Post by Master Psychic on Dec 14, 2013 12:51:16 GMT
Part 5
Omid nodded. “What do you want to do first?” he asked.
“We should wait until dawn before we leave. Don’t want to get stuck out there in the dark”
“Good idea” Omid commented.
“I’ll go inform the others I guess” Kenny murmured and exited the front of train. As he entered the train cart he was greeted by the sleepy voice of Clementine.
“What’s going on?” she asked worryingly “Is something wrong with the train?”
“Yeah what is going on?” Bradley repeated Clementine’s question, his voice thick and tired.
Kenny let out a shaky sigh and then answered “We ran out of fuel, so the only choice we have is to leave the train and continue on foot.”
“Shit….” Bradley cursed lightly, his voice trailed off. “Swear” Clementine muttered.
“Sorry” Bradley replied.
Christa was silent for a moment. “What do you suppose we do?” she asked, folding her arms.
“Collect up all our supplies. Once dawn comes we have to go” he responded.
“Ok. I’ll empty some of Chuck’s boxes so it will be easier to carry” Christa said. “I’ll help you” Clementine said kindly, and handed Christa back her jacket. “Thank you Clementine”.
“I’ll go scout around the train. See what I can find”
“I’ll help” Bradley piped up as he uneasily got to his feet. “I don’t know Bradley….” Kenny mumbled, unsure about the kid’s health.
“I’m fine I-” he paused to breath “I can help” he continued. “Alright then Brad, if you want, I’d rather lie down on that bed and rest if I were you”
“It’s Bradley. I don’t like being called Brad, and I have done enough resting”
“Whatever Brad, lets go” Kenny said, exiting the train cart and moving up towards the control room.
The pale moon was still high in the next sky, but a ray of sunshine was on the horizon, with a bright orange glow. However a harsh winter wind was still blowing, gripping the two with its icy hold.
Kenny embraced his own body heat, while Bradley zipped up his jacket, and walked some distance behind.
The first place he checked out was the engine cabinet. Bradley seemed to be hanging around him, constantly watching over his shoulder.
There was a selection of wrenches inside. One had been removed, probably by Lee when he had searched this place before. “They could be used as weapons” Bradley commented, trying to chip in.
He ignored Bradley’s comment and reached for the spike remover, and checked its weight. Bradley, who didn’t have much of a choice, grabbed the remaining wrench.
“Where are we going?” Bradley asked. “I don’t know yet Brad” Kenny responded. “I said don’t call me Brad” he told him, a hint of anger in his voice.
“Only my dad got to call me Brad” he murmured sadly and stared at nothing, avoiding eye contact.
“You miss him don’t you?” Kenny asked, although he already knew the answer, he two had lost a lot of people he cared about. Everyone had.
“Every day” Bradley replied.
He nodded. “I know how you feel Brad- Bradley” he responded and then paused for a moment. “Where do you want to go Bradley?”
“I don’t really know either. Maybe somewhere in the countryside, somewhere far away from the zombies”
“We call them walkers”
“‘Walkers’? Well ok…. I just want to be somewhere safe, I’m really sick of all this shit”
“Aren’t we all?”
Bradley nodded slowly. “Where to now?” he asked.
“We should go and check on how Clementine and Christa are doing, there isn’t much to do up here”
“Sure, whatever”
“Chuck had a lot of neat stuff” Clementine commented to Christa as Kenny and Bradley entered the train.
“Hi Kenny. Hi Bradley” she greeted, turning her head towards them. “Hi Clem, how you doing back here?” Kenny asked her.
“Good, we got most of our stuff packed up now”.
“We’re almost ready to go” Christa added, placing a few food tins into a cardboard box.
“How are you doing?” Clementine asked.
“We collected some wrenches from the engine cabinet” Bradley told her. “That’s…. good.” She responded.
“I’m gonna talk with Clementine for a bit Bradley, why don’t you help Christa” Kenny told him.
“On it” Bradley simply replied and walked over to Christa. Kenny knelt down to Clementine’s level and smiled gently. “How you doing, Clem?” he asked her concernedly and taking her to one side.
“I’m ok it’s just….” Her voice trailed off as she stared at the ground.
“Just what?”
“I don’t want to leave the train, I feel safe here, why should we leave, can’t just stay here like how Chuck did?”
“There isn’t a point of staying Clem, this place is too dangerous, we can’t fortify it to protect ourselves from walkers, its better off if we leave, find something better”
Clementine nodded slowly “Where are we supposed to go?” she asked.
“I don’t know yet but where would you like to go?”
“I just want to feel safe, that’s all…..”
“That’s what we all want Clem, to feel safe, but sometimes that just isn’t possible but we can try” he said nodding.
