Hello and welcome to my Walking Dead: Choose Your Own Adventure story!
First off, I wanna point out that this of course is just a fanfic so there are changes with characters and stuff xD if you don't like it then just stop reading lol
Second, if you haven't seen the show, then you obviously won't understand this story. And if you have seen the show, make sure you've seen it all the way through Season 2 because there are huge spoilers in my story that might make you upset if you don't know about them!
And last, do not use the links on the sidebar, there will be links at the end of each part that will lead you to the next. If you want to go back to a decision either click the title picture at the top to go to the beginning, or click the back button :)
Oh and another thing, there are a tooooon of choices and different endings (12 endings in all) But there is only one "to be continued..." so if you pick all the "right" decisions, you will get to it! If you don't, you'll run into an ending and will have to either start over or go back!
Thanks for reading, it really means a lot!
Click Here to Begin the Story!
~Alina Renee <3
Monday, May 14, 2012
Where It Begins...
“So… this is where it’s all going to end? Here?” I saw Rick and Shane in a clearing and held my breath to hear what they were saying.
“I have to do what I have to do.” I heard Shane reply and saw him pull out his gun and point it at Rick’s head.
“Shane, no…” I whispered as I gripped the bark of the tree I was hiding behind.
“I’m the better man Rick. I’m a better protector than you; I’m a better father than you. Everyone knows this Rick. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Shane, you know that ain’t true. Just put the gun down—”
“NO!!!!!” Shane’s rough voice caused birds to fly from the trees around me. “Lori and Carl got over you once, they can do it again.” He was speaking louder now to cover up his shaking voice.
“Brother, this ain’t the way to come about it. C’mon now, we can talk this out. Just put the gun down.”
But Shane didn’t move.
“Here, I’m taking out my gun. Nice and slow, so I’m unarmed and we can talk.” Rick slowly put his hand to his gun and slid it out of the holster.
He carefully walked towards Shane, holding the gun upside down to show he trusted him. I bit my lip, praying Shane would drop his gun and get his senses back. But something far worse than I expected happened. In a blink of an eye, Rick had pulled out a knife and drove it straight into the heart of the man I loved.
In that one second, time seemed to slow down. The world around me became still. The cicadas and crickets became muffled. My ears tried to drown out the yell of Shane as Rick helped him fall to the ground. I fell to my knees, tears welling up in my eyes. This couldn’t be happening…
In a snap of a finger, the world came back to me. I heard Rick crying, “How could you do this? How could you make me do this, brother?!” he pulled out the knife and hovered over his dying friend.
That’s when it hit me that Shane would die in only a matter of seconds. All of the air I had inside me left my lungs at once and tears streamed down my face. I gasped for air but ended up choking on it as I stood up and revealed myself from my hiding place. I walked as fast as my shaking legs could take me to the two men.
I fell onto my knees next to Shane and he looked at me, his eyes wide in shock, blood now trickling out of his mouth. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, trying to say something but nothing came out. I grabbed his hand and kissed it. He looked over at Rick and then back at me one last time before his eyes slowly shut and his head slumped to the side.
He was dead.
I screamed and sobbed as hard as my body could endure. I tried to take a deep breath but gagged on my tears. Doubling over, I threw up and my tears mixed in with the mess.
Wiping my mouth, I looked up at a blurry Rick and with all I had left in me screamed, “You—stupid—sonofabitch!” I stood up and faced him.
“Lin, I… I had to. He was going to—” I cut him off with a slap to the face.
My hands turned to fists and I pounded on his chest in a frenzy, as if hitting him could bring Shane back. But it couldn’t. Fortunately for Rick, I dealt very little damage to him, only cutting his cheek with my ring.
I pushed Rick as hard as I could and crawled back to Shane. I threw myself on top of his chest, sobbing into his shirt. I put my right arm around him and ended up getting blood from his stab wound all over my hand and arm. It was still warm.
I cried and wailed, but I kept my head on his chest, hoping for a miracle; that I would feel his chest rise and fall and hear him say my name one last time. Instead, I heard Carl.
“Dad?” his voice was soft.
“Carl… you’re not supposed to be here.”
I heard Carl mumble something as he started to cry.
“It’s not what it looks like.” Rick pleaded with him.
In the midst of their conversation, I swore I had felt Shane’s arm twitch.
“Wh-what did you do? Is… is he dead? You killed him?” Carl whimpered.
“Carl… I had to.”
Shane’s arm twitched for sure this time. I lifted my head up to look at his face, hoping I would see him looking back at me with a smile on his face, as if it were some kind of sick joke they’d played on me. His eyes were open alright, but he was certainly not alive.
I screamed as Shane bolted upright, knocking me backwards. His once kind, bright, handsome face was now grey, lifeless, undead. His eyes that had been a deep chocolate brown and full of energy every time he looked at me were now two different shades of blue, and blood thirsty. His mouth hung open and his eyelids drooped. The only sound escaping from his lips was a soft moan.
I stumbled backwards on my elbows and tried to scramble away from his new hunger; but Shane was fast and caught my foot as I tried to kick away. Just then, a crazy thought popped into my head. But I had to make the decision fast. Should I…
Let Him Bite Me?
Keep Kicking and Get Away
“I have to do what I have to do.” I heard Shane reply and saw him pull out his gun and point it at Rick’s head.
“Shane, no…” I whispered as I gripped the bark of the tree I was hiding behind.
“I’m the better man Rick. I’m a better protector than you; I’m a better father than you. Everyone knows this Rick. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Shane, you know that ain’t true. Just put the gun down—”
“NO!!!!!” Shane’s rough voice caused birds to fly from the trees around me. “Lori and Carl got over you once, they can do it again.” He was speaking louder now to cover up his shaking voice.
“Brother, this ain’t the way to come about it. C’mon now, we can talk this out. Just put the gun down.”
But Shane didn’t move.
“Here, I’m taking out my gun. Nice and slow, so I’m unarmed and we can talk.” Rick slowly put his hand to his gun and slid it out of the holster.
He carefully walked towards Shane, holding the gun upside down to show he trusted him. I bit my lip, praying Shane would drop his gun and get his senses back. But something far worse than I expected happened. In a blink of an eye, Rick had pulled out a knife and drove it straight into the heart of the man I loved.
In that one second, time seemed to slow down. The world around me became still. The cicadas and crickets became muffled. My ears tried to drown out the yell of Shane as Rick helped him fall to the ground. I fell to my knees, tears welling up in my eyes. This couldn’t be happening…
In a snap of a finger, the world came back to me. I heard Rick crying, “How could you do this? How could you make me do this, brother?!” he pulled out the knife and hovered over his dying friend.
That’s when it hit me that Shane would die in only a matter of seconds. All of the air I had inside me left my lungs at once and tears streamed down my face. I gasped for air but ended up choking on it as I stood up and revealed myself from my hiding place. I walked as fast as my shaking legs could take me to the two men.
I fell onto my knees next to Shane and he looked at me, his eyes wide in shock, blood now trickling out of his mouth. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, trying to say something but nothing came out. I grabbed his hand and kissed it. He looked over at Rick and then back at me one last time before his eyes slowly shut and his head slumped to the side.
He was dead.
I screamed and sobbed as hard as my body could endure. I tried to take a deep breath but gagged on my tears. Doubling over, I threw up and my tears mixed in with the mess.
Wiping my mouth, I looked up at a blurry Rick and with all I had left in me screamed, “You—stupid—sonofabitch!” I stood up and faced him.
“Lin, I… I had to. He was going to—” I cut him off with a slap to the face.
My hands turned to fists and I pounded on his chest in a frenzy, as if hitting him could bring Shane back. But it couldn’t. Fortunately for Rick, I dealt very little damage to him, only cutting his cheek with my ring.
I pushed Rick as hard as I could and crawled back to Shane. I threw myself on top of his chest, sobbing into his shirt. I put my right arm around him and ended up getting blood from his stab wound all over my hand and arm. It was still warm.
I cried and wailed, but I kept my head on his chest, hoping for a miracle; that I would feel his chest rise and fall and hear him say my name one last time. Instead, I heard Carl.
“Dad?” his voice was soft.
“Carl… you’re not supposed to be here.”
I heard Carl mumble something as he started to cry.
“It’s not what it looks like.” Rick pleaded with him.
In the midst of their conversation, I swore I had felt Shane’s arm twitch.
“Wh-what did you do? Is… is he dead? You killed him?” Carl whimpered.
“Carl… I had to.”
Shane’s arm twitched for sure this time. I lifted my head up to look at his face, hoping I would see him looking back at me with a smile on his face, as if it were some kind of sick joke they’d played on me. His eyes were open alright, but he was certainly not alive.
I screamed as Shane bolted upright, knocking me backwards. His once kind, bright, handsome face was now grey, lifeless, undead. His eyes that had been a deep chocolate brown and full of energy every time he looked at me were now two different shades of blue, and blood thirsty. His mouth hung open and his eyelids drooped. The only sound escaping from his lips was a soft moan.
I stumbled backwards on my elbows and tried to scramble away from his new hunger; but Shane was fast and caught my foot as I tried to kick away. Just then, a crazy thought popped into my head. But I had to make the decision fast. Should I…
Let Him Bite Me?
Keep Kicking and Get Away
Let Him Bite Me
The fear of walkers I had developed over time suddenly cleared from my mind and I stopped trying to kick Shane off. If I was going to die in this world by walkers, wouldn’t choosing the walker be at least a bit beneficial? When Shane had come back from the high school mission, he had changed dramatically. Ever since all I wanted was to do was make him happy again. So why couldn’t I give him one thing he wanted? Me.
Rick must’ve been too preoccupied with his son to worry about some chick who had just lost her love and was now about to pay for it. But I didn’t mind. I had made my decision.
Walker Shane took a hold of my ankle and with one surge, tore a chunk of my leg off with his teeth. I screamed in agony but couldn’t have been any happier; I was going with him. That is until a gunshot rang through my ears and Shane fell over again, dead for certain this time.
But wait… Shane had been killed by Rick (who was now by his side checking if he was really dead). As far as I knew he had never been bitten. So how did he turn?
“Oh no, did he bite you?” Rick snapped me out of my thoughts and I nodded, a smile creeping to my lips.
“No! No, no, no!!! I can’t be responsible, not again!” he hit the ground in anger, but when he looked up again he froze in fear.
The sounds of moaning filled the night. I could tell there were a lot of them and they were heading this way.
“Dad… dad, we gotta go!” Carl ran up to us and pulled Rick by the sleeve.
“I… I can’t leave you here to the walkers.” Rick looked down at me, but I shook my head and smiled again.
“Don’t worry about me Rick,” my chest was burning up. I coughed, but it didn’t help, “Take care of your son. Take care of our people. If Shane’s dead, I might as well be too. I love him. Always have.” I coughed again, but nothing seemed to get rid of the pain.
Rick went to pull out his gun, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“Just go.” I whispered and rolled over back to Shane.
I lay my hand onto his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I heard the moaning become louder and saw Rick and Carl running down the hill back to the farm.
I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight. The bite on my leg was on fire and so was the rest of my body. I hugged Shane closer to me as the moaning and now accompanied smell drew nearer. That’s when I realized…
Were they going to Eat Me Alive? or
Would Shane's Smell Save Me?
Rick must’ve been too preoccupied with his son to worry about some chick who had just lost her love and was now about to pay for it. But I didn’t mind. I had made my decision.
Walker Shane took a hold of my ankle and with one surge, tore a chunk of my leg off with his teeth. I screamed in agony but couldn’t have been any happier; I was going with him. That is until a gunshot rang through my ears and Shane fell over again, dead for certain this time.
But wait… Shane had been killed by Rick (who was now by his side checking if he was really dead). As far as I knew he had never been bitten. So how did he turn?
“Oh no, did he bite you?” Rick snapped me out of my thoughts and I nodded, a smile creeping to my lips.
“No! No, no, no!!! I can’t be responsible, not again!” he hit the ground in anger, but when he looked up again he froze in fear.
The sounds of moaning filled the night. I could tell there were a lot of them and they were heading this way.
“Dad… dad, we gotta go!” Carl ran up to us and pulled Rick by the sleeve.
“I… I can’t leave you here to the walkers.” Rick looked down at me, but I shook my head and smiled again.
“Don’t worry about me Rick,” my chest was burning up. I coughed, but it didn’t help, “Take care of your son. Take care of our people. If Shane’s dead, I might as well be too. I love him. Always have.” I coughed again, but nothing seemed to get rid of the pain.
Rick went to pull out his gun, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“Just go.” I whispered and rolled over back to Shane.
I lay my hand onto his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I heard the moaning become louder and saw Rick and Carl running down the hill back to the farm.
I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight. The bite on my leg was on fire and so was the rest of my body. I hugged Shane closer to me as the moaning and now accompanied smell drew nearer. That’s when I realized…
Were they going to Eat Me Alive? or
Would Shane's Smell Save Me?
They Eat Me Alive
As the smell of rotting flesh approached me at full force and the sound of moaning filled the air around me I found a new fear of walkers I somehow had not had before. Before tonight I had never been so close to walkers. Sure, I had seen them, but I’d been so fortunate as to keep my distance from them. Now they were stumbling over me and I was sure that Shane wasn’t going to save me this time.
Unfortunately, I was right. While I was clutching onto Shane for dear life I felt a walker kneel down to investigate. The smell was unbearable, but I tried my hardest not to move. I supposed this one didn’t have a nose because I felt something hard, like bone, press up against my ear. I was so scared I couldn’t help but shudder and start to cry. That seemed to startle the walker and gave it the impression that I was alive and that they had just found their dinner.
Before I knew it the walker took my ear clean off my head. I shrieked in distress and instinctively let go of Shane to cover the bite. I felt blood seep through my fingers and down my neck as more walkers saw that I was fresh meat. They crowded around me fast, each one finding their own body part to chew on. First, the hand that was covering my ear, then my neck. A walker went for my stomach, spilling my insides out onto the grass which other walkers found delicious too. The pain was too much. My voice was hoarse from screaming. In fact, I found that I wasn’t even screaming at all anymore. The bite on my throat turned them to gargles. My body was now numb; I never knew I could hurt this much.
I turned my head to my left where Shane’s body was lying. The walkers hadn’t touched it; they somehow knew he had been one of them. As the walkers around me started to blur out I caught a glimpse of his face. Even though he died a second time as a walker with a bullet through his head he looked… peaceful.
At least I was going to die next to him.
I turned my head back to the sky, even though I couldn’t see it through the things crowding around me. Tears slipped down my bloodstained face as I closed my eyes and slipped away into a better world. A peaceful world. A world that wasn’t full of infected, rotting undead.
Click for The End
Unfortunately, I was right. While I was clutching onto Shane for dear life I felt a walker kneel down to investigate. The smell was unbearable, but I tried my hardest not to move. I supposed this one didn’t have a nose because I felt something hard, like bone, press up against my ear. I was so scared I couldn’t help but shudder and start to cry. That seemed to startle the walker and gave it the impression that I was alive and that they had just found their dinner.
Before I knew it the walker took my ear clean off my head. I shrieked in distress and instinctively let go of Shane to cover the bite. I felt blood seep through my fingers and down my neck as more walkers saw that I was fresh meat. They crowded around me fast, each one finding their own body part to chew on. First, the hand that was covering my ear, then my neck. A walker went for my stomach, spilling my insides out onto the grass which other walkers found delicious too. The pain was too much. My voice was hoarse from screaming. In fact, I found that I wasn’t even screaming at all anymore. The bite on my throat turned them to gargles. My body was now numb; I never knew I could hurt this much.
I turned my head to my left where Shane’s body was lying. The walkers hadn’t touched it; they somehow knew he had been one of them. As the walkers around me started to blur out I caught a glimpse of his face. Even though he died a second time as a walker with a bullet through his head he looked… peaceful.
At least I was going to die next to him.
I turned my head back to the sky, even though I couldn’t see it through the things crowding around me. Tears slipped down my bloodstained face as I closed my eyes and slipped away into a better world. A peaceful world. A world that wasn’t full of infected, rotting undead.
Click for The End
The End (#1)
The group in the house had decided to stay and fight. Throughout the night they had managed to kill off most and distract the rest. All but two survived, and even though the group was mourning over them, in the morning, Rick had organized a group of people to go get Shane and Lin.
T-Dog, Andrea, Glenn, and Rick drove up the hill into the field in the blue pick-up truck. It didn’t take long to find them; Shane and Lin lay side-by-side in the grass in the middle of the field. The small group slowly walked up to the mess of Lin’s body parts. She had been torn to shreds by numerous walkers.
Rick knew it was going to be next to impossible to take the body back whole. He walked next to her and looked at her head, the only thing that looked to be intact except for her right ear. He bent down to get a closer look when her eyes snapped open to reveal pale blue eyes, a sign that she had obviously turned. Her head began to shake back and forth as she snapped at them with her teeth. She wasn’t much of a threat due to the fact that the rest of her body was almost completely severed from it. But it was a sad sight to see.
Glenn stepped up to Rick, “Want me to do it?” he said, holding out his hand for Rick’s gun.
Rick handed it to him without an answer. Glenn aimed the gun and fired at Lin’s reanimated head. She was finally laid to rest.
T-Dog and Andrea were busy heaving Shane up and into the back of the truck. Andrea was sniffling in the process.
“Have any ideas on how to move her body?” Rick looked up at Glenn.
“We could, uhhh… we could just gather the remaining appendages. I see her arm over here and, uhhh, here’s a leg.” Glenn looked around the field, carefully picking up her limbs.
The two men gathered up what was left of Lin and put the pieces next to Shane’s corpse. They drove back to the farm and began to dig four graves. One for Lin, one for Shane, one for Jimmy, and another for Mr. Hershel Greene.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
T-Dog, Andrea, Glenn, and Rick drove up the hill into the field in the blue pick-up truck. It didn’t take long to find them; Shane and Lin lay side-by-side in the grass in the middle of the field. The small group slowly walked up to the mess of Lin’s body parts. She had been torn to shreds by numerous walkers.
Rick knew it was going to be next to impossible to take the body back whole. He walked next to her and looked at her head, the only thing that looked to be intact except for her right ear. He bent down to get a closer look when her eyes snapped open to reveal pale blue eyes, a sign that she had obviously turned. Her head began to shake back and forth as she snapped at them with her teeth. She wasn’t much of a threat due to the fact that the rest of her body was almost completely severed from it. But it was a sad sight to see.
Glenn stepped up to Rick, “Want me to do it?” he said, holding out his hand for Rick’s gun.
