Down below, the group members looked at us with disappointment.
"Are the people friendly?" Ben asked quietly from the corner, looking at both of us.
"They seem like nice people. They decided to help us," I answered.
Ben's face brightened."Finally… something good," he said with a relieved smile.
"What's Lee doing up there?" Kenny asked, glancing toward the bridge with a worried expression.
"Trying to figure out how to move the tanker," I replied.
"I hope they don't bring trouble," Kenny muttered, folding his arms.
I walked over and sat on the railway track. Clementine followed and sat beside me. Together, we stared up at the bridge, hoping everything up there would turn out okay.
Close to us, Chuck was playing his guitar. I listened carefully—the sound was beautiful.The cold wind howled through the trees, making their branches sway. Autumn leaves drifted gently to the ground. It was strangely calming.
"You seem interested in the guitar. Wanna learn?" Chuck offered, noticing me watching.
I didn't really want to spend time learning guitar, so I was about to decline—but before I could speak, he placed the guitar in my hands.
"Give it a try. Maybe you'll like it."
I nodded. Clementine scooted closer, watching me closely.
"I tried playing too," she said, leaning over. "But it's really hard. My fingers hurt… so don't press too hard on the strings."
I nodded at her advice, focusing on the strings.
"Alright," Chuck said, adjusting the guitar for me. "Before you start, you gotta understand proper posture. Sit up straight, rest the guitar on your lap with the body parallel to the ground, shoulders back. Use your forearm to balance it, and keep your thumb behind the neck."
He helped me position it correctly.
"There you go. Now you're ready to play some chords. But first, you need to learn how to strum."
He gently guided my hand across the strings.
"You seem to know a lot about guitar," I said.
"Well, kid," Chuck said with a soft smile, "I've been homeless for about fourteen years. Had to do something to earn a little money. Guitar was the answer. Played on the street, made enough to eat."
I nodded quietly, strumming as he showed me.
"Chuck… why did you become homeless?" Clementine asked softly.
"I used to live in Athens, Georgia. With my family," he said. "Life wasn't going good. I became an alcoholic… lost everything. Ended up homeless."His soft smile faded into a frown as he remembered his past.
Clementine's face fell. "I'm sorry…"
Chuck gave her a gentle smile. "Don't be. I've only got myself to blame. So—kids—stay away from alcohol."
I focused on the guitar. And strangely… I was learning fast. Too fast.Before I knew it, I started mimicking Chuck's patterns almost perfectly, as if my hands already knew the motions.
I stared at my fingers, fascinated.My body copied movements flawlessly. My mind absorbed them instantly.
Angel… thank you again.Even if I'd already thanked him a dozen times.
"Max, you're playing so good!" Clementine exclaimed, eyes wide.
"God… you're good at this, kid," Chuck said, staring at me with suspicion. "Did you already know how to play?"
"No. This is my first time touching a guitar. I just copied what you played," I said honestly.
Chuck's eyes widened. "If that's true, then you're God-gifted. Do you know what song you just played?"
I shook my head.
"'Dust in the Wind.' Old song, but beautiful. And very hard to play. Nobody learns it just by watching—not even experts."He grinned, shaking his head. "Crazy."
I smiled shyly at the compliment. I knew it wasn't perfect, but it was decent.
"Thank you," I said, handing him the guitar back.
"Chuck, can I learn too?" Clementine asked hopefully.
He smiled and handed the guitar to her.
A moment later, Christa, Omid, and Lee climbed down from the bridge.
"Guys, this is Omid and Christa," Lee introduced them.
The group just stared at the newcomers, silent and tense.
"Well… this is getting awkward," Omid muttered.
"Like I said—it's been a rough day," Lee sighed.
Omid nodded. "We just wanted to say hi. And, uh… your train is very cool," he added, trying to lighten the mood.
"We're not looking for charity," Christa said firmly. "We can help each other."
"They'll be joining us," Lee said. "Right now the plan is to cut that tanker loose. We need to find something that can do the job, then get moving."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Kenny replied without looking away from the bridge.
"Can you show me more about the train?" Omid asked, eyes shining.
Christa looked at Clementine and me. "Is it okay if I talk with the children for a bit?"
Lee nodded. I wasn't sure why she was so interested in us.
"Why don't I show you how this thing works? In case something happens to me," Kenny said, sounding exhausted.
"Really, Ken?" Lee asked, concerned.
"It's probably for the best. I'm… not in the right mind," Kenny admitted as he climbed into the locomotive. Omid followed eagerly.
"Oh—Lee, there's a station over there," Kenny called out, pointing. "Check it out. Maybe you'll find something to cut the tanker loose."
Lee nodded.
Christa sat beside us with a gentle smile."What are you two up to?"
"We're learning guitar," Clementine said proudly. "And Max is REALLY good!"
"Oh? You're good with the guitar?" Christa asked.
"No, not really. It's my first day. Chuck's the one who's good," I said, glancing over——but Chuck had wandered away, examining the train.
Then two walkers stumbled out of the trees behind him.
Chuck didn't notice.
My heart dropped.
I grabbed my sword and sprinted.
"Chuck! Look out! Behind you!" I yelled.
He spun around, eyes wide, backed up in fear, and fell.The walkers lunged onto him, pinning him as he struggled desperately to keep their jaws away from his face.
"Somebody help me!" he yelled, panic cracking his voice.
I reached him and swung my sword—one clean sweep.Both walkers' heads dropped to the ground, jaws still snapping.
Chuck lay there trembling.
"You okay?" I asked, kneeling and checking for bites.Luckily—nothing.
"Thanks, kid," Chuck wheezed. "You saved my old ass."