The next morning, there was a commotion outside that had woken Jorgia. Getting up slowly, she shook her head and stepped outside. "Morning Officer Grimes," Jorgia said as she saw that Rick was also getting out of his tent, "Morning Miss Jorgia. Sleep well?" he said softly, "Yes, and you?" "The best I've slept in a while," Rick and Jorgia smiled and made their way to Glenn, who stood in front of the red Dodge and looked at the others take apart of the car. "It's okay Glenn, maybe you'll get to steal another one some other day," Jorgia reasoned, Glenn looked towards Jorgia and smiled, "Yeah, hopefully." Jorgia giggled and made her way towards Carol, "Good morning Miss Carol, is Sophia up?" Carol smiled and nodded, "She's with Carl and the others and Jacqui over by the cans." Carol pointed and Jorgia nodded, "Jorgia, your mother wants to make sure you eat before you go an play with them." Jorgia nodded again and headed into the Suburban to grab her usual breakfast. She was in the middle of finishing her cereal bar when she heard screams, without thinking Jorgia grabbed her bow and arrow and headed in the direction along with the other men. When they all arrived, Jorgia saw a walker on top a deer eating. Before Rick, Shane, Glenn, Jim, Dale, and Morales could beat it up, Jorgia sent an arrow right through its head. "Good shot Jorgia," said Rick as the limp walker fell on to the ground. "Thanks," Jorgia replied nodding her head, "That's the first walker we've seen in days." Dale said, "Ran out of food in the city," there was a shuffle in the bushes, everyone raised their weapons, ready to fight.
"Damn Daryl, you fuckin' redneck, you cheated!" Brent yelled as he and Marcus stepped through the bushes, the two of them stopped before they saw the weapons pointed at them, "Woah! Innocent!" Marcus joked; Jon, Stephen and Daryl all caught up with them and held their hands up, "What's wrong?" Jon asked, but his eyes glanced down to where the deer laid, a hole on its body. "Son of a bitch! That's my deer!" Daryl said as the 5 men walked towards the deer. "Look at it all gnawed off by this filthy seasonless proxy bastard!" Daryl yelled with each kick to the walker. "Calm down son, that's not helping." Daryl stalked to Dale angry, "Daryl, come on man." Jon interjected, Marcus, Brent and Stephen walked towards the deer, "Dad, do you think we can cut off this part?" Marcus asked, "I would not risk that," Shane said. "That's too bad, we've been tracking this deer for miles. Drag it back to camp, cook us some venison." Daryl said, grabbing back his arrows. "Who killed the walker?" Shane pointed his gun to Jorgia, "That's my princess!" Stephen cheered, Jorgia smiled and walked towards her dad and gave him a big hug. "Missed you Dad," "Missed you too Princess, where's your mother?" Jorgia pointed to the campsite. Stephen nodded and left but not with out giving Jorgia a kiss on the forehead. "Did you guys get any good kills?" Jorgia asked as she hugged all her brothers, "Just some squirrels, rabbits, and some raccoons. This deer was supposed to be ours, but looks like the son of a bitch got to it first. You okay Jor? Lookin' kind of pale." Jon noticed, worried for his sister. "I'm fine, it's just my pod is acting up." Jorgia replied, but when she took a step forward, she nearly fell on top of Daryl. "Whoa there" Brent went to grab her and felt her skin giving in a sweat. "Jorgia, were you bit? Scratched?" Jorgia's eyes widened, "What?! No! This is the first walker we've seen." Brent dropped it, but picked up his little sister and everyone walked back to camp. "Merle! Where are you?! Got some squirrel, let's stew em' up!" Daryl yelled carrying the kills that they had. "Wait up Daryl, gotta talk to ya'." Shane said, Daryl turned around, "There was a problem in Atlanta, bout Merle." Daryl went rigid, "He dead." Shane shrugged his shoulders, "He either is or he ain't." Daryl yelled, Rick walked forward and took the blame and explained. The next thing everyone knew, Daryl was in a headlock and Rick was calmly explaining things. "It's not all his fault, I had the key, and I dropped it." T-Dog interjected, "What, you couldn't just pick it up?" Daryl argued. "I dropped it in a drain." T-Dog shied his eyes away, avoiding the Dixon's eye contact. "If it's supposed to make me feel better it don't." Daryl said as he threw dirt back on the ground. "Well maybe this will, I had enough time to chain the door to the roof so the geeks wouldn't get it, with a padlock." T-Dog explained, "That's gotta count for something." Rick reasoned, "The hell with all ya'll. Just tell me where he is so I can go get em'." Rick was about to answer when Lori cut him off, "He'll show, ain't that right?" and walked into the RV. Everyone stared and then went back to what they were doing.