Rick handed it to him without an answer. Glenn aimed the gun and fired at Lin’s reanimated head. She was finally laid to rest.
T-Dog and Andrea were busy heaving Shane up and into the back of the truck. Andrea was sniffling in the process.
“Have any ideas on how to move her body?” Rick looked up at Glenn.
“We could, uhhh… we could just gather the remaining appendages. I see her arm over here and, uhhh, here’s a leg.” Glenn looked around the field, carefully picking up her limbs.
The two men gathered up what was left of Lin and put the pieces next to Shane’s corpse. They drove back to the farm and began to dig four graves. One for Lin, one for Shane, one for Jimmy, and another for Mr. Hershel Greene.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Shane's Smell Saves Me
To my surprise and delight nothing touched me. I kept as still as I could with my eyes shut even though I was already dying. I knew I was infected and it was spreading fast. However, I didn’t wanna get bitten or eaten by any other walker besides the one I had chosen. My love, my Shane Walsh.
I had to admit I was scared to death. Not knowing exactly how many walkers were passing by us and that at anytime one of them might get curious enough to stop and investigate me. By the sound of it there were dozens of them, and they were all heading towards the place we had just recently started calling our home. They were heading towards my friends, my family, and they all might not survive. Not that I wasn’t going to either, but there were people there that didn’t deserve to die.
I started to hear gunshots from down the hill, where the house was. Tears welled up in my eyes knowing this is where it was all going to end for us. It had already ended for Shane; all I wanted was to be with him again.
That was when a groan caught my attention; it was close, almost in my ear. Goosebumps rose on my arms and legs and I shut my eyes tighter. I felt something brush up against my ear. The smell almost made me gag, but I held my breath, praying for the stray walker to go away. Something wet and stringy touched my arm; something I hoped was just hair. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the walker lost interest and joined back with the group. For now, I was safe.
After a couple of minutes the only sound I heard was more gunshots from the house, but up on the hill it was quiet. I opened one eye to make sure that Shane and I were really alone. All seemed clear enough. I lifted my head higher and looked around. Nothing. Now, I had to make one more decision. Did I want to…
Let the Infection Spread and Turn
End It Myself
I had to admit I was scared to death. Not knowing exactly how many walkers were passing by us and that at anytime one of them might get curious enough to stop and investigate me. By the sound of it there were dozens of them, and they were all heading towards the place we had just recently started calling our home. They were heading towards my friends, my family, and they all might not survive. Not that I wasn’t going to either, but there were people there that didn’t deserve to die.
I started to hear gunshots from down the hill, where the house was. Tears welled up in my eyes knowing this is where it was all going to end for us. It had already ended for Shane; all I wanted was to be with him again.
That was when a groan caught my attention; it was close, almost in my ear. Goosebumps rose on my arms and legs and I shut my eyes tighter. I felt something brush up against my ear. The smell almost made me gag, but I held my breath, praying for the stray walker to go away. Something wet and stringy touched my arm; something I hoped was just hair. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the walker lost interest and joined back with the group. For now, I was safe.
After a couple of minutes the only sound I heard was more gunshots from the house, but up on the hill it was quiet. I opened one eye to make sure that Shane and I were really alone. All seemed clear enough. I lifted my head higher and looked around. Nothing. Now, I had to make one more decision. Did I want to…
Let the Infection Spread and Turn
End It Myself
Let the Infection Spread and Turn
All I knew was that I wanted to be with Shane as long as possible. I didn’t care about how I would turn out; I just wanted to be with him as long as I was conscious.
I lay my head back down and started to cry yet again. All the things I wanted to remind him about how I felt; how much he meant to me. All those nights of worrying about where he was or what he was doing. I could’ve saved him from himself… he wouldn’t have listened anyway. He was far too lost to be brought back. I wish I could’ve stopped him from ever losing his mind in the first place. I wish he hadn’t've fallen in love with Lori. I wish she hadn’t've broken his heart. And I wish he were still alive for at least one more minute, just so he would know that someone else really did care about him.
A sudden surge of pain shot from my ankle all the way up to my brain. I groaned and rolled onto my back holding my pounding head in my hands. I first felt it in my fingertips, a slight tingling, before my whole body started to go numb. It was a weird and terrifying sensation. The night sky with the stars shining bright, and the moon even brighter, turned pitch black. My forehead, that was already hot with a fever, rose even hotter. I took my hands away from my head and screamed. Skin from my forehead peeled off onto my palms and I felt blood ooze out of my pores and trickle down my face. My body temperature seemed to rise even hotter. The last thing I remember doing was using all the strength I had left to grab Shane’s hand. I lifted it as high as I could towards me and set it on my stomach. Now feeling as if I were slowly cooking in a furnace, I watched as the world around me went completely black and the pain slipped away...
Click for The End
I lay my head back down and started to cry yet again. All the things I wanted to remind him about how I felt; how much he meant to me. All those nights of worrying about where he was or what he was doing. I could’ve saved him from himself… he wouldn’t have listened anyway. He was far too lost to be brought back. I wish I could’ve stopped him from ever losing his mind in the first place. I wish he hadn’t've fallen in love with Lori. I wish she hadn’t've broken his heart. And I wish he were still alive for at least one more minute, just so he would know that someone else really did care about him.
A sudden surge of pain shot from my ankle all the way up to my brain. I groaned and rolled onto my back holding my pounding head in my hands. I first felt it in my fingertips, a slight tingling, before my whole body started to go numb. It was a weird and terrifying sensation. The night sky with the stars shining bright, and the moon even brighter, turned pitch black. My forehead, that was already hot with a fever, rose even hotter. I took my hands away from my head and screamed. Skin from my forehead peeled off onto my palms and I felt blood ooze out of my pores and trickle down my face. My body temperature seemed to rise even hotter. The last thing I remember doing was using all the strength I had left to grab Shane’s hand. I lifted it as high as I could towards me and set it on my stomach. Now feeling as if I were slowly cooking in a furnace, I watched as the world around me went completely black and the pain slipped away...
Click for The End
The End (#2)
Things were bad at the farm. Walkers had surrounded every window and door, and they weren’t planning on leaving until they had been fed. Fortunately, the residents had guns; unfortunately, they weren’t doing so well on ammunition. Even so, they lived on the will to survive and gave nothing but their best to accomplish it.
Andrea and Glenn were on the top floor trying to snipe the walkers that were still making their way to the house. Rick, Hershel, and Jimmy were downstairs, and T-Dog and Daryl had gone into the barn to fend off the stray walkers which came in small groups. They also tried to help out Andrea and Glenn with taking down some of their targets.
Lori, Carl, and the rest of the group that had no experience with guns had all run down into the basement; although it took a lot of convincing from their loved ones who had stayed upstairs to fight.
In the house a window had broken through and walkers began throwing themselves into it. Rick, who had been at a different window, rushed over to the broken one and shot every walker that showed it’s rotting head. One after another, Rick was wondering if they would ever stop; he was running out of bullets. He quickly reloaded before another walker realized there was a way in.
But when he turned back he almost dropped his gun. The girl he had left behind with Shane was now trying to climb over the pile of dead walkers. Her eyes had turned a baby blue, her skin already grey with decay. She was bearing her teeth which had already turned a light brown. And she was hungry.
Rick was faced with yet another tough situation. Of course he had to kill her, but he couldn’t stop going over about what she had said about Shane. She had been bitten and turned for him. If that wasn’t love, Rick didn’t know what was. He swallowed a lump he had formed in his throat and fought back tears. He pointed his gun at her reanimated corpse. He aimed at her forehead as she drew closer and at point blank range pulled the trigger.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Andrea and Glenn were on the top floor trying to snipe the walkers that were still making their way to the house. Rick, Hershel, and Jimmy were downstairs, and T-Dog and Daryl had gone into the barn to fend off the stray walkers which came in small groups. They also tried to help out Andrea and Glenn with taking down some of their targets.
Lori, Carl, and the rest of the group that had no experience with guns had all run down into the basement; although it took a lot of convincing from their loved ones who had stayed upstairs to fight.
In the house a window had broken through and walkers began throwing themselves into it. Rick, who had been at a different window, rushed over to the broken one and shot every walker that showed it’s rotting head. One after another, Rick was wondering if they would ever stop; he was running out of bullets. He quickly reloaded before another walker realized there was a way in.
But when he turned back he almost dropped his gun. The girl he had left behind with Shane was now trying to climb over the pile of dead walkers. Her eyes had turned a baby blue, her skin already grey with decay. She was bearing her teeth which had already turned a light brown. And she was hungry.
Rick was faced with yet another tough situation. Of course he had to kill her, but he couldn’t stop going over about what she had said about Shane. She had been bitten and turned for him. If that wasn’t love, Rick didn’t know what was. He swallowed a lump he had formed in his throat and fought back tears. He pointed his gun at her reanimated corpse. He aimed at her forehead as she drew closer and at point blank range pulled the trigger.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
End It Myself
All I knew was that I wanted my body to be with Shane’s. I didn’t wanna get up without a soul and be a danger to my friends.
With all the strength I had left in me I stood up to search for Shane’s gun. In the midst of my infected ankle, and the unbearable amount of pain it caused me, I saw it in the grass a couple of feet away. I limped over to the gun and picked it up. I turned back to Shane’s dead undead body. It took both thumbs to cock the hammer back.
The gunshots were still going off near the house, so I turned around to look one last time. What I saw shocked me, and I almost lost my grip on the gun I had in my hand.
Walkers had surrounded the house, all around the house, and were banging on the windows and doors. I saw one window had been smashed in and some walkers were throwing themselves into the hole. There was a pile up in the window as someone kept shooting them as soon as they showed their rotting heads.
More walkers had surrounded the barn where apparently more of the group was hiding out. They were shooting them left and right, but I was sure that they were going to run out of bullets and shells soon. This was the end of them; the end of all of us.
I tore myself away from the horrid sight and got down on my hands and knees to crawl back to Shane. Wrapping my arm back around him, I held the gun up to my temple, swallowed a hard lump in my throat, and pulled the trigger.
BAM!!!!
Click for The End
With all the strength I had left in me I stood up to search for Shane’s gun. In the midst of my infected ankle, and the unbearable amount of pain it caused me, I saw it in the grass a couple of feet away. I limped over to the gun and picked it up. I turned back to Shane’s dead undead body. It took both thumbs to cock the hammer back.
The gunshots were still going off near the house, so I turned around to look one last time. What I saw shocked me, and I almost lost my grip on the gun I had in my hand.
Walkers had surrounded the house, all around the house, and were banging on the windows and doors. I saw one window had been smashed in and some walkers were throwing themselves into the hole. There was a pile up in the window as someone kept shooting them as soon as they showed their rotting heads.
More walkers had surrounded the barn where apparently more of the group was hiding out. They were shooting them left and right, but I was sure that they were going to run out of bullets and shells soon. This was the end of them; the end of all of us.
I tore myself away from the horrid sight and got down on my hands and knees to crawl back to Shane. Wrapping my arm back around him, I held the gun up to my temple, swallowed a hard lump in my throat, and pulled the trigger.
BAM!!!!
Click for The End
The End (#3)
I woke up in a white room. It was quiet, something I wasn’t used to hearing anymore. I looked around, but everywhere, in every direction, was blinding white. I noticed my ankle wasn’t hurting and my body was at a comfortable temperature. When I looked down at my body, I noticed I was free of cuts and my clothes were clean and warm, as if they had just been through the washer and dryer. The bed I was lying on was comfortable and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t feel unhappy, or worried, or sad. But I was confused. What had happened? Was I dreaming? As I was trying to piece things together I saw a blurry figure walk up to me from the whiteness.
“Sh-Shane?” I muttered as the figure came into focus, “Where are we? I… I thought you were dead…”
“Shhhhh… shhh shhh shhh…” he put his hand up to my cheek, “Don’t worry, it’s all over. I’m here now.” His voice was clear and had a pleasant ring to it that warmed me up inside.
Even though I was talking to Shane, a man I thought was dead, I was sure this was just a dream. A dream I was sure to wake up from and go back to the real world. Then I recalled the loud bang that had rung through my ears and I suddenly remembered. I had put a gun to my head. I had pulled the trigger. I was somewhere else. I was away from the horror I had once lived.
I drew a steady breath and studied Shane’s face. I hadn’t seen him like this in so long. He was clean. His face was free of bruises and cuts. There wasn’t any blood or dirt on his clothing or his face. He didn’t have a stab wound or a bullet wound or a broken nose. His eyes were soft, unlike anything I had remembered. And he was wearing something I hadn’t seen him wear in weeks; a smile.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
“Sh-Shane?” I muttered as the figure came into focus, “Where are we? I… I thought you were dead…”
“Shhhhh… shhh shhh shhh…” he put his hand up to my cheek, “Don’t worry, it’s all over. I’m here now.” His voice was clear and had a pleasant ring to it that warmed me up inside.
Even though I was talking to Shane, a man I thought was dead, I was sure this was just a dream. A dream I was sure to wake up from and go back to the real world. Then I recalled the loud bang that had rung through my ears and I suddenly remembered. I had put a gun to my head. I had pulled the trigger. I was somewhere else. I was away from the horror I had once lived.
I drew a steady breath and studied Shane’s face. I hadn’t seen him like this in so long. He was clean. His face was free of bruises and cuts. There wasn’t any blood or dirt on his clothing or his face. He didn’t have a stab wound or a bullet wound or a broken nose. His eyes were soft, unlike anything I had remembered. And he was wearing something I hadn’t seen him wear in weeks; a smile.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Keep Kicking and Get Away
Even though I loved Shane, I knew I didn’t want to die this way. I kicked and tried to shake him loose but he had a tight grip around my ankle. His mouth was wide open as he lunged towards my leg, but I maneuvered a quick kick to the head with my other foot and it knocked him backwards. He still had a hold of my ankle and wouldn’t let go, so I screamed at Rick for help. He turned around and seeing what Shane had become; rushed over to me, grabbing my arms and almost pulling them out of their sockets. Shane’s grip loosened so I kicked one more time, separating myself from his dangerous new being.
A loud bang cracked through the thick Georgian air. Shane fell back over, and both Rick and I looked behind us. Carl stood there with a gun grasped in both of his small hands. He had a look of terror in his eyes as his mouth hung open at what he’d just done.
Now knowing that Shane was definitely dead this time, I shook away from Rick's grasp and crawled back to his body. His eyes were shut and a hole the size of a dime was in the middle of his forehead. I bent over him and cried, not knowing what else to do. I couldn’t bring him back no matter what I did. He was dead.
Rick had gone over to his son to talk but I couldn’t hear what he was saying; a terrifying noise crept out from the trees in front of us. Moaning, by what sounded like at least a hundred walkers, possibly more. I looked up from Shane’s body and saw something moving near the woods. There they were, emerging from the darkness heading our way.
“Oh shit…” I muttered.
“Lin… come on! We have to go, now!” Rick had heard the noise too and called out to me. But I was hesitant to go. Did I want to…
Leave Shane
Stay With Him
A loud bang cracked through the thick Georgian air. Shane fell back over, and both Rick and I looked behind us. Carl stood there with a gun grasped in both of his small hands. He had a look of terror in his eyes as his mouth hung open at what he’d just done.
Now knowing that Shane was definitely dead this time, I shook away from Rick's grasp and crawled back to his body. His eyes were shut and a hole the size of a dime was in the middle of his forehead. I bent over him and cried, not knowing what else to do. I couldn’t bring him back no matter what I did. He was dead.
Rick had gone over to his son to talk but I couldn’t hear what he was saying; a terrifying noise crept out from the trees in front of us. Moaning, by what sounded like at least a hundred walkers, possibly more. I looked up from Shane’s body and saw something moving near the woods. There they were, emerging from the darkness heading our way.
“Oh shit…” I muttered.
“Lin… come on! We have to go, now!” Rick had heard the noise too and called out to me. But I was hesitant to go. Did I want to…
Leave Shane
Stay With Him
Stay With Him
“No, I’m going to stay here with him.” I tried to say at sternly as I could, even though I was scared to death at what was awaiting me.
“What?!”
“Just go! Take your boy and leave!” I said, shooing them away with the back of my hand and turning towards Shane’s body.
I got down on my hands and knees and looked down at him; at a man that was once happy and fun and lovable… What the world had done to him made me want to scream with fury. Cry out to whoever was listening and ask the simple question: why?
As the sound of Rick and Carl’s footsteps faded new footsteps grew louder, accompanied by moans and growls. The undead were getting closer, and I was sitting here as live bait. I had made my decision before not to die by the hands of the walkers and if I wanted to it would’ve been by Shane. So as my stubbornness continued to linger inside me, I decided the best way to overcome these monsters was to take care of them myself.
I reached for Shane’s gun and took it out of his cold, dead fingers. Biting my lip, trying not to utter another sob that would draw attention to me, I stood up and looked around. Through the thickness of the trees, I saw walkers emerging from them, all staggering mindlessly towards me.
My heart throbbed and I felt my knees become weak but I stood my ground and held up the gun. I shot three times, dropping three walkers, but there were way too many to get by myself. I turned to run down the hill where Rick and Carl had gone but saw that the walkers had come out of the trees by the farm, as well. There was no way I could get down there unless I wanted to become walker food.
What decision had I just made? I should’ve gone with Rick and Carl, I had no idea why I had thought staying with Shane would be best. He wasn’t going to protect me this time, he couldn’t. I was on my own and I had to survive to the best of my abilities. No more stupid mistakes, it was time to grow a brain and think.
I looked all around me to find some sort of hiding place or clearing that I could escape into. As the dead came closer I noticed there was a part of the woods that didn’t have walkers surrounding it. I immediately raced into it.
Somehow the darkness around me got darker the further I ran. Leaves crunched underneath my feet and a thin layer of white mist rose above my ankles. I stopped to listen… the air around me whistled in my ears, but no other sound except my heavy breathing was heard.
I finally collapsed onto the ground and leaned up against a tree, gun still firmly in my hand. I chuckled, thinking that I could’ve almost died, when the snap of a twig made me get to my feet and freeze. Another snap… and another. They seemed to be getting closer and closer, until…
“Grrrrawrrrrrrrmmmrrrraaa…”
A walker came out from behind the tree I was standing near. I yelped as its arms grabbed mine and its mouth lunged at my neck. I tried to push away, but the walker’s grip was curiously tight. Shane’s gun was still in my hand… if only I could twist it around to get a good shot…
I bent my wrist as far as I could towards the walker’s head and pulled the trigger; missing its head by centimeters. I bent it further, and fired again. This time, coagulated blood and brain splattered against the tree behind it and the undead body slumped over. I pushed it off of me and it landed in a heap underneath the mist.
