Chapter 9: Following
Inside Andrea and Amy’s tent, Andrea cried out in astonishment, “Amy, are you really going to go with him?” Of course, by “him” she meant Li Changsheng.
Andrea had always known Amy had been paying attention to Li Changsheng, but she never imagined Amy could be so enthralled by him. She even suspected that Li Changsheng might have drugged Amy somehow.
Amy, however, met Andrea’s gaze with unwavering resolve and nodded firmly. “I’m going to the CDC with him. I believe he can give us a better chance of survival—not just sitting here, waiting endlessly for something to happen.”
Andrea threw up her hands and ran her fingers through her hair in agitation. “You’ve only known him for a few days! You don’t even know what kind of person he is! Besides, there are more people in the camp—it’s safer here!”
Amy shook her head and let out a long sigh. “There are more people, yes, and that’s safer for the group. But when real danger comes, who do we have to rely on, apart from each other? Last night, I watched the chaos in the camp from the RV—no one could look out for us in a crisis.”
Amy’s eyes locked onto Andrea’s. “Tell me, Andrea—do you want to stay here, or will you come with me?”
Andrea shot Amy a look and replied, exasperated, “Me? You’re the only family I have left. Of course, wherever you go, I go!”
“Sis!” Amy exclaimed, throwing herself into Andrea’s arms. The two of them held each other tightly.
While hugging Amy, Andrea weighed the pros and cons in her mind. That guy really wasn’t bad—reliable in critical moments. As for Sean and the others... well. Last night’s events and Sean’s behavior had left her cold. Having experienced that kind of danger firsthand, she could understand the sense of despair. At the very least, that Asian hadn’t abandoned them...
...
“Merle, let me check if your brains got caught in a door,” Daryl sneered, looking down on Merle. “You’re really going to listen to that guy?”
“Trust your brother, Daryl, I’m telling you, you won’t regret it.” For once, Merle didn’t argue back at Daryl’s sarcasm. “That guy’s not even human—he’s a damn monster!”
“A monster? What do you mean?”
“Come here, I’ll tell you quietly. He told me not to spread it around, but you’re my brother, not just anyone.”
With that, Merle whispered to Daryl about Li Changsheng’s terrifying feats.
“He took out hundreds of walkers by himself?”
“Pried steel bars apart with a fire axe?”
“Jumped across a ten-meter-wide street from a rooftop?”
“Merle, are you messing with me, or have you actually lost your mind?” Daryl was incredulous.
“Hell, would I lie to you about this? In my eyes, he’s practically God! So, are you coming with me or not?”
Daryl frowned. “Let me think about it.”
...
Merle snorted. “Cut the crap. If you don’t come with me tomorrow, I’ll tie you up and drag you along! In this apocalypse, brothers can’t be separated!”
At the word “brothers,” Daryl’s expression softened, and he relented. “Fine, I’ll go with you. It’s not like you’re well-liked in camp, and I get grief from others because of you. Still, I’d feel more comfortable sticking with Rick.”
“Rick? That bastard? He’s not even worthy of licking that guy’s boots. I’ll teach him a lesson one of these days!”
...
Sean watched Rick and Lori flirting with each other early in the morning, his feelings a tangled mess. I saved your life just last night, Lori, and this is how you thank me?
He fiercely sharpened his shovel with a whetstone.
Just then, Dale approached. “Sean, do you know the Chinese guy and Merle are planning to go to the CDC? I’m worried Merle might take Daryl with him.”
“Oh, really? If they want to leave, let them—what’s it got to do with me?”
Sean cared only about Lori; everything else was beneath his concern.
Dale hesitated. “Daryl’s a skilled hunter—valuable muscle for the camp. Losing him would be a real blow.”
Sean replied irritably, “Then it’s a loss. If he wants to go with his brother, what can I do? I’m not his dad.”
Dale frowned deeply, went silent for a moment, and then walked away without another word.
People’s hearts are scattered. It’s hard to lead a team like this!
...
Merle had been wanting to ask Glenn something, but never found the chance before. After talking with Daryl, he wandered out and happened to run into Glenn.
“Hey, shorty, you’ve got yellow skin and black hair. Are you Chinese?” Merle asked.
Glenn looked at him, puzzled. “No, I’m Korean. Your ‘guy’ is Chinese, not me.”
Merle pressed, “Do you know kung fu, then?”
Glenn replied, confused, “Of course not! You don’t think—”
“Useless!” Merle cut him off and turned away.
Glenn was left dumbfounded.
What the hell is your problem?
Glenn spat on the ground, glaring after him.
...
Daylight had fully broken. Sunlight shone over the walkers and the corpses of survivors.
The bitten bodies seemed to be silently telling the tale of last night’s horror.
Though Daryl had decided to leave, he still wanted to do one last thing for the camp before going: dispose of the bodies.
Li Changsheng, naturally, had no intention of helping. He checked the vehicles and sorted supplies instead.
Unlike in the original story, the mechanic Jim hadn’t been bitten by a walker, thanks to Li Changsheng’s interference. The tense standoff that had surrounded Jim’s fate in the original never took place.
Carol stood weeping beside her husband Ed’s corpse. Ed had been half-eaten by walkers. Though he’d been a heavy smoker, a drinker, and had a violent temper, at least he’d been someone for her and her daughter to depend on while alive. Now, with him gone, Carol felt even more lost about the future.
Daryl came over and picked up a pickaxe, ready to swing it down on Ed’s head.
Li Changsheng arrived just in time and, seeing what Daryl was about to do, couldn’t help but rub his forehead. “Hey, Daryl, the widow’s right here—shouldn’t you ask Carol first before you do that?”
Her husband just died, and you’re about to finish him off right in front of her? Where did you learn your manners?
Li Changsheng grumbled inwardly.
Carol stifled a sob. “Let me do it. He was my husband, after all.”
She took the pickaxe from Daryl without hesitation and brought it down on Ed’s head—once, twice.
Tsk. Ed must not have been a good man in life. Carol had loathed him while he lived, and she loathed him just as much in death.
Li Changsheng pursed his lips and sighed. “Carol, you still have Sophia. The world’s changed—you’ll have to rely on yourself from now on.”
He added, “Take care of Sophia. From now on, you’d best keep her close by your side.”
Carol looked at Li Changsheng with a complicated expression, not quite understanding, but nodded anyway.
Li Changsheng shook his head and walked away.
Daryl called after him, “Hey, aren’t you going to help with the bodies? How about we haul them up the hill together?”
“It’s too bloody—I can’t stand it. You and Merle can handle this.” Then he shouted, “Merle, Merle! Your brother needs your help!”
You didn’t mind the blood when you were killing walkers!
What a slacker.
Daryl gave Li Changsheng the finger as he left.