Love In Two Worlds Chapter 3: The Walking Dead Season 1 (PT1)

NPOV

Rick had finally arrived at the camp with the other survivors, finding himself shocked and overwhelmed with happiness that his family and friend were alive. Safe. He had ran to them and held them in his arms. The thought of him possibly never seeing them again drifting away into thin air as they were safe in his longing arms.

As they were all settling in, they spoke words to each other, of what had happened in Atlanta. Of who they had saved, met and who was left behind. What they didn't expect was a rustle from the trees and a jingle of cans to alert the camp members of someone coming.

Who they didn't expect was a young girl, early 20's walking towards them. Muddy clothes, curvy and muscular, her tight black and green tank tops were mucky from dirt and blood. Her straight brown hair, messy, up in a pony tail and with some leaves sticking in them. Her bright green eyes were staring down at the ground, as her soft pink lips moved and mumbled angry words to the floor beneath her feet.

Talking about someone called 'Dixon' and about a 'Venison' as she let her bright green eyes, sweaty and dirty olive-skinned body get closer to the camp members. Her light, tight grey cargo pants were slightly worn out and her brown combat boots filthy from being in the woods all day. Her bow slung over her body, her quiver tied to her back, a tomahawk on her side and on the opposite side was her 9mm Barretta handgun.

Rick watched her as she walked along, her hair and appearance messy. She also had a foul mouth on her as she looked around and kept speaking in the manner that Rick didn't like. "Fuckin' hic! Him an' his shit hole of a deer! Fuck 'im an' his deer! Idiot asshole " the girl said in her clear Georgian American accent. Rick looked at the girl stunned as everyone fell silent, the girl was nice to them...but when she was in this mood it was best to leave her be.

Rick looked at the girl, edging closer to her as he could sense her anger and her own pride bloating falsely. His tone and facial expression were stern but calm. A sense of authority emanating from him. His eyes glued to her figure as she got closer to them. Lori and Carl stood staring at them, everyone else looking at them and then away from them. "Could you please not use language like that in front of my son? Now...say sorry ta him." Rick asked politely to the young female.

Everyone knew she was dangerous in her own way. She was cunning, strong and had been silent about her personal past life. That she didn't let anyone tell her what to do when it came to some things, she would do things to her own will, in her own time and pace. She cocked her head to the side and gave him a look as she roamed over her eyes over all of his features. She realised he was the husband of the disoriented family and was now going to cause problems between the triangle of lovers...

Carl walked closer to his father, his blue eyes searching to look up at his father's own blue pair. His small hand reaching up to grab his father's hand. "Dad...don't." Carl's innocent eyes looked between the two adults, hopeful that nothing would happen and gave the girl a small smile. His eyes were kind with respect and fondness.

The girl shook her head at little Grimes and gave him a small smile as her hand came out to stop him from talking up for her. "I'm sorry sir Grimes...family Grimes for my foul...language. If ya think I am rude...wait 'till ya meet Dixon." The girl gave the family a small curtsy, her hands out either side of her body as she placed her palm out for them to see them. Her head bowed low as she looked up at them under her thick, long brown eye lashes.

They all looked at her surprised from her sass, which was normal but she seemed to be slightly sincere crossed with sarcastic towards them. A small smirk placed on her face as she picked up a stick from the ground and waved it around slightly. "Now...if ya don't mind...I'm goin' ta go an' take my ass over there" she said as she pointed towards the unknown distance to Rick Grimes "and use all the foul language as I like." With this she began to walk off.

"Oh!" she said as she turned to look at him again, her walking faltered as she gave him a small smile that showed dark humour in her eyes. She was one he knew not to mess with. "Word of advice...Mr Grimes?" she asked as she raised eyebrows. "Ya ain't tha boss of me anymore. I don't take orders from ya or anyone else. Not in this world. So I suggest ya stay out of my way and out of my business." This is when she finally walked off and gave them her back. Mumbling about 'Dixon' again.

Rick looked at the girl, back at the ground and bit his tongue. "Don't worry about her. She means no harm or offense. It's just the way she handles arguments with Daryl," Dale an elder man in a fishing hat told him and frowned softly. The camp went back to softly talking, doing whatever they were doing and settling back in...


EPOV

Sat by the fire, everyone making light conversation until they began to quiet down. Talking became silent as they all listened to Rick Grimes voice. Cleaning my weapons as I felt the fire warm my body. The orange, red and blue licking the dark sky in small heights. The sound of the crackling wood in the blaze. The smell of musk and trees enveloping the skies and slipping into my nostrils.

"Disoriented...I guess that's what comes closest...disoriented." Rick spoke as though he was a lost soul over the past few days, to this point he possibly was...but he made it so dramatic. As though he had actually lost someone. "Fear, confusion...all those things. Disoriented comes closest."

"Words can be meager things," Dale spoke as he placed his food on the floor and looked up at us "sometimes they fall short." He spoke wisely and I just stared into the fire, unable to move or do anything as I kept my eyes glued to the fire.

"Felt like I had been ripped out from my life and put somewhere else. For a while I thought...I was trapped in some...coma. Dream. Something I might not wake up from...ever." Rick had a look of pure confusion and blankness in his eyes, I didn't know if he was here or still thinking he was in that possible state.

Ever so faintly, Carl looked up and spoke softly. "Mom said you died." It seemed to hurt both Lori and Carl to think or say it. I could remember how they would speak of him only recently. Never wanting to speak of him so that they could stay strong and focused on surviving.

"She had every reason to believe that." Rick spoke as he gently caressed the top of his son's head. "Don't you ever doubt it," Rick talked kindly to his son but Lori's eyes rose up to meet Shane's with pure confusion and hurt. A tint of disbelief in her eyes.

"When thing started to get really bad...they told me at the hospital that...they were going to medic vacuate you and some other patients to Atlanta...and it never happened." Lori explained but she clearly was hurting at the thought of her husband possibly being taken to that death trap.

"Well I'm not surprised after Atlanta fell...and from the look of that hospital, it got over run." Rick told them as he tried to put something he believed could of happened into a possibility. Lori agreeing with him kindly.

"Hey looks don't deceive." Shane spoke up as he looked from the ground back up at Rick. "I barely got them out of that one. You know?" Shane seemed hesitant to speak but he did so anyway, clearly getting between the two like he was before.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am to you Shane. Then again, to express it." Rick's voice was warm, calm and sincere. Thick with naivety. If only he knew...

"There goes those words falling short again," Dale but in with a small smile. Shane's face dropped with an unknown sadness. I couldn't decifer what he was sad about but...whatever it was it really got to him in the gut. He seemed solemn. "Poultry things."

All of a sudden we heard someone get up and I could sense it was Ed. His sloppy and slow footsteps scraping along the ground as he walked. My eyes never moving from the fire or back turning to see who it was. I already knew. The sound of a log crashing into the fire crackled and spit up more smoke and light. Clearly getting our attention and possibly of anything or one nearby.

"Hey Ed?" Shane called out to him. "Want to re-think that log?" Shane asked him questioningly, suggesting that he should put out that log and save it for another fire.

Ed looked like he was a king of shit. His head lolling back and looking up towards the sky. His arm stretched out one side of him perched and slouching. "It's cold man!" the look on Shane's face showed he was losing his patience with Ed.

"Cold don't change the rules does it?" Shane questioned him again, only this time he seemed more authoritative, less kind and more aggressive. He wasn't going to question or ask kindly next time. I could tell. His control was wearing thin. "We keep our fires low, just amber so we can't be seen from a distance. Right?" Shane was losing his calm.

