Author note at the end. Enjoy.
◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤ ◢◤
Chapter 9:
Another gunshot in the distance was enough to distract most of the walkers, and those that weren't already moving were left behind as Shawn turned a corner and disappeared from view. But the relief didn't last long because the street they took was filled with cars, and a green sedan with its front busted was blocking their way.
"Shit," Andre cursed, his fists clenching at his sides
Both men jumped from the back, with Shawn exiting the car. "What do we do? Go back?" Shawn asked, glancing nervously over his shoulder, his brow furrowed with worry.
"No, let's, uh, try to push it out of the way first," Alex replied, He shook his head, taking a step closer to the obstruction. Every moment counted, and taking time wasn't an option at the moment. It would be a death sentence.
"Right," Andre said, nodding as he stepped up to the front of the car. "Let's do this."
The three of them gathered at the sedan's front, assessing their options. The driver's side door hung open, revealing the empty interior. "Keys are still here," he murmured grimly. "Looks like whoever was driving didn't have time to think—or didn't make it."
"Less talking, more pushing," Andre snapped, positioning himself at the hood.
Alex stole a glance over his shoulder, tension coiling in his gut. The silence behind them felt wrong, too quiet. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to move faster. "On three," he ordered, bracing his shoulder against the car. "One… two… three!"
With adrenaline pumping through their veins, they pushed against the car's body. The metal groaned in protest as it slowly started to move, but then it stalled, stuck in the asphalt like a post planted deep in cement. Alex gritted his teeth, pushing harder, his muscles straining under the effort. He got lightheaded a little before ignoring it and pushing it harder alongside Andre and Shawn.
"Come on, come on," Shawn urged, visibly sweating now, his eyes darting around for any sign of danger.
"Almost there!" Andre growled, his face red from the effort.
But just as progress began to feel tangible, a shout sliced through the tension, sharp and jarring. Alex froze, his head whipping toward the sound. The others stilled too, their breath hitching collectively.
Through the iron gate of a nearby house, a figure emerged, stumbling forward with a child in tow. The man's walk was uneven, his right leg dragging slightly, and his dark skin glistened with sweat. His clothes were a mess—his shirt clung to him in patches, soaked with blood, and his hands were covered in it.
His face was pale, a sheen of sweat glistening in the dim light. The little girl clung to his side, her wide, terrified eyes darting between the three strangers and the house behind her, as though she was waiting for monsters to appear.
Andre moved first, raising his gun in a swift, practiced motion. "Stop right there!" he barked though not loudly, his voice hard and unwavering. "Hands where I can see them!"
The man halted, lifting his arms slightly, though his hand never left the girl's shoulder. "We're not a threat," he said hoarsely, his breath coming in short gasps. "Just trying to survive."
Andre's finger hovered dangerously close to the trigger. "You're bleeding," he pointed out coldly. "How do I know you're not bitten?"
The man's jaw tightened, his expression darkening with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "It's not mine," he bit out, his voice hoarse, like he'd been yelling—or screaming—recently. "I—" He cut himself off, his gaze shifting to the girl, who stared at Andre with wide, tear-glazed eyes.
"Whoa, hold on," Alex interjected, stepping between Andre and the strangers. He raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Let's all calm down. Look at the kid. Does she look like a walker to you?"
Andre hesitated, his posture stiff. "You can't be too careful," he muttered, lowering the gun slightly but keeping it ready.
"Phew, thought for a second you and the little one were BOTH going to give us the chomp." Shawn commented jokingly, trying to lighten the tension.
Alex's gaze swept over the pair. The man's leg was bent at an unnatural angle, his movements stiff and agonized. Blood smeared his pants, dark and fresh. Alex's eyes lingered on the girl next. Her small, dirt-smudged face pressed into the man's side. Dirty but fine.
She hid behind the man's leg as soon as she noticed his gaze and Alex gave her a gentle smile, before lowering himself on his knees to be on the same eye level as her.
"What's your name." He asked, voice almost a whisper, yet gentle. "Clementine." The man answered when the 8-year-old wouldn't. "And I'm Lee." As soon as the names were registered in his head, Alex was surprised, eyes focused on the man.
SAVE LEE EVERETT.
