05/12/17
Rick Grimes curses himself as he drives the truck down the highway and notes the ocean to his left. He checks the mirrors and sees the massive walker herd is still following him. This wasn't the plan, but he's improvising. It's up to him alone to lead the massive walker herd a safe distance away.
Rick smirks at the thought of safe distance when he knows he's driven into another state. The herd is no danger to the group at this distance, but still Rick drives on.
The sounds of the waves and the smell of salt keep him company as he drives on the roadway to the island ahead. He frowns as he sees some of the roadway has collapsed and fallen into the sea. Was it on purpose to keep walkers off the island or is it something else? He cruses the challenge ahead and tries to think fast.
The brakes of the truck squeal loudly as it slows to a stop and Rick hurriedly hops out. His boots thunder across the pavement as the walker herd growls and closes in. Rick leaps off the edge and lands with a loud splash in the cool waters of the ocean. Loud thumps against metal sound as the walkers bump into the truck and some follow Rick over the edge into the water.
Rick's head breaks the surface of the water and he coughs as splashes sound a little ways behind him. He doesn't look back and begins swimming toward the shore of the island. His boots come off from the kicking and they sink to the bottom. His muscles scream at him for being out of shape and lack of food, but he paces himself while remembering his breathing.
Rick breathes heavily as he leaves the salty waters and climbs onto the shore of Roanoke Island. He coughs a few times as he takes off his shirt and drops it to the ground with a wet plop sound. He drops onto his back and stares up at the quiet blue sky. His eyes clothes and he listens to his breathing as he falls into sleep.
Suddenly Rick is awoke from his slumber by the thundering of helicopter blades. Confusion fills him as his eyes flash open and he looks skyward. He sees a news helicopter floating around over the roadway and the he notices the sounds of cars. His heart skips a beat as he sees no part of the roadway is collapsed. Confusion roars in him as he sees people walking and the world seems to be the world he lost to the walkers. He stumbles as he holds a hand up to block the sun and move away from the water's edge. Rick pauses for a moment as he sees the word Croatoan written in the sand, mutters to himself, and continues on.
Officer Henry Pike slows his car to a stop near the shirtless and barefoot man. He notes the gun in the waist of the man's pants and climbs out of his car. Just another stop and do it by the numbers. He draws his weapon and demands the man to disarm. The confused man complies and Officer Pike handcuffs him before putting in the back of his car.
Rick looks anxiously at the police officer, "Well, what does it say?"
Officer Pike responds as he looks at his squad car's computer, "It certainly looks like you. Sheriff Rick Grimes of King County. Injured in shootout, coma, and went missing from the hospital shortly after. You've been missing six years. Sounds like you have a lot of questions to be facing."