Open up, Survivors Inside

Chapter 6

It seemed like Larry's opinion of Puffer had drastically decreased. The week before Puffer's immunity had been revealed, Larry tended to either ignore or avoid Puffer. But now? Puffer swore the older man was trying to instigate a fight every chance he got. It was getting on Puffer's nerves, to the point that he was starting to become tempted in leaving the group and setting out for Florida on his own. But of course, that would be a death sentence. It had been three months since he was bitten, and the true damage to his ankle had been revealed.

The nerves in his ankle had weakened, causing him to not feel much there, or even be able to move it much. He could still walk, but it put a lot of pressure on his joint. This would result in excruciating pain. It was a good thing Lee had let Puffer keep the cane, as now he actually needed it. Still, Puffer refuse to just sit around and do nothing. A month after the bite, Kenny, Lilly, and Lee had brought back a surviver named Mark, who had plenty of supplies to share.

That was really the last time those three worked together. Now, there was a power struggle between Kenny and Lilly. Which is why Puffer jumped at the opportunity to go hunting with Kenny, Lee, and Mark. While the weaponry supplies hadn't run out, the food was starting to. It had been a few days since Puffer ate last, and he was itching to get something.

While Mark and Lee went one way, Puffer went with Kenny. He wouldn't be able to handle a firearm until he was more comfortable with walking with a cane, but Puffer could still carry some of the food back. It also helped that there was some native fruit, such as beauty berries and pawpaw fruit, scattered in the forest. He made sure to grab what he could, as foraging would be a needed skill. "What I wouldn't give to find a creek," Kenny sighed as the two walked, "I can probably catch some fish by hand."

"Aren't fish fast?" Puffer asked.

"Some are, but some have a slow reaction time," Kenny replied. The two continued walking until a shout could be heard. The two looked at one another before racing to where the sound came from. When the two made it, the source was easy to find. Two high schoolers stood beside their teacher, who had been caught in a bear trap. Ouch.

"Get it off! Get it off!" The teacher begged, clutching his leg that was trapped, "God damnit get it off me!"

"Travis, maybe they can help!" The dirty blonde teen suggested.

"These might be the same guys that our camp!" Travis, a black haired teen, said as he tried to stay calm, "And we barely got away from that!"

"Who raised your camp?!" Lee questioned. There were bandits in the area? Just what the group needed.

"I-I don't know! Guys with guns!" The dirty blonde teen answered.

"Please, we won't bother you, I swear!" Travis added, and Puffer could see how terrified the two were.

"This is fucked up, we gotta help them!" Mark said.

"Please!" The dirty blonde teen begged.

"Ben, shut up!" Travis hissed a bit under his breath, "My dad was Special Forces, I know what I'm doing!"

But Ben ignored him and continued, "Just see if you can get him out! After that you can leave us or whatever, I don't care!"

Mark knelt down and took a look, then his eyes widened, "The trap's been altered! There's no release hatch!"

Puffer looked up, spitting some walkers approaching, "Shit! You two, behind me NOW!" Puffer snapped, practically dragging Travis and Ben behind him and Kenny, "Can we smash the bear trap?"

Kenny aimed his gun, and took a few shots. Lee tried to break the chain, but it didn't budge. There was only one option left. While Lee began to chop the leg off, Puffer kept the teens from watching. The blood loss caused their teacher to pass out, and Travis looked ready to puke. "If he's alive, grab him and let's go!" Kenny shouted, the walkers getting closer.

"Come on! Go, go!" Puffer said, moving Travis and Ben back further as Mark got the teacher over his shoulders. Everyone ran for it, with Lee racing ahead to alert the others to their return. They got food and more people, amazing.

"Open the gates! We got wounded!" Lee shouted as soon as the motel came into view. The rest of the hunting group ran out as Lee pushed the gate open, with Doug looking away from an alarm system he was setting up.

Ben and Travis ran in first with Puffer right behind. Katjaa helped Mark place the injured teacher on the bed of the truck so she could take a look. "What the hell?!" Lilly snapped, "You can't just be bringing new people here! What are you thinking?!"

"He would have died if we left him!" Lee tried to explain.

"There's bear traps out there with no release hatch!" Puffer added, "He got caught in one, nothing could be done but to cut his leg off!"

"Who is putting out broken traps?" Doug questioned.

"Well hang on," Carley started, "We haven't even talked to these people yet! Maybe they can be helpful!"

"I know how to use a gun," Travis quickly said, "My dad was special forces, he made sure I could handle it on my own."

"Come on, Lilly," Mark started, "These are people, people trying to survive just like us. We've gotta stick together!"

"The only reason you're here is because you had food, enough for all of us," Lilly snapped back, "But that food is almost gone. We have maybe a week's worth left, and I don't suppose you guys are carrying groceries."

"No..." Ben mumbled.

"All of our supplies were stolen," Travis frowned.

"Fine, you guys fight it out then," Mark grumbled, sighing, "Welcome to the family, kids." As he walked away, Puffer was ready to tune this argument out as well. When Puffer saw Clementine lead Ben and Travis away from the argument, Puffer followed. He didn't know who to look to for leadership when Lilly and Kenny were constantly bickering.