If Lee Survived

Chapter 21: The Rescue

Clem

Soon after we went over the plan for rescuing Marlon and stopping the raiders, the sun went down and we started preparing to leave. AJ ran over to me throwing himself into my arms.

" Please, let me come with you. I know you think I can't protect you, but I can." He said looking up at me.

" AJ, it's too dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt." I sighed as I hugged him.

" I can do it, Mom. I'll be extra careful. I'll keep my eyes open, and stick close to you at all times. And we'll protect each other like we always do." He added causing me to chuckle.

I thought for a second before nodding. " Alright, AJ. But I mean it, stay close to me. I can't lose you. " I rubbed the top of his head.

" I love you mom." He said as he let me go with a smile.

" I love you too, goofball." I replied as the 9 of us left the school and made our way towards the boat. Once we reached The Delta, we watched as a walker roamed near the entrance ,only to be shot in the head.

As it dropped to the ground I grabbed it pulling the walker over to where we were hiding. " Okay... I mean, it's not like we don't get walker guts all over us when we fight them sometimes... Right?" Louis said looking over at me.

" Only the ones blending in with the walkers have to cover their selves. That means Dad, and Brody set the hay on fire, and Louis and Mitch, you guys get the supplies, bring them to this area untill you see us or until you get everything. Sarah, Kenny, Violet, AJ and I will blend in with the walkers and get to Marlon." I explained.

" uhm... I'm here." James cleared his throat from behind us. Brody turned around and jumped as she saw James.

" Oh... Oh my God." She gasped as she looked at him shocked.

" Guys, this is James. He's gonna help us. " I said stepping over to him.

" God, he really does look like a walker. And you lead them. That's pretty cool" Mitch said as he looked James up and down.

"How do you manage to not get killed walking around that way?" Violet questioned.

" Uhm I... I try to stay away from the living. And as long as I stay quiet and move as they do, I'm always safe." James replied.

" That sounds kinda scary, but I guess it's also cool in a way. Not being eaten by walkers because you walk with them. " Louis pointed out causing James to nod.

" It's not hard. As long as I'm wearing my mask, everything's okay." James explained before glancing over at me.

" Can we talk? In private?" He asked me.

Sarah narrowed her eyes at him as I replied. " Yeah, sure." I nodded as he walked away. I turned back to the others.

" I'm gonna go talk to James, You help get everyone ,who's blending in with the walkers, covered. I'll be right back." I spoke looking at Lee, Kenny, Sarah, and AJ

Sarah nodded as I turned following James away from them. " The walkers will be here in a little while, You can join them as they pass through the trees. The noise from the boat will draw them towards the water. " He explained.

I nodded. " Good, then we can get on board and save our friend. "

James was silent for a second before he spoke again. " Your friends are... Different. Open-minded. Accepting. Maybe one day You, Lee, Sarah and AJ will be the same." He said causing me to frown.