For a long time, Eden Perkins believed she wouldn't find another human being she would willingly die for - she didn't want to. The past few months of her life, ever since the day the dead had started coming back to life - and maybe even before that...
ON THEIR WAY TO THE DECKEden and Kenny were taking down as many lurkers as they possibly could without putting themselves into too much danger in order to give the rest of their group a head start. With her heart beating like war drums and her breaths coming out in ragged gasps, Eden looked over her shoulder. She was only a couple feet behind the rest of her group and even less feet ahead of the lurkers. They were relentless, closing in on them with every step.
"You need to hurry!" Eden yelled, her voice strained but urgent.
Nervously, she glanced at Kenny who, barely focused, swung his crowbar with a desperate, almost frenzied energy. He seemed quite out of it, almost manic and fully lost on the chaos, his movements erratic as he tried to hold the lurkers at bay. Eden couldn't be sure if he behaved this way solely out of a desire to protect them, especially after what he had just been through.
Rebecca's frustrated voice cut through the din. "I can't go any faster!"
Eden's gaze shot forward as one of the lurkers got too close for comfort and she swung her machete at it, aiming right between the lurker's eyes. Immediately, its hungry growls stopped as she managed to hit the brain. Looking back ahead, she was finally able to spot the observation deck in the distance and a small but unmistakable figure on top of it. Luke, recognizing their dire situation, dashed down the stairs, hurrying to come to their aid.
When he got close enough for them to understand him, he yelled, "Get Rebecca inside!" Urgency etched in his every word. He reached Eden's side in moments, his eyes flashing with concern. "You okay?" He asked more quietly.
Eden gave a quick, reassuring nod before Luke joined the fray, his machete flashing as he helped fend off the encroaching lurkers. With their combined effort, Eden, Luke, and Kenny managed to hold the swarm back just long enough for the rest of the group to make it to the deck.
"We need to catch up and close that door somehow!" Eden urged.
Kenny's grim response came through clenched teeth. "That door's never gonna hold them back."
"Looks like it's all we've got for now. Come on, hurry!" Luke said, rallying everyone.
They sprinted to rejoin the rest of their group, where Mike was already waiting on the deck. Rebecca, finding a spot to rest inside the shop they had discovered, was surrounded by Bonnie and Clementine, doing their best to support her through the impending labor.
Eden shut the door behind her, the last to arrive, and immediately started firing her gun at the lurkers in a desperate attempt to hold them back, aiming for their heads. The sound of gunfire echoed, but the sheer number of the creatures made it seem futile.
