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Through the Eyes of the Governor

Chapter 38: No Longer Whole

A/N: Hello, everyone. I apologize I didn't update on Saturday, like previously planned. There wasn't really a reason for the delay, other than wanting a lazy weekend. We've all been there and this chapter is twelve pages, so don't judge me for not wanting to edit all of it and post it during my lazy weekend lol
I did manage to find time to edit this chapter throughout the week, editing a few pages per night haha With that said, I hope you enjoy it!


After everyone began to walk out, Nick stopped Philip in his tracks. “You can’t be serious about this.”
“Nick, I know you’re upset—”
“You’re damn right I’m upset!” He told him. “You’re looking to KILL...Another man for revenge.”
“Nick, it’s not just about that, we’re doing it to help those still alive out there too.”
“But at what COST? Risking your life—our FRIENDS’ LIVES...and losing your humanity?” Nick shook his head. “This—this isn’t right. It can’t be right.”
“We’ll be okay, Nick. Trust me—”
“NO.” Nick responded. “I’m sorry, but NO. I understand that you want to find these guys, in order to protect everyone else from the same fate John, Will...and Stephanie share...and to make him pay for what’s he’s done to them. But I’m telling you...Losing your humanity...Losing who you are...You might as well be dead already. We are alive now for a REASON...and that reason wasn’t to lose who we are. Not now...Not ever.”
“I’m doing this, Nick...I’m sorry. I truly am.” Philip said to him.
Nick shook his head at his dear friend. “...What would Sarah think?”
Philip opened his mouth to answer...but nothing came out. He walked past Nick, back to his apartment.
“Jack, you can’t DO THIS! YOU CAN’T!” Susan told her husband, as they walked back to their apartment.
“I know what you’re saying, Susan...It’s not just going in one ear and out the other…” He told her, as he stopped walking and turned to her.
“Jack...Please. I NEED YOU...Don’t do this, please…” She said, starting to cry.
He hugged her comfortingly. “I’m sorry, honey...But, without our baby...If I don’t do this...I’ll never be whole again.”
She looked into his eyes.
“What that man...and Keith did to us...it stole a part of me...a part of US.” He looked out the window to the city. “The world can continue on without us here...but that doesn’t mean it can’t be better without them here, as well.”
Susan shook her head. “No...no.” She said with tears still in her eyes. “What do you think Stephanie would think about what you and Philip are planning to do?”
“...She would hate that I’d be getting revenge on those men. But I think she would admire that we’re trying to make this a better...and safer...world to live in. And besides…” He sighed. “Me and her had different points of view on life. She was just a young teen...She didn’t see the bad people that lived in the world BEFORE this one. I had to deal with some of the craziest killers and people imaginable in my time on the S.W.A.T. team. Do you remember the hostage situation at the Jensens’ house a few years back?”
“...I do.” She replied.
“Well...let me remind you, so you have a clear reminder of what happened. One man had held them hostage...and began shooting repeatedly at police officers. He has in riot gear with a helmet on and everything. And they couldn’t fire back, due to him holding old Mrs. Jensen hostage. Me and my team went in there after he refused to negotiate. We knocked him unconscious with sleeping gas and subdued him.”
“Yes, I remember that, Jack…”
“Well, let me remind you of this: When he escaped the prison they sent him to...he later came back and killed the old couple living in that home...before shooting himself. He was a sick, depraved bastard. And so are these men...I can’t let them go. Not now. Not when this could be our best chance at revenge!”
“Honey, I think they deserve to be killed after what they did to our baby...but doing the job YOURSELF...It’s only gonna bring you down. I don’t want to lose you. Whether OUT THERE...or morally. I can’t lose you...Please...You’re all I have left that matters to me in this world. Don’t leave…”
Jack sighed and took a moment to think about it. “...Any other people still in the city...or elsewhere when Keith and his men leave the city...they will have to suffer, because of them. The adults will suffer the same fate as Philip’s dad and brother...And worse...their children may suffer the same fate as Stephanie.” He shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, but...to protect the future...and to avenge our baby...I’m doing this with Philip.” He walked away from her in silence, making his way to Carlito’s apartment.
Jack opened the door to Carlito’s apartment and saw Carlito, Daniel, and Diego inside.
Carlito glanced at him in annoyance. “You guys knew that this was going to happen.” He stated. “You guys knew that I was going out there! I just need to know one thing...Are you still willing to support this?” He asked them.
“Jack, Susan is worried sick about you.” Carlito told him. “And you should stand down now. Before you fall down from either THEIR bullets...or YOUR inner demons.”
Jack stared at him in annoyance...before taking a deep breath...and eyeing the man with a strong desire for understanding. “...You once had a child YOURSELF, Carlito...I figured of all people to understand this--You would be there by my side!”
“I did have a child of my own and THAT’S WHY I supported it the first time…” Carlito took a moment to steady himself. “This place...this WORLD we live in...it can be very hard on a man...And I understand that. I know HOW HARD IT IS—HOW HARD IT CAN BE…”
Jack stared at him for a moment in silence. “...Then help me. Help me end this, Carlito...Please. For Philip’s family and mine...Please.”
Carlito sighed...before shaking his head. “If you really feel that you need to do this...then go. But...just leave me out of it. I’ll stay here, watch over this place, and keep Penny safe.”
“That’s fine by me.” Jack replied.
