Chapter 2
Kats POV
They have been stuck in this traffic for over 3 hours with no movement. Rubbing her daughters back she hoped they started moving soon the truck was getting hot and Cora wasn't feeling great.
Hearing a loud rumble she turned to see Merle pull up beside her window. "How is Asskicker doin?" he asked nodding to the little girl who was sitting on her lap. "I'm fine just hot and tired. How much longer?" her daughter asked Merle.
Smiling Merle asked "Kaitlyn is it okay if Asskicker goes for a ride? I'll be careful and maybe some wind will help cool her down." Hesitant at first she looked at her daughter who was giving her the biggest smile possible "Please, Please, Please mom! Pleeeeaaaasssseeee."
Laughing she got out of the truck carrying Cora in her arms. "Okay but you have to listen to Merle and if you want to stop you tell him okay?" She put her daughter in front of Merle on his bike and gave him a look that screamed be careful and thank you at the same time.
"Got nothing to worry about this here is precious cargo. Alright kid ready for a wheelie." He joked as he slowly starting making his way through the cars that were stuck just as much as she was.
Daryl POV
Putting his arm over Kats shoulders "You know he won't do anything stupid with her there."
"I know but it's a mother's job to worry. Thank you for taking care of us by the way." She turned toward him and put her arm around his back giving a slight squeeze.
Tensing for a second he remembered who was holding him and relaxed.
"Y'all are like family so of course we will take care of you. No need to thank us." It was true he loved those two. They were strong and making it through life on their own. He knew Kat had a lot on her plate but she was always smiling and making sure everyone else was fine.
"Let's get back to the truck and check the radio." Just as those words left Kats mouth helicopters appeared above them and started toward the City that was looming up ahead. Daryl watched standing beside Kat as the city suddenly became bright with explosions. He turned to see Kat cover her mouth with her hand. He pulled her away and went toward the truck. Merle would be back soon then they were leaving this place.
Kats POV
Waiting for Merle and Cora to come back after the realization that they couldn't go to Atlanta was feeling like forever. She knew Merle would protect Cora but still she worried. Swinging her legs as she sat on the back of Daryl's truck, she lifted her head up when she thought she heard someone calling her name. Shaking her head she went back to focus on the ants crawling on the road.
"Mrs. Patrick?" Looking up she saw a familiar face. Smiling she pulled the young boy into her arms for a soft hug. Happy to see that the young Grimes was safe. She loved all of her former students and had missed teaching when she had to quit to take care of Cora.
"How are you Mrs. Patrick? Where is Cora? Do you know what is going on?" He was always asking questions.
"I'm fine, she will be back in a second and I am sad to say I have no clue what is going on. How is your mom and Dad?" She saw his face change at the mention of his parents. "I'm sorry, who are you here with?" she asked
"Mom and Shane are with me, come on you can say hi." Pulling her toward a jeep
"Hi Ms. Grimes and Officer Walsh, long time no see." She joked. The Grimes were good parents. Lori was always helping out at PTA meetings and Rick would drop Carl off whenever he could. Shane Walsh, she knew from school. He was always there talking about gun safety or about the dangers of drugs. She was glad Carl had these two to watch over him.
"Please call us Lori and Shane, I think formalities are gone at this point." Lori joked. "I'm sorry I only know you as Mrs. Patrick."
"Sorry people outside of school call me Kat." Just then she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder and turned to see Daryl telling her that Merle and Cora were back.
"We are leaving, it's not safe around all these people." He quietly told her. Nodding at his words Kat turned back to the group that stood before her to say goodbye.
Shane spoke up. "We should all go, not a large group but a smaller one. That way we can protect ourselves and look out for each other."
Turning to Daryl he nodded and started to speak to Shane about a quarry that wasn't far from here. Something about it being a good place to camp until this blows over. Walking back to Cora she gave her daughter a hug relieved that her daughter had no contusions, scratches, or bumps. "Thank you" she mouthed to Merle as Cora was telling her all about the bike ride and how fun it was.
Merle smiled and nodded then started walking back to Daryl. Cora and her made it inside Daryl's truck and Cora was asleep in a few minutes. Humming a song to her daughter was the only way she knew how to comfort her and try to relay that everything was going to be all right. She just really hoped everything would be okay.
Daryl's POV
Walking back to the truck he heard Kat humming and stopped for a second. It was beautiful. Opening his door to get back in the truck he saw that Cora was asleep and Kat was rubbing her back. He pretended to not notice the tears that had fallen down her cheek. Wiping her eyes a little she turned to him "what's the plan sir?"
"We are going to a quarry that's not far from here but should be far enough away. We can set up camp there and make sure y'all are alright. That cop and a few others are going to join us. Safety in numbers."
Seeing her nod she went back to humming to her daughter. He started the truck and then turned around on the berm and started to drive against traffic. Followed by a small convey of other people. Merle took the lead and all Daryl could do was hope he was making the right decision.
