Capítulo 15: Chapter 15 : The Shop of Memories
The road stretched out before them, long and winding, framed by the muted hues of a late afternoon sky. Three cars moved in single file, their engines humming in unison, breaking the otherwise eerie silence of the desolate highway. At the head of the convoy was Lee's car, leading the way to Macon, a destination he had chosen for the group. Lee had been here before—he knew the terrain, the streets, and the dangers that might lurk ahead.
Lee's car was the crown jewel of the convoy: a sleek, sturdy vehicle that looked as dependable as it was spacious. In the driver's seat sat Lee, his hands firm on the wheel, his eyes scanning the road with a mix of caution and determination. Beside him, Natasha sat in silence, her sharp gaze shifting between the scenery and the rearview mirror.
In the middle row of the car, Lee's family—his brother, mother, and father—sat huddled together. Their quiet conversations were drowned by the rumble of tires against asphalt, but their expressions betrayed a mix of apprehension and resolve. The back seats, designed to face each other, hosted Sandra, Clementine, Carl, and Beth.
Beth's face was a portrait of sorrow, her thoughts lingering on the barn they had left behind—a place that had been a temporary haven. Hershel, understanding her grief, had suggested she sit with the kids, hoping their presence might distract her. Clementine and Carl, though young, displayed an uncanny composure, while Sandra maintained a watchful eye over the group.
The second car in the line belonged to Hershel. A modest yet reliable vehicle, it carried his family and close companions. Shawn, his son, drove with steady hands, while Hershel sat beside him, his weathered face etched with concern. In the middle row, Otis, Patricia, Ava and Maggie occupied the seats, their voices hushed as they exchanged glances through the windows at the desolation around them.
Trailing behind was Kenny's 1991 Toyota Pickup Truck, its rugged frame bearing the scars of time. Inside were his family—Katjaa and Duck—seated close together. Kenny drove with a sense of urgency, his knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel.
Two hours had passed since they had set out, following Lee's lead. The road had grown increasingly chaotic as they neared their destination. Abandoned cars lined the streets like grave markers, their windows shattered, their hoods rusted. The remnants of once-thriving businesses now lay in ruin—broken storefronts, toppled signs, and scattered debris painted a bleak picture.
A growing unease settled over the group, the weight of the surroundings pressing down like an invisible hand. Fear hung in the air, unspoken but palpable.
Lee brought his car to a stop near the backside of a shop, away from the main street's chaos. It was quieter here—a deliberate choice on Lee's part. He stepped out, motioning for everyone to stay silent. The group obeyed, their movements careful and their eyes darting around for any signs of danger.
Knife in hand, Lee approached the back door, his steps measured and deliberate. The door was ajar, just as he had expected. He paused, taking a deep breath before signaling the group to stay sharp. Guns were a last resort—only to be used when absolutely necessary.
Lee pushed the door open slowly, its hinges creaking faintly. Inside, the air was heavy, carrying the faint stench of decay. A walker appeared almost instantly, its guttural growl breaking the silence. Lee moved with swift precision, closing the distance in an instant and driving his dagger deep into the creature's eye. It collapsed with a wet thud, its lifeless body sprawled on the floor.
He turned back, gesturing for the others to follow. One by one, they slipped inside, their footsteps as soft as whispers. Even the children, aware of the gravity of the situation, moved without a sound.
Lee closed and locked the door behind them, sealing off their entry point. Ahead was another door—the one that connected to the shop itself. Lee stood before it, his fingers brushing the handle. He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. He had been here before.
The shop was familiar yet alien—a haunting shadow of the memories Lee had carried with him. This was once his parents' place, bustling with life and energy, but now it stood hollow and broken, a pale echo of what it had been. Lee's parents, who were with him now, recognized it instantly. Their faces betrayed the sadness that welled up inside, their eyes scanning the wreckage that had once been their pride and livelihood.
Lee hesitated only briefly before he pushed the connecting door open. Gun at the ready, he stepped into the room.
His eyes fell on the occupants of the room: five people—alive. The suddenness of his entrance startled them, their faces a mixture of shock and fear. Acting on instinct, Lee drew his gun and pointed it at the person who posed the most immediate threat: a woman with short hair.
"Don't move!"
