Chapter 5 - No Room For Attachments
Kelly's boots slid on the slick forest floor, her knees buckling as she scrambled to her feet. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to stop, to collapse and let the cold mud swallow her whole, but the fire roaring behind her in the distance was a relentless reminder.. there was no stopping. Not now, not ever. She wiped at her face, smearing mud across her cheek as the rainlight through the canopy above blurred into streaks of gray and green. Her heart hammered in her chest, each beat a painful echo of Charlie's last words.. Run.
Kelly's legs gave way again, this time for good. She crashed onto the wet earth, the breath knocked from her lungs. For a moment, the sounds of the forest overtook her.. the rustling of leaves, the distant caw of a crow, and the rhythmic drip of rainwater from the branches.
Kelly clenched her fists against the ground, her nails scraping against the soft dirt. She wouldn't cry. Not this time. Crying hadn't saved her parents. Crying hadn't stopped Axel and his men. Crying won't bring Charlie and Gordon back. Crying never saved anyone, she thought bitterly, forcing herself to her knees.
"You're stronger than this," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the forest's murmur. "You have to be."
Kelly pressed her palms into the mud, pushing herself upright. Her mind replayed images of the cabin engulfed in flames, Charlie's fierce determination as she shouted for her to run, Gordon crumpled in the doorway, blood pooling around him.
Kelly's foot caught on a root and she stumbled, barely catching herself against a tree. Her breathing came in sharp gasps as she leaned against the rough bark, her gaze falling on a small structure peeking out from between the trees ahead. She blinked, unsure if it was real or just another trick of her frayed mind. But as she drew closer, she saw a shack, weathered and worn. Its door hung crooked on its hinges, and the wooden planks that made up its walls were dark with rot. It looked like it could collapse at any moment, but to Kelly, it was salvation.
Kelly's knees nearly buckled again as she reached the door, her hand trembling as she pushed it open. The hinges let out a groan of protest, the sound loud and jarring against the forest's stillness. Stepping inside the shack, she was greeted by a suffocating stillness, the air thick with the stale, musty scent of disuse. She wrinkled her nose and paused, listening for any sound beyond the faint rustle of leaves and her own shallow breathing. Satisfied that she was alone, she pushed the door shut, the crooked wood creaking loudly in protest.
The dim interior offered little comfort. A broken table leaned precariously against one wall, flanked by a pair of rickety chairs that looked ready to collapse under the slightest weight. Debris littered the floor.. shards of glass, scraps of fabric, and an overturned tin that clanged softly when her boot brushed against it. "It's better than nothing," she whispered to herself, the sound of her own voice strange and hollow in the emptiness.
Kelly began to rummage through the space. The effort gave her something to focus on, something other than the gnawing ache in her chest and the relentless reel of memories that threatened to drag her under. Pushing aside a pile of rotting wood in the corner, she uncovered a small blanket. It was frayed at the edges and reeked of mildew, but it was mostly intact. She ran her fingers over the coarse fabric, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"Good enough," she muttered, draping it over her arm.
Her search continued, a rusty canteen rolled out from beneath the table, its lid barely hanging on but still functional. She shook it, hearing a faint slosh of water inside.
"Please don't be bad," she murmured, twisting the lid off and sniffing cautiously. The smell was metallic but not rancid. She took a tentative sip, grimacing at the bitter taste but forcing herself to swallow.
Satisfied for the moment, Kelly sank onto the floor, her back pressing against the rough wooden wall. The blanket felt scratchy and cold as she wrapped it around herself, but it was enough to ward off the worst of the chill. The canteen rested in her lap, her fingers curling tightly around it as though it might vanish if she let go. Her body felt heavy, the adrenaline that had fueled her escape draining away and leaving only exhaustion in its wake. She leaned her head back, staring at the sagging ceiling.
"Charlie.." she whispered, the name slipping out unbidden. Her throat tightened, and she clenched her jaw, shaking her head as if the motion could push the grief aside.
"You're stronger than this." The words echoed in her mind, a distant memory of Gordon's gruff voice during one of their training sessions.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Guess I didn't learn enough, huh?" Kelly said aloud, her voice cracking. "If I had.. maybe.."
