Chapter 39: Shawn's Responsibility
"Hah—"
Shane let out a breath and rubbed his head. Although he was still angry, he was much calmer than before.
"What are you worried about?" Shawn asked. "The camp? Or are you only worried about Carl and Lori? I just saw Rick, and at least he expressed his thanks to me."
Shawn shrugged, his words carrying only one meaning. 'This is their family's business, what are you doing getting all worked up over here?'
After speaking, Shawn discreetly observed Shane's expression, thinking to himself, 'Shane is losing his patience. It seems he already knows about Lori's pregnancy. While it's not enough to make him completely turn to the dark side, it has given the once-resigned Shane new ideas. Perhaps in Shane's eyes right now, Lori is his wife, and Carl is his stepson. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so agitated.'
Shawn sighed inwardly and looked at the unconscious Lori in the tent.
'Isn't Rick enough?'
'Or is it because she's pregnant that she's so desperate for a sense of security?'
'Letting Shane get ideas again is Lori's biggest mistake.'
What goes around comes around. Perhaps if it weren't for Lori, Shane might not have ended up on the opposite side of Rick. And if Shane hadn't died, perhaps in the original story's Prison, Lori wouldn't have died either.
'I'll have to find a chance to guide Shane later. At least now, many things have changed. It doesn't have to be a life-or-death struggle between him and Rick.'
As Shawn was pondering this, he saw Shane approach, his hands on his hips. This time, the look in his eyes changed, and there was a hint of pleading, even a tone of negotiation in his voice.
"Hey, Shawn... brother, listen."
"I'm just worried about the camp. Lori and Carl are part of the camp too. Have you seen what Rick has become since they went missing?"
"I care about the camp, and I care about my best partner. So next time, don't take Carl to do something so dangerous."
Shawn was a little stunned.
What? Shane was actually backing down? Shawn quickly looked him over and found that the sharpness in his wavering eyes had diminished. Patting Shane's shoulder, Shawn thought for a moment before speaking.
"We need the Prison. You should understand what I mean. As for what happens after... let's talk about it later. It's still a bit too soon now."
After saying this, Shawn leaned against the tent and began to eat a plate of potatoes that Carol had handed him.
Shawn had said his piece. He didn't directly respond to Shane's plea, but instead vaguely brought up the Prison. Whether Shane understood, or if he understood but was pretending not to, was not something Shawn could control.
He truly felt it was a pity about Shane. He could have been Rick's most trusted brother, one of the powerful warriors defending the camp.
Shaking his head, Shawn focused on his food.
Who knows how much time passed before a long, low moan came from behind him, a sound mixed with a hint of pain.
"You're awake." Shawn turned his head and saw Lori hazily pushing herself up with her hands. Only when Shawn put a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back down did she see him.
"Carl... how is he?"
Lori didn't even notice that her thin lips were trembling as she spoke. She was already thin, and the fear and worry of the past few days had made her even weaker. Combined with her pale face, the current Lori was not much better off than Rick when he had first woken up from his coma.
"Carl's fine. I said I would bring him back in one piece."
Shawn first gave Lori a reassurance, otherwise, she might have kept struggling.
"I want to see him," Lori said, looking up at Shawn. Her gaze was a complex mix of pleading, humility, resentment, and blame. It made Shawn's scalp tingle, and he instinctively avoided her eyes.
Yes, Shawn was not afraid of hideous walkers or threatening survivors, but when Lori looked at him as a mother, he looked away. Her reliance on Shane was largely due to her child. As a mother, Lori was truly impeccable.
"You can. But he's asleep with Rick right now. When he wakes up, you can see him as much as you want."
"And I came to see you alone because there's something else."
Hearing Shawn's words, Lori frowned and looked at him strangely. What could there be for the two of them to talk about? They had just had a conflict not long ago...
But as Lori was wondering, she saw Shawn slowly stand up and say to her, "I'm sorry, Lori. I was only thinking about making Carl grow up quickly, but I didn't consider your feelings. I apologize to you."
The camp wasn't large. The moment his voice sounded, almost everyone looked over. They watched the scene of Shawn apologizing to Lori, couldn't help but raise their eyebrows, their faces filled with surprise.
At least in their minds, the Shawn who had proposed 'dictatorial management' would never do such a thing.
And Lori.
At this moment, she was looking up at Shawn expressing his deep apology to her, her lips slightly parted, her brain short-circuiting, completely blindsided by the scene before her.
'Is this still Shawn? He's actually apologizing to me for Carl?' Lori couldn't help but ask herself.
But before she and the others could react, Shawn looked up again and said sincerely, "I was out of line in this matter, so I apologize to you. I'm sorry for making you worry."
"But this doesn't mean I admit that our previous argument was wrong, nor does it mean that my training Carl and helping him grow was wrong."
"Lori, I hope you understand. I don't tolerate dissent! But that doesn't mean I need to use oppression to achieve my goals."
"On the contrary, I respect every single one of you, and it is precisely because of this that I will make the decision that is most beneficial to everyone."
"Carl is fine. I brought him back unharmed as promised, but I still apologize to you."
"A situation like this will not happen again. This is my promise to you."
Shawn's face was serious. He didn't feel ashamed or that he had lost face because of his actions. He admitted his mistakes and learned from them. He could listen to others. He was a dictator who was both rational and hardline.
Nearby, Rick gently placed Carl in the tent and came over upon hearing the noise. And Shane was standing right beside him. The two exchanged a look, their eyes glistening, as if something unspoken had passed between them.
The members of the camp watched Shawn's back. For some reason, although he wasn't puffing out his chest or holding his head high, his figure seemed even taller.
At that moment, a seed was planted in the hearts of everyone present. It would feed on their despair, only to one day sprout into a bud of hope.
*****
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