RE: The Walking Dead [Zombie LitRPG]

It hasn't been that long since they left when the caravan was forced to come to a halt. Dale's RV had broken down on the road.

"I told you we'd never get far on that hose. I said I needed the one from the cube track." Dale softly complained to Rick while most of the main group gathered in front of the RV.

"Can you jerry rig it?" Rick was also helpless with the situation.

"That's all it's been so far. It's more duct tape than hose, and I'm out of duct tape." Dale shook his head as they're out of things to make a quick fix on the vehicle.

Rick immediately turned his attention to Cole and Alan who just arrived after hearing what happened. "Any thoughts for a quick fix on this guy?"

"It's the radiator hose." Dale softly informed them.

Cole and Alan didn't immediately give an answer to Rick and instead checked what was wrong with the said hose.

Alan looked at Rick and shook his head. "We have to change that hose or just something to patch that leak."

"That's what I've been saying."

Then Cole remembered something and quickly turned to Alan. "Wait, didn't we find a brand new rescue tape on that Armada we brought back?"

"Right, but Michael took it though."

"Why didn't you guys say anything?" Dale complained.

"We didn't know you needed it. I'mma go get it." Cole looked at Rick and immediately ran back to the school bus.

"I see something up ahead. A gas station if we're lucky." Putting his binoculars down, Shane informed the group.

Meanwhile, Cole stopped by the bus window where Michael's seat is located.

"What's wrong with the RV?" Michael inquired the moment Cole arrived.

"There's a large leak on its radiator hose. Do you still have that rescue tape we got from the Armada?"

"You need it?"

"Yeah."

Michael turned his head to Amy who was sitting on the other side of the bus and called out to her. "Amy, can you get that tape on the side pocket of my bag?"

"Here."

"Thanks." Cole took the tape from Michael and hurriedly ran back to the RV.

While the RV was getting a quick repair, and Shane with T-Dog going for a quick supply run ahead. Rick had a short emotional talk with Jim. Where the man eventually told Rick how he wanted to go while he's still lucid.

While the group is discussing Jim's fate, Michael has taken a quick trip into the wooded area where the road runs across.

Hopefully to forage some edibles if there are any around and if permits, take down some zombies that strayed to the area.

"When I was all by myself, I would always encounter several zombies even in secluded areas. They would just show up like mushrooms around me, they were practically everywhere. I guess joining the main group, their plot armor must have started rubbing off on me if I'm anywhere near them." Michael was having such absurd thoughts and realizing what made him arrive at that conclusion sent him laughing.

He didn't venture far from the road, just a little distance past the tree line.

Fortunately for humanity, the Earth is still generous since Michael had pretty much lived off of foraging.

Similar to right now, he was able to harvest large bundles of lamb's quarters, purslane, several pieces of wild onions and a fistful of wild berries that he just ate.

"That's salad for tonight."

All was peaceful throughout, and Michael eventually made his way back to the caravan without any issue.

It had been an hour since, and Michael was just in time to witness Rick and the others saying their goodbyes to JIm.

"Where have you been?" Daryl looked at him.

Michael pointed at the leaves sticking out from his bag. "Out foraging. Are we leaving JIm here?"

"Yeah, it's what he wants." Daryl nodded; he sound a little sad.

Michael turned to look at Jim and caught him staring at him. "I guess this is goodbye. Thank you..for surviving this long."

Jim only answered with a weak smile before he slowly closed his eyes, succumbing to either his wounds or the virus.

The caravan slowly resumed their journey, with what's left of Jim overlooking them from the tree he died on.

From thirty-one people, the caravan is down to twenty-six survivors following Jim's departure.

Riding past where they left him, Michael mumbled. "And another one gone"

"You knew about it, didn't you?" Andrea, who had taken the seat beside him, whispered.

Michael turned his head over to her. "About what?"

"Morales and his family. The words you said the day before our departure were too coincidental." Andrea smiled with some confidence.