"I said it's cold. You should mind yer' own business for once." Ed spoke back rudely to Shane, causing Shane to get up and T-Dog try to pull him back. Hoping not to cause an argument between anyone tonight.

"Hey Ed?" Shane called to him quietly like before, trying to keep his voice and stay collected in front of us all. "Sure you want this conversation, man?" Shane asked him as he stood in front of Ed. His fists clenching and my brow raised. We all knew about Ed's 'business'...asshole.

"Go on," Ed said as he scratched the back of his neck, afraid to look up at Shane and try to stand up to him. For himself. What a pathetic lowlife. "Pull the damn thing out." Ed ordered of Carol and Shane just looked at him. Carol stood up and pulled out the log from the fire. We all just sat there. My teeth gritting together at the thoughts that ran in my head about this man. Ed.

"Christ." Shane mumbled as he saw Carol bend down to pull out the log. Obedient to her husbands orders as she knew if she didn't...he wouldn't be kind to her after. Shane stomped on the log until it died out. The once wooden log, was now a clump of stomped ash and small traces of what it was once before. Shane crouched down to look at the Peletier women. Carol and Sophia. "Hey Carol...Sophia..." Shane began. "How are y'all this evening?" Shane asked.

Before Shane could finished, Carol cuddled tightly to her cloth and gave Shane a repetitive nod. "Fine," she answered softly as she didn't look at Ed. Trying to assure Shane that they were both okay. "We're just fine," she said as she gulped and looked at Ed.

"Okay," Shane said softly, reassuringly at her as he gave her a nod back and looked between the three.

"I'm sorry about the fire," Carol tried to apologise for her husbands actions sincerely. Shane just shook his head and gave them a small smile. It was one of understanding and kindness.

"No. No. No apology needed," he looked at Sophia and then Carol. His smile calm, soft and we knew this was the kinder side of Shane we all knew but...something was wrong and I knew it had to be something to do with the tension surrounding the camp. "Y'all have a good night, okay?" he suggested kindly before he got up and walked back towards his seat. Carol giving a small 'thank you' as Shane stopped to look at Ed, growling as he spoke to him. "Appreciate the co-operation."

"Have you given any thought to Daryl Dixon?" Dale questioned the group when Shane finally sat down with us all. I was angrily picking at a stick I had seemed to pick up and began to sharpen a tip with my knife. I was mad. At either the mention of Daryl...or at the asshole Carol married for a husband.

"All tha' god damned time. Fucker doesn't get out of my mind," I spoke angrily as my jaw clenched and I kept my attack on the piece of wood between my hands. Everyone gave me a look like I was crazy or that they already knew he got on my last nerve.

"He won't be happy to hear that his brother was left behind," Dale said sadly as he looked along the faces of each camp mate. His eyes stopping on me, knowing I would probably say something but I just bit my tongue and kept my knife on my work towards the sad lone stick.

"I'll tell him. I dropped the key, it's on me," T-Dog tried to step up to the challenge which was Daryl Dixon and his brother...Merle. This made me giggle crazily to myself, making Glenn look over to me and frown. He knew what I was thinking. I could tell.

"I cuffed him that makes him mine," Rick noted but this just made me laugh dryly. As if this is what they would tell him. Like he would drink it all up. If it was true or not...he still won't be happy.

"Sure, make this a fuckin' competition why don't ya?" I ask them sarcastically, making them look at me sadly as I didn't raise my eyes to look at any of them. Focused between the fire and the stick scraping against my knife.

"Guys, it's not a competition, don't mean to bring race into this but...might sound better coming from a white guy," Glenn tried to tell them, saying what I was thinking but knowing that either way...Dixon was trouble.

"I did what I did...I'm not going to hide it from him," T-Dog said all brave and macho like, like that would make him any more clever than what we were originally thinking. It didn't. Each word that was exchanged between the group made me laugh more to myself than at them. They were complete idiots.

"We could lie?" Amy tried to say so that they would calm down from the stress that would soon come with thunder when Dixon came back from his hunt. It was night time so...I am guessing he would of stayed the night hiding in a tree or staying in some secret place I didn't know about.

"Or tell the truth?" Andrea sighed as her sister moved her head from Amy's shoulders and watched her sister as Andrea spoke. "Merle was out of control, something had to be done or he'd of gotten us killed," Andrea spoke trying to reason. The sisters were kind to me, good friends of mine and very understanding of things. Of my way of handling things and way of living in this world. "Your husband did what was necessary," Andrea spoke to Lori with respect and trust towards Rick. "And if Merle got left behind it is nobody fault...but Merle's," Andrea finished.

They did risk their lives on Rick...but they also left Dixon's brother behind...to die..."And that's what we tell Daryl?" Dale spoke up questioning our discussion. "I don't see it a rational discussion to be had from that," Dale tells us correctly and that suddenly made everyone question themselves. How would they tell him? Who would tell him? Would anyone be calm about it? "Do you?" he asks them again.

"It don't matter if you lie, tell the truth, if you're white or black...Dixon won't like tha thought of you guys leavin' his brother behind. It don't matter who tells him or how...he ain't going to be happy. So what I tell you is...get ready for a storm...because that's what Dixon will give you. You left his brother for christ sake! How would you feel if that was someone you loved?" I ask them and dug my stick deep into the ground beside my seat.

"Word to the wise...we're going to have our hands full when he gets back from this hunt," Dale finished our conclusion and I just giggled to myself. Too wise of an old man. Hands full doesn't cut it. We're going to have a fucking tornado.

"I was scared," T-Dog spoke as he stared into the fire, his eyes glued to it and never moving. "And I ran," T-Dog spoke softly as he looked up at us, he seemed sad...sincere about the unhappiness in his voice for leaving Merle behind. "I'm not ashamed of it," he told us honestly. Of course that wasn't what you were afraid of...Merle made you scared. The geeks...they are all what scared you.

"We all ran...what's your point?" Andrea asked him, Amy rested her head on Andrea's shoulder and shut her eyes. Everyone was minding their own business, looking at the fire or pondering in their own thoughts. I kept my ears opened, listening in to anything that might teach me more about these people. Whatever they thought and spoke of would give me an insight on how they thought.

"I stopped long enough to chain that door," T-Dog spoke as everyone looked at him, curious as to what he was talking about. What he was leading to. Everyone on the edge of their seats as they listened in to his words. "Staircase is narrow, maybe half a dozen them geeks can squeeze it at...anyone time. It's not enough to break through there..." T-Dog's words made me lean closer to hear. "Not that chain, not that padlock."

"My point...Dixon's alive," T-Dogs words rang through my mind. This would give Dixon a sense of hope when he would hear it but...would it be enough? "He's still up there. Handcuffed to that roof," T-Dog spoke certain that what he said was true. That maybe Merle Dixon was still alive, still safe and not harmed in any way. "An' that's on us," T-Dog spoke and soon after we all decided to go to sleep.

Finishing our meal and getting into bed, I changed into something more suited for night wear and relaxed into my bed. Snuggling under the covers, I looked around my tent, letting my eyes wander and look at all the things I possessed. The bow, my tomahawk, my clothes and my knife was under my pillow. My mind soon drifted off into a dark and deep sleep. Surrendering into the darkness...


Waking up, I walked towards the other campers who had found some picked fresh fruit for breakfast and as I munched on an apple the girls were all doing laundry work. I wandered over while eating my apple, helping Andrea and Amy, making small jokes and assisting them with hanging things to dry. They would smile, giggle and talk to me or make jokes with me.

Amy and Andrea were a sweet pair, always kind and gentle towards me. We cared for each other, I always had their backs and they had mine. I was always the one to calm the other when either of them got separated, keeping them sane and making sure they had a good time when we could. They were good to me and it made me good to them.

We were sharing jokes when Rick came out of his tent, Shane had been up most of the night on watch duty and Rick was coming to greet people but also to find his family. Carl had gone off exploring, in Dale's sight and with Sophia. Both of them wandering in the woods without any adults around them. Rick had gone to talk to Lori as she hung up clothes on the line, when suddenly we heard screaming and children calling for their moms and dads.

Running, I grabbed my tomahawk, bow and quiver. Following the screams as I got my bow ready, arrow in place and aim prepared for anything that caused the screams. Breathing heavily as we found the children, running towards the camp and into their parent's arms. We kept running towards where people pointed, following the trail of their footprints and finding...

A walker. He was munching on a deer and enjoying it. Ripping meat apart with it's teeth and chewing it tastefully. The stench of it making me crinkle my nose up and pull a face of disgust. The men began to crowd around the walker, their weapons at the ready and all looking at each other silently. Just as the walker got up to his feet and growled at Rick, about to grab him and eat his flesh, Rick began to hit the walker...

Then Shane and until every man had his turn to hit the walker, the walker falling to his knees and gurgling at ever hit. Rolling my eyes at this show, I pulled my bow around my body to be on my back, slipping my arrow into my quiver and pulling my tomahawk from my belt. Pushing the men to give me room to get in, I thrust my tomahawk into the air and swung down until it hit the walker's neck. Slicing his head clean off with one, single swing. "That's how it's done gentlemen," I said a little sarcastically.

The walker fell onto the floor, his head rolling off and the men stood there panting. I just shook my head at them, moving to crouch down, studying the deer and the walker's footsteps. "That's the first one we've had up here," Dale told them as they all stood up and kept me inside their circle. "They never come this far up the mountain," Dale tried to confirm but they all stood there exhausted from their work and fear.

"Well they're running out of food in the city, that's what," Jim explained and I looked up. Giving him a nod, I examined the deer more closely and saw the arrows in it's side. Those arrows...they look...familiar...That was when I realised who they belonged to and I began to laugh hysterically. Water pooling at the corners of my eyes as I got up to my feet, throwing my head back in laughter. Everyone looked at me as if I was mental but...give them a few minutes...just to be sure...

We suddenly began hearing rustling of feet walking towards us, everyone held onto their weapons as I continued laughing. Walkers make themselves known with noises, with sounds and with sloppy footsteps. I also know the sound of these footsteps well enough...the camp members relaxed once they saw Dixon peek out from a corner and step closer towards us. "Ugh...Jesus," Shane mumbled as he rested his shotgun from aiming towards Dixon.

"Son of a bitch!" Dixon cursed as he walked closer towards us, "tha's my deer!" he exclaimed and I just laughed more. His face turned even angrier when he saw me clutching onto my sides, my face reddening from laughter and needing oxygen. "Wha' you laughin' at?!" he growled and I just wiped at my tears.

"Nothin', jus'...payback's a bitch," I giggle out and he just glared at me before walking towards the person who munched on his precious deer. He had been chasing this deer for at least three whole days now. It's his own fault for not listening to my instructions and instead...he now can't keep his stupidly prized deer.

"Ah...look at it. All gnawed on by this...filthy, disease-bearing, motherless poxy bastard!" Dixon screamed as he kicked the walker continuously. Dixon was in his normal sleeveless shirt, his light brown hair a slight mess, his bright blue eyes a little red from sleep, his entire face and body filthy, from mud and other wood like substances. Slung over his shoulder were at least a dozen or so squirrels and his crossbow in hand. He was pissed off.

"Calm down son, that's not helping," Dale spoke kindly as he tried to relax Dixon. Sadly...Dixon is never one to listen or to take orders from anyone. Dixon rushed up towards Dale, getting close to him angered and vicious. Rage clear in his voice as Dixon spoke to him.

"What do you know 'bout it ol' man? You take tha' stupid hat an' go back to 'On Golden Pond'!" Dixon insulted Dale. I had finally calmed down from laughing, walking closer to Dixon and Dale, pushing Dixon away from Dale as I glared at the stupid redneck.

"Been tracking this deer for miles," he sighed before he spoke, pulling out his arrows from the eaten up deer. "Was gunna drag it back ta' camp, cook us up some venison," he spoke as he looked down and then back up at us. "What do ya think?" he asked us while outlining the shape of the munched up area. "Think we can cut around this...chewed up part righ' here?" he asked us showing us where he thought we could cut it up.

"I would not risk tha'," Shane said as he pulled a face of disgust, his shotgun placed on his shoulders, his hands lazily resting above it and looking down at the deer on the floor, all eaten and useless. We all looked with them, my stomach churning at the thought of eating it now that it was possibly diseased. Turning slightly to see Amy and Andrea watching us from behind.

Dixon sighed again. "Tha's a damn shame...oh! I got us some squirrel...'bout the dozen or so," he told us as he turned to look at us, moving away from the deer and hoisting the string of squirrels a little, so it wouldn't dangle as much. "It'll have ter do," he spoke as he eyed each of us.

This was when the walker thought it was a good time to start waking up again. It's head moving slightly and it's jaw clamping and shutting numbly. It looked surreal, something completely unusual but...common if you now thought of it. "Oh god," Amy spoke disgustedly, flesh falling to the floor from the walker's teeth and Andrea slowly took Amy away from the sight.

"C'mon people...what tha hell?" Dixon questioned us as he placed up his crossbow and shot his arrow into the eye of the walker. "It's gotta be the brain," he began walking towards the head, stepping on it's face and pulling out the arrow. Flicking his wrist to clean off the gloop-like blood. "Don't ya'll know nothin'?" he asked us as if we were all dumb. I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms and headed towards camp first. Dixon following closely behind...


When I got there, I saw the group of girls and moved to put my bow and quiver into the RV. Cleaning my tomahawk and leaving my cloth to put somewhere that I could later wash, the girls looked at me and then saw Dixon come closer to us. "Merle!" Dixon called out for his brother, the rest of the group following closely behind him.

"Merle!" he called out again. "Get yer ugly ass out here!" he kept calling for his brother, but there was no answer and there wasn't going to be an answer. "Got us some squirrel!" Dixon declared as he placed his crossbow to one side. He then mumbled something I didn't understand but made me roll my eyes anyway. Standing next to Amy and Andrea, I looked at how Shane walked closer to Dixon and tried to slow him down.

"Daryl! C'you slow down a bit, I need to talk to you," Shane spoke kindly as he followed closely and placed his gun back into the boot of his car. Dixon turned to look at Shane, confused slightly but clutching onto the squirrels hung over his shoulder.

"Abou' what?" Dixon asked Shane slightly confused, looking him up and down from the side. His body facing away from Shane but his feet never moving. Pacing as he slowed down but stayed in an area, moving forwards and back as he saw Shane walk ahead of him. Shane rubbed at his nose and mouth as he thought of what to say.

"'Bout Merle," he said truthfully as he walked ahead of Dixon. Turning his back as he kept walking away from Dixon but turned away from him. Stopping to look at him, he began to speak again "There's a...ah...there's a problem in Atlanta." Dixon looked at him confused as he stood still and looked at Shane expectantly.

"He dead?" Dixon asked as he paced again, looking at Shane and the others who followed and finally caught up. Amy got closer to Andrea as I moved to walk closer. I knew what was coming and I was going to be prepared for it if it did happen...

"I'm not sure," Shane sighed out unsure. It's not like anyone can say for certain. Merle is either dead or alive but...no one knows for sure. Maybe Dixon will understand...but then again...it is Dixon.

"He either is or he ain't!" Daryl became more agitated and began to get closer to Shane. Trying to threaten him as he looked at him, his face reddening and his body tensing. Shane just looked at him, shaking his head and looking down. Rick stepped closer to the two as he got in between the two males.

"There ain't no easy way to say it so I'll jus' say it," Rick said calmly, trying to keep his cool and composure as he spoke to Dixon. This only made Dixon cock his head to one side and crinkle his face in confusion.

"Who are you?" he asked confused and questioning of who this new man was. His face was showing us he was angry, upset and confused. The guy just wanted to know where his brother was, where he could be and what had happened to him. It's normal for him not to co-operate so well. Especially when it came to Merle.

"Rick Grimes," Rick answered cooly, keeping himself relaxed and his tone normal as he stepped closer to Dixon. Dixon tried to think about what this guy was trying to say. Rick keeping calm and his voice stern but soothing, he wanted to have a normal discussion about Merle and Atlanta.

"Rick Grimes, got somethin' ya wanna tell me?" Dixon's voice got mad as he became more aggressive in tone, mocking as he emphasised Rick's name. Rick looked calm and cool as I began to edge closer. Hoping that nothing bad would happen between these two.

"Your brother was a danger to us all," Rick told him calmly, stating his facts straight and not letting Dixon figure out what he meant with enough time. Everyone witnessing this discussion which would probably soon turn out to be a fight. Everyone on the edge of their imaginary seats. "So I cuffed him to the roof, to a piece of metal...he's still there," Rick spoke as we saw T-Dog come closer, carrying chopped pieces of wood.

Dixon turned his back on Rick and wiped at his eyes, either he was sweating or crying...no one could tell. "Huh," Dixon spoke with his back facing the group and Rick. "Let me process this," he said as he turned back to look at Rick again. "Sayin' ya handcuffed my bruther to a roof...and you left him there?!" he asked angered, waiting for Ricks reply.

Rick looked away slightly ashamed that he would say this but also knowing he was lying for T-Dog. He did cuff him and they did leave...but T-Dog dropped the key and left him locked from any walkers. "Yeah," Rick answered Dixon sadly, his voice lowering as did his head.

This was when Dixon's breathing got heavy, rage filled and it's when he threw the line of squirrels that Shane ended up pushing Dixon out of the way. I rushed to the front to try and get in the way. When Dixon got up he pulled out his knife from his belt. "Hey! Watch out for the knife!" T-Dog warned us.

I got in the way of Rick, knowing Dixon would try and possibly kill Rick and Rick kept telling me to get out of the way. Dixon went to slice Rick and as Rick tried to push me away, I jumped into his way again, my arms lifting to keep Dixon away. "Daryl, don't!" I screamed at him. That was when I felt the blade scrape my skin and jumped back, pushing Rick further behind me.

Next thing, Shane got up and both him and Rick grabbed the knife off of Dixon, Shane having him in a choke hold. Dixon was squirming and Shane tried to keep him still as to calm down and think rationally. "You best let me go!" he demanded as I stepped back, Rick's hand going out to push me back.

"I think it's better if I don't," Shane answered as he slowly lowered them to the ground. So that Dixon was finally in a relaxed position and could cause any more harm. That was when Rick picked up the knife and began to crouch down to Dixon's level.

"Choke holding's illegal," Dixon tried to cry and comment out. His voice a little muffled and breath like as he spoke. Panting and whimpering slightly from his nose. He looked vulnerable. This wasn't a side you got to see so often when it came to Dixon men so this was a surprise to all of us.

"You can file a complaint, come on I can do this all day," Shane told him and I think he could in all honesty. Shane was muscular, not the most attractive man in camp, but he was appeasing to the eyes when it came to his muscles. Dixon was just a bunch of meat with muscles and a lot of bad attitude.

"I'd like to have a calm, discussion on this topic, do you think we can manage that?" Rick asked him kindly as he tried to look Dixon in the eye. This was when I heard a gasp come from Amy, which led to wide eyes coming from Dixon, T-Dog, Amy and Andrea. They were all looking at me. To my arm...

This was when I felt a warm, wet liquid run down my arm and down my elbow. I looked down and felt my jaw drop, Rick looking over his shoulder. Dale rushed to try and stop the bleeding, my hand placed over my cut, Dixon wriggled as he saw the cut and blood. "You're bleeding," Amy stated out loud which made more people stare at it.

Dale wrapped a piece of cloth around it and tightened it. Hoping it would stop the bleeding and I just frowned as I gripped the cut. "I...I'm sorry!" Dixon choked out and then looked up at Rick. Shane looked between Dixon and Rick. Letting Dixon fall to the floor, he looked as though he was going to cry. Unable to look me in the eyes or Rick as Rick crouched closer again.

"What I did was not on a whim...your brother does not work or play well with others," Rick spoke as Dixon got up a little. Amy and Andrea tried to pull me into the RV. Telling me they needed to fix the cut before it could be infected. I kept telling them I would be fine.

"It's not Rick's fault," T-Dog called out as he looked between the group. "I had the key...I dropped it," T-Dog answered honestly. Andrea and Amy pulling me by an arm each towards the RV as I pushed them off of me, walking slowly with them.

"Couldn't pick it up?" Dixon asked confused as T-Dog looked down solemnly. Rick saddened that T-Dog spoke up and looked down. The rest of us still edged on to what could happen, and what would be said now that the truth was out.

"I dropped it in a drain," T-Dog spoke sincerely, he knew he did wrong and he knows that Dixon wouldn't be happy with him for this. How could he? His brother was left for dead. Alone on a roof, cuffed with no way out and exposed to hell knows what.

"S'pose to make me feel better it don'," Dixon told T-Dog as he got up and threw dirt at his feet. Andrea and Amy walking me into the RV and sitting me down on the seat. Dixon didn't look at me...or speak to me during the whole morning. Rick came in to check on me, as did the others and the kids. Dale stood by the girls as they took care of me and Dale found the supplies.

From inside, we heard them talk about going back to the city, in search for Merle, a bag with guns and a walkie-talkie. That Rick had a debt to someone for saving him. That Rick was to go back for both Merle and that bag. Along with T-Dog, Glenn and Dixon. "Let me go with you," I suggested and they all disagreed.

"You're hurt, also...I'd feel safer if you were here and I knew everyone else in the camp thinks so too," Rick told me and Shane agreed. Dixon didn't look at me, only from the corner of his eye as I offered to find Merle. That Merle may be an ass but he was a good friend of mine.

"I can help you guys find Merle, he is my friend and I want to go help you guys find him. I can fend for myself," I tell them but they all just look at one another. The kids were sat outside and by the campfires. Dixon was cleaning his bolts. When I was going to say more, a small voice spoke up as I opened my mouth.

"I don't want you to go," Carl said softly, his bright blue eyes looking up at me. They were honest...innocent. Gulping, I clenched my jaw shut and looked down. Shaking my head I walked off into the woods, unable to argue to a kid or anymore to people who didn't want me heading to Atlanta...


Wandering into the woods, I was practicing my hand to hand combat and fighting a tree I had shaped into this structure. My arm stinging a little but I ignored it with every punch, kick, hit and sounds of my thumping the tree. I then heard the sound of footsteps coming towards me, I continued my fighting and knew who it was before they could speak. Dale...

"Do you think that's wise?" he asked me after everyone had left, taking their supplies and doing whatever needed to be done around camp. They said their goodbye's and left for their journey. I turned to look at Dale's polite, smiling and slightly sad face. He seemed to be honestly concerned.

"Wise to what?" I asked him as I panted from every powerful hit, my body straining with every hit and my muscles tensing on impact. Dale chuckled and stood beside me so I could see his face clearly.

"To be fighting this poor tree when one, it hasn't done anything to you and secondly...you're hurt Emily," he reminded me which just made me fight the tree harder. My body tensing more tightly from the tension and from the impact of my hits.

"Have you never heard of workin' out?" I tried to tell him but it was a little muffled from me clenching my jaw shut a little. Punching the tree with all the strength I could and growing more angry by the minute.

"I have but...you shouldn't be taking out your anger on the tree," Dale tried to joke kindly, but this just made me roll my eyes and keep fighting. Not giving him a single look as I fought against the tree.

"Shouldn't you be fixin' the RV or somethin'?" I questioned him, hoping he would leave me alone and not bother me again. Instead he just smiled and shook his head at me. He seemed amused by my bluntness and way of talking to him about things.

"Can you jus'...go and fish for a bitch with that stupid hat? Leave me alone grandpa," I grumble at him and he just frowned at me. He didn't seem pleased by what I said. I didn't know if I should apologise but I knew I should keep doing my work out.

"Is that how much everyone hates my hat? Or is it insult Dale day? I don't think I got the memo," with this and his sad face, I had to stop and leaned against the tree. My arm up as I pressed my forehead against it. This made me feel bad for him, he didn't need me being a bitch to him.

"I'm sorry Dale...you didn' need that," I frowned at him as I gave him a soft and sad look. "I didn' mean ta be a bitch," I tell him sadly and sigh out in my frustrated state. "Please forgive me," I ask him kindly and he just gave me a soft smile. We were all alone in these woods, no creatures, no smells other than trees, sweat dripping down my body and the sounds of soft nature.

"It's fine Emily," he said softly, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and making me look at it. "You're a very valued member of our group, loved by everyone and you're a great tracker. You care about all of us in your own way, you think about others before yourself and you're always willing to help. You're an amazing girl Emily Brandon, you're a valued member in this group and we'd be lost without you," Dale tried to butter me up but I just shook my head.

"Dale...you really know nothing about me," I state and he gave me a simple nod, looking off into the distance. I began to walk off, turning my back from him as I began to do my laces up again.

"That may be true...but...I know how you look at Carl and Sophia," he began his voice drifting a little as I slowly got up from doing my shoe laces. "You care for them...maybe even love...you'd do anything for them...to protect them. Anyone can see how much you admire them Emily," Dale spoke and I froze slightly.

Gathering my thoughts, I stood tall and turned back around to look at him. Smiling I continued to fight against the tree, not as tough as before but certainly working out my muscles. "We all care about those kids, innocent things like them in this world...without us...they wouldn't survive," I admit and he nods. "I would suggest you keep out of my business, out of my hair and don't foget...you don't know me Dale," I growled at him.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he said as he raised his hands up in surrender. He stepped to one side and looked at me. "You're strong Emily...you've been through something that made you like this but...you may pretend to be mean at times...we all can see the good in you. It's the reason you're valued...even though you fight against your good side...we know it's in there...we all see it," he tells me and I then heard another pair of feet come towards us.

I then heard a soft sigh and a gentle touch on my shoulder. "Emily...could you come down to the quarry and help us with the laundry? Can help clear your mind and have some fun with the girls," Andrea's kind voice calmed me down as I sighed and stopped what I was doing...


We walked down together and met up with Jaqui who was bringing more clothes down. Carol and Amy sat down by the water as Carl and Shane were catching frogs. Ed was sat at the boot of a car and smoking cigarettes alone, doing absolutely nothing. I helped bring down one basket of laundry and walked alongside Jaqui and Andrea towards Carol and Amy.

"I'm beginning to question the division of labour here," Jaqui said as we looked at the boys in the water and by the rocks, catching frogs. Both me and Andrea gave each other a look and then looked back at Jaqui.

"I ask that every day," I say softly as to not be heard by any men around us. Jaqui and Andrea both gave me a look as if I had two heads. This made me look at them seriously but also like if they should stop questioning me with that look.

"At least you get to go out hunting, you're also good with all types of weapons Emily," Andrea spoke as she raised her eyebrows and gave me a look that showed she was being honest. That she would rather be out there doing something 'fun' than cleaning clothes all day.

"I still have to go huntin' with Dixon an' he ain't the kindest camper here," I tell them and they laugh softly at my complaint and reason. It was true, me and Dixon would always argue about anything and everything. It didn't matter what it was, we argued about it. Sometimes it was just for the hell of it, sometimes because we knew it pissed the other off and the rest of the time he was being a jerk.

"At least you have freedom to go hunting whenever you like and come back whenever you like. We have to stay here and do our work. Look after children, cook, clean and try to look pretty. You're a good and talented tracker, you're not limited as to what you can do and you're not having to clean all day.

"Can someone explain to me how the women do all the handy mac dandee work?" Jaqui asked as we all began to clean clothes, and rinse them from water by squeezing it out.

"The world ended didn't you get the memo?" Amy said and we all just nod or continued with our cleaning. From the corner of my eyes Amy looked at Jaqui and back at her clothes, Andrea's eyes never left the clothes and Carol would glance at her clothes.

Looking behind her, Carol looked at Ed sitting on his ass and smoking his cigarettes. Doing absolutely nothing. The rest of us women working hard while the other males went looking for Merle and a bag. "It's just the way it is," Carol said as she passed Jaqui clothes to rinse out.

"I do miss my Maytag," Carol began as we scrubbed and brushed crap from clothes. Ranging from blood, mud and grass stains.

"I miss my benz...my satnav" Andrea told us as she gave a nod to her head. A piece of clothing laid on her knee as she scrubbed at it vigorously. The smell of clean and dirty soap floating into my nostrils.

"I miss my coffee maker, with that gold drip filter and that built in grinder honey," Jaqui said with her eyes shut, her hands clenching around a piece of cloth and she squeezed out any water from the clothes.

"My computer...texting," Amy said sadly, her eyes distant as if she truly did miss those things. Things we all used to take advantage of but would do anything to have them back into our lives. To go back to normal.

"I miss my vibrator," I tell the girls and they all looked at me as if I said something really bad...but...I suppose it was. This made me blush, giggle and look down at my clothes.

"Oh my god," Andrea laughed as she nudged me and kept on with the work. Her eyes on the clothes as the others kept giving me small smiles. Giggling quietly and then all of us getting back to our work.

"Me too," Carol said after looking behind her back to see if anyone was listening. This made us all burst into laughter and cause Ed to walk towards us. He didn't seem pleased about us laughing. Pulling out his cigarette from his mouth like a complete asshole.

"What's so funny?" he asked us like he was the king of us. Like he could control us, what we said, did and thought. He won't ever control me if that's what he thinks. I don't get told what to do by anyone. I am my own boss and if he keeps up this bullshit...I'm just going to have to shove that cigarette up his ass.

"Just swapping war stories Ed," Andrea tried to cover up, all of the women turned to look at him but I just glared at the water. Watching his reflection as he slowly walked towards us. As though he was the king and we were his servants. That we would do all he said. Andrea was getting fed up of this...as were all of us...Andrea kept sighing at him. "Problem Ed?" she asked him as he walked closer to us.

"Non that concerns you," Ed replied with a bored tone, a threatening tone and this made me clench my jaw. Asshole. Talking to us women as if we weren't worth more than the dirt under his shoes. He keeps treating us like this and I swear to god he'll be sorry..."you ought to focus on your work. This ain't no comedy club," Ed tried to explain and this just made me glare at his reflexion in the water.

"Ed...tell you what..." Andrea began as she got up, and walked towards Ed, who was lighting up another cigarette. I quickly got up to join her, to make sure the asshole didn't hurt her. "You don't like how you're laundry's done? You are welcome to pitch in and do it yourself. Here," Andrea said as she threw the clothing at Ed that she was cleaning.

This only made Ed throw it back at her, making me catch it before it could hit her. It stung a little in my hand but I just clenched my jaw tightly. "That wasn't very nice Ed...if I were you...I wouldn't try and do that again," I growled at him.

"Ain't my job missy," he tells Andrea with a small glare. Cocking his head to me and putting his cigarette back in his mouth. As if he would get away with this one. He wouldn't. Not this time.

"Oh? And what is your 'job' Ed? Enlighten us...because all I see is you sitting on your ass and smoking a ciggerette...and don't get me started on what you do that you think we don't notice," I growled at him and he just laughed dryly, standing over me as he looked down at me.

"Well it's better than listening to a smart mouth uppity bitch, tell you what. C'mon," he called out to Carol who turned small in the matter of seconds. I grabbed Carol in seconds and held her tightly. Andrea doing the same. Ed pulling her away from us.

"No, Carol...you don't have to," Andrea tried to convince her not to go. Carol begging for us to let her go. Her voice trembling, her body shaking and he muscles tensing. Her eyes never meeting ours or Ed's.

"Hey! Don't think I won't knock you on your ass, jus' cuz you're some college educated coos. Alrigh'?" he threatened Andrea which only made he gape and laugh sarcastically, shocked at him. He kept pulling Carol towards him like she was a pet puppy. "C'mon now or you're goin' to regret it later," he threatened Carol.

"So she can show up with fresh bruises later Ed?" Jaqui finally revealed to him for us. Making me growl and clench my jaw. Pulling harder on Carol to not leave with him. Her begging me to let her go. "Yeah, we've seen them!" Jaqui told him as he laughed dryly. Like he didn't know what she was talking about or he didn't care we all knew.

"Stay out of it, now c'mon!" Ed called again and I just pushed his hands off of her, all the girls trying to ger Carol away from him. As far as possible as I clawed my nails into his skin to let him go.

"You want to hit someone...hit me. Not your wife, I can assure you...you'll reget both or either Ed," I growed and he just kept shouting in my ear to shut up and to let go of Carol. Next thing I know I was looking at Andrea. Her eyes wide, the feel of blood trickling down the corner of my lip. Growling I pounced on him, punching his face in as I screamed and clenched my jaw.

My fists causing immense damage to his pathetic face. The girls screamed at me to stop, pulling me away but I just screamed and kept hitting him until Shane pulled me off of him.

Lifting Ed up off the ground and dragging him away. Only to straddle Ed and punch his face in himself. Screaming and groaning against each fist to face impact. Carol and the others begging him to stop. While I just watched things happen in front of me.

"You put your hands at your wife, your little girl and anybody else in this camp one more time...I will not stop next time. Do you hear me? Do you hear me?! I'll beat you to death Ed. I'll beat you to death." Shane growled as he gritted his teeth and spoke with venom in his voice.

Each punch powerful as it connected to Ed's face, making it more bloody and deformed than before. Making it worse than how I made it. Shane got up, kicked Ed once, Andrea let Carol go and Carol ran to Ed. Shane walked off and didn't say another word. Jaqui holding me tightly in her arms. Andrea standing beside Amy as Carol begged for forgiveness...


I was in the RV, searching for things to clean my bloody and slightly bruising hand. Washing my hand from the blood, Ed's blood and I knew I didn't regret it at all. Hissing in pain, I tensed up and saw Lori enter with Jaqui walking closely. "Let us help," Lori spoke kindly as she ushered me towards the table, sitting down and looking up at them as they prepared things to fix me up.

"That...was very brave of you Emily," Jaqui said softly as she began to clean up my busted lip, dabbing at it with a cotton bud and some alcohol. Lori was doing the same but to my hand, holding in my pain I focused on their faces and relaxed my rapidly beating heart from the heat and pain. My body swiveled to look towards Jaqui who was stood up by the sink and table. Lori sat opposite me as she cleaned my hand, her arms resting on the table, my hand in hers.

"You did the right thing...standing up for Carol like that," Lori said with kind eyes, she had this gentle ora about her...like she honestly cared about all of us. That we were all a huge family. It was the right thing...that asshole had it coming and I was getting sick of him hurting Carol and Sophia. They didn't deserve that kind of treatment. No one does.

I shook my head, which made Jaqui grip onto my chin and stop me from moving. Laughing darkly as I heard Lori's words, Jaqui gave me a look of being a mixture of angered and annoyed. Cutting off my laughter, I tried to not move my lips as much, so Jaqui could finish her work. "Seems to me...I keep gettin' hurt while protecting others," I summarise, this makes Lori and Jaqui stop. After a minute Jaqui continued but Lori kept looking at me with those hazel eyes of hers.

"We all find that very valiant of you," Lori said with a hint of sincerity and proud eyes. She's proud of me...why? "Not many of us would do what you did for Carol today," she told me and I looked down. My mind wandering away from me at the thoughts of what could of happened if I wasn't there.

This was when Carol walked in and looked around hopeful but then sacredly. "Is now a bad time?" Carol asked us as she wrapped her cloth around her tightly. Wrapping her body up in it and looking down as though she was afraid of something or someone.

Lori got up and smiled, shaking her head and pulling down her shirt. Throwing the cotton bud in the trash, blood stains on it and Carol saw it. Her eyes flinching away from it rapidly as she turned her head to look away from it. "No, we're just about finished here, aren't we Jaqui? Is there something we can help you with Carol?" Lori asked as she looked at Carol questioningly.

"I just...wanted to talk to Emily...in private...that's all," Carol said softly and didn't look at any of us as Jaqui cleaned my mouth. All of us looking at her as Jaqui and Lori smiled, getting out of the RV and gently touching Carol's shoulder as they got out. Shutting the door behind them, Carol walked closer to me, not too close but enough to look down at the ground and then back into my eyes.

"I...how are you Carol?" I asked her politely. She looked exhausted, like she had cried for a long time and her eyes were red. Her face slightly tear-stained, her nose red and her blue eyes sad. She sniffed and looked up at me with a sad smile.

"I'm fine thank you. I...came here to thank you for defending me..." she spoke quietly as she looked directly into my eyes. Her sight never wavering from me, holding each other's gaze as I gave her a simple 'okay'. "But...it almost cost my husbands life...not only were you punching the life out of him...but so was Shane," she said sadly.

"I know...I'm sorry Carol...I hope you can fergive me," I hoped as she gulped and looked to the side, sniffing again. She looked at me with a sad smile again, trying to hold in her tears as she stepped a little closer.

"I think...it would be best if you kept your distance. From both me, my husband and Sophia. Especially after what happened today...Ed won't be happy if I was associated with you again," she said sadly. "For the time being...I suggest you keep away from us," it looked as though part of her wanted to say that but part of her didn't want this.

"Yeah...that's for the best," I tell her and she nods sadly, the small sad smile plastered on her face as her blue eyes looked at me. She was sad. She didn't like any of this. What exactly, I couldn't tell or say if I knew. I didn't want to cause her any more trouble.

