Chereads / TWD: The Burden We Bear / Chapter 13 - Pharmacy (2)

Chapter 13 - Pharmacy (2)

Kenny, equipped with a backpack and brandishing a pistol, and Eddie, armed with a rifle, stealthily navigate through the desolate streets of Macon. They cautiously peek around a corner, and upon confirming that the coast is clear, they step out onto the empty road.

"Looks like today is our lucky day," Kenny remarks with a grin, his voice filled with a flicker of optimism.

"Yeah, but they have a knack for catching us off guard," Eddie replies, his tone laced with caution.

"True, but honestly, the less I see, the happier I am," Kenny retorts, a hint of weariness creeping into his voice.

As they traverse the abandoned streets, Kenny's demeanor remains upbeat, a faint smile lingering on his face.

Eddie, however, lets out a groan and instinctively grips his injured shoulder. "Man..."

To ease the tension, Eddie initiates a conversation. "I really hope we can leave that motel soon. It's not safe there. Those damn bandits are really scaring the hell out of me."

"We will," Kenny assures him with a stern nod. "We'll pile into the RV and won't stop until we see water. And if Lilly is determined to stay behind, then, well, that's just how it goes."

As they approach the wreckage of Everett Pharmacy Drugstore, Kenny assesses the surroundings. "Alright, just like last time. We'll climb over the rig, get into the pharmacy, and scavenge for whatever supplies are left."

"There's barely anything left in there anymore," Eddie responds, a hint of despair in his voice.

"We're out of options. Something is better than nothing," Kenny insists, determination shining through.

Kenny ascends the ladder attached to a nearby truck, but as he reaches the top, one side of the ladder suddenly detaches. "Shit!" he curses under his breath.

"You alright?" Eddie calls up to his father, concern etched on his face.

"The ladder's come loose. I'm not sure how many more trips it can handle," Kenny replies, assessing the precarious situation.

Eddie chuckles darkly. "I ain't sure how many more we can handle either."

"Tell me about it," Kenny scoffs. "Hey."

"Yeah?" Eddie glances up.

"Are you okay?" Kenny points at his son's shoulder, worry flickering in his eyes.

"I think I'm fine. Just sore. Not every day you get shot," Eddie says, managing a small smile. "I'll be alright."

Kenny nods, but the concern lingers.

"I hope we find more supplies. The food we grabbed from the station wagon won't last us long," Eddie says, his voice laced with anxiety.

"If we'd hit the road when I suggested, we wouldn't be in this mess," Kenny replies, frustration creeping in.

"I'm coming up," Eddie announces, but as he grabs the bottom rung of the ladder, it breaks off completely, sending him stumbling backward. He tosses the broken piece of wood to the ground, frustration evident in his expression.

"It gave up," Eddie remarks, shaking his head.

"What now?" Kenny asks, glancing around for alternatives.

"What else? We find another way," Eddie shrugs with a sigh.

"Then get a move on, son," Kenny encourages, scanning the area from his elevated position.

Eddie climbs onto a car parked in front of the truck. "Come on."

Kenny crouches down, ready to pull Eddie up. "Ungh... crap. I can't reach. Sorry, Eddie."

"It's fine. Stay put," Eddie instructs, jumping off the car.

Eddie begins to search the area, and his eyes land on a jeep. He approaches it, attempting to push it, but it doesn't budge, and debris is strewn all over. After a moment of circling the vehicle, he spots a switch on the side and a winch on the front. "Aha!" he exclaims triumphantly. Grabbing the winch, he starts to pull it forward.

"Lilly's not doing so well, huh?" Kenny sighs, a shadow of concern passing over his face.

"Well, you and Lee killed her dad," Eddie points out bluntly.

"Yeah, that we did," Kenny admits, a hint of guilt in his voice.

"She's on the edge of breaking," Eddie observes.

"I hope not. I might've saved our lives back in that meat locker, you know?" Kenny retorts, trying to maintain hope.

Eddie attaches the winch to the trailer axle of the truck. He then walks back to the jeep and activates the winch control, pulling the jeep towards the truck.

"I think Clementine is upset with us for taking stuff from the station wagon," Kenny mentions, concern for the young girl evident.

"She's smart. She'll come around," Eddie shrugs, trying to remain optimistic.

