This story switches between narratives, is told in segments, and will sometimes be taken 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 8: UNTIL THEN!
Lee dashed toward the Gorilla Walker at full speed. The creature swung one of its massive hands at him—but this time, Lee dodged it with ease.
Lee (thinking):
Its attacks feel slower... either that, or I'm faster.
Lee ran up the back of a truck and leaped into the air. The Gorilla Walker swung its arm again.
Alice:
"There's no way he can dodge that mid-air—Lee, watch out!"
In mid-flight, Lee swung his sword and chopped off the Gorilla Walker's hand. The Walker let out a deafening roar, which echoed across the area and called more walkers to the scene. Lee scanned the horizon and saw them approaching.
Lee:
"Stay back, Alice. I'll handle them."
Alice quickly took Klaus in her arms and moved to hide, trying to stay out of sight.
Lee:
"Cover yourselves in walker blood, that way they won't notice you."
Alice:
"Are you sure?"
Lee:
"Yes."
Alice gutted a nearby walker and smeared its blood on herself and Klaus.
Two bolts flew at Lee from behind, but he dodged them effortlessly. He placed his sword in his left robotic hand and charged at the Gorilla Walker again. He swung his sword at its neck, but the creature's bones were too tough to cut through.
Lee had a flashback of Clementine.
[FLASHBACK]
Clementine:
"Lee, do you think you'll ever have kids one day?"
Lee:
"Yeah, I'd like to have a daughter… just like you."
[END OF FLASHBACK]
Lee's heart hardened. He clenched his fists and looked at the Gorilla Walker.
Lee (thinking):
"Until I find Clementine... there's no way I'm going to die. I'll create a place where she can be happy forever."
Lee focused all his strength into his left robotic arm and swung his sword again. This time, he managed to sever the Gorilla Walker's head from its body.
Suddenly, the two bolts that had attacked Lee before turned and fled.
For the first time, walkers were running away instead of attacking.
Two hours passed. All the walkers were dead, but Klaus was still dying. He coughed up blood, looking up at Lee with a faint smile.
Klaus:
"Lee."
Lee:
"Yeah?"
Klaus:
"Take care of my sister for me, would you?"
Lee:
"Stop saying that. You're going to be fine."
Klaus:
"No... I won't be okay. Promise me you'll protect her for me."
Lee looked down at the ground, tears streaming down his face. He lifted his head and looked Klaus in the eye.
Lee:
"You'll be fine. We'll save you."
Alice:
"Lee, I think if we give him some of your blood, he might not die."
Lee:
"Are you sure?"
Alice:
"No... but if you didn't turn after getting bitten, then your body must've created a vaccine to stop the virus."
Lee:
"That makes sense. So, by giving Klaus some of my blood, we might be able to save him."
Alice:
"Also, I think you might be getting mutated."
Lee:
"What do you mean?"
Alice:
"I mean, you might be becoming more like a walker as the days go by... but you don't actually turn into one of them."
Lee:
"Explain."
Alice:
"Sometimes, you smile like a walker."
Lee:
"Are you saying I stink?"
Alice:
"No, it's not that. When you were about to kill the Gorilla Walker, your skin and scent... they changed a little."
Lee:
"I understand. Let's try it."
A few hours later, Lee had given Klaus some of his blood.
Lee:
"Did it work?"
Alice:
"We'll know tomorrow. Let's get some rest for now."
Alice walked over, leaned in, and kissed Lee on the cheek.
Alice:
"Thank you, Lee. Goodnight."
END OF CHAPTER 8