My whole body shook as I realized the noise of the gun had told the walkers where I was. I took off running again through the trees as the mist got thicker and thicker. I couldn’t even see the ground anymore.
When I found that nothing was following me I stopped again. I looked left… I looked right… Where was I? Where was I going? I was completely lost.
The light breeze rustled the branches in the trees above me and gave me goosebumps. The white mist circled above my knees as I continued to look for any sign of where I was. Nothing came to my attention.
I figured there could only be two possible directions. Either the farm was on my left… or it was on my right. But which way should I go?
Go Left
Go Right
“What?!”
“Just go! Take your boy and leave!” I said, shooing them away with the back of my hand and turning towards Shane’s body.
I got down on my hands and knees and looked down at him; at a man that was once happy and fun and lovable… What the world had done to him made me want to scream with fury. Cry out to whoever was listening and ask the simple question: why?
As the sound of Rick and Carl’s footsteps faded new footsteps grew louder, accompanied by moans and growls. The undead were getting closer, and I was sitting here as live bait. I had made my decision before not to die by the hands of the walkers and if I wanted to it would’ve been by Shane. So as my stubbornness continued to linger inside me, I decided the best way to overcome these monsters was to take care of them myself.
I reached for Shane’s gun and took it out of his cold, dead fingers. Biting my lip, trying not to utter another sob that would draw attention to me, I stood up and looked around. Through the thickness of the trees, I saw walkers emerging from them, all staggering mindlessly towards me.
My heart throbbed and I felt my knees become weak but I stood my ground and held up the gun. I shot three times, dropping three walkers, but there were way too many to get by myself. I turned to run down the hill where Rick and Carl had gone but saw that the walkers had come out of the trees by the farm, as well. There was no way I could get down there unless I wanted to become walker food.
What decision had I just made? I should’ve gone with Rick and Carl, I had no idea why I had thought staying with Shane would be best. He wasn’t going to protect me this time, he couldn’t. I was on my own and I had to survive to the best of my abilities. No more stupid mistakes, it was time to grow a brain and think.
I looked all around me to find some sort of hiding place or clearing that I could escape into. As the dead came closer I noticed there was a part of the woods that didn’t have walkers surrounding it. I immediately raced into it.
Somehow the darkness around me got darker the further I ran. Leaves crunched underneath my feet and a thin layer of white mist rose above my ankles. I stopped to listen… the air around me whistled in my ears, but no other sound except my heavy breathing was heard.
I finally collapsed onto the ground and leaned up against a tree, gun still firmly in my hand. I chuckled, thinking that I could’ve almost died, when the snap of a twig made me get to my feet and freeze. Another snap… and another. They seemed to be getting closer and closer, until…
“Grrrrawrrrrrrrmmmrrrraaa…”
A walker came out from behind the tree I was standing near. I yelped as its arms grabbed mine and its mouth lunged at my neck. I tried to push away, but the walker’s grip was curiously tight. Shane’s gun was still in my hand… if only I could twist it around to get a good shot…
I bent my wrist as far as I could towards the walker’s head and pulled the trigger; missing its head by centimeters. I bent it further, and fired again. This time, coagulated blood and brain splattered against the tree behind it and the undead body slumped over. I pushed it off of me and it landed in a heap underneath the mist.
My whole body shook as I realized the noise of the gun had told the walkers where I was. I took off running again through the trees as the mist got thicker and thicker. I couldn’t even see the ground anymore.
When I found that nothing was following me I stopped again. I looked left… I looked right… Where was I? Where was I going? I was completely lost.
The light breeze rustled the branches in the trees above me and gave me goosebumps. The white mist circled above my knees as I continued to look for any sign of where I was. Nothing came to my attention.
I figured there could only be two possible directions. Either the farm was on my left… or it was on my right. But which way should I go?
Go Left
Go Right
Go Left
I gulped and turned to go left, further into the woods, praying it was the right way.
My gun hand shook as I snuck deeper in the trees, keeping my ears open for any sign of walkers around. I glanced up; the moon above barely shined through the thickness of the trees and I couldn’t spot any stars. I shifted my attention back to where I was headed. Further and further I walked until I heard it: a very faint but deep roar. My heart stopped completely and I fell back against a tree in shock. Whatever it was roared again; a blood curdling wretched cry from something that definitely didn’t sound human.
I held my breath trying not to cry. Words could not describe how scared I was. I didn’t know where I was, or how I got into this mess. I sunk down beneath the mist. Maybe if I could just wait here until day break I would find my way back somehow.
I gripped Shane’s gun tighter in my hand, seeing my knuckles go white. I hung my head and hiccupped a sob. Wiping my eyes quickly with the back of my hand, I sniffed and went to stand up when…
“RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!”
A deafening roar made me jump out of my skin. It was behind me… whatever it was was behind me…
I couldn’t hold back the tears, they dripped down my cheeks and off my chin. I stood up, turning to face whatever it was, and held up my gun. But before I could pull the trigger something huge sprinted towards me on all fours, knocking me to the ground. It pinned me underneath the mist. I couldn’t see its face or tell what it was. The last thing I felt was its awful warm breath against my face… until it ripped it off.
Click for The End
My gun hand shook as I snuck deeper in the trees, keeping my ears open for any sign of walkers around. I glanced up; the moon above barely shined through the thickness of the trees and I couldn’t spot any stars. I shifted my attention back to where I was headed. Further and further I walked until I heard it: a very faint but deep roar. My heart stopped completely and I fell back against a tree in shock. Whatever it was roared again; a blood curdling wretched cry from something that definitely didn’t sound human.
I held my breath trying not to cry. Words could not describe how scared I was. I didn’t know where I was, or how I got into this mess. I sunk down beneath the mist. Maybe if I could just wait here until day break I would find my way back somehow.
I gripped Shane’s gun tighter in my hand, seeing my knuckles go white. I hung my head and hiccupped a sob. Wiping my eyes quickly with the back of my hand, I sniffed and went to stand up when…
“RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!”
A deafening roar made me jump out of my skin. It was behind me… whatever it was was behind me…
I couldn’t hold back the tears, they dripped down my cheeks and off my chin. I stood up, turning to face whatever it was, and held up my gun. But before I could pull the trigger something huge sprinted towards me on all fours, knocking me to the ground. It pinned me underneath the mist. I couldn’t see its face or tell what it was. The last thing I felt was its awful warm breath against my face… until it ripped it off.
Click for The End
The End (#4)
“He’s over here…” Rick muttered, walking over to where his best friend lay on the ground.
Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and T-Dog had driven up to where last night’s murder occurred. Of course, neither Daryl, nor Glenn, nor T-Dog knew exactly what had happened; only that Shane had gotten caught by the walkers.
They parked the pickup truck by his body so they could heave him in.
“And what about Lin? Where is she?” Daryl asked as he lifted Shane’s legs and laid them in the truck.
“I—I dunno… she told me she was going to stay with him so I supposed…”
“You supposed what?! You supposed you were just gonna leave her here and let her try to survive on her own?!” Daryl yelled at him.
“I had to look out for Carl!” Rick fought back.
“Guys, there’s nothing you can do now…” Glenn stepped between the two men.
“Like hell there is! We’re gonna go find her!” Daryl exclaimed.
“You’re really gonna risk your life for the third time to find someone we know is already dead?!” Rick pushed Glenn aside and walked up to Daryl.
“Yes.” He answered coldly then turned to the woods.
“Where are you going?!” Rick screamed.
But Daryl didn’t answer; he continued to walk until he merged into the trees.
The three men who were standing by the truck looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
“God dammit, Daryl…” Rick grumbled and followed him into the woods. Glenn and T-Dog quickly grabbed melee weapons from the truck and followed behind him.
Rick found Daryl by a tree, examining the ground in front of it.
“She fell here.” He pointed at leaves that were flattened. He got up and walked around the tree.
“Dead walker.” He kicked it. “Must’ve shot it.” He picked up a bullet casing then indicated the brain and guts on the tree bark. “Looks like she went this way.”
They started walking further into the woods, keeping a close eye on the ground to see if the crunched leaves and broken twigs would change direction.
“Hold it!” Daryl held up his hand and stopped the others.
“What is it?” Glenn gripped the machete he had in his hand tighter.
Daryl was kneeling, staring at the ground before saying, “She went this way.” He turned to their left.
They continued into the woods hearing nothing but their footsteps and heavy breathing. After a while Rick began to give up and turned back when Daryl exclaimed.
“Oh shit!!!”
Rick’s heart jumped and he ran to where he heard his voice. Daryl was crouched over something… something that looked like only blood and bone…
“What… who… walkers couldn’t have done this…” Daryl stuttered.
Rick saw that the pile of blood and bone had to have been Lin. He quickly looked away feeling that somehow what had happened to her was his fault.
It really was my fault. Rick thought to himself. I should’ve taken her with me back to the house. And as he stood there, feeling the guilt rise up inside him, he noticed something on the ground. Footprints, but as if whatever it was had been on all fours. He traced it towards what was left of Lin’s body. It looked like it must’ve been stalking her, and it had certainly gotten its meal.
“I really have no idea what did this, but I frankly don’t wanna find out the hard way. Let’s just go back, please?” Glenn uttered, looking over his shoulder.
“Yeah same here… I got the creeps…” T-Dog shuddered.
“Okay, let’s go.” Daryl said to the group.
But before he got up he leaned down at Lin and whispered something they couldn’t hear. As they made their way back to their truck Rick heard a tree branch crack from above. He didn’t dare turn around. Instead he hurried the small group along until they were in the clearing. Even then he didn’t feel entirely safe. There was something big, something worse than the undead hiding in the woods… and he wasn’t going to risk his life to find out what it was.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and T-Dog had driven up to where last night’s murder occurred. Of course, neither Daryl, nor Glenn, nor T-Dog knew exactly what had happened; only that Shane had gotten caught by the walkers.
They parked the pickup truck by his body so they could heave him in.
“And what about Lin? Where is she?” Daryl asked as he lifted Shane’s legs and laid them in the truck.
“I—I dunno… she told me she was going to stay with him so I supposed…”
“You supposed what?! You supposed you were just gonna leave her here and let her try to survive on her own?!” Daryl yelled at him.
“I had to look out for Carl!” Rick fought back.
“Guys, there’s nothing you can do now…” Glenn stepped between the two men.
“Like hell there is! We’re gonna go find her!” Daryl exclaimed.
“You’re really gonna risk your life for the third time to find someone we know is already dead?!” Rick pushed Glenn aside and walked up to Daryl.
“Yes.” He answered coldly then turned to the woods.
“Where are you going?!” Rick screamed.
But Daryl didn’t answer; he continued to walk until he merged into the trees.
The three men who were standing by the truck looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
“God dammit, Daryl…” Rick grumbled and followed him into the woods. Glenn and T-Dog quickly grabbed melee weapons from the truck and followed behind him.
Rick found Daryl by a tree, examining the ground in front of it.
“She fell here.” He pointed at leaves that were flattened. He got up and walked around the tree.
“Dead walker.” He kicked it. “Must’ve shot it.” He picked up a bullet casing then indicated the brain and guts on the tree bark. “Looks like she went this way.”
They started walking further into the woods, keeping a close eye on the ground to see if the crunched leaves and broken twigs would change direction.
“Hold it!” Daryl held up his hand and stopped the others.
“What is it?” Glenn gripped the machete he had in his hand tighter.
Daryl was kneeling, staring at the ground before saying, “She went this way.” He turned to their left.
They continued into the woods hearing nothing but their footsteps and heavy breathing. After a while Rick began to give up and turned back when Daryl exclaimed.
“Oh shit!!!”
Rick’s heart jumped and he ran to where he heard his voice. Daryl was crouched over something… something that looked like only blood and bone…
“What… who… walkers couldn’t have done this…” Daryl stuttered.
Rick saw that the pile of blood and bone had to have been Lin. He quickly looked away feeling that somehow what had happened to her was his fault.
It really was my fault. Rick thought to himself. I should’ve taken her with me back to the house. And as he stood there, feeling the guilt rise up inside him, he noticed something on the ground. Footprints, but as if whatever it was had been on all fours. He traced it towards what was left of Lin’s body. It looked like it must’ve been stalking her, and it had certainly gotten its meal.
“I really have no idea what did this, but I frankly don’t wanna find out the hard way. Let’s just go back, please?” Glenn uttered, looking over his shoulder.
“Yeah same here… I got the creeps…” T-Dog shuddered.
“Okay, let’s go.” Daryl said to the group.
But before he got up he leaned down at Lin and whispered something they couldn’t hear. As they made their way back to their truck Rick heard a tree branch crack from above. He didn’t dare turn around. Instead he hurried the small group along until they were in the clearing. Even then he didn’t feel entirely safe. There was something big, something worse than the undead hiding in the woods… and he wasn’t going to risk his life to find out what it was.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Go Right
I gulped and turned to go right, further into the woods, praying it was the right way.
My gun hand shook as I snuck deeper in the trees, keeping my ears open for any sign of walkers around. I glanced up; the moon above barely shined through the thickness of the trees and I couldn’t spot any stars. I shifted my attention back to where I was headed. The more I walked, the more I felt as if I was going in circles. Had I already passed this tree? That stone looked familiar. I could’ve sworn I had already seen that log…
My heart rate sped up faster and faster, and I began to run; scared of the darkness that surrounded me. I heard cracks and crunches of leaves and twigs behind me and out of instinct I yelped. I turned around and saw two walkers chasing me. I ran as fast as I could in between the trees and around logs. When I turned back to see if they were still after me I caught a glimpse of one but couldn’t find the other.
I hid behind a large tree listening for the footsteps to draw nearer. It seemed to have slowed to a walk, and was listening for me too. I deliberately kicked a stone and it went flying in between the trees and passed the walker. I saw it turn its decayed head to where it had heard the noise and watched it as it veered off, trying to find what had made it.
But I wasn’t safe, not at all. The moans and growls coming from where Shane was were now getting clearer. They sounded as if they were coming from every direction. I whimpered, knowing this was the end of me, when I heard a noise that made my heart jump with relief. Gunshots; and not too far away either.
They kept firing and from what I could tell, it sounded as if they were coming from where I had lured the walker off to. So I picked up another sharp rock and held it by my side, careful not to use my gun to attract any more walkers.
I snuck through the dark woods, gripping the rock in my hand so tight I felt blood trickling down my fingers. So far, not a single walker had noticed me. After a couple of minutes I heard engines roaring, and the moaning was louder than ever. Then, through the trunks of the trees, I saw a bright, orange, flickering light. I moved towards it, my curiosity getting the best of me. When I got through the clearing, I was on a hill and could see the entire house below. The orange light had been coming from the barn, which was on fire.
I glanced down and saw our cars and Daryl’s motorcycle driving away. Oh thank God they’re safe was my first thought, until I realized that they were driving away!
“Oh no!!! Wait! Hold on!” I ran down the hill, waving my arms above my head, sprinkling blood from the rock into my hair. But they didn’t see me. They were too determined to leave the house to notice me. And I was too determined to get their attention to notice the walkers that had surrounded me.
Panic set in as I turned to run back into the woods, but it was too late. They had all seen me and were coming towards me with outstretched arms. I didn’t wanna go this way; not after all I’d been through. So I threw the stone at one of the walkers, closed my eyes, and held Shane’s gun up to my head.
BAM!!!!
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
My gun hand shook as I snuck deeper in the trees, keeping my ears open for any sign of walkers around. I glanced up; the moon above barely shined through the thickness of the trees and I couldn’t spot any stars. I shifted my attention back to where I was headed. The more I walked, the more I felt as if I was going in circles. Had I already passed this tree? That stone looked familiar. I could’ve sworn I had already seen that log…
My heart rate sped up faster and faster, and I began to run; scared of the darkness that surrounded me. I heard cracks and crunches of leaves and twigs behind me and out of instinct I yelped. I turned around and saw two walkers chasing me. I ran as fast as I could in between the trees and around logs. When I turned back to see if they were still after me I caught a glimpse of one but couldn’t find the other.
I hid behind a large tree listening for the footsteps to draw nearer. It seemed to have slowed to a walk, and was listening for me too. I deliberately kicked a stone and it went flying in between the trees and passed the walker. I saw it turn its decayed head to where it had heard the noise and watched it as it veered off, trying to find what had made it.
But I wasn’t safe, not at all. The moans and growls coming from where Shane was were now getting clearer. They sounded as if they were coming from every direction. I whimpered, knowing this was the end of me, when I heard a noise that made my heart jump with relief. Gunshots; and not too far away either.
They kept firing and from what I could tell, it sounded as if they were coming from where I had lured the walker off to. So I picked up another sharp rock and held it by my side, careful not to use my gun to attract any more walkers.
I snuck through the dark woods, gripping the rock in my hand so tight I felt blood trickling down my fingers. So far, not a single walker had noticed me. After a couple of minutes I heard engines roaring, and the moaning was louder than ever. Then, through the trunks of the trees, I saw a bright, orange, flickering light. I moved towards it, my curiosity getting the best of me. When I got through the clearing, I was on a hill and could see the entire house below. The orange light had been coming from the barn, which was on fire.
I glanced down and saw our cars and Daryl’s motorcycle driving away. Oh thank God they’re safe was my first thought, until I realized that they were driving away!
“Oh no!!! Wait! Hold on!” I ran down the hill, waving my arms above my head, sprinkling blood from the rock into my hair. But they didn’t see me. They were too determined to leave the house to notice me. And I was too determined to get their attention to notice the walkers that had surrounded me.
Panic set in as I turned to run back into the woods, but it was too late. They had all seen me and were coming towards me with outstretched arms. I didn’t wanna go this way; not after all I’d been through. So I threw the stone at one of the walkers, closed my eyes, and held Shane’s gun up to my head.
BAM!!!!
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Leave Shane
I looked down at Shane and then back up at the oncoming walkers. Again, I knew I didn’t want to die this way. I turned my head back down and reached my hand up to Shane’s face.
“I’m sorry it had to end this way. I’ll come back for you.” I whispered and took his hand to kiss it.
Then, with all the strength I could muster up, I got to my feet and turned to Rick.
“Let’s go.” I said through clenched teeth. I didn’t care that he’d saved my life; he’d ended Shane’s and I couldn’t forgive him for that- Not yet.
As Rick, Carl, and I ran down the hill, I turned around to get one more glance at Shane’s body. Walkers had reached him but thankfully they didn’t seem to want his flesh. I supposed it was because he had been one of them, if only for a minute.
We continued down the hill and across the field to the house. Bursting in, Rick immediately alerted the group.
