The Walking Dead Season 1: The Start of Something New

Chapter 14: Wildfire (Part 2)

My POV
In my tent, I sat by Angie while she was sleeping on a small cot. She had gotten really tired from playing soccer all day. She has a lot of energy. I don't how our parents handle her.
I grin as I gently move her hair over behind her ear.
I made a promise to my parents, right before the accident. I promised to look after Angie and let no one hurt her. They were going out so I took that lightly since they'll be back.
They never did. I found out about them like 3 hours later. I don't want it to be real. I really don't know what to do. Without thinking I drive to the hospital with Angie as fast as I can. Angie was too little, she bursts into tears when she saw mom and dad in the hospital. I looked at her and I knew now what my mom and dad meant what they said earlier. Someday they'll be gone and I gotta be ready for it. When they're gone Angie will always look up to me and she does and needs me to be there for her.
Someone zipped open the tent. I looked and it was Seline.
She sighed as she collapsed onto her sleeping bag. "Such a rough day. How is she?"
"She's fine. Just tired." I told her.
"She's adorable. I always wonder what's it like to have a sister." She said, looking at Angie, smiling.
"She likes you." I told her.
"Yeah. It is still strange how this little girl survive."
"I was wondering about that too, but I'm grateful she's safe now. Seline. I wanna say thank you. Again. For finding her and took care of her."
Back when I saw her with Angie, I began to trust and like her even more.
She looked down and smiled. "No problem."
Seline's POV (Later)

I was alone, out in the opening, practicing my moves with my sword. I liked it. It put my mind at ease. I do this when I need to make a decision. Right now the choice is to follow Shane's plan to go for Fort Benning or follow Rick to go for the CDC.
I listened to the whip, the sound that the sword makes, slicing through air. Then, i heard someone coughing. I turned around and spotted Duck at the treeline. He's on all fours, coughing out black blood. Omg!
(TWD Theme plays)
"Duck!" His mom Katja, yelled behind him.
She came running and grabbed him. When she looked at me she shouted, "Don't hurt him!"
What are you talking about?
Her eyes narrowed at my right hand. On my right hand, I have my sword.
She picked up Duck and ran the other way to her tent.
"Wait Kat! Kat!" I shouted. "I'm not gonna hurt him!" I tried to explain while I chased after her.
She entered her tent and I was about to go in until a barrel of a rifle comes out through the tent. I found out it was Kenny holding it as he stepped outside.
"Don't you dare touch my little boy." He threatened me.
I stood there, frozen when he has his gun on me. I only have my sword. "Kenny, please. I'm not going to hurt him. Please put it down." I begged.
He still have his sights on me. "Daryl wants to kill that poor man. How do I know you are not gonna do that?" He asked.
"He wanted to kill him because he was bitten. Why would I try to kill your kid? I wanted to help when I saw him puking up blood." I told him.
"He was bitten wasn't he?" I guessed. If the boy was sick, he wouldn't keep it a secret.
Kenny hesitated from answering my question.
"Kenny!? What's going on here?" Lee asked from behind me. When I turned to him he was with Rick and Gabe.
Gabriel went for me and lead me away from Kenny while Rick ordered him, "Put the gun down."
He lowers it after he saw Rick's hand was on his revolver in his holster.
"Are you ok?" Gabriel asked me.
"Yeah I'm fine. But um...." I hesitated. I don't want to make any trouble or be a snitch. Then again, Duck was bit and he needs help.
"What is it Seline?" Lee asked.
Kenny sighed and told them before I did. "My son was bitten." He croaked and his eyes became pink and watery.
Everyone said nothing for a moment, this news is jaw dropping.
"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked him.
"Because we were worried what you people are gonna do to my boy." He confessed. "Please don't hurt him." We heard Katja plead from inside.
"Look we are not gonna hurt him. When was he bit?" Rick asked the parents.
"Last night when the walkers attack your camp. They attacked them while the kids and katja were waiting for us." Lee explained.
