Chapter 1
Yay new story from me. Really I need to work on the ones I have but when I get an idea in my head it doesn't leave till write it up. Again, like so many of my stories I don't know if I will continue this one but if I do it will most likely be for just the fun of it. So, give it a shot and see if you like it. Leave a review, bad or good. Doesn't matter, and if you have ideas I am always open to suggestions. Till next time have a good day everyone.
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We have all heard this story before, someone died, someone got reincarnated, with or without a gamer system. Blah blah blah so on and so forward. My story was no different from the rest only that in my case I don't think God had anything to do with my reincarnation. Seeing as I doubted a benevolent being, if that was what God was, would allow a convicted mass murder to be reborn. Or perhaps it was a gift to make up for its own failing in bring justice to those responsible for rape, mutilation and eventual suicide of sister. However, I doubted that was the case as I had gotten more than even with the collage boys who were responsible for my sister's fate. By not only killing them but most of their family right in front of them before I executed them. Seventeen people in total minus the children who were in the back room playing video games when I went in to do the deed.
Mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma and grandpa none survived that day except the children. All of whom there to celebrate the acquittal of the brothers who raped my sister. A celebration I had turned into a nightmare. Was it obsessive of me to do such a thing for the one crime? Maybe but I never lost any sleep over it. After all the family I had killed where the rich spoiled type who were used to getting away with things by using their money and connections to sweep it all under the bridge. Money and connections that helped them little that day. Because no matter how much they begged and offered me to spare their lives nothing could beat the pure satisfaction I took of relieving them of their lives. In fact, the day they led me to the death chamber I had a smile on my face. For I held no fear of death nor the thought of going to hell for what I did. The way I saw it God had no right to judge me for something he or she allowed to happen. I was only setting things right and if that meant enteral damnation for doing it, then so be it. What I didn't expect, however, was to wake up in a one-bedroom apartment with a glowing sign over my head.
Welcome to the Gamer Shop.
Your very own multi-universal shopping system.
If you can afford it, you can buy it.
"You got to be fucking kidding me." I say out loud as I look up at it feeling like someone had just hit me with a car then back up over my body just to do it all over again.
Sitting up, I do the most obvious thing a person can do in this situation, swipe my hand at it as if to dismiss it. Of course, that doesn't work, and my hand just passes straight through it leaving a smoke trail in its wake that quickly reforms into the same screen.
"Fuck me this is real, isn't it?" I ask no one in particular.
That is current new gamer.
Another screen appears answering my question.
"Are you an interactive gaming system or a God." I ask thinking that if it answered one question there would be no reason it wouldn't answer another.
The first, I am an interactive gaming system designed to help the current gamer through his journey by providing quests and rewards.
"Well, that is just great. I am not even going to ask why as I don't recall anything like a white room or a conversation with some out of this world being. So, I am just going to assume this was random and move on. What kind of system are you and what does it do for me?" I ask the system.
The system is exactly as stated on the first screen. You now have access to the Gamer Shop. A multidimensional supermarket that allows you to buy anything ever dreamed up or made in the endless numbers of multiverses. So long as you can afford to buy it that is.
"So, no gamer body, stats, special skills or buffs?" I ask the system just to be clear.
That is correct. While gaining such things as special skills, magic, or an improved body is possible it comes down to being able to afford it. No limits, no restrictions, so long as you have enough Credits to buy it. Even people, animals of both the normal and magic variety, can be purchased by use of the Gamer Shop.
So basically, an underpowered and overpowered system depending on what I can afford. Not exactly great but not horrible. "How do I earn Credits to use?"
There are several ways but first, as the new Gamer you get a starting some of 100 Credits to help you at the start of your journey. Other than that, you can earn coins in two ways. One is by doing what any gamer does and that is killing things to earn Credits. What you kill and why don't really matter. So long as you can kill it you can earn Credits for it. Other than that, there is the classic completing of quests such the current ones you have. Just think quests and a screen will appear showing your current quests.
Doing as the system says I think quests and a screen pops up.
Current quests.
Locate Rick Grimes and either kill him or help him survive. Reward 200 Credits. Quest active.
Kill 10 Walkers. Reward 1 Credit per kill. 10 additional Credits for every 10 Walkers killed. Quest ongoing.
Well, that answers my next question about where the hell I was. The Walking Dead universe huh? I guess it could have been worse seeing as I was expecting Hellfire and brimstone. Still, it wasn't like this world wasn't without its own dangers. I only watched the show up to the part where they just got to Alexandria then lost interest. So, my knowledge was limited to say the least and after spending close to a decade on death row I hadn't watched it in years. As they didn't exactly give TVs to mass murder, and it may not even matter aways as who knew if the butterfly effect was in play just from me just being here.
Regardless I knew one thing I wasn't killing Rick Grimes if I could help it. While killing people was clearly not a problem for me, I wasn't about to kill a man who never wronged me. Plus, I like the character, the shit he had to go through was intense. Yet he still for the most part stayed a good man unlike me. I held a lot of much respect for the man now that I knew he was real. Shane on the other hand was a different question but I would stay my hand till I met the man and saw if his actions would change. If they didn't well, I won't lose any sleep over killing him.
"Frist thing is first, however. Open shop." I say out loud guessing that would work and it did. As a screen opened resembling that of your basic online shopping system. Think Witcher 3 with several tabs at the top. One for supplies, weapons, armor, miscellaneous items, magical tools, scrolls, and on sale. At the very bottom of the screen was how many Credits I had to spend and in the top right-hand corner a search bar.