“Walkers—dozens of ‘em—coming now—got—to—defend ourselves.” He said in between breaths.
I looked around the living room at all the wide eyes and open mouths. I noticed Glenn and Daryl had made it back if only minutes before us. They were both blood stained and muddy.
“Where’s Shane?” Andrea said from the bedroom door-frame. She had her arms crossed and a vacant expression on her face. “He... didn’t make it.” Rick fell to his knees. I snorted in disgust and sat myself down on a couch.
Lori heard the commotion from the kitchen and her and Beth came out to check what was happening. The look on her face made me sick as she knelt down to comfort Rick. Carl stood next to them hugging his mother and father.
“I know you lost a friend and all but...” T-Dog turned to the group from the window, “there are walkers comin’ from the woods. We’ve gotta do something.”
“Well… what are we going to do about it?” Lori looked up from her family.
“What do you mean what are we going to do about it? We’re gonna fight! We can kick some walker ass, not like we haven’t done it before!” Daryl answered.
Hershel agreed, “I’ll die defending my farm.”
“But wait a second, staying might not be the best idea.” Glenn spoke up. “There could be hundreds of them, I’m not sure we can hold them all off.”
“Same here. I think we should get off this farm before it’s too late,” said Maggie.
“Well we don’t have much time to decide so we’ve gotta do it now.” T-Dog said, looking out the window again.
We took a quick vote and ended up half and half. It was up to me to decide whether we should stay and fight, or leave the farm. I took a deep breath and raised my hand to…
Leave the Farm
Stay and Fight
“I’m sorry it had to end this way. I’ll come back for you.” I whispered and took his hand to kiss it.
Then, with all the strength I could muster up, I got to my feet and turned to Rick.
“Let’s go.” I said through clenched teeth. I didn’t care that he’d saved my life; he’d ended Shane’s and I couldn’t forgive him for that- Not yet.
As Rick, Carl, and I ran down the hill, I turned around to get one more glance at Shane’s body. Walkers had reached him but thankfully they didn’t seem to want his flesh. I supposed it was because he had been one of them, if only for a minute.
We continued down the hill and across the field to the house. Bursting in, Rick immediately alerted the group.
“Walkers—dozens of ‘em—coming now—got—to—defend ourselves.” He said in between breaths.
I looked around the living room at all the wide eyes and open mouths. I noticed Glenn and Daryl had made it back if only minutes before us. They were both blood stained and muddy.
“Where’s Shane?” Andrea said from the bedroom door-frame. She had her arms crossed and a vacant expression on her face. “He... didn’t make it.” Rick fell to his knees. I snorted in disgust and sat myself down on a couch.
Lori heard the commotion from the kitchen and her and Beth came out to check what was happening. The look on her face made me sick as she knelt down to comfort Rick. Carl stood next to them hugging his mother and father.
“I know you lost a friend and all but...” T-Dog turned to the group from the window, “there are walkers comin’ from the woods. We’ve gotta do something.”
“Well… what are we going to do about it?” Lori looked up from her family.
“What do you mean what are we going to do about it? We’re gonna fight! We can kick some walker ass, not like we haven’t done it before!” Daryl answered.
Hershel agreed, “I’ll die defending my farm.”
“But wait a second, staying might not be the best idea.” Glenn spoke up. “There could be hundreds of them, I’m not sure we can hold them all off.”
“Same here. I think we should get off this farm before it’s too late,” said Maggie.
“Well we don’t have much time to decide so we’ve gotta do it now.” T-Dog said, looking out the window again.
We took a quick vote and ended up half and half. It was up to me to decide whether we should stay and fight, or leave the farm. I took a deep breath and raised my hand to…
Leave the Farm
Stay and Fight
Leave the Farm
“I think we should get the hell out now.” I said. I had seen the group of walkers emerging from the woods so I knew exactly what we were in for. If we stayed, many would die.
Half the group sighed with relief and began to quickly take what they needed before leaving.
“We can’t leave; we’ve got a farm to defend!” Daryl shouted at me.
“You wanna die here? You wanna see your friends die here? Do you wanna see me die here? NO! I know you don’t!” I shouted back.
He opened his mouth to argue, but that’s when Rick exclaimed, “We gotta go now!!!!”
We all looked over at him and then followed his gaze out the back door... walkers were making their way across the lawn and to the house.
Everyone panicked and practically flew out the door.
“Stay in pairs!” Rick yelled after them, “and get to a car!”
I was the last one out, following close behind Daryl who had taken his gun out. The night was thick and damp. The wind blew a waft of rotting flesh right under our noses and was accompanied by a bass note of moans. The sound came from all sides of us, resonating through the trees. It gave chills straight down to the bone.
The cars that had been parked around the house now felt miles away. The dead were approaching them more quickly once they had noticed the fresh meat. I saw Glenn, Beth, and Maggie running up to a truck but had stopped in their tracks. We had left too late, the walkers were closing in on us and there were dozens and dozens and dozens of them. Gunshots now rang through the air as the group fired at the walkers, trying to make their escape. That included a couple of shots in front of me from Daryl. I gripped his jean jacket tighter as he fired again and led me away from the house and more towards the barn. I turned around and saw Rick, Lori, Carl and Carol getting into their station wagon. Carol had almost gotten bit on the arm but Rick had got a clean shot of the walker and she stumbled into the car, slamming the door behind her.
I was forced to keep running as Daryl continued on his pursuit to where ever he was going. I was afraid for a minute that he was going to stay here anyway and fight until I noticed his motorcycle parked next to the barn.
However, the barn was getting the worst of it. Walkers surrounded it; perhaps smelling something in there, but as soon as they noticed Daryl and me they headed straight for us.
Daryl cursed and began to shoot, trying to edge his way to his motorcycle. I wished I could do something to help us, anything at all besides hiding behind him like a coward.
The horde was surrounding us; closer and closer they drew in making their way to their feast that we had just prepared for them. I was about to turn to Daryl and say my last words to him when suddenly we began to hear shotgun blasts from behind us.
Both Daryl and I whipped around to see Hershel firing his twelve gauge at the walkers around us. His help plus Daryl’s bullets caused a gap large enough for both of us to squeeze by. He hopped on his motorcycle while jamming his pistol into his waistband. He turned the keys that were already in the ignition and roared up the engine. I jumped on behind him and I wrapped my arms around his middle. Shutting my eyes tight, I prayed that he’d get me out safely. I felt the motorcycle lurch then with a shower of dirt we sped away from the barn passing the house. I felt the thick air brush across my face in gusts, the sound of moaning getting fainter and fainter.
I lay my head in between Daryl’s shoulder blades and started to cry. Everything was gone; Shane, the house, and possibly the people who were in it. I didn’t even know if we were ever going to see them again.
I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Daryl shifted in the seat and turned his head slightly to the right, but didn’t speak. Instead he just kept the throttle cranked and kept on speeding down the dirt road away from the farm.
Click for The End
Half the group sighed with relief and began to quickly take what they needed before leaving.
“We can’t leave; we’ve got a farm to defend!” Daryl shouted at me.
“You wanna die here? You wanna see your friends die here? Do you wanna see me die here? NO! I know you don’t!” I shouted back.
He opened his mouth to argue, but that’s when Rick exclaimed, “We gotta go now!!!!”
We all looked over at him and then followed his gaze out the back door... walkers were making their way across the lawn and to the house.
Everyone panicked and practically flew out the door.
“Stay in pairs!” Rick yelled after them, “and get to a car!”
I was the last one out, following close behind Daryl who had taken his gun out. The night was thick and damp. The wind blew a waft of rotting flesh right under our noses and was accompanied by a bass note of moans. The sound came from all sides of us, resonating through the trees. It gave chills straight down to the bone.
The cars that had been parked around the house now felt miles away. The dead were approaching them more quickly once they had noticed the fresh meat. I saw Glenn, Beth, and Maggie running up to a truck but had stopped in their tracks. We had left too late, the walkers were closing in on us and there were dozens and dozens and dozens of them. Gunshots now rang through the air as the group fired at the walkers, trying to make their escape. That included a couple of shots in front of me from Daryl. I gripped his jean jacket tighter as he fired again and led me away from the house and more towards the barn. I turned around and saw Rick, Lori, Carl and Carol getting into their station wagon. Carol had almost gotten bit on the arm but Rick had got a clean shot of the walker and she stumbled into the car, slamming the door behind her.
I was forced to keep running as Daryl continued on his pursuit to where ever he was going. I was afraid for a minute that he was going to stay here anyway and fight until I noticed his motorcycle parked next to the barn.
However, the barn was getting the worst of it. Walkers surrounded it; perhaps smelling something in there, but as soon as they noticed Daryl and me they headed straight for us.
Daryl cursed and began to shoot, trying to edge his way to his motorcycle. I wished I could do something to help us, anything at all besides hiding behind him like a coward.
The horde was surrounding us; closer and closer they drew in making their way to their feast that we had just prepared for them. I was about to turn to Daryl and say my last words to him when suddenly we began to hear shotgun blasts from behind us.
Both Daryl and I whipped around to see Hershel firing his twelve gauge at the walkers around us. His help plus Daryl’s bullets caused a gap large enough for both of us to squeeze by. He hopped on his motorcycle while jamming his pistol into his waistband. He turned the keys that were already in the ignition and roared up the engine. I jumped on behind him and I wrapped my arms around his middle. Shutting my eyes tight, I prayed that he’d get me out safely. I felt the motorcycle lurch then with a shower of dirt we sped away from the barn passing the house. I felt the thick air brush across my face in gusts, the sound of moaning getting fainter and fainter.
I lay my head in between Daryl’s shoulder blades and started to cry. Everything was gone; Shane, the house, and possibly the people who were in it. I didn’t even know if we were ever going to see them again.
I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Daryl shifted in the seat and turned his head slightly to the right, but didn’t speak. Instead he just kept the throttle cranked and kept on speeding down the dirt road away from the farm.
Click for The End
The End (#5)
After a couple of minutes, the only sounds being the wind whipping in my ears and the loud engine, I asked Daryl,
“Where are we going?”
He didn’t answer. I supposed he didn’t hear me so I repeated my question a little louder. “Where are we going?!”
Daryl shook his head slightly. I began to get agitated until he finally spoke.
“Thought we might head back to the highway; to where we lost Sophia…” his voice went quiet at her name.
I understood; he had gotten pretty attached to her while they were looking for her. So I kept my mouth shut the rest of the way there, lying my head back down on his shoulders and keeping my arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Eventually as the sun rose higher in the sky, I recognized where we were. The trees around looked familiar and vehicles began to pile up on the highway. Daryl had slowed down to maneuver between them. When he came to a full stop, I lifted my head up to look around and smiled wide when I saw Glenn, Maggie and Beth waiting near the car that had Sophia’s name on it. They all smiled when they saw us too, but it quickly died. Something was off.
“Wha—what’s wrong?” I asked them as soon as I got off the motorcycle.
“Hershel fell behind and… we saw Andrea go down too…” Glenn explained quietly.
My heart stopped. She couldn’t’ve been dead; she was smarter than that, better than that, she was my only girl friend I had in that house. She couldn’t’ve been gone.
“She… she probably just tripped, or… something…” My voice shook as I held back tears.
“I don’t know, we saw her get attacked by a walker. Fell straight down on her back. Not sure how she could get out of that.”
“But… but no… she… she can’t be…” words failed me as I fell to my knees and began to cry.
I felt someone touch my back from behind and when I turned I was staring straight into Daryl’s eyes. I fell into his arms and sobbed. He held me tight, trying to calm me down by stroking my hair and gently shushing me. But it didn’t work; I had lost a friend as well as someone I loved and were missing our other members.
Right then and there I knew I had made the wrong decision. If only we had stayed in that house to fight we all could’ve made it. And if we died then at least we would die together instead of being separated like this and not being able to say goodbye.
As I cried in Daryl’s arms and heard Maggie and Beth start to cry as well, another sound came to my ears; an engine of a car. I looked up from Daryl and saw the station wagon carrying Lori, Carl, Rick, and Carol. I breathed a sigh of relief to see that more of our group had made it, even though I still hated Lori and Rick for what they did to Shane. I couldn’t help but wish with all my heart that either one of them were Andrea instead.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
He didn’t answer. I supposed he didn’t hear me so I repeated my question a little louder. “Where are we going?!”
Daryl shook his head slightly. I began to get agitated until he finally spoke.
“Thought we might head back to the highway; to where we lost Sophia…” his voice went quiet at her name.
I understood; he had gotten pretty attached to her while they were looking for her. So I kept my mouth shut the rest of the way there, lying my head back down on his shoulders and keeping my arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Eventually as the sun rose higher in the sky, I recognized where we were. The trees around looked familiar and vehicles began to pile up on the highway. Daryl had slowed down to maneuver between them. When he came to a full stop, I lifted my head up to look around and smiled wide when I saw Glenn, Maggie and Beth waiting near the car that had Sophia’s name on it. They all smiled when they saw us too, but it quickly died. Something was off.
“Wha—what’s wrong?” I asked them as soon as I got off the motorcycle.
“Hershel fell behind and… we saw Andrea go down too…” Glenn explained quietly.
My heart stopped. She couldn’t’ve been dead; she was smarter than that, better than that, she was my only girl friend I had in that house. She couldn’t’ve been gone.
“She… she probably just tripped, or… something…” My voice shook as I held back tears.
“I don’t know, we saw her get attacked by a walker. Fell straight down on her back. Not sure how she could get out of that.”
“But… but no… she… she can’t be…” words failed me as I fell to my knees and began to cry.
I felt someone touch my back from behind and when I turned I was staring straight into Daryl’s eyes. I fell into his arms and sobbed. He held me tight, trying to calm me down by stroking my hair and gently shushing me. But it didn’t work; I had lost a friend as well as someone I loved and were missing our other members.
Right then and there I knew I had made the wrong decision. If only we had stayed in that house to fight we all could’ve made it. And if we died then at least we would die together instead of being separated like this and not being able to say goodbye.
As I cried in Daryl’s arms and heard Maggie and Beth start to cry as well, another sound came to my ears; an engine of a car. I looked up from Daryl and saw the station wagon carrying Lori, Carl, Rick, and Carol. I breathed a sigh of relief to see that more of our group had made it, even though I still hated Lori and Rick for what they did to Shane. I couldn’t help but wish with all my heart that either one of them were Andrea instead.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Stay and Fight
Half the group smiled my way (including a smile from Daryl, something I didn’t see everyday) but the other half rolled their eyes and scoffed.
“We can’t really stay Rick. We’ll—”
“We decided. We’re going to stay.” Rick cut his wife short and turned to the group. “Get the guns and do it fast. We’ve got a farm to protect.”
Most of the group rushed into the kitchen where the gun bag lay. I moped in the living room with all the women excluding Andrea. I was regretting leaving Shane behind.
Carl was now in his mother’s arms, whimpering and pleading her to leave. Lori quietly shushed him, telling him that they couldn’t before looking over at me and giving me a glare I could only describe as pure hatred. I sort of felt bad for making the final decision to stay, but I wanted to stay for Shane. I wanted to survive through the night so I could go back and bury his body with the rest. I wanted him to be remembered in a good way; not in the way Lori had treated him. And if I died in the process, that was fine by me. I had lost him. I had lost everything.
I rolled my eyes at her before looking back at the group in the kitchen. I was about to join them when Rick called out to the people in the room.
“All of you need to get food and go into the basement. It’s not safe for any of you up here.” He addressed the women and Carl.
“Dangerous for us? It’s dangerous for you too!” Maggie exclaimed. “I’m not leaving my daddy and Glenn up here!”
“I agree,” Lori said quietly, separating herself from Carl to take Rick’s arm, “I know you do what you think is best but… we can’t lose you again.”
“I’m sorry but you’re gonna have to. It’s the only way to keep Carl and the baby safe. You have to go, no arguments. We’re wasting time.”
Maggie opened her mouth to argue with Rick, but Glenn had rushed up behind her and they had a heated talk. Lori sighed and took Carl by the hand as Rick rushed to the kitchen. I saw him grab a box and start filling it with canned food and bottled water. He came back into the room and handed it to me, but I didn’t take it.
“Lin, c’mon now, no time to argue. Take the box and go downstairs with them.” He motioned to the basement. Beth and Patricia were already making their way downstairs. Lori and Carl were behind Rick waiting to say goodbye while Maggie was now being practically pushed down the stairs by Glenn.
I stared at the box in his hand and a thought crossed my mind. Would it be better to…
Go Downstairs
Stay Upstairs
“We can’t really stay Rick. We’ll—”
“We decided. We’re going to stay.” Rick cut his wife short and turned to the group. “Get the guns and do it fast. We’ve got a farm to protect.”
Most of the group rushed into the kitchen where the gun bag lay. I moped in the living room with all the women excluding Andrea. I was regretting leaving Shane behind.
Carl was now in his mother’s arms, whimpering and pleading her to leave. Lori quietly shushed him, telling him that they couldn’t before looking over at me and giving me a glare I could only describe as pure hatred. I sort of felt bad for making the final decision to stay, but I wanted to stay for Shane. I wanted to survive through the night so I could go back and bury his body with the rest. I wanted him to be remembered in a good way; not in the way Lori had treated him. And if I died in the process, that was fine by me. I had lost him. I had lost everything.
I rolled my eyes at her before looking back at the group in the kitchen. I was about to join them when Rick called out to the people in the room.
“All of you need to get food and go into the basement. It’s not safe for any of you up here.” He addressed the women and Carl.
“Dangerous for us? It’s dangerous for you too!” Maggie exclaimed. “I’m not leaving my daddy and Glenn up here!”
“I agree,” Lori said quietly, separating herself from Carl to take Rick’s arm, “I know you do what you think is best but… we can’t lose you again.”
“I’m sorry but you’re gonna have to. It’s the only way to keep Carl and the baby safe. You have to go, no arguments. We’re wasting time.”
Maggie opened her mouth to argue with Rick, but Glenn had rushed up behind her and they had a heated talk. Lori sighed and took Carl by the hand as Rick rushed to the kitchen. I saw him grab a box and start filling it with canned food and bottled water. He came back into the room and handed it to me, but I didn’t take it.
“Lin, c’mon now, no time to argue. Take the box and go downstairs with them.” He motioned to the basement. Beth and Patricia were already making their way downstairs. Lori and Carl were behind Rick waiting to say goodbye while Maggie was now being practically pushed down the stairs by Glenn.
I stared at the box in his hand and a thought crossed my mind. Would it be better to…
Go Downstairs
Stay Upstairs
Go Downstairs
I knew we didn’t have time to fight about it so I snatched the box from his hands almost spilling out the contents. “Fine.” I growled.