“I have one thing to ask you though.” Carlito said to him.
“What is it?”
“Killing Keith and these people...is that more for the future...or to suffice your lust for revenge?”
Jack thought about it for a moment. “...Me and Philip...we plan to try and kill Keith...and the man that killed my daughter. And, in doing so, if it means we have to kill them all...then so be it. To me, this IS for a better future...and to avenge Stephanie. As for whether it’s more for the future or Stephanie...for Stephanie, I’d do anything. She would want me to do what I can to protect the future. But my lust for revenge...that’s for me. I will carry that fire inside of me, until it can finally be put out. For me...this is more for me and my baby. And if me and Philip have to crawl through Hell and out the other side of it, in order to END THIS...and to get revenge on those who murdered our loved ones...then so be it.” Jack turned to Daniel and Diego. “What about you two? What do you think? You guys in?”
“I am.” Daniel said. “But I want to stay here. I don’t feel right going out there to kill people and with Alice going with you, if something goes wrong out there, we’ll need a doctor here to help, in case anything goes wrong here as well. I hope you can understand that.”
“It’s perfectly fine. And you, Diego? How do you feel about this?”
“...I’d love to help out. Whenever you need me. I don’t want to kill anyone...but, if you need more power in numbers, I’m here for you.”
“That’s good to hear. I know you’re not exactly the most experienced out there though. But that’s okay. Me, Alice, and Philip will be able to manage. If we can find out where they’re hiding, THEN we can come back here, round up whoever wants to go with, and take Keith and the man that killed my daughter out once and for all. Are you fine with that?”
“Of course.” Diego said.
“Good. Thanks.” Jack patted him on the back and nodded to Carlito and Daniel before leaving the apartment.
Alice went back into her room and closed the door. She pulled out a photograph from her jean pocket and looked at it for a moment. Then, when she heard a knock on her door, she put it in her drawer beside her bed. “Come in.” She called out.
Philip opened the door and Alice looked at him...with an unsure look.
“I...I know you care about people, Alice.” Philip began. “And I just...I wanted your opinion on this. I know Jack is talking to the guys about this, but I wanted to know what YOU think about this. We’re not...just doing this for revenge. We’re doing it for the future...to help people. To help make this a better world.”
“I don’t see the point honestly.” She told him. “The world seems to get worse as time goes on. There were killers out there BEFORE the end of the world. And now...what makes you think that won’t continue? What makes you think...that this world won’t turn MORE PEOPLE into killers?” She asked him. “...I’ve seen what it’s done to Jack...The bloodthirst it’s given him. I understand why he feels the way he does...and I understand how you feel about wanting to make the world a better place and save people’s lives. I’m just not sure it will help you guys OR the world that much in the end...that’s all.” She said softly.
“Alice...” Philip moved closer to her, placing his hand on her shoulder gently. “You’re right. It may not make that much of a difference. Hell, these guys could die to infected tomorrow even and none of this will matter. But the fact is...there’s always a chance.” He told her. “There is always a chance...that what we plan to do WILL help those still here in the city...and even beyond it.”
“Philip...” She raised her hand upward...placing it on his wrist gently. “I can tell you’re caring. I see it in you. The way you look at people when they’re upset or angered...or the way you talked to Jack about me...and how you were willing to not say anything to me and keep your distance…”
Philip gave her a questioning look.
“I couldn’t hear you guys, but I can read lips. My dad taught me how to do that, back when I had hearing problems in my childhood. And I could tell from the look on your face that you didn’t want to stop talking to me...but you decided to, so I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable around you. And I appreciate that you were willing to do that for me. It’s hard for me to bond with anyone. Especially nowadays…” She said. “But getting back to what I was saying...You care, Philip. You’re a very caring man. And it’s for that reason that I’ll help you guys. I told Jack before that I would tag along for protection, if we ran into them, but if he only found Keith or a few of them...he could pull the trigger. He could get his revenge.” She took a deep breath, wrapping her fingers around his wrist and gently moving his hand off of her shoulder. “I will help you guys...get your revenge. I’ve never killed anyone for a reason other than self-defense before...but if I have to for you and Jack...then so be it.”
“Thank you.” He told her. “I can’t ask you to do this, if you don’t want to. If there ever comes a time when...you just don’t wanna do it anymore...just let me know, okay?”
“...Okay. And I’m fine...really. I just want to help you guys. And I know you’re both hurting...I’m just trying to help make that pain go away.”
“Alice…” Philip sighed. “I’m not sure if that pain will ever go away...we can only lessen it. And not try to think about it.” He turned around and walked to the doorway.
“Philip.” She said.
He turned his head back towards her.
“I’m sorry about hitting you in the nose.” She said kindly.
“...It’s okay. You felt you had to do that to get us to stop fighting. I understand that.”
She smiled a little, as he walked out of the room. After he left, she pulled a large backpack out from under her bed. She looked at the empty backpack, glancing around at all of her belongings. She took a deep breath...putting the backpack underneath her bed once more, as she kicked her shoes off and turned her light off. She laid down on her bed, staring up at the ceiling before she finally...and slowly...fell asleep.

