TWD: The Burden We Bear

A/N: It's almost 21 P.M. and I have to wake up at 3 A.M. to get ready for work. I decided to write this quickly. Originally I wanted to add more conversations but it is what it is.

Everyone descended the ladder to reunite with the rest of the group, their faces a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Guys, this is Omid and Christa," Lee introduced, gesturing toward the couple.

The members of the group exchanged glances but remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

"Not big on welcomes, are we?" Omid observed, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Like I said, it's been a bit of a day," Lee replied with a weary sigh, the weight of their circumstances evident in his tone.

"I guess clamming up around new folks is sort of your thing?" Christa remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

"We just wanted to say hi and let you know that your train is pretty cool," Omid added, offering a friendly smile.

"But we're not looking for charity," Christa interjected firmly, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"We could help you guys, though," Omid suggested, a glimmer of hope in his voice.

"Maybe," Christa agreed, her expression softening just a bit.

"So, yeah... hi, uh, again," Omid said, his awkwardness palpable.

"Y'all want some candy?" Chuck piped up suddenly, breaking the tension.

"The plan is to cut that tanker down and be on our way," Lee stated, focusing back on the task at hand.

"Seems like a plan good enough for me," Kenny said tiredly, letting out a resigned sigh.

"Alright. Need any help?" Eddie offered, stepping forward.

"I'll call for you when I need it," Lee replied, climbing back up the ladder.

———

Lee, along with an unexpected companion, Clementine, made their way to the train station. They dispatched a few walkers along the way and managed to secure a blowtorch, a crucial tool for their next move.

As Lee approached Eddie, Clementine ventured over to Carley and Lilly, much to Eddie's surprise. He couldn't believe that Carley and Lilly were actually talking to each other after the betrayal and Lilly's accusations had torn their group apart.

"I found a blowtorch in the station. Should make quick work of the coupling up there," Lee informed Eddie, holding up the tool proudly.

"Good. Let's go then," Eddie nodded, climbing the ladder with determination.

Lee followed closely behind.

*Up on the overpass.*

"Think this will work?" Lee asked, eyeing the task ahead.

"It should," Eddie replied, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Lee noticed how lethargic Eddie seemed compared to his usual self. It was understandable, considering he had just lost both his mother and younger brother.

Setting the blowtorch down, Lee turned it on, but it sputtered and failed to ignite.

"Shit," Lee cursed, frustration creeping into his voice.

"What now?" Eddie queried, his eyes widening in concern.

"The hose has a leak in it," Lee said, inspecting the blowtorch.

"Then turn it the fuck off!" Eddie exclaimed, stepping back nervously.

Lee quickly shut off the blowtorch, his heart racing.

"We have to plug it or something," Eddie insisted, his voice steadying.

"I found some tape after meeting Omid and Christa," Lee replied, tearing off a strip of tape and carefully covering the leak. "Hope this holds." He turned on the blowtorch again and began cutting the hitch, closing his eyes against the bright flame.

Eddie cracked a small smile, his tension easing slightly. "Look at it go."

"Just about... got it..." Lee strained, concentrating hard.

Suddenly, the truck began to slide, and Eddie, perhaps a bit too forcefully, yanked Lee backward to safety. Lee stumbled and fell onto his backside.

"Sorry," Eddie said quickly, reaching down to help Lee up.

"Don't be sorry. You saved my ass," Lee replied, grinning. "This thing is hanging by a thread. The smallest cut, and it'll go." He glanced nervously at the precarious truck. "But I can't reach it now."

"I've got a solution," Eddie said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Yeah?" Lee raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," Eddie nodded confidently. "I'm gonna dangle you over that ledge."

Lee laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hell nah."

Yet, moments later, Lee found himself being dangled over the edge by Eddie. He gripped the blowtorch tightly as Eddie held onto his arm, preventing his fall.

"You're sick, Eddie! I'm telling you, you're sick!" Lee grumbled, trying to mask his fear with humor.

"Shut up, man, and just cut that shit down!" Eddie smirked, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the situation.

Meanwhile, Chuck was on the ground, strumming his guitar when he heard a chorus of moans. He looked up to see a massive horde of walkers approaching, likely drawn in by the noise of the train. Chuck's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly regained his composure. "We gotta move, people!" he shouted, slinging his guitar over his shoulder and grabbing his shovel.

"Motherfuckin' shit..." Eddie cursed, his eyes going wide in panic. The group had never seen such a massive herd of walkers before. "Fuck! Lee! Hurry the fuck up!"

"I am!" Lee shouted back. A moment later, the truck began to shift. "It's going!"

Lee successfully cut through the hitch, and Eddie pulled him up just in time. The tanker fell, crashing into the ladder and obliterating it.

"Kenny, go!" Lee shouted urgently.

Everyone except for Lee and Eddie scrambled into the train as Kenny fired it up. Gas began to pour from the damaged tanker.

Lee glanced down, anxiety gripping him. "Hope to God this works." With a swift kick, he sent the blowtorch tumbling down, igniting the spilled gas in a bright blaze.

Without hesitation, Lee and Eddie sprinted toward the other railing.

"We gotta jump!" Lee exclaimed, adrenaline surging through him.

"Oh, fuckin' hell! Why did I even come up here?" Eddie shook his head in disbelief.

They both climbed over the railing, leaning against it for support.

"Guys!" Carley called out, her face etched with worry.

"Come on!" Lilly urged, glancing nervously at the approaching horde.

"Who's first?" Eddie asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Lee rolled his eyes, sarcasm slipping into his tone. "Uhm, I don't know? Wanna play rock, paper, scissors?"

"Fine," Eddie said, determination flooding his voice as he jumped down.

As Eddie soared through the air toward the train, Lee followed suit.

Eddie landed hard on the top of the train, bouncing before hitting the ground with a grunt. "Fuck!" he shouted, pain radiating through his body.

"Damn!" Chuck cursed, his eyes wide with concern.

"Eddie!" Carley and Lilly exclaimed in unison, panic in their voices.

Lee landed on the caboose and grabbed onto a ladder. "Oof," he grunted as he collided with the train.

Chuck jumped down to help Eddie up, who was limping painfully. "Run, son!" Chuck urged, sprinting alongside the train.

Lee swung into the boxcar, adrenaline propelling him forward. Eddie and Chuck followed closely, urgency in their movements.

Lee seized Eddie's arm and hoisted him into the boxcar just as Lilly grabbed Chuck's hand, pulling him onto the train. Lee turned to see the horde of walkers behind them, dread pooling in his stomach. Clementine entered the boxcar, her eyes wide with fear.

"That was a lot of them," Omid remarked, catching his breath.

"Are you hurt?" Clementine asked, concern etched on her young face.

"Oh no, I'm fine. Just my leg is fucked up, but I'm good," Eddie replied with a forced smile, wincing as he held his leg.

"We're okay," Lee reassured Clementine, trying to ignore Eddie's pain.

"We're fine, hon. We're fine," Chuck added, exhaling deeply as he tried to catch his breath.

Some time later, in the boxcar, Eddie lay on his back, attempting to fall asleep despite the throbbing pain in his leg. He thought back to the absurdity of dangling Lee over the ledge and chuckled softly to himself. Moments later, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off into a restless sleep, the world outside fading away.