Footsteps of the Damned

Chapter 2 - Acceptance


It was a hot day, but digging a grave didn't help maters. No one wanted to talk about what happened or what they suspected had happened. Rick had learned the hard way that the apocalypse changed people. He had watched as his best friend- his partner- changed right in front of his eyes. Even though Shane had threatened Rick's life, Rick still saw his friend as he once was and wanted to give him a proper burial.

"Don't see why we have'ta bury him," another man started, his brown hair drenched with sweat. "The bastard was screwing around with your wife anyways."

A fist was immediately thrown across Daryl's face as the words slipped from his mouth.

"Screw you! Nothing happened!"

Daryl stepped forward to retaliate, but was interrupted by a loud clamping noise and a short scream. The two men, accompanied by Glenn, made their way back to the camp in a hurry.

"Rick, what was that?" A woman asked worriedly. "It sounded like someone was hurt."

Rick nodded to his wife, a grim look on his features.

"Didn't sound like an animal or walker," an older man chimed in.

He sent a disapproving glance at Daryl, who just scoffed and picked up his crossbow.

"It's okay, Daryl. We'll check it out," Rick informed, nudging Glenn.

The statement didn't go over well with Daryl though.

"Do you even know how to open the trap?"

Both Rick and Glenn exchanged glances before shaking their heads. Daryl just grunted and walked past them. "So you get there, unable to open it, so you'd just leave whoever it is there. Sounds familiar."

"Man, it wasn't on purpose..." Glenn complained, following after the southerner with Rick.

"Just shut up, would you?" Daryl shot back.

Glenn gulped nervously and did as he was told, keeping beside Rick for safety. Everyone in the group seemed to understand that Daryl wasn't one to mess with, especially when he was in a bad mood. The only one that stood up to him was Rick and he did a good job of keeping him in line.

"Sounded like a girl, don't you think?" Glenn questioned.

The group was making good progress, so it was only a matter of time before they'd have his answer.

"Unfortunately..." Rick replied.

The sight that they found confirmed Glenn's suspicions, but they hadn't expected the large dog that stood in front of her, hackles raised and teeth bared. None of the men knew what to make of the situation. Daryl didn't seem to care for explanations though, and lifted his crossbow, aiming towards the animal.

"Daryl, wait..." Rick instructed, pushing his weapon down. "Maybe it's her pet..."

Daryl shoved him away and returned his crossbow to the animal in question. "Dun matter if it's goin' to attack us."

Glenn stepped forward this time and moved in front of Daryl. "It's just scared, man... Its owner is hurt."

"So tell it that we want'a help her," Daryl sneered.

He received a glare, but Glenn didn't let the other man's comment dissuade him as he took a cautious step towards the unconscious girl. The dog's growling instantly grew louder, yet it took a step back. From what he knew about dogs, a tail tucked between it's legs meant that it was scared. It also meant that the dog was that much more dangerous.

"Atta boy... I don't want to hurt you..." Glenn cooed.

Rick and Daryl watched uneasily as the boy continued his approach. Rick couldn't help but agree with Daryl that it was probably easier- and safer- to just kill the dog, but if Glenn wanted to try another way, then he wouldn't stop him. The kid had proven himself street smart anyways and Rick would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Glenn had gotten within a foot of the girl and reached down towards the trap on her leg when the dog finally lunged at him, knocking him onto his back and pinning him to the ground. Daryl's crossbow instantly aimed towards the animal.

"W-wait!" Glenn called, his voice shaky. "He didn't bite me..."

The sights on Daryl's weapon didn't move.

"Daryl, don't shoot."

"Glenn..." Rick warned, his hand on his own pistol.

"Just wait a sec, dammit."

Glenn wasn't aware of what kind of contraption the dog had on its jaws, but he realised that it wouldn't allow it to open its mouth wide enough to bite him even if it wanted to- which, by the looks of things, it didn't even want to. With that in mind, he reached up carefully and put his hand in front of the dogs nose. It took a second, but the growling ceased.

"See, told you," he boasted triumphantly.

