Footsteps of the Damned

Chapter 10 - Who Really Knows?

Quick note:

I apologize in advanced for the slur in this one. It was used in season 1, so it felt like that's what would be said.

Sorry if it offends anyone.

Taking the life of a walker- or whatever was left of it- was hard enough as it was, but making the decision to kill a survivor that was going to turn was that much harder. Tyreese knew it needed to be done though. It was safer for the group to kill someone who was unconscious rather than someone trying to attack you. At least she won't be aware, Tyreese told himself.

With whatever confidence he built up, he moved his finger to the trigger, but he didn't get the shot off before he was grabbed and roughly forced to the side.

"I tell you to check for a bite and you get this nigger to come blow her brains out?"

Tyreese did his best to ignore the slur as he shoved Daryl off of him.

"Daryl, it's not something I'd want, but Tyreese has a point..." Lori informed cautiously. "She's got walker blood in her wound..."

Daryl shot her a glare and approached her challengingly. "Wasn' it your husband who said we don't kill the living?"

Lori was taken back by the comment. He was right, whether she wanted to admit it or not. It had been Rick that set that rule when Daryl tried to kill Jim. This situation shouldn't have been an exception.

"He's right, we don't kill the living," Glenn added.

"So what, we do it when she turns?" Tyreese questioned, a bit of scepticism in his tone. "Before or after she attacks us?"

"She won't get the chance to," Daryl snapped back. "Now go do something useful."

It was very tempting for Tyreese to turn and take a swing at Daryl, but he held himself back and walked past him.

It took a few minutes after that for Lori to finally speak up. "Did you find them?"

The question brought a grim look to Daryl's face. Before replying, he shook his head and moved to his truck. When he returned, he had a Ziploc full of orange pill containers and propped it on the hood of the van as he sifted through it.

"Rick took care of those walkers, but Sophia and the boys must'a got lost on the way back," Daryl informed, pulling out a few containers and placing them on the van.

"Ben and Billy ran out there too?" Glenn questioned, his voice unbelieving.

Daryl didn't want to confirm the dire turn of events, but he nodded despite himself.

"My brother had a stash of pills," he started, trying to take his mind off the lost children. "There's some kick ass pain killers, crystal, x- don't need those- some doxycycline- that's the good stuff too."

When he was done, he tossed the two containers to Glenn and returned the bag to his truck.

"You're not staying?" Glenn questioned.

Daryl shook his head as he started making his way back to the forested area the kids had run into. "I'm gonna see if I can pick up their tracks. They couldn'ta gone too far." He paused for a second and turned to Glenn. "Take good care of her this time."

"Ah, right. I will.

With that said, Daryl continued on his way.

"Was it just me, or did it seem like he cared...?" Glenn asked as he watched Daryl walk off.

Lori had been just as surprised. Daryl had never been one to help someone out unless it helped him in some way. Keeping Tyreese from killing Riley definitely didn't follow that theory though.

"Maybe he's turned a new leaf?" Glenn suggested.

"We can always hope," Lori added, getting a better look at the pills. "Kind of ironic that Merle will be helping someone..."

Glenn chuckled lightly at the comment. It was good that they had some form of meds and antibiotics now, but there was still the chance of her blood being infected with more than just blood poisoning. That, they didn't have meds for.

The next time I was conscious, it was dark out, and I was sure if not for the fever, it would have been chilly. The only thing I could be thankful for was that the throbbing of my injuries had lessened.

"So you think she's infected?"

Rick's voice was faint, as if he were outside, but I couldn't see him from where I was laying.

"There's a good chance of it," Lori replied.

It was quiet for some time after, but the silence was soon cut off as the door to my van opened.

"Nice to see you awake," Rick greeted as he moved beside me.

"You could say that, I guess..."

I could barely hear myself, my voice strained and faint. Thankfully Rick didn't ask me to repeat myself.

"You guys still think I'm going to turn...?"

Rick shifted uncomfortably from where he was sitting. "You got a cut from Daryl's knife, right?"

I nodded weakly, starting to understand the implication.

"Heh... Guess you might be right after all..."

I felt my eyes start to get heavy, but I fought to stay awake.

"What are you going to do, Rick...?"

I knew the question wasn't an easy one to answer, but if he wanted to write me off and take care of me now, I wouldn't blame him.

"What would you do, Riley?"

A weak chuckle escaped my lips. "My choice would be biased..."

Rick shook his head. "You're a smart girl, I'm sure we're thinking of similar ideas."

His statement brought a small grin to my face. "You give me too much credit... Though, I'd appreciate the bullet after I turn..."

Rick's features hardened. "If you turn."

"What do you mean if?" my friend, Aleah asked. "That's how the infection spreads; bodily fluids and whatnot."

I shrugged. "Not everyone catches the flu on contact."

"The flu doesn't start a zombie apocalypse, Riley."

This kind of debate was common between us. She was the expert of 'zombie 101' and I always challenged her theories. I usually came off as teasing, but everything I brought up seemed plausible in my mind.

She sighed, noticing the stubborn look I was giving her. "Go ahead, say it."

"Assumingly."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You just like to argue everything, don't you?"

"No, I don't."

I couldn't keep the grin off my lips for long, earning a small chuckle from her. We both knew it was all in good fun.

"Right, you just argue your 'theories'."

"They have just as much probability as yours," I added.

She sighed in exasperation. "Fire, animals, and now immunity."

"All fair assumptions," I sated quickly. "Plus, nothing's going to stop me from keeping Thor around."

"We'll see," Aleah sighed. "I still think they're just a liability."

I made a noise of protest. "I'll just train him; no barking, no biting, and I'll teach him to knock people over."

She chuckled at my plan before looking around the room. "Where's Thor anyways?"

I looked around the room as well, no sign of the Bernese pup.

"Thor...?"

I felt someone place a damp rag over my forehead as I slowly came to.

"Feeling any better?"

I squinted from the sunlight, but nodded none the less as I matched Lori's figure to the voice.

"Where's Thor...?"

I hadn't realized he wasn't around the last two times I was conscious, but now that I did, it worried me. He was always at my side, so it meant something was up.

Lori opened her mouth to answer, but closed it as if she were looking for the right words.

"When you were unconscious, a herd of walkers passed by. We were all hiding but Sophia was spotted by one of them and it chased her into the forest." She paused, a cautious look on her face. "Thor and Allan's boys ran after her, but we haven't found them yet."

I felt light headed at the news. Having Thor missing was like losing a best friend or a family member even. Then, of course, the kids were also missing. The whole situation left me uneasy.

"How long ago...?"

My heart dropped as the answer slipped from her lips. "Two days now. We've been out there each day searching. We're bound to find them soon."

I nodded slowly and closed my eyes. "At least he's there to keep them safe... I guess I should have taught him to track scents too, huh?"

Lori laughed softly and placed her hand over mine.

"It's only a matter of time before we find them. Now get some rest, alright?"

I gave her a small nod. There wasn't much else to do anyways. I'd just have to wait and hope they were safe.

Footnote:

Daryl caring about someone? That's crazy talk lol

So, did everyone miss the story? 'Cause I was getting anxious to post the next chapter over the weekend :P

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, faved, and followed, you're all awesome :D