"Not like we had much of a choice," Kenny agrees.

"Yep," Eddie nods in agreement.

As the jeep reaches the truck, Eddie climbs atop it.

"Duck was asking about that guy at Hershel's farm last night," Kenny says, shifting the conversation.

"Yeah? That was pretty traumatic for him..." Eddie replies somberly, reflecting on the ordeal.

"I'm just worried he'll think it was his fault," Kenny admits, a sorrowful expression crossing his face.

Kenny extends his hand to help Eddie, but suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierces the air. A grime-covered woman bursts out of one of the nearby buildings, shrieking as walkers chase her down.

"Go away! Help me! Somebody help me! Oh, God! Oh, God!" she screams frantically.

"What the… what the hell is that?! A walker?!" Kenny exclaims, shock evident in his voice.

"Walkers don't scream!" Eddie shakes his head, bewildered.

Eddie peers through the scope of his rifle, watching as the woman continues to scream for help. A walker grabs her, and as she falls, she manages to push it away and scramble back to her feet.

"It's a girl! She's gonna get us killed…" Eddie observes coldly, his focus unwavering.

"No kidding… actually…" Kenny's expression shifts as he contemplates their situation.

A walker sinks its teeth into her leg.

"They don't know we're here," Kenny points out.

"What do you mean?" Eddie asks, confused.

"I mean, if we leave her alive, she might draw them all to her, buying us some precious time," Kenny explains, a strategic glint in his eyes.

"Hmm…" Eddie considers the idea, though a flicker of doubt crosses his mind. He briefly thinks about how he and his dad have become colder since the cannibal dairy farm incident, but he quickly dismisses those thoughts.

"We're always worrying about the ones we can't see. If she stays alive, she'll lure them out of their holes!" Kenny argues passionately.

After a moment of deliberation, Eddie decides to let her live. A walker pulls the girl's hair and bites her shoulder. She stumbles but manages to evade the grasp, only to be swarmed by more walkers.

"Good, let's go. She'll keep their attention," Kenny says decisively.

Kenny helps Eddie up to the truck, and they enter through the back door, shutting it securely behind them. The woman's screams continue to echo outside.

"We should be able to clear this place out, but we've gotta move fast," Kenny instructs. "Get everything you can from these shelves! Don't forget to check underneath the counter this time! I'll clear down here, but we need to be quick!"

Eddie straightens a shelf and begins gathering supplies—a medicine box, two medicine bottles, an energy bar, and various other essentials. He moves to the next aisle, collecting two more medicine bottles, a bandage from a box, and supplies from a shelf and the floor.

The woman's screams suddenly stop.

"She's dead. We need to hurry," Eddie says, urgency in his voice.

Moving to the counter, he grabs another medicine box and rummages through a drawer, pulling out two energy bars and additional supplies.

In total, Eddie collects twenty items. "I got everything!" he shouts to his dad, a mixture of relief and adrenaline coursing through him.

"She didn't die for nothing then!" Kenny responds, a brief smile breaking through the tension.

Suddenly, zombies begin to pound on the door. Kenny leaps over the counter. "Up and over!"

Eddie quickly follows suit.

"We're still clear; let's hustle," Kenny urges, his voice filled with urgency.

Just then, walkers crash through a door, trapping Eddie beneath it.

"Dad!" Eddie calls out, panic rising in his voice. He strains to push it off himself, but the gunshot wound in his shoulder causes him to hiss in pain.

Kenny rushes over and helps Eddie lift the door off him, their eyes locking in a moment of shared fear. Kenny draws his pistol, adrenaline surging.

"Fridge!" he shouts, spotting a large appliance nearby.

Eddie glances at the fridge, worry etched on his face, but he pushes it over, successfully blocking the door and crushing a walker beneath it. Kenny takes aim, shooting at the nearby zombies with precise shots.

"Out! Let's fucking get out!" Kenny exclaims, urgency in his voice.

He races toward the front. As Eddie follows closely behind, a zombie leaps out in front of him. Without thinking, Eddie kicks it in the chest, sending it tumbling into a piece of rebar, impaling itself. More walkers close in on them.

"Let's go!" Kenny shouts.

They make their escape through a hole in the wall, leaving chaos behind.