Chapter 21
Melissa watched as Rick tossed Axel's file between the bars and on the floor at Axel's feet. Axel stared wide eyed at the three who had come there to question him then bent over to pick up his file.
"Armed robbery," Rick started. "You told us you were here for tax fraud."
Axel nodded. "I know what I told ya'll. I was ashamed to tell ya the truth. I didn't want ya to think I was dangerous. The truth is I had debts that needed to be paid. I tried to rob a bank, I got caught and I got thrown in here. That's all there is."
Melissa looked at Daryl to judge his reaction. He was standing with his back against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. When he felt Melissa's eyes on him he glanced at her briefly then looked back at Axel. Melissa had argued with Daryl that Axel's charges were not that big of a deal. She had expected worse. Rape or sodomy or something really awful but the truth was Axel had been caught trying to rob a bank. The truth wasn't as bad as she had feared. It was his first offense and, to Melissa, this meant they needed to consider the possibility that he could still rejoin the group, but Daryl's body language signaled to her that he still wasn't willing to consider the idea.
Rick still seemed to be on the fence. He knew he could use the extra pair of hands, but if Axel was a threat to the group he could not afford to let him stay.
"Melissa, I'm so sorry if I scared you," Axel plead, looking into Melissa's eyes. "I really didn't mean to. I'm sorry about all this. Now ya'll know everything. I'm not a murderer, I'm not a rapist, I'm just a dumb redneck who owed a lot of money and got caught tryin' to steal some." Axel finished and looked back and forth between Melissa and Rick and Melissa figured he had given up on trying to convince Daryl.
Melissa nodded, signaling to Axel that she understood. Daryl rolled his eyes. He didn't understand why Melissa could be so willing to give Axel another chance. Maybe she was right, he hadn't hurt anyone, but Daryl was not willing to give him the chance to prove them wrong. He wiped his mouth with his knuckle and looked to Rick, who had his hands on his hips and was looking down at the floor.
"We'll discuss everything with the rest of the group," Rick declared. "When we make a decision I'll come back and let you know. Just hang tight." Rick turned and left the cell block, Daryl and Melissa following, and they walked together back to C-Block.
"So what are we going to do," Melissa asked. "Take a vote like we did with Randall?"
"Nah, I meant what I said. This isn't a democracy. It's fair to have a discussion, everyone will have a chance to be heard, but I'll make the decision."
Daryl and Melissa locked eyes briefly and it was clear that they were both in agreement, at least where Rick was concerned. Everyone had grown used to following Rick's lead and despite his brief absence after Lori's death he was still trusted.
When they got back to the others in the commons area of the cell block Melissa sat next to Maggie and Beth at a table and Daryl leaned against a wall just to the left of Rick, looking every bit like Rick's second in command. Melissa briefly smiled to herself at the thought.
The discussion was short, but calm. Some were okay with giving Axel another chance. Others were still on the fence. Melissa spoke on Axel's behalf for the second time and although Daryl didn't agree he admired her for her determination. When Rick attempted to give Daryl the floor he simply shook his head, signaling that he did not want Axel to join the group again. Once everyone had a chance to speak Rick nodded and paused, inviting anyone who may have had anything else to say to take the floor. He had been watching each one of them with care, attempting to read the group's body language. He was pleased to see that even though they seemed split on what to do with Axel, overall the group was still intact. He felt confident knowing they would all stand behind his decision. They weren't broken like they were the last time they had a conversation like this. They were still a unit. Still together.
Rick nodded. "I'll let ya'll know what I decide," he said as he started to leave the room.
"Rick, wait," Glenn interrupted, standing. Rick turned to face him. "Maggie and I were talking and, um, we need to go on a supply run. The baby needs formula and there are a couple of stores a few miles from here we haven't gotten to yet." He pulled something from his back pocket and unfolded it. It was a piece of paper from the yellow pages. "There's two grocery stores and a baby supply store five to ten miles east. There are also a few gas stations west of here that we haven't gotten to. We were thinking if we hit up as many of those places as possible we might not have to go on another run for months."
"It could take two days for you to cover that much ground," Rick said. "I don't want anyone gone that long." He put his hands on his hips and then looked at Hershel. "Hershel, how long do you think it'll be before we get the crops in the ground?"
"Well, we don't have any tools. Everything will take more time, planting, harvesting and it'll be harder work, but we might be able to have some good crops goin' by early fall if we're lucky," Hershel said.
"What if we did have tools?" Rick asked.
"Well, that would certainly be easier."
"What if we get two teams together, one goes east, one west. They hit up as many places and grab as many supplies as possible, including a run by your old farm. There are tools there we could use for our crops, medical supplies, things that we left behind. We get all those bases covered and we'll be pretty set," Rick said.
Melissa had never considered going back to Hershel's farm ever again. "Do you think it's safe to go back to there?" She asked.
"There could be danger, like there is anywhere, but the herd that passed through should be long gone by now. The house was boarded up and locked. The creek beds near the property will no longer be frozen so most stray walkers in the area should be getting stuck in the mud like they did last summer. It's worth a try." Hershel answered.
"I'll go back to the farm." Melissa offered. She needed a break from the prison anyway. "I'm pretty familiar with where everything is. Hershel, maybe you can make me a list of everything you think we'll need. Whatever room is left in the car I'll load it full with extra clothes, food, anything we could use."
"Someone needs to go with you. I don't want anyone out alone. I'd go if I could, but with everything that's happening I think I should stay here and keep my eye on things." Rick said.
"I'll go." Daryl offered.
"Alright, Daryl you go with Melissa to the farm." Rick instructed. "Glenn and Maggie can take the other car and hit up the stores in the area. Let's get your routes planned out."
Rick sat with Glenn, Maggie, Melissa and Daryl and looked over the yellow pages as the others left the commons area and went about their business. They picked their locations, planned their routes, grabbed their weapons and extra ammo and headed out to the cars.
"It'll probably take the rest of the day to scavenge all these locations, even with you splitting up. It's nearly mid-day now. Be as quick as possible, but find somewhere to stay the night if you don't think you'll make it back here by nightfall." Rick instructed as he followed them out to the cars. "I don't want anyone on the road at night. Daryl and Melissa, I expect getting everything we need from the farm might take a while and it's further away, so you might want to go ahead and count on staying the night there if it seems safe enough."
As they made their way to the cars, Melissa could see that Glenn had his eye on the BMW. She remembered that he had a thing for cars so she tossed him the keys. Glenn caught them and looked back at Melissa with an expression of shock and awe.
"We'll take the Hyundai," Melissa offered. "With the tools I figured we could use the lift gate anyway."
"Sweet," Glenn smiled.
"Be careful." Rick added as they got into their respective cars.
Daryl and Melissa pulled out of the prison first, followed by Glenn and Maggie. As she watched the BMW disappear in her side view mirror she found herself saying a silent prayer that they would all make it back to the prison safely. They drove in silence with the windows down to save gas. Melissa didn't mind. It actually felt nice; freeing, having the wind blowing on them like that. At one point she even stuck her hand out the window, subtly making it fly like she used to when she was a kid in the back of her parent's car; when life was so much easier.
The first gas station they passed was a bust, literally. Practically all the windows had been busted out and Daryl sped up and drove past it without a word, knowing there would be nothing left there for them. As they approached the second gas station on their route and Daryl slowed the car to survey the area, it was clear that things looked more promising. Daryl pulled the Hyundai into the parking lot and around, stopping on the side of the building with the front of the car facing toward the road. They grabbed their weapons and quietly approached the entrance. Daryl put his hand on the door and pulled it open slightly. This must have been why the windows were still intact. He nodded at Melissa and pulled the door open the rest of the way, signaling a charming little bell to ring. They stepped inside and searched the gas station thoroughly, finding only one walker in the process. When it became clear that everything seemed safe Melissa made her way behind the counter, grabbing several bags and the two quietly filled them with what was left. Melissa found herself in the personal hygiene aisle, grabbing small soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes and anything else they might need. She took a few steps further down the aisle, surveying the products when she found herself face to face with a few boxes of condoms.
