Kari woke to the sounds of horror again, this time it was screaming without the ominious moans of the dead. Shooting up, brushing off the leaves she had used for cover she began to creep her way back to where the others were sleeping. This was a new group, our third since the dead refused to die and she could never learn to trust another after what had happened with the first. It wasn't quite dawn and Kari's eyes struggled adjusting to the lack of light but as she peered over the small hilltop where the others had made camp all there was to see was chaos. Ragged figures some with w's engraved on their foreheads and others with them written in what looked like blood were savagely dismembering a few of the group that were dead while others were still fighting off what remained. Finally eyes adjusted she spotted her sister Lena, Ivan had her behind him trying to fight off the man wildly swinging a machete at him. He couldn't see the other coming up behind Lena, taking a breath she prepared to let the arrow she had notched fly. Just as his hand reached for Lena the arrow was released, it took him in the throat and Lenas face showed both relief and fear; her eyes searching for where the arrow had come from. The man who had been swinging at Ivan finally landed a blow slicing deep into his forearm. There wasn't time for thought in the next moments it was a rapid succession of targets and loosing arrows. In the end the man who had taken down Ivan was down as well as two of his companions, but for as many got put down there seemed to be more coming and there were only two men from the group of thirteen left standing. Lena was huddled against Ivan sobbing as he tried to sooth her through his pain, my sister had grown easily attached to him despite the warnings. Nothing good lasts anymore, Kari had told her. Everything dies. Lock your heart, this wasn't the world for the fragile anymore. Creeping closer to her mouse of a sister, preparing for what needed to be done and hoping these wild men would be distracted long enough to get Lena away.
"Lena" Karis voice was barely a whisper as she nudged her sister. "Lena you have to run, you have to go now." She placed a hand on Lenas shoulder and tried to rip her away but Lena held on protesting about how she couldn't leave Ivan. "He's dead Lena, he wanted you to live. We have to run, we have to go now." A rustle came from behind, Kari spun bringing the notched arrow and bow up.
"Where you running off to so soon?" A ragged blonde man asked as he tapped the machete at his side against his leg. "Don't be scared little girl, we just want what you have." His crazed eyes looked them up and down "All of what you have."
Releasing the arrow without a second thought as the others approaching behind him came into view. This time I didn't wait to see if the arrow hit its mark, hauling Lena to her feet Kari ushered her to run in front. The footsteps behind kept coming more loudly and I could hear Lena crying as she ran, it felt like we had been running for hours already. "Lena no matter what keep running, just keep running!"
"You can't outrun wolves girl!" The voice was getting closer and the footsteps sounded faster. It was obvious Lenas body was growing weary, her tear stained face sweating even in the morning chill. Finally a break in the treeline appeared and Kari placed her hand on Lenas arm urging her to run faster, they raced down the hill; the ragged breaths behind them let me know these wolves were tiring. If we can just make it to the treeline, the road. Higher ground always gave me hope. The scramble up the ditch and unto the road exhausted Lena completely, collapsing once they made it to the road. Karis heart was racing and it beat loudly in her ears, she felt deaf while loosing arrows towards the ragged figures breaking out from the treeline. Running low on arrows she couldn't keep this up forever. The loud bang of gunfire snapped her from the rage fueled daze she was in and sent the crazed men fleeing back into the treeline. Karis eyes immediately went to Lena heaving for air as she was helped to her feet by a younger clean cut man with a gun in his hand.
"Leave her alone" Her voice wasn't as loud as she'd have liked, it made it difficult to yell while fighting to breath. Lena was getting to her feet but the fearful look in her eyes had almost gone. She was always too trusting.
"Easy, we can help. We have a community, you would be safe there." He had put the gun away and held out his hands as if trying to pacify, he didn't seem dangerous but neither had the first group. Kari had her bow nocked still and brought it up at him as a warning when the click came from behind.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Think clearly now" The voice was low and a bit raspy with an accent she couldn't quite place. Lena had walked up beside Kari placing her hand on Karis forearm trying to force the bow down, but she shoved it away and spun to where the click had come from. The man stood crossbow in hand aimed directly at her, they stood staring each other down for a moment before the clean cut man spoke again.
"Daryl lets take it easy, you seen who it was chasing them. Everyone just calm down. They both kept their bows held high staring each other down but neither gave any ground.
"Yeah I seen 'em I also seen her take two down with that bow, whats saying she wouldn't take us down Aaron" He paced back and forth slowly, his crossbow still up aimed directly at them.
