TWD: The Burden We Bear

"Ken! Lee! Come here, please!" Katjaa calls out to the two men, her tone urgent but tinged with a hint of worry.

Eddie watches his father rise from the couch beside him and make his way around the RV, his movements brisk. In the meantime, Eddie pulls out a cigarette, places it between his lips, and flicks his lighter to ignite it. He takes a slow drag, enjoying the calming sensation as he keeps a watchful eye on his brother and Clementine, who are seated on the ground, diligently drawing together, while a teenager—rescued by Lee during their return from a hunting trip—sits alongside them.

Suddenly, Eddie's moment of calm is shattered by the sound of his father's furious voice. "Goddamn it! I'm getting sick of this shit!" Kenny shouts, his frustration evident as he hurls something against the side of the RV. Eddie watches in concern as his father strides into the cramped living space he shares with Katjaa.

Eddie finishes his cigarette and grinds the smoldering end into the floor with his boot when a piercing scream cuts through the air. Instinct kicks in; he leaps from the couch and races towards the sound. Horror washes over him as he sees the zombified man—whom Lee had freed from a bear trap—clutching at his mother, Katjaa.

Without a second thought, Lee rushes forward, shoving the grotesque creature away from Katjaa. "The axe! Hurry!" he commands urgently.

Just as the walker lunges toward Lee, Eddie arrives in the nick of time, machete drawn. With a swift, decisive motion, he brings the blade down onto the skull of the undead creature. The walker goes limp instantly, collapsing to the ground with a thud as Eddie withdraws his weapon, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

Lee exhales shakily, relief washing over him. "Gee, thanks..." he manages, his voice a mixture of gratitude and lingering fear.

"No problem," Eddie responds, sheathing his machete and giving Lee a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Why'd you bring him here in the first place, asshole?!" Larry bellows at Lee, his fury boiling over.

"Dad, calm down," Lilly pleads, rushing to his side.

"You're gonna get us all killed!" he shouts again, his voice echoing with panic.

With that, Larry storms away, and Lilly follows closely behind him, clearly distressed. Kenny swiftly embraces Katjaa, squeezing her tightly before Eddie wraps his arms around her as well, offering her a moment of comfort. Ben joins the group soon after, and Kenny turns his attention to him.

"Why didn't you tell us he was bitten?!" Kenny growls, his voice low and dangerous.

"What?!" Ben stares back, bewildered.

"He was bitten, and you didn't say a goddamn word!" Kenny's accusations hang heavily in the air.

"But he wasn't bitten, I swear!" Ben's voice rises in panic.

"Well, your 'not-bitten' friend here came back to life and tried to kill my wife!" Kenny exclaims, his fury still palpable.

"What?! Wait, you all don't know?" Ben asks, confusion etched across his face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kenny's agitation flickers slightly as he tries to grasp the situation.

As the tension thickens, everyone leans in closer to hear Ben's explanation, including the children. "It's not the bite that does it! You come back no matter how you die. If you don't destroy the brain, that's just what happens. It's gonna happen to all of us."

"God, help us..." Lee mutters, the weight of Ben's words sinking in.

"It makes sense. In those first few days, it spread so fast," Mark comments, nodding in understanding.

"Car accidents, suicides—everything was making more of them," Lilly adds, her tone grave.

"When I first saw it happen, we were all hiding out in a gym, and everybody thought we were finally safe. But one of the girls, Jenny Picther, I think... I guess she couldn't take it. She took some pills—lots of them. Someone went into the girls' room the next morning and... God..." Ben's voice trails off, leaving a chilling silence in its wake.

Suddenly, Carley's sharp voice slices through the air. "Back off!" She aims her gun at two men outside the fence, prompting them to raise their hands defensively. One of them grips an empty gas can.

"Whoa, lady, relax! My brother and I just want to know if y'all can help us out," one of the men, Andy, implores.

"I said, back off!" Carley repeats, her stance unwavering.

"Carley..." Lilly mutters anxiously, inching closer behind her.

"Are you armed?" Lee interjects, eyeing the men carefully.

"Yeah. For protection. The dead could be anywhere," the other man, Danny, admits candidly.

"You're outnumbered... so just get out of here," Eddie interjects, stepping up beside Lee, his expression serious.

"Okay, that's fine. But you'd really be helping out a fellow survivor if you could part with some extra gas before we leave..." Andy suggests, lifting the empty gas can as an appeal. "Looks like you folks got the motel locked down, which is fine, but if you could spare any gas, we'd be much obliged."

"Why do you need gas?" Carley questions, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Our place is protected by an electric fence. Generators provide the electricity..." Danny explains, yet Carley seems unconvinced.

"Our generators run on gas. Look, we own a dairy farm a few miles up the road. If y'all are willing to lower your guns, we can talk about some kind of trade," Andy proposes.

"How're you doing on food? We got plenty at the dairy," Danny offers.

"Lee, why don't you and Mark check the place out? See if it's legit," Lilly suggests, glancing between the men.

Carley holsters her weapon. "I'm going with you. I've got your back if anything seems fishy."

"I'll come too. Just let me grab my gun," Eddie says, turning on his heel to head into his room. Inside, he retrieves the hunting rifle he had propped against the armchair. Slinging it over his shoulder, he rejoins the group outside.

---

Deep within the forest, Andy, Danny, Mark, and Ben lead the way, with Lee, Eddie, and Carley following closely behind at a reasonable distance.