"You knew?" Gabriel questioned.
"Yeah. We were going to tell you. I swear but since what you treated Jim and those two girls, we're not sure." Lee said. "We're sorry."
Other people heard us and start to gather around. Rick noticed. "It's ok..... We can save him. The CDC are working on a cure." He told him.
"How do we know that for sure? After everything went wrong." Kenny tells him.
"It has to be. Jim was in the RV right now so we could save him. We gotta try." Rick said.
I think this through in my head when Katja hold Duck and carried him over to the RV. I don't know if the CDC is still out there but he did make a point. We gotta try.
My POV
I was sitting on a log. Taking a break and really think about what to do. CDC or Fort Benning? It's in everyone's heads now.
D***! Duck was bit. And I don't want to think about shooting a kid. He was a nice kid, a little annoying but he's fun to hang around with. Just thinking about him, makes me worried about Angie even more.
Shane then sat across from me on a chair. "Hey."
I sighed and looked straight at him. What does he want?
"Hey." I said.
"What do you think kid? What do you think we should do?" Shane asked me.
"Honestly, I'm going with Rick. The CDC is the closest." I told him.
He looked disappointed as he rubs the back of his head. "Let me ask you something man. How much do you care about your sister? That samurai girl, Seline? And your friend Xavier? Huh?" He asked.
I leaned forward. "A lot. Look I have thought about this and Rick makes a good call." I told him.
"Well I think he makes a bad one. It's a mistake. We are not even sure if what he's saying is true."
"I don't give a f*** what you think."
"Big words for your age. Well since you don't care what I say then it's alright for me to tell everyone about you? Before all of this started? About how you were in the wrong side of the law in California?" He threatened.
"You wanna go that way? Risking their lives? You know I could tell Rick about you and Lori."
Shane's grin quickly changed to betrayal. "Fine. Listen kid, they'll find out sooner or later." He said before he got up and left.
Man I hate that guy.
Seline's POV
In the RV, Carol and I were treating Jim and Duck, make them feel comfortable. Both were having a fever so we cool them off with wet cloths.
I placed the wet shirt on Duck's forehead. His eyes opened a little, like he's squinting. Too weak to open his eyes wide open.
"Where's mommy?" He asked.
"They're outside. Don't worry. Get some rest ok." I told him. He's turning deathly pale by the minute. I'm not even sure if he'll make it.
"Ok. Could you watch over gotham city for me?" He asked me.
"What?"
"You know. We are superheroes. It's our job."
I tried to hold back tears when he said that. He's getting delirious from the fever. I don't know what else to say. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on everything ok."
He closed his eyes and smiled after I tell him as I flipped the cloth to a cooler side. He's still breathing but I know it won't be long.
One tear start to fall. I got up and left the room. I need some fresh air.
I opened the door and left. I sniffed, then wiped away some tears. Oh my gosh.
I head on over to Gabriel's car, away from everyone. I just wanted to be alone for a minute.
I was calming myself down but it keeps coming back. I took out a small knife from my shoe.
No no no. I don't want to do that. I thought as I dropped it on the ground. I got in the car, roll up the windows, locked the doors and just let it out.
It felt like a few minutes. I was crying. I heard someone knocked and it was Gabriel.
I rubbed my eyes and sniffed. Then I unlocked the door and let him in.
My POV
I got in the car and sat next to her. "Hey."
"Hey. How do you know I was here?" She asked.
"I don't. I came here to be alone for a while." I told her.
"So you saw me when I...?"
"Yes, I did. You were crying and I wanted to make sure you were ok."
"Oh. Thanks. I'm fine now. How about you? Why do you want to be alone?" She asked.
"Just nervous you know. And worried about the things that are happening. I came here to take a breather."
She turned to face me. "Oh. Do you think it'll end?"
"I really have no idea. But I hope so. I bet there are people out there trying to fix this right now."
"I don't know. I have a hard time believing that." She sniffed. "I think Duck and Jim won't make it. They are very sick and weak. They become more delusional." Her voice croaked.
