Ch. 18 Just missed him

As they promised Julius and Clementine returned shortly after nightfall, without a scratch on them. Refreshed, squeaky clean, and in new clothes, carrying a bulk sum of supplies again they get to the farm in high spirits. They notice Glenn wandering around outside like he was looking for something but that wasn't any of their business. Clem starts singing Smash Mouth's 'Rock star' as they approach the house, announcing their presence. Hershel and Jimmy come outside to greet them.

"Thank God you kids made it back safely. What's all this?" Hershel asks as Clem drops two duffle bags full of supplies at the door.

"We had a good haul, so we thought we'd share." Julius answers with a smile so bright it shined. He looks like all his stress had melted away. The old man notices that they have fresh change of clothes, they weren't just clean they were pristine like brand new…expensive at that. They had traded their warrior look for a more modern style. Julius dressed in all Bathing ape, ripped black jeans and a sleeveless white shirt with a camo print hoodie over black air forces. Clem wore a black Nike jumpsuit with yellow accents with a black bandana sporting an oni's mouth on it around her neck, and despite the infinite variety of footwear to choose from she went with yellow crocs filled with jibbits of different cartoon characters. They both now wore headbands with a metal forehead protector, with an agreed upon design of a downward sword and of course they still wore their actual swords on them. Where did they find all this in such good condition? Some of it seemed custom. Hershel was learning not to ask questions and let it be, but Julius presented more and more mysteries every time he acted. "We took the liberty of dividing everything up to avoid any drama, and this is for your house. Well, you guys have a good night."

"Now hang on a second," Hershel stops them. "You two just casually strolled to Atlanta and back with all this stuff?"

"Yeah, what of it?" Julius responds nonchalantly.

Hershel could see by the look on his face, even the girl looks unbothered, this didn't sound farfetched to them even with the large number of heavy bags they toted around. "…nothing I suppose. Did you-"

"We have some more stored away in a safehouse about halfway. Since we aren't really tired, we were thinking of going back for it in a little while," Clem chimes in. A convenient excuse to go back and spend more time in the bunker.

"Yeah, there was a lot of good stuff we had to stash, couldn't carry everything haha" Julius adds. "We'll probably be back in the morning. And since it's night the walkers will be much less active. So this run will be easier."

"You two going to need any help?"

"Nope! Goodnight," the two of them vanish to drop the other bags off with Rick's group before going back to the bunker.

"Help me bring these in boy," Hershel says really telling Jimmy to bring them both in. He needed two trips.

......

Early the next day Glenn reveals to his fellow group members a disturbing secret he had uncovered last night while looking for a more private place on the property. Hershel had been keeping walkers locked away in the barn, he was even wasting precious food by feeding them. The very creatures they were fighting for their lives against, were being kept here like pets. Hidden just under all of their noses. No wonder he didn't want anyone near the barn. What kind of sick nonsense was this man up to? Just prior he was in the process of adding another to his sick collection, and even convinced Rick into helping him with this one. This caused a huge uproar, spearheaded by Shane of course.

On the other hand Hershel and his family try to explain that these people were their own relatives who had become walkers and a few stragglers they had found. In all actuality if this wildfire virus was indeed a disease, then a cure should come eventually. Then they would all be ok, it was only a matter of time before it happened, right? Most are still unsympathetic to his beliefs but respected his wishes to leave them in there, besides it would be dangerous to just open the floodgates like that.

Shane who had heard enough, declares it was either people or walkers. The time to choose was now upon them and coexistence was never an option here. In a fit of rage he removes the barring from the barn doors and opens it up as some of the others plead with him to stop and consider his actions. All words fell on deaf ears, he stood ready with his gun drawn. He puts a bullet through the first walker's brain, and then the second. As the group of undead spill out other survivors begin to help in the extermination. Hershel and his people can only watch on in horror as their loved ones are all killed a second time. Even the new addition he had just found was shot dead. It's safe to say he no longer wanted his guests on his fam.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!" Everyone turns to see Mac standing there with an odd expression. It was a twisted mix of confusion, anger, and disappointment. He wasn't fully sure what he was most upset about. Why did Julius have him at this dusty old farm that is obviously too small to be a safehouse? Why was there no sign of Z-corp technology or security (or any technology for that matter)? Why were the living dead being stored in a barn? Why are people defending them from being eliminated? There are a lot of questions that need answers, and he sees a lot of things that bothered him about this scene. More than anything Machiavelli didn't feel at all safe. Julius has some serious explaining to do. After taking a second to think, Mac addresses the group. "Have you people seen a blonde guy with a katana?" It didn't take anyone two seconds to realize he was talking about Julius, this guy should be Machiavelli.