Kenny placed his hand on Clementine’s shoulder “I’m sure everything will be alright, we’ll figure something out, you’ll see” he told her, smiling.
“I hope so…” she murmured, lowering her head.
“Is there anything else bothering you?” he asked, concerned about the little girls well being.
Clementine paused for a moment, and then looked at Bradley, who was still helping Christa pack up. “Bradley doesn’t look so good”
Kenny turned his head to look at Bradley. The kid had been coughing a lot recently, complaining of pain in his chest, and the medication he’d been on hadn’t really helped him. But he was trying, the last few days he’d been wandering about and trying to help everyone. Suppose he was tired of lying around doing nothing, maybe he just wanted to earn his keep.
“He seems fine to me” he responded after watching Bradley for a brief moment.
“But he would be fine if I hadn’t shot him…. He wouldn’t be injured or hurt….” She sighed deeply. “It’s all my fault”
“No it’s not Clem” Kenny told her gently. “Yes it is…”
“No, its my fault Clem. I shouldn’t have given you that gun after everything you’ve been through. The last time you held a gun you used it too….” He didn’t finish his sentence as he could see she was upset.
“I don’t think I should use a gun again” Clementine said “I end up hurting people…” she murmured softly, her voice reduced to a whisper.
“Listen” he said taking her hands “You are good with a gun, Lee told me you were. You’re a good shot Clem, you just need to regain your confidence that’s all. Look, first chance I get I’ll take you on a shooting lesson, see how you do. I was wrong to give you a gun at such an early stage after you lost Lee, and I will make sure you will only handle one when you’re good and ready. That sound good?”
Clementine nodded. “Thank you Kenny” she smiled.
“No problem.” He told her, rising to his feet.
“Wait! There’s something else….”
“I’m listening”
“Last night I had a nightmare. I was back in the jewellery store…. In Savannah…. I was with Lee, only…. He was a walker” her voice was thick, and there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“He attacked me…. He- he” Clementine chocked up, a sob in her throat.
“Clem….” Kenny said gently. “Lee can’t be a walker, you made sure of that. It was just a bad dream, it wasn’t true. Lee isn’t a walker and he never will be, he’s sleeping peacefully now”
“I know it’s just…. He may not be a walker but he’s still dead, and he’s never coming back”
Kenny sighed deeply and scratched the back of his neck, pulling his fingers through his thick black hair. He wasn’t sure how to response to that. Not with words anyway.
He knelt down in front of Clementine and pulled her in close. Clementine at first wasn’t sure how to react, but then embraced him in a hug.
Kenny rubbed her back, just like he used to with Duck whenever he had a nightmare. Clementine wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged tighter.
“We’re ready to go” Christa told him from behind. Kenny pulled away from Clementine and stood up, but continued to hold her hand.
“Let’s move out then” he announced and exited the train cart. Everyone met outside, Omid came to join them after leaving the control room.
“Got everything” Omid asked as he joined them. “We’ve gathered up everything we have” Christa responded “And it isn’t much”.
Bradley was carrying a box which had their medical supplies in, along with the five bottles of water they had collected a while ago. Christa was carrying a box filled with food supplies.
“Do you mind if I put a few things in your bag, Clementine?” Christa asked the little girl. “No, I don’t mind”
Christa put a few energy bars into Clementine’s purple bag, which she was carrying on her shoulders. “Not too heavy is it?” Christa asked her once she’d done. “No, I can carry it all”.
“Ok sweetie, let me know if it gets too heavy” Christa told her with a smile. “Ok” Clementine said, nodding.
Kenny picked up his rifle, and then walked towards the train cart. He stared inside the open door for a brief moment. I lose the boat and now the train.... What am I suppose to do now?
He sighed deeply, pulling the door shut and putting an end to their journey on the machine. It had served its purpose and now would be left to rust… Just like the rest of the world.
He turned towards the group, and the glanced at the sunrise behind the line of trees, dawn forever approaching and a new day beginning.
“Lets go” he somewhat ordered, moving past the group and walking on ahead, along the endless tracks.
Daylight was burning, and Kenny had no fucking clue about where he was going. The only possible solution he could think of was to follow the tracks and just hope for the best.
Clementine had come to walk beside him, taking his hand and squeezing it every so often, to let him know she was still by his side.
Bradley had also come to walk next to him, while Christa and Omid were bringing up the rear.
Bradley’s face was strained, his back was slightly hunched over and he was having some difficulty carrying the box, although he was trying his best not to show how heavy it was, he was failing miserably to do so.
“I could carry it for you” Kenny suggested. “No it’s ok, I can do it” Bradley said determined, even though the task at hand wasn’t too hard. But still he seemed to be struggling.
“Its no trouble Bradley, really, you can carry my rifle and I’ll carry the box”
“I said I can do it” Bradley responded, somewhat forcefully.
