The Walking Dead: Love And Survive

Chapter Four: Going Home, As A Family

The streets were indeed too calm and empty. We haven't seen any Walkers, at least not alive. Pete walked to one of the corpses and poked it with his rifle's barrel.
- Ah.. Fulla holes... - he turned to us shockingly and worried.
- This ain't right.. - Nick whispered. - Someone was here before.
- But who? We haven't seen anyone, nor heard shots.
- I don't know, babe.. But whoever did this.. - Alvin interrupted Rebecca.
- We know damn well who did this. - Carlos said. - There is only one person to do such clean work.
- Oh my god...
- Don't worry, Bec. We will make it.
- I'm just worried about our baby.
- We just have to stay away from big cities and clean fields. We have to hold onto forests and small towns. Less chance of Carver showing up. We will be fine.
- Brian's right. - agreed Alvin.
- But.. What if we are being stalked and followed?
- Ah.. Niece, you got a point.
- People, don't make unnecessary scenarios. We made it out before, we gonna make it out now. Come on, move. - Pete waved.
I didn't want to admit, but I was scared. I was scared of who - and however Carver was. According to Carlos' description he seemed like a person to do ANYTHING to hurt us. He did not care about lives, he did not care about emotions, only about himself and his goals, for which he would do pretty much whatever.
I've had a bad feeling about us being followed. I turned around every corner to see if someone was actually after us, but seemed not. I was getting paranoid. I've tried to believe only exhaust was speaking or my tiredness or only the cold winds and darkness played on my nerves, but I couldn't. I knew my senses were always right. We were in danger, although I could never explain what or how. I just knew we were...I've kept feeling nervous all the time and my hands were shaky. I was freezing but not because of the cold...
- Darling.. You've been quite all the time.. Is there something bothering you?
- Actually, Nick .. I feel like we are being followed. Someone is after us. And I think it's Carver.
- If Carver was near we would already know about it, trust me.
- But.. Pete I swear I -
- You are scared. You are afraid. It is okay to feel, but do not let that control your mind. You will make unnecessary rush decisions, that will get you or us behind. - he sighed. - But, yeah.. It is indeed weird that Walkers didn't show up until now... Just, keep a clean mind, okay, girl?
- Yes, Pete... - I nodded.
- PETE. LOOK.! - Luke pointed towards a huge building.
- Hmmph.. Looks like some sorta market. We could make a search in there. Good one, Luke.
We headed there.
- Nick, love.
- Tell me, hon.
- I don't feel well...
- What is it?
- I hate feeling scared and afraid. I hate feeling that I'm vulnerable. I don't like the feeling of weakness...
- You ain't weak. Trust me, I get the chills, too when it comes to Carver.
- You are scared or worried?
- Not for myself.. I do not want Rebecca's baby or you to experience how is it.. I don't want anyone to get back there. If I have a choice, I am gonna give myself up, so you all can stay safe.
- Nick.. You can't. We are -
- You are more important. I made up my mind.
- But.. You cannot always ignore your own sake.
- I want to know you and the others in safety, and if that was the only way.. Then it would just fine by me.
As he finished his last word Pete stopped us. We reached to the old store. The walls were a little manhandled and some windows were broken, but it did not seem really ran down. We peeked in through the windows. There were some stuff left. Food, Water and other supplies to come handy.
Brian was the one to go in at first, we covered him. He looked and gave us the signal to follow.
- Come one, guys. It's all clear. But be quick and quite, there might be Walkers nearby.
Alvin, Brian, Sarah and Rebecca filled Sarah's backpack with the food and water they found. They got all kinds of cans, beans, tomatoes, peaches and some fish cans, although just a fewer. Carlos and Pete took a look around the medical supplies. They got Hydrogen Peroxide, some more antibiotics and painkillers, pills against fever and infection and a small dose of morphine. I was covering up the place for other useful tools, meanwhile Nick and Luke stood guards at the front door. I found nothing useful other than a screwdriver and a small, handy-hatchet. And a storage that was barricaded with two shelves. I didn't know why would someone have a reason to hide something, exactly here, as much I knew, it was no little secret. Something serious they didn't want anyone to know.. But what and why?