"She wouldn't do that! She's not like that, they were after us. They killed everyone!" Lenas pleading was bordering on frantic "Kari lower your bow, please." Lena was hanging off me still trying to force my arm down. " They could have killed us already, please put it down. Please" Lena was ready to break down into sobs, she was barely on her feet. They weren't going to make it anywhere without these strangers. The clean cut man seemed trustworthy enough, but the other had an edge to him; he was dangerous. Dangerous wasn't a bad thing with the way the world was now, but it could be. Taking one last look into Lenas pleading eyes, she had always been the one to decide who they went with since they lost their family. Kari allowed her arm to relax and Lena guided it down as her sister continued the standoff armed with only her stare. He lowered his crossbow but his eyes didn't move, they stood like that staring at each other for a moment until the sound of Aaron walking up beside Lena forced her to avert her eyes. He gripped her shoulders gently easing her away from me and towards a car a little ways down the road.
"Its okay, no one is going to hurt her or you. But the walkers are going to start coming after that gunshot. We need to get out of here." As if on que the low moans could be heard wandering out of the forest. A herd was coming from the opposite side of the road, Kari turned towards them raising the bow, Darryl did the same as he walked over to what looked like a motorcycle built out of scraps and mismatched parts.
"Lets go then, get them in the car Aaron. We have to get this haul back" He said as he straddled the bike and then latched the crossbow back into place. He nodded towards the car that Lena was being lead to, the thing looked like a death trap, its windows blacked out and whatever was in their haul was weighing the car down enough to be noticeable. I took one more look at the car as Aaron anxiously looked back at me and then at Darryl as he started his bike with a loud rev of the engine. We aren't going to make it without them Kari assured herself once more as she walked towards Darryl. He eyed her suspiciously as she walked up beside him and swung her leg over the bike, getting on behind him.
"I ain't said I can take passengers, Im not a damn taxi." His voice rasped again as he spoke, she couldn't see his face but there was enough annoyance in his voice to let her know she wasn't wanted.
"If something happens this is the best shot of making sure that car gets out of trouble." She didn't care if he was annoyed, she'd annoy whatever was rest of the world if it protected Lena. The herd was starting become visible from the treeline and she could feel Darryl tense in front of her. "If shit gets heavy up there its easier for me to get off this and shoot."
"I said I ain't takin no passengers" he growled again. Aaron had already started the car up and was looking to him and then to the herd as if wondering how much more time he was going to waste.
Kari looped her arm through her bow and secured the arrows she wore at her hip, she hesistated but then wrapped her arms around this strangers abdomen tightly. She could feel him tense even more at her touch but it didn't matter how angry he was at her as long as she got that car to where they were going. "And I said I can't jump out of that car. I'm not getting off." The herd had started making its way out of the ditch, Darryl looked over his shoulder at her.
"You ain't going to be shooting from back there either" He was still staring at me over his shoulder with an intense gaze, he was trying to get her to back down that much Kari knew. But just as she opened her mouth to argue he turned and nodded to Aaron. Darryl drove up slowly by the car and Kari glanced in at Lena who gave me her most reassuring look, she was always doing that when they met new people. Always trying to convince Kari there was good left in the world. The bike roared more loudly as they gained speed and she found herself leaning more closely into Darryl. He smelled of sweat, grease and leather, as clean cut as Aaron had been Darryl seemed the opposite. Grateful for the open air at the moment she watched through watery eyes as the road blurred by.
Kari checked every so often to make sure the car was insight now and again. She allowed herself a small smile as he sped on, speed had always been one of the things that had been exhilarating before the world went to shit; somethings never changed. Sometime during the ride his body had untensed and it seemed like he had forgotten she was even there. The bike slowed almost to a stop in the middle of nowhere, anxiety gripped her instantly heart racing wondering why they had brought us here. He must have felt the tension in her arms or somehow felt the panic as he pulled to a stop.
"Gas, we're almost out of gas girl. Calm down." He glanced over his shoulder at her this time his gaze didn't seem so piercing, it actually seemed ease the tension she felt slightly. Nodding to him she silently got off to stretch her legs. Daryl had walked to the car as Aaron pulled a small canister from the trunk. Kari moved closer to check on Lena, she had fallen asleep in the passenger seat. Aaron was lecturing Darryl about saving fuel, but he couldn't see the smirk on Darryls face as he walked away silently to fill up his bike. He had just gotten started when the moans began, the brush on the side of the road had hidden another herd. This one was close enough that the sound of the engines had been enough to draw them closer. Bringing her bow up and knocking an arrow as the dead seemed to swarm out of the ditch. Darryl was still trying to fill up the bike as one of the dead staggered over to him, his hand had reached for the knife in his belt instinctively the arrow took it in the eye and the body dropped lifelessly. No taking chances, they all needed to make it back or whatever gate these people hid behind wouldn't be so welcoming to us anymore. We had learned that lesson the hard way before. Darryl had emptied the canister and tossed it on the ground but the herd had already blocked too much of the road ahead.
"We need to lead them off the road, we don't have enough gas to go around and make it back." Darryl had his crossbow in hand as he walked closer to the car. Aaron had woken Lena and her eyes were wide as she clutched herself fearfully.
