Chapter 11

- Xenon -

Dinner was a pretty quiet affair, we didn't talk much, only ate in silence. At least, that was the case for the people who were going into the city the next day, the rest were talking and laughing, especially the kids. Not that I blamed them, mind you, but I understand why 'we' would be tense. We went to bed early to get enough sleep, or at least do our best to sleep at all.

- The next day -

We woke up, or were woken up in this case by none other than Dale, who was an early riser, and got to work. We didn't want to get stuck at night, where visibility is severely diminished, so it's best to get it done as early as possible, which is the reason why we're departing at sunrise.

Dayle gave us his toolbox, something that would prove useful in this run to force entry on locked buildings. We gathered as much bags as we could; I took my backpack , as it was big enough to hold anything I'd find. But that's not the real reason why I didn't take anything else. We had enough bags with us, so I'd help with their transport once they were full. Also, since I had 'experience' fighting the walkers before, I would be in the vanguard, so I didn't need my hands full. And finally, I had the inventory. I had no intention to take everything I needed on my bag, at most I'll fill it with some clothes I would need and all the food it can hold. The rest will go straight to my inventory.

For weaponry, most of us were equipped with Bats, as they were both light and easy to use. T-Dog and Jim wore some kind of protection on their body, mostly baseball gear. I'm not sure how effective it would be against the walkers, but I wouldn't try my luck if I was them. Glenn would be using a Crowbar as both his weapon and tool to clear our path into the buildings. As for firearms, only Andrea had a handgun on her, but I doubt she knows how to use it, let alone take aim and head-shot a walker. I remember the "Safety" scene from the first season.

We loaded everything on two cars, and set out to Atlanta.

- 20 minutes later -

We arrived to a residential area through the empty streets, and parked there, making sure the cars would be ready to go in case we have to make a run for it. Apart from the sound of our car engines, only the sound of silence could be heard. Yet it wasn't the calming kind; being inside a city and not hearing a single sound seemed like a scene straight out of a horror movie. For most of us it seemed like the calm before the storm.

Everybody was tense and moving mechanically, darting our heads in every direction, afraid we would get jumped on by a flesh eating monster the next second. The tension was palpable and fear dripped from our movements.

We wasted no time to get into position, Glenn leading the way. We were jogging all the way, we didn't have time to walk leisurely. We didn't speak, too afraid to make small talk, instead, Glenn gestured us to follow at each turn.

I didn't feel much fear, to be honest. I knew things could go sideways very quickly, but I was far more excited about leveling up to let my fear rule me. I had to take risks if I wanted results.

"Shit." Glenn said, as he was peeking to the next turn. "We got walkers ahead."

"How many?" asked Jim, frowning.

"Five." Genn somberly answered. "We gotta find another detour."

"Hold on." I interrupted them, making them turn to me. "They are pretty distant from each other." I said, as I peeked at them.

"And?"

"And, we can finish them and move on." I pointed out. "They're not even facing our direction, so they must be distracted right now."

"Yeah, well the moment you hit one of them, the sound will attract the others." Glenn said.