The kid then dwelled on his words “Sorry I- I’m just fed up of people taking pity on me, I just want to do things by myself”
Kenny nodded slowly. “You want to help the group out, I get it”. “But you took a bullet to the chest Bradley, you shouldn’t be forcing your recovery just to help the group out”
“I know, I know. But these last few days I’ve been thinking, thinking about how you guys have helped me, and I’m really grateful for what you’ve all done for me, I just want to return the favour, you know?”
“Just take it easy then” Kenny told him.
“I will”
Maybe this is a good time to question the kid. See what assets he’s got. That’ll get Christa off my back and get the questioning out the way.
“So Bradley, can you shoot a gun?” he questioned the teenager.
“I can shoot a pistol but not one of those” he responded, gesturing to the rifle in Kenny’s hand.
“A hunting rifle?”
“Yeah I can’t shoot one of those, I never learned how”
“I could always teach you, not much different than shooting a pistol”
“He could come shooting practice with us!” Clementine piped up.
“Good idea Clem” Kenny told her.
“Shooting practice?” Bradley repeated Clementine’s words. “I’d like that”
The three of them paused in their conversation before Kenny spoke again “You got any medical problems, apart from your bullet wound?”
“I’m allergic wasp and bee stings” he replied.
“I’m sure we can deal with that”
“So do you-” “What’s with all the questions? Don’t you trust me?!” Bradley interrupted.
“It’s not that Bradley. We have to figure this stuff out, for the benefit of the group. Questioning you is the only way to find out more stuff about you, see if you’re a danger to us.”
“So I’m a danger now!” Bradley responded, his voice rising into a shout.
“No you’re not Bradley. I’m sorry it’s just something that needs to be done, and could you keep your voice down, you’ll attracted walkers”
Bradley sighed deeply. “Sorry, I-”
“Its ok, don’t sweat it. I’m the one who should be sorry”
The three of them were silent again. Bradley turned his head towards the line of trees, he shifted his hands on the box and gripped tighter.
“I’m making a drawing for you Kenny” Clementine told him with a smile.
“That’s real sweet of you Clem. What is it?”
“I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise”
“Oh ok”
“I’m going to make a picture for you too Bradley, to make you feel better” Clementine aimed her words at Bradley.
“Thanks Clem.” He responded with a smile.
“WALKERS!” Omid yelled from behind. Immediately the three of them were on high alter, scanning the area for any sign of the undead. Kenny saw nothing.
“IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE YOU SICK FUCK?!” Kenny yelled back and turning to face the young couple behind him.
Omid wasn’t joking. Instead he was pointing to the trees on the other side of the tracks, a large group of walkers emerging from the dense wood. Like a hungry pack of wolves they were on the hunt for human flesh, staggering across the train tracks towards them.
“INTO THE FOREST NOW!” Kenny ordered the group, turning and running towards the line of trees.
Omid and Christa entered the forest first, while Kenny, Clementine and Bradley trailed behind.
Bradley was coughing violently, he spat blood, and then suddenly tripped on an uneven rock, and came crashing to the ground, landing on the box of supplies which caused him to give out a pained gasp.
“Bradley!” Kenny yelled to the teenager who was lying face down, his violent coughing fit continuing. He was unable to stand and the walkers were hot on his tail.
He quickly turned to Clementine, the two of them still holding hands. Kenny closed his eyes and then let go of Clementine, running back towards Bradley.
He grabbed the teenager by his arm and yanked him up, the kid shrieked in surprise as Kenny shoved him forward “GO!” he yelled to Bradley.
With some difficulty Bradley ran, Kenny followed close behind in case he fell again. He met back up with Clementine who had waited for him, taking her hand he ran through the thick trees, breaking through bramble bushes, the thorns scratching at his body as he tore through the dense wood.
The three of them broke into a clearing, Bradley collapsed to the ground and coughed violently again, gasping for breath.
Omid and Christa were there too, Christa tended to Bradley immediately after he collapsed and sat him down on a fallen log. “Did we lose ‘em” Kenny asked Omid.
“Think so” Omid replied. “Is he ok?” he asked, looking at Bradley. “He started coughing and then he fell, I had to go back for him”
“What do you think wrong?” Omid asked.
“He’s still recovering from that bullet wound, but I don’t really know”
“He needs a doctor” Omid commented.
“Well we don’t have a doctor, so what do you suppose we do with him?”
Omid just shrugged, and Kenny rolled his eyes and sighed irritably. “Could you go guard the entrance of the clearing for a bit, make sure none of the walkers followed us, I’ll switch with you later” he told Omid.
“Sure” Omid replied. “I only have one bullet though”
“Well just shout if you need me”
Omid gave Kenny the thumbs up and then walked over to the entrance. Christa came over to Kenny “We should rest here for a bit, Bradley needs to gather his strength before we keep moving.” She told him.