Penny woke up from her bed rather early, tempted—just for a moment—to stay in bed and remain all bundled up in her bed. She looked out her window and saw snow falling; something she didn’t normally see in Georgia. She suddenly smiled widely, as she hopped out of bed and ran to her parents’ bedroom. “Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!! It’s—” She then noticed they weren’t in their bed. Confused, she decided to see if they were downstairs. She went to the staircase and saw them sitting by the Christmas tree with her uncle, Will.
Will looked up at her and smiled. “Hey there, kid.” He told her.
Her eyes brightened and she eagerly went downstairs and hugged her uncle tight. “Uncle Will!...How...How is this possible??? I thought your flight was canceled!” She told him.
“A couple of friends I have were able to take me here last night. They owed me one.” He explained. “And they were happy to do it.” He put his fingers to her cheek and pinched it lightly and sweetly. “It was a bit rough getting here, but, when I did, I came here and crashed on your old man’s couch.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t call me ‘old man’ in any sense. Remember, you’re not too far behind me in age.” He said to his brother teasingly.
“Yeah, well, take it as a compliment. Where you excel in age, you also excel in wisdom.” He told him. “However, I, myself, excel in making this little fart giggle.” He tickled his niece.
She bursted out laughing for a few moments before she could talk. “I’m not a little fart, Uncle Will! I’m just little.”
“Yeah? Well, you’re not little enough. Stay small forever! That way, you will always be this cute.”
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.” She said, sticking her little tongue out at him.
“You’ve got a lot of sass, for a five-year-old, you know that?”
Sarah and Philip bursted out laughing.
“What’s sass?” Penny asked happily.
“Oh, it’s something your mother has a lot of sometimes.” Philip said jokingly before Sarah nudged him with her elbow, trying not to smile.
“Go ahead, open your present, Penny. This one’s from me.” Will said, handing her a small box. It was wrapped in a Santa Claus wrapping with snowflakes all around the pictures of Santa and it had a light blue background on it.
As she began to open it, Philip asked Will a question. “So...tell me, Will. You never answered this last night. Why didn’t you just drive yourself here?”
“I was so tired...wanted a nap...and it saves those guys two-hundred bucks they owed me. Figured it was worth it to see this little baby of yours on Christmas Day.”
She smiled at him cutely, as she got the last of the wrapping off. She opened the box and she smiled widely at what she saw: an adorable stuffed penguin.
“You got me a penguin?? Awww!! He’s so cute!!!” She hugged her new penguin before hugging her uncle. “Thank you...Thank you so much, Uncle Will.”
“Hey, no problem, kid. What are you gonna name him?”
“Name him?”
“Yeah! A new buddy’s gotta have a name, so what’s his name??” He asked.
“Hmm…” She thought about it for a moment. “I think he deserves a name that...reflects who he is. Is that the word, mommy: reflect?”
“Yes, honey.” She said, laughing a bit.
“Yeah, so, I’m gonna do that. His name shall be...Mr. Penguin. Because that’s what he is: a penguin.”
“Excellent choice, silly girl—Excellent choice!” Her uncle exclaimed.
“Yay!!!” She hugged him. “I love you, Uncle Will.”
“I love you too, kid.” He kissed her forehead lovingly.
Penny sighed happily, as she snuggled up in her covers more, feeling her uncle’s warm embrace, and holding Mr. Penguin tight.
The next morning, Philip and Jack got up early and got the equipment ready for their search.
“So, what did Alice say? Is she willing to help us?” Jack asked him.
“Yeah...she is.” Philip replied.
Jack nodded in response. “I’m just glad we can finally end this...once and for all. Even if the hurt never truly goes away...it will still do me good, knowing those assholes are dead after what they’ve done.”
“I agree.”
“One of us should go wake up Alice. I can, if you want me to.” Jack said.
“No, that’s fine. I can do it. Just finish getting everything ready to go.” Philip told him before heading to his apartment.
He opened the door and quietly moved towards Alice’s room, not wanting to wake up Susan. He opened the door slowly and walked towards her bed. He gently placed his hand on her arm. “Alice.” He said to her.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.
“...It’s time to go, sweetie.”
She looked at his face, noting how tired and hurt he looked. “Before we do this, Philip...Just answer me one question. Can you do that for me?”
“Of course.” He told her.
“...After having the night to think about this...and thinking about everything you’re risking...Is this still worth it to you? Losing Penny, Nick, me and...everything else?...” She sighed. “Are you willing to risk ALL OF THAT...for this?” She asked him.
“Alice…” He sat down on her bed and looked at her as she laid in the same position she was in while sleeping. “...If we don’t do this...we’re STILL risking it all. I’m gonna be honest and say that I DO...want revenge on him for what he’s done to my family and...Jack’s family…” He paused for a moment. “I...I don’t want to lose you...or anyone here. But if we don’t do this...we—or anyone still alive out there—will be dealt the same fate my father, Stephanie...and my brother were dealt.”
