This story switches between narratives, is done in segments, and will sometimes be told from the characters' point of view. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy this story.
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THE WALKING DEAD ALTERNATIVE.
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Chapter 3: SURVIVING!!
Lee and Klause finally reach the shorelines of Atlanta after hours of travel. The salty wind blows across their faces as they scan the area, searching for a boat to take them to Navine.
Lee:
Thought you said you had a boat?
Klause:
I do... I did.
Lee:
You did or do? Make up your mind.
Klause:
Guess someone beat us to it.
Lee sighs heavily and sinks down onto the sand, frustration mounting. His hope for a quick journey is quickly fading.
Lee:
So, we're only a few miles away, right?
Klause:
Yep.
Klause squints into the distance, his eyes catching a glimpse of something in the water.
Klause:
There it is, but we'll have to swim to it.
Lee:
How the hell am I supposed to swim with one arm?
Klause:
I don't know. Just wait here, I'll go for it.
Lee:
Alright, sounds like a plan to me.
Without another word, Klause dives into the ocean. Lee watches him swim toward the boat, but just as he begins to relax, he hears a familiar sound—a growl.
Out of nowhere, a couple of walkers appear from the shadows, drawn by the scent of fresh blood. Lee reacts quickly, pulling out a blade and slicing through the air, decapitating the first walker in a swift motion. Another one lunges from behind, but Lee spins around, slashing it in the neck.
His heart racing, Lee dives into the ocean and begins swimming toward Klause, but the walkers aren't far behind. They're relentless, chasing him through the water, their rotting limbs barely keeping them afloat.
Lee:
KLAAUSE!! KLAAUSE!!
Klause turns at the sound of Lee's voice and spots him being dragged under by the walkers. He kicks into overdrive, swimming faster than before, but the distance feels endless.
A walker grabs onto Lee's foot, pulling him down beneath the waves. Lee kicks and stabs, thrashing in the water, finally managing to drive his blade into the walker's skull. He takes a gasping breath and swims back to the surface, desperate for air.
Klause finally reaches the boat, scrambling to get it started. With shaky hands, he turns the engine, and the motor hums to life. He pulls Lee aboard, laughing in relief.
Lee:
Why are you laughing? I almost died back there!
Klause:
But you didn't, did you? Plus, I knew you'd be fine.
Lee:
Luck and good swings, that's all. So, where are we going now?
Klause:
To Navine.
Lee:
Navine... sounds like a good place.
The two share a brief smile before setting off toward their unknown future.
MEANWHILE, ELSEWHERE…
Christa:
Clementine!! Clementine!!
Clementine:
Yes? Are you looking for me?
Christa:
Yes… Where's Omid?
Omid:
I'm right here, darling.
Christa:
You two shouldn't wander so far off. It's not safe.
Clementine:
Okay, I understand.
Omid:
I was just teaching her how to catch a fish.
Christa:
And why would you be teaching her that?
Omid:
Have you forgotten? Lee asked us to look out for her. What if something happens to us?
Christa:
Nothing will happen to us.
Omid:
You can't say that. You know it's not true. I'm teaching Clementine everything I know about survival. She needs to know how to take care of herself.
Christa:
Okay… fine.
Clementine:
Thanks, Omid. And Christa is right—nothing bad will happen to us.
Omid sighs deeply and walks off to gather firewood.
Christa:
Where are you going?
Omid:
To get firewood. It's getting dark, and we'll need a fire.
Clementine:
Why did you, of all people, have to get bitten?
She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a photo of Lee. The tears she's been holding back finally spill over as she stares at his smiling face.
Clementine:
I miss you, Lee.
Omid returns just in time to see her crying. He places the firewood down and sits beside her.
Omid:
You know, it's okay to be sad, Clem. I get it. Lee protected you like a father would protect his daughter.
Clementine:
Lee once said that if he ever had kids, he'd want a daughter like me.
Omid:
I think he got that wish, because to Lee, you were like a daughter to him. And he loved you, right to the end.
Clementine:
Don't say that… If I was like a daughter to him, why did I leave him? If I'd stayed by his side, he'd still be alive.
Omid looks down, struggling to keep his own emotions in check. His throat tightens, but he fights the tears.
Omid:
I didn't know Lee long, but it felt like a lifetime. So cheer up, Clem. After all, you were his sweet pea.
Clementine sniffles and wipes away her tears. She takes a shaky breath and nods, even though the pain inside her heart hasn't gone away.
The End of Chapter 3