“Ok then. We’ll set up camp here and then keep going once he’s ready”
Christa nodded. “I gave him some water, he’s in a lot of pain, and I suggest that you sit with him”
“Sure, whatever. Me and Clem will keep him company” Kenny replied and walked over to the fallen log where Bradley was resting. Clementine was already there, as he approached she shifted to one side so he could sit in between the two.
Christa nestled down in the damp autumn leaves by the boxes of supplies.
Bradley wheezed as he breathed, his chest rattling, and constantly letting out a shaky sigh. He was deathly pale, he seemed so fragile, and just one touch could cause him to shatter into pieces. His skin could burn at the touch, maybe even tare away from his flesh.
He was currently holding his head in his hands, his head lowered to the ground and his face covered. He let out a pained groaned, his throat hoarse.
Kenny picked up the half empty bottle of water and held it out to him “Want some more water?” he asked Bradley.
Bradley shook his head in response. Kenny aimed for the supply box and tossed the bottle towards it, only to have it bounce off the edge and roll along the ground.
“That was a terrible throw” Bradley commented, lifting his head.
“Like you could do any better” Kenny replied smugly.
Christa let out and aggregated sigh “You could always just stand up and walk over to put the bottle in the box like any normal person” she scolded, picking up the bottle and placing it inside.
“Actually I could” Bradley told Kenny.
“Really?” he asked, and ignoring Christa’s scolding.
“Yeah if I-” he stopped to take a shaky breath “-I had my baseball with me I could show you what I can do”
“Well if I ever find a ball I’ll play catch with you sometime”
“I’d like to play catch too” Clementine spoke up.
Kenny glanced over her shoulder to see she was drawing something. Could it be the picture she was making for him?
“Hey no peeking!” she scolded, covering the picture with her hands.
Kenny grinned and turned away for a brief moment and then gave the picture another quick glance.
“Stop it!”
He laughed in a teasing manner and pushed her hat down over her eyes. Clementine laughed and adjusted her hat again.
Sadly there laughter was cut short, as Bradley coughed violently again, he quickly turned round and vomited over the side of the log, sick spewing out of his mouth and splashing on the ground. There a crimson red liquid in his sick.
“You ok?” Kenny asked him concerned.
“Yeah I-” he coughed again “-I’m ok” Bradley replied, wiping the sick away from his mouth on his shelve. Christa handed him back the bottle of water which he took gratefully.
Clementine stared sadly at the teenager, the guilt of shooting him still eating away at her mind.
Omid came over, prepared to switch places with Kenny. “I’ll switch back with you later” Omid said as Kenny stood up.
Omid didn’t sit down on the log, instead he rejoined his girlfriend and sat down on the forest floor.
Kenny wandered over to the entrance of the clearing and stared through the dense trees. The forest was quiet, not even the sounds of wildlife could be heard. No bird song, no woodpeckers…. Nothing. Silence.
He lifted his head and felt the fresh breeze rush past him. He felt the bright rays of sunlight shining through the twisted branches, and remaining crisp golden, brown leaves.
BANG
A gunshot suddenly rang out. The bullet which was fired skimmed the tree next to him, narrowly missing him.
“SHIT!” he yelled in surprised, startled by the unseen attack. He squinted his eyes to try and see where the gunshot had come from. And that’s when he saw it. A dark shadowy figured was hidden behind one of the bushes.
As soon as he caught sight of this mysterious attacker, the dark figure ran through the trees along a forest trail.
Burning with rage he drew his gun and sprinted after the dark figure. He could hear the sounds of the group calling from behind but he ignored them.
It wasn’t long until he was on there tail, whoever this person was they were a fast runner, but somehow he’d managed to catch up.
The stranger ran through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and keeping up speed. At this rate he was going to lose him.
Kenny aimed his gun at the stranger and fired. The bullet skimmed the persons right ear, the stranger immediately stopped, groaning in pain and clutching there injury.
He drew closer, as he did so the stranger pulled up a hood over their head and swung round, hitting Kenny across the face with a pistol.
Unbalanced Kenny swung his fist towards his attacker, who ducked and then punched him in the gut, right where his bullet wound was. Wincing in pain, he took out the spike remover and tried to smash it over the guys head.
The mysterious attacker ducked again, and then upper cut there fist to his chin. Kenny staggered back, he was out matched by this stranger. The person swung there leg round and swept Kenny’s legs from underneath him, causing him to collide with the ground.
The mysterious attacker stared at him from underneath there hood. Kenny’s vision blurred as he desperately tried to focus on the person standing over him.
His heart was bounding, his head throbbing, he watched as the attacker picked up the wrench and brought it down upon Kenny’s head….