Lee barked, his voice firm and commanding.
The woman froze, her wide eyes fixed on the barrel of his gun. Lee remembered that she had a weapon, and controlling her meant controlling the room.
The rest of the group reacted almost as one. A man with a gruff demeanor and an imposing build moved to shield a younger woman, his daughter. His stance was protective, his face twisted in both anger and alarm.
"Who are you?"
The younger woman demanded, her voice sharp and edged with fear.
Behind them, two other figures stood, their postures tense but uncertain. One was a lanky man, clutching at a nearby counter for support, while the other, a younger man with a baseball cap, stood ready to intervene but clearly unsure how to handle the situation.
The woman Lee had at gunpoint—Carley—was visibly terrified, though she held her ground. Her eyes darted between Lee's gun and his face, her breathing quick and shallow.
Lee kept his aim steady but softened his tone.
"Ah, don't worry"
He said, lowering his gun slightly but keeping it in hand.
"I pointed it because I thought there were walkers in here. When I saw you, I figured a sudden barge-in might make you shoot us out of panic, so I wanted to stop that first. Sorry to startle you."
The room remained silent for a moment as Lee holstered his weapon, signaling to his group that the situation was under control. One by one, they stepped in behind him, their presence filling the small shop.
Lee's group exchanged wary but polite greetings with the strangers. Clementine stayed close to Sandra, her small hand clutching the older woman's sleeve. Lee's parents hung back slightly, their emotions clearly written on their faces as they looked around the shop. This was once their domain, but now it was shared with strangers under dire circumstances.
The large man who had stepped forward—Larry—grumbled something under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he sized up Lee. The woman he had shielded, Lilly, seemed more collected now but still kept a hand near her belt, where a knife was tucked away.
"I'm Lee"
He said, breaking the uneasy silence.
"We're just passing through. This… this was my parents' place. Looks like we've all ended up here."
The tension in the room began to dissipate, replaced by a cautious curiosity. Introductions were exchanged, albeit warily. Doug, the lanky man, offered a half-smile, while Glenn gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Carley, now recovering from the shock, adjusted her stance and observed Lee with a wary but less hostile expression.
"We've been holed up here for days"
Lilly explained, her voice steadier now.
"Trying to keep things safe. Supplies are running low, and the walkers…"
She didn't finish her sentence, but the grim reality was clear.
Lee nodded, understanding the situation all too well.
"We're a big group"
He said.
"Maybe we can help each other."
The two groups regarded each other carefully, strangers brought together by the unforgiving world outside. Trust would take time, but for now, there was a fragile truce—and the faintest glimmer of hope.
"Lee, this is your place?"
The question cut through the buzz of movement in the shop. Lee turned to see Kenny standing behind him, his expression twisted with anger.
"Yes"
Lee replied flatly, his tone calm but confused. He didn't understand why Kenny seemed upset.
Kenny's jaw tightened as he took a step closer.
"So, you said all that nonsense back at the barn just to get us to your place? What for? Look for someone?"
His voice carried a sharp edge, frustration evident in every word. Kenny had put his trust in Lee's plan to leave the barn in search of a safe haven. Now, it felt to him like Lee had manipulated the group, using them to reach his parents' shop for personal reasons.
Lee held his ground, though his face betrayed a flicker of irritation at the accusation.
"No"
He said firmly.
"You're using that brain of yours too much. I'm no mastermind pulling strings behind the scenes. I didn't plan all this, Kenny. This isn't even the safe place I mentioned earlier. It's just a stop along the way."
Lee softened his tone and added with a faint smile.
"Don't worry. Calm yourself. We're all in this together."
Kenny's shoulders relaxed slightly, but his lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn't fully convinced, but for now, he let the matter drop.
Lee turned back toward the group and raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"Let's gather everything useful from this shop. After that, we'll head to the drugstore next door and clear it out. I'll handle the drugstore myself. Everyone else, focus on filling up the supplies here. And one more thing—don't go outside. No matter what."
The group murmured their assent, dispersing to scour the shop for supplies. Lee's tone left no room for debate, and even the newcomers began pitching in without hesitation.
Lilly, still wary of the situation, stepped closer to Lee.
"Where is this 'safe place' you mentioned?"
She asked, her voice tight with suspicion.