Spending a little time looking over the screen I started a search on pretty much anything I could think of and needless to say the system wasn't lying. This system had everything for sale and when I say everything, I mean everything. From things like simple blunt end weapons all the way to shit like the Dragon Balls and even things I had never heard of. All appropriately priced of course. As the Dragon Balls cost 2.5 trillion Credits themselves and other items cost even more.
"Alright next thing where the fuck am I in the Walking Dead?" I ask out loud as I know ruffly what time but not where.
Getting up I go to the closest window in this small room and open the curtains. Looking out the window I am both surprised and not so surprised to see a hospital in the distance. After all it made sense that the system would put me somewhere where I had a chance of completing a quest it gave out. The only problem was I was at least 6 stories up, because of course the system had to make this somewhat difficult. Taking a deep breath, I start to go over my options.
Now going by the system's quest to find Rick and help him survive I can positively say the apocalypse had only been going on for a few mouths now, maybe half a year. Meaning supplies such as food, water and so on were still plentiful. Seeing as from what hints the shown gave the world deteriorated very quickly leaving people dying most likely in hundreds of millions if not billions. Bad news was the vast majority would be in highly populated areas where Walkers would be in bunches. So, buying supplies may or may not be a problem down the line. For now, however, it was time to find a way down from this apartment.
Looking down again I think one thing for sure I wasn't going out the window. Yet if I was six floors above ground then that meant beyond that front door was a dark hallway with no lights. Not exactly a good option but seemed to be the only one available. Now a building this high up had to have a fire escape, but it wasn't on this side of the building or at least anywhere I could see it. Looking around the room I take stock of what is in it. Not much to be honest as I spot a beat-up couch, a TV that looks like it was made in the 90's, an old microwave and a refrigerator. There are some cabinets and drawers but just from the looks of things I am not expecting to find much.
Regardless I still get up and look around the room for anything that could be useful. While I do that, I take a moment to look at myself in a mirror. My first thoughts at seeing myself were really the system couldn't have done better. Of all the cliche bullshit this fuck up situation could have followed it couldn't make me better looking. I think as I see the face of you average joe, the everyday guy on the street who you see but don't really see. Around 16 years of age if I had to guess, with a tan skin complexion from being Mexican and average build I looked just like I did in my past life.
"Lazy system," I say out loud and move on and calmly continue my search of the apartment.
To calmly some may say but really, I had spent 16 years on death row. Even after waving all my appeals, I had to wait 10 long years as doctors judged whether I was of sound mind in doing so. Then another 6 waiting on judge to sign off on putting me down. Really was it any wonder that my sister didn't get the justice she deserved. If they couldn't even put down a clearly guilty man, then what hope did my family have? Anyways having spent all that time waiting for death made me use to the thought of dying. I had made my peace with it and if I were to die again it wouldn't change a thing for me.
For now, however I would live my new life as I liked and what I would like to do right now was help this poor man name Rick Grimes survive. Which wasn't going to be easy as I had so far found nothing of use in this apartment. No flashlight, no candles, no useable weapons or food. It is safe to say who ever lived here before I woke up in it didn't take very good care of themselves. If anyone ever lived here in the first place and I was just drop off in an abandoned apartment.
"Well, this leaves me with just one option. Open shop." I say and watch the screen appear before me again.
Looking at what I believe I will need to survive, I break it down into several necessities, food, water, a weapon and if possible, armor of some kind. As looked down at myself I suddenly felt very exposed in just a pair of jeans and a Led Zeppelin T-shirt. The problem was that some of the prices I was running into were in a word outrageous. A gallon of clean pure water was 5 credits, while some foods ranged from 5 to 10 credits. This was going to be harder than I first thought, I said to myself as I moved on to weapons. Thinking for now I would just depend on looting what I needed for now and only buy water and food when I had no choice.
Weapons proved to be no cheaper, however. Even after dismissing guns as an option as this was America and guns were everywhere. If I really needed one, I could just count on luck to find one. So going to the sales page I took a look at what it has to offer and lucky me they had an Iron Tomahawk Ax for sale for just 40 credits, as well as an Iron Kukri knife for 20. While iron was no replacement for steel it was the best, I was going to get for under 100 credits. Everything made of steel was well over that amount and I wanted to get some armor too. Again, luck was on my side when I looked for some type of protection as while the pickings were slim, they were in my price range. If I only bought a few things that were a I could not hope to buy a full set of armor to fully protect myself. So, taking a moment I thought over what were my most vulnerable areas to Walkers. Which I quicky decide on where my legs and arms. So, finding some cheap leather greaves and a pair of matching leather gauntlets I add them to the cart before buying. Seeing that my grand total was exactly 100 credits I selected buy and watched as the items materialized before my very eyes.
I had to admit it was amazing to see. Even after seeing the screens and reading the texts I had my doubts that any of this was real. Not anymore, however, as I saw the things, I brought take shape in a burst of light. After they are fully formed, I first pick up the armor and feel it. It was as I had suspected while hard leather, it felt too soft. Meaning it wouldn't give me all that much protection but hopefully more than enough against a bite from a Walker. Putting the armor on quickly I then pick up my weapons and find that they are better made than I first thought they would be. While made of iron they are solid, sharp and even to a complete amateur like me well balanced.
Placing the Kukri Knife in by belt I was happy the thing came with a sheath as it looked extremely sharp. Then pick up the tomahawk I go to the door. Taking a few deep breaths, I ready myself for whatever I would find on the other side of the door. Then open the it and find like I thought a dark, lightless hallway. Staying on the side of caution, I stick my head out first looking both ways for anything that looked suspicious. While I couldn't see much in the hallway there was enough light from other open doors to show it was more or less empty, except for the occasional dead body. Moving out into the hallway I stop a few feet from one body and make ready with my ax. It took a moment for me to get over the horrible stench of the dead body. It was an absolutely disgusting smell that made my stomach turn but that didn't stop me from bringing my ax down on top of its head.