Omid nodded. “What do you want to do first?” he asked.
“We should wait until dawn before we leave. Don’t want to get stuck out there in the dark”
“Good idea” Omid commented.
“I’ll go inform the others I guess” Kenny murmured and exited the front of train. As he entered the train cart he was greeted by the sleepy voice of Clementine.
“What’s going on?” she asked worryingly “Is something wrong with the train?”
“Yeah what is going on?” Bradley repeated Clementine’s question, his voice thick and tired.
Kenny let out a shaky sigh and then answered “We ran out of fuel, so the only choice we have is to leave the train and continue on foot.”
“Shit….” Bradley cursed lightly, his voice trailed off. “Swear” Clementine muttered.
“Sorry” Bradley replied.
Christa was silent for a moment. “What do you suppose we do?” she asked, folding her arms.
“Collect up all our supplies. Once dawn comes we have to go” he responded.
“Ok. I’ll empty some of Chuck’s boxes so it will be easier to carry” Christa said. “I’ll help you” Clementine said kindly, and handed Christa back her jacket. “Thank you Clementine”.
“I’ll go scout around the train. See what I can find”
“I’ll help” Bradley piped up as he uneasily got to his feet. “I don’t know Bradley….” Kenny mumbled, unsure about the kid’s health.
“I’m fine I-” he paused to breath “I can help” he continued. “Alright then Brad, if you want, I’d rather lie down on that bed and rest if I were you”
“It’s Bradley. I don’t like being called Brad, and I have done enough resting”
“Whatever Brad, lets go” Kenny said, exiting the train cart and moving up towards the control room.
The pale moon was still high in the next sky, but a ray of sunshine was on the horizon, with a bright orange glow. However a harsh winter wind was still blowing, gripping the two with its icy hold.
Kenny embraced his own body heat, while Bradley zipped up his jacket, and walked some distance behind.
The first place he checked out was the engine cabinet. Bradley seemed to be hanging around him, constantly watching over his shoulder.
There was a selection of wrenches inside. One had been removed, probably by Lee when he had searched this place before. “They could be used as weapons” Bradley commented, trying to chip in.
He ignored Bradley’s comment and reached for the spike remover, and checked its weight. Bradley, who didn’t have much of a choice, grabbed the remaining wrench.
“Where are we going?” Bradley asked. “I don’t know yet Brad” Kenny responded. “I said don’t call me Brad” he told him, a hint of anger in his voice.
“Only my dad got to call me Brad” he murmured sadly and stared at nothing, avoiding eye contact.
“You miss him don’t you?” Kenny asked, although he already knew the answer, he two had lost a lot of people he cared about. Everyone had.
“Every day” Bradley replied.
He nodded. “I know how you feel Brad- Bradley” he responded and then paused for a moment. “Where do you want to go Bradley?”
“I don’t really know either. Maybe somewhere in the countryside, somewhere far away from the zombies”
“We call them walkers”
“‘Walkers’? Well ok…. I just want to be somewhere safe, I’m really sick of all this shit”
“Aren’t we all?”
Bradley nodded slowly. “Where to now?” he asked.
“We should go and check on how Clementine and Christa are doing, there isn’t much to do up here”
“Sure, whatever”
“Chuck had a lot of neat stuff” Clementine commented to Christa as Kenny and Bradley entered the train.
“Hi Kenny. Hi Bradley” she greeted, turning her head towards them. “Hi Clem, how you doing back here?” Kenny asked her.
“Good, we got most of our stuff packed up now”.
“We’re almost ready to go” Christa added, placing a few food tins into a cardboard box.
“How are you doing?” Clementine asked.
“We collected some wrenches from the engine cabinet” Bradley told her. “That’s…. good.” She responded.
“I’m gonna talk with Clementine for a bit Bradley, why don’t you help Christa” Kenny told him.
“On it” Bradley simply replied and walked over to Christa. Kenny knelt down to Clementine’s level and smiled gently. “How you doing, Clem?” he asked her concernedly and taking her to one side.
“I’m ok it’s just….” Her voice trailed off as she stared at the ground.
“Just what?”
“I don’t want to leave the train, I feel safe here, why should we leave, can’t just stay here like how Chuck did?”
“There isn’t a point of staying Clem, this place is too dangerous, we can’t fortify it to protect ourselves from walkers, its better off if we leave, find something better”
Clementine nodded slowly “Where are we supposed to go?” she asked.
“I don’t know yet but where would you like to go?”
“I just want to feel safe, that’s all…..”
“That’s what we all want Clem, to feel safe, but sometimes that just isn’t possible but we can try” he said nodding.
Kenny placed his hand on Clementine’s shoulder “I’m sure everything will be alright, we’ll figure something out, you’ll see” he told her, smiling.
