newbobooks Chapter 135 Gunshots in the Woods (4)
Chapter 135 Gunshots in the Woods (4)
……
"Cough cough..."
Sean coughed lightly, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
It was as if he had returned to the reservoir camp, watching as everyone began to give orders in an orderly manner:
"You all walk back along the river, gathering anything edible to take back with you. Daryl, you lead the team."
He then glanced at Rick and said, "Rick and I will try our luck around here and see if we can hunt something."
"So we're breaking up now, are you sure?"
Daryl frowned slightly, expressing his skepticism about Sean's decision.
His brother Moore and the others haven't returned yet, and now the team has to split up again, making the group even more dispersed and increasing the risk.
"determine."
Sean was much more decisive than Rick, saying firmly, "We'll be back in an hour, we'll catch up."
"I want to stay too."
Little Carl tilted his head back, looking at Sean with anticipation.
"..."
Sean didn't agree immediately. His gaze swept over Lori's face before turning to Rick, who was walking towards them. He raised an eyebrow slightly, subtly tossing the difficult question back to Rick.
"..."
Rick looked at his expectant son and hesitated. He didn't agree immediately, but subconsciously turned his gaze to his wife and waited quietly for her to make a decision.
"..."
Lori naturally understood the meaning in Rick's eyes. After a moment of hesitation and internal struggle, she finally made up her mind.
She slowly walked up to little Karl, gently cupped his face in her hands, her eyes filled with concern and worry, and softly instructed, "Be careful, okay?"
"Ok!"
A joyful smile instantly lit up Karl's face, and he nodded vigorously.
"When did you grow up?"
Lori embraced her son tightly, lowered her head slightly, and kissed the top of his head forcefully, as if to convey all her love and worry to him.
"..."
Sofia, who was standing quietly not far away, took in the whole scene, her eyes filled with envy.
Seeing that little Karl was somewhat tempted after receiving permission, she turned to her mother and softly called out, "Mom..."
"no......"
Before Sophia could finish speaking, Carol interrupted her.
She knew perfectly well what her daughter wanted to say, but now was not the time to cause her any more trouble.
"..."
At that moment, Rick stepped forward and kissed Lori goodbye. He gently embraced his wife and comforted her, saying, "I'll be there soon."
Behind them, Sean watched the two embracing tightly, his gaze complex and unreadable.
No one knows what he's thinking.
"..."
Suddenly, Sean noticed Andrea's meaningful gaze. As if a secret deep within him had been touched, he felt a little guilty and quickly turned away, avoiding Andrea's gaze.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Rick pulled out his Python revolver from his waist, handed it to Lori, and said with concern, "Take this. Do you remember how to use it?"
"I won't take your gun away and leave you empty-handed."
Lori naturally refused without hesitation.
"I have another one, take it."
At that moment, Daryl walked over from the side and offered Lori the pistol he had found in the tent.
"..."
Lori looked surprised, a hint of joy and gratitude flashing in her eyes, and slowly reached out to take the pistol.
Rick also gave Daryl a grateful look.
"..."
Daryl didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly to Rick, then turned and walked to the front of the group, ready to lead the way.
"..."
Witnessing this scene, Andrea was very unhappy, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
Why was her gun taken away before, but Lori got one now? It felt incredibly unfair to her.
......
At this point, the team split into two again, with Daryl leading the others back first.
"..."
Rick stood silently in place, watching their figures gradually disappear into the distance.
Only after they had completely disappeared from sight did he turn around, stride over to Sean, and say to him, "Wait for me a moment."
"Ok."
Sean nodded upon hearing this.
Then he walked straight to the church and called to little Karl to rest in the shade nearby.
Rick then entered the church and walked all the way to the huge cross.
He looked up at the statue of Jesus' crucifixion, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him, filled with profound感慨 (gǎnkǎi - deep feelings/reflections).
This was the first time he had ever observed a statue of a deity so closely; he couldn't even remember the last time he had entered a church.
After a long while, Rick muttered to himself:
"I really don't understand what that look you're giving me."
"sad?"
"Contempt?"
"mercy?"
"Or love?"
"Perhaps it's just indifference."
Rick continued talking to himself, as if he were truly having a deep conversation with the statue.
Suddenly, he reached out and slowly took off his police hat, then bowed deeply before the statue, like a child sincerely admitting his mistake.
“I think you already know that I am not a devout believer.”
"I just... placed my beliefs elsewhere."
"I devoted most of my time to family, friends, and work."
“The problem is, we…” Rick said, raising his head again with a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he looked at the statue and said, “I need something to help us move forward.”
"Absolutely certain."
“Some signs that what I’m doing is correct.”
"You have no idea how difficult it is..."
At this point, Rick's voice choked with emotion.
......
However, the statue was just a clay and wood sculpture, standing there silently, unable to give him any response.
"Perhaps you know."
Rick's eyes gradually lost their expectation. He laughed self-deprecatingly, realizing how absurd it was to have imagined finding the answer here.
He shook his head slightly, put his police cap back on, and turned to leave.
But after taking only a few steps, Rick suddenly turned back.
This time, he stared straight at the statue on the platform and said with some emotion, "Listen... I don't need all the answers."
"I just want a little motivation, a hint..."
Any hint will do.
......
The statue remained silent, as if it were ignoring Rick's pleas.
"..."
Rick seemed to have vented his emotions, and his mood gradually calmed down.
He took a deep breath, finally turned around, and slowly walked out of the church.
On the steps outside the church, Sean and Carl sat side by side, neither of them going in to disturb Rick.
Hearing Rick's footsteps approaching, Sean looked up and asked, "Did you get what you wanted?"
"I think I'll find it myself."
Rick replied.
His tone was very calm, completely unlike his earlier outburst in the church.
......