"The barn, the barn you led the others to. If we can make it there, maybe we can hide for the night." Aarons voice had a bit of panic as he looked to Darryl.
"Nah that'll just trap us, we need to lead them away. You with the bow, watch my back I'll get to my bike and lead them away and you guys can drive ahead." His voice was stern and solid, he didn't sound afraid at all.
She could tell Aaron was about to protest but there wasn't time for arguing, she loosed another arrow and took down the staggering dead closest to the bike. "No if we go back without one of you we're as good as dead, there won't be no open arms welcoming us if one of you doesn't come back." Another arrow and another of the dead dropped. "Tell me where you're taking us, I'll lead them away and make it there on foot."
"No-" Darryls voice was annoyed again, Aaron backed towards the car pushing Lena towards the passenger side. The fear in his eyes said he really didn't care who got them out of there, as long as they got out.
"Its Northeast from this road. If you get lost come back to the road we'll try and come back tomorrow if you're not there by tonight. Its not far" Aaron was yelling through his window as he started the car. Loosing two more arrows dropping the undead closest to Darryls bike. Three arrows left, almost out but if this got Lena somewhere that was still standing it didn't matter.
"Dinners served you ugly bastards! Come and get it while its still hot!" Kari screamed trying to get the herds attention as she circled to the side of them leading them back where they came. Darryl was knifing some as he made his way to his bike taking a hesitant look back as if he wanted to protest again. Some turned to try and follow the sound of the engine as she screamed on taunting them while jogging lightly backwards to keep their interest. Once the engines trailed off Kari turned northeast and started running.
Her stomach rumbled loudly as she walked on, the herd was small and far enough behind for now. It would be time to run again soon, she'd have to lose them before she got wherever it was she was going. Hopefully Lena was safe by now, the decision to leave her with strangers was made so rashly. At the time it seemed like the only way, the last few hours her mind had turned over all the horrible things that could have been happening to her sister. Pushing the thoughts aside and forcing her legs back into a run, they were burning and felt ready to give out but you learned to ignore that feeling out here. There was no time for rest, the dead never rested. The sun was almost down when there was a break in the treeline, there weren't any buildings or walls just a road.
"Fuck." Was all she could muster staring as she stared at the road. Either I got myself turned around when the herd got too close or those assholes lied to me...Lena. They have Lena. Blood boiling she raced towards the road, there was no ignoring fatigue anymore rage was all the fuel needed.
The sun was well down and what energy she had gotten from her anger had run out long since. Walking on with heavy feet her mind worked through all the awful things she may have left Lena to again. Guilt overflowed at the thought of the broken promise. I tried, I tried to keep her safe. Memories came flooding back to a hand holding out the bow and a familiar voice "Keep your sister safe Kari. You keep her safe or you die trying." That was the last thing she would remember before her face collided with the pavement. Coming to a minute later when her body was rolled over, face to face with the blonde ragged man the W scar on his forehead that seemed twisted from his current scowl. His head had a freshly scabbed wound just above his ear where the arrow must have grazed him. Instantly she tried in vain to kick him off once the face registered but he was already leaning into her, pinning her to the cool road.
"Shouldn't be out here all alone rabbit, there are wolves in these woods again." The stink of his breath was horrid as he leaned closer, resting all his weight to stop her from struggling. Managing to get a hand free she reached to claw at him, her hand caught the wound opening it again before he could pin it down.
"Come here and hold her down, I said I wanted everything she had" He looked to one of his ragged companions and then back at her with that same crazed look. "and I meant it little rabbit." Another ragged figure approached wearily and took hold of her arms as she continued to struggle. The blonde man was still smirking sitting on top of her as she thrashed in vain to knee him or shove him off. Her knee finally connected with a loud thud on his back and pushed him forward, the smirk on his face was gone when he regained his balance and leaned his weight even harder so her legs were pinned tight to the road. His knife was out before she could resume the struggle and pressed against her throat. Toying with it, dragging it lightly across her skin before using it to cut the bloodied t-shirt I wore.
"Hurry up, they're going to come if we keep making all this noise" The man holding her hands mumbled passively.