Kelly trailed off, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she squeezed them shut, willing them away.
"No crying," Kelly muttered. "Crying never saved anyone."
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Kelly sat in the silence, her mind a jumble of fractured thoughts and emotions. Her fingers tightened their grip on the canteen, the cold metal biting into her palm. Her gaze drifted to the window, where the faintest light of dusk filtered through the grime-streaked glass.
Kelly exhaled slowly and her eyes fluttered shut, her body sagging further against the wall.
-_-_-
The distant sound of voices jolted Kelly awake. Her eyes snapped open, her body tense as the musty interior of the shack came into focus. For a moment, she wondered if she was still dreaming, but the sharp tone of a man's voice cut through her grogginess. Her heart hammered in her chest as she strained to listen, clutching the blanket tightly around her.
The words were muffled, but they were growing louder, closer. Her breath hitched as she caught a familiar voice.. Axel. "Briggs isn't going to like this," Axel growled, his words clear now. "We didn't come out here to babysit your problems, Joseph."
The second voice, softer but edged with frustration, answered, "I told you, I'm only here to find my son. That was the deal. I didn't sign up for this bloodbath, Axel."
"Bloodbath?" Jason snapped. "The old man was an accident. He stepped out at the wrong time-"
"You shot him in the chest!" Joseph interrupted, his voice rising. "There was nothing accidental about that."
Kelly's fingers dug into the coarse fabric of the blanket as she fought to steady her breathing. Every word they spoke seemed to cut deeper into her, the weight of Gordon and Charlie's deaths crashing over her anew.
"He would've gotten in the way." Axel intervened. "As for the woman, she deserved it. You saw what she did to Carter. If she hadn't fought back, maybe she'd still be alive."
Joseph let out a long, weary sigh. "She was protecting the girl. What did you expect her to do? Stand there and watch?"
"You don't have to like it," Axel said coldly. "But you knew what you were getting into when you joined the Citadel. This isn't a charity, Joseph. You want resources? You do what needs to be done."
Joseph's voice softened, almost pleading. "I came here for my son. Not this."
There was a pause, then the crunch of footsteps on the wet ground. They were close now. "You need to get your priorities straight," Axel said, his voice dripping with disdain. "If you can't stomach this, go check the shack. Alone."
"I'll do it. Just... give me a moment."
Axel scoffed. "Fine. But don't screw this up. We'll be out here."
The crunch of boots on damp leaves drew nearer, and Kelly instinctively crawled under the broken table, pulling her knees to her chest. The shack's door creaked open, the sound splitting the silence like a blade. Kelly froze, her heart pounding so loudly she feared it would give her away.
Joseph stepped inside, he moved slowly. The stale air seemed to thicken as his eyes roamed over the broken furniture and scattered debris. Kelly's heart stopped as his gaze landed on the table.
For a moment, he stood still, his boots planted firmly on the floor. Then, he crouched slightly, tilting his head just enough for their eyes to meet.
Joseph raised a finger to his lips, a quiet plea for silence. Kelly's throat tightened, but she nodded ever so slightly, clutching the blanket tighter as if it could shield her from everything.
Joseph straightened, his movements slow and deliberate. He turned on his heel and walked back to the door, pausing only to push it slightly open. "It's clear," he called out, his voice even.
From outside, Jason's voice cut through the tension. "You're sure? What about those tracks?"
Joseph stepped fully out of the shack, the door left slightly ajar. "Probably from days ago. Nobody's here now. If they were, they're long gone." His tone was final, brooking no argument.
There was a long silence, and Kelly could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she waited for Axel to respond.
"Fine," Axel said gruffly. "But if we come back and find you missed something.."
"You won't," Joseph interrupted, his words curt but calm. The sound of boots retreating through the underbrush made Kelly's breath hitch. The voices faded gradually.
The shack grew silent again, save for the faint rustle of leaves outside. Kelly remained curled under the table, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. She couldn't trust the quiet, not fully. What if Joseph had set a trap? What if Axel came back?
Minutes passed, maybe hours—it was hard to tell. Her muscles ached from staying in the same position, and her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Why had Joseph helped her? He could have dragged her out, handed her over to Axel, but he hadn't. The memory of his expression lingered in her mind. He hadn't looked cruel. But kindness didn't guarantee safety, not in this world.