“Philip...I’m just not so sure if we truly HAVE to do this to ensure our safety...But…” She paused, herself, this time. “I...care about you too. And I trust you. Seeing you and Jack in so much pain...it’s been hard on all of us. Susan, the most. She knows how you guys feel, but thinks you’ll lose who you are...And I know Nick does too.” She moved her hand up to place on his shoulder (like he had done in the past to her), but hesitated...instead, putting her arm back down. “I’m not saying I won’t help you...I just want you to understand both sides before going into this.”
“I do...I do, Alice…I do.” He looked away from her for a moment and glanced around the small room. “It’s just...I know what I feel deep down. A deep...well-deserved HATRED...for this man. And believe me...before Jack talked me into it...I didn’t want go out there to find him. I wanted to kill him...I wanted him dead for what he has done. But it would have been far too risky. I could have never brought myself to put anyone I care about in jeopardy like that. But then...I started thinking about the future. And I want my baby to grow up in a world...where she doesn’t have to be afraid of people. Maybe the bad people will always be around, like you said. But the GOOD PEOPLE...they’ll always be around too. And I want my little girl to know the difference between a good man...and a bad man.”
“...How will that help Penny?” She asked honestly.
“...Because it’ll keep her alive. If I help kill Keith...It’ll help ensure her safety...long enough for us to be able to get out of here and find a new place to call ‘home.’ Besides...even if we all wanted to leave RIGHT NOW...they could be anywhere in the city by now. That’s what Jack told me. He told me that Keith said he wanted to move from place to place, in case he found some place better or he just got tired of the same old scenery. With that said, if we go out there, trying to leave...and with Penny in tow...They could ambush us...and they could kill us all. That’s another reason why I need to do this. So...are you with my, sweetie?” He asked her.
She thought about it for a moment. “...I’m with you. Don’t worry. I just wanted to make sure you knew what’s at stake here. Blood...and hope to find a better place out there for us someday.”
“I PROMISE...we’ll find it. We will.” He gave her leg a comforting pat, as he stood up. “Me and Jack are ready to go now. Take your time getting ready and meet us downstairs when you’re ready to go, okay?”
“Okay...Thank you.” She told him, smiling lightly.
“You’re welcome.” He said to her, leaving the room and quietly closing the door, in case Susan was still asleep.
As Philip left the apartment, Susan stared at the empty side of her and Jack’s bed...placing her hand on the sheet...balling up the sheet in her hand, as tears started to sting her eyes.
Jack, Alice, and Philip headed out in search of Keith’s group or, at the very least, any clues as to where they may be staying for the time being.
As they moved cautiously through the streets, being careful as to not run into any infected, Jack took the time to talk to Philip quietly about something. “So...Why didn’t you ask that Merle guy about joining us?”
“Well...to be honest, I think he can be a nice guy at times. But, when it comes down to it...I don’t think I can trust him to come with us.” Philip stated.
Jack raised a brow in confusion. “You’d rather have him in the same place as your own daughter then?”
“Carlito, Diego, and Daniel are there too, if she needs protection.” Philip explained. “I don’t think he’d hurt her, anyway. But...I do feel like if he came with us, he might try to leave us for dead...if it means saving his own ass from a herd or...Keith’s men.” Philip shook his head in disgust at the thought. “Besides...I’m not even sure if he would make it out here with only one hand. He may still be useful with a pistol or a knife, but if we get caught in a horde of infected...all that may be left of him is blood and guts.”
“...I see. It doesn’t matter to me whether he comes along or not. I don’t like the guy, but he seems to be fine around everyone.” He replied. “You saved him...It’s your call whether or not he goes with us.”
“...I’d rather he stay with everyone else, to be honest with you.”
“Alright then. It’s settled.”
They spent six hours moving through the streets, checking alleyways and buildings for any sign of their enemies. Philip and Jack covered their front and Alice covered the rear.
“We’ve seen no sign of them yet.” Philip told them. “Maybe we should head back soon. It’s going to take an hour or two to sneak past the herds and back to our apartment complex. It’s best we go home early versus waiting until it’s nearly dark. Plus, we’re exhausted.”
“It’s only noon right now. Another few hours won’t hurt. And besides, we’ve been hurting so much the last few weeks...a bit of fatigue shouldn’t keep us down. Not now. Not when we may be so close.” Jack stated, turning to Philip.
Philip did the same. “Jack, I think we just need to get some rest—”
BANG!
