rubbed his sleeves against Becky's face, wiping off his tears.
"I'm sorry if you thought I was gonna make this comfortable for you. I'm not tryin' to make this easy for you. I'm tryin' to make this easy for me. Selfish. I know. But that's what you gotta do when your sole instinct is to survive."
Becky continued to exhale and inhale as her cheeks began to cool down.
"When people say they don't want to live, I get mad. Life is a gift. It really is. Though… moments like this do make me question my anger. You know you're gonna die… and there's nothing but pain ahead of you… so I understand why you want me to kill you. But what's life without hope? I hate it when people accept their fates too fast. Have some hope, dammit."
Damien pulled out a packet of Newport cigarettes. He lit up the end of one of the cigarettes with his lighter and placed his packet away. He took out the cigarette from his lips and breathed out a whiff of smoke.
"Ever been hungry, Becky?"
Becky looked at Damien in the eye.
"Don't act surprised. Calvin told me who you are. He did a lot of things for me. He found me on a road knee deep in roamer shit— I was seriously considering eatin' that shit. Some men are just unlucky. They aren't given the chance to prove themselves. But Calvin wanted me to prove myself. He gave me some deer. Told me to go out and return the food he gave me. And that was after he saw me swallowing that shit. He's a funny man. Most people don't get his humor, you know. Anyways, I went out and hunted some deer with a knife I had on me. He was impressed. But he wasn't satisfied yet."
Damien placed the cigarette back in his lips before taking another deep exhale.
"I begged him to let me join his group. He gave me some meat, without telling me what it was. Told me to pay him back. And so I did. After that, I joined."
Becky squinted her eyes in confusion.
"You see, this is what he told me. Most people in our group couldn't figure it out. They'd come back with some more deer meat. But he told them they didn't have the right meat to pay him back. It just wasn't the meat he gave them. They kept trying. Rabbit meat. Duck meat. Bird. Squirrel. Even raccoon."
Damien smiled softly.
"But it wasn't any of them. Eventually, Calvin told them to stop. They were confused, I can tell you that. But that didn't compare to the look on their faces when he brought out a human corpse. It was a little funny."
Becky turned her head slightly as if she wanted to look away, but her eyes remained locked to Damien.
"Anyways, Calvin dismembered the corpse. He cooked two pieces of forearms. There were some people who couldn't stick around for that part. Too disgusted, I assume. Shame. They didn't want to live that badly. They didn't appreciate what they had to do to survive. And they got their wish. Those people are long gone. But the others… the ones with us… stuck around. They were given both forearms. But just as they were about to eat their first piece, Calvin stopped them."
Damien exhaled another whiff of smoke.
"He told them that they still have to repay him. They definitely got the hint. After they gave him a forearm, they were free to fight off their starvation. And they were in. Though some things did…"
Becky wriggled her wrists slowly. Her fingers were slowly pulling and unwrapping the ropes in her wrists. However, she had to move her fingers very slowly to reduce the motion in the blanket.
"...that's why I joined pretty quickly. I knew what I had to do to survive. Calvin knew it to. And I mean, it's just smart. If you're gonna kill someone, why not eat what's left? The grocery shops won't be stocked up again. There's always less food every day."
Becky tilted her head as she accidentally tightened one of the ropes too hard.
"I was given a gift. And I'd be damned if I let anyone take it away from me. That's why I won't die. That's why Calvin won't die. The boundaries that society put on us before? They're gone. You and your people should've realized that. That's why you're gonna die. That's why George is gonna die. That's why Lori is gonna die. You guys think you have a fightin' chance, but you're just gonna add on to our list. Over 230 and counting."
Becky leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
"You were listening the entire time, right?"
"Yeah," whispered Becky.
"Good. You can speak. You could've interrupted, but you chose not to. I like that."
Damien coughed before he continued smoking.
Metal clacked against metal, followed by an audible slosh. Preston lifted his spoon filled with beans he had scooped from the can he was holding, and placed it inside his mouth. He sat comfortably on the bench, then looked to his right and noticed Jace staring forlornly at George as the former FBI agent talked to Sam and Benny.
"What's wrong?" asked Preston. "You want my beans?"
"Nah, I'm good," Jace replied, continuing his staring for a lengthy few minutes. Then he turned to Preston and said, "I have a weird question for you, man."
"Ask away."
"Why are you friends with me?"
Preston coughed and cleared his throat as he swallowed the spoonful of beans in his mouth.
"You're right. That's a weird question. Let me see, uh… You're a pretty chill guy, for starters. And we share a few things in common, so I figured, 'why not?'. Heh, we even liked the same g–"
"But I'm a sinner," said Jace. "I've… I've done terrible things. Evil things…"
"Terrible things? What terrible things?"
