I want to apologize for how congested the last chapter was. It's one of my faults as a writer on here I try to cram so much into one chapter. I also realized I put stuff in there that will never be answered. I m trying to rush through season one because I picture Nora at the prison and Alexandria the most. I picture her at the farm, but in order for her to get there she has to start out here. I originally planned for her to be more quiet and observant, but my characters rarely do what I want. Anyway, I hope somebody is reading this and likes it. I don't know if I said it last chapter but I don't own Walking Dead. An I'm still not sure on the name of this.
Chapter 2
The next day I wake up and groan. My back is stiff because of the crappy mattress, which is really a bunch of pillows and rolled up blankets stuffed into two fitted sheets. It was still better than laying on the lumpy ground. I get up and grab my empty laundry basket. I put a thin light pink t-shirt and a pair of jeans in it. Then I grab my boots and a pair of socks and throw that in there as well. Last, but not least, I grab my bag of shower stuff ands lip on a pair of flip flops then exit my tent.
I step out and start heading down to the water. Most people took a shower in Dale's RV, but I didn't like to wait nor did I want to rely on something that could so easily be taken away. I had found a secluded pool that was surrounded by rocks and gave the illusion of privacy.
I notice Andrea give me a dirty look, probably because I'm just wearing a long night shirt. It went to my knees but I guess we are supposed to revert back to keeping all skin covered at all times. I continued my journey to get clean.
I walk pass the place where most of the women did their laundry and then turn right into a narrow path that quickly opens up to a wide hidden beach. The pool isn't big but it is deep. Its surrounded by high rock cliffs. It more than likely has a hidden channel connecting to the lake on the other side of the rock cliff. I never have tried to swim under it. I just come here when I want privacy and to escape the locals.
I quickly strip my shirt and underwear and slide my flip flops off. I run into the water. The coolness of the water wakes me up and provides some relief from the heat that has already settled this morning. I swim for a little bit and then decide to float on my back for awhile. I feel like I have my own paradise. I haven't shared this place with anyone and I intend to keep it that way.
I don't know how long I floated around before I decided it was time to actually bathe, but my hands were just on the verge of becoming wrinkley. I lay on my towel for awhile before I get dressed enjoying the warmth of the Georgia sun.
I start getting the feeling of someone watching me. So I start getting dressed. I stay calm thinking it could just be an overactive imagination, but my instincts are usually on point. I put my pants on first I can run topless if I have to, but I would prefer to not be bottomless. I keep trying to look around slyly, but I can't see anyone. I put my boots on and then my top. I gather all of my things and throw them in my basket. I spin around real fast and still don't see anyone.
"Hope you enjoyed the show," I shout and immediately feel ridiculous. I pick up my basket and leave.
As I walk up the embankment that leads into camp, I see Daryl has made it back. I guess they had a bit of a scuffle because everyone seems tense.
"I'm going back," I hear Rick say. I roll my eyes. Going back into Atlanta right after he found his family for an asshole like Merle seemed pretty dumb to me. I head over to my tent and put my basket down. I grab my tooth brush and toothpaste and start brushing my teeth vigorously. I see boots come into my line of vision.
"Glenn says you went on runs with him," Rick says.
"I have," I say not taking my toothbrush out of my mouth.
"He says your pretty good at it," he says.
"I am," I answer spitting on the ground and then brushing some more.
"We left Merle handcuffed on a roof."
"We did,' I say. Rinsing out my mouth and then grabbing my mouthwash and gargling.
"I'm going back to Atlanta. Glenn is going with me, but only if you come," he says. I finally cut my eyes at him and notice he's looking at the trees. I spit the mouth wash out and wipe my mouth with my arm.
"Then I guess he's not going,' I say. Then I start putting all of my stuff in the right spot.
"You would leave a human being up on a roof top," Rick says shocked. I turn around and glare at him.
"Who the hell is Merle Dixon to me? That's right no one. It was actually pretty nice being able to walk around without hearing his mouth yammering on," I say in a huff then start walking to where Carol makes breakfast. Rick follows me.