Suddenly, they were met with the sound of a gunshot ringing in their ears, as they turned their heads forward and saw a man falling to the ground on their right side and another man running into an alleyway on their left side.
Jack looked the man on the ground before turning his head towards the man running into the alley. “That man—He’s one of them!!” Jack suddenly sprinted across the street.
“Jack!” Philip called out to him.
Jack did not listen to him and instead, remained focused on his target. As Jack moved across the street, he tried to move past a moving truck, but felt an arm grab his ankle and quickly pull him downward.
Philip and Alice heard a groaning sound to their right and saw the man that was shot was still alive.
As Alice saw two infected coming towards the helpless man, she ran towards him, while Philip turned his head to see Jack being pulled down and ran to aid Jack.
Jack looked down at the person’s face and saw it was an infected covered in dirt and blood. He kicked it over and over again before he was finally able to remove his ankle from its grip and Philip came to his aid, stabbing it through its skull. Jack turned back around and saw the man was gone.
Alice quickly stabbed one infected in the head before the other nearly grabbed her. She grabbed its arm and threw it head-first against the wall, stabbing it in the back of the head. She then quickly went to the wounded man’s side.
“We need to go after him!” Jack told Philip.
“GUYS!” Alice yelled to them, as she helped the injured man sit up.
Philip quickly helped Jack up and he began to run towards Alice.
“What about Keith and his men??? Hey!!” He exclaimed to Philip, reluctantly following him.
As they ran towards Alice, the dead began to move towards their location. When the two men got to Alice, Philip looked at his wound.
“How is he? Is he gonna make it?” Philip asked her.
She quickly moved his jacket out of the way and inspected the wound. “It’s a minor shoulder wound. I can treat it. But not here. We have to get out of here.”
“But what about those guys?? We just found one of them—WE CAN’T LOSE THEIR TRAIL.” Jack told her.
Alice stared at him in disbelief. “Are you SERIOUS right now?? This man is hurt and the infected are closing in on us!!!”
“I know that, Alice, but WE CAN”T—”
“DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT.” Philip told him.
Jack eyed him in response. “We will find them again. I’m sure of it. But right now, we have to get this man some help and get the hell out of here.”
Jack looked unsure...his lust for revenge blinding his judgement.
“Jack, I’m telling you, if we chase that guy down now, we’ll only get caught in a herd of infected.” Philip stated. “We need to go...And we need to go now.”
Jack groaned and looked at the man. “Dammit!...Alright. Get him up. I know a place we can hide out in. Hurry!”
Philip and Alice got him up before Jack led them down another alleyway and away from the dead, as they made their way to an ice cream shop.
After getting inside the ice cream shop, Jack and Philip motioned Alice to bring him inside.
Alice set him down on a chair inside, as Jack closed the door and Philip helped move a table in front of it to seal it off.
She took her backpack off her shoulders and pulled out disinfectant, a medicinal pad, a bandage, pliers, and a small towel.. She also pulled out a small flashlight and shined it on the wound, seeing the bullet inside. “Here.” She said to the wounded man, handing him the small towel. “Bite on that, while I remove the bullet.”
He did as he was told, and she put the small flashlight in her mouth.
She used one hand to hold his shoulder, as the other held the pliers to grab onto the bullet.
He groaned in pain, as he started to bite into the towel harder.
When she got a firm grasp on the bullet with the pliers, she began to remove it slowly, not wanting to simply rip it out and possibly cause further muscle tear in his shoulder area.
After further groaning from the pain and biting hard into the towel, he started to breath rapidly.
“It’s okay! It’s okay…” She told him, as she finally pulled the bullet out. “It’s out now. It’s okay...Just...relax.” She said, as she motioned him to slow his breathing.
He stopped biting on the towel after a few moments and handed it to her.
She took it and applied the pad, keeping pressure on the wound for several minutes before applying the bandage on top of it. “There.” She said. “All better.” She smiled, as she gave him some pain killers as well.
“Thank you.” He told her gratefully. “I should thank all three of you actually...Thank you guys SO MUCH for getting me out of there.”
“You’re welcome.” Philip told him.
“What’s your name, anyway?” Jack asked him.
“It’s Drew.” He told them.
“Well...Drew...Can you tell us what happened out there?” Philip asked him.