"Who the fuck are you?" Shane who was still worked up shouts at him before anyone could answer.

"The dog who barks way too loudly…he must be Shane." Mac notes him and decides that's not who he wants to speak with. Scanning the crowd, he stops on Rick. "You're the chivalrous one right? The leader? Or should I ask the old man? Where is my brother? He said he would be here." His tone becomes more serious. The fact that a few of them were brandishing guns irked him even more, but that was to be expected in this situation.

"Y-you're Dr. Zoldyck right? I've read about some of your work in medical books and magazines," Hershel asks picking himself up. Even for those who hadn't read about him, almost everyone there had heard Julius go on about his brilliant brother in the short time they'd known him. He was the one working on a cure in Los Angeles. If anyone had insights into this Wildfire virus situation it was him. At the very least it would hurt less to know he hadn't done something so dangerous for nothing.

"Wait that's him?"

"He's Mac? I pictured him a little taller…"

"Julius did say he was coming soon, this all makes sense now."

"His frown is just like Julius described it."

"He really doesn't look much like Julius."

After Hershel had spoken, everyone was able to put two and two together. Realizing who he is they all become a lot less tense and put their guns away. They already knew he wasn't one to do anything dangerous unnecessarily. The fact that everyone already felt so familiar with him made him a little angry Julius talks so much. "I am."

"Julius made his way to Atlanta with Clemintine. They said they would be back soon." With no need for further introductions Hershel had no reservations about explaining what was going on.

"How soon?" Machiavelli asks not concerned with anything else.

"He didn't say specifically, just soon. He was going to get supplies he had stashed on the way from the city last night." Machiavelli didn't answer he just looks more irritated. "Dr. Zoldyck, I, well I have a question to ask…" Hershel continues as Mac fishes out his sat phone. Everyone listens in harder knowing where this is going. "I was wanting to know-" he was cut off when Mac put a hand up.

"I have a general idea what you're going to ask. My research isn't far enough along to kill the virus or even stop anyone from turning when infected yet. And no. Even if it was, it couldn't have saved those people. We're sick, they're dead. Laying them to rest was the correct course of action." He leaves the old man to take in that information as he slumps back down again. That's when his he had finally accepted how foolish his wishful thinking was, there would be no clearer answer than that. His daughters rush to his side to comfort him, they help him towards the house. Glenn tries to apologize to Maggie for starting this mess, but she brushes him off.

Shane uses the confirmation from Mac to start up again about how they should be more gung-ho. "And there you have it, even the fancy doctor says there's no point in…"

Mac ignores them and walks away from everyone dailing one. After a quick ring Jules picks up "Hey Mac! What's up?" Julius answers comfortably lounging in his gaming chair.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!?! Why did you give me coordinates to this farm in the middle of nowhere and you're not even here!?" Mac shouts into the phone.

Julius just holds the phone away from his ear for a few minutes while Mac continues his rant. After a few minutes Mac finally goes quiet. "You're on the farm? Get comfortable, that's where we're staying for now. I'll be there in a flash," Julius hangs up before Mac can answer. "Hey Clem guess what Mac is here!"

"Oh really?!" she answers excitedly. It was finally time to meet her second brother, who Julius heaps such high praise on. "Can we go see him?"

Julius thinks about it and sits back down,

"Ehhh let's give him a few minutes. He's in a mood."

"Oh, ok." Clem says taking his word for it.

"Let's finish the story and then we'll go back." He says unpausing Army of Two.

"Alright!"