Open up, Survivors Inside

Chapter 16

As soon as Puffer got down, the group looked over, although Ben looked ready to run. "Meet Omid and Christa," Puffer said.

When the group was silent, Omid rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Not big on welcomes..."

"Like I said, we've been through some shit," Puffer said, then he turned to the group, "We cut that tanker down, we can be on our way."

"Seems like plan enough to me," Kenny mumbled.

Puffer noticed a station up ahead, "A small group should go check that out-"

"Dibs," Travis said.

"I can go have a look as well," Lee added.

"I'll get to know the kids for a moment, if you don't mind," Christa said, and that was a good idea if the two ended up joining them.

"And why don't I show you how this thing works, in case something happens," Kenny said to Omid, his voice almost monotone. Puffer did not like the sound of that, and he worried Kenny was starting to spiral like Katjaa did.

"Really Ken?" Lee questioned.

"It's probably for the best," Kenny replied, heading into the train with Omid.

"And you should be resting up," Chuck said to Puffer, "I don't know the story behind that ankle of yours, but it don't look too good." Puffer hated that Chuck was right. There was more that needed to be done, but with how his ankle was doing, it was clear he had overworked the joint too much recently. Puffer gave a nod and headed back to the boxcar, hopping in and resting by the doors.

Having some time to himself to think, his thoughts slowly wandered back to his friends and family. A part of him hoped they were alive, but there was a growing dread in the back of his mind that they could be dead by now. Looking back to the group, he knew that this was the best thing he had right now. And who knows, maybe some day the virus that started this whole mess would be killed off after a few generations. Humanity would go back to normal, and everything this group went through would be nothing more than an echo of the past.

It was a nice thought to think, even it by then he would probably be dead from old age. Puffer winced when he moved his ankle a bit and got a better look. If he didn't know any better, he would say it was sprained due to how swollen it was. But he knew it wasn't sprained, as he could walk on it. Meanwhile, a sprained ankle usually refused to work at all, let alone let weight be pressed on it.

Puffer knew it would go down with rest, but it seemed like they were constantly on the move. At least when the tanker was out of the way, he wouldn't have to get back on the train as he was already on board. As he waited for something to happen, he noticed how the sun would be setting in a few hours. He was half tempted to take a nap, but soon a sense of dread filled him.

Confused, Puffer placed a hand on the floor of the boxcar. There was a subtle vibration, not very strong. Puffer moved to the left door, peaking out and getting a look around. At the train station, he could see Travis and Lee heading back, carrying a blowtorch. Clementine walked beside them, staying close to Lee. With that area clear, Puffer looked to the other side, back the way they came. Something could be seen in the distance, but it was way too far to properly see.

"Ben, you don't need glasses and mine are cracked, what do you see?" Puffer asked as Omid and Lee headed up the ladder.

Ben looked to where Puffer was, then he climbed up on the roof of the Boxcar to see better. Ben narrowed his eyes, then widened them once he got a proper view. "Guys...!" Ben called out, "There's something coming!" That is when Puffer heard the growls and he peaked back out. Holy shit, there was a giant herd of walkers heading right for them.

The train must have drawn them here, and now they were running out of time. "Get on!" Puffer called out, helping Elizabeth and Clementine get on board the boxcar. Travis ran over as Duck climbed back onto the train itself, with Chuck and Christa boarding last.

The tanker suddenly broke free, tipping over onto its side and off the track. "Kenny, go!" Lee shouted, and it wasn't long before the train began to move. As the tanker began to leak fuel, Lee kicked the blow torch down, letting it create a wall of dire that would hopefully cause some walkers to loose their ability to walk.

Puffer jumped a bit when he heard a thud, then a second one as well as Omid shouting as he tumbled off the roof of the boxcar, hitting the ground leg first. Ouch. "Shit!" Christa said as she hopped off, running to help Omid up. Lee managed to get back on board, and Puffer saw Omid struggling as Christa ran with him.

As soon as the two were close enough, Lee helped Christa up while Omid was practically tanked on board by Puffer, because he would be damned if anyone else was dying today. The train quickly began to build up speed, leaving the walker herd in the dust. "That...was a lot of them," Omid said as he caught his breath.

"Are you hurt...?" Clementine asked.

"No, we're okay," Lee replied.

"Speak for yourself, my leg is fucked," Omid grumbled.

"Welcome to my world," Puffer sighed, "We have to be ready, because when we get to Savannah, they will show back up."

"And how do we plan on dealing with them?" Christa questioned.

Puffer thought for a moment, "We lead them to the water. I have yet to see a walker that can swim, and I know damn well that plenty of fish and other creatures would see the walkers as a free meal."

"Even if that does work, how do we lure them?" Lee asked.

Puffer already knew the answer, "When they arrive, we have to sacrifice the train. It won't work forever, so at least it will be useful longer if we do this."

Those in the boxcar were silent at the idea, but eventually Chuck spoke up, "Doesn't sound too bad of a plan. Better than just drawing them to where we are going without trying to stop 'em." Puffer could only hope this plan worked.