“Sure…” He sat himself up straighter and looked at the three of them before taking a deep breath and telling his story. “...I go out on supply runs for my family. I go alone, since it’s only me, my wife, and the little one. Someone needs to watch him and since I’m the fastest, I’m the one that goes out. Now, I usually avoid anyone I deem dangerous or untrustworthy. And when I saw those men...I had a strong feeling they were dangerous. So, I tried to avoid them whenever possible. But today...one of them found me when I was going home. He must have been away from his group, probably scavenging around for anything they could use. And he found me...and asked if I had a group. I told him ‘no.’ I guess the way I said it tipped him off that I was lying. I was extremely nervous. And very afraid. Not just for my life...but for my family’s life too.”
Jack looked away from him and sighed to himself...still listening to what he was saying.
“The man then asked me if I would come with him, in order to discuss possible supply deals in the future between our groups. When I kindly refused, he URGED me to come with him. And when I refused again, he held me at gunpoint. He asked me to come with him or he’ll shoot. Knowing they would most likely harm my family and possibly torture me to find out where they were...I refused once more. And he just...smirked at me. He told me I had some real balls before putting the gun up to my head. Then, he saw all the roamers nearby...and had a better plan. He moved a few steps away from me and suddenly turned around and bolted across the street. He then shot me in the shoulder and left. I don’t know why he did that. Whether it was to make sure the infected didn’t see him when the shot rang out, so he would have a better chance at escape...or if he just shot me in the shoulder to leave me for dead, so the roamers would tear me apart. Maybe it was both...I don’t know. But what I do know is...I need to get back to my family. And soon.” He started to stand up, but Jack motioned him back down.
“Before you go...you said that you often avoided these guys. How often did you avoid them?”
“I’d say pretty often. They cover the same areas I do usually.”
“They do?” Jack said, very interested to hear more.
“Yes. I had ultimately decided to search through this area are instead, not wanting to risk running into them anymore. But unfortunately, I guess they wanted to expand their search areas.”
“I see.” Jack replied. “I have a map of the city with me.” He pulled out the map from his back pocket and unfolded it, grabbing a pen out from one of the drawers behind the counter and laying it on top of the map. “Can you circle their general search areas?”
“...What for exactly?” Drew inquired.
“These men...they took things that were very precious from us...People that we loved.” Jack explained to him. “If you can show us where they usually search, it will help lessen our range of searching and we’ll have an easier time finding them and we’ll finally be able to put a stop to them once and for all. And...this isn’t JUST for what they’ve done to us...We want to stop it from happening to anyone else too. So, what do you say?...Will you help us?”
“...I suppose I can. Do you have enough manpower though?”
“We have a group. And besides...we have a plan to deal with them.”
“...Very well then. But...before I help you...I need you to do one more thing for me.” He stated.
“What is it? We’ll give you ANYTHING, if you help us.” Jack told him.
“It’s...more of something I need you to DO. I know you have helped me enough. You saved my life and mended my wounds. But, in this condition...I can’t get back to my family by myself. It’s not a guarantee, anyway. If you can help me get back to them...I’ll tell you where they usually go on supply runs...and...searching for people, I’m sure.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal!” Jack said, shaking his hand.
“But wait…” Philip said.
“What? Do you not agree with this plan?” Jack asked him, a bit annoyed.
“No, it’s not that.” He walked over to Drew. “Drew, you and your family aren’t safe here. It’s best we bring you all to our apartment complex and away from this area. With Keith so close to this area, I’d rather not take the chance of him taking the lives of you and your family. Will you come with us?”
“...Yes. If it means being away from those people and making sure my wife and my boy stay alive...I’ll come with you.”
“Okay then.” Philip told him.
After waiting two hours for the hordes of infected to wander off (so they could get out of the shop), they made their way to Drew’s home, which was on the second floor of a small apartment building.
“Let me knock on the door.” Drew told them. He knocked on it three times and waited.
After a few moments, the door knob turned and the door creaked open a little.
After seeing Drew’s face, his wife opened it and smiled at him, immediately putting her gun away. “Drew!” She exclaimed, as she hugged him tight before kissing him over and over.
“Hey, baby.” He said to her.
She then noticed Philip, Jack, and Alice standing a few feet away. “Drew...who are these people?” She asked, concern in her voice.
“It’s okay, honey. These are some people who rescued me.” Drew explained.
“RESCUED you??”
“Yeah, um…” He sighed. “I ran into those people I told you about. He shot me in the shoulder—But I’m okay! I’m okay.” He pointed to Alice. “These kind people saved my life from a pack of roamers after that guy left me for dead and Alice here was kind enough to remove the bullet. One of them asked if we wanted to go with them back to their apartment complex. So, I told them we would. It’s just not safe here anymore. Not with those dangerous people in the area. Grab Chris, any toys he wants to bring with, and I’ll grab whatever food and water we still have.”
