The sun had set when we reached the farm, Shawn had to drive slowly because of the obstacle course that was laid out on the road here, I helped Clem get out of the truck as her leg was hurting pretty bad, I could see it on her face, then I removed our bag from the truck, Shawn said goodbye to his friend who lived nearby.
Shawn moved toward his house and I followed behind, and as we reached the porch, the door swung open, revealing an old man in his late 40s, yet his hair had turned white, with a full hairline, he had a full white beard, with a stern expression that shifted on seeing his son.
Nothing like the show's Santa, eh? I chuckled inwardly.
"Thank god you're ok," Hershel said, walking up to his son.
Shawn hugged him. "I was worried it would be bad here too."
"Been quiet as usual for the past couple of days, Ol' Breckon down the way thinks his mare gone lame, but that nothing new," Hershel said, patting him on the back, and the two separated.
"I wouldn't have made it back without Chet," Shawn said and turned to us, "And these two."
"Well, I'm glad you met them then." Hershel looked at us, his gaze full of suspicion. "Just trying to keep her safe," I said.
"Honey, do you know this man?" Hershel looked at Clem and asked.
Seriously? I'm standing right here! I thought.
"Yes." Clem simply replied, while glancing at me a few times.
"She need's medical attention, and you can interrogate me while you patch her up," I said with a light smile, not trying to offend the man providing shelter.
Hershel nodded with a smile. "Shawn, run on in and check on your sisters. You go take a seat on the porch, and I'll see what I can find." He said that and went inside his house.
Sisters? I shook my head. I need to be careful. I made a mental note.
I helped Clem to the bench that was on the porch, her jeans had side zips that stretched from her ankle to her knee, which I opened revealing a bandaged leg that was slightly swollen, "Hmm, that's a pretty good job, you did this?" Hershel had returned from inside with bandages and disinfectant, he crouched down near her.
"I tried; my specialty isn't exactly in fixing people," I said. "Then what is it?" he asked. This man never misses a chance, does he? "Virology," I replied. "Hmm, a scientist? And that gun?" he asked.
"For Protection," I kept it short, "How did you two meet?" he asked, "I was escaping Atlanta on foot when I came across her house to rest for a bit, and I found her. Then your boy showed up right outside, a lifesaver, I should say," I said.
"Glad he could be helpful to someone. But the news says to stay," Hershel questioned. From what he saw on the news, they were telling the people to stay inside and not to leave.
"Well, that's a mistake," I said in a low voice. Hershel had removed her bandage and cleaned the wound with a disinfectant and applied a new bandage while Clem vinced taking it like a champ, "I didn't catch your name, sweetheart" Hershel looked up at Clementine who had her eyes squinted due to the pain.
"Clem-Clementine," she replied. Hershel smiled and nodded his head, and stood up and looked at me. "Albert Wesker," I said. He nodded again.
"House is full up with mine, we got another displaced family of three in the barn. You and the girl are welcome to rest there." He said, looking at me. "But I'll need that gun of yours. It will be returned to you in the morning." Hershel's expression changed to one of seriousness. I huffed internally.
I removed the harness and handed it to him. "Take the whole thing," I said with a smile, and he quietly took it from my hand. I didn't want to use my gun unless it was a human, and especially not here; I still wanted to sleep in this place.
Suddenly, Shawn came out of the house, telling Hershel about reinforcing the fence in the morning. I nodded, agreeing with Shawn, who was looking at me for help persuading his father.
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'Was I seriously thinking of killing humans,' Yet, I didn't feel anything, 'What's wrong with me?' these thoughts bothered me as we made our way to the barn, and saw three people sitting inside, A chubby woman with short blonde hair, an average man with long black hair and a horseshoe mustache though it was short, and a kid around the age 8-9 the same age Clem should've been.
They all sat above, away from the hay that was scattered around in the barn below. "Well, look at that. Another newcomer. And you got yourself a little tagalong, huh?" He said shifting his eyes from me to Clem, "She's under my protection," I said walking inside not looking up, I picked up the pitchfork, to clean up the floor.
Kenny glancing at Clem, "That so? Well, name's Kenny. This here's my boy, Kenny Jr, and my wife, Katjaa." I looked up and nodded, getting their names, and went back to work.
"I'm Clementine," Clem said softly, "Nice to meet you, sweetheart," Katjaa said with a warm smile, with kenny nodding from the side. "You two got a long trip or just lucked out with Hershel's hospitality?" Kenny asked.
"We had… for the lack of a better word, an 'eventful' journey," I replied and finished cleaning up, I laid down the mattresses Shawn helped me get here on the floor, "I'll go get our bag," I said to her, leaving her to her devices.
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I was walking to the truck when I noticed a girl in her early 20s with neck-length brown hair standing next to the truck. I walked up to the truck, nodding at her, which she reciprocated. I picked up the bag and headed back to the barn.
I handed a pack of cookies to Clem which she happily took, I asked Kenny and his family if they wanted some. "If you're offering," Kenny said, I tossed one to them as well.
I took off my blazer which had been stained by Clem, and hung it on the peg embeded in the structure, I was now in my dark-blue shirt, and grey pants.
"You from the military or something?" Kenny asked. "I-" I paused, "Something like that," I said and laid down on one of the mattresses spread on the floor.
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****
Read +3 chapter ahead on my Pat*eon
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