Hershel stepped up beside me and turned around to address the small crowd that was now gathered on the porch. "Patricia, kill the lights." He whispered.
"I'll get the guns." Andrea sighed.
"Maybe they'll just pass, like the herd on the highway. Should we just go inside?" Glenn suggested.
"Unless there's a tunnel downstairs I don't know 'bout." Dad shrugged looking back toward the herd. "Herd tha' size will rip the house down."
"Carl's gone!" Lori screamed running out of the house.
"Wha'?" Dad asked in shock.
"He was upstairs now I can't find him anymore." She stated, grabbing her chest in worry. You know if you kept a better close eye on your son this wouldn't have happened.
"Maybe he's hideing."
"He's suppose to be upstairs. I'm not leaving without my boy."
"We're not." Carol stepped up and grabbed Lori's arm. "We're going to look again and we are going to find him." She stated as firmly and as sweetly as she could. Both of them ran back inside the house to go look for the 'missing' Carl. There was no mystery, I knew exactly where he was... he's with his dad. Snooping I bet but, telling them that is a waist.
Andrea came back outside and set the gun bag on the porch in front of our feet. Maggie started handing out guns. She handed on to Glenn and he looked shocked when she picked on up for herself.
"Maggie?"
"You grow up country, you pick up a thing or two." She said, loading her shot gun like a pro.
"I got the number. There's no use." Dad said sarcastically.
"You can go if you want. Be better for the baby and the new mother if you did." Hershel loaded his shot gun.
With those words my world collapsed. My group doesn't even know about this. My group doesn't even know about the herd. I don't want Amy or Bo to have to plow through this herd.
"Bo." I whispered in shock looking over at dad. He nodded for me to go. I turned around and ran into the house. I skipped a couple stairs as I ran up then to get to Amy's room. From her room I heard talking but as soon as I swung open the door everyone was quiet. "Herd..." Everyone's eyes went wide and began to look around the room. "Ya know the plan. Grab as much supplies as ya can, kill as many sums of bitches as ya can, and head fer the cars. C.C. Hailey, Tia, and Madison, protect Bo and Amy at any cost. The rest of ya pack. We meet on the highway."
Everyone nodded and I moved out of the way so everyone could flood out the door. As Kenneth passed me, he glared. I rolled my eyes, I don't have time for his petty bullshit. I glanced down to Amy holding Bo. I handed my axe to Madison. I leaned over and scooped up Bo as Hailey and C.C. began to help Amy out of bed. They helped her walk all the way to the front porch.
The walk there was the shortest in my life. In just five seconds I had to give up my son and set him in the car with the people I trusted the most. I kept thinking how am I going to get them to leave me here.
"How is this going to work? All six of us can't fit in one car." C.C. stated, keeping a firm grip on Amy's arm. He stopped walking and everyone followed in suit. Silently asking me for guidance.
"Hailey yer gonna take yer truck. It has back up supplies, water, any thing we need, so we need it." Hailey nodded and walked toward the front door. Tia moved over and took her place helping Amy stand. "C.C. yer gonna take yer car with Madison, Amy, Tia, and Trapper. An yer gonna drive far away from 'ere."
"What! No. I-"
"C.C. shut up." I sighed. I looked down at Bo's face. "Nothin's gonna happen ta ma son." He nodded.
Madison opened the screen door and I walked out. C.C., Tia, and Amy not far behind. Hailey moved Casey's car to the front of the porch and opened the back seat door for Amy. They helped her into the car and I set Bo in her arms.
"Promise me you'll make it out of here alive." She told me. The rest of them piled into Casey's car. Casey grabbed Trapper and pulled him to the car shoving him into the backseat. He didn't protest he just slide into the seat and shut the door. Casey ran around the car and jumped into the drivers seat starting the engine.
"I'll try." I whispered as I stood up. She smirked then slide over to the middle. I stepped back so Madison could get in but before she did she handed me my battle axe.
"You best make it out of here biscuit." She jumped in the car and shut the door. Dirt flew up from the tires as it sped off onto the dirt road off the farm.
I put a death grip on my battle axe and looked around the farm. Half of Rick's group that was standing on the porch was no longer there, including my father. I heard the rumble of the engine of Merle's motorcycle and looked up. I saw him far off toward the barn, that was on... fire? I rolled my eyes. Dumbass people.
