Footsteps of the Damned

Chapter 21 - Pleasant Surprise

Having the CDC building explode was one thing, but the fact that we were locked in was another. Daryl had already started slamming his fist against the door by the time I fully understood what was happening. If we didn't get out of here now, we were going to die.

"You won't be able to break that," Jenner informed calmly.

I heard Daryl snarl before breaking out the emergency axe from the wall and using it on the door. The metal blade barely made a scratch on it even as Daryl put all of his effort into it.

"It's better this way," Jenner added. "No pain... An end to sorrow... Grief... Regret... Everything."

I sent him a glare, but it didn't effect him in the least.

"What gives you the right to decide that?!"

"It's better this way," he repeated.

It was quiet aside from the axe clanging against the metal door.

"Those doors are able to withstand a rocket launcher," Jenner informed.

"Well your head ain't," Daryl growled.

Before I could get another word out, Daryl came rushing past me with the axe raised. If not for the fact that Jenner was the only hope for us to get out of here, I wouldn't have stopped Daryl. Unfortunately, we needed Jenner alive.

"Daryl, don't!"

I managed to grab onto his arm and slow him down, but he fought against me.

"This fucker deserves what's comin' to 'im!" Daryl shouted angrily.

Though I couldn't disagree, I still couldn't let Daryl kill him.

"Daryl, he's the only one that can get us out of here."

After a few minutes, he finally gave up and threw the axe at the door.

"Look, Jenner, if you want to give up and die now that's your choice, but don't make the choice for us too."

He didn't reply, just stayed quiet, his attention on the countdown. '00:08:43'.

"Jenner, please."

My voice cracked slightly as I practically begged him to unlock the doors. I didn't want to die- not like this; not after I had finally connected with Daryl; not after I decided to continue living.

"Give us a chance..."

Seconds pasted by as if they were minutes, and minutes, hours before Jenner moved to another desk. My eyes followed him closely as he pressed a code into a pad.

"There's nothing left out there," he told us. "It's a mistake to leave."

The doors opened and Daryl ran to pick up his bag and crossbow.

"Come on, Blondie!"

I picked up my stuff on cue and followed after Daryl. Before leaving, I paused at the door and turned to Jenner.

"Maybe you think it's humanities time for extinction, but we're going to continue living," I told him. "We're going to reclaim our world from the dead."

Jenner smiled slightly at my words, but didn't say anything as I ran after Daryl.

"Hurry up!"

When I got to the front lobby, Daryl had already broken a window and was waving me over. When I was close enough, he grabbed my hand and lead me out of the building where the walkers were waiting.

I quickly shook Daryl's hand from mine and pulled out Rick's Python. As we ran to my van, I shot only the walkers that were close to us and in our way.

We were about ten feet from the van when the building exploded behind us. I only registered the heat at my back and being thrown into the van before everything went black.

"You up?"

I stirred slightly at the sound of Daryl's voice, my hand moving to rub the small bump on my head.

"Did you get the licence plate on the truck that hit me?" I mumbled.

"It was a van actually," Daryl corrected. "Female driver too, no wonder."

I turned to glare at him. "I'm not a bad driver."

He just chuckled at my expense and continued driving. It took me a short while to realize that I was in the passengers side of my van and that we were moving. At first I had just assumed I was dizzy.

"How long was I out for...?"

Daryl shrugged. "Few hours."

I nodded and looked outside, noticing the setting sun. "About time to pull over for the night?"

He didn't hesitate to stop the van, most likely being tired himself. I couldn't blame him though, I had even been passed out for a few hours, yet I wanted nothing else than to sleep... And maybe get something to eat too.

Daryl must have been hungry too because he headed to the back and started rumaging through the bags.

"You good with peaches?"

"As long as it's not sardines, I'll be happy."

It was quiet for a moment as he continued looking through our supplies.

"Anchovies?"

My face scrunched up. "I'll kill you..."

"You wouldn' be able to," he chuckled.

