Hi again! Heres the next chapter for "Something New", there's references to drug and alcohol abuse so please be cautious! I do not own the Walking Dead, just the OC's!
Chapter 9
Once they found their way back to camp, Blake and Tanyon were happy to see that nothing was touched or harmed during their absence. Tanyon turned to Shane, Glenn and Blake and said, "To do this quick, we should split up the jobs. Bea; go through the pickup, find any ammo, food, ID's, anything. Glenn and Shane, go through any nook and cranny you can in the RV. Either me or Bea will do a double check when you're done clearing to make sure nothing is left behind. I'm going to check out all the snares we have around the perimeter, hopefully we can help provide some dinner for the group by the time we get back," he finished. Blake's brother always had leadership values that she wished she possessed. If things went well and worked out as her brother hoped who knows what kind of role he could earn in this camp. She's always trusted him with her life; maybe the others would too.
Blake cleared out all the junk in the back of the two door pickup in record time. Tanyon hadn't returned yet from the snare check so she decided to make her way to the "Cockpit" as her brother liked to call it. She started looking under the carseats but came to find only empty water bottles. Blake stashed them away anyways. You never know when you'll need them. In the center console she found some Tic-Tacs, gum, napkins, and candywrappers. She stashed away the gum and tictacs and looked down the center console again. She knew what could be down there, she doubt her brother found it. She would have heard an earful if he did find it, considering it was his car.
Blake peeked around the small campsite, seeing that her brother was still out and their two new survivor friends were still going through the RV. She looked down into the center console again and started pulling out every napkin and candywrapper that was in the way. At the bottom of the console was what any other person would think was the bottom, but Blake knew better. As she pried open the bottom she saw quite a few different items. She pulled out a corncob pipe, a lighter, and a ziplock baggie of weed. Blake took a deep breath and thought Fuck it, and placed the trio into her personal bag. When she put her hand in to double check she heard the clinking of glass. As she pulled the glass out of the console she saw it was a few mini-bottles of liquor: Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels. These definitely weren't hers, they had to be-
"Guess you found my stash too, huh?" Tanyon interrupted her thought and she nearly jumped out of her skin,
"Christ, Tan. Can't be comin' up on me like that. You scared the shit out of me," Blake said as her hand gripped her chest.
"Well, wouldn't have snuck up on ya if you were paying attention," Tanyon grilled into her.
"Oh," Blake began, "I guess that explains Shane getting the jump on ya," she shot back. Tanyon glared at her for bringing up his mistake.
He simply responded with, "Whatever. Give me my shit, and I'll keep yours secret," he said as he stuck his open palm out. Blake glanced up from her brothers gaze to see Shane and Glenn hauling some full duffel bags out of the RV. She quickly placed the bottles in her brothers hand, knowing that they were supporting each other's previous habits.
"Deal," she said as Tanyon closed his fist around the bottles and shoved them in his personal bag.
By the time the foursome made it to the shack along the trail. They were able to discuss what they were able to retrieve from the campsite. Shane and Glenn had all the canned goods and a few boxes of pasta and some ammo. After living in Dale's RV for a while Glenn got a good idea of where things could be hidden and ended up finding a shotgun and some ammo. It was a hell of a find, and to think Blake and Tan had no idea after searching the thing up and down. Shane and Glenn were also able to gather some basic medical supplies like tape, Band-Aids, ibuprofen and some ointments for rashes and burns. Tanyon was able to bring back two rabbits and a squirrel, which is definitely better than nothing. Blake grabbed their IDs, some extra clothes, some toiletries and gas she siphoned from the pickup truck.
When they reached the shack, Tanyon went through the front door again and snagged their tents and their other essentials like tarps and sheets. The sun was preparing for its descent when Blake and the group made it back to camp. The rest of the trip was pretty quiet considering the sun was preparing to set. There isn't much time for conversation when you need to get out of what potentially might be a death trap. Even though the world is a giant death trap.
"Glad to see you guys are back safe," Rick said as he approach them, "Do ya'll need any help, I can grab some things," he offered.
"That would be great," Blake said as she handed over the heaviest bag on her arm to Rick. Rick gripped the bag with one hand, underestimating the weight of it, and nearly fell forwards with the weight of the bag. Blake laughed a little, "Nice one, Sherriff," she said.