"I-I've killed people. People who didn't deserve to die. Kotaro. That kid at Circle Park. Becky…"
Preston glanced downwards and noticed Jace's left hand shaking violently.
"And now… Now, George is dying! He's dying, and it's all on me, bro! All of it…"
Preston looked up and saw a few tears pooling in the corners of Jace's eyes. Instinctively, Preston placed a hand on Jace's shoulder.
"When our enemies have us thinking we're responsible for killing the ones we love, that's when they win. This is exactly what those cannibals want. You, drowning in unwarranted guilt."
Jace sniffled before staring into the sky.
"That kid I shot at Circle Park, he… He has an older brother. One of the cannibals. F-from what he told me, that kid was the same age we were when this crazy shit started…"
"Jace, I know what you're thinking. Sam, she- She told me what happened. You need to know that kid was far from innocent. He was there when the cannibals were holding us in pens like livestock. He was gonna kill Luna. He was gonna kill Sam. He was gonna kill me. He knew what he was doin', and his brother is probably worse."
"…and Kotaro? He got caught 'cos of the bullet in his leg. If I hadn't fucked up and panicked, did what I was supposed to, then maybe-… maybe he'd still be here."
"Jace, if it weren't for you, those cannibals would've killed Kotaro a lot sooner! It's thanks to you Kotaro had a chance to say his goodbyes! To Luna, to Lori, to Lincoln, Lynn, Luan, Lana… You did everything you possibly could, and in doing so, gave a man the great privilege of being with his best friend's kids one last time. There's nothing more you could have done."
"What about Becky then? I begged her to come save my dumb ass after I fell into that damn trap. I made her stay, man…! I should've told her to fuck off and save herself. Then she wouldn't have gotten trapped too!"
"She still would have helped, regardless," said Preston. "We're more than a group, Jace. We're family. And we don't leave family behind."
Jace shrugged Preston's hand off his shoulder and turned towards him, distraught. "Yeah, you're right. We are family. And thanks to me, our family's going to lose two more members…!"
"Two? What do you mean, tw—?"
"Calvin shot George cos George pissed him off! George pissed him off to keep the cannibals distracted from killing me!I was supposed to die! I was the reason we got captured! But George, he- He put himself in harm's way to protect a fucking worthless piece of shit like me!"
"Jace! Jace, listen to me!" said Preston. "You're not worthless. George knew that. That's why he provoked Calvin if it meant keeping you alive. Because he knows you're worth saving."
"Am I though?" murmured Jace, bitterly. "I've sinned, both before and after the world became… this. I flinch every time I see a roamer. I'm barely decent with a rifle, even less so with a pistol. I was practically pissing my pants like a goddamn coward while Becky was having her arm carved up! And I picked a fight with you over something so stupid as liking a girl, who didn't even like me back!"
Jace lowered his head and squeezed his eyes tight as tears lightly rolled down his cheeks. Preston sat there in total silence, stunned by Jace's response. He took a light breath, then patted Jace on the back reassuringly.
"You are a good person Jace. Everything you just told me? That's what makes you human. We all do things we're not proud of. Me, I still wish I could take back everything I said before we fought. About you being lustful, that you and your sister are full of sin… Truth be told Jace, even after we apologized to Leni, a part of me still felt uncertain as to whether we'd get along. Then during our time in quarantine, you told me about your sister, and everything she's been through. The harassments, the ridicule, the slander… It helped me remember something my dad once told me, before he… died."
Preston took a second to clear his throat, then spoke.
"No juzgues una persona sin conocerla primero, tanto por sus defectos como por sus puntos fuertes. 'Don't judge a person without getting to know them first, flaws as well as strengths'. In the time I've gotten to know you Jace, I can tell you truly care for others that you put their well-being above your own. You had feelings for Luna, but gave up on them after finding out she was with Sam. You didn't tell anyone about your guilt from what happened at Circle Park because you didn't want to add onto the many issues that we were already dealing with back then. You're working to become more effective in dealing with roamers in spite of your fear— or rather, your reluctance to harm them, because you want to help keep everyone safe. That's why you're my friend, Jace. For all your flaws, your strengths far outweigh 'em.
Preston still had his hand on Jace's back, and felt his friend's heartbeat gradually slow down to a more steady and even pace.
"What you're doing right now, beating yourself over what happened to Becky and George… It's not fair. I hate seeing you like this, bro, and so do Luna and Sam. You can't keep blaming yourself for things that were beyond your control. You did everything you could back then, so it's time to think on what you can do now."