"If you won't go for Merle then go for the bag of guns that I left. There's a walkie in there I need. A man and his son have the other one and I need to warn them about what's in Atlanta," he says in a rushed voice.
"Sounds like a personal problem. Look the only reason I went on those runs was to get things for myself. Trust me if I came a little more prepared for the end of the world I wouldn't have went at all," I say. I reach the table and swipe a bowl of mush.
"You helped us in Atlanta. You helped with the walkers," he says like he's trying to find something redeemable in me.
"I helped get myself out. I had already found some climbing rope and planned one scaling the building if your plan failed," I say taking a bite of my food. Then I look over and see the box van and Daryl is sitting in the back. All of a sudden I see myself at eight sitting on my Grandma's porch with a police officer as the ambulance pulls away with no lights or siren. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. I owe Daryl. Without him hunting we wouldn't be eating any sort of meat, just canned crap.
"Dammit," I mutter. I turn around to face Rick. "I swear to God I will ditch you if we get in too deep. I'm not getting killed for Merle or some guy and his kid I don't even know. You understand," I snap at him. He gives me a cocky smile.
"Understood," he says. I go back to my tent and grab my axe and tie the holster around me. I grab a hair tie and throw my hair in a ponytail. Some of my hair falls out because its too short. Then I grab my padded leather jacket that I acquired from our run yesterday.
I walk towards the van and see Glenn laughing with Jim about something when he sees me he pales.
'You're going," he asks shocked. I glare at him.
"Yes. Someone wouldn't go unless I went," I snarl out. I hate doing something that I feel pressured in. I catch Dale hiding a smile and he winks at me. "I get shotgun," I say to Daryl.
I hop in the front seat, but don't close the door yet.
"You're taking her," I hear Lori say in a slightly scandalized voice.
"Yeah. Glenn says she knows her way around the city and I seen how good she is with the walkers," he says.
"Don't worry Lori. Your husband is safe. I'm many things, but an adulteress isn't one of them," I say. I make eye contact through the sideview mirror. I see her eyes get wide for a split second and then she says goodbye to Rick. I shut the door.
"That was stupid," I hear Daryl's gruff voice say behind me.
"She needs to get off her high horse. Walked around here for weeks like her shit don't stink and come to find out she's banging some guy that isn't her husband," I say not turning around. I put my feet up on the dash.
"Not everyone knows that," he says lowly. I snort.
"Maybe they don't know, but they suspect it," I say. Then Rick, Glenn and T-dog jump in the car. It's a quiet ride to the city.
"God I miss music," I say mostly to myself.
"Maybe you can find some good CDs on a run," Rick says. I make a sound of agreement and start tapping my fingers on my leg. The only sound being the engine and the wind coming in through the windows.
"Oh my gosh I'm going to go insane," I say dropping my legs in the floor board. I think everyone jumped at my sudden outburst. "What's the plan? We might as well fill this time with something productive. It's too quiet."
T-dog looks at me like I lost my mind. Daryl looks like he's actually trying to come up with a plan and Glenn looks at me confused.
"The quiet hasn't bothered you before. We never talked when we went on runs," he says.
"That's different. Quietness between two people is acceptable. Quietness with three or more people is eerie," I say.
We discuss a bunch of different scenarios until we finally arrive. We all get out and start running.
"We going after Merle first or the guns," Rick asks.
"Merle! We ain't even questioning it," Daryl shouts.
"We are," Rick states. We all stop. Glenn and I look at each other and shake our heads at the same time.
"The guns will cause us to double back. Merle first, then the guns," Glenn says. It's pretty easy getting in the building. We had to kill a few walkers, huh looks like the sheriff's lingo is already rubbing off on me. We reach the door and T cuts the chain. When we get on the roof Merle is gone, but his hand is still there.
Daryl start crying and falls to his knees. I look away to give him a little bit of dignity. T starts gathering Dales tools we left last time. Rick calms Daryl down and they come to the conclusion that Merle might still be near.
For some unknown reason, Daryl wraps up Merle's hand in a dew rag and puts it in Glenn's bag. We start checking the lower levels and Daryl starts yelling. I hit the back of his head. He turns and glares at me.