If there was one thing, I had learned from the TV show is that you never could tell the difference between a dead body and a walker. Safer to make sure that a dead body was in fact dead than taking the chance. Hearing no ding or anything that would typically conform a kill in these types of scenarios I reckon it really was just a dead body. I wasn't going to stop and bring up the shop screen however to make sure of this. Not in a dark hallway where things weren't safe anyways. After making sure the body was in fact dead, I make my way slowly down the hallway listening for any sign of life or un-life I guess you would call these Walkers. As I do I make sure to check every closed door and open door as move along. Never knowing what could be inside.
Most of the doors, however, were locked and those that were not had little to offer in terms of supplies. I do, however, find a half empty bottle of aspirin in one room, a few cans of Campbell's soup and an old backpack in another. It wasn't till I got to the last door on my right that I saw a sight I really wish didn't see. No there was no Walker in this last apartment but something far worse. The room I enter was clearly one of a single mother as right before my eyes there sat a woman with babe in her arms. A bullet wound in her head and a small hole in the head of the baby. Closing my eyes for a moment I settle my nerves as I knew finding things like this was a possibility and while I was a killer, I wasn't a sociopath at least not fully. As proven by the image before me, that quickly overwhelmed me for a moment. Closing my eyes, I open them again after steeling myself before I walked into the apartment. Upon a closer look I don't find a gun or anything near the women. Which told me that someone else had put her down and killed the baby. It made sense as I doubt the women would have been able to keep hold of the child if she shot herself. The father perhaps or maybe someone who took mercy on her and the child as I could also see bite wounds on both the women and baby.
For a moment I wish to respect the dead and leave their home in peace. I shake off such feeling however seeing as if there was anything of use in this apartment, I owned it to myself more than the dead to take it. Inside I am a bit luckier than with the other apartments as inside I find a small stack of baby food in one cabinet along with a few bottles of water. Whoever shot the women and put the hole in the baby's head clearly didn't wish to stick around long. Leading me to believe even more that it was most likely the father, or a close relative how had done the deed. After all I wouldn't have stuck around either if she was a part of my family. That or whoever it was didn't think baby food was any good. Food, however, was food no matter what it was, and the post apocalypse was no time to be picky.
Putting some in the backpack as it wasn't a good idea to take too much as it would get heavy to carry around, I left the apartment. But not before looking back and thinking how sad it was that the innocent die while the wicked would live. Closing the door, I make my way towards the stairwell ready to leave this place. I had spent enough time searching for supplies. Having no idea if Rick was awake yet or not, I had to find him before he left for Atlanta. So, opening the door to the stairwell, I am thankful that it is one of those that has windows every few flights down. If it didn't, I am not sure how I would get down from this apartment seeing as I wasn't going to willing go down a dark stairwell. Walking down the stairs I take my time still listening for any sound. Not taking any chances till I get to the bottom of the stairs and open the door slowly that would lead me outside hopefully.
Luck proves to stay with me only till I open the door, however. As while it does lead me outside, I get my first look at the Walkers as well. Three of them to exact, one female and two males. Backing up slowly I close the door quietly. I may have only seen three of them but that didn't mean there were not more. I stop to think for a moment about my options and quickly realize I have none. I was in an unfamiliar building with God knows what inside it and while the 6th floor was relatively empty that didn't mean the others were as well. For all I knew there could be a hoard of them in the lobby or something. So going backwards wasn't an option. That left me with only going forward. So, drawing my knife in one hand and tightening my grip on the ax, I take several deep breaths. In the next few moments, I could either be dead or alive and funny enough once I thought about it I was fine with both.
So, with that knowledge in hand, I push the door open and move quickly. Before the walkers even known I was there I was on them swinging my ax toward the head of one of the walkers. It finds home in the back of its head. I pull it out quicky and right when the other two walkers start to turn towards me. Using my knife, I plunge it into the face of the Walker on my right quickly and pull it back out. With two down the last one moved surprisingly fast, but I had watched the show and knew these things were stronger and faster than they looked. So, when it lunged at me I raised my ax so it would bite down on the handle. Not being off balance, I am able to stand my ground which gives me an unfortunate first close detailed look at a walker. It went without saying that it was one ugly mother fucker and frightening to boot. The stench alone was enough to put a person on edge but the sound of its groaning and growling was what really made it scary.
Using my knife, I bring it up and down on top of its head killing it as well. Moving to the side I let it drop and take a moment to catch my breath. I had once read that actual melee combat was far more exhausting than it appeared to be, and I could tell you now it was. While the fight lasted less than a minute, I felt like I had run a mile. But while I was tired, I wasn't stupid and looked around to make sure no more walkers were around. Lucky for me I saw none and once I was done looking around, I heard three pings ring in my head. At a guess I thought that was the sign that I had just earned three credits. I wasn't about to stand around and check, however. It wasn't safe out here in the open and walkers were not the only things I had to worry about out here. Walkers were dangerous sure, but humans would always be the truly most dangerous creatures in the world. And while I don't remember any other living humans being in this town in the show, I wasn't going to take any chances. So, wiping clean my ax and knife on the clothes of the now permanently dead walkers I move on.
If I had guessed right from up in the apartment building the hospital Rick was supposed to be in was about 5 or 10 blocks way. Not very far but out in the open like I was, it felt like a lot longer of a walk. Especially seeing as I couldn't walk a straight path to the hospital. I may not have seen other humans so far but generally I spotted at least 4 or 5 walkers down every street. It may not have sounded like a large amount, but it was too many for me to take on by myself. So, I stay on the side of caution and keep going around them. Overall, it took me the better part of an hour, maybe more, to reach the hospital but it wasn't a completely faultless venture. I was able to kill a few more walkers along the way. Mostly ones that were either trapped under something or had no legs, but it was something.