"So, this dairy... you guys really have food?" Mark asks, his tone laced with hope.

"Sure do! We've lost most of the cattle, but we still have plenty of milk, butter, and cheese in stock," Andy replies, a big smile on his face.

"And with the vegetables we grow, we've got more than enough food," Danny adds enthusiastically.

"It's nice to get away from that motel for a while. This Lilly/Kenny thing is starting to drive me crazy. Personally, I'd be happier if you took charge more," Carley confides in Lee, casting a sidelong glance at him.

"You really think they'd want me as a leader?" Lee asks, skepticism coloring his tone.

"Absolutely! Everyone looks up to you," Carley reassures him with a smile.

"Eddie?" Lee turns to his younger friend, hoping for his input.

"Sure. I mean, Dad has experience in leadership, what with being a boat captain or whatever, but he's a hothead, easily provoked. You, on the other hand, remain calm and level-headed. I'd follow you anywhere," Eddie responds earnestly.

"Thanks. But you could be a good leader too," Lee counters, a note of encouragement in his voice.

"Thanks, I guess," Eddie smiles, feeling a swell of pride.

The trio—Lee, Eddie, and Carley—catch up with the leading group.

"I'm just relieved Lee showed up when he did! Right, Lee?" Mark comments, breaking the tension.

"Yeah, why don't you tell us a little more about yourself, Lee?" Andy suggests, curiosity glinting in his eyes.

"Where are you from?" Danny asks, leaning in slightly.

Lee glances back at Eddie, who maintains a stoic expression, his rifle steady in his grip. The glance is brief but laden with unspoken understanding. "I move around a lot. Hard to call any place home, I guess," Lee replies, attempting to keep his tone light.

"I used to move around a bit myself, but the dairy will always be home to me," Danny states, his demeanor somehow unsettling Eddie.

"Something tells me you're a local boy; you can just kind of tell, you know?" Andy comments to Lee. "Y'all seem pretty settled in at that motor inn. Who's running things over there?"

Lee looks at Carley before responding confidently, "I am. If you guys have questions, you come to me." Carley smiles at this acknowledgment of leadership.

"How many people do you have over there anyway?" Danny probes, a hint of suspicion in his voice. Eddie's hackles rise at the question, and upon glancing at Lee, he notices his frown, prompting him to let Lee handle it.

"Enough to defend ourselves," Lee answers succinctly.

"Well, that's good! It's getting dangerous out there—well, you guys know that," Andy insists with an eager smile. "We'd love to get you all out to the dairy. Like I mentioned, we have plenty of food, and frankly, we could always use an extra helping hand."

"In the summers, I used to help out on a goat farm," Ben adds.

"And I'm pretty handy with tools," Eddie says with a casual shrug. "You got anything that needs fixing?"

"Not really, but we have a broken swing you could fix?" Andy suggests, turning his attention to the seventeen-year-old.

"Sure," Eddie replies nonchalantly.

"Momma's been running the dairy for longer than I can remember, but now it's gettin'—" Andy begins, but suddenly the sound of raised voices nearby interrupts him.

"You think you're gonna cut me outta this?" a man shouts, his anger palpable.

"Shit, get down," Andy commands, urgency creeping into his voice.

Everyone crouches low and inches forward to eavesdrop on the escalating argument, with Mark, Eddie, and Carley drawing their weapons as a precaution.

"No one is trying to cut you outta anything!" another man retorts defensively.

"You and Gary are always pulling this shit! Don't think I haven't noticed!" the first man bellows.

"Fucking bandits," Danny curses under his breath.

"Who?" Mark questions, concern lining his brow.

Eddie frowns, training his rifle on the two men, ready to spring into action if need be. Yet inside, he feels a wave of anxiety. Killing mindless undead is one thing; killing armed bandits is another entirely. Cold sweat trickles down his forehead as he steeles himself for whatever might happen.

"Those look like the people who raided my camp," Ben's voice shakes in fear.

"Calm down; your paranoia is pissing everyone off!" the second man snaps.

"Who are they?" Lee inquires, brows furrowed in concentration.

"Shh. Fucking assholes is who they are," Andy hisses, trying to keep everyone quiet.

"Fuck you! You knew we were hungry, and you were keeping it all to yourselves!" the first man snarls, his rage palpable.

"There's only two of them," Carley observes calmly, but Andy shakes his head, dispelling her assumption.

"Oh, no, there's a lot more," Andy corrects her, worry tightening his features.

"Yeah, and you know what? We ate it all! What are you gonna fucking do about it?" the second man taunts, spreading his arms wide in provocational defiance.

"Don't worry. Danny and I have got your back if something happens, but let's just wait this out and hope they move on," Andy advises, keeping a level head.

"Fuck you!" the first bandit bellows right in the second man's face. Eddie grips his rifle tighter, his heart racing.

Without warning, the first man kicks the second and then shoots him point-blank in the head. Ben gasps, caught in shock as the man fires additional rounds into the lifeless body.

"Fuckin' hell..." Eddie's eyes widen, unable to process the chaos.

"Fuck you! Fuck you!" the first bandit shouts at the corpse, firing wildly.

"Jesus...!" Carley gasps, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"Asshole!" the first man snarls as he saunters away, leaving carnage in his wake.

"The world out here has truly gone to hell. Come on, let's get to the dairy where it's safe," Andy says, signaling everyone to rise from their crouched positions. With a shared look of unease, they dust themselves off and begin to walk away.