ChapterOne

Why did i agree to go on this run? 'Sure i'll go with you guys to one of the biggest cities in America. Oh really it's fine if it's full of fresh walkers that want to eat me.'

Charlie was twigging out but not as hard as Merle Dixon. They lived in the same trailer park. She would buy a baggie of weed from him every now and was back when she wanted to go back to college but lost hope in saving enough money. She wasn't in a good state when the world ended. Always putting things on hold. Thinking she had so much time. But the sad thing is she dwells on the 'What if's". She could've been going to college and in a whole different mental state. The depression she suffered with years was supposed to be gone by now. She worked so hard to be normal or close to it. All the small things that motivated her to push further disappeared, going to College, making actual friends,traveling the world, flying in a plan. But the world had other plans for Charlie Day. Her father was the only reason she tried to live on anymore, it wouldn't be fair to leave him alone "I need to stop sticking my neck out for these people." Charlie whispered to herself. Pulling air sharply into her nose, stretching her arms above her head and shaking her hands out.

The irony of today was hitting hard, here Charlie was in some weird corner hiding, trying to come back down to earth. Why did things always have to go south,especially when everything was going so smoothly. The unpredictable walkers must've been a forgotten factor. One track mind may have hazed up the reality of how risky this task was.

Shane's not going to help them now that they were up shit creek. His power trips were frightening to witness. Reality of her potential death settled around charlie like a heavy blanket. 'What about my dad', she thought, he has been acting strange lately. Not that everyone else was thriving. No Jim has been sleeping less and making weird predictions. Losing the only person who cared about the teen made her feel uneasy. Charlie got most of her awkward and quirky personality from the 'old man'. After deadbeat of a mother left, Charlie felt more loved and secure with one parent.

"You can do this Charlie. Merel is a pussy light-weight losing his shit but you got this, Not today Charlie, Not today" Her crazy coping method of rambling was working for now, But what a shit day it turn to.

Sharing her speed with Merel started out a good idea. They can get shit done on this outing, fast in and out.

There were heavy footsteps on the tiled floor coming toward Charlie, unfamiliar ones. she whipped around fast, too out of it to remember where her weapon was. Stupidly the thought to even use her bat didn't even enter her mind. With dilated eyes that were widening even more now. Especially that there in front of her was a Police Officer. Shit you not a cop, in full getup in the middle of the apocalypse

"Hello" charlie timidly stammered. "Are you charlie? Everyone is up at the roof dealing with that jackass." "yeah,Who are you?"

"I'm Rick Grimes. Merle Dixon, a man in your group, is in an awfully erratic state. Do you know what he is on?" rick asked knowing the answer already but he could she is a little fucked up to.

He was testing the blonde, seeing if he should cuff her with merel.

"No." a fast answer came

"Yeah that's a look a bit messed up yourself, but atleast youre not shootting up the sky or screaming. So i'll cut you some slack if you keep it together. But the moment you lose it I won't hesitate to lock you up with that redneck on the roof." he ordered. Charlie's defencive side spiked at the unnecessary stereotype.

"Like there is any real authority left in this hell. It's time to wake up, no one care about anything anymore. You don't have a right to judge people you don't know. Rules don't exist,everyone is for themselves. Truly step back and choose what you think is important. How you judge other is the first thing needed to stay alive out here Mister. Merle is a prick but not everyone cares about that shit anymore. The asshole of the world were more helpful and considerate then your kind. Where was the law when this started? Oh thats right shooting everyone. Bye"

deciding she wasn't going to let this stranger have power over her. More importantly warning the man that we can't have everything like it use to be. It's time to hold tight to the values we cherish, maybe in the end you come out the other side with some left. Red-face and annoyed Charlie turn away, planning to return in her Changing Room hiding place.

Later on

She saw Blondie taking to rick, she had such an insipid voice.

"oh handsome cop i would take this tasteless jewelry for a sister that hate me back at camp" charlie mocked in her head. The best part about being her was the ability to blend in. From her spot lying under racks of clothes she saw and heard everyone. No one knew it but she had a hearing aid in most the time. Charlie was far from being deaf. Walkers were slow and pretty loud so she just keeps an ear out. Charlie couldn't help it people were less discreet with their conversations.

Deciding to do a bit of shopping she crawl out of her hiding place. His stance was a bit cocky and entitled but it just made charlie's eyes go to the cops ass. It was too fine if a specimen not to admire.