When I finally reached the hospital, I took a moment to look around to see if I could spot Rick anywhere outside. Not seeing him I let out a sigh then looked at the building. I really didn't want to go in there. I remember the door with all the Walkers behind it. When Rick woke up, he came across it and woke up the walkers behind it. Who knew if that door was still holding them back or if he was even still in the building. Letting out a sigh I thought to myself if things went the way they should he would come out by himself at some point but again he could have already left. I had no way of knowing and no clue where Morgan and his kid were. If I remember right, Morgan killed a Walker with a gunshot in the shown once they found him. So, I would have heard it by now if that was the case. After all, that was one thing I had noticed right away. The world was dead quiet.
No sounds, no moment for the most part. It was like the world had gone dead. No not the world as even now I could see overgrowth slowing taking over. The world was very much alive, it was the human race that had just disappeared. It would go on without us as it was proving to do. In a strange way it was kind of beautiful. Shaking my head to get rid of such thoughts, I look back at the hospital knowing I had to make a choice. Go inside and see if Rick was there or wait here and hope he comes out on his own. Finding Morgan was a choice as again I didn't know where he was. Of the two choices presented to me neither of them where any good.
"Fuck it, matters well. If he isn't in there, there still might be something of use inside." I say out loud as if to convince myself to go in there instead of taking the safer option.
So, walking past the gate where all the dead bodies are lined up, I headed towards the back stairs Rick would have come out from and entered the hospital. It was just as dark and scary as in the show. With a few lights flickering overhead and walls stained with blood. It was a fucking horror movie come to life. More so than the apartment as there were only 3 dead bodies in that place. Unlike here where a fight clearly took place. A fight the living lost to the walkers. I thought as I came up to the doors that kept the Walkers at bay and saw them pushing against it. Trying to get out but the door was holding strong for now.
Walking past it while keeping my eyes locked on it just in case it breaks, I start to check the rooms one by one. Not only for Rick but for supplies as well. There wasn't much left to pick from, however. As one by one the rooms proved to be mostly empty except for a few bandages, a box of band aids, some tools and a few bottles of pills. Not recognizing the names of the pills but thinking it's best to take them and see if I can find information on them later, I put them in my backpack. Along with the bandages and box of band aids before moving on. Till I came to a room with a gurney in front of it that was pushed slightly out of the way.
"Fuck." I said out loud go to the door and open it and step inside to find it empty. Great I thought to myself, Rick was already gone.
Before I have time to dwell on it, I hear something breaking loudly from outside the room. Going to the door, I look out it and see walkers coming down the hall. They had broken down the fucking door but lucky for me they hadn't seen me yet. Shit, I thought to myself and closed the door then went to the bed and rolled in front of the door blocking it.
Great now I was trip inside with them. Well not really, I think as I look out of the window walk up to it and break it with my ax. Looking down I see I am only on the 2nd floor so jumping was an option. As I got ready to jump out the window, however, I heard a gunshot in the distance.
"God damn it. Couldn't you have found him sooner Morgan," I say out loud and jump out landing on my feet uninjured thankfully. But only to hear moaning from nearby and look at walkers making their way down the street. It would seem they heard the gunshot as well.
"This is starting to get fucking annoying." I say out loud and start to run towards where I think the gunshot came from. With those Walkers not far behind me.
It takes me little time to enter a residential area and come upon a black man and his boy. Trying to move an unconscious Rick into a house.
The boy sees me first and yells out, "Daddy behind you!"
I must give it to Morgan. While not that harden man, he will become he wasted little time turning around pointing his gun at me. "Stop right their mister."
I immediately skid to a stop and hold up my hand's weapons still in my hand and a bit blood on my shirt from killing those walkers before.
"Who are you?" Morgan asks clearly nerves but ready to shoot me if I do anything stupid.
I answer right away, "Doesn't matter man I not looking for any trouble. But you fired that gun, and those undead fucks are close behind me. So, I suggest we get off the streets before they get here. Otherwise, we are all dead men."
I watch Morgan hand grip the gun tighter and a flash of the harden man that he will one day become come to his face. But instead of shooting me he says, "Throw down you weapons…. throw them down."
Tossing them away from myself without thought and at a good distance so there would be no way I could recover them without getting shot. His face takes on a relived expression for just a moment before he says. "Help me. Get his legs we got to get inside before those things show up."
Nodding my head, I go and grab Rick's legs while I hear a ping ring in my head and help Morgan get him inside. Once we are inside, we drop him on the ground as the boy closes the door. No sooner did we drop him than I found a gun back in my face.
"What do you have in bag boy." Morgan asks me, staying cautious.
Something I can appreciate, even though I was finding it more than a bit upsetting to have a gun shoved in my face. "Just supplies man. Just supplies."
Something about the way I answer clearly still has him on edge. Perhaps it was that even to my ears I sounded way to calm for a man who had a gun in his face. Well, whatever it was he says, "Take it off."
Slowing doing as Morgan tells me I take off the backpack and place it on the ground before standing back up hands in clear site.
"Son, check the bag." Morgan tells his son who for the life of me I can't remember his name.
As we wait for the boy to look in the bag Morgan doesn't say anything, no questions no nothing. We just looked at each other. Our eyes looking into each other's and while he was keeping up a strong front, I could see the fear in his eyes. He was on edge, not that I could blame him. I wasn't here in the beginning, and I know all too well what happened to his wife. Poor man was just trying to keep himself and his son safe while still trying to be a good man. But I can tell he had already seen some shit and it wasn't good.