"I swear to fucking God, do that again and I'm gone. You are going to attract every walker in this place," I say. I grip my axe tighter and walk ahead of him. He mutters something under his breath. Theres dead walkers all around.
"Merle was strong enough to take on these dead fuckers. Single handed," Daryl says with a note of pride in his voice. I have to admit I was impressed too.
We come into a kitchen and see the stove on. I walk over and turn it off. I see a metal iron, it's the tool we would use at the diner to press the meat down while its cooking. I look closer and see skin on it.
"Looks like he cauterized his hand," I say. Glenn makes a squeamish face. He's going to have to toughen up if he's going to live in this world. T points to a broken window where Merle must have gotten out.
"He might still be close," Daryl says.
"We can look around a couple blocks, but that's it," Rick says.
"If we're doing that we need those guns. I'm not wondering the streets with just my good intentions," T says. Glenn and I sit down on the office floor and map out the street using the available office supply's.
"Don't forget that alley is blocked. Unless you can climb a fence pretty quick," I say. Glenn nods and puts a stapler there.
"This look right to you," Glenn mutters. I look at it and do a mental run of the town.
"Yeah. Just remember the bus here," I say pointing a little ways down from a pencil holder that was being used as the tank. "You won't be able to see behind it." Glenn nods.
Glenn comes up with a plan of T and Rick waiting in an ally a little ahead of the bag and Daryl and I will be waiting in the ally closer to the bag. Glenn was going to be the runner.
"Hey kid what'd you do before all this," Daryl asks.
"Delivered pizzas. Why," he says looking around confused.
We quickly make our way down the alley. Rick and T separating from us and going to their location. Glenn runs out to get the bag and Daryl and I are both watching to see if he needs back up or not.
"How'd you get so good at memorizing directions," he asks. I look at him.
"When you grow up in the rough side of town, you only turn down a dead end once. I got cornered and got the shit beat out of me. Realized I need to know my surroundings for a quick escape or an ambush of my own," I say. Before Daryl can say anything a guy comes out of no where. He starts yelling in Spanish and Daryl is trying to ask him if he knows where his brother is. He keeps yelling and when I step closer to help him a feel a hard hit on my head and get shoved into the wall. Then I see two other men start to beat up Daryl. I go to help him, but I'm seeing double.
Everything is going slow and fast at once, almost like when theres a strobe light on. I see Glenn come in and look at me. I'm trying to shake the woozy feeling from my head. The guys try and go after Glenn and I think Daryl shoots a guy in the ass, but I'm not sure. Then I feel arms around me and I try to fight them off but my eyes feel like they are swimming.
"Nora," I hear someone yell, but then a door shuts and I can't hear anything else.
I push myself away from the guy that grabbed me and try to kick him, but I bump into another body. He grabs my arms and the guy I was trying to kick grabs my feet. I start throwing my body around. I hear them curse and the guy that had my feet locks his arms around my thighs and leans his weight on them. I can't physically do anything so I start yelling at them.
"You better let me the fuck go," I yell. I start looking around for my axe. "Where the duck is my axe? I swear if you made me lose it I'm going to kill." I start thrashing again and then I turn my head and bite the guys stomach that's holding my arms.
"Shit! This bitch just bit me," he says. "You should have knocked her out Felipe." The guy holding my legs grunts. "Shit man. Tell me you pulled the arrow out."
Felipe nods his head against my legs and mumbles something about it still hurts.
"Let. Me. The. Fuck. Go," I say through gritted teeth.
"We aren't going to hurt you, but your people have Miguel and our bag of guns. We need you for a trade," the guy at my head says. I start laughing.
"Then you grabbed the wrong person. They aren't going to do shit to get me back. Just let me go and I won't hurt whoever it was that hit me," I say. Now the guys laugh. That rubs me the wrong way and I get deathly silent. I look at the guy that's on my legs trying desperately not to put weight on his ass, Felipe. "You can laugh now, but I will kill you. I killed my neighbor when he wouldn't leave me alone. Cut his head off. I got away with it too." The guys finally look nervous. I may have gleamed over the details, but I got the desired effect. They all looked considerably nervous.