I put my arm on her shoulder. "They'll make it. Rick says the CDC are working on a cure. It's not that far."
"You really think so?"
"It's their only chance."
She sighed and turned another way. "Tell me something that you know for sure."
"I love my sister. And I care about you."
She shifted around her seat, facing me and stared at me. She's very close to my face and from her eyes, I can tell. She's scared and confused like I was. Then she wrapped her arms around me and have her head on my shoulder. The hug felt like well, I don't know. It's what I needed and what she needed too. Someone to hold on. I put my arms around her and we just hold on to each other.
(Later)
Rick and Shane gathered everyone near the RV after them and Dale have come back from their sweep. "What is this about?" Seline wondered.
"I think they got a plan on what to do next." I hope.
Shane took off his cap. "I've been uh... I've been thinking about Rick's plan. Now look, there are no.... there are no guarantees either way. I'll be the first one to admit that. I've known this for a long time. I trust his instincts."
Huh, he changed sides. I guessed Rick talk to him out of it.
Shane continued. "I say the most important thing here is we need to stay together. So those of you that agree, we leave first thing in the morning. Ok?"
Everyone dispersed and went into their tents. I caught Seline smiling at the RV. She has hope for those two make it. I do too.
The Next Day
Everyone got up early and prepare for the trip. I counted my bullets and load it into each mag. Seline, Xavier, and I packed our things into my car. Stuff that won't fit like our tent was folded and put it in the RV.
After I closed the trunk, I spotted Rick at the hilltop, sitting on his heals. I walked up there and heard him talking to his talkie. "We're moving out, leaving the quarry. If you heard me yesterday, you may be coming here. If you are, we'll be by the time you arrive. I'm leaving a note and map behind for you, taped to a red car so you can follow our trail. We're heading to the CDC. If there's anything left, it's got to be there, don't you think? Morgan... I hope you were right about this place. I need you to be." He finished. He sighed and gazed at the Atlanta skyline.
"Who's Morgan?" I asked.
Rick jumped and relaxed when it's only me.
"A man I met after I woke up. He told me about the CDC."
"Did he work there or something?" I asked.
"I don't know. He said they're going to fix this. Is everyone ready?"
That's a little disappointing but I kept my hopes up. "Looks like." I told him.
"Alright, let's go." He said before we walked back to camp.
At camp, everyone was gathered around to hear Shane's instructions. "Everybody listen up. Those of you with CBs, were gonna be on channel 40. Let's keep the chatter down, ok? Now you got a problem, don't have a CB, can't get a signal or anything at all, you're gonna hit your horn one time. That'll stop the caravan. Any questions?"
Morales stepped up. "We're, uh... we're.. we're not going." His wife Eliza explained. "We have family in Birmingham. We want to be with our people."
"You go on your own. You won't have anyone to watch your back." Shane told him.
"We'll take the chance. I got to do what's best for my family." Morales told them.
"You sure?" Rick asked.
"We talked about it. We're sure."
"Alright. Shane." Rick motioned Shane and he gave Morales a .357 magnum with a box of ammo.
"Yeah. Box is half full." Shane told him and he nods.
"Thank you all... for everything." Eliza said.
I looked at Angie and she was in Seline's arms. She noticed me and nods. I walked over and she hand over Angie to me. I heard her sniffed. "It's ok. It's ok Angie."
"They're leaving." She wined. Angie had made friends with Morales's kids.
"They need to see their family. Helping them. You wanna say good bye?"
"Hmm mmm."
"Ok." I set her down and went with her.
"Good bye." She said and she hugged them.
"Bye." The girl said before she hugged Sophia.
She gave Sophia her doll.
Morales gave his hand to me. I took it and we shook hands. "Appreciate it."
I nodded. I was disappointed but it's their decision.
They say goodbye to everyone else.
"Channel 40 if you changed your mind." Rick told them.
Morales nodded and got in his jeep with his family.
Angie and Sophia waved. I picked her up and carried her to my car.