"It's just supplies daddy." Morgan's son says.
Hearing this Morgan doesn't put down the gun right away, however. Something about this young man had him on edge. Twice he had a gun pointed at him and yet he didn't even flinch or react in any way but to do as he told him to do. It wasn't natural but then what was no adays. Who knew what this boy had seen since all this began or what he had done. What he did know was that he had not been hostile towards his boy and him yet.
So, lowing the gun Morgan says, "Sorry young man. You can't be too careful nowadays. You understand."
Putting my hands down slowly I answer, "Oh I understand. Trust me, I understand but a word of advice next time pull the trigger. It was my fault for not putting away my weapons before but next time it may be someone looking to harm you or your boy. Best just to kill them then being nice.
Looking at me with a hard look on his face Morgan says, "I will keep that in mind."
We then hear groaning from outside and I look towards the door as the boy moves to hide behind his father. I back up as well but away from Morgan, so I don't scare him into doing something rash.
-Later that night-
Finding myself sitting in the living room with just a few candles to light the room, I watch as Morgan goes about helping Rick. If things went as they should Rick should wake up soon and we could get to brass tax. Morgan and I haven't talked much as of yet. Not even to tell each other our names as with walkers outside we all judge it was best that we just keep our mouths shut for the time being. As I wait a feeling of vulnerability comes over me as those things walk around the house. I can hear their moans and I suddenly wish I had my ax and knife back. Well, there was nothing to do about it right now. Didn't what to give Morgan a scare by buying something to replace them. So, to pass the time I looked over my quests and items I could buy.
Current Quests
Locate Rick Grimes and either kill him or help him survive. Reward 200 Credits. Quest completed.
Kill 10 Walkers. Reward 1 EX coin per kill. 10 additional Credits for every 10 Walkers killed. Quest ongoing. (8/10)
(New Quest) Help Rick Grimes locate his family. Reward 300 Credits.
(New Quest) Kill Morgan and Duane Jones. Or keep Duane Morgan from dying at the hands of his mother. Reward 300 credits.
As I look them over, I honestly don't remember helping Rick survive but perhaps the system saw me helping drag his ass inside the house as doing so. Well, whatever all I needed to know it I now had 200 credits to spend and that was what was import. While I was sure I could recover my ax and knife in the morning they were already looking blunted after repeated use. Without a way to sharpen them they would be no good to me soon enough.
As I was thinking this, I saw the boy go stiff. Looks like Rick has just woken up. As I can hear talking coming from the other room. Then both men exit and Morgan and Rick's eyes land on me. It is Morgan who speaks first. "Well, I think introductions are in order."
He then waves us to the dinner table but before we get too far Rick goes to the window. "Hey, don't look out the window. Unless you what us all to die. The light they can see it." I say instead of Morgan.
Rick just looks at us then walks away from the window as I take a sit on one side of the table, Morgan on and Rick between use.
"You shot that man in cold blood." Rick says to Morgan.
"It was a walker." Morgan currents him.
I lean forward and say, "That man out there wasn't a man. He did what he had to do, and you should be thankful. If he didn't you be died."
"They are more active after dark, mostly." Morgan says then we all hear the moans of the dead outside. Putting use all on edge.
Duane is thankfully the first to break the tension when he starts setting out some food for us. Looking at the boy I smiled. "Don't worry about me boy. I will eat my own supplies. That is if you father will give me back my backpack."
Morgan looks at me for a moment and nods his head. Then Duane goes to get my backpack and brings it to me while his father starts to explain what has happened to the world. When Duane gives me my bag I open it and take out a few jars of baby food and open them. The men at the table give me a strange look and I just smile at them. "What food is food."
Having nothing to say to that we all look to start eating but not before Duane says, "Daddy aren't you going to say a prayer."
Looking at his son for a moment Morgan gives a sigh and reaches his hand out to Rick and his son. While Duane takes his fathers in his and reaches out to me.
"I not much for prayer but it's you table." I say and take the boy's hand and Rick does the same.
"Lord, please watch over us in these crazy days." He simply says and we let go of our each other's hands.
For a moment we sit in silence not talking till I break the ice. "Jose Sosa." I say then reach my hand out to shake Morgan's.
Looking at my hand for a moment Morgan takes it and shakes it, "Morgan Jones. This is my boy, Duane."
Looking at us for a moment Rick reaches out his hand and I shake it. "Rick Grimes."
With that out of the way we continue to eat in silence. When we are done, we retire to the living room. I took a seat on the chair I was on either as Rick, Morgan and Duane sat on the floor. They talk for a bit Rick telling them he was Sheriff's deputy and Morgan saying in a joking manner that Duane thought he was a bank robber.
They all turn to me, and Morgan asks, "What about you young man?"
Looking at him I ask, "What about me."
"You can't be older than 16 what are you doing out here on your own. Where you parents?" Morgan asks.
At his question I think about the last time I saw my mom and dad. They were in the viewing room along with the victims' family. They had never given up on me or condemned me for what I did. If there was one thing, I regretted about my actions in my past life it was that they lost both their children before they themselves had passed away. Not parent should have to witness that, unless you were a shitting parent like those of the boys who raped my sister.
Looking away and towards the front door I answer, "They are dead, and as for what I did before…..Your boy's guess on what Rick was, is close enough."
I could see my answer had a mix reaction among the men in the room but before they could say anything a car alarm goes off down the street. Both men get up to went to the window to look out it, but I just stay put. Not caring about why it went off as I already know what comes next. And almost like clockwork they see Morgan's wife and the boy runs away crying. Morgan, being the good father he is, tries to comfort his son. But how do you comfort a boy whose mother was among the undead.
