A Path Of Blood And Brains

Arthur sat out on the porch once again, smoking a cigarette. Despite Maggie's persistent pleas for him to quit—her reasons being that it made his breath stink and was detrimental to his health—he remained unfazed. After all, how could it be bad for him? He recalled hearing doctors endorse smoking for its supposed calming effects and digestive benefits. He pondered this for less than a second before dismissing it with a shrug. He enjoyed smoking, and that was enough for him.

As he extinguished his cigarette in an ashtray, the door to the house swung open. It was Clementine. "Food's ready! Come on!" she called, her bright smile lighting up the porch before she vanished back inside. Arthur couldn't help but smile a little himself. He stood up and followed her inside, taking a seat at the table next to Maggie and Clementine.

Hershel entered shortly thereafter, carrying his own plate of food, while Patricia bustled in with the rest of the meals. When she placed his plate down in front of him, Arthur offered a sincere, "Thank you," before diving into his meal.

As he ate, he felt a soft tap on his foot. He glanced down to see Maggie, her eyes sparkling with mischief, slip a folded note into his hand. Arthur suppressed a chuckle, intrigued. He unfolded the paper, read it, smiled, discreetly tucked it away, and continued his meal.

———

Later, Arthur was in his and Clementine's room, meticulously cleaning his shotgun. The rhythmic sound of the cloth brushing against the metal was soothing, a familiar routine that he found comforting. As he worked, he noticed Clementine watching him with wide, curious eyes.

"Can I help?" she asked, her voice filled with eagerness. Arthur looked at her, considering for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I can show ya how to clean a shotgun."

He explained the importance of safety first. "Always treat a gun like it's loaded, even if ya know it ain't," he said, demonstrating how to check the chamber. He placed the shotgun on the table, ensuring it was pointed away from them. Clementine stood on her tiptoes to get a better look, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"Now, this here's the barrel," he said, pointing to the long, metal tube. "Ya gotta keep it clean so it don't jam when ya really need it." He handed her a cleaning rod and a patch soaked in oil."You'll wanna push this through the barrel to get rid of any residue."

Clementine took the rod, her small hands gripping it tightly. With careful movements, she pushed it through, her face lighting up with excitement. Arthur guided her, showing her how to twist it to ensure it cleaned properly. "You're a natural," he encouraged, watching as she beamed with pride.

———

The next morning, Arthur woke up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He felt an unusual weight on his stomach and looked down to see Clementine, still sound asleep, her legs draped across him. With a gentle touch, he pushed her legs down, careful not to wake her.

After getting out of bed, he dressed quickly, closing his eyes for a moment to reflect on the previous day. He had slept with Maggie for the second time. Did he enjoy it? Absolutely. Did he regret it? Somewhat; a twinge of guilt gnawed at him because she was Hershel's daughter, and he had taken both her and Clementine in. Was he in love with Maggie? He couldn't quite say. There were feelings there, distinct yet not quite comparable to what he had felt for Mary and Eliza. He enjoyed their playful banter, and it felt good when she complimented him, especially during his self-deprecating moments. Yet, he wouldn't dare voice these thoughts aloud.

Stepping out of the room, he made his way outside. On his way, he encountered Beth, tipping his hat as he passed. She giggled, a sound reminiscent of a child's laughter, which only made him smile wider. For some reason, she enjoyed the gesture, and he was happy to oblige.

Once outside, he instinctively reached for a cigarette in his pocket, only to realize he had run out. "Well, damn," he muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. Looking up, he spotted the group that had arrived not long ago, each immersed in their tasks.

His attention was drawn to Lori, who was speaking to Glenn, the Asian kid. They were quite close, allowing him to overhear their conversation.

"I need you to go into town for a supply run. Get me some…" Lori glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before placing a crumpled piece of paper into Glenn's hand. "Please don't tell Rick," she added, raising Arthur's eyebrows. Wasn't Rick her husband? It struck him as odd, the way she said it, but he dismissed the thought.

As Glenn pocketed the paper, he glanced at Rick, shaking his head before heading toward the house. Arthur stepped into his path, causing Glenn to bump into him.

"Hey, what was that about?" Arthur asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

Glenn hesitated, his eyes darting nervously. "Uh, just a supply run," he stammered. "Lori needs some things."

"I'll go with ya," Arthur said, surprising himself with the offer. Glenn looked intimidated, his eyes wide, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded.

"Alright," he said reluctantly.

They mounted their horses, but Glenn's uncertainty was evident. "Um, I've never ridden before," he admitted, his face turning slightly pale.

Arthur couldn't help but chuckle a little. "You gotta to be kidding me. Alright, here's how this works." He walked Glenn through the basics, explaining how to hold the reins and balance himself."Just relax and let the horse walk. You ain't gonna fall off," he reassured, though he couldn't suppress a smirk.

As they set off, riding in relative silence, Glenn hesitantly broke the quiet. "So, um, what's going on with you and Maggie? You two seem pretty close."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why do ya ask?"

Glenn fumbled for words, his cheeks flushing. "I just... I'm interested in her, I guess," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur paused, unsure of how to respond. After a moment of thought, he decided to be upfront. "I've slept with her," he said, watching Glenn's expression fall."She don't hide the fact that she likes me, and I like her too."

Disappointment washed over Glenn's face as he processed the information. "Oh," he murmured, his excitement deflating.

"Hey," Arthur said, his tone serious. "You gotta promise me you'll keep this to yourself. Got it?" He fixed Glenn with a penetrating gaze, and after a stuttering nod, Glenn agreed, his voice barely audible.

They continued on their journey, Arthur pondering that he wouldn't hurt the boy anyway.

Once they reached town, the supply run went smoothly. They encountered only one walker, which Arthur dispatched quickly with a hatchet to the head. It was a simple, clean kill.