He got the dog off of him and signalled Daryl to come over to deal with the trap.

"If that thing even looks at me the wrong way, I'm gonna shoot it," Daryl warned as he approached the girl.

"Just get the thing off her," Rick chimed in.

It didn't take him long to get the trap off her leg and to wrap it. The bleeding didn't stop though, so there next best bet was to bring her back to their camp. The dog followed behind at a safe distance, but for the time being, the canine wasn't what they were concerned about. It was only a matter of time before the girl would die unless they did something fast, but at the same time, there was a nagging voice in the back of Rick's mind that he should be weary of any survivors outside the group.


A sharp pain in my leg greeted me when I opened my eyes, forcing a grunt from my lips. If I remembered correctly, I had managed to step on an animal trap and nearly got my leg severed, but when I looked around, I wasn't in the forest and my leg was wrapped up. I wasn't sure where I was, or who had brought me here, but it looked like I was in an RV- one of those mobile homes. There were blankets scattered around in different places, indicating a group of people- if I'd let myself assume that.

"Oh, you're up."

My attention darted to the door, where an older man popped his head into the RV. I tried to sit up to give myself a better chance to defend myself if need be, but rope bound my arms together in front of me. I felt like a turtle stuck on it's back.

"Sorry about the rope," the man started, "I didn't think it was necessary, but Rick didn't want to take the chance."

"Fair enough." I let myself relax in the bed, but it didn't last long. "Where's Thor?"

A confused look washed over the man's face. "Thor? Oh, the dog?"

He let me nod before continuing. "He's just outside, we tied him to a tree on the outer edge of the camp. He was being hostile towards the group when they found you, but he calmed down. He's been a bit anxious though."

I nodded the best I could while laying down and sighed. "Think I can get this off any time soon?"

I lifted my hands to show him the rope.

"Let me get Rick, I'm sure he'll untie it once he talks to you."

I nodded once more as he walked out of the RV. From what he said, it was safe to assume that there were at least a few other people in their group- seeing as the man had said 'camp'. Plus, I was thinking that it was also safe to bet that they were good people and were just being cautious about me.

I couldn't help the wave of relief that passed through me. I had finally found a group of survivors in the middle of hell. Survivors- the word brought a new spark of hope. We could expand their camp, start over, rebuild.

I was drawn from my thoughts as the man returned with, who I was assuming was Rick, behind him.

"Glad to see you're doing okay, you had us worried."

He gave me a smile and leaned against the far wall.

"I guess I owe you a thanks," I informed. "I thought I was dead for sure."

Rick's smile faltered as I spoke. "Sorry about that, it was our trap. Daryl still had a few in his pickup so we thought it'd be a good idea to set them up around the perimeter."

"Sounds like a good idea to me," I replied honestly. "I should have been paying more attention anyways..."

Rick waited a moment before walking over to me. "I'm going to untie you, but be warned, if you even think of trying anything-"

"You'd have every right in the world to do as you please. I promise you, I won't do anything I shouldn't."

My answer seemed to go over well with him and he nodded before pulling the rope free.

"You've been out for a few days with a slight fever," Rick informed as he backed up and glanced at my injury. "Your leg's probably not one hundred percent yet, but when you think you're up to it, feel free to come outside and meet everyone else."

"Thanks. Rick, right...?"

He nodded, pausing at the door to let me continue.

"I had a van about two K east of where I was- has a bunch of supplies in the back." I reached into my pocket and fished around for the keys. I was slightly surprised they had left them for me. "I'm sure your group wouldn't mind extra supplies."

A grin grew on Rick's lips as I tossed the keys over to him. "Much appreciated-?"

"Riley," I finished for him.

"Glad to have you with us, Riley."


Footnote:

And thus we have the survivors. Thank you to everyone who faved, and special thanks to my lone reviewer. You're support is greatly appreciated. :)
If I remember correctly, the next bit takes more from the comic... or is that after... oh well, I guess you'll have to keep reading and find out~

Leave a review and et me know how it is so far :)