This story switches between narratives and is told in segments, sometimes from a character's point of view. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story.
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THE WALKING DEAD ALTERNATIVE
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CHAPTER 10: WASHINGTON
Klaus:
Lee, do you think we can clear out all the walkers in Washington?
Lee:
I never said all of Washington. We just need half of it.
Klaus:
Half?
Lee:
Yeah—half, including the White House. But first, we need to find survivors.
Klaus:
Good idea.
Alice:
That's where I come in, right, Lee?
Lee:
We'll split into three groups. Alice and Tash will search for food. You and Shaw will look for survivors.
Klaus:
And what about you?
Lee:
Only five of us made it to the submarine. With you two pairing up, I'll be the only one left. Guess that makes me a one-man team.
Alice:
You can hardly call that a group then.
Lee:
I won't make the same mistakes I did when this apocalypse first started.
Alice:
What mistake was that?
Lee:
Trusting people.
Klaus:
But you trusted me.
Lee:
I didn't have a choice. It was either you or the walkers.
Lee unrolls a large map of Washington on the table. Everyone gathers around.
Lee:
Listen up. We need this place secured by the weekend. It's still the apocalypse, but we've all seen movies. Civilization doesn't just disappear overnight.
Klaus:
Right. And things don't magically vanish—even during the end of the world.
Lee:
Exactly. We need clothes, shoes, electronics... all the basics.
Alice:
Most of the big food companies probably haven't even been touched. Most people aren't thinking on that scale.
Lee:
But we are. Everyone regroup here by 5:00 PM.
Klaus:
Be careful out there.
The group splits up. Lee goes alone. Alice heads out with Tash. Klaus partners with Shaw.
After an hour of walking, Lee finds a coffee shop. He steps inside. The stench of rotting bodies hits him immediately.
Lee:
This place stinks.
He steps over a few corpses and hears something behind the counter. He draws his weapon and cautiously checks.
Behind the counter, a man is handcuffed to a pipe.
Lee:
You okay?
Unknown man:
Yeah… I'm fine.
Lee:
I'm Lee. You?
Man:
Joe.
Lee:
Nice to meet you, Joe. So… why are you handcuffed?
Joe:
Some crazy asshole cuffed me here. I managed to kill a few walkers, but I thought I was going to starve.
Lee:
And if I uncuff you, how exactly can you be useful to me?
Joe:
Useful?
Lee:
Or you can stay here and die.
Joe:
Wait! Wait! I'm an engineer—and I'm good at farming too.
Lee:
Good. But if you betray me, you're dead.
Joe:
Understood.
Lee unlocks the cuffs. Joe grabs a gun and knife from under the counter but hands them to Lee.
Lee:
Keep them. You'll need 'em.
Joe:
So, where are we headed?
Lee:
To find more survivors.
Joe:
Trying to build a new nation?
Lee:
That's the plan. Washington will be our new world. But first, we need people willing to work.
Joe:
Got it. Nice katana, by the way. Where'd you get it?
Lee:
From someone.
Joe:
Not big on small talk, huh?
Lee:
You talk enough for both of us.
MEANWHILE — WITH KLAUS AND SHAW
Klaus:
What do you think of Lee?
Shaw:
He's a good guy.
Klaus:
I'm sorry about your friend. We couldn't save him.
Shaw:
It's okay.
Klaus:
So, what do you think about Lee's plan?
Shaw:
It's solid. Lee might just end up as some kind of president or emperor.
Klaus:
Emperor… I like that. That would make me president, and you—my vice president.
Shaw:
Sure, boss.
A massive herd of walkers starts closing in. Klaus and Shaw try to hide but are quickly surrounded. They raise their guns, ready to fight.
Suddenly, a grenade lands between them.
They exchange glances and bolt. BOOM! The explosion sends them crashing into a nearby car.
Shaw:
Who the hell was that?!
Klaus:
Are we dead?
Shaw:
Not yet…
Klaus grabs his gun. Shaw notices an old man and a girl, around 14 years old, standing nearby.
Shaw:
We're not going to shoot. What's your name?
Klaus:
Let's just walk over there and talk. We're still surrounded by walkers.
Shaw:
Right… I forgot.
Klaus checks his watch: 4:40 PM.
Klaus:
We need to go. It's almost five.
They retreat to the base. An hour later, they arrive—exhausted.
Lee:
You two are late.
Klaus:
Sorry…
Klaus notices Joe.
Klaus:
Who's this guy?
Lee:
Joe. He's in charge of electricity and harvest from now on.
Klaus:
Got it.
Shaw:
Lee—we saw an old man and a young girl while scouting, but a herd forced us to retreat.
Lee:
Understood.
Alice and Tash return, much later. With them are two young women.
Alice:
Lee—meet Aneka and Ari.
Lee:
Nice to meet you both. What can you do?
Tash:
Aneka is a doctor. Ari's a pilot.
Lee:
So now we have an engineer/farmer, a doctor, and a pilot. That's progress.
Klaus:
What's next?
Lee:
Tomorrow, the eight of us will secure the White House.
Joe:
Just the eight of us?
Lee:
Yes. Tomorrow… Washington will be secure.
END OF CHAPTER 10