"What do you got in here? Bricks?" Rick chuckled as he hoisted the bag onto his shoulder. "You can set your things over there near the RV. When we figure out which cars we're taking tomorrow I'll let you know where to pack up," he finished as he placed the bag next the RV.
"Sounds good," Blake said as the rest of her new companions dumped the bags down. The group went over what they found with Rick and he was more than pleased.
"This is great," Rick said with a smile on his face as he checked out the shotgun Glenn had found.
"Yeah, gives us a little more time to avoid runs before you decide to run off into the city again," Shane sneered at him.
"Shane, come on. If we were all present but had as little ammo as the camp did, we'd all be dead. Thank god we received those guns when we did," Blake said, feeling the need to defend Rick. With an emphasis she said, "THAT's what saved lives. Let's be grateful we're still here," Blake finished, receiving an icy glare from Shane.
Shane nodded once and headed off into camp, rubbing his head as he went. Blake watched him walk off then returned to the bag sitting in front of her. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and looked up, seeing Rick. "Thanks for that. He'll cool down. I know you weren't here for that whole situation, but thanks for having my back," and that was all he said and he walked off towards his wife.
Blake watched him walk away, getting a nice eyeful of the Sherriff's ass in uniform. She was knocked out of her thoughts with a cough from her brother. When she looked Tanyon and Glenn were still by her side. She blushed slightly and turned to Glenn. "Thanks for your help today Glenn. I can see already that you are the go-to guy when it comes to running around the country," she said with a smile, Glenn laughed and replied.
"It's no problem," Glenn said, looking as if he had more to say. Blake waited patiently. "So… I go on watch in a few minutes. When you're done organizing your bags and such, you're more than welcome to come and join me," Glenn finished then hurriedly added, "If you want."
Blake smiled at him and nodded her head, "Sure, Glenn. That sounds awesome. I'll be up before your shifts over," she said. Glenn smiled at her and than made his way to the gun bag to set up for his watch.
Blake and Tanyon had finished packing up for tomorrow's move once the whole grouped discussed the next day's journey. Tonight she and her brother would be crashing in Carol's station wagon since Jim was in the RV. He had gotten bit, which had influenced Rick's decision to go to the CDC in the morning. Blake patted her brother and said, "Hey. I'll be back later, I'm going to take Glenn up on his offer now." Tanyon nodded slightly, exhaustion written all over his face.
He was able to push out some words before falling asleep, "Be careful. Just yell if you need me," he said as his eyes started to close.
Blake made her way over to the RV, her eyes catching the door. To think that someone was suffering in there really knotted up her stomach. She tried to push those thoughts out of her head as she started climbing the ladder to the top of the RV.
"Hey," she said when she reached the top. Glenn looked back and smiled at her and greeted her.
"How's it been up here?" she asked.
"It's ok. Kind of quiet. What's up?"
"Nothing much. Just finished organizing all of our stuff. Ready to hit the road tomorrow?" she asked.
"I guess so," Glenn began. "It's scary to think we're going to be on the road during all of this," he said as his arm stretched towards the now pitch black Atlanta skyline. "I just really hope we get some answers, hopefully we can get Jim some help too. The CDC will be able to do something."
Blake and Glenn stayed silent for several long moments before Glenn asked her the same thing. She answered.
"I mean, I have no where else to go. I'll go anywhere as long as me and my brother aren't the only survivors," she finished, thinking about how lucky she was to have found such an accepting group of individuals.
For an hour, she and Glenn talked about their lives before the turn. Blake felt really comfortable around Glenn. She was sure him and her were going to be good friends; she smiled inwardly at the thought before other steps were heard on the top of the RV. Both her and Glenn turned to see Rick with a rifle.
"Hey. Came to relieve you. You should try and get some rest for tomorrow," he said with a small smile. Glenn nodded and stood up from the chair, putting his hand out to help Blake up.
Though Blake wanted to stay on the RV, she grabbed Glenn's hand as he helped her get to her feet. "I'm not going to go back yet, but I do want to give you a goodnight hug," she said as she snuck her arms under Glenn's arms and around him. He seemed stunned for a moment before wrapping his arms around her too.