The guy that's holding my arms starts speaking Spanish to the driver. We finally stop and they put a bag over my head and tie my hands behind my back. I hear them say Guillermo multiple times, but other than that its all Spanish.
I feel them tie me to a chair then pull off the sack they put over my head. Theres an attractive Mexican man standing in front of me and the guy that held my arms in the car.
"I'm Guillermo and you already know Jorge," he says tilting his head towards the other guy.
"Can't say I caught his name. You know with the assault and kidnapping going on," I say. I test the knots on my hands and feet and I don't move per se but theres a distinct feeling that I should be. I look down and see that I'm tied to a wheelchair that must have the breaks applied.
"Assault? No I believe it was you and your people you assaulted us," Guillermo says. I snap my head to face him.
"I'm sorry what? First off there was a kid that started yelling and attracting walkers so Daryl tried to get him to shut up. Then two guys come into the alley and hit me in the head and start beating Daryl up. Then they take me. Sorry to break it to you honey, but you are on the wrong side of this," I say. Guillermo looks at Jorge, then back at me.
"My men say you threatened them and even bit Jorge," he says like it's a grave mistake. I look at him incredulous for a minute.
"Recap. Assault. Kidnapping," I state clearly. Jorge looks frustrated.
"We tried not to hurt you too bad, but we had to get Miguel and the guns. I'm sorry for that," he nearly spits out the last part. I roll my eyes.
"I'm sure your little chivalrous heart is just broken," I say. Jorge huffs and Guillermo puts a hand on his shoulder.
"My friends tell me you said that your people wouldn't try to get you back. What makes you say that," Guillermo says.
"Why would they? I don't expect them to. I wouldn't for them," I say in a bored tone. Guillermo studies me for a minute.
"I think your wrong. Would you like any water," he says.
"Yeah and have you roofie me? No thanks," I say. He shrugs and they both walk out of the room.
I keep trying to get my hands free. I manage to make he chair jump once, but the amount of energy it took to lift us both wasn't worth it. Then two men who I hadn't seen come storming in and cut my ropes hauling me out of the chair. They put the bag over my head and I try to fight them again.
"Fight us and we might drop you," one says in my ear. I hear a door bang open and then I can see the sun coming through the bag. They whip off the bag and I look down.
I'm standing on the roof of a building and theres a court yard down below. I see Guillermo and Felipe and to my surprise Rick, Glenn and Daryl. They have the kid from the alley with them and Daryl has my axe. I don't see T. I didn't expect any of them to come after me. They must have come to an agreement or something because Rick and the rest leave with the kid and the two men who are holding me yank me back from the ledge.
We get back to the room that has my wheelchair and they tie me back to it, but the release the break and start pushing me down a long hallway. I start looking around at all the open doorways. There bedrooms. Some were occupied with older people. Some had middle aged people in the rooms with an older person either reading to them or brushing their hair.
"What the hell is this place," I ask not expecting an answer.
"It was a nursing home. Some families came and got their loved ones others…didn't. Most of the nurses left, but a few stayed. After everything went down some more of the patients' families showed up and liked what we were doing so they stayed." I look to my left and see Guillermo walking behind me and slightly to my left. He smiles at me. "I see you were wrong. Your friends came back."
"And they promptly left," I say turning my head and looking forward again. We come to a cafeteria. There's a bunch of people in here doing various things. A few were eating, but it seemed they were mostly playing games. Some had cards, others and board games such as chess. There was the sense of normalcy that felt so out of place now. They pushed me over to a remote corner and puts the breaks back on.
"Do you want that water now," Guillermo says. I give him a look and would have flipped him off if my hands weren't tied. He throws his hands in the air in a surrendering gesture and backs away. I hear a little growl to my left and turn my head to see two chihuahuas sitting in a dog bed staring at me. I feel someone lay a hand on my right arm and snap my head around to tell off whoever it is, but its an older woman. She smiles at me.
"Are you Felipe's friend," she says.
"Not exactly," I say slowly.
"Oh, he's a good boy. You would like him. I'll get him for you," she says and stands up.
