CHAPTER 18: NITROGLYCERIN PILLS
Kenny provided covering fire up front. Katjaa scooped up a still-shaken Duck.
Lee pulled Clementine along as the group scrambled desperately toward the drugstore's open entrance.
Hanks was the last one through.
SLAM!
Glenn and Carley immediately threw their weight against the door, shutting it hard. Hanks jammed his crowbar through the door brace to hold it.
The instant the door closed, dense pounding and scratching sounds erupted from outside.
Inside the drugstore, dim light filtered through gaps in the boarded windows.
The air was thick with the mixed smell of medicine, dust, and sweat.
The survivors leaned against the walls, breathing hard, hearts racing.
But before they could catch their breath, a sharp female voice shattered the brief quiet.
"Oh my God! How many people did you let in?!" A long-haired woman in a black tank top emerged from behind the shelves.
She glared furiously at Carley. "I told you not to go out there! And what did you do?!"
"You not only went out, you fired shots! And you brought back a bunch of dangerous strangers!"
"I couldn't just watch them get torn apart! There were two kids!" Carley shot back, pointing at the traumatized Duck and Clementine.
"How many times did I say absolutely DO NOT open that door?! I was serious!" Lilly's emotions ran high. She pointed at Hanks and the others.
"We don't know who these people are or what they do! They could be dangerous!"
"Oh really? One of them looks like a cop. Are you saying cops are dangerous too?" Carley pointed at Hanks across the room.
"In this situation, who knows if he's a real cop or a fake?" A tall, white-haired old man with a hostile expression—Larry—stepped out from behind Lilly.
His voice was low and oppressive. His gaze swept over Duck, covered in blood.
"Because of them, those things are pounding on the door again! What, you got a death wish?"
Lee stepped forward, trying to keep his tone measured. He didn't want to escape danger only to fall into infighting. "Sir, we have two children with us..."
Larry wasn't listening to explanations. He stared hard at Duck and barked:
"Damn it! One of them got bitten! We need to throw him out or blow his head off!"
"He wasn't bitten! That's not his blood!" Lee quickly explained.
"Over my dead body will you hurt my son!" Kenny looked like an enraged lion, stepping in front of his boy, eyes practically breathing fire.
Hanks hadn't participated in the argument since entering. Instead, he'd been surveying their surroundings.
Once he confirmed there was no immediate danger, he walked over and shoved his still-warm gun barrel directly into Larry's mouth.
"From now on, if I hear one more useless word out of you, I'm blowing your head off!"
"We clear? Asshole!"
The undisguised killing intent radiating from Hanks shocked everyone present.
That mix of gunpowder and death instantly crushed all of Larry's arrogance.
Larry's eyes went wide with fear. Choking sounds came from his throat, but he didn't dare move.
Terrified that even the slightest swallow might set off the weapon in this killer's hand.
The air in the drugstore seemed to freeze.
Lilly instinctively started to raise her gun—
But Hanks was faster, drawing his backup Beretta 92 and aiming at her.
Glenn and Carley held their breath nervously.
"I asked you a question. We clear?" Hanks's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced everyone's eardrums.
Larry gave an almost imperceptible nod, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
Hanks slowly withdrew the gun.
He used the barrel to lightly tap Larry's pale cheek, leaving a faint gunpowder residue.
"Good. Now I'm in charge here!" He holstered the weapon and immediately began issuing orders.
"Lee, Kenny—check the doors and windows. Make sure there are no weak points that could be breached."
"Glenn, right? You know this place. See if there are any other exits that might be problems."
His commands were clear and decisive, carrying unquestionable authority, temporarily unifying this thrown-together group.
Everyone started moving.
Hanks walked to the window, observing outside through gaps in the boards.
The horde had already packed densely around the drugstore. No way they were leaving anytime soon.
The situation was worse than expected.
Just then, Larry—overwhelmed by rage and shock—suddenly went deathly pale.
He clutched his chest, gasping for air, staggering backward before collapsing against the counter.
"Dad!" Lilly cried out, rushing to support him. "His heart condition! He needs his medication!"
"Nitroglycerin pills?" Katjaa stepped forward to ask. As a nurse, she understood various medical conditions.
"Yes!" Lilly had lost her earlier arrogance, voice subdued. "That's why we came here—we were trying to get into the drugstore's stockroom."
"Please, I'm begging you. Help us find heart medication from behind the counter."
Everyone's eyes turned to Hanks.
"Take care of your father. Keep him calm." Hanks's voice returned to its cool, commanding tone.
"Doug, Kenny—watch the front and back doors. Reinforce the barricades. Report any anomalies immediately."
"Katjaa, Carley—look after the kids. Check Duck over, make sure he's okay."
His instructions were clear and specific.
Kenny was unhappy with Larry and his daughter, but given the circumstances, he just spat and grabbed his rifle, heading for the door with the man called Doug.
Katjaa and Carley led the two frightened children to a relatively clean corner, speaking softly to comfort them.
"Um... I..." Glenn spoke up quietly, raising his hand like a schoolkid.
"I know there's a motel nearby. There's bound to be cars there, maybe even gasoline. If we can get a vehicle, we could bust out of here!"
Hanks looked at Glenn. For some reason, he felt like the kid's head would be perfect for baseball practice.
"Ahem. Be careful out there." He pushed the strange thought aside and pulled out the walkie-talkie he'd been carrying.
"Same frequency as Clementine's. Stay in contact. Safety first. Don't be a hero."
Glenn took the radio and nodded firmly. With Kenny and Doug's help, he carefully slipped through a gap in the back door and quickly disappeared.
With everything arranged,
Hanks's gaze turned to the tightly closed office door inside the drugstore. "Lee."
He called out. "Come with me. Let's clear the office, see if there's anything useful."
Lee nodded. The two approached from either side, cautiously pushing open the office door. Inside was a small space—
Covered in dust. An old desk. A filing cabinet. After confirming no walkers or other threats—
Lee's attention was drawn to the desk.
The blood drained from his face instantly. His feet seemed nailed to the floor. His breathing grew labored.
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