A Dead World.. • G. Rhee

Chapter Three

(Family Reunions)

"Best not to dwell on it." Morales tells T-dog as he continues to stress over leaving Merle. "Merle got left behind. Nobody's gonna be sad he didn't come back."

"Except Daryl." I counter argue. "Daryl?" Rick looks at me questioningly, sometimes I forget we only just met him.

"His brother."

"Right."
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"Give it back."

"Stop it."

"No!"

Kids at camp argue over something.

"Mijo, leave your sister alone." Their mother tells them off.

"Baby, the more you fidget the longer it takes. So don't, okay?"

"I'm trying." Carl groans absolutely hating having to get his hair cut by his mother sitting behind him, and Shane across the way, cleaning out his gun.

Shane laughs at the young boy. "If you think this is bad, wait 'till you start shaving. That stings. That day comes you'll be wishing for one of your mamas haircuts."

"I'll believe that when i see it." Carl shakes his head in disagreement.

"I'll tell you what —you just get through this with some manly dignity and tomorrow I'll teach you somethin' special. I will teach you how to catch frogs."

"I've caught a frog before."

"I said frogs —plural. And it is an art, my friend. It is not to be taken lightly. There are ways and means. Few people know about it. I'm willing to share my secrets."

Carl looks to his mom for confirmation. "Oh, I'm a girl, you talk to him." Pointing back at Shane.

"It's a one-time offer, bud —not to be repeated."

"Why do we need frogs, plural?" Carl questions still weary of the whole offer.

"You ever eaten frog legs?"

"Eww!" The boy scrunches his face in disgust.

"No, Yum!"

"No, he's right. Eww." Lori joins in, grossed out by Shane's words.

"When you get down to that last can of beans, you're gonna be lovin' those frog legs, lady. I can see it now," he continues in a high pitch voice. "Shane, do you think I could have a second helping, please? Please? Just one?"

"Yeah, I doubt that." She disagrees.

Shane just laughs. "Don't listen to her, man. You and me, we'll be heroes," gesturing from himself to Carl.
"We'll feed these folks Cajun-style Kermit legs."

"I'd rather eat Mrs. Piggy," Lori says, but quickly explains herself as she sees the look Shane was giving her. "Yes, that came out wrong."

"Heroes, son. Spoken of in song and legend. You and me, Shane and Carl." He nods to the young boy who just laughs at his over-dramatic speech.

But before they could speak any more of the subject a Blaring car alarm interrupted them as the unknown car came speeding up the side of the mountain, towards the camp."

"Hey, Dale, can you see what that is?" Another man shouts to an older one.

"Talk to me, Dale!" Shane shouts.

"Let him get a good look at it." Someone speaks as Dale spy's through a set of binoculars to try pinpoint the source of the loud noise.

"Is it them? Are they back?" A young blonde woman asks.