Leola and Ozzie vs. The World

Chapter 36

On our walk to the house, the rain stopped. Something as little as that felt like a miracle. Everyone kept their distance from Rick.

We approached the house. It looked broken down as if it took heavy fire. Many golf carts were parked behind the house. Every possible entrance was blocked with planks of wood.

"Aw crap!" Yael said. "Guys, come take a look!"

Everyone came over to the front doors. Bigger planks of wood blocked the doors. Paint was written on the wood.

Infected Inside Stay Out

I sighed. Alex looked up at the sunset. "Guess we're sleeping in a cart or in the grass". She murmured.

"Are you sure we can't just kill the zombies in there?" Tyreese suggested.

"That's stupid". Yael said bluntly. "There could be hundreds in there".

Yael and Tyreese went back and forth trying to find ways inside. Alex, Ozzie and I just sat down on the steps.

Alex tried to start a conversation but Ozzie and I weren't in a talkative mood. Especially Ozzie, I hate the fact that she saw Tyler get eaten. I hope none of this will mess Ozzie up. I wish she didn't have to go through this.

"Do you think we can trust him?" Alex asked nodding her head over at Rick. Rick was over at the golf carts checking them all out.

"I dunno". I said softly.

"Where's he going?" Ozzie asked. We noticed Rick was walking away.

"Rick, come back!" Ozzie called. She turned to me. "We have to go get him!"

I wasn't so sure about that but I guess it was the right thing to do. We went over to Yael and Tyreese who were still arguing about the house.

"There could be food there!" Tyreese said.

"For the last time, it's too dangerous!" Yael shouted.

"Guys, guys!" Ozzie called. "Rick is leaving!"

They stopped arguing and glared at Ozzie then at Rick.

"Rick stop!" Tyreese called. Everyone ran after him.

"Where are you going?" Tyreese asked out of breath once we caught up with him. Rick only kept walking.

"Rick, come back to the house". Yael said. Rick kept walking.

"Hey, they're talking to you". I said. I grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. Rick whipped around and slapped my hand away.

"Don't fucking touch me!" He shouted with spit flying out his mouth. Everyone froze when they noticed the tears that ran down his face. Nobody has ever saw Rick cry before.

Tyreese tried to reach out for him. "Rick-

"No!" He shouted. "Stay away from me!"

"Calm down",I said softly"its ok".

"I said, get away!" Rick pulled out Jack's gun and pointed it me.

Yael quickly stepped infront of me. "Don't do this Rick, put the gun down". He said firmly.

Rick only took a step back but kept the gun aimed.

"Please...just go...I don't wanna have to kill anymore". Rick cried. Rick moved the gun away from us and pointed it at his head.

"No!" Everyone screamed. Rick cried some more and shook his head.

"I didn't mean to do what I did, I-I choked, I got scared and...put myself first". "That's what I hate about myself". "I al-always do that". " I'm never able to be as caring as the rest of you".

Tyreese stepped forward. "This isn't the answer Rick". "You said it yourself, there's nothing you can do about it". "You have to move on". "Give me the gun".

Rick took another step back. "No, I killed my friend!" "I'm not living with that". " I'm not living with killing more innocent people, killing anymore zombies, I don't like it". "I quit fighting".

"No, don't give up!" I said. "Everything will get better, I promise".

Rick did a sad chuckle. "No...not anymore, things don't get better anymore, only worse". "Don't lie to me". Rick slid the glock and placed it back against his head.

"Please don't do this", Tyreese said. "Its not the answer-

"It's the only answer in this world now". Rick replied coldly. "Its murdered, eaten, or bitten, those are the only ways out these days". "But this...this is the cheat code..."

"Rick, don't do this...please". Tyreese begged.

"I'm sorry for always being the ass of the group". "I'm sorry everyone". " I'm sorry Tyler". "I'm sorry Leola...Ozzie..."

He didn't call me nappy...

Rick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Tyreese stepped forward for the gun but Rick already pulled the trigger.

Rick's body fell into a puddle as blood leaked from his head. Tyreese dropped on his knees next to Rick.

"Fuck!" He screamed. Tyreese buried his face in his hands.

I heard crying from my side. It was Ozzie. I got on my knees and let her cry into my shoulder. Ozzie pulled away and took off her glasses.

"Why Leo?" She cried. "Why did he kill himself?"

I search for the right words but I didn't know what to say. How do you explain something like this to a little girl?

"He was sad and scared". Yael said bending down next to me. "He was mad at himself for something he did and he just...didn't want to live anymore".

Ozzie stopped crying. "Is he right tho?" She asked. "Is that the best way out, are we suppose to do that?"

"No". I said firmly. "That's the worst way out". "Rick gave up...and...that was bad". "You don't ever give up no matter how bad things are".

Ozzie nodded her head. I wasn't sure if she understood or not, its becoming really hard to read Ozzie.

Yael went over to Tyreese. "We need to get to a different part of the course". "The shot will attract zombies".

"No". Tyreese spat. "Not intill we bury him". Tyreese got up and went looking for a shovel bringing Alex with him.