Chapter 41

- Shane -

I told him it was a bad idea, but the guy never listens. This isn't the time to be a hero. That dick-head Merle deserves to be left there, on the roof. His miserable life isn't worth saving. He brought this upon himself.

Yet Rick believes he has to save him. He's claiming he is also after the guns, but we all know that's not the true reason, or he's an even bigger idiot than I thought he was. He'd never make his family, his wife and Carl, worry about him for no reason.

That's right, she's HIS wife now… Sometimes, I hope he never came back, that he truly died in that hospital where I left him. Everything would've been perfect had it happened. I fucking hate myself whenever the thought crosses my mind… what kind of disgusting human being thinks that about his brother… we may not be related by blood, but he's as good as a brother to me. I've always thought of him and his family as my own family…

What was I supposed to do? I genuinely cared for her. I would've protected Lori and her child as I would've protected my own. That she reciprocated was no one's fault. She was lonely, and thought her husband was dead. I thought Rick was dead. I would've never made a move on her if I thought otherwise… and now, I'm the fucking villain. What am I supposed to do now? The damage is already done, my relationship with Lori is irrecoverable now that her husband is back…

'Is that Rick's car?' I thought, but then I noticed the size and color. That was a van, and I'm positive Rick didn't leave in a van. Either they met trouble in this little suicide mission, or this is someone else we're dealing with. And it looks like he's driving with purpose. He knows we're here.

"Dale! Jim! T-Dog! We've got company!" I shouted, and went ahead to meet them. With my shotgun, of course. You can never be too careful.

- Xenon -

I was finally back at camp. Though this is certainly not the welcome I was expecting. Shane and Dale were holding their weapons, preparing for the worst I assume. It was a good response, it looks like they are evolving a bit, huh.

They finally noticed me when I was close enough, judging by how their eyes widened in surprise. Did they think I would die out there? I can't blame them for that, it did take me ten days to come back.

I got out of the van with style, my face and clothes had traces of blood all over from the bloody activities I partook in, accentuating the badass look I was hoping for.

"Kept you waiting, huh?" I felt so cool at that moment, and I was not ripping off 'Big Boss', this line is totally an original of mine.

"Welcome back, kid." Jim broke the silence. "You got us worried. It's been ten days."

"Sorry about that." I said. "You might like what I found though. The trip was worth it."

I noticed the others were running towards us, are they that excited to see me?

"Where's my dad?" Carl asked frantically, his head darting all over the place. I just frowned, then I made an 'oh!', then schooled my expression. I looked around, and sure enough, there it was, a red car that had been dismantled from the looks of things. Which means the first season was finally happening, and Rick was here.

"Xenon! You're back!" My mind was elsewhere when I was suddenly assaulted by a hug from Amy, the only kind of assault I'll ever enjoy. She seemed genuinely happy I was back, something I was very grateful for.

"I promised you, didn't I?" I grinned at her, which she returned in a radiant smile, her eyes were a bit moist, which warmed my heart to no end.

'I'll be damned if I don't make sure you live…' was my thought at the moment.

"Alrighty, you can make out later." Jim interrupted our moment again. We both gave him the stink eye.

"What did you find?" Shane asked eagerly, and I could see most of the others were waiting for my answer as well.

"I found a lot of food, that's what I have the most of in the back of my van." I answered, but I could see that's not what he was hoping for.

"What about guns?" Shane frowned. "You said you'd look for guns, remember?"

"Oh, that." I went back to the front seat of my vehicle, and took out my bag. "It's a shame most people took their belonging with them, and anyone who had a gun for self defense made sure to carry, except a few. I managed to find this in a bar." I showed them the shotgun. "And these two revolvers and a Glock 17."

Initially, I wanted to give away the Glock and keep the revolver with me. I know that a Glock could hold seventeen rounds, while the revolver only had six slots. But that's where you are wrong.

When a glock runs out of ammo, I had to refill its mag manually one by one, before it can be used again. Meaning that in a tough spot, I had a maximum of 17 shots, then it would become useless.

The Revolver didn't have this issue. Reloading, while tedious, is way faster than a Glock, although it would be done in tighter intervals. But that's when you don't count the system in… With the inventory, I could just spawn the bullets inside their sockets, and I would never have to stop firing… which is why I preferred the revolver.

But I eventually changed my mind. Because I would be using it mostly in front of company, and I had no intention to show them my supernatural abilities just yet, therefore I will be sticking to the Glock for now, and while keeping the P320 with its suppressor in my inventory.