Lucas informs Leon of his plans on how to safely and quickly leave the city. Leon asks a few questions about what Lucas saw on the way to this place.
As they were talking in the hall, the people were making their way out of the apartment and were talking amongst themselves.
Lucas feels a tug on his pants and turns around. He sees Osman, the 5 year old kid. "What's up little dude?" He asks as he crouches down.
The kid looks to the side. "Mister, are we going to….. be safe…?"
Tobias, the boy's father, walks forward and placed a hand on Osman's shoulder. "Sorry Lucas, he's just more than a little scared about leaving this place"
Lucas nods at Tobias and looks at Osman. "When we get to the safe place I'm taking you there are some other kids there. I think they're a bit older than you, but I'm sure you will all get along. I just need you to be brave and do as your dad tells you, alright? You're dad and I need you to be brave and strong, think you're up to the task?"
Osman looks like he is trying to understand for a minute. Then he nods. "I-I can do it!"
"Good! Now stay with your father and we will get through this as fast as we can" Lucas stands up. He looks at Tobias. "I would keep him close. We will be avoiding the walkers but we might end up running at one point, can you carry him and run?"
Tobias looks down at his son and then back at Lucas. "I….. Even if I wasn't carrying anything, I'm afraid I can't. I have a bad knee…." He says in a disheartened tone.
"Then somebody else might have to carry him" Lucas looks around.
Leon steps up next to Lucas. "If you and I are going to be clearing walkers I say we have Chase do it. He's a big and strong guy, but when it comes to fighting he's more of a liability. He riles himself up and becomes a big mess of nerves"
Lucas nods. "Does that work with you Tobias?"
Tobias pats Osman's shoulder. "You might end up getting picked up by Chase, is that alright buddy?"
Osman nods and gives a thumbs up.
"I'll go let Chase know" Leon says as he walks away.
——————
Lucas is making his way down the dark stairs, Leon is behind him with the others following along.
At least with everyone following, there's enough lights from their flashlights to not make it so scary. Osman nearly lost it, but he got better after Tobias and Chase helped calm him down.
Lucas and Leon get to the first floor and tell the others to wait as they check it out.
Lucas makes sure the elevator doors will stay closed as Leon secures the rest of the lounge.
Leon goes over towards the bathrooms and sees that the ropes are tied. "Is this your handiwork Lucas?"
Lucas sends a quick glance at where Leon is. "Yeah. I took care of the walkers that were trapped inside. Did you put them there?"
"Nah, they were in there before we even got to this building. And I didn't bother opening the can of worms" Leon says as he looks inside.
"That was smart" Lucas states as he moves towards the entrance. "It got a bit messy"
Leon comes out of the mens room. "No shit man, damn"
Leon looks inside the females room and Lucas goes to the front doors and checks the chain. He doesn't find anything different and turns towards the lounge. "You can let the others know we're safe for now. And it seems the outside is vacant of walkers so we will move right away"
"On it" Leon says and goes to inform the group.
Leon leads them to where Lucas has unchained the door. Everyone has some kind of weapon in their hands, but they aren't anything special. Chase even has an umbrella besides a kitchen knife.
Lucas makes a mental note to avoid having the others fight if possible considering nobody is really proficient in combat besides himself and Leon. Maybe Chase is but he'd rather not test that yet.
Lucas puts his hands on the door handles. "Here we go"
Lucas opens the doors and cautiously walks out. There are a group of walkers way to the left, so it's a good thing they need to go right.
Leon moves with Lucas, a few feet to his right. Everyone else moves behind them in a group. They aren't exactly quiet but the walkers didn't seem to notice.
They move from building to building. Lucas is impressed by Leon's proficiency in taking walkers down. He doesn't just rely on the knife stealth kills. Leon goes and kicks a walker to the ground with some fancy moves and finishes it with a knife to the brain.
They get inside a sporting store and are able to upgrade their weapons.
Baseball bats, golf clubs, knives, multi-tools, walkie-talkies, binoculars, bungee cords, and other things. Lucas also finds a nice looking black jacket. It'll be hot, but it's better to have a layer between you and a walkers jaws.