"You hear that rabbit? They're going to come if you scream. Let see how much fun I can have with you before you do…"The uneven pressure of the blade was almost enough to break the skin at times as he fumbled unzipping his pants. Mind racing, panic was setting in and she wanted to scream. Rather the dead have me than this…anything but this. The smirk returned to his face when he made eye contact with her and began to push his pants down with his free hand. Looking for the right moment, if I could knee him again I was sure the force would send the blade into my throat and he could have his fun when I was dead. Just as he eased off and she started to bring her knees up there was a quiet, click. Then the loosening of the grip on her hands as the hooded man slumped over, a look of surprise washed over the blonde mans smirk as he looked up. Instantly the fight for control over his blade was on and she drove it into his chest. The surprised look on his face didn't fade as she sat up, his lifeless weight easily pushed off. His hand no longer offered any resistance underneath hers as Kari continued to drive the blade into his chest. Her body was shaking as strong hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her away, before she had even turned her around the smell the sweat, oil and leather came. Daryls hands were still on her shoulders when she looked up at his impassive face, almost flinching when his rough hands reached to her face and wiped a bit of the tears away before letting go. As he turned away he pulled his knife out and stabbed both the ragged lifeless figures in the head before looking back at her.
"Lets go, your sisters worried." His voice was the same impassive rasped tone but there was something a bit different in his eyes. As he waited for her to start moving, he wiped the blood off the arrow he had recovered then stopped for a moment to reload his crossbow. They walked on without a word until she finally mustered up the courage to say it.
"Thank you." She looked over at him walking casually with one arm over his shoulder still grasping his loaded crossbow, then I lowered my head back down to watch the road pass under sluggish feet.
He just looked back and nodded as if nothing else needed to be said. Kari could feel his on her as she watched the pavement slip by. Glancing over at him to check if he really was watching, his eyes looked her over once more seemingly unbothered by the fact she was staring back at him.
"You are alright with that bow" His accent seemed to get thicker in certain moments, as if there was a twang on certain words when he spoke. He stared straight ahead again as if his assessment was complete after that one glance over. "you some rich kid who thought it was fun before this all happened?"
It was getting harder to keep her feet moving they were getting heavier with every step, she forced herself to stare ahead trying to concentrate on anything but the fatigue. "No, not some rich kid." I forced out instead of the answer I was preparing, it didn't seem right to mouth someone off after they just saved your ass. No one needs to know about him anymore, no one needs to know how I learned all this. "Why is that what you are?" I managed a smirk while looking over at him expecting him to show some sort of offence, it was obvious he was anything but.
His face remained still while he looked ahead unaffected by her comment "I think you and me know that ain't the way it is. We're almost there, they ain't going to hurt ya. Just be calm alright." I looked over at him once more, his face set looking there wasn't much time left I might as well say ask and get it over with.
"Why did you come back? You could've left me there. For all you knew I was dead or one of them." Kari watched him as if she would be able to see a lie if he told one, although why he would lie was beyond her. I really am starting to lose it, I can't even trust a good deed in this world anymore. I've become a jaded mess. The truth was no one did something good for no reason anymore, and I just wanted to know what they or he was going to want of me.
"I know you just wanted ta save your sister, but you cleared the road for us. Ain't right to leave you to the walkers…or whoever else is out here" He glanced over at her with that same look in his eyes that she had seen after he had pulled her away from what had happened. They had veered off on to a side road, as she struggled to keep her eyes open and her feet moving. Stumbling she managed to right herself and keep walking. Kari flinched away when she felt Darryl grip her hand and lift it over his head resting her hand on his shoulder, he looped his other hand around her waist. Stubbornness took hold and Kari tried to pull away, preparing some speech about how she was fine and could walk on her own, I just need to rest. Although she doubted if she could start moving again after stopping, thinking about it she couldn't remember when she last ate and sleep hadn't come for two days now.
"Don't fight me now, we're almost there. If you drop I ain't dragging you the rest of the way. Your sister couldn't even walk to the infirmary alone, you ain't got much brains do ya girl" Kari watched him half carrying her, this dangerous unkempt and impassive man; the only one who had ever come back. Tears welled in her eyes at that thought, and she forced them back down. I haven't felt this weepy since this all started, good to know a guy can put his arm around me and I turn into Lena weeping like a child. Darryl looked at her and she smoothed her features into a mask of determination. He opened his mouth to stay something but the sound of a gate unlocking drew his attention away. The gate slid open with a few creaks and Darryl half dragged her inside.
"That wasn't what I meant when I said you shouldn't be wasting gas" The man who opened the gate said, sounding relieved. "I thought we agreed we were going to wait for morning then you and Aaron would go out again" He was talking as he pushed the gate back and locking it into place. He didn't sound like he was scolding but it was obvious he was in charge.
"I got her just before the wolves did." Was all Darryl offered for an explanation, the two exchanged a look and the other nodded as if that was all that needed to be said. Darryl helped her to a house filled with what looked like medical equipment. A curvy curly haired woman led us into an empty looking room that held a bed and little else. Darryl eased Kari into the bed finally letting go of her waist and letting her arm slide from his shoulder. The realization of how much she'd missed human contact, any human contact until it was gone again set in.
"You're safe here, safe as can be now anyway" He said over his shoulder before he left her alone with what could only be their doctor. After a quick examination with a nervous doctor she was sent to bed without complaint.