"No that's ok I've already met him," I say, but she just turns around and smiles. Then an older gentleman starts breathing really fast. Pretty much gasping. The lady looks at him concerned. His breathing starts getting worse.
"I'll go get Felipe," she says and walks away. I stare at the old man, he has a crowd gathered around him now. It takes several minutes then Felipe runs in followed by the old lady who's leading Rick by the hand. I look at him confused and then I see Glenn, Daryl and T following them. Glenn runs over and unites me.
"What are you guys doing here," I say rubbing my wrists after they're free.
"You didn't think we would leave you here, did you," Glenn asks while he's undoing my ankles.
"Honestly? Yeah," I say. Glenn looks at me like he feels sorry for me. I'm finally free and stand up. Daryl hands me my axe. "Thanks." I slide it back in my holster that was still tied on my back. Rick goes over to talk to Guillermo and we all kind of follow him.
Rick gives Guillermo some of the guns.
"I'm sorry we kept you tied up, but you kept threatening my men. I didn't want to chance it," he says. He's walking us out of the nursing home. I nod my head and then look over at Felipe who was walking with us.
"You're the one who hit me right," I ask him. Felipe looks up and nods.
"Yeah," he say a bit ashamed.
"And you're the one who got shot in the ass by Daryl, right?"
"Yes," he grits out glaring at Daryl. I nod my head and then lunge forward and knee him in the balls. He doubles over I pat his back.
"Now we're even," I say and walk away. I notice the guys guard themselves when I walk by out of reflex. I hear Guillermo chuckle a little, but we keep walking. I start looking at Rick out of the side of my eyes.
"What," he says.
"Why'd you do it," I ask.
"Give them guns," he says and shrugs. "They nee them."
"No. Why'd you come after me. I told you before we left the camp I wouldn't do the same for you. No one would have questioned why I wasn't with you. So why," I say confused. Rick looks at me.
"You're apart of this. Whether you want to be or not. We didn't know what they would do to you. I was going to let that happen. None of us were," he says. I look back and see Glenn and T looking at me and Daryl looking down at the ground. We continue to the van while I maul that over.
The van is gone. I know for a fact that this is where we parked it.
"Who could have took it," Glenn says panicking.
"Merle," Rick says.
"He's going to be bringing a vengeance back to camp," Daryl says. We all look at each other and Rick looks at me.
"You coming," he says. They all start running. I stay back a minute. They didn't know if the Guillermo and his people would hurt me. They didn't know if they would kill them. They risked their lives for me, at least in their minds. Daryl stopped looking for his brother, for me. I owed them. So, I started running to catch up.
We keep running only stopping every once in awhile to catch our breath and take a sip of water. When it starts getting dark we don't stop. A couple times Rick asks me if we're going in the right direction and I assure him we are. We start getting closer to camp and that's when we hear the guns and screams. We don't hesitate and all the tiredness and exhaustion fly away.
We get to camp and see that walkers have invaded. I start swinging my axe down on the nearest walkers and keep moving forward. After we deal with all the walkers I look out over the carnage. There was blood everywhere. I see Andrea sobbing over Amy's body. I see Rick holding his son and hugging his wife. We are all just standing there wondering what we do next.
"I remember now. I remember why I dug the holes," Jim says. I don't know what he's talking about but I do notice that Amy isn't the only one we lost. I put my axe away and start pulling a body of a walker to the side of camp. Then I go back and get another one. Others start helping. We leave our people alone for now. No one talks the only sounds are the occasional grunt here and there and the sound of bodies dragging along the ground. The crickets are even silent tonight.
Authors note: Alright hoping this chapter is better than the last. I wasn't going to have the Vatos take her at first, but she needed a reason to stay with them. I feel like Nora is someone who doesn't like to feel like she owes anyone. She felt like she owed Daryl because he brought the camp meat. That's why she went to help find Merle. Now she feels like she owes Rick, Glenn, T and Daryl. Anyway, I was originally going to have my oc appear with Abraham and them, but now I'm thinking maybe with Ty and Sasha. I don't know I can picture him clearly standing by Abraham. Let me know if you have any thoughts.