I wanted to get in, but I was too weak to move the shelves. I've been thinking a while 'til I finally found a little opening between the shelves I could crawl in through. It would have been too easy if I just had to open the door. It was locked. I used the screwdriver to strain the lock down and prepared my gun, in case it was needed. As I opened the door I got shocked. The first thing I saw were two corpses on the ground.. One of them had a table flipped on his body.. The floor was covered in blood and papers were laying on the floor all over...
It might have been an administration office for the market once.. But.. It was all messy now... Someone might have tried to hide here, but.. That did not work. I've felt sorry for whoever had to end like this.. The table must have flipped and fallen on him, as he was fighting with the Walker and he could not get out of it, then.. He got bit... I was just staring at the bodies and feeling glad it was not me, when I heard Nick.
- SHIT, LURKERS! - and some other shots followed his voice.
I ran out of the office and wanted to get back to them, but my foot got grabbed and I fell. I looked behind and it was one of the Walkers. I tried to get my knife, hatchet or gun, but I dropped all as I fell. They were too far and the Walker was getting too close. I could not get him off me, I tried to push him down, but he was too heavy. The only way out was smashing its head to the wall until the Walker passed out. I've get my stuff back as fast as I could have and got back to the others. They all seemed fine. There were only a few killed Walkers. Nick turned to me and his eyes widened.
- Babe!
- I'm fine. Really, I'm fine.
- What happened? Your clothes...
I looked down. My pants and T-Shirt had some blood on it.
- It's not mine. I found a storage, with Walkers and blood all around the floor.
- Thank God... - he hugged tight.
- It's okay.. It was close, but it's okay... How you guys are doing? I heard your yell.
- Just a fewer of them, I worried they were more.. And the supplies, they got enough to hold out for few more days. You?
- Just this. Take it. - I gave him the hatchet. - And a screwdriver. The others were luckier... - I crossed my arms and looked away.
- Hey.. What is it?
- I got grabbed.. Again...
- You are out now. And I'm here, too.
- Yeah, but. I feel so dumb. I cannot even take care of my ownself.
- Babe, you said that there was not only of them.
- Yeah...
- What happened anyways?
- One got on me, the other was stuck under a table. I could not push him down off me, so I smashed his head to the wall until he passed out, collected my things and.. Here I am now.
- See. You are tough. - he kissed. - C'mon. I know you are feeling better. - he tickled.
- Fine, you won. - I laughed.
- Once you guys finished smooching we should go.
- Okay, uncle Brian.
- Let me lead you home. - we heard a deep, scratchy voice from behind. It was a man. He was wearing a long brown coat and had a flattery moustache.
- CARVER! - Bec yelled.
- Rebecca, how's our baby?
- Fuck you, Bill.
- Heh. - he grinned.
- Hey, man you should watch your - Brian wanted to go against him, but three of Carver's men aimed at him with their AK 47s.
- Or rather you should. - Carver laughed. - For the two new faces and my baby.. Welcome my men. Troy, Johnny and Hank. Troy was about Nick's age, just a bit older. He also was a bit taller than Nick. He had brown eyes, just as all three of them, a beard similar to Luke's, just a bit longer, and a moustache. He was wearing millitary styled clothes. Johnny was a bit shorter than Brian, he had long, black hair and only a beard on his chin. He was wearing a knitted hat. Hank had a big beard and a cap. He was a big kind of guy. Fat and tall as Carver, who was nearly 1,90.
- Let me hold my baby. - He looked at Rebecca.
- Bill, no, please. - she cried.
Alvin looked madly at him.
- Don't you fucking dare to touch my family. - he yelled. Carver just groaned at him.
Sarah went behind Carlos' back and started crying, too. I was so afraid aswell. I cuddled to Nick and been shaking between his arms. I did not know what was going to happen. I worried everyone else's and my life, too. Three guys with AKs and who knows how many more there, whereever we were going. Carver looked through on us and laughed evilly.
- Take their things and tie 'em. We are going Home. As a Family. - he flashed his sinister grin.