Dad's motorcycle, Hershel's truck, Shane's car, and Dale's RV could be spotted from here. With the faint sound of gunshots which I knew we're coming from the cars as they tried to 'kill them all's as they put it. But even I knew it was a waist of time so I looked over toward the old camp. I saw some of them still packing so I ran over. Setting my battle axe by the fire and grabbing random supplies.
I picked up the backpack from my old tent and chucked it at Corbin who was standing nearby. He threw it in the back of the jeep and kept going on about his business. I looked around and saw that Hailey was still here and she was carrying two crates of the essentials that we needed. I scoffed, she always has to be the alfa male. I ran over and grabbed one of the crates and set it in the back of the truck. Hailey looked out toward the barn.
"There getting closer." She warned me. I turned around and whistled to get every one attention.
"Pack it up!" I stated while grabbing my battle axe from where I set it down. Everyone loaded what was in there hand into Hailey's truck and got into the closest car with room. After counting the group and double checking, I could tell there was one person unaccounted for, Kenneth. I hit the back of Hailey's tailgate signalling for her to go and she sped off. Each car following in a line behind her.
I looked around the tents and found the one I was looking for, Kenneth and Amy's. I walked towards it and sure enough, there sat Kenneth in that stupid lawn chair admiring the fire the barn was causing.
I put a death grip on my battle axe and walked slowly towards him. After everything he's done, to this group and Amy, nobody would miss him if I killed him now. It would solve a lot of problems that we would have later about Bo. It would solve all the fights we would have about who his father was.
I walked toward him battle axe raised. Using my skills as a hunter to be as quiet as possible. But as I was passing the large tree I stepped on a fallen tree branch. A loud crack echoed through the small campsite. Kenneth whipped his head around but when he saw it was me he sighed.
"Oh. Its just you." He said in disgust. I scoffed as he turned back around, to watch the barn burn.
"The cars left."
"Bet you had something to do with that." He stated not even looking back in my direction.
The walkers were getting close now. They already knocked down Hershel's property fence. The fence he put up to keep us away from the walker infested barn, which was now in flames. They kept getting closer and closer to our campsite which wasn't far from the house. My little argument with Kenneth wasn't going to mean anything if we both died.
"You can't have my son." He said still looking ahead of him. That statement knocked me out of my thoughts and back into the real world. His son?... His son!
I rolled my eyes. "Yer son?"
He stood up from the chair and marched up until he was in my face. He was a little taller than I was and he tried to use that to his advantage. But both him and I both knew it wasn't working. Him thinking he could one up me with just his height pissed me off.
"Yeah my son and I'll be damned if some inbred redneck trash is going to raise him. Do you understand all the Shit I had to put up with from Amy? That bitch-" I dropped my battle axe and punched him in the nose. He grabbed his face and fell to the ground from the force I put behind it.
I stepped in front of him and kenlt down so we were face to face. It almost reminded me of the time I punched Andrea in the face. But I was far from done beating the Shit out of Kenneth. I grabbed the collar of his shirt with my left hand and punched the hand covering his face with my right. After a couple of hits I heard knuckled crack and a slight tearing sound. Then an agonising scream filled the air.
I checked my right hand but it wasn't my hand that was broken. My knuckled were red and some were bleeding a little. I'd been taking out all my bent up anger I've had out on Kenneth's face. Its nit like he didn't deserve all of it... he did.
In the middle of me looking at my hand, my grip slipped on Kenneth's shirt. He pushed me over and I landed with a hard thud beside of him. I groaned in pain as my back hit the ground, taking all the air out of my lungs. Kenneth rolled until he was kneeling over me with his back toward the barn. He grabbed a hold of the collar of my shirt and raised his broken hand up but winced.
"Wha' ya gonna do now woman beater?" I smirked. "Hit me."
The blood from his nose ran into his mouth. He didn't stop it, he just stared directly at me. Trying to figure out someway to hurt me without hurting himself. He spit the blood from his mouth on my face and I cringed. In the middle of my daze, he raised his left hand from my collar to my throat. He increased his grip, choking and taking whatever air I had left in my lungs.
This was it? This is how I die? A Dixon. With blood in my face, a prick choking me, and walkers surrounding me. Me?
The familiar sound of growling knocked me out of my thoughts. The walkers are getting closer. I blinked a couple of times and raised my head. I looked past Kenneth to see maybe fifteen loan roamers heading this way. The closest one was maybe five steps away. I had to time this right otherwise it wouldn't work.
I raised my legs up and put my feet on his chest. Using all the air I had left in my body, I pushed my legs forward. Kicking Kenneth in the chest sending him back toward the roamer. I gasped and sat up. I grabbed my battle axe and jumped to my feet.
Kenneth's scream filled the air and I turned around slowly. Kenneth was still on the ground with those few roamers surrounding him taking chunks out of him. I sighed, this wasn't how I wanted this to happen.
I took a couple steps back not taking my eyes of Kenneth being mauled. I wanted to remember this. Then I turned around and ran full force toward the house. Hershel was firing shots from his shotgun beside the porch, reloading after every two shots. Shotguns were always so pointless.
I saw Lori, Beth and Patricia run off the porch headed toward the truck. Lori climbed in the truck as Beth and Patricia followed. Patricia being last was grabbed by two walkers but she never let go of Beth's hand. Beth didn't try to pull her hand away she just stood there and screamed like a little bitch, until Lori came back to get her. I rolled my eyes. Worthless bitch.
As I was running I looked around to check my surroundings. The cars were gone expect for a maybe a couple. Merle's motorcycle engine was still roaring in my ears, so dad was nearby. That's all I really cared about.
I heard a couple shots go off close to me and I glanced over my shoulder. I saw Andrea fire couple shots from her pistol, protecting Carol who was standing behind her. I saw her fire one more shot killing the walker but it took her down to the ground. Carol took off running and I took off running after her.
I gripped my battle axe firmly in my hand. The weight from it was becoming to much from running but I had to save Carol. A walker in front of her began to grab her and I kicked it into high gear to reach her in time.
I kicked the walker away from her and swung my battle axe down. Chopping off the walkers head with one swing. I looked behind me to see a frightened Carol. I took a deep breath and shook my head at the number of walkers still following the both of us.
The rumbling sound of Merle's motorcycle snapped me out of my thoughts. I grabbed Carol's hand with my left and pushed her in front of me down the dirt path toward the sound.
"Run." I stated simply and turned back toward the small heard following us.
"What about you?" She screamed. I looked back and pointed to dad who was sitting on his bike watching the flames of the barn burn higher.
"Run." I growled in her face. She got the point after that and began to run down the path screaming at my father. The last thing I saw before I turned around was dad turning his bike around and driving toward us.
I hit the first walker who was to close. I grabbed my carving knife with my other hand and plunged it into the walker beside me. I swung my battle axe up and took out two walkers who were standing side by side. I then turned around and began running after Carol who was getting on the back of dads bike.
"Come on I ain't got all day!" Dad screamed after me. He pulled out his pistol and began to shoot the ones who got to close to the bike. Allowing me enough time to make it. I made it to the bike and huffed.
"Why the fuck are ya still 'ere?" I screamed at dad. A shocked expression flashed through dads eyes.
"I ain't leavin' ya." He huffed as he shot a walker who got to close.
"Only two people can fit on yer bike an she sure as hell ain't gettin' off tha' damn thing." I huffed. He lowered his gun and sat back down on his bike in shock. I looked around to my camp to see my car perfectly placed in the center. "There." I pointed at it. "Its a straight path there. There ain't no walkers over there."
"Fuck th-"
"Jus' do as I say." I sighed. He looked sad at my choice as a flash of hurt went through his eyes. I sighed again and looked over my shoulder to make sure no walkers were behind me. "I'll meet ya back on the highway."
Dad started the bike again and sighed heavily. "Promise." He whispered.
I chuckled sadly but stopped when I saw the seriousness in his eyes. "Promise."
I watched for a moment as he sadly drove down the dirt road. Leaving me behind. I know he didn't want to but it's like I said, the bike could only fit two. I glanced over my shoulder to see more walkers were flirting toward me.
"Shit." I whispered and took off running toward my car. I tried to dodge all the walkers I came arcoss. Lifting my battle axe now became a chore and I now had to save all my energy on running.
I made it to the car and took a deep breath. I grabbed the handle and hope it didn't jam thus time. I sighed in relief when it opened with ease. I set my battle axe in the back and jumped in the car. Slamming the door after me as quick as I could.
I leaned over and opened up the glove compartment. Grabbing the spare set of keys and shoving then into the ignition. I turned the keys and the engine stuttered.
"Shit." I whispered and threw my head back against the seat. A loud this hit the window and I glance over. Four roamers were hitting the side of my car with more on the way.
I sighed and shook my head. I grabbed the keys again and turned. "Come on." I begged the car but again all I got was stuttering.
"Fuck!" I screamed, slamming my hands down on the steering wheel and blaring the horn. The passing roamers in front of me turned around at the sound and started to approach the car. "Shit." I said grabbing the keys again.
I turned the keys again and it stuttered. I sighed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "Please." I whispered to the car. I turned the key again and at first it stuttered. "Come on." The car roared to life and I chuckled. "Yes!" I screamed. I shifted the car into drive and took off down the dirt road. Avoiding as many passing roamers as I can. Leaving Alex, Lacey, Anthony, and Kenneth farm behind.
-Daryl's pov-
I rode up to the highway. Once I saw Rick, Carl, and Hershel, I let out a silent sigh of relief. I pulled up beside them. The other cars following not far behind me. Lori got out of the truck and ran for Carl and Rick. Beth doing the same for her family.
Everyone was reunited, except for one. Her group stood behind me, standing beside of there three cars doing the exact same thing I was doing... searching.
"Where'd you find every one?" Rick asked snapping me out of my thoughts.
"This guys tail lights zig zangin' all over the road. Figured he had ta be asian drivin' lik' tha'." I looked around again while everyone chuckled at my stupid joke. "Where's the rest of us?"
"We're the only ones who made it so far." Rick told me. Lori stood up from Carl with a surprised look on her face.
"Shane?" She questioned. I chose to stay out of this one. Everyone could tell Lori and Shane had a thing going back in Atlanta. No one goes out for an hour to pick fucking mushrooms. Rick shook his head and she had a look of disappointment on her face.
"Andrea?" Glenn asked.
"We saw her go down." T-Dogg stated standing beside the truck.
"Patricia?" Hershel asked.
"They took her daddy. Right from my hands. I was holding onto her daddy. She just-" Beth said, before busting out into tears. "Jimmy. What about Jimmy?"
"He was in the RV. It got overrun." Rick mumbled.
My breath caught in my throat and I began to breathe heavy. My eyes frantically searching for the only person that matters in my life.
"Anna?" C.C. whispered from behind me.
"Where's Anna?" Hailey asked me beside of me. I looked over at her with concern and shrugged. Hailey then looked toward Ricks group who now were quiet. "Where's Anna?" She asked everyone through clenched teeth, losing her patience.
"She saved me then ran off toward her car." Carol said finally speaking up.
"Did she make it?" C.C. asked, concern lacing his voice.
"I saw her get in the car... but I didn't hear it start." Rick said looking down at the ground. I huffed and walked over to my bike. I began to throw my leg over but Rick grabbed me. "What are you doing?"
"I'm goin' back." I huffed and yanked my arm from his grasp.
"You can't do that." He said.
"Why the hell not?"
"Because we don't know if she's there Daryl." He sighed and looked back toward her group. "We don't even know if she's alive. We can't go back. She's either dead or far away. We don't know."
"Ya can't expect me ta leave 'er. That's ma daughter!" I screamed in his face. Rick's group looked around at each other. I guess they know now. I huffed trying to calm myself down but I could see that Rick still wasn't giving up. "Wha' if it were Carl? Would ya jus' leave 'im back there? Leave 'im ta die? Na. See if it were Carl ya'd send a search party back ta find 'im. But because it's some redneck trashes kid ya ain't gonna do shit 'bout it."
"I'm sorry." Rick said in defeat.
"We'll stay behind." I turned around to see Corbin step in front of Anna's group.
Rick huffed. "That's not-" he began to say before Corbin cut him off.
"Look it doesn't matter what you say. The point is Anna's our leader. We're waiting for her. Once she finds us, we'll find you."
"What if she never shows?" Rick asked. I scoffed turning around again to look at him.
"She'll show." I growled. I walked over and threw my leg over my bike.
"Don't worry Daryl. We'll find her." Corbin said to me proudly. I nodded then started my bike. Rick's group got into their cars as Carol got on the back of my bike.
I didn't want to leave with them. I wanted to stay and find my daughter. But I knew that Ricks group would never be able to survive a night in the woods without me. I speed off down the highway. I don't know if I'll see my daughter again.