Jace slowly looked up and opened his eyes. He sensed a calming aura exuding from Preston. A sensation he hadn't felt in a while since… Eastport.
"I've been meaning to tell you this at a later time," said Preston. "But I'm afraid there might not be a later."
Jace's eyes grew as he became fearful and confused.
"David hasn't told anyone in the group. Neither has my uncle. Only Lori knows what we're planning."
"I'm not following, man."
"Look, you gotta keep this a secret. Everything I'm gonna tell you now— no one in the group knows."
Jace nodded.
"I promise not to tell," he said.
"Good. David and my uncle were planning on leaving the White House to head to Florida after the cure was finished. I'm comin' with them. But seeing how chaotic and dangerous everything is getting, we might be leaving earlier— I don't know."
"Wait. Hold on. Why?"
"Why we're goin' to Florida? Family. David's got a son that he wants to look for, and I got family over there. Hana was also supposed to come with us. But we don't know where she is now."
"Are you ever comin' back?"
"Honestly? I don't know. I'm a bit scared. I don't even know if imma' make it there. But that's why I want you to come. Maybe, somehow, convince Lori to get Luna and Sam to come with us."
"This is crazy. And this was all planned out between you guys."
"Yeah. I know it's a lot to think about. But will you think about comin' with us? It'd be fun, think about it. It'd be like a real road trip."
Jace nodded his head softly. He smiled.
"I'll think about it."
A plastic pine tree stood on the corner of the Garden Room, where there were dozens of letters hanging by the ornaments. Jeffrey and Lincoln grabbed them and sat down on a couch next to a fireplace.
"These letters are adorable," said Jeffrey. "Your sisters don't believe in Santa Claus anymore?"
"I don't think so," said Lincoln. "I doubt they believe that Santa is spreading joy in a world taken over by the roamers. People aren't even in their own homes and there is almost no Christmas joy anywhere."
"Or perhaps they believe the roamers scared him off? Maybe he finally retired?"
"Maybe. But still. We should make this day about happiness and family, right?"
"Yes, to celebrate the birth of the Savior. Although, the gifts are still nice," smiled Jeffrey.
Lincoln walked over to the tree and began to place the letters back. Jeffrey handed him the letters he had and stood up from the couch.
"Lincoln. If anyone is planning to give Preston a gift, I would like it if was something easy to carry around."
"Something portable? Sure, but why?"
"This is not easy for me to say, but after Christmas, David, Preston, Hana, and I are leaving to Florida. We are heading to Miami and Key West. I have family there. David wants to look for his son. And Hana— well, we have not really been honest with her about how far Florida really is. She probably thinks it is as close as New York."
"Really? That soon?"
"We were going to leave as soon as Lisa finished her cure, but the danger that the cannibals pose to us is too great. This is not to say we can't handle the cannibals… but David does really want to see his son."
"Oh man…" sighed Lincoln. "Are you guys coming back at least?"
"We probably will come back. This is still the safest place we know and we have hopes that Lisa will finish the cure. Plus, we can have a greater chance of exploring more people out there, people that a cure might benefit. This is how we can start to save humanity."
Lincoln nodded.
"You know, if this place blows up or disappears all of a sudden, we're not going to Florida," said Lincoln. "We're probably going back to Royal Woods, my hometown in Michigan. So, if you find this place abandoned or something, go to Royal Woods."
"Understood," said Jeffrey.
He began to walk out of the room before Lincoln stepped forward.
"Wait!" he exclaimed. "I… I want to— you know how I'm gonna protect my family and all? Like, from roamers and people— maybe, I don't know. But, from people probably. Actually, people, 'cause the roamers wasn't what I was gonna talk about."
"I do not really understand what you are trying to tell me," said Jeffrey. "Are you trying to ask me something?"
"How do I stay good? I have to protect my family. And you know what the means."
"Thou shalt not murder," said Jeffrey.
Lincoln frowned.
"Murder is the purposeful and unjustified act of killing. Purposeful… and unjustified. Very important words. Self-defense has always been justifiable in my eyes and in the eyes of the church."
Jeffrey placed his hands on Lincoln's shoulders.
"You're asking how you could stay a good person. Just be yourself. Follow your instincts. Remember the things that keep you human and in control of yourself. No matter how hard it gets, stay in control."
Jeffrey released his hands. He began to walk out of the room.
"I know you think I hate killing," said Jeffrey. "I do not like it, but I know it is necessary. If this world was going to turn you bad, it would have done so already."
Jeffrey walked out of the room, leaving Lincoln alone in the room to ponder upon his thoughts.