"I see you went right for the fancy stuff". Charlie sarcastically muttered while opening the fine jewelry case. That woman was so tasteless. As the world started going to shit Charlie had a 'great revelation' about not letting all those hours she spent pining over the finer things in life go to wasted.

The apocalypse did funny things to people so it was now a goal of her's to not to give a fuck on any opinions. Charlie was going to be an outlandish and carefree as much as possible now. Whatever time she had left was going in be spent wearing pricey jewelry, whatever shoes and brand-name clothing that doesn't last long in this dirty world. Really, expensive clothes are not very durable.

The disgust must've been apparent on charlie's face because Big Mouth had something to say. "Do you have a problem with the gift I picked for my sister."

"Oh not at all, it is hard shopping for others. Now that the world ended The pressure must be terrible. I haven't found myself in that position yet. Not much to celebrate... People dying and all" Andrea was about to rebuke but Charlie's mouth was faster.

She was examining Diamond necklaces but that didn't stop her from belittling Andrea's crape choice of a birthday gift. "some people go for something more symbolic. Like starfish earrings or seashells. Surly Amy has loved mermaids for years now. But really it's your sister I'm sure she'll adore the flashy literal mermaid necklace out of the juniors section."

By the time her rant ended she decided on the Canary yellow pendent. It sparked and silently won her heart. All the years of penned up criticism and people watching paid off. As well as the years she spent hiding behind books. The world is done for but she will not accept the title of trash ever again.

"Well" was all the come back Andrea had, Rick was thoroughly amused.

"I guess this seventeen year old stumped the lawyer." A flash of something came into the staffers eye but Charlie was not losing her timing. Respectfully locking the case back up, who know the manager might be coming in on Monday.

"Well I interacted with other humans long enough today. I'll be locked in a changing room, shit goes south give me a Howler" acting ballsy as fuck was becoming easier. "Is that a good idea?" The concerned cop in Rick was kicking in.

"In this world? No idea is good mister." With an funny face and rolled eyes charlie wandered off again.

"Why isn't she a ray of sunshine." Andrea got her words back it seemed to rick.

"yeah, very well spoken for so young."

"I guess but she's pretty reckless when it comes to most things. She gets the job done but is always wandering off." Rick was assessing view of the girl. Wandering off in Andrea's eye was harmless. But for some reason he knew the odd Charlie girl had purpose to running off. " Not wasting time. What an odd group he happened upon.

Charlie was musing about her new found set of skills. Her father and her realized early on that if we were cover with guts of the dead, they could coast through herds unnoticed.

Starting off with her metal softball bat from childhood and dad's red handle machete, Charlie got use to the horrible smell and close contact with the dead. Guns were still scary to use, she imagined shooting one and it backfired under her chin. As far fetched as it was charlie still veered away from them. She was browsing the shoe aisle.

It was hard to just admire clothes before the end of the world. Window shopping could get depressing. So when the time came for looting she was not shy about it and had a pretty good idea where to find valuable hidden supplies. She went for the good stuff every time they went on out still had no idea why they let a teen on these outings. But the others believed she was just an extra set of eyes not really a vital they just assume things show up in the trunks of cars. She was never really important to them. It was no secret they just didn't connect with her. They were all there so she just jacked around. She got uggs soft ones for later and a pair of tall leather boots. So thick that walker could bit at her ankles. Levi jeans that she doubted she'll wear but, so what. Even a nice pair for the guys in the group. She really didn't talk much. Her eyes caught a beautiful pink lace bra,being a bit chubby gave her a solid C. It was a bit hard to find a bra that was just the right amount of sexy and supportive. Not that she had anyone to show it off to. One of charlie's main worries was not getting any action. Sex was something she really wanted to master. Eighty percent of the books she read was raunchy paperbacks.

Red face Glenn waited awkwardly for Charlie's attention.

"OH, what's up?" logically the ex-Delivery Boy was an option but she didn't feel anything towards him "We need some advice come with me to the back office."

They walked up to the groups trying to find a way out, Rick was looking out the window trying to find anything to take advantage of. "Why are we asking for the advice of a teen?" wow is all the words out of her mouth a complaint?' rick asked himself. The level headed Morels gave rick a look.

"Charlie has all sorts of tricks to get around walkers. It was crazy when I first saw it."

Glenn said in defence. They were trying to form a plan when the two walked in."I was called"

"We heard you know a thing or two about getting out of tight spots." The cop asked with his heavy southern drawl. Charlie gave them a sly smile, almost making Rick forget how high she was. The spark in her eye

"Well boys hope you have a strong stomach. We're about to get real dirty."

To Be Continued...