The forest was quiet in that way Lee had learned to distrust. Too quiet. Even the wind seemed to pause between branches. He and Mark moved carefully, carrying the two rabbits they'd managed to catch strung up by their feet. It wasn't much, but meat was meat.
Mark was the first to spot it — a faint wisp of smoke curling above the treeline.
"Think it's a camp?" he murmured, shifting his rifle on his shoulder.
Lee didn't answer right away. He could smell the faint scent of something cooked, maybe roasted over a small flame. "Let's check it out," he finally said, tightening his grip on the axe in his hand.
The camp wasn't much. A crude shelter made from sticks and a patchwork tarp, just big enough for one person. There was a bow leaning against the trunk of a tree, a bundle of mismatched arrows beside it. A dented pot rested near a circle of stones where a small fire had burned down to embers. A few cans sat nearby, some empty, some filled with water. It was organized… but in the way a kid might do it, rough and simple.
Mark crouched, frowning. "This isn't some drifter's setup. Too small. This—" He paused, glancing at Lee. "This is for a kid."
Lee felt his stomach tighten. Kids didn't last long alone. If someone young was out here, they were either dead already… or tough enough to survive things no one should have to.
A faint crunch came from deeper in the trees. Lee turned his head just in time to see movement — a figure no taller than his chest, carrying an armful of firewood. Dirty hair fell into his eyes, clothes worn thin. He froze when he saw them.
"Hey," Lee called gently, lowering the axe slightly but keeping it in hand. "We're not here to hurt you."
The boy didn't answer. His eyes flicked between Lee, Mark, and the camp like he was already calculating escape routes.
Mark stepped forward a little. "Kid—"
The boy's grip on the wood tightened. He took a step back.
Lee held a hand out toward Mark, stopping him. "Easy." He took a careful step forward, keeping his voice low. "I'm Lee. This is Mark. We've got a group not far from here. Safe walls. Food. You don't have to be out here alone."
The boy's jaw worked, but no words came out.
Lee took another step. "I get it. You don't know us. And you've probably seen enough bad people to last a lifetime. But you've been living out here, what—months? No one should have to do that."
Still nothing. The boy's eyes stayed locked on him, unblinking.
Lee softened his tone even more. "I know you don't have a reason to trust me. But… I've got a little girl in our group. She's about your age. Her name's Clementine. She's safe with us. We take care of each other."
Something in the boy's expression shifted — not much, but Lee caught it. A flicker.
Mark tried again, quieter this time. "We're not asking you to hand over your stuff. You can bring it all. We've got walls. No walkers getting in. And you won't have to sleep with one eye open."
The boy's eyes flicked to the bow leaning against the tree. Lee followed his gaze.
"You can bring that too," Lee said. "We're not taking it from you. Hell, you can teach me how to use it."
For a long moment, the forest was silent except for their breathing. Then the boy moved — slow, cautious. He set the firewood down, stepped over to the bow, and slung it over his shoulder.
"Alright," Lee murmured, nodding. "Let's get you out of here."
---
The walk back to the motel was quiet. The boy stayed a step behind, eyes scanning every sound in the trees. Mark made a few attempts at conversation — little things about hunting, about the group — but the boy didn't answer.
When the chain-link gate of the motel came into view, Lee saw faces turn toward them.
Larry was the first to step forward. His voice was like a bark. "What the hell is this?"
Lee kept walking. "A kid. Found him out in the woods."
Larry's lip curled. "And you thought it was a good idea to drag some stranger back here? Jesus, Lee, he's probably got trouble following him."
Lily came up behind her father, crossing her arms. "He's not wrong, Lee. We don't know anything about him. Maybe he is with another group-"
Lee felt the boy shrink back behind him. "We can find that out. Right now, he's a kid who's been living out there alone. He deserves a chance."
Larry snorted. "Deserves a chance to get us all killed, you mean." He took a step closer, towering over both Lee and the boy. "I don't like it. I don't like him."
Lee's voice hardened. "You don't have to like it. But he's not going back out there."
Larry's eyes narrowed. "Not your call, pal."
"Actually," Lee said, holding the man's stare, "it is. Because I'm the one who found him, and I'm the one who's going to make sure he's safe."
The silence stretched, thick with tension. Finally Lily looked away first, muttering, "Fine. But if anything happens—"
"It won't," Lee cut in.
Larry glared one last time before turning away with a scoff.
Lee turned back to the boy. "Come on. Let's get you settled."
Kenny came up from behind the pickup, wiping his hands on a rag. "What's goin' on here?" His gaze landed on the boy, then flicked to Lee. "Who's the kid?"
"Name's Jake," Lee said finally, glancing at the boy to make sure it was alright to share. Jake didn't protest, but he didn't speak either.
"Lee found him out in the woods," Mark explained, resting his rifle on his shoulder. "Been living out there alone for… God knows how long."
Kenny gave a low whistle. "Tough little guy then." He looked down at Jake with something like respect. "Hell, any kid who can make it that long on his own's got somethin' goin' for 'em."
Larry muttered from a few steps away, "Yeah, probably trouble."
Jake's shoulders tensed, his eyes darting toward the motel gate. Lee caught it immediately — the urge to bolt still there. He crouched a little, putting himself at Jake's eye level.
"Hey," Lee said quietly. "Don't mind him. He doesn't trust anyone. But you're here now. You've got walls....people, if you are willing to trust us."
That sentence made jake pause, people....as long as he'd knew they'd always be at each other's throats, maybe for survival and maybe for food. And so far as he knew, this place was not comfortable, he could feel larry's stare bore into the back of his head. He did not like him
From the corner of his vision, Lee saw Clementine slip out from behind the RV, eyes wide. "Hi," she said softly. "I'm Clementine."
Jake stared for a long moment, then gave a single nod. No words, but it was something.
Clem smiled anyway. "You can sit with me later if you want. I've got some crayons."
Lee stood, glancing at Lily. "Look, we're all tired. Let's just get him some water. Tomorrow we can figure out chores, sleeping arrangements, whatever you want."
Lily still looked unconvinced. "Lee, you can't just—"
"He will be my responsibility." Lee cut in.
"Precious rations will go down the drain and it'll be on your account." Larry threw his hands up. "It's exactly different. He's a kid. Kids get sick. Kids panic. Kids make mistakes that cost lives."
"Kids also grow up into people who help you survive," Kenny shot back. "Y'know, if you give 'em the chance."
The air was thick now, everyone watching to see who'd win the argument.
Finally, Lily sighed. "Fine. But if he causes problems, I'm not defending him." She turned on her heel and walked toward the office.
Larry lingered just long enough to give Jake one last glare before following her.
Jake watched them go, then looked up at Lee. It wasn't gratitude exactly — more like a silent acknowledgment.
"Come on," Lee said. "Let's get you something to eat."
And for the first time, Jake said
"I have some jerky, from my hunting....."
It was low, almost a mumble but it was audible enough
Lee chuckled
"Alright then, it doesn't seem I'll worry about you eating for today at the very least...."
Mark clapped Lee lightly on the shoulder as they walked toward the RV "Well," he muttered, "that went better than I thought."
Lee didn't answer, but his eyes stayed on Jake. The boy moved like someone still expecting the ground to give way beneath his feet. It would take time. But at least now, he wouldn't be facing it alone.