Don't Look Back

That night everyone remained at the camp. No one dared to go into the Greene house.

Dale and Lydia sat on top of the RV.

"I told you Shane is dangerous." Dale whispered.

Lydia nodded. "There's nothing good about that man. We need to get rid of him."

"If only Rick can see that but he's blinded by his friendship towards him." Dale sighed.

Lydia snuggled Daryl's poncho. "Just because Shane is insane, it's not fair that we have to be out here like animals."

"Well, Rick's orders that we stay here. Hershel went missing and Rick and Glenn went looking for him. Maybe we can go in without someone saying anything."

Lydia looked at their farm house. "Yea right. That Maggie girl is scary as shit. I'm scared of her more than the Walkers." She giggled.

Dale looked at the field. "What's that?" He pointed.

Lydia stood up. "I don't know. We can go check it out."

Dale and Lydia climbed down from the RV and walked toward the object.

"I hope the boys get back before morning. If something happens, we're doomed." Lydia confessed.

"Are you and Daryl having a child too?" Dale smiled at her.

Lydia laughed. "No, uh...no. But, he said if I did, he would be there for me."

"Daryl Dixon?" Dale laughed. "He became so soft since he met you."

Lydia snuggled his poncho. "He's just..changed."

Dale and Lydia frowned at the object they spotted. A cow lied down on the ground with its stomach ripped open and gutted.

"Walkers?" Lydia turned to Dale.

Dale looked at Lydia. "I've watched all day."

One of the Walkers threw himself at Dale and knocked Lydia to the ground.

"Dale!" Lydia fumbled around her belt to find her knife.

The Walker ripped open Dale's stomach and began to feast on his insides.

"NO!" Lydia screams alerted the group. She stabbed the Walker and shoved him aside. She held Dale's head on her lap. "Dale, please stay with us. PLEASE!" She wept.

The whole camp ran to Lydia's aid and Dale's dying moment.

Andrea looked down at Dale with tearful eyes. "Oh god."

Lydia removed his hat and fanned him.

Daryl helped Lydia up and held her waist in one hand and a gun aimed at Dale. "I'm sorry, brother." He shot Dale.

The next day at 5 o'clock, Lydia sat by Dale's grave smoking. She placed his hat on the sticks that resembled a cross. Under her boot, she put out her cigarette and covered her face to hide the tears.

Rick crouched down and placed a hand on her back. "I'm sorry about Dale."

Lydia stood up. "This is impossible. That Walker came out of no where. Dale was sitting on top of the RV all day watching over the farm. Rick.." Her voice turned into a whisper. "It was Shane."

"Oh, not you too. First Lori then Dale and now you're telling me he's dangerous." Rick put his hands on his hips.

"It's true. If your wife, Dale, AND me have suspicions, shouldn't you, as a leader, be concerned? Shane had it in for Dale and Shane wanted to shut him up." Lydia looked down. "Talk to him Rick because I'd be damned if I end up being Walker food."

Glenn slapped his hand on her shoulder. "Lydia!"

Lydia took the gun from her belt buckle and pointed it at Glenn's head. "Jesus." She lowered her gun.

"Sorry to scare you, Lydia." Glenn frowned.

"What do you need?" Lydia put the gun back in her belt buckle.

"Maggie needs your help with dinner." Glenn looked at the house.

"Why me? I thought she hated us."

"Beats me. I'd go before she comes over here and drags you inside by your hair." Glenn chuckled.

Lydia sighed and walked inside their house. The ambiance was cold and uninviting since they shot down the Walkers.

Maggie hugged Lydia. "I need you to help me with Beth."

"What's wrong with Beth?"

"She's talking about suicide." Maggie said coldly.

Andrea stopped making dinner. "Can I talk to her?"

Lydia nodded. "Yea, I'll make dinner instead."

Maggie nodded. "Just talk her out of it, would you?"

Andrea walked into Beth's room then shut the door.

Lydia took off the poncho and backpack. "Thanks for letting us come in." She sat them down in the living room.

Maggie sat at the table. "I only let girls and Glenn come over now." She laughed.

Lydia dumped the meat into a skillet. "I never imagined it all end like this."

Maggie sighed. "This world went to hell. I understand why Beth wants to die."

Those words hit Lydia's heart. "She should be okay with Andrea. She's wise."

"Like Dale." Maggie added.

Lydia sat beside Maggie taking out the side braid and into a ponytail. "Like Dale."

/

The group was let in for dinner. Hershel agreed to let them stay for a little bit longer. Rick, Carl, and Shane were absent and that worried Lori.

Finally, Lori stood up. "I have to go look for Rick and Shane."

Lydia stopped her. "I don't think so. Let us go find them." She looked at Daryl.

Daryl put his plate in the sink. "I'm your hunter."

Lydia and Daryl took one step outside and looked at the field. Carl was aiming at gun at his father.

"Shit." Lydia ran after them.

"Wait!" Daryl stopped her. "Wait." They looked at them.

Behind Rick, a Walker Shane limped towards him. Carl's shot killed Shane which alerted a hoard of fast Walkers. Rick scooped up Carl and ran to the house.

Lydia and Daryl run into the house. "We gotta go! Too many Walkers are coming this way! We have to go!"

Rick and Carl were chased into the barn. Walkers invaded the farm and there were too many to fight off. The group escaped out the back and ran towards the RV and cars.

"I have to help the rest." Lydia kissed Daryl. "Go! I got it!"

Daryl stopped her. "NO! I'm not leaving you."

"I'll be fine." She shot a Walker behind Daryl. "I have to help Andrea gather everyone." Lydia shot her way through the Walkers to get to the house.

Rick lite the barn on fire to distract the hoard of zombies. The two escaped out the barn window and onto the ground.

Andrea and Lydia helped people onto the RV and cars.

"Do we have everyone?" Andrea looked around.

"I think so! Let's get the hell out of here!" Lydia and Andrea ran toward the RV but it was gone. All the cars and supplies were gone.

"HEY!" Andrea ran toward the RV leaving.

Lydia followed her waving their hands around. "Oh my god!" Lydia shot at approaching Walkers.

Andrea took Lydia's arm. "We have to go! Don't look back!"

Lydia listened to Andrea and took off into the woods. No looking back and not crying about stuff she couldn't change.