Good luck man.
(Later)
After waiting for everyone to pack up, we got into our cars and start the engines. Ahead the road split. The Morales go one way and the rest of us go another. In the RV, Glenn honked the horn and waved goodbye.
The RV was the head of the caravan with Dale driving, Glenn riding shotgun, and Jacqui, Katja, and Kenny looking after Jim and Duck in the back. Next, was Rick driving Carol's Jeep Cherokee with Lori, Carl, Sophia, and Carol. Shane was alone in his jeep. Daryl comes after in his pickup, carrying Merle's motorcycle. Then Andrea comes after in the church bus with TDog, Lee, and Clementine. And finally us in my Mustang, Seline sat by me in front and Angie and Xavier in the back. I don't know what to expect when we get there. Is it still up and running? Or they have a cure or they are working on it? We have to hope for the best. For Jim and for Duck.
Hours Later
We were on the road for quite a while. No one spoke since we left the quarry. I guess they're still upset about the Morales leaving.
Then the CB turns on with static and Glenn called. "We have to pull over."
Seline grabbed the talkie. "What for?"
"Dale thinks there's something wrong with the hose. Steam blew out from the grill."
We exchanged glances and decided to pull over at the side of the road behind the bus. Almost everyone got out and were in front, taking a look. Glenn was right. The front grill is open and steam is pouring out.
"Ken, I told you we'd never get far on that hose. It's been corroded and old." Dale said.
"Well it's all we got. Wait can we use the other one? You know the one that is covered in duct tape?" Kenny suggested.
Dale sighed. "No that's not gonna work. The thing is more duct tape than hose. And we're out of duct tape."
"Oh f***." Ken cursed.
"Honey, what are we gonna do?" Katja worries.
"I don't know Kat." Kenny turns to Lee who was looking through his binoculars. "See anything?"
"I see something up ahead. A gas station if we're lucky." He said.
Shane nods. "Hey Rick, you want to hold down the fort? I'll drive ahead, see what I can bring back." He told him.
Rick agreed and Shane got in his jeep. He was about to leave until Tdog and Lee volunteered. "We'll come along too." T said.
"Yeah, for back up." Lee said.
"Alright. Come on." Shane said.
I want to help out so I joined them too. "Hold up wait for me!"
Seline's POV
Later after Shane left, Jacqui comes out of the RV. "Y'all? It's Jim... It's bad. I don't think he can take it anymore."
"Oh my gosh. What happened?" I asked.
"Just come inside." She said before she went back inside.
"What about my son?" Kenny asked. There's no answer, so he dashed inside, move people aside.
Rick went in with Lori after Kenny. Not a moment too soon, Katja stepped out and collapsed on her knees, sobbing. Oh no. Kenny comes out with Duck in his arms. I put my hands over my mouth. Omg. He didn't make it.
My POV
"It is a gas station." T said.
We jumped off the jeep and grabbed our guns.
"Doors locked." Lee told us before I saw the padlock on the door.
"The garage is locked too." Shane point out, disappointed.
A sudden growl put us on our toes and we all aimed our weapons at around the corner of the building. A male walker in a ampm uniform came towards us. "Gabe, you'll take this one." Shane ordered.
"Sure thing." I said as i switched my gun to my bat. I walked up to it and i swing the bat and in one blow across the face, the nail split its head open. Get rekt.
I looked around and there's no other walkers.
"Good, I bet there's parts we can use in the garage." Lee guessed.
"S***. It's locked." Tdog told us after he and Shane tried to open the garage door.
"Let's try going in there. Come on." Shane ordered, quickly ran to the other door.
We entered the store after him and I got hungry the moment I stepped inside. There's some food left on the shelves but not a whole lot: chips, candy, gum, and drinks in the fridge, still running.
"Wtf? How, the power's out?" I wonder, as I opened the fridge and grabbed a coke.
When I looked back at the others, Lee checked outside and went back in. "There's solar panels on the roof." He told us.
