Chapter 3
Desperate Times
There was a sense of calmness in the air as the first rays of sunshine peeked through the tall evergreen pines and down onto the group that was just beginning to awake.
Rick awoke to find Daryl in the same place next to him somehow not even a trace of fatigue was present in his appearance. "You know we're supposed to switch off watch every few hours right?" "Why didn't you wake me up? Could have gotten yourself a few hours of sleep at least.". Rick said to Daryl in a slightly annoyed tone.
"Didn't need to, I was just fine.". Daryl replied. Rick exhaled slowly in response. "So what's the plan?". Daryl asked with a questioning glance at Rick. "I thought it over last night….look, if there's even a chance this 'Eugene' has any clue on how we can fight the infection, we need to take it.". Rick responded.
"Rick I already warned you about trustin people like that.". "Sneaky bastard is just tellin you what you want to hear.". Daryl replied sharply."No". "I know we've met people like that before but…..this time is different, I can feel it.". "That scientist, he's a smart man. And he knows what will happen to him if he's lying." Rick replied.
"Look Rick, you know I trust you….and I ain't gonna go sayin whether you're makin the right or wrong call.". "Just, D.C…...bout a thousand miles and that army dude already lost his truck, means we're lookin at most of the trip on foot.". "I can already feel the nights gettin colder, it'll likely be middle of Winter already by the time we get up there.".
"Just…...i'm sure you already know what we'd be gettin ourselves into.". Daryl said. Rick paused for a moment, he mulled over Daryl's words. The journey to D.C would be mostly on foot. They'd have to get through the forests of Georgia, up through South and North Carolina, than Virginia. There were plenty of obstacles along the way.
Would they take the risk and go up the coast? It was risky, lots of big cities along the coast. Maybe they could trek inland, over the appalachians, sparsely populated and lots of cover and resources. Rick focused back on Daryl. "Believe me, I know the risks.". "This is a cause worth fighting for, and I know i'd be asking a lot from you and the rest of the group.".
"Get to D.C as soon as we can…...get Eugene what he needs and than…...we wait and see I guess.". "That's the plan.". Rick finished, and than looked to Daryl to await his reaction. There was a noticeable tension between them as Daryl didn't say a peep for what felt like hours. Finally, Daryl responded
"Ok Rick, I trust ya.". "You know what's best for the group and wherever you go, I go.". Rick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you". He replied to Daryl while placing his hand on Daryl's right shoulder. "You know you're my brother. As long as we're together…...we'll keep going all the same.
"Just because you got me on your side doesn't mean everyone else is gonna be so keen on the idea.". "You've still got to talk to them.". Daryl responded to Rick. "Yeah.". Rick simply replied as his hand slipped from Daryl's shoulder. "Best get to it than.". Daryl said. With that, Daryl and Rick turned and made there way to where the rest of the group began to awake and wait for Rick's big plans.
….
"You can't be serious!". "I mean we have a baby man!.". Tyrese exclaimed pointedly to emphasis just how absurd he found Rick's bold idea. "She's my daughter.". "You don't think I consider her safety above all else?". Rick responded sharply. "What other options do we have?". "Stay here, keep bouncing from place to place for the next few years till the walkers or some psychopath finishes us off." He added.
"So we go to D.C, a thousand miles away just cause some hick and his full of himself friend say they think they can solve all this.". Tyrese replied not backing down. "Hey you shut your damn mouth!". Abraham quickly joined in "You don't believe us, we'll that's sure as hell fine!". "Bet my ass we'll make it there without you anyways.". "All that matters now is gettin Eugene to D.C so we can start sortin out this ocean of shit that has so unfortunately consumed this sorry ass world.".
"We're goin with or without you.". Abraham finished. "Rick, we just got my sister back…..we're finally together again and now we're already talkin about riskin our lives?". Maggie chimed in. "For what?". She added. "For the goddamn survival of our kind if you don't so frankely understand miss.". Abraham fired at Maggie.".
"So your friend here thinks he can fix all this huh?". She responded. "All by himself?". "Sorry but that seems pretty damn foolish to me.". She added. "Look sweety, I got nothin against you personally." Abraham quickly fired back. "But, far as I know, I sure as shit don't recall anyone asking for your approval.". He stated in an overly sarcastic tone.
"Hey, watch it man". Glenn joined in. "We're just saying it seems a little soon to be talking about a plan like this, literally what? A day after we just found eachother again.". He added "I think we should go with Rick.". Michonne stepped in. "be plenty more food and water up north.". "Colder so the walkers will move slower.". "Better than staying here.". She added. "Thank you miss!". Abraham said to her in a grateful tone
"At least one of you has some goddamn common sense!". he added. "Look, at the end of the day Rick has kept us together and alive.". Sasha joined in after sitting idly for a while. "She's right.". Bob joined her. "Rick's the best man to make this call as far as I know he added. There was a pause in the discussion as everyone contemplated Rick's bold plan.
"Dad.". Carl finally broke the silence. "I'm with you". "I mean, we've already seen what it's like down here.". "Can't be any worse up there, can it?". He added. Rick gave Carl a thankful look and finally spoke. "I know we just all found eachother again.". "This group…..we've been through hell.". "You all….you're my family and believe me it hurts me just as much as you to be planning another journey with so much risk.".
"So much danger, we'll be riskin our lives every new place we get to.". "But, desperate times.". "We know what it's like down here. Shit situations, shit people,...seems like it's not even worth waking up anymore at points.". "But this group, we can survive anything, and this man Eugene…..I don't know him personally. But i'm willing to take the gamble and vouch for him when he says he knows how to fix this.".
"I think…..it's worth the risk and i'm asking you, no, im begging you, just follow me this one last time.". "Think about it, if we can start trying to put things back to the way they were….. wouldn't it be worth it? Rick finally finished.
There was a long silence that followed. "Ok, Rick i'm with you.". Tyrese finally responded. "If you're willing to vouch for Eugene here….than i'll take your word for it.". He added. "You've never let us down before Rick, so i'll be more than willing to follow you again.". Maggie said agreeing with Tyrese.".
Slowly but surely the rest of the group followed their lead. "I'm in". From Glenn. "Me too" from Beth, Michonne, and Carol. Carl, Bob, Sasha, Abraham, Rosita, all of them together chose to believe in their leader and trust his judgement on the greatest journey yet. Rick was overcome with emotion. He felt a few tears begin to form in the corner of his eyes. "Thank you". He said relieved. "I can't tell you all how much your faith means to me.", "It will be worth it, I can feel it.
"But there is one man we need to hear from first before we go through with this.". "Eugene….i've won their trust.". "Now it's your turn.". Rick finished as he looked at Eugene and stepped aside so the group could focus their attention on him. Eugene just stood there for a moment. He was literally shaking in fear and anxiety.
Finally, he gathered himself and stepped forward.
….The group anxiously awaited the smart yet odd man's plan to cure the scourge that had stolen all of their lives away from them and turned the world upside down. With so many sets of eyes on him this was Eugene's only chance, the biggest moment of his life.
With one last stroke of courage, he cleared his throat and began to speak….. .