Adi barged out of the barn and up the hill, the dry grass crushed underneath her step. Anger boiled in her gut, the hateful sun burned her skin, sweat dripped from her forehead, and her thin farmer girl clothes stuck to her skin. She came to a stop underneath a shady tree, giving her a break from the sun's rage. Sighing, she leaned back against the tree and tried to allow Carol's words sink into her heart. It wasn't that Carol was believing Sophia was dead that was bothering her, it was the fact that Carol was giving up on her daughter, her only child without any closure. Adi tried to imagine being in Carol's place; terrible and hopeless days have passed in this new world, no doubt Carol has thought the worse had come to Sophia. But enough for her to stop believing she was alive?
She focused back to reality when she saw Rick approaching her.
"I want you to go on a search for Sophia with a couple members of the camp." Rick said, the stench of his sweat and body odor nearly made her gag.
"What about my son?"
"I can have someone watch him, give Daryl a reason to actually stay put." Rick promised, wiping sweat off his brow. "Whoever you're comfortable with."
"I would prefer to have Carol watch him, if she's alright with it."
"I'll bring it up to her before you head out."
"Do you still not trust us?"
"I'm working on it. It's hard for me to, truly, trust anyone." Adi answered, resting a hand on the hood. Rick was too hot to really push the subject any further. He turned his attention to the map sprawled out on the hood, marked with x's and circles, places they have checked and what was left. Andrea joined them, holding her pistol in her sweaty hands.
"Now, Sophia could've gone north, maybe a little pass where we were on the free way." Rick started, pointing at the map. "Also, she could've gone south. If Sophia kept going in that direction, she might've gotten out of the forest and into farmland." He said, pointing to another circle. Then he pointed at Adi and Andrea. "So, Adi, you, Andrea and I will take 74 up to Ivy Road. Then push down south on foot through the forest til we hit Christopher. Go east a couple of miles then double back-"
"Rick."
Adi gasped, startled to see Hershel walking up to them.
"Hershel." Rick adjusted himself, wondering why Hershel would be approaching them. "We just have our guns out because we're going to look for Sophia."
"Before you do that, I could use your help with something."
"Count me in." Andrea spoke up, excitedly.
"Thank you, but I just need Rick."
The two men stared at each for a second before Rick turned to them.
"I'll be down at the barn keeping watch until you're ready."
Adi nodded her head, placing a hand gun in her back pocket. Rick and Hershel left them, heading down the hills and Andrea headed to the barn. Carol's words echoed in her head, her anger grew again.
"I'm not gonna stand around here and wait."