บท 10: Chapter 10 : Trust Amid Chaos
Lee started his car and left the place, Before leaving, he had a brief conversation with Natasha, explaining his plan to search for supplies. She immediately offered to join him, pointing out the dangers of venturing out alone. However, Lee firmly declined, his voice resolute as he told her he needed some time by himself. Reluctantly, Natasha agreed, though her concern lingered in her eyes as she watched him go.
Driving down the deserted road, Lee guided his car toward the highway, the once-bustling route now eerily silent, littered with debris and signs of abandonment. After some time on the open road, a small house came into view, standing isolated amidst the overgrown grass and cracked pavement. He pulled the car to a stop a short distance away, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement.
Approaching the house cautiously, Lee stepped inside, the floorboards creaking under his weight. The home was a picture of desolation—half-packed boxes, scattered belongings, and the faint sense of lives abruptly interrupted. It was clear the family who once lived here had fled, likely forced to leave due to the unsafe location. The air was heavy with a lingering sadness, a stark reminder of how much the world had changed
Lee stepped inside the house with measured caution, his every movement deliberate and quiet. His eyes darted to every corner, scanning for any shadows or hidden threats that might spring a nasty surprise. The faint creak of the floorboards beneath his boots kept him alert, his senses on edge as he moved through the dimly lit rooms.
For two tense minutes, Lee meticulously searched every nook and cranny of the house, his heart pounding with the awareness that danger could lurk anywhere. Once he was certain the place was clear, he let out a quiet breath, his muscles easing just slightly.
Turning back, he closed the front door securely, the faint click of the latch breaking the silence. With the house now seemingly safe, Lee shifted his focus, his sharp eyes scanning the scattered remains of the house for anything useful. Supplies were his priority, and he knew every second counted in this unforgiving world.
Even in the chaos of the apocalypse, people still left behind items that could make the difference between survival and despair. Scattered among the remnants of a once-normal life, Lee found a few valuable supplies—a small flashlight, some canned food, and an old first-aid kit. Without hesitation, he packed them away into his inventory.
Spotting a surprisingly intact sofa in the corner of the living room, Lee decided to take a brief moment for himself. He sank into the soft cushions, their worn fabric offering an unexpected comfort amidst the ruins. While his body didn't truly need the rest, his mind felt frayed, the tension of constant vigilance taking its toll. Closing his eyes for a fleeting minute, he allowed himself a rare moment of stillness.
When the brief respite ended, Lee exhaled quietly and pushed himself upright. His focus returned to the task at hand.
Lee opened his inventory and began pulling out all the ammunition he had gathered over time. Box after box appeared in front of him, spilling rounds of various calibers onto the floor. The sheer volume of ammunition soon made the room feel cramped, the once-spacious area now cluttered with the weight of his preparations.
His reason for unloading everything was clear—he intended to fully load all his firearms. His main pistol, a customized masterpiece of engineering, was his go-to weapon. It boasted an impressive magazine capacity, allowing him to fire off more rounds before needing to reload. Beside it, he had a few identical spare magazines, all ready to be filled.
Lee methodically loaded each magazine with precise, practiced movements. Once the pistol magazines were ready, he turned his attention to the rifles and shotguns. Each weapon was carefully loaded and checked, the mechanical clicks of sliding bolts and locking mechanisms breaking the silence.
He knew the importance of preparation in a world where danger lurked at every turn. In a life-or-death encounter, the seconds spent fumbling with reloading could be the difference between survival and failure—a risk Lee wasn't willing to take. With every gun primed and ready, he felt a sense of calm readiness settle over him, a small shield against the chaos waiting outside.
With the task complete, Lee carefully stored all his weaponry and ammunition back into his inventory, ensuring everything was secure and ready for future use. Satisfied with his preparations, he stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against his face as he made his way to the car.
The drive back to the farm was uneventful, the quiet roads and empty landscapes a stark reminder of the world's desolation. As the farmhouse came into view, Lee eased the car into its previous spot and stepped out.
Entering the house, he was greeted by the low murmur of voices coming from the hall. Everyone seemed to be gathered there, their postures relaxed but their eyes carrying the weight of recent days. However, Lee noticed the absence of two familiar faces—Hershel and Shawn. A quick glance upstairs confirmed their location; they were in one of the rooms, likely discussing something in private.
Lee lingered for a moment, taking in the scene before stepping fully into the house. The atmosphere was calm, but the tension of living on edge never entirely disappeared.
"You're back. Did you find anything?"
Natasha's voice broke through the quiet murmur in the hall as she approached Lee, her expression a mix of curiosity and relief.
Before Lee could fully respond, his mother came over as well, her worried eyes scanning him for any signs of harm.
"Are you alright?"
she asked softly, her hands briefly touching his arm as if to reassure herself.
Lee gave them both brief but reassuring answers, his tone calm and steady despite the tension that lingered in the room. After a moment, his gaze shifted toward the stairs. He noticed movement as Hershel descended, each step deliberate and slow.