By the time Morgan is done confessing about what happened to his wife and his own inability to kill the women I have had enough of the boy's crying and say, "Hey boy you what to see a trick."
Seeing that I have grabbed the boy's attraction a bright light shines in front of them. Startling them all and causing Morgan to react by drawing his gun at me. That is till the light fades away and a tube of cold chocolate ice cream appears in front of them. It only cost me 30 credits to buy but it was worth it to calm the boy down and see the surprise and confusion looks everyone's faces.
"What the hell." Morgan says while not lowing the gun.
Rick is also looking at me in stun wonder, "What….how."
"Calm down man. Hey boy why don't you go get us some spoons and we can eat while I tell your all a story." I say to them.
It takes a while for everyone to somewhat calm down and for Duane to go get the spoons. But soon enough we are all passing around the tube of ice cream while I tell them a story of life, death and a TV show where they all play different characters. It kind of went without saying, they don't believe me right away but when I start matching names such as Rick's wife's name and that of his son they start to believe. Though I can tell they didn't want to, especially when I get to the part of Morgan letting his son die because he didn't put down his wife. Honestly, he took that part better than I thought he would or perhaps he didn't. I was too busy wondering why the system didn't stop me from telling them all this. In nearly every story I have ever read the gamer system didn't allow for such information to be shared like this. It would seem this system didn't care to stop me, which could be very good or horribly bad for me.
When I am down telling my tale it is Rick who speaks first, "No….that….that isn't….."
"Possible Rick? Is it any less possible than say the dead coming back to life or a tube of ice cream appearing out of thin air." I say interrupting him and then point at the tube of ice cream currently in Duane's hands who we all silently agreed could finish it off.
Morgan just shakes head and looks at his boy then me, "No even if you're telling the truth I would never let my boy die."
Sighing out loud I say, "Perhaps letting was a strong word. More like you were too weak to pull the trigger and because of that you dead wife killed you boy. Not that I blame you, I never had a wife before but if a member of my family turned into one of them, I don't know if I could put them down either. But between the living and the dead I know which I should pick."
My words are cruel, I know that but so was the world and that was before it ended. Now it was far worse and would only get worse as the years passed. I didn't expect them to understand that at this point but if I can ingrain just a hint of how bad it will get to them it would help me with my survival. After all, not being afraid to die wasn't the same as waiting to die.
The moment of gravity however is broken by Duane who focuses on the mundane. "So, you're a gamer like in those fanfiction stories."
Smiling at the boy for the child like innocence that still existed in him I answer, "That is right."
"So, you got stats and stuff like that?" He asks with a smile.
I laugh a bit and say, "Na kid nothing like that. I just have something called a gamer store. It allows me to buy as far as I know anything. So long as I have the credits to afford it."
Making a face that says values of what he thought about that Duane says, "Well that sucks."
That only makes me laugh harder and I say, "I agree kid. I agree."
"So, you can't like have a party join you or anything like that?" Duane asks.
I think about that for a bit and says, "You know something kid I don't know. System can I make a group party?"
Party system: Allows the gamer to allow other people to join in and use the system with limited access.
Warning: Like other party systems the gamer only gets half the total credits from each party member. Party members neither receive quests of their own, nor can they see current quests available. Only the Gamer has access to the full system.
Three people are currently available to join your party. Would you like to send an invite.
Well, that was something, I guess. While extremely limited that was still half a credit for each Walker these people killed. That alone gave me enough reason to invite them but add in that they got a limit system of their own meant I wouldn't have to use my own system all the time.
"Send invite." I say out loud so they are not surprised.
It doesn't work as both men are taken off guard while the boy only looks on in wonder. That moment passes quickly enough, however, when they read the terms and conditions of their new system.
Rewards for Party members.
2 Credits for each Walker kill.
5 Credits per human kill.
10 Credits per week survived.
What the flying fuck. Why do they get 2 credits per each Walker kill and I only got one. Granted I still got one credit per their kills but that is fucking bullshit. Plus, I got nothing if I killed a human, nor anything for survival. Well, I guess that is because I get big rewards for quests completed but that is just plain unfair. That and I could see what was offered on their systems. They were missing the tabs for magical tools, scrolls, and on sale. Their page was also limited from what I could see as I watched Duane scroll down the page.
Stun wonder quicky changes to one of horror however as both men come to understand what it is they are seeing. Of course, Rick who just woke up from a coma slips into denial while Morgan realizes that I wasn't full of bullshit. That he would indeed let his son die if he didn't act to put down his wife permanently. Which only makes him turn a pale white. Not an easy thing to do for a black man but such a realization would have that kind of effect on anyone.
"This can't…can't be real. I must be dreaming." Rick says hyperventilating and looking like he was about to have a panic attack.
I don't mind letting him but really was not the time or place, "If this is a dream Rick then it's a pretty shitting one."
Looking at me with some hostility Rick says, "Then what is this some game? Some sick game created by God for his amusement?"
Shrugging my shoulders I say, "Maybe, maybe it's the work of the devil. Does it really matter Rick? Your family is still out there trying to survive in a world that is and will get steadily worse. If anything, this game as you call it gives you a leg up."
Hearing this Rick just looks away still angry but no longer looking like he is having a panic attack. Again, it is Duane who brings thing back down a bit when he says, "Hey Mr."
"Jose kid. Call me Jose." I say interrupting him.
"J…Jose. If…well if you store is unlimited like you say then there must be something in it…. something that can save my mom." Duane says with some hope in his voice.
