Shawn couldn't help but twitch his lips looking at the two white men.
If it weren't for him, even if someone stopped for them, they would never let them into the car.
Such a terrible excuse, no normal person would choose to believe it; instead, it would make people wary.
On foot?
Why didn't Columbus say that he came to this world inexplicably, suddenly, and by accident?
However, this kind of absurd humor was typical of them.
Inside the car, Shawn put away his gun, then got out and gave Daryl a look, signaling him to sit in the passenger seat.
"Get in."
Shawn sat in the back of the fire truck and waved to the two.
Columbus's obedient mouth immediately said, "Thank you, sir."
Then he quickly dragged his suitcase into the car, sat in the seat, and looked expectantly at Tallahassee.
"Even if you don't want to come with me, at least you shouldn't wander aimlessly on this road, right?"
Tallahassee looked up. Shawn could tell that his carefully restrained mouth was forming the word 'mom,' but after hesitating for a few seconds, he still got into the car.
He sat next to Shawn, across from Columbus.
The fire truck slowly started. The two in the driver's seat looked back. Merle shrugged, not knowing what Shawn meant.
When they all thought Shawn wouldn't stop, Shawn told him to stop.
When they all thought Shawn wouldn't let those two into the car, Shawn let them in.
What it was specifically for, probably only Shawn himself knew.
However, as far as they were concerned, they trusted Shawn unconditionally.
"Thank you for letting me in, sir, although this behavior is not recommended in the survival guide."
Columbus reached out and shook Shawn's hand, a little reserved.
Beside him, Tallahassee casually spread his legs and fist-bumped Shawn.
"The first time I saw you, I knew you were a real man."
"And not like the one opposite, whose hormones spread faster than the Walker virus."
Tallahassee, chewing gum he found from who knows where, glared at Columbus and said sarcastically.
"It's not entirely my fault, I was just being kind."
"Then please rein in your kindness and don't make us walk anymore!"
Columbus was momentarily speechless.
"Alright, I admit I let my little head control my big head."
Columbus sighed and admitted.
They had been tricked out of their car by a pair of sisters, twice.
Columbus thought he had finally found love, twice.
Shawn watched their back-and-forth arguments and taunts, fully understanding what they were talking about.
To be precise, anyone who had seen 'Zombieland' would know.
...
Columbus.
Cautious and meticulous, but a homebody who was always at a loss when it came to women, good at self-reflection and summarization, optimistic, and with wild imagination.
He compiled his own 'survival guide,' which allowed him to survive until now.
...
Tallahassee.
Rough and ready, a hothead, fond of venting and Twinkies, nicknamed the 'Walker Hunter.'
He once single-handedly took down hundreds of Walkers with two guns and 15 magazines, possessing considerable combat power.
Shawn hadn't expected to meet these two here.
But for these two who faced risks yet always managed to survive, Shawn was quite interested in them.
'If possible, I should include them in my team.'
Shawn thought silently.
At least compared to others, Shawn knew them inside and out.
"So, where do you want to go next?" Shawn asked.
Hearing Shawn's question, the two, who had been talking, suddenly fell silent, and the air instantly solidified.
But fortunately, this situation didn't last too long, and Tallahassee spoke up casually.
"Whatever, I can go wherever you go."
After saying that, Tallahassee suddenly added.
"...As long as there are Walkers, I'll go there."
Shawn looked at Columbus. Columbus pursed his lips, seemingly contemplating his 'survival guide.'
'Should I tell the truth or a white lie?'
Columbus hesitated for a while before speaking.
"Columbus, Ohio. I want to find my parents."
Yes, he was going to Columbus, Ohio, which was also why he called himself Columbus.
After hearing their answers, Shawn stopped asking and looked out the car window.
Their journey was north, crossing North Carolina to Virginia.
And from Virginia, crossing just one more state would be Ohio, so the group was actually all going in the same direction.
Along the way, from Columbus and Tallahassee bickering with each other.
To Merle couldn't help but join in, and then to the familiar Tallahassee actively striking up a conversation with Daryl.
It seemed only half a day had passed, and the group had gradually gone from strangers to a close-knit unit.
Especially Tallahassee's easygoing personality and his punk-style attire, along with his tough-guy appearance, truly made the Dixon Brothers feel a fondness for him.
However, from the conversations with Tallahassee, the two could sense something different.
Tallahassee was trying hard to hide something. Daryl didn't smell a conspiracy, but he could vaguely sense it.
The rugged man sitting in the back seat actually had a soft heart.
"...Hahaha, see? You gotta use this to kill Walkers, the Buddy Holly commemorative edition. Walkers can't stand two hits from me!"
Once they started talking about Walkers, they couldn't stop.
Tallahassee pulled out a bright yellow nunchaku from behind his waist, mimicked killing Walkers, and loudly swung it in the air a few times.
"Pfft--"
Merle scoffed disdainfully.
While driving, he tilted his head and raised his right hand towards the rear window.
The sleeve blade sprang out with a 'whoosh,' its tip reflecting light. Merle then gave the middle finger, just like the sleeve blade.
"Do you only use flashy toys? To kill Walkers, you still need this."
"Your nunchaku can't even knock down the stupid squirrel my brother hunted."
"Nonsense!!"
Tallahassee was immediately upset. He quickly got up and leaned into the rear window, analyzing the advantages of the nunchaku from every angle (360°), then using the many Walkers he had killed as a guarantee.
The two went from discussing Walkers to their 'apocalyptic survival rules,' and then from rules to 'Camp management and leadership image.'
"Listen to me, you have to act crazy enough for people to obey you. Have you ever tried smashing a Walker's head with a bowling ball while tap-dancing?"
"Hey, listen to me, bro, you can't possibly understand leadership better than me."
As he said this, Merle glanced at Shawn through the rearview mirror.
At least among the people he had met, few could match Shawn in terms of 'craziness.'
Merle still vividly remembered the tragic night when the Governor attacked the Prison.
Although the few of them were chatting enthusiastically, Merle and Daryl both knew when to stop.
So far, Columbus and Tallahassee still didn't know about the Prison's existence, only thinking that Shawn and the other two were also 'travelers.'
Dusk was falling.
"That's enough, Merle."
Shawn, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them.
They had probably driven at least 300 kilometers this day, a much faster pace than before, covering almost half the journey in one day.
"I'll find a place to park."
Merle slowed the car and drove slowly on the road.
Finally, he found a secluded gas station and parked.
-------------------------------
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