“...Okay.” She told him.
“We’ll help you out with that.” Alice said, as they all went in and grabbed what they needed before heading out.
After two hours worth of traveling, they finally made it back.
When they came through the entrance, they made their way to Carlito, Daniel, and Diego’s apartment.
Philip knocked on the door and Carlito answered. “Oh, Philip. How—” He looked past him and saw Drew and his family. “I see you brought some more people in.” He said. “That’s great! It does my heart good to know we’re helping good people and sheltering them from the horrors outside.”
“Philip told me and my family it would be safer here. Is that true?” Drew inquired.
“Yes. You are perfectly fine here. I can set you up with an apartment upstairs right now, if you would like.”
“That’d be great.” Drew told him. “Why don’t you take my wife and my son up there with you? I just want to talk to Philip and Jack for a minute or two. I’ll catch up soon.”
“Okay then. Come with me.” He smiled and his wife returned the smile, as she and her son followed him up the stairs. Alice soon followed, wanting to rest in her bed for a while.
“I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for me and my family. Both of you. This means a lot to me.”
“It was no trouble.” Philip told him.
“You’re welcome.” Jack responded. “Now, tomorrow...I want to go over that map with you and discuss Sir Shitface and his men’s whereabouts.” Jack told him.
“That’s...part of another thing I wanted to talk to you about.” Drew responded.
Jack gave him a questioning look.
“I know where they generally are...I didn’t lie about that. But I’ve been thinking...and with you guys hunting them down, I think it may be best for my family if we leave very soon. Get out of the city...and go somewhere else. A friend of mine had walkie talkies from his days as a cop and he gave one to me. He told me he made it out of Atlanta when it fell. I heard from him later on that he had to find somewhere safe. He planned to head southward. That’s where we planned to go ourselves eventually. We hope to meet up with him somewhere...somehow. I told him before he headed south that we would find him eventually, but we needed time. You managed to help us get away from the red zone in the city. Though, from what Jack said earlier, it looks like new red zones are forming all over. The ones left in the city are forming herds.”
“You’re right about that.” Philip said.
“I figured the herd part out for myself though.” Drew stated. “There was a helicopter flying by when I was on a run not too long ago. When I came back to that area later on my way home, more of those things just came together and started walking in that direction. But anyway...with Keith and his guys possibly gearing up for war, if they know you’re here before you have a chance to take them down...I’m sorry, but I don’t think my family can stay here long. Believe me, I would help you out, if you needed it. But my family is just too important for me to risk...I’m sorry.”
Jack shook his head. “...We understand. It’s okay.”
“Thank you. Listen...I know you guys have done SO MUCH for us already...But could you possibly help us out of the city when we decide to leave? The stronger numbers we have, the easier it will be to leave. Please. You can come with us, if you’d like to.”
“Well, I’m staying here.” Jack stated. “My baby was taken from me, because of those sick bastards. And Philip’s family was taken from him too. Getting revenge won’t bring them back...but at least it’ll help alleviate the pain we feel.”
“I’m so sorry...I didn’t know.” Drew told him. “...Is that how you feel too, Philip?”
“...Yes. He shot my father...Right in front of me…” Philip told him. “And one of his men, just—Just a kid...he shot and killed my brother. And this was after we helped saved him and his girlfriend...and spared their lives when we thought they were a threat. My biggest regret is letting them go...but even if I had kept them alive and well at our home or killed them...their people may have still come, anyway. Still...I killed the boy who killed my brother. Now, all I care about is killing Keith and the man that killed Jack’s daughter.”
“...You two sound like heroes. Heroes...with crooked halos. Anti-heroes, I suppose.”
“I don’t think we are heroes...at least, I’m not.” Jack stated. “I don’t know what I am. But what I do know...is that I’m gonna avenge my baby, Stephanie. No matter the cost. No love. No regret. Just revenge...and cold-hearted justice.”
“...And for the future, Jack. We’re doing this for the future too.” Philip reminded him.
“Right.” Jack replied. “...Right.” He turned back to Drew. “We’ll help you out of the city, if you want. You’re bringing us closer to our goal. That’s more than enough of a thank-you present from us.”
“Great. Thank you guys SO MUCH.”
“There’s no need to thank us.” Jack said to him before going back upstairs.
“You’re welcome.” Philip said, patting his back, before he and Drew went upstairs as well.
The evening for everyone went well.