-_-_-
Kelly stepped out of the decrepit shack, the early afternoon sunlight breaking through the dense trees. The cool air stung her skin, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and decay. Her breath clouded in front of her as she scanned the forest. Her eyes fell on the muddy footprints leading away from the shack.. three distinct sets of tracks pressed into the soil. Axel, Jason, and Joseph. A shiver ran through her at the thought of them circling back.
Without hesitation, she turned away, heading in the opposite direction. "Just keep going," she whispered under her breath, the sound of her voice barely audible, even to herself. It was a feeble attempt to push back the rising panic.
Hours seemed to pass, though it was impossible to track time in the shadowy forest. The sun, hidden by thick clouds, offered little sense of direction. Her legs ached, and her stomach churned with hunger, the rusty canteen she'd clung was empty. She swallowed the lump in her throat and pressed on. One step at a time, she told herself, Charlie's voice echoing faintly in her memory.
The thought of Charlie's sacrifice made her chest ache. Kelly squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image of flames licking at the cabin walls. The sound of Charlie's voice.. calm, resolute, urging her to run.. haunted her. You don't have time to cry, she thought, anger bubbling up beneath her grief. If you cry, you'll die.
Eventually, the thick trees began to thin, their looming trunks giving way to sparse clearings. Kelly's heart leapt at the sight of something different ahead.. the faint outline of rooftops. A small, town sat on the horizon. Relief washed over her like a wave, though it was tinged with wariness. The town was quiet, eerily so, and her sharp eyes scanned for any movement. Even so, the sight of the neighborhood's dilapidated buildings offered the promise of shelter.. and supplies.
She paused at the forest's edge, her breaths shallow. "You have to go in," she whispered to herself. "You can't stay out here." The words felt hollow, but they pushed her forward.
-_-_-
Kelly's stomach growled, the dull ache of hunger gnawing at her focus as she approached the row of crumbling houses from the back. She paused, her eyes scanning the area. Something moved at the far end of a yard, a flicker of motion near the sagging wooden fence. Her heart quickened, and she crouched, inching closer. The sight that greeted her froze her in place.. a boy, no older than seven or eight, his bright orange hair stark against the gray, rotting world. He was pressed against the wall of a shed, a battered baseball bat clutched in his trembling hands. Two walkers advanced on him, their low growls filling the air.
Kelly's fingers gripped the hilt of her knife as she debated her next move. She could leave. She should leave. Yet, as the boy let out a panicked whimper, her resolve faltered. "Dammit," she muttered under her breath, hating herself for what she was about to do.
Kelly moved swiftly, her boots silent on the damp ground. The first walker never saw her coming.. her knife plunged into its knee, it crumpled to the ground and then she stabbed the walker in the skull. The second turned, its decayed face twisting into a snarl. She kicked it knee, forcing it down before burying her blade deep into its temple. The walker slumped lifeless, and the backyard fell silent again, save for the boy's ragged breaths.
Kelly turned to him, wiping her knife on her pants. "You okay?"
The boy nodded shakily, his knuckles white around the bat. "Th.. thank you," he stammered, his voice trembling as much as his hands.
She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
His gaze dropped to the ground, his small frame shrinking even further. "I.. I got lost," he admitted, his words barely above a whisper.
Kelly sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. "Great," she muttered. "Just great."
The boy sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve as he glanced up at her. "I'm Justin," he offered timidly.
Kelly exhaled sharply, glancing at the house. "Listen, Justin, I don't have time for this. But if you follow me, keep quiet, and stay out of the way, maybe we can find something to eat. Deal?"
Justin nodded eagerly, clutching his bat. "Okay."
Kelly rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath as she headed toward the back door of the house.
The interior of the house was dim, the faint scent of mildew thick in the air, clinging to Kelly's nostrils as she stepped cautiously through the doorway. Kelly's sharp green eyes swept the room, noting the toppled furniture and scattered debris but also the eerie stillness that suggested the place had been left untouched.
