97

Stay Alive

Chapter 97 – Gratitude and Request

Alan spoke at length with Lee, answering all his questions while they waited for Elias to give a clear answer on whether or not he could help him with his radio.

If he could fix his broken radio, it would be far more effective than using another one.

Everything had gone surprisingly well for a first meeting, but that was about to change when Merle woke up and began cursing at everyone.

“Just answer me one question—where is the shelter you came from?” Alan’s expression was calm, clearly not showing what he was capable of if a single wrong word left his mouth.

Tom, Kenny’s long-lost brother, looked at Alan and asked, “Why do you think I’d tell you that?”

“Your answer would be greatly valued by me. You’d get your freedom back, and I wouldn’t kill you. If you want to belong to a good shelter, you can work for me. Men like you are hard to come by.” Alan checked the time to see how much daylight they had left.

Kenny, who had heard this, glanced at Alan. There was little he could say—he had already heard Alan’s story from Lee and knew this man was anything but simple.

As a former soldier, Tom had not only killed survivors who had once been military themselves, but had also fought against FEDRA. Knowing that someone much stronger than them was here, he had to choose his words carefully.

“Give me the exact coordinates. I’ll pay them a visit and put an end to all this.”

“You want to kill people who just want to survive?”

Alan smirked and asked mockingly, “How long do you think they’ll last living like this? Let me tell you something—there are three stages to the end of the world. First, all the resources people were accustomed to in society run out. Second, whatever resources can be looted are turned to ashes by bombs. And last, without a system in place, they end up eating each other like cannibals.”

These were the kinds of situations his organization’s groups had encountered outside Texas, where bombs had leveled cities.

If they hadn’t been stopped, countless cruel events would have unfolded across the country.

“I can confess to everyone in this room that I’ve killed more people than infected. As the leader of the resistance, I have to impose order, clear the way, and secure an optimal future.”

Lee frowned and asked, “You kill more people than infected?”

“I eliminate whoever I must. None of the people I’ve removed were for mere pleasure. I saved thousands before the city was bombed, gathered the fleet drifting helplessly at sea, and took charge of leading them all.” Alan was simply dropping hints about the extent of his power.

Nuclear bombs, intercontinental missiles, fighter jets, armed helicopters, drones, and tanks—these were all at his disposal at any moment. A single order from his mouth could wipe an entire state off the map, which was exactly why he had to keep control.

“I’ve already done a lot for you—saved Clementine, brought Lilly back, and didn’t kill Kenny’s brother. I don’t need your gratitude, only your understanding.” Alan didn’t expect much from them. In the end, whether they chose to follow him or not would determine his next move.

Lee remained silent, then looked at Merle and said, “Come on, friend, answer his question.”

“I’m not your friend, you piece of shit. I’ll rip your teeth out once I’m free of these restraints.”

“You won’t do a thing.” Kenny wasn’t going to let his brother act like an idiot.

Tom stayed quiet. He knew that if he said too much, Alan would kill him without hesitation. “Wiping them all out isn’t the solution.”

Alan gave a slight smile and asked, “Are you going to feed them, then? Surely not everyone knows they’re eating food from massacred communities. They’re living in a dream that doesn’t fit the times we live in. It’s better to cut it off at the root. Believe me, I’ve considered all my options.”

After saying this, he left the room, where he ran into Clementine, who approached to thank him. “I think you’re a good person.”

“Maybe you’re one of the few who thinks that. Rest now.” Alan felt uncomfortable hearing those words and stepped out of the room.

Alan didn’t see himself as a good man—just someone who now made decisions to save others. And while he wasn’t as noble as his brother, he had something better: cruelty.