Chapter 2.

Teri Smith entered the spare room to check on the man her niece Evangeline had brought back from her scavenge hunt in Atlanta. He had been unconscious when he

was brought here and between the two of them they had dragged him to the spare bedroom and bound his wrists to the bed. Seeing him still asleep Teri changed the

IV drip that pumped Normal Saline into him. Turning to leave she heard him groan and turning back she saw his eyes opening.

Merle opened his eyes and looking at the elderly woman in front of him with greying red hair he licked his dry lips and asked "who are you?".

Teri smiled and checking the wound on his arm for any sign of infection she replied "welcome back Merle I'm Teri Smith. You've been asleep for eight days".

Merle looked around confused and asked "am I in a make shift hospital?".

Unstrapping his arms and removing the IV drip Teri nodded and replied "you were very dehydrated when Evangeline got back here but you've been improving

everyday while on the drip". Walking over to the wardrobe she pulled out a pair of sweat pants, a tee shirt, socks and trainers and left them on the end of his bed

before adding "these will fit you. Come into the kitchen when you're dressed. It's down the hall".

Merle watched her leave the room before slowly sitting up. Being hit by a sudden dizzy spell he lay back down for a few minutes before sitting up again and reached

for the clothes at the end of the bed. Putting them on slowly his mind raced with worry over his brother. Daryl would have gone looking for him and not finding him on

the rooftop would have begun searching else where. Tying the shoe laces of the shoes Merle stood up carefully and made his way to the kitchen noting he was in one

fancy house with all the mod cons. Entering the kitchen he sat at the kitchen table and watched Teri cooking at the stove before asking "how do you survive with all

those walkers outside your house?".

Teri smiled and dishing up a bowl of vegetable stew she replied "my late husband liked his privacy so he built a twelve foot fence around our property. It keeps those

things out but occasionally a few of them come in when the gate is opened but it doesn't take long to dispose of them". Placing the steaming bowl in front of him she

poured him a glass of orange juice and handing it to him she added "enjoy your meal".

Merle took a spoonful of stew in his mouth before groaning in satisfaction. It was heaven to have decent food again and with out hesitation he ate the stew before

washing it down with the orange juice. Sitting back he said "thanks. Have ye taken in any other people besides me?".

Teri took his empty bowl and glass and placing them in the sink she replied "Evangeline was scavenging some cars on a highway outside Atlanta and found an eight

year old girl hiding in a car. There was no one else around so she took her back here".

Merle frowned and rubbing his neck he said "that poor kid".

"I know but she's doing better. Hasn't spoken much except tell us her name is Sophia Peletier" said Teri.

Merle could remember a kid by that name in his group. She had been a shy kid and had stayed near him when her Father Ed was in one of his violent tempers.

Standing up he said "I know her. She was in the group that left me behind".

"Do you think she'll talk to you and tell you how she ended up alone on the high way?" asked Teri curiously.

Nodding his head Merle replied "yeah she'll speak to me. Her Father was the abusive type and she spent her time around me to escape his wrath".

Teri shook her head sadly and said "that's sad that her Father was like that but if I may why did she pick you out to hide behind?".

Merle gritted his teeth at the memory before saying "we meaning the group were always on the lookout for Walkers. I heard some rustling in the forest behind our

camp and went to investigate it. Her Father Ed had her feet tied together, had her dangling from a tree. Then he started slapping her across the face telling her she'd

pay for ruining his life and that she was only good enough to be Walker bait". Seeing tears roll down Teri's face he added "I'd seen enough by then and attacked him.

Kicked the shit out of him and told him never to touch Sophia again or I'd slit his throat. When I cut Sophia down she just clung to me. I guess things got worse when

Officer Friendly left me cuffed to the rooftop".

Teri dried her tears and said "I don't know but come on I'll take you to her. She spends her time in the living room drawing".

Merle nodded his head and followed Teri down the hallway to a closed door. Opening the door he entered the room and saw Sophia colouring a picture. Clearing his

throat caught her attention and when she saw him she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Merle bent down to her level and picking her up in his

arms he said "good to see you too".

Sophia clung to Merle for a few minutes before saying "they all left me".

Merle patted her back gently and sitting on the couch he placed Sophia on his lap and asked "Sophia ya need to tell me everything that happened".

Sophia sniffed and wiping her eyes she said "when the group members got back you weren't with them but they had some officer with them and it turned out he's

Lori's husband. Daryl was very angry when he got back from hunting and you weren't there so Carl's Dad went with him and a few others to get you the next day but

you were gone". Wiping a few more tears that had trickled down her face she continued "Andrea and Amy caught a lot of fish and we all ate well and Amy went to use

the bathroom but when she opened the door of the RV a Walker bit her and then there was Walkers everywhere. Daryl and the others came back just in time but Amy

died and so did Dad. We left camp and ended up on a highway and were looking for supplies when a horde of Walkers came and we all hid under cars. I thought they

had all passed but I was wrong and that thing chased me into the forest. Rick found me and told me to hide so he could draw it and some others away. I hid and then

made my way back to the highway but I got lost so I took refuge in a tree. When I eventually got back to the highway they were all gone and then Evangeline found

me".

Merle nodded his head and said "alright. You can stay with me Soph and together we'll find them".

Teri watched the two interact before returning to the kitchen wondering what the future lay in store for them.