Drew and his family ate in their own apartment with mexican food prepared by Carlito, while everyone else went at Carlito, Diego, and Daniel’s apartment for a nice spaghetti dinner.
Afterwards, as Philip got into his bed and prepared to go to sleep (after making sure Penny was sleeping okay), he heard a knock on the door. He immediately groaned...not wanting to answer it. He was even tempted not to get up and open the door. He then heard the knock again and finally got up. He opened the door and saw Nick standing there.
“Hey.” Nick told him.
“Can this wait until tomorrow, bud?” Philip told him.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I might as well say it now...but in the hallway, so Penny doesn’t wake up.”
Philip looked at him in surprise.
Whatever it is, it must be very serious…
“Alright then. But let’s make it quick, so I can go to sleep, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Great.” Philip followed him out into the hallway and gently closed the door. “Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?”
“I, um...I got to know our ‘guests’ earlier. Drew, Mary, Chris...And Drew told me about his plans for him and his family to leave the city. And that you and Jack were gonna help them…” Nick shook his head. “I just...I don’t understand why exactly—if we have the numbers—why we all don’t just leave the city together and be done with this nightmare.”
“Nick, I know you’re concerned, but it’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“Philip...I’m not just concerned for me. I’m concerned for Penny too. You don’t think Keith and his people may track us down eventually and kill NOT JUST HER...but all of us too?”
“...Look...I understand how you feel. But you, Daniel, Carlito, and Merle can handle yourselves. I know you can. Besides, if those guys come here, Carlito told me there is an emergency escape route out of the apartment complex that you all can use to escape.”
“Even so, it’s risky. I don’t want any of us put in danger, because of this.” Nick stated.
“You’re NOT in danger. They don’t even know we’re here yet. Trust me—”
“YET. They don’t know we’re here YET. And when they do find out, they’ll find us and—”
“It’ll be FINE. They won’t. Me, Alice, and Jack always check behind us every few minutes to make sure we’re not being followed on our way back. It’s okay. We’ll be fine.”
“...I’m...still not so sure, to be honest. Besides, I know Jack won’t budge...but YOU...do you still think revenge will solve anything? Is letting yourself go and embracing your inner demons and killing someone worth it to you?”
“...Maybe you’d understand more, if it was your own family shot in front of you.” Philip told him.
Nick stared at him in surprise. “...If you remember, Will WAS FAMILY TO ME. And, in the end...your dad was too…”
Philip did not say anything.
“I understand the hatred you feel towards Keith for what he’s done. But look at Drew…”
“Drew was shot at by one of his men today. He has a gunshot wound in his shoulder, BECAUSE OF ONE OF HIS MEN...Now, I think that speaks for itself.”
“That’s true, but please—”
“Consider this, Philip...Drew told me he was willing to help you and Jack against Keith and his men. But he is not willing to do it at the risk of losing his own child. So, let me ask you this...Is killing Keith, the man that shot your father and indirectly caused the death of your brother...worth possibly losing Penny...your baby girl that you’ve loved and raised her whole life. Her life...could be gone...Just like that.”
Philip was speechless.
“I’m not trying to be an asshole...I just want you to think about that. For your sake and for the sake of everyone here. Goodnight, Philip.”
With that, Nick walked back to his apartment and Philip went back into his. After closing the door, instead of going to his room, he leaned against the door, putting his hand to his face...slowly moving it down towards his jaw, his thumb sliding hard against his cheek. He then sighed and looked out the window at night sky...unsure of what to think now.

Notes

I hope you guys enjoyed that. When editing, I actually added MORE to this chapter, and added about nearly TWO MORE PAGES of content (including the conversation about Merle) making this chapter 13 pages and one paragraph long and literally the second longest chapter I've EVER written. It literally was just TWO SENTENCES AWAY from beating the record for longest chapter haha
With that said, thanks for reading and I'll see you guys later!


Comments

I'm gonna read this evenually. I've already gave a good vote cause I know it will be good. So, far I like the dog the best. Sparkles is cute!

What terrible things did you do?

Anonymous Anonymous
7/20/17

So, apparently, I think there is a LIMIT on the amount of characters I can put in the character listings. I'm not sure why that is, but I will try and see if I can get the administrators to fix that.

Old Snake Old Snake
3/27/16

On a less annoying and jerk troll note, I am thankful for all the views this story has recieved :)
We are less than 1,500 views away from 10,000. I'm so excited!!! :)

Old Snake Old Snake
1/19/16

@Punished Snake
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO DO THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO. F**K CENSORY

Lolly Lolly
1/19/16