The words rang in his head. "Lee Everett?" Alex muttered, cutting Andre's introduction, bringing focus to himself. Slowly, Alex stood up, but also noticed Lee tensing, then nodding. "You know me?" The older man asked with resignation.
"I… yeah." Alex muttered before shaking his head. "Alexander Morgan." He continued, before surveying the surroundings. They've been out in the open for too long now. "We shouldn't be out in the open like this." Andre spoke exactly what he was thinking.
"If you could help us clear the way, we'll be able to take you and your daughter out of here, and down to my family's farm. It should be safer there." Shawn offered. Though immediately, Lee interrupted. "I'm not her dad. Just some guy…"
"Okayyy…?" Shawn replied before moving towards the green vehicle in their way. "Come on, some guy."
With Lee's additional help, they managed to shove the sedan onto the sidewalk, opening up the path. But as they worked, a low, guttural moan echoed from the street behind them. Clementine stiffened, her grip on Lee tightening.
"They're coming," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Andre shouldered his rifle. "Let's go. Now."
Alex waved toward the truck. "Get in, all of you. I'll hold them off with Andre."
Lee hesitated for a fraction of a second, then scooped Clementine into his arms. She clung to him, burying her face in his shoulder as he limped toward the truck. Shawn jumped into the driver's seat, his face pale but focused.
Before Andre could shot one, Alex stopped him. "They're slow, take your time. Gun will make too noise." He told him. Though reluctantly, the police officer nodded and kept watch the surroundings as Alex fired one stone after another with his slingshot to buy more time.
As soon as Shawn had passed all the obstacles and was facing a free roadblock street, he stopped. "Let's go." Andre noticed it as well, tapping Alex on the shoulder.
Though they saw more walkers emerging from the space between houses, they ignored it in favor of jumping into the track's back. "We're in. Go." Andre tabbed the side of the car as a signal. Shawn didn't hesitate to accelerate away from there.
Arriving at the farm, everyone took a breath of relief, as if a load was taken off their shoulder. The sun was dipping low on the horizon, casting long, golden shadows over the fields. One by one, they climbed out of the vehicle, the tension in their bodies easing ever so slightly.
Andre stretched, rolling his shoulders. "I've got to get home. My wife's probably losing it, wondering where I've been," he said, nodding toward Shawn.
"Want me to give you a ride?" Shawn offered, brushing dirt off his jeans.
Andre shook his head, giving the younger man a faint smile. "I'll be fine."
He turned to Alex next, extending his hand. "It was good meeting you, Alex."
Alex took the offered hand firmly. "Likewise. Stay safe out there."
"Get that leg of yours looked at, Lee. And take care of that little girl." Andre spoke to the last person, who grunted in acknowledgement.
Lee gave a curt nod, while Clementine stuck to his side. "I will. Thanks."
As Andre strode off down the dirt road, Alex turned back to Lee. His gaze flicked to the awkward angle of Lee's leg and the strain etched across his face. "Let me take a look at that leg. Might not be much, but I can at least clean it up."
Lee hesitated, remembering the first impression from the young man, his jaw tightening. "I'm fine," he said gruffly, but the way he shifted his weight betrayed the truth.
"Humor me," Alex replied, his voice firm but not unkind. "You can sit on the porch." Hershel joined them, making Shawn pause in what he wanted to say. "I should have some supplies you can use."
Lee relented with a grunt, letting Alex guide him toward the farmhouse. Clementine stayed close, her small hand clutching Lee's as they climbed the creaking steps. Alex gestured for Lee to sit on one of the weathered chairs while Hershel went inside with Shawn close behind.
Slowly, but steadily, he lifted the man's jeans before shaking his head at the thing reaching its limit. "Wait here." Alex ordered before running to his truck on the passenger seat and coming back with his multi-tool and a first aid kit.
"I'll have to clear your jeans." He sheepishly muttered, Lee leaned back, wincing slightly. "Guess I don't have much choice, huh?"
"Nope." Alex gave a faint smile, then gestured to Clementine. "Why don't you sit here, Clem? Give your legs a rest."
The girl nodded silently, perching on the steps. Her wide eyes followed Alex's movements as he knelt beside Lee.