“I hope so…” she murmured, lowering her head.
“Is there anything else bothering you?” he asked, concerned about the little girls well being.
Clementine paused for a moment, and then looked at Bradley, who was still helping Christa pack up. “Bradley doesn’t look so good”
Kenny turned his head to look at Bradley. The kid had been coughing a lot recently, complaining of pain in his chest, and the medication he’d been on hadn’t really helped him. But he was trying, the last few days he’d been wandering about and trying to help everyone. Suppose he was tired of lying around doing nothing, maybe he just wanted to earn his keep.
“He seems fine to me” he responded after watching Bradley for a brief moment.
“But he would be fine if I hadn’t shot him…. He wouldn’t be injured or hurt….” She sighed deeply. “It’s all my fault”
“No it’s not Clem” Kenny told her gently. “Yes it is…”
“No, its my fault Clem. I shouldn’t have given you that gun after everything you’ve been through. The last time you held a gun you used it too….” He didn’t finish his sentence as he could see she was upset.
“I don’t think I should use a gun again” Clementine said “I end up hurting people…” she murmured softly, her voice reduced to a whisper.
“Listen” he said taking her hands “You are good with a gun, Lee told me you were. You’re a good shot Clem, you just need to regain your confidence that’s all. Look, first chance I get I’ll take you on a shooting lesson, see how you do. I was wrong to give you a gun at such an early stage after you lost Lee, and I will make sure you will only handle one when you’re good and ready. That sound good?”
Clementine nodded. “Thank you Kenny” she smiled.
“No problem.” He told her, rising to his feet.
“Wait! There’s something else….”
“I’m listening”
“Last night I had a nightmare. I was back in the jewellery store…. In Savannah…. I was with Lee, only…. He was a walker” her voice was thick, and there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“He attacked me…. He- he” Clementine chocked up, a sob in her throat.
“Clem….” Kenny said gently. “Lee can’t be a walker, you made sure of that. It was just a bad dream, it wasn’t true. Lee isn’t a walker and he never will be, he’s sleeping peacefully now”
“I know it’s just…. He may not be a walker but he’s still dead, and he’s never coming back”
Kenny sighed deeply and scratched the back of his neck, pulling his fingers through his thick black hair. He wasn’t sure how to response to that. Not with words anyway.
He knelt down in front of Clementine and pulled her in close. Clementine at first wasn’t sure how to react, but then embraced him in a hug.
Kenny rubbed her back, just like he used to with Duck whenever he had a nightmare. Clementine wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged tighter.
“We’re ready to go” Christa told him from behind. Kenny pulled away from Clementine and stood up, but continued to hold her hand.
“Let’s move out then” he announced and exited the train cart. Everyone met outside, Omid came to join them after leaving the control room.
“Got everything” Omid asked as he joined them. “We’ve gathered up everything we have” Christa responded “And it isn’t much”.
Bradley was carrying a box which had their medical supplies in, along with the five bottles of water they had collected a while ago. Christa was carrying a box filled with food supplies.
“Do you mind if I put a few things in your bag, Clementine?” Christa asked the little girl. “No, I don’t mind”
Christa put a few energy bars into Clementine’s purple bag, which she was carrying on her shoulders. “Not too heavy is it?” Christa asked her once she’d done. “No, I can carry it all”.
“Ok sweetie, let me know if it gets too heavy” Christa told her with a smile. “Ok” Clementine said, nodding.
Kenny picked up his rifle, and then walked towards the train cart. He stared inside the open door for a brief moment. I lose the boat and now the train.... What am I suppose to do now?
He sighed deeply, pulling the door shut and putting an end to their journey on the machine. It had served its purpose and now would be left to rust… Just like the rest of the world.
He turned towards the group, and the glanced at the sunrise behind the line of trees, dawn forever approaching and a new day beginning.
“Lets go” he somewhat ordered, moving past the group and walking on ahead, along the endless tracks.
Daylight was burning, and Kenny had no fucking clue about where he was going. The only possible solution he could think of was to follow the tracks and just hope for the best.
Clementine had come to walk beside him, taking his hand and squeezing it every so often, to let him know she was still by his side.
Bradley had also come to walk next to him, while Christa and Omid were bringing up the rear.
Bradley’s face was strained, his back was slightly hunched over and he was having some difficulty carrying the box, although he was trying his best not to show how heavy it was, he was failing miserably to do so.
“I could carry it for you” Kenny suggested. “No it’s ok, I can do it” Bradley said determined, even though the task at hand wasn’t too hard. But still he seemed to be struggling.
“Its no trouble Bradley, really, you can carry my rifle and I’ll carry the box”
“I said I can do it” Bradley responded, somewhat forcefully.