His words of course have a domino effect on everyone in the room and they all look at me. Forget the fact that the impossible just became possible. There was hope in their eyes now. Hope that sadly I would have to crush but didn't know now to. I always had a soft spot for kids. They are supposed to grow up in a carefree environment like I did. Have happy childhoods full of laughs with friends and exploring a world that was still new to them. That, however, was not this world anymore and I don't know what it is but somehow Morgan and Rick saw the answer.
"This isn't, is there?" Rick finally says as I am still thinking on how to answer the boy.
Rubbing the back of my head I say, "I don't what to give the boy false hope Rick but ya there is a way. Hell, there are a lot of ways to do it but sadly they are out of my price range. Pull up shop."
At my command my own shop screen shows up and I am happy they can see it when I say, "Pull up cure for walker sickness."
The page quickly pulls it up and they see there are two ways to cure the walker sickness. One is the manufacture it with written instructions. Which cost only 1 million credits. Then there was a box with a cartoonish drawing of a Walker in a circle with a cross drawn through it. The description only says antivaccine 12 bottles to a box cost 10 million credits. Something that they could see from the bottom of the screen I didn't have even close to.
Duane looks like he is about to cry again, and I say, "Sorry kid."
And I really was.
-Later that night-
After Duane finally falls asleep Rick, Morgan and I stay up. I don't know what they are thinking but they had stopped looking at their shop screens a while ago. They didn't have any credits right now anyways, so it was of little use to them right now.
"So, what now." I hear Rick's voice ask.
Looking over at the man I say, "What happens is I stick with you Rick. Your family is out there somewhere. Near Atlanta if I remember right. I am not sure where but one of my quests is to help you find your family. The more quests I complete the more credits I get to help me survive."
"But why you don't know me. No matter what you have seen on a TV show of my life. Why do this?" He asks.
"True, I don't know you. Not really, but if you are anything like your counterpart, you're a good man. I like that." I say to him.
"What about me and my boy?" Morgan asks.
Looking over at Morgan I say in a voice that seems more uncaring than I meant for it to, "Well that is up to you Morgan. I don't know if the party system has a maximum range limit or something like that. Nor do I know if there is a limit to how many people can join. You can either join us or not. It matters little to me."
"It's just that easy for you?" Morgan says in some anger.
Giving the man a dull look, I say. "Listen Morgan I am no leader, nor am I a follow. My goals start with and end with me making enough credits to leave this world. Sticking with Rick gives me the best chance of doing that seeing as I know what may happen down the line."
Looking at me with a confused look on his face Rick says, "What do you mean what may happen and you can leave this world?"
"Of course, I can leave Rick. My shop is limitless. Anything you can dream of I have accuses to so long as I have the credits to buy it. That includes a key that acts as a portal to another world. It only cost 100,000 credits. As for your other question, have you ever heard of the butterfly effect. My simply being here can change how everything goes. Hell, I am taking a risk just telling you guys about my power. As of right now I am flying blind just as much as you guys." I tell them but know that is only partially true. Even if things start to change in unexpected ways, I can still make educated guesses based off what I knew about the characters themselves. That will hopefully be enough.
That said I wasn't about to share more than I felt was needed. I had already spoken a lot more than I perhaps should have. For example, I had no attention to telling Rick about Shane and his wife. There was no telling what would happen if I did. Maybe Rick would try and kill him. Maybe he would forgive him and move on. What I did know is that Shane could be useful if he could control himself and if not. Well making him number 18 on my list of people I have killed wouldn't be too hard.
They are quite for a bit digesting my words. Even I can tell they are questioning if I would be a treat to them and theirs down the road. It was a possibility after all as I wouldn't hesitate in killing any of them expect maybe the boy if it came down to it. That said, my power made it hard to even think of killing me seeing as it offered them more than they could ever hope to find on their own. Morgan had been in this shit from the start. There was little doubt he had seen the madness that was the breakdown of human civilization firsthand and the quick dwindling of available supplies. Rick on the other hand didn't know but he was learning quickly. Killing me would be like destroying much needed supplies for no other reason than to do it. If I was them, I would take the logical approach and use me till I outlived my usefulness while keeping a close eye on me for betrayal.
Finally, Rick breaks the silence and asks, "Can you take other with you through these gates?"
I think on how I want to answer that for a bit and settle for, "Yes, so long as you're a party member you can cross over with me. There is a slight problem however Rick. The key I am aiming for is random portal."
"Meaning?" Morgan asks.
"Meaning it could take use anywhere. Could take use to a paradise where we can all live happily ever after or….." I leave that last part in the air.
"Or take use straight to a hell worse than this." Rick says bitterly.
"Can't you pick one that isn't random?" Morgan asks.
Letting out a sigh I say, "Of course I can but it's the same thing with the cure. Buying a key to a specific location would cost me more than I can realistically afford. At least anytime soon."
Banging his hand against the floor Morgan says, "Damn it."
"Yep, it sucks but there is nothing we can do about it. My system, unlike in the stories you boy has read, is on the surface incredibly powerful but in reality very limited. As nothing is off limits but getting the credits to afford anything is harder to do then it looks. I am not superhuman, I have no special abilities to give me an edge. If one of those Walkers bites me then like your wife I will turn. Or if some random guy points a gun at me and decides to pull the trigger I will die." I say to them making sure they understand the limits of my system well.
When neither man says anything again, I make up my mind to call it a night. "Well, I am going to bed. If I don't wake up in the morning I will understand. If I do than same difference."
I then get up and go lay down on some extra pillows proved so nicely by Morgan and quickly fall asleep. Dreaming of nothing like I had been ever since I was sentence to death.