“Thank you.” He said, bitterly.
I rolled my eyes and was about to go down the stairs, but I turned around before descending and caught Daryl’s eyes. He nodded at me, his eyes telling me that it was best that I went with the others. I gave a slight nod back even though I wasn’t too thrilled about having to be stuck with the wimpy women who couldn’t defend themselves; especially Lori.
I slowly turned back around and climbed down the stairs, holding the box against my hip so I could see the steps. It was dark and damp in the basement. The walls and floor were concrete grey; shelves lined the back wall filled with random items like books, tools, and papers. The single lightbulb hanging from a chain in the middle of the room was dim and swaying back and forth from the movement upstairs. There was an old couch sitting against one of the walls and a couple of wooden chairs on the opposite side.
I set down the box near the stairs then took a seat in one of the chairs. Maggie, Beth, and Patricia were all sitting together on the couch; Beth was crying on Maggie’s shoulder and Pat was holding her hand.
I turned my attention to the stairs when I heard someone coming down them. It was Carol followed closely by Carl and then Lori. Subconsciously my hands curled into fists as soon as I saw her. They scanned the basement just as I had before walking over to the chairs next to me. Carol sat in the one right next to me and Lori and Carl sat next to her. I scooted my chair slightly away from them; the last thing I needed was to lose my temper and cause our own riot.
I tried not to look at Lori as she began to speak.
“They’re going to be okay. They’re all going to be just fine.” I wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince the others or herself.
Maggie let out a weird hiccup and held her breath before speaking, “They better be. My daddy, Glenn, everyone else, they better make it out alive. If they don’t—” She suddenly looked from Lori to me. She didn’t say anything more, she didn’t have to. I knew they were all angry with my decision. I was angry too that I was forced to go down here and miss out; I had thought they would need all the help they could get. Rick was being extra cautious now with who was going to risk their lives and who wasn’t. What he didn’t understand was that I didn’t care.
I crossed my arms and slouched in the chair. It was quiet upstairs, no gunfire yet, only something heavy being drug across the floor. None of us said a word, Beth was still sniffling, Carol was making a tapping noise with her foot, and Carl was whispering to his mother.
I stood up and walked near the stairs. That’s when I heard Lori’s voice again.
“Were you there?”
I didn’t realize she was speaking to me until she asked again, “Were you there?”
“Was I where?” I gave her my best look of confusion; I knew what she was talking about.
“I mean… did you see Shane… you know…?”
“Oh.” I shrugged. I could feel my cheeks get red, “Yeah, I was there.”
“Oh god…” she muttered under her breath.
I sat down on the bottom stair and clenched my fists tight. I didn’t want her to talk to me about this… I didn’t want to lose it in front of everyone. That’s when I felt the bottom stair sink lower and I turned to see her sitting next to me.
“Can… can you tell me? Tell me what happened?” she went to touch my leg but I instinctively moved it away.
You’re pushin’ it. I thought to myself but gave a weak smile instead.
“I’m not sure you wanna hear it from my point of view.”
“What do you mean?” she tried to touch my leg again, I moved even further away.
“I mean I’m not sure if I should be the one to tell you.” I bit my tongue. Being nice to her was definitely hard.
“Please… can you please just tell me?”
I had to make a quick decision, did I want to…
Lie To Her
Tell Her the Truth
“Thank you.” He said, bitterly.
I rolled my eyes and was about to go down the stairs, but I turned around before descending and caught Daryl’s eyes. He nodded at me, his eyes telling me that it was best that I went with the others. I gave a slight nod back even though I wasn’t too thrilled about having to be stuck with the wimpy women who couldn’t defend themselves; especially Lori.
I slowly turned back around and climbed down the stairs, holding the box against my hip so I could see the steps. It was dark and damp in the basement. The walls and floor were concrete grey; shelves lined the back wall filled with random items like books, tools, and papers. The single lightbulb hanging from a chain in the middle of the room was dim and swaying back and forth from the movement upstairs. There was an old couch sitting against one of the walls and a couple of wooden chairs on the opposite side.
I set down the box near the stairs then took a seat in one of the chairs. Maggie, Beth, and Patricia were all sitting together on the couch; Beth was crying on Maggie’s shoulder and Pat was holding her hand.
I turned my attention to the stairs when I heard someone coming down them. It was Carol followed closely by Carl and then Lori. Subconsciously my hands curled into fists as soon as I saw her. They scanned the basement just as I had before walking over to the chairs next to me. Carol sat in the one right next to me and Lori and Carl sat next to her. I scooted my chair slightly away from them; the last thing I needed was to lose my temper and cause our own riot.
I tried not to look at Lori as she began to speak.
“They’re going to be okay. They’re all going to be just fine.” I wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince the others or herself.
Maggie let out a weird hiccup and held her breath before speaking, “They better be. My daddy, Glenn, everyone else, they better make it out alive. If they don’t—” She suddenly looked from Lori to me. She didn’t say anything more, she didn’t have to. I knew they were all angry with my decision. I was angry too that I was forced to go down here and miss out; I had thought they would need all the help they could get. Rick was being extra cautious now with who was going to risk their lives and who wasn’t. What he didn’t understand was that I didn’t care.
I crossed my arms and slouched in the chair. It was quiet upstairs, no gunfire yet, only something heavy being drug across the floor. None of us said a word, Beth was still sniffling, Carol was making a tapping noise with her foot, and Carl was whispering to his mother.
I stood up and walked near the stairs. That’s when I heard Lori’s voice again.
“Were you there?”
I didn’t realize she was speaking to me until she asked again, “Were you there?”
“Was I where?” I gave her my best look of confusion; I knew what she was talking about.
“I mean… did you see Shane… you know…?”
“Oh.” I shrugged. I could feel my cheeks get red, “Yeah, I was there.”
“Oh god…” she muttered under her breath.
I sat down on the bottom stair and clenched my fists tight. I didn’t want her to talk to me about this… I didn’t want to lose it in front of everyone. That’s when I felt the bottom stair sink lower and I turned to see her sitting next to me.
“Can… can you tell me? Tell me what happened?” she went to touch my leg but I instinctively moved it away.
You’re pushin’ it. I thought to myself but gave a weak smile instead.
“I’m not sure you wanna hear it from my point of view.”
“What do you mean?” she tried to touch my leg again, I moved even further away.
“I mean I’m not sure if I should be the one to tell you.” I bit my tongue. Being nice to her was definitely hard.
“Please… can you please just tell me?”
I had to make a quick decision, did I want to…
Lie To Her
Tell Her the Truth
Tell Her the Truth
All the anger and the frustration and the hatred I had towards Lori couldn’t be held in any longer. My hands were clenched so tightly that my fingernails had dug divots into my palms.
“Lin…?” her calming voice was like pulling the wrong Jenga piece and having the tower fall over.
I flew out of my seat and screamed, “You wanna know what happened? I’ll tell you what happened! Shane was going to kill Rick! He had his gun pointed at Rick’s head and was going to pull the trigger! But luckily Rick thought faster and stabbed him! He stabbed him in the heart, Lori! SHANE WAS KILLED BY RICK! And it’s YOU’RE ENTIRE FAULT!!!!” I exploded, my shouts vibrating off of the dense walls.
“Wha—how—how is that my fault?!” Lori’s eyes were wide and defensive as she looked up at me.
“You… you… manipulated him! Don’t act like I didn’t know. Oh God Lori don’t even…” My voice cracked as she shook her head.
“Shane was… he was messed up and—”
“He was messed up because you made him messed up! He was fine before you had that little talk with him!”
“How do you kn—”
“I saw you. I saw you talking to him this morning. You told him something… something that made him make a final decision.” Tears were now beginning to well up in my eyes.
“I—you—why—why do you care?!” she finally spit out words.
“Believe it or not, Lori, but you weren’t the only one who loved him.” My voice became cold.
She suddenly stood up and faced me, “I… I didn’t love him.”
My head almost exploded with rage. I couldn’t take it. I marched right up to her and slapped her across the face as hard as I could.
“Don’t lie to me!” I shouted. “You don’t think I didn’t notice? All the looks he gave you, oh it was obvious he loved you. But the looks you gave him… when you thought nobody was looking, I saw them. You loved him, don’t deny it!”
Lori had her hand up to the cheek I had smacked. She had seemed to lose her words, but it didn’t matter. The group had just heard the first gunshot from upstairs. The entire room tensed. Nobody moved; we just stared at the ceiling as if we could see through it; as if we were watching the ones we knew and loved fight the undead. The lightbulb started to swing again, casting distorted shadows across the walls and floor. Dust came down as we heard some of the heavier thumps.
It took me a minute to realize that there were other people in the room that could hear me yelling. The group upstairs might’ve even heard me, but I didn’t care. Yelling at Lori… it felt good. I felt as if I had gotten a huge weight off my chest.
I flopped onto my chair, taking deep breaths and trying to calm down. I leaned forward and placed my forehead in my hands. I rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the newly formed headache Lori had so generously given to me.
I glanced over at the stairs, but Lori was now sitting back on her chair with Carl. Her cheek was bright red and tears were rolling down it. I didn’t know whether she was crying because of what I said and did or because of what was going on upstairs. Either way, I didn’t feel bad about it.
The only thing that I was really upset with was the choice I had made. If I were up there, I’d be helping out, I’d be defending our new home. I could’ve even saved someone’s life. Instead, I was stuck down here, forced to listen to it all. Forced to watch these women cry and feel hopeless. And if I died down here, not doing anything, that would be a disgrace to all the victims of the virus who had died fighting and it would be a disgrace to Shane if he knew I wasn’t trying my hardest to survive.
A thought crossed my mind and I asked anyone who wasn’t Lori, “Do we have weapons down here? In case… ya know, something gets down here?”
All the girls looked at me, now with a different type of fear upon their faces.
“Ummm, I—I’m not sure. My dad might’ve kept some weapons down here…” Maggie quickly stood up and went to examine the crowded shelves.
I saw Lori glance at me, but as soon as I caught her eye she quickly looked away. I saw her reach for something in her back pocket.
“Whataya got there?”
She didn’t answer me. She just pulled out a small snub-nose revolver and showed me. I raised my eyebrows, noticing Carl wasn’t with her and then turned my attention back to Maggie.
“All I found was a sledgehammer and a hatchet.” Maggie held up the two melee weapons and I took them both.
“I’ll put them here in case we need them.” I said leaning the sledgehammer against the couch and the hatchet against my chair.
“Hey sweetie, you want something to drink, you must be thirsty…” I heard Lori practically whisper. “Baby? Baby boy, did you hear me?”
She stood up and looked around the small room.
“C-Carl? Carl! You come out right this minute!” her voice wavered. She peered over the chair and behind the couch in a frenzy.
I almost snickered, thinking about how many times he’d run off and she hadn’t noticed until the last second. I stood near my chair with my arms crossed, watching her freak out. She turned towards the stairs and had to muffle a scream.
“OH MY GOD, HE LEFT!” she yelled and tried to run up the stairs, but Carol held her back.
“No, you can’t go up there, let someone else!” she sounded like she was about to cry.
“What are you talking about, let someone else? He’s my son!”
“I know but if anything happened to both Carl and you, Rick couldn’t live with himself.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that if one of us dies trying to get him then Rick won’t give a shit because he’s got Lori?” I laughed in disbelief, “Wow.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Carol snapped at me.
“Someone go get him, NOW!” Lori had stopped fighting off Carol and looked around the room at us. That’s when Lori turned to me with a new attitude.
“Lin… I know you have experience with guns... I heard you mention it to Daryl once. Can you please take this and find him?” she was in tears as she offered me her gun.
I sighed, trying to make a quick decision...
Let Someone Else Get Him
Go Get Carl
“Lin…?” her calming voice was like pulling the wrong Jenga piece and having the tower fall over.
I flew out of my seat and screamed, “You wanna know what happened? I’ll tell you what happened! Shane was going to kill Rick! He had his gun pointed at Rick’s head and was going to pull the trigger! But luckily Rick thought faster and stabbed him! He stabbed him in the heart, Lori! SHANE WAS KILLED BY RICK! And it’s YOU’RE ENTIRE FAULT!!!!” I exploded, my shouts vibrating off of the dense walls.
“Wha—how—how is that my fault?!” Lori’s eyes were wide and defensive as she looked up at me.
“You… you… manipulated him! Don’t act like I didn’t know. Oh God Lori don’t even…” My voice cracked as she shook her head.
“Shane was… he was messed up and—”
“He was messed up because you made him messed up! He was fine before you had that little talk with him!”
“How do you kn—”
“I saw you. I saw you talking to him this morning. You told him something… something that made him make a final decision.” Tears were now beginning to well up in my eyes.
“I—you—why—why do you care?!” she finally spit out words.
“Believe it or not, Lori, but you weren’t the only one who loved him.” My voice became cold.
She suddenly stood up and faced me, “I… I didn’t love him.”
My head almost exploded with rage. I couldn’t take it. I marched right up to her and slapped her across the face as hard as I could.
“Don’t lie to me!” I shouted. “You don’t think I didn’t notice? All the looks he gave you, oh it was obvious he loved you. But the looks you gave him… when you thought nobody was looking, I saw them. You loved him, don’t deny it!”
Lori had her hand up to the cheek I had smacked. She had seemed to lose her words, but it didn’t matter. The group had just heard the first gunshot from upstairs. The entire room tensed. Nobody moved; we just stared at the ceiling as if we could see through it; as if we were watching the ones we knew and loved fight the undead. The lightbulb started to swing again, casting distorted shadows across the walls and floor. Dust came down as we heard some of the heavier thumps.
It took me a minute to realize that there were other people in the room that could hear me yelling. The group upstairs might’ve even heard me, but I didn’t care. Yelling at Lori… it felt good. I felt as if I had gotten a huge weight off my chest.
I flopped onto my chair, taking deep breaths and trying to calm down. I leaned forward and placed my forehead in my hands. I rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the newly formed headache Lori had so generously given to me.
I glanced over at the stairs, but Lori was now sitting back on her chair with Carl. Her cheek was bright red and tears were rolling down it. I didn’t know whether she was crying because of what I said and did or because of what was going on upstairs. Either way, I didn’t feel bad about it.
The only thing that I was really upset with was the choice I had made. If I were up there, I’d be helping out, I’d be defending our new home. I could’ve even saved someone’s life. Instead, I was stuck down here, forced to listen to it all. Forced to watch these women cry and feel hopeless. And if I died down here, not doing anything, that would be a disgrace to all the victims of the virus who had died fighting and it would be a disgrace to Shane if he knew I wasn’t trying my hardest to survive.
A thought crossed my mind and I asked anyone who wasn’t Lori, “Do we have weapons down here? In case… ya know, something gets down here?”
All the girls looked at me, now with a different type of fear upon their faces.
“Ummm, I—I’m not sure. My dad might’ve kept some weapons down here…” Maggie quickly stood up and went to examine the crowded shelves.
I saw Lori glance at me, but as soon as I caught her eye she quickly looked away. I saw her reach for something in her back pocket.
“Whataya got there?”
She didn’t answer me. She just pulled out a small snub-nose revolver and showed me. I raised my eyebrows, noticing Carl wasn’t with her and then turned my attention back to Maggie.
“All I found was a sledgehammer and a hatchet.” Maggie held up the two melee weapons and I took them both.
“I’ll put them here in case we need them.” I said leaning the sledgehammer against the couch and the hatchet against my chair.
“Hey sweetie, you want something to drink, you must be thirsty…” I heard Lori practically whisper. “Baby? Baby boy, did you hear me?”
She stood up and looked around the small room.
“C-Carl? Carl! You come out right this minute!” her voice wavered. She peered over the chair and behind the couch in a frenzy.
I almost snickered, thinking about how many times he’d run off and she hadn’t noticed until the last second. I stood near my chair with my arms crossed, watching her freak out. She turned towards the stairs and had to muffle a scream.
“OH MY GOD, HE LEFT!” she yelled and tried to run up the stairs, but Carol held her back.
“No, you can’t go up there, let someone else!” she sounded like she was about to cry.
“What are you talking about, let someone else? He’s my son!”
“I know but if anything happened to both Carl and you, Rick couldn’t live with himself.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that if one of us dies trying to get him then Rick won’t give a shit because he’s got Lori?” I laughed in disbelief, “Wow.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Carol snapped at me.
“Someone go get him, NOW!” Lori had stopped fighting off Carol and looked around the room at us. That’s when Lori turned to me with a new attitude.
“Lin… I know you have experience with guns... I heard you mention it to Daryl once. Can you please take this and find him?” she was in tears as she offered me her gun.
I sighed, trying to make a quick decision...
Let Someone Else Get Him
Go Get Carl
Lie To Her
I wanted Lori to be told the truth by the one that took Shane’s life away. I wanted her to be angry in front of him and showed him that she really did love Shane. I wanted to embarrass her and for her to distrust me.
I took a deep, calming breath before speaking.
“We were looking for Randall but couldn’t find him, so we decided it was time to go back to see if Daryl and Glenn had found him. We were on our way back when the herd of walkers snuck up on us. Shane was taking up the rear and—” I broke off, remembering Shane falling to the ground, remembering Rick hovering over him, remembering his eyes closing as he died…
I turned away from her and leaned up against the wall, hanging my head in between my knees. I couldn’t hold it back, my back heaved up and down as I silently sobbed. I didn’t look back up; letting everyone see me breaking down would prove I was meant to be here. But I knew I wasn’t.
I breathed deeply through my nose, trying to muffle the sound of my sobbing. I quickly wiped away my tears before looking back up and continuing.
“They got him. He told us to keep going, not to look back. I can still hear him screaming…” I shut my eyes, squeezing them tight. I heard his yell as he stumbled back and fell to the ground. I heard Rick screaming “how could you do this, brother?!”
The whole room was silent; everyone was listening to my made-up story, even Carl who had been there. These women would never know that the guy they thought was their leader had murdered the guy who should’ve been.
I raised my head up and peered over at Lori. She had her eyes closed and tears were running down her face. She opened them and glanced at me.
“I’m… sorry.” She whispered.
I pierced her with a sharp glare and stood up quickly, moving back to my chair to get away from her.
“But Lin… that’s not what—”
Thankfully, Carl was cut short when we heard the first gunshot from upstairs. The entire room tensed. Nobody moved. We just stared at the ceiling as if we could see through it; as if we were watching the ones we knew and loved fight the undead. The lightbulb started to swing again, casting distorted shadows across the walls and floor.