When their eyes met, an unspoken understanding seemed to pass between them. Hershel's face was unreadable, but his usually stern demeanor carried a subtle shift—less defiance, more contemplation.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Hershel closed the distance between them. His voice was steady, but there was a new weight to his words, a resolve born from hard truths.
"You said the farm isn't safe. Is there a way to make it safe?"
This wasn't the previous dismissive tone Lee had grown accustomed to. Instead, Hershel's question carried genuine intent, his eyes searching Lee's for answers. The danger his son faced had pierced through his skepticism, forcing him to confront the reality of their situation. For the first time, he was ready to listen—not out of fear, but out of a newfound determination to protect what little they had left.
"We can make it safe,"
Lee replied, his voice calm but firm. He met Hershel's gaze with a faint, knowing smile, a sense of relief washing over him. It was a quiet victory, seeing the man who had once been so resistant to change finally coming to terms with the harsh realities of their world. Lee was pleased to see that Hershel wasn't spiraling into denial or panic—he was stabilizing, ready to face what was ahead.
"But we need to have a chat about this"
Lee added, his expression serious, as if he knew the conversation would be crucial for their future.
Hershel nodded, understanding the weight of the discussion that was about to unfold. With a subtle gesture, he turned to the people gathered in the room.
"These are my daughters, Maggie and Beth"
Hershel began, his voice carrying a sense of pride and affection.
"That's Patricia and her husband Otis. They lived on a small farm just ahead, but as things escalated, they asked me to move them here for safety."
Lee glanced at each person in turn, absorbing the new faces. He had never met any of them before, none of these names had been mentioned in the game or the stories he'd known. However, the name Maggie lingered in his mind, familiar, like a distant echo. He hadn't watched The Walking Dead TV series, but he'd stumbled upon clips recommended by the algorithm—snippets of Maggie's storyline, her face, and the name attached to her. It was strange, the way the world seemed to blur between reality and fiction, but it all felt oddly familiar.
In his mind, Lee couldn't help but think to himself, All of them are gorgeous. Maggie's beauty was undeniable, a strong yet soft presence that immediately caught his attention. Beth, with her more innocent look, seemed sweet and endearing in a way that made Lee smile involuntarily. And then there was Patricia, a woman who, despite her shorter stature, carried an air of maturity—her composure steady and calm, like someone who had seen and weathered much.
Lee turned to introduce his own group to them, though it felt more like a formality—everyone had already shared their names in passing. Still, he made sure to address each person with respect.
When it was his turn to mention Ava, Lee's voice softened.
"She's my ex-wife, Ava"
He said, watching their reactions carefully. His family, especially Hershel, seemed taken aback, their expressions shifting from surprise to understanding. The awkwardness hung in the air for a moment, but no one spoke out of turn or pressed for further details.
The room was quiet for a moment, the weight of their new reality settling in, but there was a sense of mutual respect among them—a shared understanding that the lines between the past and present were now blurred, and the only thing that mattered was survival.
Natasha's gaze flickered toward Ava once again, her mind processing the revelation. At first, she had despised the woman—blamed her for the reckless driving that had put her daughter in danger. But now, to learn that this same person was Lee's ex-wife? It was a twist Natasha hadn't expected, one that left her feeling uneasy.
She noticed the brief flicker of pain in Ava's eyes when the words "ex-wife" were spoken. The moment was subtle but undeniable, and Natasha's intuition told her it wasn't just the weight of the past that stung Ava—it was something deeper. Ava still had feelings for Lee.
'This could get messy'
Natasha thought to herself, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. She didn't say anything aloud, knowing it wasn't the time to discuss it.
The group had started to move, preparing to leave the hall, but Natasha's steps faltered when her eyes landed on the door. A family of three stood in the doorway, the air thick with uncertainty.
"What's the problem, Kenny?"
Hershel asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge of concern. Kenny was standing there, holding a bag, the worn fabric and frayed edges showing the signs of departure.
Kenny's voice was low, almost resigned, but it carried through the room.
"This place is dangerous. I'm leaving to find safety for my family."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his decision.
Lee, having noticed the exchange, began to walk toward the family. His eyes locked with Kenny's as he approached.
"Thanks for saving us. You're a good shot"
Kenny said, his voice thick with genuine gratitude.
Lee's face softened slightly at the words, his own nod acknowledging the gratitude.
"Don't mention it…"
he began, but his voice trailed off as something more serious took hold of him.
"Can we talk in private for a while?"
Kenny's gaze shifted between Lee and the others, the sense of finality in the air making him pause. With a brief nod, he agreed, and the two men quietly stepped away from the group, the unspoken tension between them beginning to surface.
.
.
.
.
.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A/N]: Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far—your feedback means a lot! Feel free to share your thoughts, favorite moments, or even what you'd like to see next. Do you feel the tension in Lee's encounters? Are the characters and their relationships pulling you in? Let me know how the worldbuilding, suspense, and emotional beats are landing for you. Every comment helps shape this journey, so don't hold back!
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง