Chapter 3
"Shit."
Carol's car, along with the supplies inside, was completely surrounded by walkers.
"Look, there's a gap there. We can double back and make it to the bike."
I hit a couple of uglies with some arrows along the way, Carol takes out some with her blade.
There's a few tight spots but we make it back to the bike, I kick it into gear and she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek on the back of my shoulder as we ride off.
And in that moment, I'm happy. We don't get a lot of those. But when you go out in this world and find who you wanted to find, well a day can't get much better than that. I feel her warmth against my back and crack a smile.
Losin' the group of walkers forced us to take a couple a turn abounds and in that process the sun started to slip low. We hit a few more patches of dead, couple a blocked roads and a few more turn arounds and by that time the shadows are gettin' too long to travel. When the roads clear and the geeks are far behind us, I pull over for a pow-wow.
I turn to look at her and she looks worried. She won't look me in the eye, she's just glancing around nervously. That's not like her.
"Prison's 'bout an hour away I recon. We're losin' light, walker's gonna be harder to see. You wanna help me clear one of the houses, I think we should stay here the night."
"Here? Are you sure?" She paused. Rick and I already cleared a block of houses around here, why not one of those?"
"That was a ways back. I think it would be safer if we stayed here. Look around, it's quiet. These houses don't look that bad. Windows, doors in tact. Looks like this neighborhood cleared out early. Might have some good supplies inside."
She still looks unsure. I look around and try to pick out a good house, one that speaks to me.
"How about that white one, with the black shutters? Looks pretty intact, and it's on the end of the street if we need to get out quick."
"That one? Are you sure?"
Even in the low light I could see her face whiten. We'd been though this so many times before, I didn't get her fear.
"Looks like our best shot." I looked at her again. "You can stay out here if you want, it won't take me that long."
"No," she swallowed. "I'll go in with you."
I took another look at her.
"Ok. C'mon."
Step one of clearing a house is taking a walk around the perimeter lookin' for points of entry. This is a rare beauty, no broken windows, even the door is still locked. I grab a pin from my pocket and start working on the lock, another trick from ol' Merle.
Doesn't take long to pick the lock and we're in. Carol still looks pale and even a little nauseous.
"Sit down here." I say. I bet there's no one inside. I'll just be a minute."
"No," she insisted, her face colorin' a bit. "I'm coming with you."
Gotta admire her determination, even though I ain't sure what's got her spooked.
I take a step towards her and I look at her until she meets my eye.
I say to her, very low 'n quiet, "Stay close to me."
An' she does. I was right, the house was empty of unfriendlies, but had some bottled water and canned food, which I made damn sure Carol got right away.
"Did you eat today?"
It was an easier question to ask her once there was food in front of her and we were sittin' together at the kitchen table, side by side.
"I did."
She slowly drew spoonfuls from a can of sweet potatoes and we both seemed to relax a bit.
When she was finished with that and after she'd had a bottle of water I asked her the question I'd been sittin' on all day, the one that came in fourth to Where the fuck is Carol and Is she ok and Whose ass do I stomp if she's not.
"Why'd you do it? Why'd you kill Karen and David?"
She didn't seem surprised at my question, wasn't sure to take that as a good sign or a bad one.
"They were the only two sick. Everyone that caught it died in a matter of hours." She looked at me then bowed her head. "I spared them from a painful death and I was trying to protect the group."
Based on her honest but dejected appeal, I reckon that's the truth, the same she told Rick and the same that left to her left alone.
"They were going to die and infect more people, cost more lives."
I'd been processin' what she said an' I hadn't reacted yet. She took that as a bad sign. Her eyes reddened and her voice was more desperate.
My arm jerked itself up and put it across her shoulders. I can't stand it when she cries. I'm not used to it, it still feels strange to me, but I have noticed that if I touch her, she quits cryin' faster.
"Carol." I squeeze her shoulder and she turns her head to me. I say very quietly, "I ain't sure that was the right move. But I understand why you did it. And I'm not going to leave you. I won't let Rick kick you out. And I won't let Tyreese hurt you. I promise."
It happened so quick, her lips were on mine, warm and soft. How could I help but respond?
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