Michael stared at her for a moment. "Why are you always sticking to me?"

"Not always, most of the time. I just..we just feel safer when we're around you."

He was looking at her with his arms crossed. "And the others?"

"Them too, but Rick and Shane would prioritize Lori and Carl's safety, and Carol has been getting a little too close with Daryl. Glenn..well, he's just there. Dale on the other hand, he can protect us with that rifle in his hands but given his age. I don't know if he'd last long, given if the threat is too close, like how that walker almost got Amy."

Michael chuckled out of amazement when he realized something. "So last night..was that payment for my protection?"

Andrea looked a little uncomfortable now with that being brought up. "Yeah…you, you could say that."

"Well, as long as I'm the only one getting it. I don't mind." Michael eventually agreed, which put a small smile on her face. Though for a second, Michael thought he saw some stubbornness or maybe reluctance in her eyes.

'I think her personality is starting to diverge off of the main paths. I better do something about it later.'

Andrea glanced at Michael from the corner of her eyes. 'I'll do everything to make sure Amy, and I see the end of this shithole. I have a hunch that this guy..would make that possible.'

If Michael can hear her thoughts, he'd realize that she's actually not building to become that Andrea he hated to see.

The journey to CDC remained dull and uninteresting, and they soon arrived at their destination with the sun setting behind them.

"We're here."

The surrounding of the building was littered with dead lying on the ground, military units left abandoned. There are also the buzzing flies flying around and the rancid smell in the air that assaulted their nostrils.

Michael stood up and softly addressed the people inside the bus. "Everybody quiet. Talk just enough for the others to hear when we're outside. If possible, just don't talk, understand? Now, only bring spare clothes and things easy to carry since I'm sure the CDC has enough supplies to provide for. Also bring your weapons with you, then quietly disembark from the bus."

The survivors carefully and quietly got their things, mostly backpacks, then quietly made their way out the bus.

"Hang on."

Andrea, Amy and Michael were at the very back when the latter suddenly held back Andrea. "What's going on?"

"Give me the machete."

Though confused, Andrea still handed it over. "Why?"

"Take my gun instead. Remember, point and shoot, got it?" Michael handed his pistol. Though flustered by his actions, Andrea still took it.

Michael turned to look at Amy. "Stay close to your sister."

"Got it."

"Let's go"

Michael didn't bring much, only the edibles he foraged earlier, some spare clothes and an empty duffel bag.

The survivors started moving quietly.

Due to the smell in the air, the people tried to cover their noses, but it barely blocked the rancid smell permeating through the air and some had started coughing. "Alright, keep it down and keep moving."

With Rick taking the lead, Shane urged and guided the group from the flanks, with Daryl taking the opposite side.

Michael, on the other hand, stayed close to the rear and watched their backs while looting some of the weapons from the dead soldiers after stabbing their heads. Mostly their sidearms and started stuffing those into the duffel bag.

[You killed a Zombie! You earned 1 EXP and 1 Gold Coin]

He's not worried right now, since he'd tackle that later as he doesn't have any clue on how well the survivors would listen to him later.

"Keep it together, come on."

"We're almost there, baby."

The group peacefully reached the building without any obstruction.

Rick started pressing something on the wall while Shane and some others tried to forcefully push the shutters up.

"There's nobody here."

Seeing their hopes slowly dashing away, panic was slowly settling into the group, and T-Dog remarks weren't helping.

"Let's head back. We still have enough gas to look for a place to stay the night."

"This is a dead end. There's nobody left here. Let's go Rick"

Rick turned his head behind him and reasoned. "Then why are these shutters down?"

"Walkers!"

Daryl's shout and the appearance of a zombie made it even worse as the kids started sobbing.

A little surprised, Michael witnessed those who can fight pulling the ones who can't, behind them. Though their fear still didn't subside as Michael saw their hands shaking.

"Don't panic, stay close to the building." Michael advised and stood in front of them.