Lee paused before answering, glancing around to ensure everyone was focused on their tasks.
"Before we get to the safe place, there's one more stop we need to make. It'll be the temporary base—a fuel station nearby. From there, we regroup and figure out the next steps."
Satisfied for now, Lilly nodded but stayed on edge. She worried that Lee's group might take all the supplies and leave her people behind. Trust was still a fragile thing between the two groups.
Leaving the shop's main room, Lee gestured to his brother to follow him toward the drugstore. He needed to ensure the alarm system wouldn't trigger when they entered. The memories of the store flooded back as he approached its entrance, but he pushed them aside. Survival came first.
As Lee and his brother worked on the door, Lilly joined them.
"I need to come with you"
She said curtly.
"My father… he needs nitroglycerin pills. I won't risk leaving here without them."
Lee hesitated for a moment but then nodded. He understood the urgency.
"Stay close, and follow my lead"
He said.
Inside the shop, the rest of the group worked diligently. Clementine and Carl stayed near Sandra, carefully placing canned goods and bottled water into a growing pile. Doug and Glenn sorted through shelves for anything useful, while Carley kept a wary eye on the front entrance, her hand never straying far from her gun.
As they worked, conversations began to flow, hesitant at first but gradually more open. Stories were shared—how each person had survived this far, the loved ones they'd lost, and the harrowing events that had shaped them. Bonds began to form, fragile yet significant in a world where trust was a rare commodity.
Even amidst the tension and uncertainty, there was a flicker of hope. They were alive, they had supplies, and for the first time in days, they weren't entirely alone.
The group worked diligently, gathering supplies and packing them into bags. The once-barren shop shelves now looked even more desolate as they stripped them of anything useful. Soon, Lee, his brother, and Lilly returned from the drugstore, each carrying a heavy bag stuffed with medicines. They had taken as much as they could for now, but Lee knew there was more left behind—supplies they'd need to come back for later if they could afford to risk it.
As the group consolidated their supplies in the shop, Lee made his way toward the front gate. His expression was unreadable, but his movements were deliberate. He needed to assess the situation outside, to ensure their next steps wouldn't lead them straight into danger.
At the gate, Carley was already stationed, her eyes scanning the streets beyond. She glanced briefly at Lee as he approached, then turned her gaze back outside. They stood side by side in silence, the tension between them lingering from their earlier encounter.
"Sorry for doing that"
Lee said abruptly, his tone flat, his eyes still on the desolate street.
Carley hesitated for a moment before responding.
"It's okay. I understand… but there's something I need to ask."
Lee didn't turn to look at her but gave a small nod to signal she should go on.
"How did you know I had a gun?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
"You targeted me back there like you knew. Everyone else froze, but you went straight for me."
Lee's expression didn't change as he replied,
"...Just a guess. Intuition helped me, is all."
Carley studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before nodding.
"Fair enough."
Lee turned away from her and stepped back into the shop. He moved to the center of the room, his posture commanding attention.
"Alright, everyone, listen up"
He said, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of activity.
The group stopped what they were doing and turned to face him. Clementine leaned against Sandra, her wide eyes fixed on Lee. Kenny crossed his arms, still keeping one wary eye on Lee but listening intently. Lilly stood near her father, her expression guarded. Even the newcomers—Doug, Glenn, and Carley—waited in silence.
Lee took a moment to meet each person's gaze, ensuring he had their full attention.
"We're moving out soon"
He began.
"This place has served us for now, but it's not safe to stay here. There's a fuel station nearby—it's going to be our temporary base. It's defensible, and it's close enough to come back here if we need more supplies. But we'll need to be smart and move quickly."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"When we leave, we stick together. No one goes off on their own, and no one does anything reckless. We've made it this far because we've worked as a team, and that's the only way we're going to keep making it."
Kenny shifted his weight but nodded, his initial skepticism giving way to reluctant agreement. Lilly, though still wary, seemed to approve of the plan, her protective instincts for her father aligning with the idea of a safer location.
"Get your things packed"
Lee continued.
"We'll leave in ten minutes. Be ready for anything."
As the group began to move, Lee turned back toward the front gate, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing: every decision he made from here on out could mean the difference between life and death—not just for himself, but for everyone under his leadership.
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