He climbed into the back seat and stretched out before raising a brow in my direction. I had been contemplating on whether I should crawl back there with him or not, and I guess it showed on my face.

"What're you thinking so hard about?"

I didn't say anything, just shimmied my way through the front seats and cautiously squeezed in beside him. He didn't move or say anything as I did, the curious look still on his face. It had seemed like a good idea at first, until I realized how little room the backseats offered.

"Doesn't look too comfy," Daryl commented idly as he set down the cans.

"Yeah, I'll second that..."

I sat up slowly, intending to find somewhere else, but he suddenly pulled me down on top of himself. The gesture surprised me, but I didnt mind in the least.

"Better?"

I nodded slowly, my cheeks slightly flushed as he handed me an open can.

This, I could definitely get used to.

We woke early the next morning and continued down the road as soon as we could. This trip wasn't what either of us had in mind when we left and we- well, I- couldn't wait to get back to the group. Some good things had happened along the way of course, but at the same time, a few bad ones had as well.

"Road block," Daryl muttered angrily.

I drew my eyes from the passing trees and turned my attention to the abandoned cars in front of us. We decided to take a different route back to the farm to avoid a run in with Wayne if he was still alive. That's the last thing we needed.

"Come on, there's not too many," I told him as I stepped out of the van.

He followed beside me with his crossbow drawn, only putting it over his shoulder when he stopped behind the first car.

"Put it in neutral and steer it to the side," he instructed.

I did as I was told and directed the car as he pushed it from behind.

Once we were done with the vehicles and the road was clear, Daryl headed back to the van, but I paused at the tree line.

"What're you stoppin' for?"

"Just going to go to the washroom quickly," I informed before scrunching my brow. "Or however you'd say that now."

He gave a quick nod, but started following me as I walked past a few trees.

"You're not really going to supervise, are you?"

I stopped walking and turned to meet his glare.

"Not safe on your own," he answered. "You know that."

"True, but it'll only be a second... Just stay here."

He made a sound of protest, but didn't move as I walked off. I knew he was right about it being dangerous, but at the same time, if he tagged along that closely, it would have just been awkward.

I made sure to be quick, but when I heard footsteps off in the distance, I moved even faster. By the time I had done up my belt, the footsteps were quick, and much faster. As soon as I turned around, I was tackled to the ground.

I was sure a chipped scream had escaped my lips as I tried to shove whatever was on top of me off, but when my hands got tangled in fur and it started licking my face, I relaxed.

"Missed you too, boy," I chuckled.

I ruffled his fur as he stood over me and buried my face against his. I couldn't describe how happy I was. Losing Thor had been like losing a best friend, a child even, and I sure as hell wad relieved I had found him.

I hadn't even notice Daryl run to where I was, his crossbow aimed towards Thor before he spoke.

"Mutt's alive, huh?"

I turned my head so I could see him and gave him a huge grin. If not for the frown on his lips as he raised his bow towards the trees, I'm sure the grin would have been there all day.

"I know you ain't a walker," Daryl called.

I stood up quickly and moved to Daryl's side, but he stepped in front of me.

"Come on out," he instructed.

I heard a pair of footsteps, one lighter than the other, but only one figure appeared between the trees. I couldn't get a good look from over Daryl's shoulder, but I could tell it was a female. It wasn't until she spoke did I realize who it was.

"So you actually made it afterall."

There was no mistaking that voice and I found myself moving towards her.

"I was the one with the food, I'm surprised you made it."

When I was close enough, I pulled her into a tight hug. Aleah had been my best friend since before I could remember. I had thought my day couldn't get any better after finding Thor, but I was definitely wrong.

"Sophia, you can come out now."

My eyes widened as the little girl walked out from behind a tree and walked over to Aleah. Her eyes widened as mine had when she saw me and she wrapped her arms around my waist.

Looks like our little trip turned out better than we had originally thought.

Footnote:

See? I can be a nice writer too. I'm not totally out to make Riley's life a living hell lol

Thanks for all the reviews and support, you guys and gals are the best :D

Now, I'm off to play Resident Evil 6~