Stephen, Marcus, Brent, Jon, Jorgia, and Maranda were huddled having a heated discussion. "No, no way in hell will I let you three into Atlanta. Forget about it," Maranda argued. "Come on Mom, we've been with Daryl. It's the least we could do, what if one of us were in that position, we'd do whatever we can to get him back." Jon reasoned. "No, it's too dangerous. I want you boys to stay and that's final." With that Maranda left and helped Carol ironed the clothes. "Dad, talk to her." Brent begged, "Brent, I can't. Your mother is dead set on any of you going. Just listen to her please." Stephen begged back and went over to Dale. "Jorgia, you gotta talk to mom. At least let one of us go. We'll stop by a hospital on the way. See if we can find some more insulin or another pod. Please." Marcus begged, Jorgia huffed and agreed. "Fine, but you three OWE me big time." Jorgia walked over to Carol and Maranda, "Mom," Jorgia began, but Maranda shook her head. "No, no. I know what your going to do and you can tell them the answer is no." "But mom, it's Daryl's brother. They're his friends, let one of them go." Jorgia tried, Maranda put down the shirt she was folding and sighed, "Fine. But ONLY ONE can go, and that's Jon. He's oldest." She pointed to Jon and the other two groaned. "Yeah, by like 7 seconds." Brent complained, "It's either him, or none. Take your pick." The two nodded and Jon smiled in victory. Jon went to go get ready, as did everyone else. "
"So you and Daryl. That's your big plan?" Lori said skeptically, "No, he has me." Jon said as he walked out with his shotgun and crossbow. "Thanks man." Daryl said as the two of them knuckle punched, Rick nodded and then turned to Glenn, "Aw man! Come on." He whined, "You said it yourself. You know the way, you've been there before, in and out like you said." Rick stepped forward, "I know it's not fair for me to ask, I'd feel a lot better with you along, and she would too." He said as he pointed to Lori.
"That's just great, we're riskin' 4 men," Shane grumbled, "5." T-Dog interceded and Daryl scoffed. "I'd rather take Brent and Marcus over there then you." T-Dog shook his head, "You see anybody else step up savin' yo' brother's crack ass?" "Why you?" Daryl said cleaning his arrows. "You wouldn't even understand, you don't speak my language." "That's 5." Dale said, "No, it's not just 5, you're puttin' every single one of us at risk. Just know that Rick." Rick looked down, "You saw that walker, and it was here, in camp. They're movin' in n' out of the cities, they come back, we need every able body, here to protect camp." Shane argued. "It seems to me like you need more guns." Rick said, "That's right, guns." Glenn whispered, "What, what guns?" "6 shotguns, 2 high powered rifles, over a dozen handguns, I cleaned the armory back at the station before I left. I dropped the bag in Atlanta. It's still there waiting for it to be picked up." Rick said, "Ammo?" Shane asked, "700 rounds." Shane sighed. "You went through hell just to find us, and you're just gonna leave again?" Lori said sadly, "Dad, I don't want you to go." Carl said next. "To hell with the guns, Shane is right. Merle Dixon? He's not worth one of your lives even with guns thrown in." Lori stood up in frustration, "Tell me. Make me understand." Rick walked to her, "You don't understand, I owe it to a man and his son. I need to warn them. I need to let them know." With it being settled, the group set out back into Atlanta prepared for their trip.
The McCarthy family walked towards the van, all saying goodbye to the group, making sure they are safe.
"Jon, you better swear to me. That you come back safe and unharmed. PROMISE me." Maranda croaked, tears threating to leave her eyes. "I promise mom, I'll try and bring back some supplies along the way also. Maybe even see the clinic around to grab some stuff for Jorgia." Jon said as he hugged his mother tightly. "I love you honey." Jon smiled down at his mother, "I love you too mom." The two let each other go, and Jon went to his little sister. "You be safe, bring Merle back, and each other." Jorgia said softly. Jon promised again and hugged his sister tightly. "Love you, I'll be back. I promise." With that, the 5 men all climbed into the truck and everyone watched as the van leave back into Atlanta.
The following day, everyone in camp began doing his or her daily chores. Half the group was down at the quarry; Jorgia, Carl, and Shane were holding buckets trying to catch frogs, "We're not catching anything," Carl grumbled, Jorgia laughed and looked towards Shane, "Oh come on you two, let's try it again, but the old fashion way." Shane smiled at the two of them and next thing Jorgia knew she was getting splashed with water, "Oh you boys are going to get!" Jorgia screamed when Shane and Carl. The three of them continued to splash each other having a good laugh.