The kid then dwelled on his words “Sorry I- I’m just fed up of people taking pity on me, I just want to do things by myself”
Kenny nodded slowly. “You want to help the group out, I get it”. “But you took a bullet to the chest Bradley, you shouldn’t be forcing your recovery just to help the group out”
“I know, I know. But these last few days I’ve been thinking, thinking about how you guys have helped me, and I’m really grateful for what you’ve all done for me, I just want to return the favour, you know?”
“Just take it easy then” Kenny told him.
“I will”
Maybe this is a good time to question the kid. See what assets he’s got. That’ll get Christa off my back and get the questioning out the way.
“So Bradley, can you shoot a gun?” he questioned the teenager.
“I can shoot a pistol but not one of those” he responded, gesturing to the rifle in Kenny’s hand.
“A hunting rifle?”
“Yeah I can’t shoot one of those, I never learned how”
“I could always teach you, not much different than shooting a pistol”
“He could come shooting practice with us!” Clementine piped up.
“Good idea Clem” Kenny told her.
“Shooting practice?” Bradley repeated Clementine’s words. “I’d like that”
The three of them paused in their conversation before Kenny spoke again “You got any medical problems, apart from your bullet wound?”
“I’m allergic wasp and bee stings” he replied.
“I’m sure we can deal with that”
“So do you-” “What’s with all the questions? Don’t you trust me?!” Bradley interrupted.
“It’s not that Bradley. We have to figure this stuff out, for the benefit of the group. Questioning you is the only way to find out more stuff about you, see if you’re a danger to us.”
“So I’m a danger now!” Bradley responded, his voice rising into a shout.
“No you’re not Bradley. I’m sorry it’s just something that needs to be done, and could you keep your voice down, you’ll attracted walkers”
Bradley sighed deeply. “Sorry, I-”
“Its ok, don’t sweat it. I’m the one who should be sorry”
The three of them were silent again. Bradley turned his head towards the line of trees, he shifted his hands on the box and gripped tighter.
“I’m making a drawing for you Kenny” Clementine told him with a smile.
“That’s real sweet of you Clem. What is it?”
“I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise”
“Oh ok”
“I’m going to make a picture for you too Bradley, to make you feel better” Clementine aimed her words at Bradley.
“Thanks Clem.” He responded with a smile.
“WALKERS!” Omid yelled from behind. Immediately the three of them were on high alter, scanning the area for any sign of the undead. Kenny saw nothing.
“IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE YOU SICK FUCK?!” Kenny yelled back and turning to face the young couple behind him.
Omid wasn’t joking. Instead he was pointing to the trees on the other side of the tracks, a large group of walkers emerging from the dense wood. Like a hungry pack of wolves they were on the hunt for human flesh, staggering across the train tracks towards them.
“INTO THE FOREST NOW!” Kenny ordered the group, turning and running towards the line of trees.
Omid and Christa entered the forest first, while Kenny, Clementine and Bradley trailed behind.
Bradley was coughing violently, he spat blood, and then suddenly tripped on an uneven rock, and came crashing to the ground, landing on the box of supplies which caused him to give out a pained gasp.
“Bradley!” Kenny yelled to the teenager who was lying face down, his violent coughing fit continuing. He was unable to stand and the walkers were hot on his tail.
He quickly turned to Clementine, the two of them still holding hands. Kenny closed his eyes and then let go of Clementine, running back towards Bradley.
He grabbed the teenager by his arm and yanked him up, the kid shrieked in surprise as Kenny shoved him forward “GO!” he yelled to Bradley.
With some difficulty Bradley ran, Kenny followed close behind in case he fell again. He met back up with Clementine who had waited for him, taking her hand he ran through the thick trees, breaking through bramble bushes, the thorns scratching at his body as he tore through the dense wood.
The three of them broke into a clearing, Bradley collapsed to the ground and coughed violently again, gasping for breath.
Omid and Christa were there too, Christa tended to Bradley immediately after he collapsed and sat him down on a fallen log. “Did we lose ‘em” Kenny asked Omid.
“Think so” Omid replied. “Is he ok?” he asked, looking at Bradley. “He started coughing and then he fell, I had to go back for him”
“What do you think wrong?” Omid asked.
“He’s still recovering from that bullet wound, but I don’t really know”
“He needs a doctor” Omid commented.
“Well we don’t have a doctor, so what do you suppose we do with him?”
Omid just shrugged, and Kenny rolled his eyes and sighed irritably. “Could you go guard the entrance of the clearing for a bit, make sure none of the walkers followed us, I’ll switch with you later” he told Omid.
“Sure” Omid replied. “I only have one bullet though”
“Well just shout if you need me”
Omid gave Kenny the thumbs up and then walked over to the entrance. Christa came over to Kenny “We should rest here for a bit, Bradley needs to gather his strength before we keep moving.” She told him.
