This story switches between narratives and is told in segments. At times, it will be taken from the characters' point of view.
Thank you for reading—I hope you enjoy this story.
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THE WALKING DEAD: ALTERNATIVE
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Chapter 1: Still Alive
Lee wakes up after saying his goodbyes to Clementine. A full day has passed since then… and yet he's still alive. Still human.
"I don't know what's going on… but it must be a miracle," Lee mutters to himself.
Groaning as he sits up, pain shooting through his body, he starts wondering how he survived. Then a thought strikes him—Clementine.
He couldn't stay here. Not while she was still out there.
Lee: "I need a change of clothes… too many bloodstains. I could do without drawing extra attention. Oh yeah… gotta grab some bandages for my arm. Wouldn't want to bleed out. That'd really suck."
He sneaks out of the building and makes his way toward the shoreline. Still drenched in walker blood, he's able to blend in—slipping past the dead without drawing attention.
Lee: "This is gonna be hard… sigh."
"How the hell am I supposed to find Clementine?" he whispers to himself, staring out at the ruined city.
With another sigh, he turns and walks away from it all.
THE NEXT DAY
Lee: "Shit… didn't think there'd be this many walkers out here. I need to find shelter. Fast."
Scanning the area, he spots a store across the street—but it's completely surrounded.
Lee: "Damn, that's a lot of walkers. No way I'm getting in there right now… sigh no rest for the undead—pun intended. I'll go check it out later."
To his right, he notices a small wholesale store.
Lee: "Okay… that mini-mart might do the trick. But how do I get there without ending up walker chow? This is so annoying. Might as well try something... oh—look at that, a rock."
He picks up the stone and throws it at a nearby shop window. The crash echoes down the street, and sure enough, the walkers turn and shuffle toward the noise.
He darts across the road, reaching the mini-mart just in time and slipping inside before they notice.
Lee: "That was exhausting... sigh."
He quickly barricades the doorway with whatever he can find, locking himself inside. Then he checks the windows one by one, making sure they're secure.
Finally, he slumps down against the wall, his eyes falling on his left arm—the one he had to cut off. The pain's still there, but it's nothing compared to the weight of everything else.
He wraps the arm carefully, wincing through it, and the emotions catch up with him. Tears stream down his face. The world is broken… but Clementine's still out there.
He holds on to that.
And he smiles.
Lee: "Don't worry, sweet pea… I'll find you again. Just like last time."
He wipes his tears, steadying himself.
Lee: "I should look for a map. I'll find you, Clem. Just wait a little longer."
MEANWHILE — SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS
Omid: "Clementine, when starting a fire, you've gotta be patient—or it'll never catch."
Clementine: "Okay. I understand."
Omid: "You alright?"
Clementine: "I miss Lee."
Omid: "We all do."
Clementine: "I didn't kill him… so maybe he's a walker now. I should've done it, but I just couldn't."
Omid: "I understand. Sometimes, hurting the ones we love… it's just too much."
Christa: "What are you two talking about?"
Omid: "Nothing serious."
Clementine: "If I wasn't so foolish, Lee wouldn't have been bitten. He'd still be alive…"
She starts crying. Omid pulls her into a hug, holding her close.
Omid: "Lee loved you, Clem. That will never change. And you gave him something to fight for."
End of Chapter 1