"Can someone explain how the women get stuck with all the labor?" Jacqui asked as she and Andrea grabbed clothes and sat next to the other women. "The world ended didn't you get the memo?" Amy joked. Carol looked back to her husband, "Just the way it is." Maranda took noticed of the exchanged looks, and reminded herself to ask later. "I miss my may-tag" Carol said as she handed Maranda a shirt to wring out. "I miss my benz, my syn-nav" Andrea said, "I miss my coffee maker with filter and grinder honey," Jacqui reminisced. "I miss my computer, phone, texting." Amy groaned, "I miss my kitchen," Maranda said remembering what it felt like the last time she cooked in her kitchen. "Oh how I missed cooking and baking." Maranda smiled, "I miss my vibrator" Andrea said bluntly, all the girls smiled and grinned, "Me too" all the eyes widened and giggled at how they were.
"What's so funny?" Ed said as he walked towards the women, a cigarette in his mouth "Jus' swappin' war stories Ed." Ed lingered on and stopped right behind Carol, "Problem Ed?" Andrea asked frustrated. "Non that concern you, you folks better work, this ain't no comedy club." The women glared at him and ignored him as they continued working.
Lori and Stephen walked down to the quarry and Stephen took Jorgia and Carl to where the women sat. "Come on kids, let's go see if the women need help." Stephen said knowing Lori wanted to discuss something with Shane.
"Hello Ed." Stephen nodded curtly. Ed ignored him, and Stephen knew something was wrong with the way he kept looking at Carol. "Mom, do you need help?" Jorgia asked, "Yes, you and Carl can help wring the clothes dry so Jacqui can spread them out." Maranda explained. She handed the two pair of t-shirts and Jorgia and Carl both began wringing out the water. "Here Carol, let me do that. You go take a break" Stephen said as he tried to get the washboard from Carol, but Ed intervened, "No, let the women do the work, it's their job." Stephen glared at Ed; "It's also the man's job, to help his wife." Stephen argued, "It's fine Stephen really. I can do this," Carol told Stephen hoping he'd get the point, but Stephen didn't have it, and began arguing with Ed.
Lori came up to Jorgia and asked if she could take Carl, after nodding yes, Lori and Carl waved goodbye to Jorgia and made their way back.
"Come on woman," Ed charged at Carol, she subtly got up and was about to go when Andrea interjected. "She doesn't have to go anywhere with you." "It aint nun ya' business, come on now." Carol passed Andrea, "Don't think I won't knock ya' on ya' ass, so you better come on now, or you gon' regret it later." Ed grabbed Carol's arm and all the women tried to hold back Carol. Ed let go and Jorgia jumped in shielding Carol when she felt a hand to her cheek. After realizing that she had been slapped, rage was in both Stephen and Maranda's eyes. "Don't you dare slap my daughter!" Stephen threw his fist to Ed's face and started punching him. Shane saw the commotion and immediately helped Stephen. "You go to your daughter, I'll take care of this." Shane pointed and started beating Ed's face. Stephen listened and went to his daughter, hearing her cries. There was a large handprint on her face and was red from the slap. "Let's get you back to camp and put something on that." "Shane stop! STOP!" Andrea screamed, Shane stopped and looked towards them, "If I see you putting your hands on anyone in this camp, I'll kill ya Ed. I'll kill ya." With that Shane left angrily and the women and Stephen all stared in shock. Carol then ran out of Jacqui's arms and ran to Ed crying apologies to him.
Back at camp, after the whole fiasco, Jorgia decided to go hang with her brothers talking to Dale about letting them borrow some fishing poles. "How is she?" asked Carol, "She's fine, just a nasty mark." Maranda answered as she sat next to Carol. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. Ever." Maranda shook her head, "Carol, it's fine. She told me she wanted to protect you. Plus, Jorgia was raised with 4 male figures in her life. Tough as nails." Carol still didn't feel better but dropped it, going back to her sewing.
"Dad, do you wanna come fish with us?" Jorgia asked as she held onto her pole. "No, you and your brothers go on. I'm gonna see if we can get us some meat." Stephen hugged his daughter and sons and they both dispersed. "You all better be back before sunset. I'm serious boys, no lollygagging." Brent, Marcus, and Jorgia both looked at each other and rolled their eyes playfully. The three of them all joked as they made to the quarry. "Your children are like angels" Jacqui said jokingly. "Oh please, those? My kids angels? That'd be a dream." Maranda joked back. Carol, Lori, and Jacqui all laughed at Maranda as she dramatically put her hand to her forehead.