"Huh. Awesome." I smiled as I took a empty cooler and put drinks in.
"Hey Lee?" I heard Shane called and I looked over my shoulder to see what's up.
"Yeah what is it?" Lee asked.
Shane showed Lee a newspaper. "Could you explain to me what happen here?"
Lee hesitated when he looked at the paper. T and I walked over and take a look for ourselves. The headline says Teacher kills wife and her affair!! Under it, there's a picture of Lee.
"You're a killer?" T asked.
(Later)
We left the gas station after we found a new hose and we all try to get use to the fact that Lee is a murderer. When we got back to the RV we found everybody was outside. Katja was holding her son in her arms, rocking left and right, and crying. Duck is now worse than before.
Next to her, Seline was comforting her. She noticed me and left her. "Is he..?"
"No, but he will soon." She told me. I sighed as I put my hands on my hips and kicked the dirt. I looked back at Seline saw one tear fell.
Rick come out of the RV. "It's what he says he wants." He told everyone.
"Who Jim? What happen?" I asked.
Rick nodded and I knew what he wants to do at that moment.
"Was he lucid?" Carol asked.
Rick answered. "He seems to be. I would say yes."
Dale shook his head. "Back at camp, when I said Daryl might be right and you shut me down, you misunderstood. I would never go along with callously killing a man."
When Dale said that I can feel Shane's staring at me and Lee. He said he'll tell everyone but I guess that have to wait.
Dale continued. "I was just gonna suggest that we ask Jim what he wants and I think we have an answer."
"What does he want?" Lee asked.
Rick looked down."He want us to leave him here."
Oh f***. "We just leave him here? Just take off and let him turn. I'm not sure I could live with that." I gave my opinion.
"It's not your call. Neither of you." Lori said.
"What about my son? Are we going to do the same to him?" Kenny asked in anger.
"We got no choice. He's much worse than Jim. He can't even talk." Lee told him.
"Honey, I... I think it's time. It's time to.... I don't want him to become one of those things." Katja told her husband.
"What if he doesn't?" He said.
"Ken, I love you very much. I love him more than life itself. I need you to hear me. What you are saying that he might not turn. That's foolish." She said.
Kenny sighed. "Jeez this is our son!" He croaked.
"I know. He can't make the trip. We got to." She said.
We decided to take them to the woods where our kids can't see what we're about to do. Katja held duck while Rick and Shane carry Jim. Daryl, Kenny, Lee, and I followed behind for protection. And Jacqui wanted to come too.
"We'll do it here." Rick said after he and Shane gently put Jim down against a tree. He groans but relaxed when he's settled.
"We're going a little further. He's our boy, we want to do this as a family." Kenny told him.
He nodded and then they left. "Hey. Another d*** tree." Jim chuckled.
We smiled. "You know you don't have to do this." Shane said.
"No, it's good. The breeze feels nice." He said.
"Alright. Ok." Shane nodded and step back.
Jacqui comes over and kneels beside him. "Just close your eyes sweetie. Don't fight." Tears fell from her eyes when she kissed him on the head.
Rick came forward and kneels. "Jim do you want this?" He asked, pulling out a pistol.
"No you'll need it. I'm okay." He told him.
Well it's my turn but I don't know what to say. I stepped up. "Thanks for everything."
Finally Daryl just nods respectfully and left to join us.
Jim looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. He peacefully took his last breath and then it's all quiet. He's gone.
We were waiting for Kenny, Katja, and Lee to come back until we heard a gunshot echoing through the forest.
We thought they did it but after the shot Kenny yelled. "Kaaatjaaa!!!"
I thought something's wrong so I ran to them. Rick shouted to come back but I ignored it.
I found Kenny and Lee kneeled beside Katja lying on the ground. As I got closer, I saw a gun in her hand and she has a bullet hole on the side of her head.
Oh s***! She killed herself!
"Oh god! Katja!" Kenny sobbed. He's got blood splatter all over him.
Not too soon, other's came and were surprised at the sight of this.
