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'There's a moment in every woman's life where she needs to... Oh, who am I kidding. I can't just sit around anymore! That's what we've been doing all this time, since... Okay, I appreciate you taking care of me, really, I do. But I think Andrea needs your care far more than I. I need to move on, and I really wish that I could convince you to come along with me, but I know your concern about Andrea has become a secret priority. I need to get back to my people, something I needed to do the exact moment after... she was taken away. Rocket will protect me, she's got a keen sense of direction- basically the reason we found shelter and protection throughout winter, how we've survived this long just the four of us. She can do it again too, she won't let me down. Do not let this weigh slightest ounce on your conscience, this was my decision, mine alone. And for the love of GOD do not try to come after me- remember Andrea needs you more than I do. I'm living on hopes and dreams that I'll hook up with my family again, and I sincerely plead to whatever deity is still out there watching us [and probably laughing] that after I find them I can find you again and... well... you get the idea.
I'm a woman on a mission, I can not be detoured! I hope you to see you again, Michonne. Tell Andrea the same.
I'm taking her things with me. A bit of a load off you back. I may not be the swordsman she was or you are, but I'm sure if I swing and slice like hell something will get chopped off, it might even save my life should it become my last option for weapons.
Andrea was asleep while I wrote this, she'll probably still be sleeping by the time you get back, and Rocket and I'll be long gone.
Farewell, good luck, until we meet again.
Sam'
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Michonne let a heavy sigh out through her nose, folding up the note she considered going after the little brunette... but the girl was right, about many things, but this was her decision. Michonne wouldn't let it eat at her conscience. She'd found the note beside Andrea, where she indeed found her sleeping on the concrete floor of the bar they were holding up in, curled up and sprawled out at the same time in a patch of sunlight shining through the grimy window.
Andrea would feel some blame when Michonne told her that Sam and Rocket were gone. She would feel even more of the burden with her chronic and unwavering sickness that had slowed them down all through winter and now. But she would also feel proud, 'good for her', taking initiative, her birthday had to have come and passed since the big separation- 15 years old- she was capable. She had been the caretaker of other children, children that were no longer alive, but she had done her best. She had her bow and arrows, a precise shot. And she had many other skills, some she'd had and some she'd developed. The women weren't worried, and with Rocket at the girl's side, she would definitely be fine. The former police dog had, like Sam had written, never let them down. A fierce protecter and fighter... Sam would be alright.
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"Okay." Sam breathed, hauling Lacey's shashka carefully into the makeshift holster she'd created out of scraps of material she'd stumbled upon during their constant journey, adjusting her bag, bow and arrows as well, as they walked at a leisurely pace, "I know it might be difficult for you, since we haven't seen them in a while- or smelled them- and I don't have anything of theirs for you to, like... catch a scent or something. But you're a smart dog, like, seriously, I have never met a smarter dog. So when I say try and take us back to... Jo, or- or Daryl, or Rick, I think you know exactly what I mean... Right...?"
Rocket glanced up at her, nails clicking on the asphault as she kept up with Sam. "Don't give me that look." Sam tutted, "You can do this. Take all the time you need... well... not all the time, but you know what I mean. Be careful, be precise, be sure and we'll make it back to them. Back to Daryl, and Jo... And Erin and Honey. Rick, Lori, Carl... Amy, Maggie and Glenn, Sophia and everyone else."
There was a sort of whine that came out of Rocket's throat as the clicking of her nails ceased when they swerved off the road and onto natural, dirt ground. Sam understood that whine in dog-speak as, 'but not everyone, not really'.
"Yeah..." Sam mumbled, "Yeah, I know... But we can't try to find her until we find the others. I mean, you saw those guys. They were... they were thugs. I mean! Michonne and Lacey are the toughest women I've ever met. But given that Lacey had just suffered from a miscarriage she can't really be like- like, you know, blamed for being caught off guard. But... but those guys... we couldn't take them on alone. They weren't weary travelers, like ourselves, going from place to place, they were... were organized. We would've known if they'd been following us... you would've known..." the girl gestured to the dog who simply kept her gaze forward, eyes peeled for movement of any kind as she led the way to... well... not exactly salvation, but back to their family, back to the people that they considered 'home'... hopefully.
"Which leads me to believe," Sam continued, "that they weren't following us, not until the very end, at least. They were on their merry way until they saw us. In a car, I'd think. A car which was taking them back to their base of operations..." she snorted a moment later, "Base of operations? Man," she snorted again, letting out a laugh, "This is what happens when... when..." she groaned a moment later, "I'm so tempted to say 'are we there yet?', but we're not even close, huh, buddy?"
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Note: And there we have it! The thrilling start to The Walker. I know it's quite short, but after much consideration I decided... eh, it's fine. I think it's a good way to begin.
I would quickly like to thank Alex for being my sort of cheerleader; it's your lovely words that have really helped me along. I would also like to thank my beta, I love her, so much.
Returning readers, I would also like to thank YOU for sticking with me.
New readers, I suggest you head on over to my profile page and read Mad World before deciding to continue following this story... Or don't... What ever you'd like. But to clear up any confusion like, Who the hell is SAM!? You might want to visit Mad World.
I'm really excited about continuing this story! Guh! Let the drama commence!