As Alex worked, cleaning the dried blood from Lee's leg, the older man began to speak, his voice low and hesitant. "You know, I was on my way to jail before all this went down."
Alex paused, glancing up in surprise but saying nothing, 'Don't remember that.' letting Lee continue.
"Yeah," Lee murmured, staring at the horizon. "Police car, handcuffs, the whole deal. Then everything went to hell. Car flipped, and next thing I know, I'm pulling this little girl out of her house." He tilted his head toward Clementine, a faint smile touching his lips. "Her parents were gone. Just her babysitter… and she wasn't exactly alive anymore."
"Walker." Alex helpfully supplied, which Lee nodded.
Alex continued; his expression thoughtful. "You did the right thing."
They sat in silence for a moment before Alex spoke, his hands still busy cleaning the wound. "I was a med student before this. Saw the signs early, you know? Tv programs pushing for survival, tips and tricks, what not to do in case of losing electricity for a long time."
Surprised, Lee stared at the young man. 'Shouldn't be more than 20.' But Alex was lost in thought. "Then saw a video online, then another, and another. I connected the dots and packed up and left before things got ugly." He hesitated, his voice softening. "Tried to warn people before it, though, the dead walking around..." Alex shook his head, not continuing. Done with cleaning the wound, he started bandaging it.
Lee looked at him, something like understanding passing between them. "You're lucky," he said. "Most people didn't get a chance to plan."
Alex shrugged, focusing on his work. "Luck or not, it's survival now."
The sound of boots on wood drew their attention. Hershel appeared in the doorway, a larger first aid kit in hand. He didn't say anything immediately, just set the supplies down and nodded.
"Looks like you've got this handled," Hershel said finally, his tone unreadable. He glanced between the two men, his sharp eyes lingering for a moment before turning toward the fields. "Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thank you." Lee told him and the house owner nodded, gaze not leaving him for a moment. "You can sleep in the barn after your done." Hershel told them. "Thank you." It was Alex this time.
"Hmm" Was the answer he got.
After finishing the bandage, Alex nodded proudly to himself. Chest a little puffed up. "Until tomorrow, you should start feeling better and the swelling should stop and decrease a little. But if doesn't."
"If it doesn't?" Lee repeated unsurely.
"Well, it's an infection." Alex answered, dodging Lee's stare and instead looking out at the field. "What do we do then?" Lee pressed, getting worried at the uncertainty in the young man. "Uhh… I don't know? Chop your leg, I guess."
In the background, Clementine gasped loudly, while Lee's jaw dropped. "Wha- I don't want that."
"I'm kidding, it's not that severe. It's just cleaning the area with rubbing alcohol." Alex told him with a shaky grin and tried to plaster as much confidence as he could.
"Fine…" The man sighed and Alex let out a chuckle that made Clementine smile at ease. "Your welcome."
"Thank you." Lee let out.
"Now, let's get to sleep. Tomorrow should be busy." Alex exhaustedly said, giving a head pat to Clementine before heading towards the barn, with the other two following after them.
The group settled into the barn, exhaustion heavy in the air. Clementine curled up close to Lee, her small hand clutching his shirt while asking him questions. "Where's Savanah." Or "What do we do now". Alex leaned against a hay bale, eyes half-closed but alert.
Already, he could feel an instinct to protect rearing its head at the small child's questions. The barn creaked softly as the night deepened, a fragile sense of peace settling over them all.
◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤ ◢◤
Author Note:
So, Alex meeting his mission and Clementine. And if you haven't forgotten the secondary objectives, good for you, because I havent either... YET.
This chapter, I showed a little of Alex's practicality in care, but also connecting with someone else. And you might notice the system taking a back seat, which is intentional. Whenever I need it, I will use it, but I want to make it so the story is focused on the plot and characters instead of a invisible screen.
This is also let me develop Alex as a character instead of him treating everyone as NPCs, and bonding with them.
This chapter was a little short, because there will be a lot of things going on in the next chapter and cutting them off tonight will kill the momentum of the story for those who are update to date. So, this is the finale chapter for tonight.
If you found any mistake that disrupt the pace of story, comment them and I'll try to fix it.
I hope I've done a good job so far. Take care.
Stay safe.
Author out.
Best Walking Dead meme you have here.