I have been in a writing mood, although my laptop may not be too happy about that lol. However, it is probably a good thing I am in a writing mood since I have to plan a few 500 words minimum essays. Anyway, I want to give a huge thank you to Aaya123Woods for the idea I used in this chapter. I modified it a teeny bit, but the credit goes to her for the idea.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to The Walking Dead. I also do not own anything in popular culture which is used as an allusion.

We left the nursing home, and decided it was time to head back to camp. After talking with Jane, everything we discussed was jumbled up in mind. Originally, I thought distancing myself and treating the situation like a case would be the best option. However, I began to realize the cons to it. I would feel beyond overworked if this was a huge, never ending case. That life would not be worth living. It would be lonely and long. I know I'm not guaranteed tomorrow, but one day would seem much longer and exhausting from my previous perspective. Back at camp, I recalled Dale reiterating how important it was to remain human. If I toss my emotions to the side, I wouldn't be completely human anymore. Emotions were only one aspect which composed humanity, and it was also an important aspect. I can still be logical about certain situations, but without emotions, I'm pretty much nothing.

We finally reached the area where we left the van, but the van was missing.

"Where the hell's our van?" Daryl demanded.

"We left it right there. Who would take it?" Glenn questioned.

"You know," I said, "It is possible to drive one handed. Even people with two hands do that all the time."

"You gotta be kidding me," Glenn sighed.

Daryl knew what Merle would have in mind. "He's gonna be taking some vengeance back to camp. We better start hoofin' it 'cause we have a good hike 'head of us."

Rick rubbed his face in frustration. He and T-Dog led the way, and Daryl, Glenn, and I trailed behind. There was no use running or jogging back to camp. That would only wear us out faster, and it would take even longer to return.

"How pissed do you think Merle will be when he gets there?" Glenn asked Daryl.

"Pissed enough to find someone to go off on. Since Rick ain't there, he'll probably go off on Shane, and use bein' abandoned as an excuse to do so."

"I'm sure Merle would enjoy that," I commented. "I don't think he'll go too crazy since you aren't there. He may wait for you, and save his wrath for Rick."

"Maybe."

Silence engulfed the group as we continued our hike. It got to the point where I couldn't stand it. When I was attempting to keep my distance, silence almost did not exist. Now, with my change of plans, silence was prominent.

"So," I started, not talking to anyone in particular, "if the world hadn't gone to shit, what would you probably be doing right now?"

"Are ya serious?" Daryl asked. Although he and I have been talking, I was still surprised he was the first to respond.

"Yes. Like you said, we have a long walk ahead of us. If you want, I can always ask about the weather."

"The weather is always hot as hell here," T-Dog stated. "Anyway, if it was the weekend, I would probably be out grilling. I can make some mean BBQ."

"If we ever come across the supplies for it, you'll have to fix some," Rick commented with a smile, probably reminiscing on his past summer BBQs. "This summer, I had plans for me and Carl to do some stuff together. He said he wanted to go camping, and learn to fish."

"Well, he kind of got his wish," Glenn awkwardly said.

"Yeah, he did, but I had different circumstances in mind. I guess we'll just have to make the best of it. What about you?"

"Probably work. Usually weekend orders give better tips. Elise?"

"It depends. Work always came first. However, I enjoyed reading and watching movies. Netflix was the best thing ever. Since I was still fairly new, I hadn't had the chance to goof off around town and whatnot. I hadn't even had the chance to order and have a pizza delivered."

"If I was the one to deliver it, you had better tipped well!" Glenn joked.

"I might have if my order was right," I chuckled. "The only area I had the chance to explore was the woods around the quarry. It was on my list to hike and explore more. I always loved just being outside, even if I was just sitting down and relaxing. I still had some work to do my house, too. At least now, I don't have to worry about the mortgage payments. And, you, Daryl?"

He shrugged his shoulders as he adjusted the crossbow on his shoulder. "Probably preventin' Merle from doin' somethin' too stupid. After work, we'd sometimes head over to the bar with some work buddies. Other times, I'd be workin' on my truck, or out in the woods huntin'."

"Sounds like you could have been Elise's hiking guide," Rick commented.

"That would have been nice," I said, "especially since I still don't know the area and surrounding counties well. Thank God I had my GPS to get me from place to place."