“Ok then. We’ll set up camp here and then keep going once he’s ready”
Christa nodded. “I gave him some water, he’s in a lot of pain, and I suggest that you sit with him”
“Sure, whatever. Me and Clem will keep him company” Kenny replied and walked over to the fallen log where Bradley was resting. Clementine was already there, as he approached she shifted to one side so he could sit in between the two.
Christa nestled down in the damp autumn leaves by the boxes of supplies.
Bradley wheezed as he breathed, his chest rattling, and constantly letting out a shaky sigh. He was deathly pale, he seemed so fragile, and just one touch could cause him to shatter into pieces. His skin could burn at the touch, maybe even tare away from his flesh.
He was currently holding his head in his hands, his head lowered to the ground and his face covered. He let out a pained groaned, his throat hoarse.
Kenny picked up the half empty bottle of water and held it out to him “Want some more water?” he asked Bradley.
Bradley shook his head in response. Kenny aimed for the supply box and tossed the bottle towards it, only to have it bounce off the edge and roll along the ground.
“That was a terrible throw” Bradley commented, lifting his head.
“Like you could do any better” Kenny replied smugly.
Christa let out and aggregated sigh “You could always just stand up and walk over to put the bottle in the box like any normal person” she scolded, picking up the bottle and placing it inside.
“Actually I could” Bradley told Kenny.
“Really?” he asked, and ignoring Christa’s scolding.
“Yeah if I-” he stopped to take a shaky breath “-I had my baseball with me I could show you what I can do”
“Well if I ever find a ball I’ll play catch with you sometime”
“I’d like to play catch too” Clementine spoke up.
Kenny glanced over her shoulder to see she was drawing something. Could it be the picture she was making for him?
“Hey no peeking!” she scolded, covering the picture with her hands.
Kenny grinned and turned away for a brief moment and then gave the picture another quick glance.
“Stop it!”
He laughed in a teasing manner and pushed her hat down over her eyes. Clementine laughed and adjusted her hat again.
Sadly there laughter was cut short, as Bradley coughed violently again, he quickly turned round and vomited over the side of the log, sick spewing out of his mouth and splashing on the ground. There a crimson red liquid in his sick.
“You ok?” Kenny asked him concerned.
“Yeah I-” he coughed again “-I’m ok” Bradley replied, wiping the sick away from his mouth on his shelve. Christa handed him back the bottle of water which he took gratefully.
Clementine stared sadly at the teenager, the guilt of shooting him still eating away at her mind.
Omid came over, prepared to switch places with Kenny. “I’ll switch back with you later” Omid said as Kenny stood up.
Omid didn’t sit down on the log, instead he rejoined his girlfriend and sat down on the forest floor.
Kenny wandered over to the entrance of the clearing and stared through the dense trees. The forest was quiet, not even the sounds of wildlife could be heard. No bird song, no woodpeckers…. Nothing. Silence.
He lifted his head and felt the fresh breeze rush past him. He felt the bright rays of sunlight shining through the twisted branches, and remaining crisp golden, brown leaves.
BANG
A gunshot suddenly rang out. The bullet which was fired skimmed the tree next to him, narrowly missing him.
“SHIT!” he yelled in surprised, startled by the unseen attack. He squinted his eyes to try and see where the gunshot had come from. And that’s when he saw it. A dark shadowy figured was hidden behind one of the bushes.
As soon as he caught sight of this mysterious attacker, the dark figure ran through the trees along a forest trail.
Burning with rage he drew his gun and sprinted after the dark figure. He could hear the sounds of the group calling from behind but he ignored them.
It wasn’t long until he was on there tail, whoever this person was they were a fast runner, but somehow he’d managed to catch up.
The stranger ran through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and keeping up speed. At this rate he was going to lose him.
Kenny aimed his gun at the stranger and fired. The bullet skimmed the persons right ear, the stranger immediately stopped, groaning in pain and clutching there injury.
He drew closer, as he did so the stranger pulled up a hood over their head and swung round, hitting Kenny across the face with a pistol.
Unbalanced Kenny swung his fist towards his attacker, who ducked and then punched him in the gut, right where his bullet wound was. Wincing in pain, he took out the spike remover and tried to smash it over the guys head.
The mysterious attacker ducked again, and then upper cut there fist to his chin. Kenny staggered back, he was out matched by this stranger. The person swung there leg round and swept Kenny’s legs from underneath him, causing him to collide with the ground.
The mysterious attacker stared at him from underneath there hood. Kenny’s vision blurred as he desperately tried to focus on the person standing over him.
His heart was bounding, his head throbbing, he watched as the attacker picked up the wrench and brought it down upon Kenny’s head….