Where is Home now?

Chapter 5

Days turn into weeks as the large group stayed with the smaller one in their cabin. Ryan and Brooks was upstairs sleeping while Scott was out front working on their truck with Kazimierz. Addison and her small group were in the kitchen playing cards.

Lyra was sitting in the living room across from Karmela, playing a game of chess with her.

"So about this group you work with? Are they taking in new people?" Lyra asked, almost hopeful. "I mean it'd be really good being in a bigger group, behind walls where you're safe."

Karmela chuckled softly as she moved a chess piece. "Everyone has to be willing to leave all of this behind, Lyra. I don't think Scott will." Lyra sighed as he thought back to Scott.

"Where the fuck did you come from!?" Scott shouted at Kazimierz, who only chuckled softly.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." He winked.

"Kaz knock it off." Karmela hissed at her brother. "Anyways. You need somewhere warm to stay. This isn't good for him." She pointed down to Ryan.

"We're not going anywhere with you." Scott snarled.

"Scott-" Brooks tried.

"No! We know nothing about them!" Scott snapped at Brooks.

Brooks took a deep breath before he shouted, "What about Ryan!? Are you just gonna let him die out here in the cold!? " Brooks threw his hand to Lyra and Ryan. "Ryan comes first! Not your distrust!"  Lyra was shocked, she never heard Brooks angry.

Lyra shot her head as she heard the stairs creak. She looked over and smiled softly as he saw Brooks.

"Hey Brooks. Did you sleep well?" Lyra asked softly

Brooks rubbed his eyes softly as he stretched his arms above his head.

"That was the best sleep I've had in months... And uh Ryan's awake..." He pointed behind him. "He wants Scotty." He glanced over his shoulder quietly as he looked back at Lyra.

Karmela rose to her feet slowly and smiled. "I'll go get him for you guys then." Without another word the women vanished through the door.

"So, Brooks?" Lyra started as Brooks sat beside her on the small love seat.

"Yeah?" He asked softly.

"What are your thoughts on being inside walls. Being with a larger community?" Lyra asked softly as Brooks draped his arm across her shoulders. He gave a soft hum in thought before he pulled his arm away and looked at her.

"I'm happy wherever you are." He hummed softly as Scott entered the cabin with Karmela and went straight to Ryan upstairs.

"Do you think Ryan is okay?" Lyra asked softly.

"I think he had a nightmare. Wouldn't talk about it. Only wanted Scott." Brooks shrugged. Lyra sighed softly as she moved closer to him quietly.

"I hope he's alright..." Lyra muttered softly. Brooks jumped slightly as he heard something fall upstairs. Him and Lyra both glanced up at ceiling before they looked at each other.

"I'm gonna go check on Scott and Ryan..." Brooks muttered softly before he got to his feet and rushed up the stairs, Lyra following behind quietly.

"Wait, Brooks! Be careful-" Lyra was cut off by a loud gunshot.

Ryan sat in the bed, holding his head in his hands as he sobbed softly. He didn't know what was going on as the quiet voices whispered softly in his ear.

"Ryan!?" A familiar voice shouted somewhere between the voices. He snapped his head up and froze as a walker moved closer to him, it's arms extended out in front of it, reaching for him.

"No!" He screamed as he grabbed his gun, aiming it at the walker who suddenly stopped. 

"Ryan, please calm down. I'm not going to hurt you." The walker spoke calmly.

"Get back!" Ryan tried to get away only to fall off the other side of the bed with a loud 'thud'. Suddenly another Walker rushed into the room and joined the other. Ryan took in a shaky breath as he raised the gun slowly.

"Get back!" Ryan cried out as he pulled the trigger. The second Walker stumbled forward as it suddenly sank to its knees.

"Brooks!" He heard the other scream. His eyes widened as he realized what had happened.

"What did you do?!" Scott turned on Ryan. Ryan tucked himself back into the corner as things began coming into focus. Brooks lay on the floor, a bullet wound to the chest. Ryan had shot and killed the older boy. Lyra was sitting next to the body, cradling the limp form as she looked to Ryan quietly.

"I didn't mean too..." Ryan finally whispered as he hid his face in his knees.

"You fucking straight up killed him, Ryan!" Scott snarled.

"I didn't mean to!" Ryan cried out. "I... I thought he was a Walker..."

"How?" Scott snarled. "He looks nothing like a Walker!"

"I don't fucking know!" Ryan whimpered. A few moments of silence filled the room as Lyra cradled Brooks' head.

"I want the old Ryan back!" Scott finally shouted as tears began to will up in his eyes. Ryan jerked back as if he'd been hit as Scott continued. "You use to be so kind, sweet, innocent-"

"You never knew me then, did you?!" Ryan snarled as he shoved him away. "This is me! This has always been me!"

"It's great to know you're a monster and a murder then!" Scott growled. A look of hurt crossed Ryans face as tears began to well up in his eyes. 

"Fine. I get it. I'm not wanted but fuck you, Scott! Fuck. You!" Ryan shoved the taller male to the ground and stormed off without another word.

"I'm not staying with you..." Lyra spoke softly.

"What?" Scott asked as he turned to face Lyra.

"I said, I'm not staying with you. I stayed for him..." She looked down at Brooks. "Now that he's gone... I'm going with them... Addison nd her group agreed and are going with me too... It's not worth staying here. Not with you..." Lyra rose to her feet slowly as she looks at Scott. Karmela entered the room quietly behind them, caught sight of the body and quietly covered her mouth.

"Oh my..." She spoke softly.

"We're leaving..." Lyra whispered softly, avoiding the sight of the body. "Goodbye Scott." And with that, Scott was alone.