"You going to keep wearing that police uniform or do you wanna stop by a clothing store?" Lucas partially jokes partially doesn't. They're already here so it's not a problem to stop by one.
Leon grips a handle of an axe. The butt of the axe head is spiked to provide another option if the blade dulls.
"What about you? Just gonna stick with your knives?" Leon partially jokes back. He's seen how deadly Lucas is with them.
Lucas uses a rag to clean his knives. "I'm probably gonna end up using a crowbar. That way I'll have a weapon and an escape tool"
"Crowbar?" Leon imagines Lucas holding a crowbar. It's have to be a decently big crowbar for Lucas. "Guess that suits you well enough"
"We're getting pretty close" Lucas informs Leon. They had already passed the urgent care he visited earlier in the day. He didn't stop inside to grab bags because he wasn't sure if these people would stab him in the back, opposed to the front Chase had already kindly sliced. Plus it would slow the group down and potentially increase the noise they make when moving.
Tobias was already having enough problems moving and staying silent. His knee giving him slight problems already. But he was already the slowest of the group before it was acting up.
Lucas took note of Tobias' situation and condition. Tobias didn't tell anyone he was having problems in hopes of leaving the city sooner, but Lucas knows that he might not make it. So he changes the speed of their progress. At least this way there is less of a chance of making noise and drawing walkers onto their position.
Isabell also seems to be in a not so great position. Her being the second slowest. Lucas assumes that it's probably due to her reading too much and being the stereotypical physically weak and shy librarian girl that guys would want to protect. Lucas just wants to save as many people as he can, so he assumes he's part of that, just not for the reasons most other guys would. That being Isabell's body.
The others are in good shape and don't seemed bothered by their march through the city.
"We should hurry up and get out of the city. Or we should find a place to hold up for the night" Leon brings Lucas out of his thoughts.
Lucas turns to face Leon after surveying the group as they get used to their new and upgraded melee weapons. "We should get moving. I don't wanna give the walkers a chance to surround us during the night"
"Don't have to tell me twice. I don't wanna be stuck and surrounded by hundreds of walkers" Leon agrees.
Lucas walks towards the group and informs them to get ready to move soon.
Osman sticks close to Chase and they look hilarious. Chase is 6'5" tall while Osman is only 3'7". Chase has short and spiky black hair, and his eyebrows are angled downward to look like he is always pissed. Osman looks like your typical innocent kid that has a bit of baby fat still on his body, and he has messy brown hair that is a few inches long. Which makes the question pop up, will he go bald like his dad, Tobias?
A few minutes later and everyone is ready to move. Lucas and Leon continue to lead the group forward.
There were a few walkers this way, but it's better than the hundreds every other direction. Sure they made some sound when the skulls of the walkers were cracked or broken open by blades or blunt force trauma, but they were moving fast enough that it didn't matter.
The alleys were somehow small but big at the same time. Small because there were dumpsters and trash among other things cluttering them. But big because if walkers found them and started swarming them, the walkers would have plenty of room to attack them. It's not small enough for a 1v1 fight. Only Leon and Lucas might be able to fight while 3-5 walkers can attack them at a time.
It's mostly because Leon and Lucas needed room to swing their weapons while the walkers used their hands and teeth which didn't need a wind up to create enough force to break a skull open. The walkers only needed to grab a piece of you or your clothing and they can tear you apart within seconds.
Some of the group was freaking out considering that night was approaching relatively quickly. Panic and fear was increasing exponentially. Leon and Lucas tried to put an end to it, but the dark was probably the scariest thing now that it's the apocalypse.
Leon takes his axe from the skull of a walker and catches up with Lucas a few feet ahead. Lucas is peering around the corner of a building and checking for walkers, they are only a few minutes from leaving the city, but the daylight is quickly disappearing.
"How's it looking?" Leon asks as he moves next to Lucas.
Lucas himself was celebrating their luck. "We're clear. This street is still empty. And my truck isn't far from the city"
"When we get outta here, drinks are on me" Leon jokes.
Everyone makes it out of the city, a few of them like Myles, Alister, Jed, Chelsie, and Tobias didn't think they would be able to for various reasons.
