Italics: OC's thoughts

CHAPTER 11: BROKEN

I stood by Shane while the others went back inside. I rubbed the back of my head and rubbed my messy hair. In spite our rough start, I felt safer around Shane, I didn't trust Rick as much as I did him.

"You— you don't know how— how many." he choked.

I patted his shoulder "I know man. Chill, 's ok." He nodded. His eyes couldn't stop; his head was processing too many things at the same time. "Pretty fucked up," I said, as I looked at his ankle. "Saw ya limp." He said nothing. When Hershel came out we stood up. From the look on his face, the kid made it. Glenn turned at us and I tilted my head, and so he followed the others inside. Lori also looked our way at Shane, she nodded.

He slightly pushed the van for impulse and limped towards the door. I walked by his side and stopped at the porch. "Ain't comin'?" he whispered.

"Naw. that's yer people inside. I'm ok here." I did know what it was that still didn't make me feel part of them. I wondered about the others on the highway, nights seemed so short before all this and now they were endless. I wanted daylight badly. I was getting tired so I went back inside and asked cowgirl, Maggie, for a room.

"Upstairs." she showed the stairs. "Jus' for tonigh'."

"Yup." I nodded. "Bathroom?"

"Ask Shane when he gets out..." she spoke annoyed and walked away.

"Fine." I said a bit offended. I patiently waited for Shane to make an appearance. "Hey," I called. "Where's the bathroom?" He stretched his arm and pointed to a dark aisle. I got closer and followed him. "Got it." I made no comment on his new haircut, it was mostly emotional. So I went back for my bag and as I grabbed it it felt different. I looked down and saw the zipper half closed. "Who touched my bag?" No one answered. Some popped their heads in curiosity but no one dared to admit. "Fuck. Seriously people, don't fucking touch my things." Glenn was the only one that seemed to understand and take note about my remark, I was pretty sure he didn't touch it again after what happened back in Atlanta. I stomped to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I took my shirt off and unbuttoned the pants but didn't take them off, then tank top and then the bandage. The second the bandage touched the pile of clothes the door opened. I froze. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I held my breath and tried not to move.

"Sorry man, I forgot somethin'." I recognized Shane's voice. I squeezed my eyes cursing and once the door closed I violently turned around and locked it. Motherfucker! I sighed in relief. Holy shit that was close. I never thought I'd be grateful for my swimmer's body.

I slowly washed my messy, once long, brownish hair; by now it was just a self-cut, faded blond-brown bush. I shut the tap and stepped out. As if the day couldn't get any worse I slip, left shoulder holding all the weight. "AAAAAA son of a bitch! Fuck!" I yelled in pain. Now I was screwed up, now I was defenseless.

"Matt! Matt!" People yelled outside.

"You fine man?" I could recognize Shane's drawl everywhere.

"Open up so we can help you." said Rick.

"Damn it. I'm fine!" I cursed. "Don't worry 'bou' me."

"Sounds like you need help..." Rick wanted to help at all costs.

"I didn' hurt ma head. I'm fine. Be out in a sec." I tried to move it. With a crack, my shoulder fell back into place. I moved it, excruciating pain, but nothing else. "Ain't broken." I looked at my bag, and wondered what I could possible wear that would allow me to take it off in case they wanted to take a look. I tucked my hand inside and grabbed tight shorts, baggy pants, tank top and another one.

"Dude sure you're fine?" Glenn said worried.

"Son, please open, I have to check on your shoulder. Try not to move it." even Hershel got involved.

"Oh my God! I'm fine. It moves perfectly. It ain't broken. Jus' lemme get dressed so I can show ya later. Jeez." I was more than pissed. Silence on the other side. I wrapped the bandage as good as I could and dressed, careful on covering the corse. I looked myself in the mirror to check before leaving. Look like a rapper. I grabbed the key and turned. If heads turning made a noise, that moment would've been an orchestra. I grabbed the bag with my right hand; someone really observant would realize by that small action that my arm was not ok. I hid the pain on my shoulder the best I could. "I'm fine. Just gotta man up. It'll bruise, that's all. Look." I moved it up and down, not flinching one bit. Apparently my live lie was believed by everyone so I climbed up the stairs. I stepped inside the first room I found, closed the door and leaned against it for a while. They worried didn't they? I shook my head. Jus' makin' a big deal outta nothin' again, stop overthinkin' "Or I leave, or they find out..." I couldn't decide. "What would it be?"

I tried to sleep but my head just couldn't shut up. Plus I was terribly uncomfortable, pain wasn't going away. I should tell 'em. When I finally found peace a loud thud caught my attention. I raised my head from the pillow. Nothing. I rested again. Again. This time it was louder, probably getting closed to my room. Ugh. Fine. I left the bed and opened the door.

"Holy shit!" I gasped as Shane fell over me. He quickly stood up on guard. "Hey. Hey,'s me. Ya fine?" It was clear that the shock from the night hadn't left. He struggled to stand up properly. It seemed he was going to lose it again so I slid under his arm and wrapped mine around his waist. His left arm rested heavily over my left shoulder so it was killing me. Some tears were clouding my eyes so we took our time, I didn't want him to see them. I led him into the nearest room; he leaned on the door while I check it was empty. "There ya go." I would've made a sarcastic comment but his current state kept me from it.

"Thanks..." he whispered.

"Mornin'." A female voice spoke as I walked down the stairs heading outside.

"Patricia righ'?" She nodded. "Mornin'."

"Yer people comin' today?"

"Ma people." I repeated. Still a bit sour. "They should. They held back for the night." I looked at the land, calm. Apparently the apocalypse forgot about this place. Then, I saw a bunch of people near trees. "W— wha—" I stammered and turned to her.

"That's where you'll be sleepin'. Hershel said you could set yer camp by those trees." she patiently replied.

"Oh. Well then. Might as well help." I opened the screen door then turned back to her. "I'm very sorry for yer loss..." She nodded and I looked down. On my way to the trees I head car noises. It's them? Then, a loud engine sound. Yup. Bet my ass that's Daryl. As the RV came to sight. The caravan was led by Daryl, even Shane's new car came. I walked to them as T-Dog walked past me and into the house. The newcomers asked about Carl. I looked among them but didn't see Sophia, Dale and Carol hugged Rick and Lori when she heard the news. I looked at Daryl and raised my brows, he shook his head.