Chapter 58
You never know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first. — Not Lina's words.
If she had to use an adjective, Lina thought "lightning fast" would be very fitting, even though they were in the water, where electricity and fire would most likely cause electrocution and evaporation.
In short, after Bob handed the box to Lena, he lost his balance and fell into the water. In an instant, a pair of rotting hands dragged him down.
Sasha and Rick rushed over, pulled Bob up from his struggle with the walker, and killed the walker with a single blow.
But Lina, standing above, could see very clearly, so clearly that her mind was buzzing, and she seemed to have gained a profound realization of her own uselessness.
So what is the meaning of her existence? Is it to watch the people around her die one after another?
Why is she never doing well enough?
Bob looked somewhat frightened, but perhaps not; he was simply processing other information. He looked up and saw Lena's expression; she seemed about to cry.
Bob looked at Lina silently, then shook his head slightly; she had seen it all.
Rick glanced at Bob with a puzzled look, then followed his gaze to Lina. Was Lina frightened?
Lena looked into Bob's eyes, pursed her lips, picked up the box she had tossed aside, and walked out. They found two small carts that would be just right.
Rick was still thinking about the eye contact Bob and Lena had exchanged; something seemed to have happened, but…
Rick quietly approached Bob. "Are you sure you're okay?" He stared intently into Bob's eyes, as if trying to read something from them.
Bob gave a wry smile. "It's nothing, it just needs some time."
Rick was a little confused, but couldn't see any bite marks on Bob, so he patted Bob on the shoulder and said, "If there's anything I can do to help you, let me know."
Bob nodded, glancing at Sasha who looked worried beside him. His lips trembled, and he finally lowered his head to continue packing the supplies.
On the way back, everyone was in a good mood. There were no casualties, and they had plenty of supplies. They were able to have a good meal and sleep in a place with a roof over their heads.
Lina pulled the cart somewhat absentmindedly; she wanted to see Daryl, right now.
After packing their things, Daryl and Carol returned from outside. They had brought a lot of water. As soon as Lina saw Daryl, her eyes were glued to him, which made Carol laugh at Daryl incessantly, making Daryl a little embarrassed.
But Lina didn't care about any of that. She just stared at him quietly, like a pitiful, abandoned puppy, yearningly watching the people come and go, hoping someone would take her away. Daryl sighed helplessly, put down the water jug, and tilted his head towards Lina. He didn't want these guys to see him make a fool of himself.
Lina's eyes lit up, and she followed him happily, just like a puppy that had spotted a meat bone.
There was a forest outside, so the two of them wouldn't go too far to avoid any accidents, since they didn't intend to do anything.
At least that's what Daryl thought.
But when he saw Lina in his arms, he began to have some doubts, however, he hadn't brought any necessary items.
Lina had no idea that Daryl had such a twisted idea; she just needed a hug.
Feeling like he was being strangled, Daryl couldn't take it anymore. "Little Na? What happened?"
If he still can't see it, then he's lived in vain.
“…Daryl,” Lina hesitated, “If, I mean, you know someone around you is going to die, but you can’t help them and just watch, isn’t that very useless?”
“What?” Daryl was a little confused. “No one can guarantee what will happen in the next second. We are all in danger. I, I am also tired of watching the people around me leave.” Daryl’s mood was also a little depressed. “But you can’t save everyone, and neither can I.”
Lina wanted to say that she knew more, that she knew who would die by what accident, so she couldn't accept her own mistake.
“You can’t predict who will die, when, where, or how, right? So, just do what you can, and I’ll be there for you,” Daryl said.
Lina paused. She really could, but not all of it.
Daryl kissed Lina's forehead. "So, what do you think about going to Washington?"
Lina listlessly tiptoed and kissed Daryl's lips. "A lie."
Daryl raised an eyebrow and looked down at Lina, who was lying on his chest. From Lina's angle, she could almost see his double chin, which was squeezed out due to the distorted angle. Lina couldn't resist poking Daryl's double chin, which was soft and fluffy.
Daryl wanted to dodge, but seeing how much Lina liked it, he held back. "You're very perceptive," he continued, "I also think it's fake."
"So, are you going?" Lina knew this was fake, just part of the plot, but Daryl? He was truly perceptive.
“It’s up to Rick,” Daryl said, unconcerned, as long as everyone was together.
“Me too.” Lina buried her face in Daryl’s arms after saying that. After a while, she looked up and said, “I can’t take it anymore. You should take a shower.”
Her chest made it impossible for her to bury herself.
Daryl glanced at Lina speechlessly. "You picky eater."
“I’m just stating the facts,” Lina grumbled.