Carl ran over to his mother and climbed into her arms. They were both crying now. I crossed my legs and leaned forward on my right elbow. I placed my forehead in my hand and rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the newly formed headache Lori had so generously given to me.
The night carried on for what seemed like hours. The loud bangs and faint moaning from upstairs lingered on and on. Lori and Carl had moved back to their chairs. Still, nobody talked.
I was really upset with the choice I had made. If I were up there, I’d be helping out. I’d be defending our new home. I could’ve even saved someone’s life. Instead, I was stuck down here, forced to listen to it all. Forced to watch these women cry and feel hopeless. Forced to talk to Lori when all I wanted to do was punch her lights out. And if I died down here, not doing anything, that would be a disgrace to all the victims of the virus who had died fighting and it would be a disgrace to Shane if he knew I wasn’t trying my hardest to survive.
A thought crossed my mind and I asked to anyone who’d listen, “Do we have any weapons down here? In case… ya know, something gets down here?”
All the girls looked at me, now with a different kind of fear upon their faces.
“Ummm, I—I’m not sure. My dad might’ve kept some weapons down here…” Maggie quickly stood up and went to examine the crowded shelves.
“R-Rick gave me this.” Lori walked over to me and took out a small revolver from her jeans.
“Smart of him.” I muttered, but didn’t take it.
“All I found was a sledgehammer and a hatchet.” Maggie held up the two melee weapons and I took them both.
“I’ll put them here in case we need them.” I said leaning the sledgehammer against the couch and the hatchet against my chair.
“Okay, that sounds good and I can—” Lori cut herself off as she looked at where she had been sitting. Carl wasn’t there anymore.
“C-Carl? Carl! Where’d you go, baby boy? Carl!!! You come out right this minute!” her voice wavered. She peered over the chair and behind the couch in a frenzy.
I almost snickered, thinking about how many times he’d run off and she hadn’t noticed until the last second. I stood near my chair with my arms crossed, watching her freak out. She turned towards the stairs and had to muffle a scream.
“OH MY GOD, HE LEFT!” she yelled and tried to run up the stairs, but Carol held her back.
“No, you can’t go up there, let someone else!” she sounded like she was about to cry.
“What are you talking about, let someone else? He’s my son!”
“I know but if anything happened to both Carl and you, Rick couldn’t live with himself.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that if one of us dies trying to get him then Rick won’t give a shit because he’s got Lori?” I laughed in disbelief, “Wow.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Carol snapped at me.
“Someone go get him, NOW!” Lori had stopped fighting off Carol and looked around the room at us. Lori turned her head sharply towards me.
“Lin… I know you have experience with guns... I heard you mention it to Daryl once. Can you please take this and find him?” she was in tears as she offered me her gun.
I sighed, trying to make a quick decision. Did I want to…
Go Get Carl
Let Someone Else Find Him
I took a deep, calming breath before speaking.
“We were looking for Randall but couldn’t find him, so we decided it was time to go back to see if Daryl and Glenn had found him. We were on our way back when the herd of walkers snuck up on us. Shane was taking up the rear and—” I broke off, remembering Shane falling to the ground, remembering Rick hovering over him, remembering his eyes closing as he died…
I turned away from her and leaned up against the wall, hanging my head in between my knees. I couldn’t hold it back, my back heaved up and down as I silently sobbed. I didn’t look back up; letting everyone see me breaking down would prove I was meant to be here. But I knew I wasn’t.
I breathed deeply through my nose, trying to muffle the sound of my sobbing. I quickly wiped away my tears before looking back up and continuing.
“They got him. He told us to keep going, not to look back. I can still hear him screaming…” I shut my eyes, squeezing them tight. I heard his yell as he stumbled back and fell to the ground. I heard Rick screaming “how could you do this, brother?!”
The whole room was silent; everyone was listening to my made-up story, even Carl who had been there. These women would never know that the guy they thought was their leader had murdered the guy who should’ve been.
I raised my head up and peered over at Lori. She had her eyes closed and tears were running down her face. She opened them and glanced at me.
“I’m… sorry.” She whispered.
I pierced her with a sharp glare and stood up quickly, moving back to my chair to get away from her.
“But Lin… that’s not what—”
Thankfully, Carl was cut short when we heard the first gunshot from upstairs. The entire room tensed. Nobody moved. We just stared at the ceiling as if we could see through it; as if we were watching the ones we knew and loved fight the undead. The lightbulb started to swing again, casting distorted shadows across the walls and floor.
Carl ran over to his mother and climbed into her arms. They were both crying now. I crossed my legs and leaned forward on my right elbow. I placed my forehead in my hand and rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the newly formed headache Lori had so generously given to me.
The night carried on for what seemed like hours. The loud bangs and faint moaning from upstairs lingered on and on. Lori and Carl had moved back to their chairs. Still, nobody talked.
I was really upset with the choice I had made. If I were up there, I’d be helping out. I’d be defending our new home. I could’ve even saved someone’s life. Instead, I was stuck down here, forced to listen to it all. Forced to watch these women cry and feel hopeless. Forced to talk to Lori when all I wanted to do was punch her lights out. And if I died down here, not doing anything, that would be a disgrace to all the victims of the virus who had died fighting and it would be a disgrace to Shane if he knew I wasn’t trying my hardest to survive.
A thought crossed my mind and I asked to anyone who’d listen, “Do we have any weapons down here? In case… ya know, something gets down here?”
All the girls looked at me, now with a different kind of fear upon their faces.
“Ummm, I—I’m not sure. My dad might’ve kept some weapons down here…” Maggie quickly stood up and went to examine the crowded shelves.
“R-Rick gave me this.” Lori walked over to me and took out a small revolver from her jeans.
“Smart of him.” I muttered, but didn’t take it.
“All I found was a sledgehammer and a hatchet.” Maggie held up the two melee weapons and I took them both.
“I’ll put them here in case we need them.” I said leaning the sledgehammer against the couch and the hatchet against my chair.
“Okay, that sounds good and I can—” Lori cut herself off as she looked at where she had been sitting. Carl wasn’t there anymore.
“C-Carl? Carl! Where’d you go, baby boy? Carl!!! You come out right this minute!” her voice wavered. She peered over the chair and behind the couch in a frenzy.
I almost snickered, thinking about how many times he’d run off and she hadn’t noticed until the last second. I stood near my chair with my arms crossed, watching her freak out. She turned towards the stairs and had to muffle a scream.
“OH MY GOD, HE LEFT!” she yelled and tried to run up the stairs, but Carol held her back.
“No, you can’t go up there, let someone else!” she sounded like she was about to cry.
“What are you talking about, let someone else? He’s my son!”
“I know but if anything happened to both Carl and you, Rick couldn’t live with himself.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that if one of us dies trying to get him then Rick won’t give a shit because he’s got Lori?” I laughed in disbelief, “Wow.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Carol snapped at me.
“Someone go get him, NOW!” Lori had stopped fighting off Carol and looked around the room at us. Lori turned her head sharply towards me.
“Lin… I know you have experience with guns... I heard you mention it to Daryl once. Can you please take this and find him?” she was in tears as she offered me her gun.
I sighed, trying to make a quick decision. Did I want to…
Go Get Carl
Let Someone Else Find Him
Go Get Carl
I rolled my eyes, but snatched the gun from her hand anyway.
“Thank you.” She mouthed to me.
I gripped the small revolver and opened the cylinder to see how many bullets it still had. There were six rounds, all there. I flipped it shut and sprinted up the stairs two at a time.
I carefully unlocked the door then slowly creaked it open to peer out. There was a foul smell right next to me. I turned and came face-to-face with a heavily decayed walker. I yelped in surprise and stepped back into the basement to distance myself from it. I raised the gun and shot it once in the chest (like an idiot), then another in the forehead.
The group downstairs was shouting up at me.
“Are you okay?!” Maggie asked.
“Yeah I’m fine.” I answered quickly and opened the door wider.
I made sure the coast was clear again; this time it was. I quietly snuck out the door and stepped over the walker I had just killed. I slipped on the rotting insides sprayed across the floor. I caught my balance before doing what I came up here to do; search for Carl.
I looked around the surrounding rooms but they were all empty. I figured he would’ve probably tried to find his father to “help”. So I moved into the living room, only to stumble upon a scene I found both incredible, but horrifying. The three men that had stayed upstairs were blasting away at the undead that were clawing at the windows and door. The guys hadn’t noticed me and obviously hadn’t seen Carl standing behind them either.
“Carl!” I shouted over the loud bangs and moans, “Get you’re stupid ass back over here!”
He whipped around and stared at me wide-eyed. “I’m sorry!” he shouted back and ran towards me. As soon as he was in reach, I grasped his upper arm and pulled him near the basement. Unfortunately, it had been blocked by a handful of walkers.
“Oh shit!” I exclaimed, backing up as they noticed us.
I shot two of them to try to see if we could sneak by, but it wasn’t enough. I looked around to see if we could go around or something… anything. Then, I saw the answer.
“We could go there!” Carl and I shouted at the same time.
Carl was pointing down the hall at a vacant room to the left of us while I looked past the walkers and out the back door. I considered both options; they could both be remotely safe if we were lucky.
The walkers were advancing towards us meaning I had to make an instantaneous decision. Should we…
Hide in the Room
Go Outside
“Thank you.” She mouthed to me.
I gripped the small revolver and opened the cylinder to see how many bullets it still had. There were six rounds, all there. I flipped it shut and sprinted up the stairs two at a time.
I carefully unlocked the door then slowly creaked it open to peer out. There was a foul smell right next to me. I turned and came face-to-face with a heavily decayed walker. I yelped in surprise and stepped back into the basement to distance myself from it. I raised the gun and shot it once in the chest (like an idiot), then another in the forehead.
The group downstairs was shouting up at me.
“Are you okay?!” Maggie asked.
“Yeah I’m fine.” I answered quickly and opened the door wider.
I made sure the coast was clear again; this time it was. I quietly snuck out the door and stepped over the walker I had just killed. I slipped on the rotting insides sprayed across the floor. I caught my balance before doing what I came up here to do; search for Carl.
I looked around the surrounding rooms but they were all empty. I figured he would’ve probably tried to find his father to “help”. So I moved into the living room, only to stumble upon a scene I found both incredible, but horrifying. The three men that had stayed upstairs were blasting away at the undead that were clawing at the windows and door. The guys hadn’t noticed me and obviously hadn’t seen Carl standing behind them either.
“Carl!” I shouted over the loud bangs and moans, “Get you’re stupid ass back over here!”
He whipped around and stared at me wide-eyed. “I’m sorry!” he shouted back and ran towards me. As soon as he was in reach, I grasped his upper arm and pulled him near the basement. Unfortunately, it had been blocked by a handful of walkers.
“Oh shit!” I exclaimed, backing up as they noticed us.
I shot two of them to try to see if we could sneak by, but it wasn’t enough. I looked around to see if we could go around or something… anything. Then, I saw the answer.
“We could go there!” Carl and I shouted at the same time.
Carl was pointing down the hall at a vacant room to the left of us while I looked past the walkers and out the back door. I considered both options; they could both be remotely safe if we were lucky.
The walkers were advancing towards us meaning I had to make an instantaneous decision. Should we…
Hide in the Room
Go Outside
Hide in the Room
“Good idea, let’s go.” We rushed towards the room down the hallway. Going outside might've been a huge mistake. After all, we had no idea how many walkers could been waiting for us.
As soon as we both made it inside I slammed the door shut and locked it. I motioned to Carl to help me push a heavy dresser in front of the door. The minute the dresser was blocking it, we heard a symphony of moans and growls accompanied by the sound of impacts against the wooden door.
Carl and I backed away from it, trying to keep as quiet as possible; almost as if we could just pretend we weren’t even here.
“Don’t panic.” I whispered to him. He was clutching onto my side with both arms.
Eventually, the pounding and moaning subsided, leaving us a little more relaxed and giving us time to see where we had locked ourselves into. I noticed it must’ve been a girl’s room, judging by the ruffles of the curtains and flowery bedspread. The walls were painted a pale yellow which gave the room a delicate feel to it. There was a cabinet on the right of the bed, full of porcelain dolls. Each of their fragile faces seemed to peer at me. I drew closer to the dolls when I spotted something that seemed out of place. Examining them up close, I noticed that one of the dolls was facing backwards. I carefully opened the glass door and reached in to turn it around…
But when I did I almost dropped it. The doll looked like a friggin’ walker! Its left eye was gone, its once white face was now grey and peeling, the hair was in clumps, and its beautiful dress in rags; but the creepiest part was its mouth. Before it had been mutilated, the lips were red and full, like the dolls surrounding it. Now the lips looked as if they had rotted away, showing teeth.
“What. The. Fuck.” I said under my breath, setting the doll back the way it was.
I shut the glass door and shuddered. Someone must’ve done that to it because that was certainly not normal. Whoever had done that certainly wasn’t normal, either.
I treaded back to the bed and sat down next to Carl. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of the door. Now the only sound that emanated from it was an occasional bump or two by passing walkers.
“Is dad okay?” Carl turned to me.
“Of course he is. He’s a strong survivor. Don’t even think like that.” I replied.
Personally, I didn’t care much about how Rick was. But in that moment, Carl needed me and I had to tell him the truth. I was positive Rick was still alive out there.
“You’re right,” Carl said with a newfound confidence, “he’s fine.”
“Yep, and once this is over, everyone will come find us and it’ll all be okay, okay?”
He nodded before lying down in the bed. I joined him and stared at the ceiling.
“Why did you and Shane break up?” Carl suddenly asked me.
My entire body went numb. He had never brought up our relationship before. I didn’t even think he had noticed our break up before the world went to hell. I waited a couple of minutes, trying to search for the right answer.
“Well… ummm… he told me that he thought it would be safer if we weren’t together.” I answered truthfully.
“Why?”
“He was a police officer. He had put away lots of men who he said could’ve found me if they wanted revenge on him.”
“But dad never did that to mom and me.”
“Yeah… I know.”
We lay there without speaking for a few minutes until Carl admitted,
“I wish you two had stayed together.”
I bit my lip, trying not to cry. “Me too…”
After that, Carl went quiet and after a while longer I heard him breathing softly, indicating that he had fallen asleep. I was exhausted as well but was too afraid to sleep; there was no sign out there telling me that the walkers had left or would come back. I tried my hardest not to shut my eyes. I thought about what Carl had said, wondered why he had brought up something that happened nearly four months ago, and ended up drifting off into a dreamless sleep right next to him.
Click for The End
As soon as we both made it inside I slammed the door shut and locked it. I motioned to Carl to help me push a heavy dresser in front of the door. The minute the dresser was blocking it, we heard a symphony of moans and growls accompanied by the sound of impacts against the wooden door.
Carl and I backed away from it, trying to keep as quiet as possible; almost as if we could just pretend we weren’t even here.
“Don’t panic.” I whispered to him. He was clutching onto my side with both arms.
Eventually, the pounding and moaning subsided, leaving us a little more relaxed and giving us time to see where we had locked ourselves into. I noticed it must’ve been a girl’s room, judging by the ruffles of the curtains and flowery bedspread. The walls were painted a pale yellow which gave the room a delicate feel to it. There was a cabinet on the right of the bed, full of porcelain dolls. Each of their fragile faces seemed to peer at me. I drew closer to the dolls when I spotted something that seemed out of place. Examining them up close, I noticed that one of the dolls was facing backwards. I carefully opened the glass door and reached in to turn it around…
But when I did I almost dropped it. The doll looked like a friggin’ walker! Its left eye was gone, its once white face was now grey and peeling, the hair was in clumps, and its beautiful dress in rags; but the creepiest part was its mouth. Before it had been mutilated, the lips were red and full, like the dolls surrounding it. Now the lips looked as if they had rotted away, showing teeth.
“What. The. Fuck.” I said under my breath, setting the doll back the way it was.
I shut the glass door and shuddered. Someone must’ve done that to it because that was certainly not normal. Whoever had done that certainly wasn’t normal, either.
I treaded back to the bed and sat down next to Carl. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of the door. Now the only sound that emanated from it was an occasional bump or two by passing walkers.
“Is dad okay?” Carl turned to me.
“Of course he is. He’s a strong survivor. Don’t even think like that.” I replied.
Personally, I didn’t care much about how Rick was. But in that moment, Carl needed me and I had to tell him the truth. I was positive Rick was still alive out there.
“You’re right,” Carl said with a newfound confidence, “he’s fine.”
“Yep, and once this is over, everyone will come find us and it’ll all be okay, okay?”
He nodded before lying down in the bed. I joined him and stared at the ceiling.
“Why did you and Shane break up?” Carl suddenly asked me.
My entire body went numb. He had never brought up our relationship before. I didn’t even think he had noticed our break up before the world went to hell. I waited a couple of minutes, trying to search for the right answer.
“Well… ummm… he told me that he thought it would be safer if we weren’t together.” I answered truthfully.
“Why?”
“He was a police officer. He had put away lots of men who he said could’ve found me if they wanted revenge on him.”
“But dad never did that to mom and me.”
“Yeah… I know.”
We lay there without speaking for a few minutes until Carl admitted,
“I wish you two had stayed together.”
I bit my lip, trying not to cry. “Me too…”
After that, Carl went quiet and after a while longer I heard him breathing softly, indicating that he had fallen asleep. I was exhausted as well but was too afraid to sleep; there was no sign out there telling me that the walkers had left or would come back. I tried my hardest not to shut my eyes. I thought about what Carl had said, wondered why he had brought up something that happened nearly four months ago, and ended up drifting off into a dreamless sleep right next to him.
Click for The End
The End (#6)
When I awoke, the sun had crept through the window above us. I turned my head to the side and saw Carl, still fast asleep.
Breathing deeply, thankful for him not getting up and running off again, I slowly sat up and scanned the room. It looked exactly as it did before I had fallen asleep. I let out another breath of relief.
The air was dry and felt a bit eerie. I got up and put my ear to the door. There was nothing indicating walkers were still in the house, yet I was still hesitant to move the dresser out of the way to open the door. I wanted to wait and see if anyone would try to find us first, so that I knew it was definitely safe.
I sat back down on the bed and waited. The same thoughts I had gone to bed with were now circling in my mind again and I ended up falling so deeply into them that I didn’t even notice my name being called until someone shook me.
“Lin, do you hear that?!” Carl hissed at me, clearly now awake.
“What?” I snapped out of my trance to listen intently.
“I thought I heard something out there…” Carl pointed at the door. I stood up to press my ear up to it as I’d done before.
I heard loud footsteps crunching over broken glass. I wasn’t sure if it was one of our people or if it was one of the undead.
“Is it them?” Carl asked.