But everyone piled into the bed of the truck as Lucas got in the driver seat and Leon gets in the passenger seat.
"Holy shit" Leon says as he relaxes in the passenger seat.
"A little stressed?" Lucas jokes.
Leon puts his seatbelt on. "You've got no idea. I'm not exactly the leader type, and keeping everyone in line isn't exactly what I'd call a fun time. I just hope you are a good leader so I can just kick back and enjoy a little peace after weeks of stress"
Lucas puts his seatbelt on and rolls his window down. "I'm not the leader of my group. And I wouldn't make a good leader, a friend of mine is the leader, Shane. I'm sure I'll get an earful from him when we make it back"
Leon looks at the tall buildings of Atlanta. "The best leader is the person that doesn't want to lead"
Lucas puts the key in the ignition and looks at Leon. "Then doesn't that make you a leader too?"
Leon shrugs. "Still doesn't make me the leader type. But you have the ability, morality, and qualities of a leader. And the fact you don't want to be leader makes you a great option, but nobody is going to force you"
Lucas shakes his head. How can Leon judge his character so soon after meeting him hours ago. He pokes his head out the window. "Brace yourselves. I'll try going slow, but the roads are still bumpy and walkers might try to grab you. So, please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times. And enjoy the ride"
Lucas leaves his window down just in case he needs to hear anything from the people in the back. He starts his car and begins driving towards the quarry and leaves the city behind him.
Along the way he makes some small talk with Leon. And they listen to the others in the back as they quietly talk happily. They're out of the city now and they won't have to worry about getting trapped in the apartment by walkers now. They ignore the fact that the entire world isn't exactly safe, but they're not only going somewhere safer but also where there are more people. Sure they have worries that the people could potentially kill them, but why would Lucas go through the trouble of saving them just to kill them after they get to safety?
After getting near the quarry Lucas has to go off road and the ride gets bumpier, but he takes his time. It's dark so he doesn't want to go fast around the quarry anyway.
And by the time he gets to camp and shuts the headlights off he's greeted by almost the entire camp awaiting his arrival. And the person in front is Shane.
Lucas hops out of the car and lowers the tailgate to help the others out.
"Lucas" Shane says as he walks over. "I trust you have a reason you're practically doubling our numbers here?"
Lucas helps Isabella down to the ground by giving her a hand to lean on before he turns around and lets Leon take over.
Lucas stand faces Shane. He looks down slightly at the 5'11" man. "Do I need a reason to save people?"
Shane sighs and rubs his face. "No, you don't. That's not why I'm confronting you on this. Come over here"
"Hang tight, this is Shane and we are going to talk a little" Lucas informs the new arrivals.
"Lucas, we are struggling enough on food and we've only been here for a few day. If we double our numbers we're gonna be in trouble. And there are only so many animals and fish around to keep us fed" Shane explains. "I'm not saying we're kicking them out. But they'll need to help out just like everyone else. I don't even think we have enough tents for them…."
Lucas pats Shane's left shoulder. "That's the least of their worries right now Shane. You didn't see how many walkers were in the city. Hundreds, probably thousands survived the Napalm. And these people were stuck in a small apartment for who knows how long. And they'll pull their weight. There are always things for us to do, right?"
Shane looks at the new people. "I know that. But I'd still rather you inform me next time. Did you find any walkie-talkies or radios?"
Lucas nods his head. "Found some decent walkie-talkies. No radios, did you get yours situated?"
Shane puts his hands on his hips. "Taking it outta the car was the easy part. Fixing the battery situation is a different problem. Could really use a solar charged battery or something. Don't suppose you could add that to the list could you?"
Lucas smirks. "I'll see what I can do. And you'll be happy to know I found a gold mine inside the city"
"Did you find guns?" Shane immediately asks.