"Goodnight, Glenn" she said with a smile, pulling away.
"Goodnight, Bea. See you in the morning," happy it was dark out so his reddened cheeks weren't noticeable.
Rick smiled at the two before taking a seat in the lawn chair. Blake took a seat on the hard surface of the RV, letting her feet dangle over the edge as she looked into the darkness.
"How was your day, Mr. Grimes?" she asked.
Rick sighed heavily, "It was pretty….bad, but I guess it could be worse. My family is still alive. That's all that matters. I can't help but feel guilty about everything….Amy….Merle….Jim…" he faded out of speech, rubbing his face with one hand.
Blake and Rick sat in silence for a minute before Blake spoke up. "You can't put the blame on yourself. You do what you can to the best of your ability. That's all anyone can ask of you. Honestly, you don't need to do anything for me. If anything we owe you and Shane for stepping up. Me and my brother will help you keep this group safe," she said, watching him look down to the gun in his lap. He leaned forward, arms on his knees as he turned his head, meeting Blake's eyes. His eyes were a dark blue in the night, receiving very little moonlight.
"Thank you, Blake. By the way, just call me Rick," then turned his head forwards, sitting back in the lawn chair again. Blake saw some tension leave his shoulders as he pondered into the night. They listened to the cicadas' and crickets for a few minutes longer when Blake got to her knee and grabbed Rick's hand in her own. Rick tensed slightly but relaxed as he gripped her hand back lightly. Blake looked into his eyes as he waited for her to say something.
"Nobody deserves to do this alone, Rick," she spoke softly. She then used Rick's hand to get to her feet. She gave Rick a small smile then started to walk away.
"Goodnight, Blake. I'll see you in the mornin'" he spoke.
"Night, Rick. See you later," and she walked off the ladder, finally deciding to do something about her heavy eyelids.
Blake and Tanyon left their things in Carol's station wagon and hitched a ride in the RV, keeping a close eye on Jacqui and Jim as Dale and Glenn kept an eye ahead on the caravan. Blake sat at the mini kitchen table and Tanyon laid down on the floor of the RV with his hands behind his head. Blake let her head hit the wall behind her as she let her eyes droop, finally content on letting her tired eyes finally take a rest. After her conversation with Rick she attempted to get some sleep, but she still remained restless. The soothing hum of the RV and the light chatter between Dale and Glenn finally made her feel at peace. Blake felt her body finally slipping away into itself when Jacqui's voice filled the room.
"Jim isn't doing well, I don't know how much longer he has".
Dale honked the RV horn once and the caravan moved to the side of the road with old-world habit. Under a full grown tree, the men laid Jim down. They all said their final goodbyes as they left Jim to live his final moments in peace under the tree, enjoying the sun and cool breeze…just like he had asked.
A nap later the group arrived to the CDC. Night had fallen and the remaining group members met together as they listened to Rick and Shane tell them the plan. They were to move quietly and all together. They all started moving through the war zone that was once a quiet, beautiful area near Atlanta. Bodies littered the ground as the group maneuvered its way through the sand bag barriers.
Blake looked behind her and saw Daryl taking up the rear, carrying a couple bags. He had his crossbow ready and prepared to do its work. As Daryl scanned the immediate area, his eyes came along Blake's. He immediately glared at her and scowled, jerking his crossbow back to his left. Blake snapped her head back forward to catch her brother looking at her. Her face tinged slightly red and she was grateful that the streetlights were out of use to avoid having her embarrassment show.
The CDC seemed like a failed attempt as they approached what they prayed would be a safe haven. The survivors stared at the white door, their skins tingling in anticipation of knowing whether they were going to be saved or not. Walkers swiftly approached the group, smelling fresh flesh. The group began panicking. Blake looked between herself and her brother; they both knew that they weren't taking out this crowd of walkers. Blake looked at Daryl and saw he was a lot closer than before. He stood merely a few feet away from her, anxiety written all over his face as he took in the clambering dead making their way closer and closer. Rick began to slam his fists on the door, ringing the dinner bell even louder for the dead. Then the door opened, shining a painfully bright light on all of their relieved faces.