I wasn’t sure if he meant them as in our group or the walkers, but my answer was the same for both,
“I don’t know.” I murmured, still listening closely.
The footsteps drew nearer until they sounded like they were right on the other side of the door.
I backed up and got down on my hands and knees to look underneath. Two big boots blocked the light that was coming in from under it. Still, I couldn’t make out who it was or if it was safe enough to open the door to check.
So I stood back up, took a deep breath, and called out,
“Hello? Who’s there?”
The footsteps stopped; all was quiet until,
“Lin? You in there?” it was Daryl.
“Oh thank God! Yes, it’s me and Carl’s in here too!” I smiled at Carl and he smiled back.
“Well, could you open the door? I can’t get it from this side.”
“Oh, right.” I muttered and Carl and I moved the dresser away from the door.
I unlocked it and opened it wide. There stood not only Daryl, but Rick, Lori, Glenn, and Andrea too.
Carl shouted out with joy and ran into his parents’ arms. I smiled as I hugged Daryl and then moved on to Glenn and then Andrea. After I greeted everyone, we all moved to the living room. There, I saw everyone else looking back at me. I smiled even wider and hugged each of them, as well. Even though last night had been a complete and utter disaster, I was thankful to see everyone smiling back at me, happy to see that I was alive.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Breathing deeply, thankful for him not getting up and running off again, I slowly sat up and scanned the room. It looked exactly as it did before I had fallen asleep. I let out another breath of relief.
The air was dry and felt a bit eerie. I got up and put my ear to the door. There was nothing indicating walkers were still in the house, yet I was still hesitant to move the dresser out of the way to open the door. I wanted to wait and see if anyone would try to find us first, so that I knew it was definitely safe.
I sat back down on the bed and waited. The same thoughts I had gone to bed with were now circling in my mind again and I ended up falling so deeply into them that I didn’t even notice my name being called until someone shook me.
“Lin, do you hear that?!” Carl hissed at me, clearly now awake.
“What?” I snapped out of my trance to listen intently.
“I thought I heard something out there…” Carl pointed at the door. I stood up to press my ear up to it as I’d done before.
I heard loud footsteps crunching over broken glass. I wasn’t sure if it was one of our people or if it was one of the undead.
“Is it them?” Carl asked.
I wasn’t sure if he meant them as in our group or the walkers, but my answer was the same for both,
“I don’t know.” I murmured, still listening closely.
The footsteps drew nearer until they sounded like they were right on the other side of the door.
I backed up and got down on my hands and knees to look underneath. Two big boots blocked the light that was coming in from under it. Still, I couldn’t make out who it was or if it was safe enough to open the door to check.
So I stood back up, took a deep breath, and called out,
“Hello? Who’s there?”
The footsteps stopped; all was quiet until,
“Lin? You in there?” it was Daryl.
“Oh thank God! Yes, it’s me and Carl’s in here too!” I smiled at Carl and he smiled back.
“Well, could you open the door? I can’t get it from this side.”
“Oh, right.” I muttered and Carl and I moved the dresser away from the door.
I unlocked it and opened it wide. There stood not only Daryl, but Rick, Lori, Glenn, and Andrea too.
Carl shouted out with joy and ran into his parents’ arms. I smiled as I hugged Daryl and then moved on to Glenn and then Andrea. After I greeted everyone, we all moved to the living room. There, I saw everyone else looking back at me. I smiled even wider and hugged each of them, as well. Even though last night had been a complete and utter disaster, I was thankful to see everyone smiling back at me, happy to see that I was alive.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Go Outside
“C’mon.” I said, pulling his arm towards the back door, “We have to get out of here.”
“But—” Carl started to complain, yet I didn’t listen. We had to survive, and hiding in a room that couldn’t withstand the undead pounding on it was a bad idea.
“I have to make sure you’re safe.” I stated my reasoning.
We clambered out into the backyard. The stables that lined up near the woods blocked the way for walkers to get through. However, scanning the perimeter, I realized that the fence that had been protecting the land was dented on one side; they must’ve found a way through.
“This way...” I pulled myself away from the sight and snuck around the house, looking for a way out.
We finally came to the gate that led out to the front yard without drawing any unwanted attention. As we looked past the house and into the yard, we saw where the real disaster was. Walkers everywhere, more than I had expected.
Carl and I stood there in plain shock, not being able to move, or talk, or even blink. I had to snap back into my senses when I heard a loud growl behind us. I turned around and found two walkers that had finally discovered Carl and I.
I panicked and shot them both in the head. That was a bad idea. It drew almost all the attention over to us.
“RUN!!!!” I screamed at Carl. I noticed a blue truck only a few feet from us and exclaimed, “To the truck!”
We both booked it as fast as we could towards the truck, dodging walkers’ open arms and maneuvering in between groups of 'em. It was definitely a dangerous move, but we both managed to lock ourselves inside.
I frantically searched the truck for the keys as walkers pounded on the hood and doors. Carl was hysterical, shouting for me to hurry and get out of there. The rear window smashed through the second I found the keys in the visor.
“Shit!” I cried, starting up the truck and flipping on the headlights. It lit up the night showing us the dozens of walkers crowded around the hood. I put the truck in forward then stepped on the gas, running the suckers over. There were too many grouped together though, so I had to back up and turn around.
“But, what about mom and dad?” Carl’s voice shook.
“They’ll come looking for you, don’t worry.” I said, keeping my eyes on the dirt road I’d found.
“How will they know where we are?”
“If they’re smart, which they are, they’ll know that I had to keep you safe. So when they see the truck missing, they’ll know we took it and they’ll come looking for us. I’ve got it figured out, dude, don’t worry.” I finally glanced at him. His face was pale and his eyes were red; he looked as if he was going to pass out.
“Why don’t you lie down? I’ve got it under control; we’re safe.” I half-smiled at him.
He nodded and laid his head against the window. For all I knew he fell asleep in an instant.
As I drove in silence, pin-pointing our location in my mind, I wondered what went on in Carl’s head. Every time he made a crazy decision to leave the house and “try to help” somebody. Was it a boy thing? Or did he want to prove himself to someone? I didn’t slow down at all, the gas tank was a little less than half-way down, but I knew that our destination was close.
We finally arrived at the highway where it had all begun. Where I had first met the group and had decided to join them. Where I had spend my last moments with my dad. Where I had run into Shane after thinking he was dead, along with Carl, Rick and Lori. Yes, I had known them before the world had gone to shit. It had only been a matter of time before our group had also gone in the same direction.
Click for The End
“But—” Carl started to complain, yet I didn’t listen. We had to survive, and hiding in a room that couldn’t withstand the undead pounding on it was a bad idea.
“I have to make sure you’re safe.” I stated my reasoning.
We clambered out into the backyard. The stables that lined up near the woods blocked the way for walkers to get through. However, scanning the perimeter, I realized that the fence that had been protecting the land was dented on one side; they must’ve found a way through.
“This way...” I pulled myself away from the sight and snuck around the house, looking for a way out.
We finally came to the gate that led out to the front yard without drawing any unwanted attention. As we looked past the house and into the yard, we saw where the real disaster was. Walkers everywhere, more than I had expected.
Carl and I stood there in plain shock, not being able to move, or talk, or even blink. I had to snap back into my senses when I heard a loud growl behind us. I turned around and found two walkers that had finally discovered Carl and I.
I panicked and shot them both in the head. That was a bad idea. It drew almost all the attention over to us.
“RUN!!!!” I screamed at Carl. I noticed a blue truck only a few feet from us and exclaimed, “To the truck!”
We both booked it as fast as we could towards the truck, dodging walkers’ open arms and maneuvering in between groups of 'em. It was definitely a dangerous move, but we both managed to lock ourselves inside.
I frantically searched the truck for the keys as walkers pounded on the hood and doors. Carl was hysterical, shouting for me to hurry and get out of there. The rear window smashed through the second I found the keys in the visor.
“Shit!” I cried, starting up the truck and flipping on the headlights. It lit up the night showing us the dozens of walkers crowded around the hood. I put the truck in forward then stepped on the gas, running the suckers over. There were too many grouped together though, so I had to back up and turn around.
“But, what about mom and dad?” Carl’s voice shook.
“They’ll come looking for you, don’t worry.” I said, keeping my eyes on the dirt road I’d found.
“How will they know where we are?”
“If they’re smart, which they are, they’ll know that I had to keep you safe. So when they see the truck missing, they’ll know we took it and they’ll come looking for us. I’ve got it figured out, dude, don’t worry.” I finally glanced at him. His face was pale and his eyes were red; he looked as if he was going to pass out.
“Why don’t you lie down? I’ve got it under control; we’re safe.” I half-smiled at him.
He nodded and laid his head against the window. For all I knew he fell asleep in an instant.
As I drove in silence, pin-pointing our location in my mind, I wondered what went on in Carl’s head. Every time he made a crazy decision to leave the house and “try to help” somebody. Was it a boy thing? Or did he want to prove himself to someone? I didn’t slow down at all, the gas tank was a little less than half-way down, but I knew that our destination was close.
We finally arrived at the highway where it had all begun. Where I had first met the group and had decided to join them. Where I had spend my last moments with my dad. Where I had run into Shane after thinking he was dead, along with Carl, Rick and Lori. Yes, I had known them before the world had gone to shit. It had only been a matter of time before our group had also gone in the same direction.
Click for The End
The End (#7)
Even though I was exhausted, I kept my eyes open for Carl's sake. I wanted him to wake up so we could talk, but I didn’t want to wake him myself. So I waited and waited until the sun started to rise and finally saw Carl stir in his sleep.
“Mommy… sorry… I didn’t…” he mumbled in his sleep. I figured he could’ve been having a nightmare, so I shook him awake.
“You okay?” I asked him as he looked around the car, remembering what had happened.
“Ye—yeah, I’m okay.” He rubbed his eyes and sat up.
“I wanted to talk to you about… what had happened in the field.” I began, “I’m really sorry you had to see that.” I looked away, “I’m really sorry you had to hear what I said. But I also thank you for saving me, Carl,” I turned back to make eye contact, “I wouldn’t be here now if you hadn’t’ve shot Walker Shane. So, thank you.”
He slowly grinned, “You’re welcome.” He said softly.
“Listen, I know how crazy the past weeks have been. With you getting shot, Sophia, Dale, tonight… but I have to say, I’m glad I joined this group and I’m glad to have seen you again.” I ruffled his hair and he chuckled.
We sat in silence for a moment before Carl spoke, “Remember when you’d come over for dinner with Shane and you played that racing game with me?”
“Of course!” I giggled, “You always beat me at it! Shane loved that game, always wanted to play with us…” I became quiet as I remembered those days. I remembered Shane wasn’t alive anymore. I held back tears as Carl continued,
“Mom would always say ‘no video games before dinner!’ So we would eat as fast as we could so we could play it.”
“Yeah, I remember.” I tried to talk without choking on words.
We continued on reminiscing on the old days until the sun was high in the sky. My stomach growled; I was really hungry.
“Let’s check for some food.” I said to Carl, but he was hesitant on leaving the truck.
“Don’t worry, if we have troubles, I have a gun and we can drive away. Aren’t you hungry?” I added. He nodded so we opened our doors and explored the highway again.
We came across the car that had Sophia’s name written on it. There was water, blankets, and some food on the hood. I grabbed a bag of tuna fish and scarfed it down. Carl took a bag of chips and started to eat. We hopped onto the hood and ate away until we heard something in the distance. A low rumbling—of an engine!
“Carl, it might be them...” I said, glancing at him with hopeful eyes.
He had a stuffed mouth but had stopped chewing to listen.
The rumbling got louder until finally we saw a motorcycle and two cars weave amidst the humungous crash on the highway. They stopped and the doors popped open, revealing Rick and Lori.
“Mom! Dad!” Carl exclaimed excitedly, jumping off the hood and running towards them.
He jumped in their arms and they hugged him tight. Daryl had gotten off of his motorcycle and walked up to me. We hugged, but I kept my eyes on the family of three.
Rick and Lori raised their heads up from their son to look at me. They both smiled, letting me know that at least there was some good left in the world.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
“Mommy… sorry… I didn’t…” he mumbled in his sleep. I figured he could’ve been having a nightmare, so I shook him awake.
“You okay?” I asked him as he looked around the car, remembering what had happened.
“Ye—yeah, I’m okay.” He rubbed his eyes and sat up.
“I wanted to talk to you about… what had happened in the field.” I began, “I’m really sorry you had to see that.” I looked away, “I’m really sorry you had to hear what I said. But I also thank you for saving me, Carl,” I turned back to make eye contact, “I wouldn’t be here now if you hadn’t’ve shot Walker Shane. So, thank you.”
He slowly grinned, “You’re welcome.” He said softly.
“Listen, I know how crazy the past weeks have been. With you getting shot, Sophia, Dale, tonight… but I have to say, I’m glad I joined this group and I’m glad to have seen you again.” I ruffled his hair and he chuckled.
We sat in silence for a moment before Carl spoke, “Remember when you’d come over for dinner with Shane and you played that racing game with me?”
“Of course!” I giggled, “You always beat me at it! Shane loved that game, always wanted to play with us…” I became quiet as I remembered those days. I remembered Shane wasn’t alive anymore. I held back tears as Carl continued,
“Mom would always say ‘no video games before dinner!’ So we would eat as fast as we could so we could play it.”
“Yeah, I remember.” I tried to talk without choking on words.
We continued on reminiscing on the old days until the sun was high in the sky. My stomach growled; I was really hungry.
“Let’s check for some food.” I said to Carl, but he was hesitant on leaving the truck.
“Don’t worry, if we have troubles, I have a gun and we can drive away. Aren’t you hungry?” I added. He nodded so we opened our doors and explored the highway again.
We came across the car that had Sophia’s name written on it. There was water, blankets, and some food on the hood. I grabbed a bag of tuna fish and scarfed it down. Carl took a bag of chips and started to eat. We hopped onto the hood and ate away until we heard something in the distance. A low rumbling—of an engine!
“Carl, it might be them...” I said, glancing at him with hopeful eyes.
He had a stuffed mouth but had stopped chewing to listen.
The rumbling got louder until finally we saw a motorcycle and two cars weave amidst the humungous crash on the highway. They stopped and the doors popped open, revealing Rick and Lori.
“Mom! Dad!” Carl exclaimed excitedly, jumping off the hood and running towards them.
He jumped in their arms and they hugged him tight. Daryl had gotten off of his motorcycle and walked up to me. We hugged, but I kept my eyes on the family of three.
Rick and Lori raised their heads up from their son to look at me. They both smiled, letting me know that at least there was some good left in the world.
Thank you so much for reading my Walking Dead Choose Your Own Adventure story! I hope you were happy with the choices you made, and if you’re not then feel free to go back and make some changes! There are 12 endings in all but only one path to get to the “To Be Continued…” ;)
~Alina Renee
Let Someone Else Get Him
“You’re kidding, right?” I laughed, “You’re turning to me right now? Did you even hear what I said to you? Or did I smack you so hard your tiny brain stopped working? Go find him yourself or let someone else do it; Carl is not my son and if he was, he wouldn’t be missing all the damn time.”
Lori didn’t move.
“You serious?” Maggie said in disgust.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” I snarled.
“Fine, then I’ll go. Someone needs to get that boy.” Maggie glared at me as she stood up from the couch and straightened out her shirt. Lori handed her the small gun and she took it.
“I’ll be back with him, alright?”
Lori nodded and sat down next to Carol, crying in her arms. I was about to shout out, Why don’t you pay attention to your son? But decided it was better to keep my mouth shut. I had said enough with my actions to make it pretty clear about what I thought of her parenting.
I watched Maggie climb the stairs with the small gun clutched in her hands. She creaked the door open, peered out, and then exited, closing the door behind her.
I turned back around and sat down in my chair, scooting as far away from Lori as I could. I ended up in the corner where I could strangely hear almost everything that was going on upstairs. I looked up and realized there was a venting system. I heard voices, accompanied by groans from the undead.
“C’mon now, we have to go back.” Maggie’s southern accent was clear.
Muuuurrraahhhhrrrmmm… grrraaaurrrrr…
“I can’t! I want to help!” Carl whined.
Raaaaarchhhraaaaarmmm… mmmmoorrruuunnnmm…
“Carl, we can’t argue, please just come back! PLEASE!”
POW! BAM! Two gunshots rang throughout the basement and drew everyone else’s attention. They all crowded around me in the dark corner and listened.
“C’mon Carl! GO!!! GO, GO, GO!!!!” Maggie’s voice went faint and we heard footsteps running across our ceiling.
We followed them around the room until they got closer to the stairs. Lori bounded up them, followed closely by Carol, and then myself.
The door flew open and Carl was practically pushed down the stairs. Maggie ran in after and went to close the door when… “AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
She screamed as a walker got a clump of her hair through a crack in the door and pulled her back. The gun she was holding flew out of her hand as she put her arms up to try to detach the walker from herself.
The gun clattered down the steps and landed on the concrete with a metalic thud.
“Help! Someone help me!” she cried.
I turned around and saw Lori going down the stairs with Carl. She noticed the gun as she passed by and picked it up. That’s when I realized, was it best to…
Let Her Shoot It
Shoot It Myself
Lori didn’t move.
“You serious?” Maggie said in disgust.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” I snarled.
“Fine, then I’ll go. Someone needs to get that boy.” Maggie glared at me as she stood up from the couch and straightened out her shirt. Lori handed her the small gun and she took it.
“I’ll be back with him, alright?”
Lori nodded and sat down next to Carol, crying in her arms. I was about to shout out, Why don’t you pay attention to your son? But decided it was better to keep my mouth shut. I had said enough with my actions to make it pretty clear about what I thought of her parenting.
I watched Maggie climb the stairs with the small gun clutched in her hands. She creaked the door open, peered out, and then exited, closing the door behind her.
I turned back around and sat down in my chair, scooting as far away from Lori as I could. I ended up in the corner where I could strangely hear almost everything that was going on upstairs. I looked up and realized there was a venting system. I heard voices, accompanied by groans from the undead.
“C’mon now, we have to go back.” Maggie’s southern accent was clear.
Muuuurrraahhhhrrrmmm… grrraaaurrrrr…
“I can’t! I want to help!” Carl whined.
Raaaaarchhhraaaaarmmm… mmmmoorrruuunnnmm…
“Carl, we can’t argue, please just come back! PLEASE!”
POW! BAM! Two gunshots rang throughout the basement and drew everyone else’s attention. They all crowded around me in the dark corner and listened.