-Next morning-
When I woke up the next morning, I had to say I was pleasantly surprised that I did. I had half expected them to kill me. After all, while neither of the two men knew what I had done in my past life I did hint that I was a criminal and a violent one at that. Nothing makes people more unnerved than a criminal with a violent history. Guess they decided it was best to let me live then kill me or they were still too goodhearted to do so. Getting up off my makeshift bed I stretch a bit then go find everyone. When I find them, we don't talk, just have a light breakfast before we get ready to head out.
Once we are done eating everyone gets themselves ready for the long day ahead. Picking up what weapons they have. When we go to the door however Rick stops us and looks at me and ask, "You not going to arm yourself?"
"Morgan made me drop my weapons outside. If they are still, there I will just use those." I say to him, and he nods his head at this.
Opening the door Rick is the first one out the door but before we go forwarder, he looks at us and asks, "I just have ask one last time. Are we sure they are dead?"
"They're dead. Except for something in the brain. That's why it's gotta be the head." Morgan says to him.
"Plus, you saw what I can do. Do you really need to know more?" I add in.
And just like in the TV show we don't make it more than a few steps before a walker stands up and starts to come at us. Rick moves quickly and uses the baseball bat in his hands to crush its head. Then kneels looking like he is going to throw up. While he is doing that, I move to fetch my ax and knife, which are thankfully right where I drop them. I didn't want to admit it, but I felt naked without them. Now that I had them back, I felt complete and ready to take on this world.
We quickly made our way to Rick's house. Mostly because he just wanted to be sure they were not there. I guess being told that they weren't wasn't enough for him. That was fine, not like I minded as once inside I started looking for anything of use. Rick didn't like it that much but didn't stop me either and even helped once he made sure his family was definitely gone. Sadly, either his family took everything of use or someone else did.
Before we leave Rick stops me and asks, "Are you sure my family is in Atlanta?"
"They should be on the outskirts, but I am not sure where. It's been a long time since I've seen this show so I can't say for sure. Doesn't help either that the show never gave an exact location. It would be best if we went into the city itself. There should be someone there who can lead us to them but there are risks in going into the city. There are walkers everywhere inside the city limits. One wrong move and we will be joining their ranks." I answered him.
"Shit." Is all Rick saying and we move on.
Our first stop being the sheriff's department. Along the way we kill any and every walker we come across so long as there are not that many of them. I have to say for three guys who didn't even know each other till yesterday we made a pretty good team. While we never ran into more than two or three at any given time and avoided anything numbering higher than five. It was still impressive that we were able to work together so easily and by the time we got to the sheriff's department I had more than enough kills to complete one of my quests.
Upon reaching the sheriff's department I fail to mention that it was empty. But I had meant to as I didn't want anyone getting comfortable with me just knowing shit. So, one by one we search the rooms making sure nothing is inside. Once we are sure all is clear Rick leads us to the shower room, and I am not going to lie, this was what I was really looking forward to the most. Knowing that this would be the last chance I would get to enjoy this simple pleasure for a while, I enjoyed it to the limit.
Sadly, all good things had to come to an end, and we all got out and dressed before heading down to get the guns. That was where things got a bit strained as while Rick was loading up a bag, I took a Glock 17 for myself.
"What are you doing?" Rick says as calmly as he can.
Giving him a look like he was asking a stupid question I say, "What's it looks like I am doing. I am arming myself."
"Put it back." Rick asks/demand.
I look at him for a bit then says, "Do you really what me out there unarmed. If we are going to be traveling together, you're going to have to trust me."
"You have your ax and knife. Besides trust is earned not given." Rick says back to me.
A moment of silence passes by and then I smile flip the gun, so the barrel is pointed away from Rick and towards me. "Take it then but remember there are things out there far more dangerous than walkers Rick. That gun shot to your side proves that much. Now take that eliminate law and order and tell what you get."
Another moment passes as I see the gears in Rick's head turning. Till he finally says, "Keep it but if you turn on me it will be the last thing you do. Powers or no powers is that clear."
I shrug my shoulders and say, "Crystal."
I then go about loading a few clips for the gun and then load it. Pull back the slide, put it on safety and tucking it behind my pants.
"At least I know you know what you're doing." Rick says having watched me closely.
Looking over at him I say, "Had a friend, was a real gun nut. Took me to shoot more than once for fun. Never thought I have a need to know how to use one, till I did." I say giving him another hint into my past.
Rick says nothing and just finishes packing up what guns he can before we leave. Going outside we find his trunk and start packing up. I hop into the passage side and get comfortable while Rick and Morgan talk.
"Are you sure you don't what to come with us?" Rick asks.
Looking down at his son Morgan answers, "We will be right behind you. I have something I have to take care of."
Nodding his head Rick understands what he means and takes out a rifle, some ammunition and a walkie-talkie, "Thank you."
Giving the man a half smile Morgan says, "You watch yourself Rick. They may not seem like much one at a time. But in a group, all riled up and hungry? Man, you watch your ass." He then looks at me in the mirror and I give him a half salute. "And watch that one. I don't know what he did before this, but I have seen those eyes before. Whatever it was he did in that past life of his it was bad."
"I know." Rick says and looks back at me for a moment then adds, "But this system of his could get me and my family out of here. So, I have to take him with me."
Nodding his head Morgan grabs his son's shoulders and is about to leave when walker appears out of nowhere and bangs on the chain link fence separating them. Making me laugh in turn, which they hear and look at me. When Morgan leaves, I see Rick raise his gun and shoot the walker in the head then walk over and get in the truck.
He doesn't say something at first then says, "You could have said that was going to happen."
I just smile hearing this, "I could have but where would the fun be in that be. Plus think of it as pay back for getting all hard back there."
Rick just gives me a look then says, "Asshole."
Then turns starts the truck and starts heading towards Atlanta.