"Thank you Emily...for standing up for me and...for agreeing with my suggestion," Carol said strongly, a proud nod of her head as she gripped the handle of the RV door. Opening it, she gave me a look, a small sad smile and a quick nod. Walking out, she closed the door behind her and left me there to the solace. After a few minutes of deliberating what to do, I decided to go hunting even though Andrea and Amy were fishing in the quarry...

Heading back to camp, in my sack I had a few pieces of meat we could eat. Not many, but enough to feed the camp if the girls didn't get enough fish for us all. When I got there, my bag hunched over my shoulder and weapons in their places. I saw Amy and Andrea proudly speaking about their catch, they had a full batch and some extra. Impressive.

Walking towards them, I dumped the bag in front of them and saw how people started preparing the fish for tonight. "I got...a raven...a fox and a rabbit...it was...quiet...no' many animals...seems they were scared of somethin'," I told them and they just looked at me weirdly. They all looked slightly...different...like they were keeping something from me. "Somethin' wrong?" I ask them and they didn't look me in the eyes, only Andrea and Dale did.

"Jim had a little...episode...I think it was a heatstroke...lost his mind a little," Dale spoke and this just made me look at him confused. Jim? He normally never does that type of stuff...what could possibly have happened? They're lying...they have to be. Jim isn't like that.

"Shane had to tackle him and tie him to a tree...he wasn't making sense and wasn't listening to reason," Andrea said softly as she kept her cool. Keeping her voice steady as she tried to explain what was happening, this only made me angry. My fists clenched and my knuckles turned pale while as I speed walked towards Shane. Some people followed behind me as I called his name out.

"Shane! What tha fuck am I hearin' 'bout you and Jim?!" I called out to him as I walked toward him angered and shoved him hard. He stumbled back a little and held his hands up in surrender. His head cocking to the side a little and his eye brows raised as he looked at me.

"Now...calm down Emily, you don't want to start anythin' especially when you don't know the facts," Shane spoke calmly as my nostrils flared and chest puffed up with air. My fists clenched tightly as I glared at him. "Are you sure you want this conversation?" he asked me questioningly.

This made me grit my teeth and growl at him. "I am not some fuckin' bitch you can talk to like that. Tell me what tha' hell happened and why I'm hearing that Jim is tied to a tree...or what? Ya gonna' tie me to a tree and punch my face in too Shane?" I questioned him menacingly. "Because do it already, save yourself before I tear you apart Shane...so start speakin'," I growled at him and he frowned.

"He wasn't thinkin'. He was diggin' holes in the ground, working under the hot sun and tried to attack me!" Shane declared as he moved away from me a little, wondering if I would do anything to hurt him and I shut my eyes, breathing calmly. This made me wipe my forehead and walk closer towards him, Andrea's hand gently placing itself onto my shoulder.

"Where is he?" I asked him and he slowly lowered his hands down. Dale's hand resting on the small of my back kindly. My brain hot from all the drama going on in just one day. Shane told me he would show me to him, leading the way as we headed towards Jim. He was tied up to the tree, tired and sat in front of him were Carl, Lori, Sophia and Carol. Carol saw me and flinched away from my gaze.

Dale and Shane followed me close, Andrea walked back to camp to Amy as they continued to clean and prepare the fish. Crouching down, both me and Shane got down to his level and I smiled at him sadly but kindly. "Jim...hey...how are you?" I asked him politely and he just shrugged.

"Could be better," he answered me and I frowned at that, I didn't like how he looked tied to that tree. Like some kind of animal or prisoner, trapped and vulnerable. It wasn't right. Not at all. Shane sighed and looked at Jim with sad eyes.

"Jim," Shane said as he placed a bucket of water on the ground and pointed to the bucket. "Drink some water?" Shane asked politely, Jim gave him a simple 'yeah' and this made Shane scoop up some water from the bucket in a little cup. Bringing it to Jim's lips and tilting it for him so it was easier to drink. "Here you go bud," Shane encouraged as Jim gulped down the liquid quietly.

"Pour some on my head?" Jim questioned Shane as he licked his lips and Shane took another scoop. Taking the cup of water from Shane's hands gently, my fingertips brushing against his gently as I took it from him and poured it over Jim's head slowly.

"Cooling you down huh?" Shane asked as he smiled between me and Jim. Smiling kindly back at him as I moved strands of Jim's dripping hair away from his face. Jim laughed softly and let the water run down his face and soak through his clothes.

"How long are you gonna keep me like this?" Jim asked as he looked at Shane. Shane's eyes searching for an answer as he looked from Jim, to me, to Dale and back to Jim. He seemed to not know exactly what to say to Jim who was tied to a tree like a hostage.

"Well...yeah...'till I don' think you're a danger to yourself or others," Shane spoke softly and gently. Trying to seem sorry to Jim. Jim gave a quick and low nod, looking into the distance, looking over my shoulder and seeing the kids with their mothers doing homework.

"Sorry if I scared your boy," Jim spoke out and looked at both Lori and then Carol. "Your lil' girl," he seemed ashamed that he could scare kids like that. He was sincere and it made me sad, this man had been through a lot and I knew this life wasn't easy for him.

"You had sun stroke, nobody's blaming you," Lori said gently as she looked at Jim and then back at the work Carl was doing. Assisting and correcting his work for him and then looking toward Carol and the rest on the table.

"You're not scared now are ya?" Jim called out to the children and this made Sophia look at him. Stopping her work as she looked at Jim shyly.

"No sir," Sophia spoke up politely, he voice soft and innocent. Her eyes looking at Jim then shying away, her tone was polite and well-mannered. Stopping her work for a fraction of a second to respond to Jim. Always the sweet and polite little girl.

This made me look up a Dale and back down at Jim. He cared about the kids, that was true enough. Seeing as the poor man had lost his children to the infected and now fights them without his family. "Your momma's right, sun just cooked ma' head...tha's all," Jim tried to reassure the children and looked at Carl who was trying to concentrate on his work.

"Jim...do you know why you were diggin'?" I asked him as my brows furrowed in question and confusion. Surely there must be a valid reason for someone to do such a thing, even if it didn't make sense...there must be something. "Can you say?"

"Had a reason...don't remember," Jim spoke as though he didn't know either and that he didn't know how to explain it. "Somethin' I dreamt las' night," told us as he looked between me, Shane and Dale. His eyes wandering off to look at those on the table doing homework.

"Your dad was in it, you were too...you were worried about your 'im," Jim said as he looked at Carl. "Can't remember the rest," Jim told us, unsure of what to make of this dream and what he was getting at. "You worried about your dad?" he asked Carl, who only responded by shaking his head and saying 'they're not back yet.'

"We don't need to talk about that," Lori said as she rubbed her son's arm kindly and looked towards Jim. She was worried, we could tell from how she tensed and tried to change the conversation in a blunt way.

"Your dad, he's a police officer, he helps people. Probably just some folks needing help, tha's all...but that man...he's tough as nails and I don't know him well but...I can see it in 'im," he said to Carl as he nods slowly. "Am I right?" he asked up to Shane.

Shane gave a sigh and a nod to the head. He was already up on his feet and looked down at Jim. "Oh yeah," Shane agreed with Jim's statement and I could sense something behind Shane's tone...behind the way he spoke and looked. He was hiding something.

"There ain't nothin' stoppin' him from getting back to you and your mom. I promise you that," Jim said with a serious tone in his voice. As if he knew Rick for years. The man was supposedly dead, came back to life and is now living in this hell hole of a life. How he could survive...only Rick knows.

"Alrigh'...who wants to help me clean some fish huh?" Shane asked as he looked between Jim, the floor, Carl and Lori. Picking up the bucket he walked toward camp and left us there. I decided to stay crouched for a little longer while Dale patted my shoulder and walked back to camp. Carol, Sophia and Carl all running after Shane to help him clean fish.

