Chapter 23

Tallahassee/Westlie: Macon!

They were a bit shocked at what they heard.

Kendell: Macon?! Then that was a few weeks ago? Why didn't you guys tell us?

Tallahassee was about to answer but I got first.

Westlie: Well, at first it was just hallucinating, but as time pass by it's getting real.

After I said that, I can see the worries on their faces.

Carter: But what if the one who's watching us is the one, we encounter yesterday?

Westlie: I thought so too, but when I was fighting them, it looks like they don't know how many we are because when they ask Augie, they don't seem to know how many of us there are.

I can see some sadness and anger on their faces when they remember what happened yesterday.

Wichita: If it's not them then who?

Tallahassee: I still don't know, I was looking for clues for the past few weeks but still can't find anything, how about you? Westlie.

They then all look at me. As I was thinking then I remember what Little Rock told me.

Westlie: I don't know if my guess is right about this but…

Columbus: But what?... any guess is good than nothing.

I see them all nod, then I turn to Tallahassee and Columbus and slowly speak up.

Westlie: Well, when we are in Macon getting out from the horde, I got a feeling that someone or something luring the zombies.

They were shocked at what they heard and a bit skeptical at what I just said. Well, that is understandable. Who in their right mind goes close to a zombie? Unless they are some crazy f*ck-up people.

Ben: Why do you say that?

Westlie: Well, for the past few weeks we always encounter a horde of zombies, I know some of you will think that this is just a coincidence, but think guys. Almost all of the road we are going is blocked by a horde of zombies and we always take another route.

At first, they couldn't believe it. Well, me too, but when it was 2 weeks before we finally reunite with Wichita and Little Rock, that got me so hard that I think that there is something wrong. If only it were a few days I can understand, but 2 weeks?! That f*ck up!

I don't know if I'm being just paranoid, or maybe this is just a butterfly effect where the story is changing because of me. but if that's true then I'm okay with it, but if someone is luring us into a death trap then…

I can only pray to the god that sends me here. After a few silent Tallahassee started to talk.

Tallahassee: How about this, we follow the plan for now take the road to Rainbow City then go to Birmingham, but we should be ready if there is something following us.

We all nodded at what he said and started packing our things and hit the road again.

I don't want to tell them that earlier but I know I shouldn't prolong this any longer. I then look at them and said.

Westlie: I'm sorry guys, I know that we are already stressed about what happened to us yesterday and now I added another problem to us.

I look at the ground while intertwining my fingers.

Tallahassee: Don't worry kiddo, I know you meant well.

Ben: Yeah, Westlie. Thank you for telling us, if we didn't know that and learned it when something already happened to us, I won't forgive myself for not doing anything. So, thank you.

I look at the two and smiled at them.

Westlie: Thanks.

Then I go to the passenger seat. I see that Denise is the one who is driving. There was silence around us but a minute later she then looks at me a started talking.

Denise: Hi, Westlie, are you okay?

I look at her.

Westlie: Yeah, it's just…

She can see that I'm sad, f*ck this, I look like sh*t right now, always depressed. Well, what can I do? The surrounding around me is full of danger. I can't even relax a bit, especially now that someone is following us.

F*ck! I hate this feeling, feeling hopeless and powerless. I want to do more and help the team. I don't want to be a burden to them.

Westlie: *sigh*

As I was thinking that I heard a laugh beside me.

Denise: Hahaha, you're like an old man Westlie. You need to relax a bit.

I look at her a bit sarcastically.

Westlie: if there are no zombies and people whom we don't know what they want, then maybe I will relax more.

Denise: That's why you should relax. There's nothing we can do about it; we can just face it head-on.

Westlie: Well, even if I want to I can't. it's hard.

Denise: That's why you're a kid Westlie. And as a kid, you should be stress-free.

Westlie: 'I'm not a kid, I'm already a man… inside' I know, it's just that the world doesn't want me to be happy.

We were silent for a minute then I see she was getting something on her pants. After she got what she wants, she then gives it to me.

Denise: Here, you can have this.

I then look at what she gives me.

Westlie: What's this?

Denise rolls her eye at me and said.

Denise: That's an MP3.

Westlie: Yeah, I know what this is, what do you want me to do with it?

Denise: Used it to Listen to some songs.

Westlie: I know that too, but how can I listen to the songs if there are no earphones?

She then looks at me and then I see that she was embarrassed about it.

Denise: Oh, right, I'm sorry about that.

She then goes to her other pocket and grabs the earphones and gives it to me.

Denise: There. Now you can listen to some songs.

I then hesitated a bit and look at her.

Westlie: How about you?

Denise: It's okay, I can listen later.

Westlie: But what about when the battery run out?

I can see that she sighs at my questions and then look at me.

Denise: You know what kid, don't ask more questions and just listen to the damn songs.

Westlie: But….

Denise: No buts, just listen to it okay? Relax, I have a solar charger so you don't have to worry, okay?

I then look at her and am thankful for what she just did.

Westlie: Thank you.

Denise: No, problem.

She smiles at me and I started listening to some music on this MP3.

As I was listening to some music, I started to recall what happened to me all this time and, there were happy things that happen and there were sad ones too. As I was reminiscing, I slowly feel that I will fall asleep, until I embrace it and started falling asleep.

~NO ONE POV~

Tallahassee: So, he falls asleep?

He looks at Westlie and asked Denise.

Denise: Yeah, at first, he doesn't want to use the MP3 but now…

They glance at Westlie and have a smile on their faces.

Tallahassee: I feel sorry for the kid, and all that he has been through.

Denise: Yeah, he said that he was 9 years old when this outbreak happens.

Tallahassee: Yeah. When I first meet him, he was alone and has a zombie beside him.

Denise: What?! Did he tell you what happened to his parents?

Tallahassee: No, and I never asked. That's a bit too hard to do.

Denise: Yeah. A kid in this f*ck up world all alone for two years, we already know what happened.

They were sad for Westlie, but what they know is only the surface, if they know who he is, they will be shocked and don't know if they will believe him or not, will they think of him as crazy and just say something because he is just a kid or will they believe him?

The truth of his life is not easy to tell to anyone. Can't tell your friends, family, or loved ones. A secret that we don't know if he will reveal or now.