"So, you never got to do much around here?" Glenn asked.

"That's right. I never even made it to the local bar to have a drink with a co-worker. I hadn't met many people except for the ones I would work alongside."

"You sound like a sheltered child," T-Dog said, earning small laughs from everyone, and a humored smirk from Daryl.

"Guess you'll have to find the good out in the bad now," Daryl said to me.

I mulled over what he said, especially with my new approach to the world in mind. "You're right. If T-Dog comes across supplies to make BBQ, Glenn gets to deliver it to me and everyone else. I can help Rick teach Carl, and Sophia if she wants, how to fish if we can rig up some makeshift fishing poles. And you, Daryl, get to be my hiking guide," I said with a laugh at my random and highly unlikely scenario.

Everyone chuckled at the thought of somewhat having the experiences we discussed. "I think Andrea and Amy would enjoy hiking, too."

Surprisingly, Daryl somewhat agreed to the idea. "I may go 'long with it. But if we come across a deer, you and the two blondies better shut up fast."

"If you can get Amy to stop tanning long enough," Glenn stated.

What Glenn said was true. Amy really didn't let the ordeal with the walkers affect who she was or what she did. She just went along with it, and accommodated what she wanted into the situation. She would have to learn how to survive more along the way, but I honestly don't see that stopping her from being herself. I think that's what drew me in to befriending her and Andrea. I should have told Jane about Amy when I had the chance. Well, at least now I have something interesting to tell Amy, especially since she was right about me. I'm sure she won't let me live it down.

T-Dog and Rick continued their conversation as Glenn fell back to join me and Daryl. "Still can't believe you hadn't done much in Georgia," Glenn stated.

"Yeah. It was all work and no play for the most part," I answered.

Daryl actually joined in. "Sounds like a pretty shitty vacation for ya now."

"It could probably be worse. I believe I'm with a pretty good group of people," I said with a genuine smile. "It beats a Griswold family vacation."

"Oh, Lord," Glenn commented at my Chevy Chase reference.

We maintained our pace as the sun began to set. The vivid, tropical shades were slowly being replaced by a dark velvet sky speckled with bright stars. A full moon outshone all of the stars. Even if the stars fused together, their light was no match for the moon's light. In a way, I was kind of grateful Merle took the van, as long as he didn't harm anyone at camp, of course. It allowed us to talk, and it allowed me to open up myself more. It was nice getting to know the men better. Daryl still made a couple of remarks about Glenn's ethnicity, and he still did not use the correct term. As I opened myself up, I got to know the others better, especially Rick and Daryl. I hadn't talked to Rick much, but my observations about him being a good man were correct. It was nice to hear a couple of hilarious short stories involving him and Shane. Although I have been talking to Daryl, this time we didn't talk about the walkers or who would be the first group members to die. I asked him what got him into hunting. Although I had family members who hunted for sport, I didn't know much about it. He was definitely an outdoorsman. He even returned the questioning by asking what made me want to be a forensic investigator. Small talk was still possible in this world.

However, it was short lived for the time being. As we approached the outside perimeter of the quarry, we heard gunshots. Without glancing at one another, we ran to reach the camp. I pulled my handgun from my waistband, ready to face the walkers at camp. I knew there would be walkers, but I wasn't prepared for the sight before me. Screams of fear and pain pierced through my ears. Everyone was running, either running toward safety or running to kill a walker. Shots were fired from multiple points. I had no idea where the guys went since we took our own paths once we reached camp. I shot at each decaying walker I spotted. One of Morales's kids was in the open, tears streaming down her face as she couldn't find a way to escape. I ran to her, and quickly shot the walker who was stumbling to her. I pushed her to the direction of the RV where most of the others were, including Lori and Carl. "Go!"

Shane stepped away from the RV as he continued to protect Lori and Carl. I heard a different piercing scream, and I turned in the direction of it. It was Sophia, and a walker was shuffling up to her. She was frozen in place as the high pitch scream escaped her lungs again. I realized why she couldn't move. The walker which was wavering up to her was her father, Ed. He was lurched over as if his spine was broken, and a huge chunk was missing from one of his arms. Blood covered his entire form. Shane was closer to them than I was, and I was certain he could have seen them, especially as he looked around before aiming his gun on a different walker which was closer to the RV. Closer to some of the others, including Lori and Carl.

