Chapter 13: The Child's Curiosity
The Georgia sun blazed, its heat a relentless fist, pressing down on the camp until the air shimmered with a haze of dust and pine. The scent of woodsmoke curled from a smoldering campfire, mingling with the sharp tang of sweat and the faint, sour rot that never left these woods. Elias Kane crouched by a thicket of brush, his worn leather gloves tugging at a Solomon's Seal plant, its roots gritty with damp earth, the cool soil clinging to his knuckles like a second skin. His throat was raw, tasting of dust and the metallic sting of his own fear, his temples throbbing from the ZACS system's constant strain, a fire that burned behind his eyes. His fingers fidgeted with the knife hilt at his belt, a nervous tic that pulsed like a heartbeat, the grip warm and slick against his palm. I'm a liar teaching a kid, he thought, his cynical mind calculating survival odds, a memory flashing—his little brother, wide-eyed at a campfire story, the air thick with wonder and trust now lost. Carl Grimes sat on a nearby log, his small frame hunched, his sheriff's hat tilted, his fingers scraping at a carving knife, his breath quick with curiosity, smelling faintly of canned peaches.
"That's Solomon's Seal," Elias said, his voice a low murmur, not looking up, the root snapping free with a faint crunch. "Mash it up, makes a poultice. Good for bruises, scrapes. Leaves work for tea—eases cramps."
Carl's eyes, blue and sharp like Rick's, widened, his small hand reaching out, brushing Elias's thumb, the contact warm, fleeting. "You know a lot," he said, his voice a high-pitched whisper, his fingers picking at the root's dirt. "You know… uh, Karen, too?"
The name was a jolt, a cold spike through Elias's chest, his heart skipping, his fingers tightening on the knife, the tic relentless. He's too close, he thought, a memory of his brother catching him in a lie flashing, the air heavy with playful accusation. Elias forced a grin, his voice light, teasing, a shield. "Karen? Oh, yeah. Z-001. Best zombie ever. Quiet, no complaints, loves dragging my pack around the woods." He winked, his heart racing, the lie a bitter weight.
Carl giggled, the sound bright, slicing through the tension like a blade, his voice mimicking Elias's drawl. "Zuh… Karen."
Elias chuckled, relief flooding his chest, the sound genuine, grounding. He bought it, he thought, his fingers slowing, the tic fading for a moment. He ruffled Carl's hair, the strands soft under his palm, a quiet moment of connection that warmed his chest. "Keep that quiet, kid," he said, his voice soft, conspiratorial. "People get weird about names. Don't want 'em thinking I'm nuts."
Carl nodded, his lips pressed tight, his eyes serious, tucking the root into his pocket like a secret. He's Rick's son, but he's mine to protect, Elias thought, a memory of his brother's eager questions flashing, the air warm with innocence. The bond was a fragile thread, woven with humor and trust, but Carl's curiosity was a spark that could ignite Elias's secrets, a risk he couldn't ignore.
[SYSTEM: Team Synergy: Carl +5% trust. Kids ask too much. A 'No-Spy' pact might save your hide.]
The HUD's witty jab was a cold reminder, the blue flicker a warning in his mind. Elias stood, his boots scuffing dirt, the air thick with pine and smoke. He moved toward the tents, his heart heavy, the camp's fragile hope a weight he carried. Sophia sat outside her tent, coloring in a notebook, her crayon stub scraping paper, her hum soft, her breath smelling faintly of mint candy. Carol knelt nearby, her needle flashing through a tear in her jeans, her hands steady, her breath trembling with quiet strength.
Elias crouched, his knees sinking into the dirt, the canvas scent of the tent sharp in his nose. A bruise on Sophia's knee peeked from her pants, a faint purple mark that sparked a hot flare of anger in his chest, Ed's shadow looming in his mind. She's safe tonight, he thought, his focus on Z-002, stationed in the woods, a silent guardian. "Hey, little one," he said, his voice soft, warm, his eyes on Sophia. "Big guy's still on guard duty. Nothing's getting near your tent."
Sophia's shy smile was a spark, her arms hugging her notebook, her voice a whisper. "Thank you, Elias."
Carol's needle stilled, her eyes meeting his, gratitude a heavy weight, her breath trembling. She knows I'm protecting her, Elias thought, a memory of his mother's protective gaze flashing, the air thick with care. The cost of Z-002's guard was a faint ache in his skull, a small price for Sophia's safety, Carol's trust a warmth that countered his guilt.
[SYSTEM: Passive Guard: Sophia – 5 SP/day. Balance: 0. Saint mode on. Your halo's practically glowing with spite.]
The HUD's sarcasm was a sharp jab, but Elias's heart lifted, Carol's strength a spark he'd kindled. The evening meal was a quiet hum, the fire crackling, the air thick with the scent of beans and smoke. Amy approached, her blonde hair tangled, her knees pulled to her chest, her breath quick with fear, smelling faintly of soap. "Elias?" she whispered, her voice trembling, her eyes on the dark beyond the firelight.
"Yeah, Amy?" Elias said, his knife pausing mid-apple peel, the blade glinting, his heart heavy.
"I… keep thinking about 'em," she said, her voice a thread, her fingers twisting her sleeve, a nervous tic. "The walkers. They're so… empty. Just… nothing left."
Elias set the knife down, the apple's sharp scent grounding him. She's still haunted, he thought, a memory of his sister's fear during a storm flashing, the air thick with dread. He leaned forward, his voice soft, steady. "Yeah, they're empty," he said, his eyes on hers. "But you're not. You're full of… memories, hope, fear, sure, but strength, too. Don't let the empty ones take that."
He handed her the apple, her fingers brushing his, a fleeting warmth. "You're a good guy, Elias," she whispered, her eyes grateful, fragile.
"I'm a liar with a system," he thought, guilt a cold knot, his fingers twitching on the knife, the tic relentless. The quiet moment was a lifeline, Amy's trust a brick in his fragile wall, but the weight of his secrets was a shadow, growing darker with every heartbeat.
To supporting Me in Pateron .
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