Daryl, taking down the zombie and feeling angry at the situation that Rick had put them through, yelled at him. "You led us into a graveyard!" while Glenn repeatedly shushed them to keep it quiet.

"It was a wrong damn call!"

Shane rushed towards Daryl. He shoved and pointed his finger at him. "Just shut up. You hear me? Just shut up!"

From Daryl, he quickly turned to Rick and expressed his thoughts. "Rick, this is a dead end."

Carol, not helping, softly cried to them. "Where are we gonna go?"

"We can't be here, this close to the city after dark."

They watched as zombies started getting up and heading towards them, and their numbers slowly grew in size as the seconds passed. Everyone gripped their weapons tight, there were already some that had thoughts of escaping. It was only because they could still feel the tightness of the spears in their hands which made them feel safe and overridden such thoughts.

Shane was also slightly freaking out and presented Rick with their other option. "Fort Benning, Rick, still an option."

"On what? We're running low on food and fuel. That's a 100-mile journey." Andrea pointed out.

"A hundred thirty-five to be exact. I checked the map." Glenn remarked.

The situation was startling to rattle the group, and Lori even raised her voice at them. "Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight, now!"

"Let's just go, please Rick!"

Rick tried to calm her and the others down, but he kept insisting. "We'll think of something."

Shane tilted his head to the side and made his own decision. "Back to the cars, let's get out of here!"

"Let's go, please!" Lori pleaded to her husband.

Shane urged the others to move, and the others like Michael had already started to take down several of the zombies who got too near as they slowly trailed along the group.

Frustrated, Rick was just about to lead the rest when he caught sight of the security camera's movement. "The camera, it moved."

"You imagined it."

"No, it moved!" Rick was sure of it and slowly moved towards the camera.

Shane headed to the rear to once again persuade Rick to go and was just there in time to hear him. "Rick, it's an automated device. It does that. It's gears, okay? We need to head out now, the walkers are getting close. Now, come on!"

"No, there's got to be someone inside." Rick was unwilling to believe that and stubbornly insisted.

"Hey, look around you! This place is dead. The walkers are slowly swarming towards us. Listen to me!" Shane was frustrated and grabbed Rick by his collar.

On the other hand, Michael noticed that the main group had stopped following them and quickly called their attention. "Stop! Retreat back to the building and join up with the others!"

"Why?! We're almost there!"

Splitting a zombie's head in half, Michael angrily turned around and grabbed Cole's collar and yelled at him. "Just listen to me! We stick together! Besides, we'd be ill equipped if we all get separated! Now go! Go!"

Obviously, most were reluctant to heed his words and would rather make a run towards their vehicles.

Thankfully, there were still people among them who were clear with their situation and knew that they wouldn't survive long without Rick and the others. They also weren't sure if Michael would be willing to lead them, so they would rather choose the former option.

"Let's head back for the others. Come on, let's go!"

"But we're almost there!"

"No, listen to me. To the building. Now!"

The survivors pulled their reluctant companions back to the building, but not all of them. Three people tried to make a run for it, but as expected, they didn't even get far when zombies suddenly emerged from behind a Tank and swarmed them.

'Damn extras should've listened.'

Michael turned to the sisters who had been sticking close to him all this time and urged them to go ahead of him. "Come on you two, let's go."

As the swarm of zombies is slowly closing in on them. Michael and the others were just in time to see the shutters opening and shrouding the people at the front in a bright light.

'Just in time.'

Michael smiled. He is confident that he can save himself while looking after the two sisters and escape from the situation in hand, but he's got no confidence in protecting the group with a swarm at their heels. So, the worry in his mind finally eased when the shutters finally opened up.

'And just in the nick of time, Dr. Jenner.'

*****

Update on Status

Survivor Information

Name: Michael [Level 2] [EXP: 21 / 200]

Age: 29

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Vitality: 6

Enhancement(s): 0

Weapon:

Machete

Old Folding Trench Shovel

Coins: 361

[MODULE LOCKED]

Notes:

(5) Peak of Human physique.