“C’mon Carl! GO!!! GO, GO, GO!!!!” Maggie’s voice went faint and we heard footsteps running across our ceiling.
We followed them around the room until they got closer to the stairs. Lori bounded up them, followed closely by Carol, and then myself.
The door flew open and Carl was practically pushed down the stairs. Maggie ran in after and went to close the door when… “AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
She screamed as a walker got a clump of her hair through a crack in the door and pulled her back. The gun she was holding flew out of her hand as she put her arms up to try to detach the walker from herself.
The gun clattered down the steps and landed on the concrete with a metalic thud.
“Help! Someone help me!” she cried.
I turned around and saw Lori going down the stairs with Carl. She noticed the gun as she passed by and picked it up. That’s when I realized, was it best to…
Let Her Shoot It
Shoot It Myself
Let Someone Else Find Him
I slowly shook my head, “I’m sorry, but he’s not my problem.” I shrugged and leaned back into my chair.
“You serious?” Maggie said in disgust.
I nodded, “Dead serious.”
“Fine, then I’ll go. Someone needs to get that boy.” Maggie stood up from the couch and straightened out her shirt. Lori handed her the small gun and she took it.
“I’ll be back with him, alright?”
Lori nodded and sat down next to Carol, crying in her arms. I glared at them from my seat. I wanted to shout out, why don’t you pay attention to him? But kept my mouth shut.
I heard the steps creak as Maggie climbed them and opened the door. The moaning and gunshots got louder for a second then died back down as the door shut behind her. We all waited in a cold sweat. I didn’t want either of them to die; I just wanted Carl to be taught a lesson.
I wished I had a watch or a working clock to check the time because time seemed to go by so slow. We were waiting in that room for what felt like hours, our ears piqued on listening to any odd, out-of-place sound upstairs. It was hard since everything was muffled, but I thought I had heard a little boy’s voice near the corner of the ceiling.
I stood up and followed it until their voices, accompanied by groans from the undead, were clear as day. I looked up and saw a vent grill.
“C’mon now, we have to go back.” Maggie’s southern accent was clear.
Muuuurrraahhhhrrrmmm…grrraaaurrrrr…
“I can’t! I want to help!” Carl whined.
Raaaaarchhhraaaaarmmm…mmmmoorrruuunnnmm…
“Carl, we can’t argue, please just come back! PLEASE!”
POW! BAM! Two gunshots rang throughout the basement and drew everyone else’s attention. They all crowded around me and listened.
“C’mon Carl! GO!!! GO, GO, GO!!!!” Maggie’s voice went faint and we heard footsteps running across our ceiling.
We followed them around the room until they got closer to the stairs. Lori bounded up them, followed closely by Carol, and then myself.
The door flew open and Carl was practically pushed down the stairs. Maggie ran in after and went to close the door when… “AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
She screamed as a walker got a clump of her hair through a crack in the door and pulled her back. The gun she was holding flew out of her hand as she put her arms up to try to detach the walker from herself.
The gun clattered down the steps and landed on the ground.
“Help! Someone help me!” she cried.
I turned around and saw Lori going down the stairs with Carl. She noticed the gun as she passed by and picked it up. That’s when I realized, was it best to…
Let Lori Shoot It
Shoot It Myself
“You serious?” Maggie said in disgust.
I nodded, “Dead serious.”
“Fine, then I’ll go. Someone needs to get that boy.” Maggie stood up from the couch and straightened out her shirt. Lori handed her the small gun and she took it.
“I’ll be back with him, alright?”
Lori nodded and sat down next to Carol, crying in her arms. I glared at them from my seat. I wanted to shout out, why don’t you pay attention to him? But kept my mouth shut.
I heard the steps creak as Maggie climbed them and opened the door. The moaning and gunshots got louder for a second then died back down as the door shut behind her. We all waited in a cold sweat. I didn’t want either of them to die; I just wanted Carl to be taught a lesson.
I wished I had a watch or a working clock to check the time because time seemed to go by so slow. We were waiting in that room for what felt like hours, our ears piqued on listening to any odd, out-of-place sound upstairs. It was hard since everything was muffled, but I thought I had heard a little boy’s voice near the corner of the ceiling.
I stood up and followed it until their voices, accompanied by groans from the undead, were clear as day. I looked up and saw a vent grill.
“C’mon now, we have to go back.” Maggie’s southern accent was clear.
Muuuurrraahhhhrrrmmm…grrraaaurrrrr…
“I can’t! I want to help!” Carl whined.
Raaaaarchhhraaaaarmmm…mmmmoorrruuunnnmm…
“Carl, we can’t argue, please just come back! PLEASE!”
POW! BAM! Two gunshots rang throughout the basement and drew everyone else’s attention. They all crowded around me and listened.
“C’mon Carl! GO!!! GO, GO, GO!!!!” Maggie’s voice went faint and we heard footsteps running across our ceiling.
We followed them around the room until they got closer to the stairs. Lori bounded up them, followed closely by Carol, and then myself.
The door flew open and Carl was practically pushed down the stairs. Maggie ran in after and went to close the door when… “AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
She screamed as a walker got a clump of her hair through a crack in the door and pulled her back. The gun she was holding flew out of her hand as she put her arms up to try to detach the walker from herself.
The gun clattered down the steps and landed on the ground.
“Help! Someone help me!” she cried.
I turned around and saw Lori going down the stairs with Carl. She noticed the gun as she passed by and picked it up. That’s when I realized, was it best to…
Let Lori Shoot It
Shoot It Myself
Let Her Shoot It
A smile crept to my face and the anger I had let out before had now turned to pure hatred. My mind went cold and I felt my heart freeze over as I yelled,
“What are you waiting for, huh?! Isn’t this what you wanted; to protect yourself? Shane’s not here anymore, so now you have to work your own ass off to defend the group! So shoot it Lori! SHOOT IT!!!!” I screamed at her.
She fumbled with the gun before aiming it and shut her eyes before pulling the trigger. A loud BANG! echoed throughout the basement, deafening everyone. My ears rung and I couldn’t hear anything.
However, when I got my hearing back, all I heard was more screaming. My heart beat rose when I turned and looked at the walker. It was definitely dead; the bad news was that the bullet had gone through Maggie’s eye socket and out the back into the walker’s.
Lori dropped her gun and held her hands up to her mouth in shock. I couldn’t speak. I just watched Maggie’s body slide down the door with my jaw hanging open. I realized the door was still open so I mustered up what I could to run up the stairs. I tried not to step on her body, and shoved the walker out of the basement before shutting the door.
Beth and Patricia were crowding the steps hovering over Maggie’s body so that I couldn’t get past without tripping. So I sat on the top step and looked anywhere but at the girls in front of me. I heard Lori sobbing and whimpering, “I’m sorry… I didn’t… I wasn’t aiming for her… I… Oh God…”
I put my hands onto the step I was sitting on to force myself to take a deep breath, but pulled back when I felt something wet soak both palms. I looked at them in the light and saw they were coated in blood.
My heart started to beat even faster and my chest rose and fell irrationally as I struggled to breathe. I tried to cry but the hysteria from what happened had caused my body to go into shock. I was freaking the hell out. I followed the blood from my hands to the stair and saw that it was dripping down each stair in turn. I looked from the stairs to Maggie; her left eye was open, but her right eye was a giant bloody hole.
I quickly looked away as my stomach started to churn. I had to get away from her, or I was going to be sick. I stumbled passed Beth and Patricia who were still crowded around Maggie’s body. My footsteps squished in the blood with each stair I descended down. When I finally got to the bottom, I ran into the corner by the vent and puked.
That’s when I noticed there were no more moans or groans coming from the vent. I listened as hard as I could, holding my breath both to keep myself from puking again and to figure out what was happening up there.
“We have to move the bodies.” The voice was faint.
“How are we going to tell them?” another voice hissed.
“I dunno.”
The voices slipped away. Luckily I had gotten my stomach to settle back down but I didn’t know if it was going to stay like that for long.
I turned to Carl, Lori, and Carol. They were now huddled on the couch in each others arms.
“You… are an idiot.” I hissed at Lori.
“I—I’m sorry.”
“She didn’t mean to, okay? Stop being so mean to her!” Carl yelled at me.
“This wouldn’t’ve even happened if you had just stayed down here!!!” I yelled back.
Carl glared at me, but didn’t say anything more.
I took a deep breath before heading back up the stairs to open the door. It didn’t matter; because the door had already opened. The light from upstairs lit up the entire basement, illuminating three people at the top of the stairs. It also illuminated the scene on the stairs; the quarts of blood that trickled down the steps, Maggie’s dead body with her sister and friend hovering over it.
“Ma—MAGGIE?!” Glenn almost fell down as he scrambled down a couple of stairs and joined the two women.
“Oh God!” I heard Andrea exclaim.
“What happened?” Rick was the third person at the door.
I told him everything; about Carl leaving, about Maggie going after him, about the walker grabbing her and about Lori shooting her by accident.
It was impossible to describe without breaking down.
Click for The End
“What are you waiting for, huh?! Isn’t this what you wanted; to protect yourself? Shane’s not here anymore, so now you have to work your own ass off to defend the group! So shoot it Lori! SHOOT IT!!!!” I screamed at her.
She fumbled with the gun before aiming it and shut her eyes before pulling the trigger. A loud BANG! echoed throughout the basement, deafening everyone. My ears rung and I couldn’t hear anything.
However, when I got my hearing back, all I heard was more screaming. My heart beat rose when I turned and looked at the walker. It was definitely dead; the bad news was that the bullet had gone through Maggie’s eye socket and out the back into the walker’s.
Lori dropped her gun and held her hands up to her mouth in shock. I couldn’t speak. I just watched Maggie’s body slide down the door with my jaw hanging open. I realized the door was still open so I mustered up what I could to run up the stairs. I tried not to step on her body, and shoved the walker out of the basement before shutting the door.
Beth and Patricia were crowding the steps hovering over Maggie’s body so that I couldn’t get past without tripping. So I sat on the top step and looked anywhere but at the girls in front of me. I heard Lori sobbing and whimpering, “I’m sorry… I didn’t… I wasn’t aiming for her… I… Oh God…”
I put my hands onto the step I was sitting on to force myself to take a deep breath, but pulled back when I felt something wet soak both palms. I looked at them in the light and saw they were coated in blood.
My heart started to beat even faster and my chest rose and fell irrationally as I struggled to breathe. I tried to cry but the hysteria from what happened had caused my body to go into shock. I was freaking the hell out. I followed the blood from my hands to the stair and saw that it was dripping down each stair in turn. I looked from the stairs to Maggie; her left eye was open, but her right eye was a giant bloody hole.
I quickly looked away as my stomach started to churn. I had to get away from her, or I was going to be sick. I stumbled passed Beth and Patricia who were still crowded around Maggie’s body. My footsteps squished in the blood with each stair I descended down. When I finally got to the bottom, I ran into the corner by the vent and puked.
That’s when I noticed there were no more moans or groans coming from the vent. I listened as hard as I could, holding my breath both to keep myself from puking again and to figure out what was happening up there.
“We have to move the bodies.” The voice was faint.
“How are we going to tell them?” another voice hissed.
“I dunno.”
The voices slipped away. Luckily I had gotten my stomach to settle back down but I didn’t know if it was going to stay like that for long.
I turned to Carl, Lori, and Carol. They were now huddled on the couch in each others arms.
“You… are an idiot.” I hissed at Lori.
“I—I’m sorry.”
“She didn’t mean to, okay? Stop being so mean to her!” Carl yelled at me.
“This wouldn’t’ve even happened if you had just stayed down here!!!” I yelled back.
Carl glared at me, but didn’t say anything more.
I took a deep breath before heading back up the stairs to open the door. It didn’t matter; because the door had already opened. The light from upstairs lit up the entire basement, illuminating three people at the top of the stairs. It also illuminated the scene on the stairs; the quarts of blood that trickled down the steps, Maggie’s dead body with her sister and friend hovering over it.
“Ma—MAGGIE?!” Glenn almost fell down as he scrambled down a couple of stairs and joined the two women.
“Oh God!” I heard Andrea exclaim.
“What happened?” Rick was the third person at the door.
I told him everything; about Carl leaving, about Maggie going after him, about the walker grabbing her and about Lori shooting her by accident.
It was impossible to describe without breaking down.
Click for The End
Let Lori Shoot It
I decided it would waste time if I went down to take the gun from her so instead I shouted.
“C’mon Lori! You can shoot it, just carefully aim and fire! Hit the walker, not Maggie!” I shook my head, trying to get the thought out of her missing it.
Lori looked terrified. She held up the gun with shaking hands. Maggie was still yelling and struggling as the walker squeezed its way past the door to bite her. Lori aimed and a loud BANG! echoed throughout the basement, practically deafening everyone. My ears rung; I couldn’t hear hardly anything.
However, when I got my hearing back, all I heard was more screaming. My heart beat rose when I turned and stared at the walker. It was definitely dead; the bad news was that the bullet had gone through Maggie’s head and into the walker’s.
Lori dropped her gun and held her hands up to her mouth in shock. I couldn’t speak. I just watched Maggie’s body slide down the door with my jaw hanging open. I realized the door was still open so I mustered up what I had to make up the stairs. I tried not to step on Maggie, and shoved the walker out of the basement before shutting the door and locking it.
Beth and Patricia were crowding the steps hovering over Maggie’s body so that I couldn’t get past without tripping. So I sat on the top step and looked anywhere but at the girls in front of me. I heard Lori sobbing and whimpering, “I’m sorry… I didn’t… I wasn’t aiming for her… I… Oh God…”
I put my hands onto the step I was sitting on to force myself to take in deep breaths, but pulled back when I felt something wet soaking both palms. I looked at them in the light and saw that they were coated in blood.
My heart started to beat even faster and my chest rose and fell irrationally as I struggled to breathe. I tried to cry, but the hysteria from what had happened caused my body to go into shock. I was freaking the hell out. I followed the blood from my hands to the stair and saw that it was dripping down the staircase; pooling down each stair at a time. I looked from the stairs to Maggie; her left eye was open, but her right eye was a giant bloody hole.
I quickly looked away as my stomach started to churn. I had to get away from her, or I was going to be sick. I stumbled past Beth and Patricia who were still crowded around her body. My footsteps squished in the blood with each stair I descended down. When I finally got to the bottom, I ran into the corner by the vent and puked.
That’s when I noticed there were no more moans or groans coming from above. I listened as hard as I could, holding my breath both to keep myself from puking again and to figure out what was happening up there.
“We have to move the bodies.” The voice was faint.
“How are we going to tell them?” another voice hissed.
“I dunno.”
The voices slipped away. Luckily I had gotten my stomach to settle back down, but I didn’t know if it was going to stay like that for long.
I turned to Carl, Lori, and Carol. They were now huddled on the couch in each others arms.
“I think it’s safe…” I whispered.
But they didn’t move. So I took a deep breath before heading back up the stairs to open the door. It didn’t matter; because the door had already opened. The light from upstairs lit up the entire basement, illuminating three people at the top. It also lightened up the vivid scene on the stairs; the quarts of blood that trickled down the steps, Maggie’s dead body with her sister and friend hovering over it.
“Ma—MAGGIE?!” Glenn almost fell down as he scrambled down a couple of steps and joined the two women.
“Oh God!” I heard Andrea exclaim.
“What happened?” Rick was the third person at the door.
I told him everything; about Carl leaving, about Maggie going after him, about the walker grabbing her and about Lori shooting her by accident.
It was impossible to describe without breaking down.
Click for The End
“C’mon Lori! You can shoot it, just carefully aim and fire! Hit the walker, not Maggie!” I shook my head, trying to get the thought out of her missing it.
Lori looked terrified. She held up the gun with shaking hands. Maggie was still yelling and struggling as the walker squeezed its way past the door to bite her. Lori aimed and a loud BANG! echoed throughout the basement, practically deafening everyone. My ears rung; I couldn’t hear hardly anything.
However, when I got my hearing back, all I heard was more screaming. My heart beat rose when I turned and stared at the walker. It was definitely dead; the bad news was that the bullet had gone through Maggie’s head and into the walker’s.
Lori dropped her gun and held her hands up to her mouth in shock. I couldn’t speak. I just watched Maggie’s body slide down the door with my jaw hanging open. I realized the door was still open so I mustered up what I had to make up the stairs. I tried not to step on Maggie, and shoved the walker out of the basement before shutting the door and locking it.
Beth and Patricia were crowding the steps hovering over Maggie’s body so that I couldn’t get past without tripping. So I sat on the top step and looked anywhere but at the girls in front of me. I heard Lori sobbing and whimpering, “I’m sorry… I didn’t… I wasn’t aiming for her… I… Oh God…”
I put my hands onto the step I was sitting on to force myself to take in deep breaths, but pulled back when I felt something wet soaking both palms. I looked at them in the light and saw that they were coated in blood.
My heart started to beat even faster and my chest rose and fell irrationally as I struggled to breathe. I tried to cry, but the hysteria from what had happened caused my body to go into shock. I was freaking the hell out. I followed the blood from my hands to the stair and saw that it was dripping down the staircase; pooling down each stair at a time. I looked from the stairs to Maggie; her left eye was open, but her right eye was a giant bloody hole.
I quickly looked away as my stomach started to churn. I had to get away from her, or I was going to be sick. I stumbled past Beth and Patricia who were still crowded around her body. My footsteps squished in the blood with each stair I descended down. When I finally got to the bottom, I ran into the corner by the vent and puked.
That’s when I noticed there were no more moans or groans coming from above. I listened as hard as I could, holding my breath both to keep myself from puking again and to figure out what was happening up there.
“We have to move the bodies.” The voice was faint.
“How are we going to tell them?” another voice hissed.
“I dunno.”
The voices slipped away. Luckily I had gotten my stomach to settle back down, but I didn’t know if it was going to stay like that for long.
I turned to Carl, Lori, and Carol. They were now huddled on the couch in each others arms.
“I think it’s safe…” I whispered.
But they didn’t move. So I took a deep breath before heading back up the stairs to open the door. It didn’t matter; because the door had already opened. The light from upstairs lit up the entire basement, illuminating three people at the top. It also lightened up the vivid scene on the stairs; the quarts of blood that trickled down the steps, Maggie’s dead body with her sister and friend hovering over it.
“Ma—MAGGIE?!” Glenn almost fell down as he scrambled down a couple of steps and joined the two women.
“Oh God!” I heard Andrea exclaim.
“What happened?” Rick was the third person at the door.
I told him everything; about Carl leaving, about Maggie going after him, about the walker grabbing her and about Lori shooting her by accident.
It was impossible to describe without breaking down.
Click for The End
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