Her eyes darted to Daryl, who was busy filling bags a few aisles away. She felt her cheeks blush. She wasn't sure what to do about the condoms. She doubted they would be using them anytime soon, if ever, but she figured surely someone could. Glenn and Maggie most likely, but even knowing she would be getting them for someone else she suddenly felt embarrassed to even touch them. She figured she wouldn't have minded so much if she had ever actually bought a box of condoms before or had any experience with them whatsoever beyond the time she had to put one on a banana in health class her freshman year. She kept her eyes on Daryl to ensure he didn't see her and casually swept a few boxes into her bag, then covered them with anything else in the aisle she could find.
When they were finished with their sweep, Daryl placed two bags in the crease of his left elbow and held his crossbow out and ready to fire at any danger. Melissa carried several bags in each hand as they quickly made their way back to the Hyundai. As they pulled out of the parking lot Melissa smiled to herself. Things had gone easier than she had thought.
"What are you grinnin' at?" Daryl asked, grinning back at her but trying to keep his eyes on the road.
"That was actually kind of fun." She had never been on a supply run before and couldn't deny she was actually enjoying herself. Plus it felt great getting away from the prison for a while. It seemed the further they got the better she felt.
As they neared the farm, however, Melissa's heart began to feel heavier. She could still pinpoint exactly where her sister had run off into the woods and, as they passed that point, she couldn't help but stare. Daryl knew what she was looking at, but kept his eyes on the road. He wished he could find the right words to say, but what would those be? Hey, that's where your sister ran off and we never saw her alive again. He rolled his eyes and said nothing.
As they pulled onto the gravel road that led to the farm Melissa got out, opened the gate and joined Daryl in the car again. Neither of them spoke as they pulled up to the house. They hadn't spoken much at all since they left the prison, but seeing the house again rendered both of them speechless. What had once been a beautiful safe guard now looked completely different. The barn had burnt to the ground, the grass was overgrown and there were several decaying walker bodies lying on the gravel road and they both knew there would be more. While the house still appeared to be the way they had left it, somehow it didn't look as inviting under the grey sky. The place had heaviness to it that neither of them had felt there before.
The car pulled to a stop and as they got out, they both put their hands up to their noses to cover up the stench of the rotting bodies that lay near them. They looked at each other.
"Let's go inside and search the house first." Daryl suggested. "If nothing else, to get away from this stench." He grabbed his crossbow and made his way up the porch. Melissa used Hershel's keys to unlock the door and Daryl went in first, Melissa following closely with her gun raised. They searched the house top to bottom and found nothing out of sorts.
"Doesn't look like anyone's even tried to get in here." Melissa observed.
"Hell, why would they? One look at this graveyard oughta send any normal person runnin' the opposite direction."
Graveyard, his use of the word echoed in her ears. The place was a graveyard. Sophia was buried there. She was suddenly overcome by the urge to visit her sister's grave. She walked briskly past Daryl and toward the door, grabbing the red rag hanging from the back of his jeans as she passed him. She headed back outside covering her mouth and nose the rag she swiped from Daryl's back pocket. She walked straight to Sophia's grave and stood there. Daryl followed her but stood a few steps behind, giving her some space.
She knelt down next to her sister's grave and put her hand on the dirt, taking the rag off her face. There weren't as many walker bodies there and the stench wasn't as bad as it was by the house. She let the memories of everything that happened there flow through her as she sat back on her heels. The memories of the people they had lost before the farm, on the farm, and ever since were almost too much to take. She began to feel sorrow closing in on her. Or was it the reminder of how little time they all had left? A reminder that before long another person she cared about would be buried somewhere, or maybe the people Melissa cared about would be burying her. When she stood up again a few minutes later Daryl walked a few steps closer to her. His hands were in fists. He forced them straight, trying to talk himself into putting one of his hands on her shoulder to comfort her.
"We should clean this place up." She swallowed hard as she looked around. "Breaks my heart to see it like this."
Wow! 50,000 words in and still going! I've gotta be honest, when I first started this I didn't expect I would still be writing this store 21 chapters and 50,000 words later. I have to say a big thank you to those of you who have been following, reviewing and sending me private messages. I smile everytime I see one and I'm so grateful that you guys have decided to come along on this little journey with me. Thanks for your encouragement! To show my appreciation I've got a few fun chapters coming up that I hope everyone will like.
I know I haven't updated for a while, mostly because of the holidays. I have been so busy! But things are back to normal now, so I should be able to update at least once a week. :) Happy New Year to you all!