Shane moved up closer, directly in my path, yet he still didn't seem to notice the distress taking place where Sophia stood. Without thinking, I ran in Sophia's direction. I heard someone yell my name, and it sounded like Daryl. I wouldn't know why until later. As I ran, I used the strength I had, mainly due to adrenaline, to shove Shane out of my way. I paid no attention as I heard him yell "what the hell," followed by a gun shot. I aimed my handgun right in the middle of walker Ed's head, and squeezed the trigger. He collapsed to the side, and I snatched Sophia's hand in order to lead her to the RV. Carol pulled Sophia to her side as if she could shield her daughter away from it all, away from the entire massacre of the dead and the living.

The thundering bangs of gunshots finally stopped echoing. The dead were finally lifeless; their bodies sprawled throughout the whole camp. The sound of sobs and crickets were the only noises. I glanced around to see how many people survived. I only knew Ed was one of ours who didn't make it, which really didn't bother me much.

As I turned to face the RV, that was when I noticed Andrea kneeling over someone. I jogged over to her, and I realized it was Amy that she was kneeling over.

Amy.

The one who, without even knowing it, helped me to realize my strategy for the new world was completely wrong. I had planned on telling her that, and thanking her for it as well. My stomach dropped, and my heart clenched in pain. Why did someone so young, so full of life have to be attacked? Why did it have to be someone who kept such a strong and positive perspective about life, even though hell took over earth? The people who have lost their lives since the outbreak began didn't deserve that to happen to them, but Amy especially didn't deserve it.

I felt tears form to the brim of my eyes, due to spill over at any moment. I slowly walked over to Andrea and Amy. At first, I wasn't sure if I should intrude on Andrea. She was grieving over her little sister. I didn't have that type of relationship with either of them. However, if Amy was still here, I think she would have gone over to support whoever it was that was grieving.

I kneeled down beside Andrea, placing my hand on her shoulder in comfort. As I looked at Amy's once spirited blue eyes, the tears finally spilled over and streamed down my face. It would be easy to feel silly being so emotional over this, over someone I wasn't completely close to yet. However, I still considered her a friend, and it wasn't fair someone like her fell victim to a walker. Even during this time, she was someone who would someday make a difference. She just seemed like that type of person.

Andrea's tear stained faced turned toward me. She patted my hand to tell me it was alright I was there. "She asked about you while you all were gone," she said, her voice had a mournful hitch to it. "We went fishing with Dale's gear, and said it would have been 'cool' if you could have joined us. She joked around, saying you could do some sort of CSI thing to track where all the big ones were."

I had a bittersweet smile as I stared back down at Amy. I felt like her open blue eyes were making things harder, especially for Andrea. I gently closed her eyes as Andrea pushed back some of Amy's blonde hair, some strands of it stained with blood.

"I could tell she kind of looked up to you, Elise. You were in a criminal justice field like I was, and she admired that. You would have been a great person for her to look up to."

"That's the best compliment a person could ask for," I replied. "But you are not giving yourself enough credit. She looked up to your more than you could tell, even when you two had disagreements. Don't ever doubt that."

"Thank you, Elise."

Although she had a bittersweet smile on her face from my words, tears still cascaded down her face. I knew she needed time by herself just to grieve, and to be with her sister one last time. Perhaps even get anything said to her that she didn't get the chance to say. I gazed down at Amy one last time, silently thanking her for what she done. I patted Andrea's shoulder one last time before leaving her to mourn.

Although a lot of work had to be done after the attack, it was still much too dark to do anything. People were in the RV, and also in their vehicles instead of their tents. Even if they couldn't sleep yet, they had the security of metal instead of waterproof tent material. Dale and T-Dog were atop the RV on an intense watch. Glenn and Morales volunteered to walk the perimeter. Rick comforted his family while Carol comforted Sophia.

As I walked away from Andrea and Amy, I wiped the tears from my eyes, although I knew more would probably replace them. I was lost in the same thoughts that were plaguing my mind since the attack, so I didn't notice Shane stomping up to me from my right. He tightly grasped my arm in his hand, and jerked me around to face him. "Elise," he growled darkly, "what the hell was that about back there?"