2 hours later before the sun was setting, Jorgia, Brent, and Marcus walked back with more than 2-dozen fishes, each hanging neatly on the chains. "Oh my!" Morales said as he looked at the three walking back, "Because of you three, my kids will be eating well tonight!" he told them as he grabbed Jorgia's fish. "More like because of me. These two didn't catch but only 2 fish each." Jorgia joked. The faces on Marcus and Brent told the truth, "You are definitely an angel!" Jacqui said, and Jorgia got a confused look on her face. "Thanks?" Jorgia said and laughed. Just then Stephen came back with a large deer in his hold. "Boys, come help me." Stephen struggled; the two gave their fish to Shane and Morales and helped their father carry the large deer back to camp. "Where'd you get this bad boy?" Brent asked as they put the deer on the ground slowly and carefully. "Not far, couple miles." Stephen replied while wiping off his sweat. "It's a feast tonight ladies and gentlemen!" Morales cheered along with everyone else.
The camp was in high spirits when Dale came up with a worried look. "Don't want to worry anyone, but we have an issue." He said and pointed to where Jim was on top of a mountain digging.
Shane and the rest of the camp all followed to Jim, seeing him dig holes that were too familiar. "Hey Jim," Shane said, Jim ignored him and kept on digging. "Why don't ya hold up just a second please." He tried again, Jim listened this time and stopped. "What?" He asked, redness shown on his face and neck. "Dale said you've been out here for hours." Stephen said, "Why does it matter? I ain't hurtin' anyone." Jim shot back. "Jim, you need to stop and drink some water, this isn't good for you." Maranda said as she went forward with a canteen full of water. "You'll faint from dehydration." The doctor voice coming out, "Well, they're not gonna say it, so I will. You're scaring my son, Carol's daughter." Lori intervened as she stepped beside Dale and Maranda. Jim didn't bother and kept on digging until Shane and Stephen were able to hold him down and cuff him. They all walked back and tied him against a tree, giving him water and plenty of it.
The McCarthy men skinned and cooked the deer and fish and everyone all ate their meal happily. "We can't thank you McCarthy's enough for this wonderful meal." "Mom, when is Jon and the rest of them coming back? It's been like 2 days!" Jorgia asked worried when she realized they still weren't back. "They're fine honey, your brother is strong and so is everyone in that group. They'll be back." Maranda said. Amy got up from her spot, "Where are you going?" Andrea asked, "I have to pee, jeez, tryna be discreet around here." Amy whispered, and the group laughed. Amy opened the door to the RV, "We're out of toilet paper," but was cut off short when a walker came up to here and bit her arm. Amy let out a piercing scream, and everyone at camp jumped alarmed and scared. Walkers came out of no where and attacked, Stephen, Shane, Jim, Dale, Jorgia, Marcus, Brent, and Morales all grabbed their guns and started shooting everyone of them. Maranda quickly went to Amy, Maranda quickly trying to stop the blood flow, but was bitten by a walker in the process. Lori, Carl, Carol, and Jacqui all went behind Stephen, Jorgia, Dale, and Shane, making sure they were all close. Daryl, Jon, Rick, Glenn, and T-Dog then came and shot all of the Walkers.
"MOM!" Jorgia yelled as she held onto Maranda. "MOM! NO MOM!" Stephen, Marcus, Jon, and Brent all came beside Jorgia and held onto Maranda. "You all take care of each other. Make me proud." Maranda rasped, "Mom, don't. Don't you dare leave us." Jon cried, "PLEASE." Tears spilled as the McCarthy's sobbed for Maranda. The camp, what was left of it, looked on, broken at the family, and at Andrea. "Maranda, honey. Please, you got to hold on, please. Honey, keep holding on." Maranda smiled softly at her family in front of her, and held each of their hands. "I love you all, so very much. My sons, you keep your sister safe. Help your father, and help them." With that, Maranda closed her eyes, held on to each of her children and husband and sang one last time.
"My precious one, my tiny one, lay down your pretty head.
My dearest one, my sleepy one, its time to go to bed.
My precious one, my darling one don't let your lashes weep.
My cherished one my weary one it's time to go to sleep.
Just bow your head and give your cares to me.
Just close your eyes and fall into the sweetest dream, cause in my loving arms.
Your safe as you will ever be so hush my dear and sleep.
And in your dreams you'll ride on angel's wings.
Dance with the stars and touch the face of god
And if you should awake I'll send you back to sleep.
My precious one, my tiny one, Ill kiss your little cheek
And underneath the smiling moon Ill sing you back to sleep"
The camp all silenced themselves as they listened to the soft voice and their hearts broke, Maranda opened her eyes and remembered the faces of her precious children and husband, hoping to see them one day in the future. With one final breath, Maranda body went limp, and finally laid to rest.
Jon quickly stood up; rage filled every inch of his body. He started beating a walker and kept hitting it. "You mother fucker! WHY! GOD! WHY! WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO YOU! WHAT HAS MY MOTHER DONE TO YOU!" He screamed. Tears escaped Jon as he broke and sobbed, "Why!" he screamed again.
The camp again, hung their heads in respect and all left the McCarthy's to mourn.