Lori walked over to crouch beside me, she was going to speak but Jim beat her to it. "You keep your boy close, you don't ever let him out of your sight," he said to her, his voice and face serious. Like her life depended on keeping Carl close to her, that if she didn't...something bad would happen. This is coming from the man who lost his family to walkers. I would listen because I wouldn't want to lose my child to diseased flesh eaters.

Lori gave him a nod and got up to her feet again, walking towards camp and leaving me alone with Jim. He looked at me for a long time before he finally spoke. "Emily...you're a born survivor...this world..." he sighed out to me and kept his eyes glued on my face. "It won't take you down with it...it will only make you stronger. You were born to outlive this hell...to fight and live...I know it...I can see it in you," he tells me and with this I gave him a nod, standing up to walk back to camp.


While at camp, we later let Jim free and cooked the fish. It was getting dark and as Shane was finishing his watch hour, it was my turn and eventually Amy came up to hand me my food. Rubbing my back kindly, as I sat down on the chair Shane had left for me and ate. Everyone was calmly sat by the fire, all but Ed and in all honesty, I didn't care if he was here or not.

Every few minutes I would check through the binoculars Dale gave me, but it was too dark and the lighting wasn't enough to help me see. Morales had put rocks around the fire pits, to let the flames burn higher and not be seen. They were all chatting calmly with each other, their voices low and tones soft. "I gotta ask you man, it's been driving me crazy..." Morales said as he looked at Dale.

"What?" Dale asked confused but amused as he looked at Morales. Being pulled out from his day dream and looked at Morales with a smile. Morales was munching on his fish, Dale had already finished and the others were all sharing their fish around from the dish.

"That watch," Morales said as he pointed his falling apart fish in hand towards Dale's wrist. Resting on Dale's wrist was his old watch, Dale smiled and gently touched the watch. Morales just smiled as he did so, this made me watch them and listen more carefully.

"What's wrong with my watch?" Dale asked with a smile, his soft eyes glancing down at his watch and back up at Morales and his family. The rest of the group smiled and listened quietly to the conversation playing off in front of them.

"I see you, every day...same time, winding that thing...like a village priest saying mass," Morales said while everyone else agreed in their own way. Either nodding, pointing with their fish filled forks, or simply by laughing and shaking their heads.

"I've wondered this myself," Jaqui spoke up and all the others laughed and agreed with her. Everyone seemed so...happy. It made me realise that this was like a family, a fucked up one...but a family no less. Family...if only this was my family...

"I'm missing the point," Dale explained confused but pleased that they noticed this about him. He probably knew it himself but didn't say anything until someone did notice it. He was humble and wise this way.

"Unless I've misread the signs, the world seems to have come to an end...at least at a speed bump for a good long while," Jaqui said with rising and falling in her tone of voice, her eyes gleaming with her own amusement.

"Yet there you are...winding that stupid watch," Morales said as he leaned closer to Dale, both with either a smile or a smirk on their face. The rest of the group around the fire stayed silent as they ate their fish, placing my dish to one side as I took a gulp of water to was it down.

"Time, it's important to keep track of, the days at least...isn't it? Don't you think Andrea?" Dale questions the group and then Andrea. This made Andrea shake her head, her eyes widening awkwardly as she didn't reply. It was Amy's birthday tomorrow and she had a gift for Amy.

"Back me up here," Dale tried to encourage but was only making things worse for himself and for Andrea. "I like-I like what um...father said to son when he gave him a watch. Said it had been handed down for...generations...said, 'I give you...a mausoleum of all hope and desire, which will fit your individual needs no better than it did mine, or my fathers before me...I give it to you, not that you may remember time...but that you may forget it...for a moment. Now and then...and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it,'" Dale spoke as he made us all ponder in those words.

"Wise words," I called out from atop the RV, causing everyone to nod and some to chuckle. "Very wise words," I said as my own mind wondered about those words. Time is just something we believe in and what Dale hold onto. He lives each day like his last...just like we all should.

"You are so weird," Amy said after a few minutes silence, causing everyone to burst into small laughter. Dale just laughed and tried to defend himself by referring to it as a phrase from William Faulkner. Amy got up and this made Andrea worry, questioning her as to where she was going. Making Amy tell her she needed to pee and that she was trying to be discreet, making all the group laugh and making me giggle softly.

As Amy went in, I then heard some rustling in the bushes, when I got up, I grabbed my bow and quiver, placing an arrow in its position for aiming. Walking out I saw Amy but then...I saw a walker pop up from the side. Amy asked for toilet paper but before I could aim for its head, Amy got bit and I missed. "Amy!" I screamed as I looked around and shot a clear arrow into the walker's brain. Seeing multiple walkers surround camp and head towards us. "Walkers!" I screamed as I jumped down.

Jumping down to protect Amy, she screamed and clutched at her chewed up arm. Clutching me with her bitten arm, I fell down and felt the piercing of a knife cut into me. My knife slipped out when I jumped out and was now in my leg. Withstanding the pain, I pulled out another arrow and shot at any other walkers around, trying to steady my feet and defend the others. Screaming and gun shots filling the cold night air, the smell of blood and rotting flesh filling my nose.

The burning pain of my knife in my leg was agonising but I would protect this camp as long as I could. Shooting at a few walkers as they began to surround me, Amy and Andrea as she ran to us. Next thing I saw was a walker bite down on Amy's shoulder and rip out her skin, grabbing my tomahawk I sliced its head and kicked it off with my good leg, wincing when my bad leg held down all my weight.

Once Amy and Andrea were together, Amy laying on the floor dying and Andrea cradling her, I pulled out another arrow and limped closer to the dying group. "Jim! Protect Andrea and Amy!" I called out to him as everyone was dying or screaming. Jim gave me a quick nod, a good grip on his bat and backed up to defend the girls. Edging closer to the walkers as I shot a few down, when my arrows were all gone from my quiver, I had my tomahawk in one hand and my gun in the other.

Walkers were coming closer to either me or the group and I was killing each one depending on how close they were. Too close, it would be my gun, far enough would be my tomahawk and when walkers were closer to the group I would use my gun. I then saw Dixon, Rick, T-Dog and Glenn come towards us, shooting down walkers and without Merle. Ask later focus on the task now.

Without realising, one got closer to me, almost close enough to grab me and bite me. That was when I heard a gun shot and the walker fall, blood splattering in my face as it dropped and died. When I looked up, I saw Dixon and I was panting, he gave me a nod and continued his shooting at other walkers. Slowly all the group had got closer to the RV and towards me. The dead falling like flies now, slowly calming down and then turning quiet.

Sounds of crying, panting and people pacing. While I stood there and winced. My body weak as I put my gun and tomahawk back. My leg weighing me down as I limped towards Andrea and dropped to my knees next to her. Staring down at a dying Amy. Guilt flooded me. When Amy died Andrea sobbed, shaking and screaming out Amy's name. I just bowed my head and cried, my mind pulling me into complete sadness.

"I remember my dream now...why I dug the holes," Jim said referring to him digging earlier today. I gritted my teeth and sobbed with Andrea. My own blood covering my hands as I looked down at Amy's corpse. Unmoving and lifeless. Andrea shaking her and repeating Amy's name. Amy didn't and wouldn't respond. The voices of crying children and people filled my ears. Along with my thoughts...


I hope the wait was worth it! I'm still writing up PT2 it might take a few days to finish it! Please be patient and...enjoy! Leave me a review telling me what you thought if you wish! Much love!

HeroJustInTime90 xx