Daryl retaliated by pressing his chin against the top of Lina's head and pulling her into his arms, but Lina didn't struggle much.
“You’re still here,” Daryl whispered.
“You too.” Lina gripped Daryl’s clothes tightly, and the two silently enjoyed the moment of peace.
This peace did not last long; dinner tonight was very lively, almost like an ordinary gathering before the catastrophe.
Warm, varied food, red wine, and drinks; a relaxed atmosphere; everyone seemed exceptionally peaceful under the candlelight.
“I would like to offer a toast,” Abraham said. Everyone glanced at him, then sat down with their food, waiting for Abraham to continue.
Lina carried two large plates and moved closer to Daryl. They sat in the middle of the corridor, Daryl always being so unconventional.
Oh, by the way, both large plates belong to her.
"I look around this room and see the survivors, every one of you here has earned this title. Cheers to the survivors!" Abraham said, raising his glass.
Lina knew that what he was about to say was the key point. She moved closer to Daryl, to the glass in his hand. Daryl tilted his glass slightly when he saw this. Lina took a sip and stuck out her tongue in disgust.
Daryl unconsciously licked his lips, then put down his wine glass and picked up the food from his plate.
"Do you only want to be survivors?" Abraham asked.
"Waking up in the morning, fighting walkers, scavenging for food, and unable to sleep soundly at night, is this the endless cycle? You can do it because you have the strength and the skills. The problem is, for you, for your abilities, it only means surrender. We'll send Eugene to Washington. He will eliminate the walkers and let the living take control of the world again. Although the journey will be arduous, it's worth the gamble. Eugene, what's in DC?"
Lena looked at Eugene, who, seeing Lena's gaze, hurriedly lowered his head. "They built a base, enough to handle the current plague outbreak. There's food, fuel, and shelter there. Everything is starting anew."
“No matter the outcome, no matter how long it takes to start over, you will be safer there than ever since the cataclysm. Come with us and save the world for the little one,” Abraham said, looking at Judith in Rick’s arms. “Save the world for yourselves and for those who are out there who have no hope of survival.”
It must be said that Abraham's speech was quite moving.
Rick teased Judith in his arms. "What's wrong?" Rick smiled. "She wants to join. If she joins, I'll join too."
"We're in."
Everyone laughed. Lina glared at Eugene again, thinking, "Look how you fooled him."
Eugene was practically curled up in a ball. Rosita frowned at Lina, who pouted and shoved the empty plate in her hand at Daryl. "I'm going to find Amy. I haven't seen her since dinner."
Daryl glanced at Andrea not far away, then pulled Lina aside and whispered, "Go check again to see who's not here."
Lena looked around. "Your wild boar is rotting my cabbage again!" Lena angrily pinched Daryl's arm.
“That’s not how it works,” Daryl said, looking up at Lina. “It was clearly consensual between them.”
Lina glanced around quickly, then leaned down and kissed Daryl, before casually standing up and walking out.
Daryl smiled and turned to see Rick staring at him.
Daryl continued eating his meal as if nothing had happened.
Rick smiled, shook his head helplessly, looked at Gabriel, and sat down next to him.
He needs to express his gratitude to the owner of this place, and also, deter others.
Lena wandered around outside and didn't see anyone suspicious, but she did see Bob crying by a tree.
Lena thought for a moment, then walked toward Bob, and at that moment she saw a man in black appear behind Bob.
"Hey! Watch out!" Lina shouted. Bob turned around, got punched, covered his nose, and stumbled backward.
Seeing that things were not going well, the man in black immediately fled the scene.
The people inside heard the commotion and ran out, only to see Bob covered in blood.
“Where’s Lina?” Daryl asked.
“She went after someone,” Bob said, pointing in the direction Lina had gone.
Daryl nodded and rushed over.
“Andrea, make sure everyone is together. Glenn, bring everyone back. Don’t go alone,” Rick quickly arranged. “I’ll go with him,” Maggie hurriedly added.
“Okay,” Rick nodded, then quickly chased after Daryl.
Sasha handed Judith to Tersey and nervously went to Bob's side. "What happened?"
“Maybe it’s them again,” Bob said, glancing at Sasha…
“Sasha, I’ve been bitten.” Bob finally uttered these words, which had been building up for so long, to everyone’s astonishment.
“Fortunately, I still have time to say goodbye to you all,” Bob said with a smile.
"No! No! No!" Sasha looked at Bob, tears streaming down her face, on the verge of collapse. "Is it afternoon? Is it?"
Bob simply smiled at her. If death was the final destination, he hoped that what he would leave behind in the end was a smile, happiness.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