Justin trailed behind her, his movements jittery and unsure. His orange hair was a disheveled mess, his bright green eyes darted nervously to every shadow. Justin's gaze locked onto a small family photo, the glass frame smeared with grime. Picking it up carefully, he brushed a sleeve across it to clear the dust.
"What are you doing?" Kelly hissed, keeping her voice low but firm. "We're not here to admire the decor."
Justin flinched, his expression softening further as he stared at the photo. "They look happy," he murmured, almost to himself. "Do you think they made it?"
"Does it matter?" Kelly shot back, harsher than intended. She softened only slightly when his shoulders slumped, but she quickly shook it off. "Go check the kitchen. See if there's anything we can use. Food, water, whatever. And be quiet about it." Justin gave a small, reluctant nod, setting the picture back on the table before shuffling off toward the kitchen. Kelly exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple.
Steeling herself, Kelly turned down the hallway, the wooden floor creaking beneath her boots. She peeked into a few rooms before stepping into a small bedroom. The space was cramped, with a twin bed pushed against one wall and a dresser opposite it. She moved quickly, rifling through the drawers, her hands brushing against clothes that had long since grown brittle with age. Most of it was useless, but she didn't stop until she found something worthwhile.. a battered backpack crammed into the back of the closet.
Kelly pulled it out, inspecting it briefly. The fabric was frayed, and one strap had a sizable tear. Slinging it over her shoulder, she turned to leave, her mind already on what else they needed to scavenge. As she walked back toward the kitchen, a loud crash made her freeze. Her heart leapt into her throat. She sprinted toward the sound, the backpack bumping against her back with each hurried step.
Bursting into the kitchen, Kelly found Justin standing in the middle of the room, his face flushed a deep red. A dented can of food lay at his feet, its contents spilled across the floor.
Kelly's frustration flared as she narrowed her eyes at the boy. "Where did you even find that?" she demanded, her voice sharp and cutting through the silence of the dilapidated kitchen.
Justin flinched at her tone, his hands twisting the hem of his shirt nervously. "It was... under the sink," he stammered, pointing toward the bottom cabinet. "I.. I was just reading the label, and it slipped. I didn't mean to "
"Great," she interrupted, her tone laced with exasperation. She crouched down and yanked the cabinet door open, her movements brusque. Inside, she spotted a small stash of canned goods, their labels faded but legible. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. It wasn't a treasure trove, but it was something—a few days' worth of food if she rationed it carefully.
Reaching for the cans, she began packing them into her battered new backpack, her movements quick and methodical. She paused, glancing at the boy who stood awkwardly nearby, shifting from foot to foot like a scolded puppy. His wide green eyes followed her hands as she worked.
Kelly set aside a few cans, pushing them toward him without looking up. "Here. Take these."
Justin blinked, surprised by the gesture. "You're… giving these to me?"
"Yeah, I am," Kelly confirmed curtly, zipping up her backpack. "Now don't make me regret it."
The boy picked up the cans hesitantly, his small hands fumbling to hold them all at once. He looked at her, his face a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Kelly slung the backpack over her shoulder and straightened, her gaze flicking toward the window. The afternoon light was fading, casting long shadows across the cracked tiles of the kitchen floor. She needed to move. Lingering too long in one place was a risk she couldn't afford.
"I guess… I guess you're leaving now," Justin said, his words tentative.
She nodded, her focus already shifting to the best route out of the neighborhood. "Yeah. I've got to keep moving."
"Can I.." Justin hesitated, his lips pressing together. "Can I come with you?"
Kelly froze, her hand hovering over the strap of her backpack. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay firm. "No,"
"But I can help!" he insisted. "I'm good with my hands! I can fix stuff, and I can-"
"No," she repeated, cutting him off. Her gaze was unwavering as she stared him down. "You need to find your own way."
The boy's shoulders sagged and he clutched the cans to his chest, his hair falling into his face as he looked down at the floor. "Okay," he said quietly, his voice trembling ever so slightly.
Kelly turned and walked toward the door, her boots scuffing against the worn tiles. As she stepped outside, the cool air hit her face, carrying the faint scent of rain-soaked earth. She glanced over her shoulder once, catching a glimpse of Justin standing alone in the dim kitchen, his small figure framed by the fading light. She turned away, leaving him.