Lucas shakes his head. "Nah, but this is much better. I found an urgent care and was able to clear it out. I wasn't able to take anything today, but tomorrow I can go into town and bring the supplies back. I'll also start clearing the list"
Shane frustratedly closes his eyes. "Lucas, this wasn't meant to be a daily thing. And it won't be. The more you leave and come back the higher the chance bad people might find us"
Lucas raises an eyebrow. "Why are you worried about this now? Everyone here stumbled upon this place and joined. I understand there are bad people, but still"
"Look" Shane holds up his index finger. "You and Glenn can leave once a week for supplies after tomorrow. It will be on random days and you'll both take different routes back here each time"
Lucas shrugs. "Sure. I've already made it to where I wanted to today" He remembers the fact his family is gone in the wind and he never got the chance to see them after he left home 7 years ago.
"Good, now let's greet them and introduce everyone" Shane taps Lucas on his shoulder.
Lucas gently touches his chest. It stings and he can feel the cut, it's stopped bleeding but it's still raw. No stitches, but it'll be a bitch when it scabs. Probably leave a scar considering how the scab will keep peeling. Just another one to the collection.
Lucas goes ahead and introduces the new arrivals to the gang and vice versa. Shane lays the ground rules and has everyone get to work setting up what tents they have left and preparing dinner for the new arrivals since they hadn't eaten.
Merle said some extremely racist things but Daryl was able to distract his older brother with whatever. Lucas saw a bag full of orange prescription bottles for a quick second but wasn't exactly sure.
Tobias was put to work almost immediately and he was able to show off his butchering skill. Sure Merle and Daryl were good. But Tobias has over 30 years of experience in cutting meat almost everyday.
The bald guy rubs the back of his head. "You guys can call me Toby, it's what my friends used to do. And I'm sorry to inform you all that my wife used to be the cook. I can prep but unless you all want charcoal I suggest someone else cook. We recommend letting Karla cook it. She's a chef" The slightly heavyset guy says to the og group.
Karla stands up and brushes her long black hair to the side behind her ear. "I've been a head chef for 2 years. Been professionally cooking for 8, and been cooking since I was in middle school. You guys won't regret it"
Alister walks up behind her girlfriend, Karla, and wraps her arms around her shoulder. Alister being 6 feet tall and Karla being 5 feet tall makes it a rather funny sight. "She's being humble. You all would be morons for not liking my Karla's food" She states rudely.
"Alice!" Karla complains as she tries to get free. But she doesn't try hard and puts her hands on Alister's.
The couple get some not so kind looks from Merle and Ed.
Merle spits to the side. "So what are you two? A happy gay interracial couple?" He sneers and adds another racist comment.
Alister glares at Merle. "No need to be jealous since a woman gets more bitches than you"
Merle stomps forward but Daryl grabs his shirt. Lucas steps between them along with Leon and Shane.
Merle brushes Daryl's hand off and nods. "I know how to pick my fights" He says and walks away. "I was getting sick of all the sentimental bullshit anyway"
Daryl doesn't say anything but looks at the group before following his brother off towards their own camp in the woods.
Karla is put off by the event and Alister helps her through it and convinces Karla to ignore them. Alister helps Karla cook the food and forget the event. Alister also whispers a promise of something more later that night.
Raul and Myles have eachother a look like they dodged a bullet. People are more accepting of women being gay than men being gay. Maybe not by much, but they've experienced their fair share of curses and slurs.
Everybody tries to move past it.
"Let us know when dinner is ready" Ed ends up dragging Carol and Sophia away.
Carol gives an apologetic glance before she leaves. The others understanding her situation almost immediately.
With most things out of the way, everybody starts to get to know eachother.
Osman is introduced to Carl and the Morales siblings, Eliza and Louis Morales. Sophia was unfortunately taken away before she could meet Osman.
Lucas ends up having to tell Amy and Andrea how his mission went. He omits the gruesome theories ha has but leaves in the brutality of the walkers. He describes the buildings he went through and how he was able to distract walkers. His meeting with the other group of survivors, but he leaves out the part where Chase cuts him.
Which Case appreciates.
Lucas then goes on to explain how the escaped the city. How they hade to use alleys and cut through building. He described how Leon and himself had taken down over 60 walkers together.
By the time Lucas was done telling the story he had a group of people listening.
Glenn raises his hand. "And I will basically be doing 'none' of that when I go" He jokes.