I stared at him through eyes coated in a thin layer of tears. I had no idea what he was talking about, unless he meant me sitting with Andrea and Amy. However, he wouldn't care about that. "What are you talking about?"

His grip didn't relax at my confusion. "During the attack, you practically shoved me into a damn walker."

I was still lost until it dawned on me: Shane's exclamation followed by a gunshot. I didn't look around when I ran toward Sophia. My eyes went wide when I realized what all had happened in that moment. "Oh my God. I had no idea; I - I didn't see a walker near you at the time. I only –"

He cut me off instead of letting me finish. "How could you not pay attention, Elise?! You're supposed to be so observant and whatnot! You didn't think a walker could be near someone? Not think to check before barreling off to wherever?"

My sympathy for him quickly disappeared, and it was replaced with anger. I stared at him, my body language communicating my disbelief. "Not pay attention?! Are you kidding me?! You were so focused on protecting the people who already at the RV, when some of the ones there could do that, that you didn't notice Sophia about to be attacked by her dead asshole of a father! And you were closer to her than I was! That was why I went 'barreling off!' Hell, you were also closer to the walker I apparently shoved you into. Why didn't you notice it? Didn't think to check for the safety of the people who were already safe, especially compared to Sophia?"

Calling Shane out only added fuel to his blazing resentment. He didn't like his authority, leadership, and protective ability challenged. He must have thought I would be one to keep my mouth shut. Not anymore. "I am looking out for everyone here, including you and Sophia. You can think what you want, but I still see no reason for you to have to run through like, shoving people in your way into the walkers."

I huffed at him and his unbelievable defense. "I did what I had to in order to save Sophia. I wasn't going to run in circle in order to avoid everything that was between me and her. You shot the walker, and you're still here. Look at this however you want, Shane, but I know exactly what I did and why I did it."

He gently released my arm, so his animosity may have subsided somewhat. However, his eyes told me otherwise. "I ain't the one that shot the walker." With that, he walked off.

I stared at him, appalled by his outburst at me. This was not the Shane I worked with. I believe I had a more valid reason for what I did, especially since he was closer to Sophia. Sorrow and irritation were mixed together as I sighed and rubbed my temples. As I began to resume my path, I heard footsteps. I turned on heel, and was surprised to see it was not Shane coming back for round two. It was Daryl.

"Ya alright?" He asked. "Me and some of the others saw you and Shane goin' at it."

It was the first time I heard him ask anyone that sort of question. "Yeah. He was just blowing up over something that happened during the attack."

"I know. Saw it as it happened. I hollered at ya when I saw the walker that ya accidentally shoved Shane into. I was the one who shot it, though I may slightly regret that now," he said with a hint of cruelty in his voice. "Due to the angle it came out at, there's no way ya would have seen it since you made a bee line for that lil girl."

"Well, at least someone believes me. I can't believe Shane would just jump to that conclusion. If someone really, really wanted to get rid of him or shove him into a walker, I think they would have done that a long time ago. Actually, Merle probably would have done that. No offense or anything like that."

Daryl didn't seem offended, probably because I was right. "I told ya already that Shane wasn't as good as he seemed." I remembered, but I really didn't want to believe it. "He probably don't give a shit what happens to most of us," he continued. "Lori and her kid were already safe at that RV, the others were just lucky extras."

Even with Rick back, Shane wanted to maintain his leader role and family role with Lori and Carl. "I may have to admit you're right soon."

"Ya will. However, you was right 'bout one thing." I gazed at him to continue. "You was right 'bout some of the first people to go. Ya can check Amy off that list."

My heart clenched in fresh pain, and I felt my eyes begin to burn again. "I wish I wasn't right about that. I wish I was completely wrong."

Moments of normalcy do not last long in The Walking Dead world. I know Walker Ed didn't try to attack Sophia in the show (at least from what I recall), but the fun part of fanfiction is making such small changes. Of course, I don't own the show. Once again, thank you to Aaya123Woods for the "walker shove" idea. Since Elise was pissed at Shane's confrontation, she would probably do it again even if she saw the walker near Shane. Poor Amy. Her character had a lot of potential, I think she could have helped the group retain who they were previously even though they would have to change some in order to survive. Those changes are already occurring. Some for the best, and some for the worst.