Rick walked over and put his hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Kenny look to his right and stood up. Before him was his dying son, breathing lightly and weak. His father took his pistol out of his pocket and cocks it. He raised it at his son and aimed at him. His hands was shaking. Lee put his hand on the gun. "No parent should do this. I'll do it."
Kenny nodded and gave Lee the gun. He aimed up to Duck's head. He fought back tears but he did it. He shot duck.
(Later)
Back on the road, driving the empty highway. Trying to get over the lost we had. I wanted to be behind us but Duck is just a kid. I looked at Angie in the rearview mirror, she's sleeping, still holding her favorite Elsa doll on one hand and a orange fanta soda bottle on the other. I don't know what to do if this happens to her.
We passed the sign saying "wildfire MSB3417 Active. Begin Transmission"
We parked on the street in front of the CDC building and got out. We load our weapons just in case we ran into walkers. Sneaking through the sand bag barricades and security checkpoints and across the parking with our mouths and nose covered. The smell from the rotten corpses are everywhere. They're soldiers and civilians, all dead.
"Alright everybody keep moving. Go on. Stay quiet. Let's go." Shane whispered.
I was carrying Angie as I ran quietly. She squirmed when she saw dead bodies. "Shh it's ok. It's ok."
We made it to the front doors. Rick tried to open it but it's locked. Lee tried the rolled down security door but it won't budge. Shane got angry and pound his fist on the door.
"S***! Nothing!" Shane shouted loudly.
I looked around and its getting dark fast. "Hey um we need to move." I told them.
"There's nobody here." T said in disappointment.
"Then why the shutters are closed?" Rick suggests.
I heard moans coming from behind me. I turned and spotted few walkers heading for us. "Walkers!" I shouted.
Daryl stepped up and shot a arrow at one of them. Taking it down.
Clementine whimpers and hide behind Lee. "Don't worry baby."
Daryl stepped in front of Rick. "You led us to the graveyard!"
"He made his call." Dale defended him.
"It was a wrong d*** call!" Daryl snapped.
Shane stepped in front of Daryl. "Just shut up. Do you hear me? Shut up."
He turned to Rick who was still pounding on the door. "Rick. This is a dead end."
"Where are we gonna go?" Carol asked, holding her daughter Sophia.
"Rick, do you hear me? I don't blame you." Shane said.
Two walkers came up behind Seline. "Watch out!" I yelled. She turned just in time to take out her sword and decapitate the walkers in one swing.
"Carol's right Rick. We can't be here this close to the city after dark!" Seline said.
"Yeah. Fort Benning, Rick... it's still an option." Shane tried to speak to him.
"On what? No food, no fuel. That's a hundred miles." Andrea complained.
"125. I checked the map." Glenn said. I looked at him. Thanks for the help. He shrugged.
"Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight. Now!" Lori commanded.
Rick put his hand out. "We'll think of something."
"Let's get out of here!" Kenny spoke and began going for the cars.
"Yeah. Let's go please." I said, worrying about Angie.
Kids are crying so others are heading back, but Rick is still on the door. "Come on. Let's go!" I told him.
I heard something moved like a whirr. I looked up and saw the camera moved. Rick was right.
"Alright everybody back to the cars. Move. Let's go." Shane ordered.
Rick pointed at the camera. "The camera... it moved."
"I saw it too." I told him.
"You're imagined it." Shane said.
"No. I'm telling you it moved." I said.
"Gabe, Rick, it's dead man. It's a automated device. It's the gears okay? It's just winding down. Now come on." Shane tried to explain before he grabbed my arm.
I don't know. He might be right. I head for my car. "Gabriel I'm scared. Where are we going?" Angie said.
"I don't know sweetie. I don't know." I told her.
I heard Rick shouting. "You're killing us! You're killing us! You're killing us!"
Next thing I new a blinding white light grew behind me. I turned and the shutters are open. I put my arm above my eyes trying to see what's going on. Everyone stop what they're doing and looked inside. What the f***?