Time to get up, Katie…
Pain was instantaneous. Her head was throbbing, and she fought to open her eyes. She was warm, and something was restricting her body from moving freely. When her eyes adjusted, she found she was laying in a bed, the same they had put Carl in when he was shot. Katie yawned uncontrollably, feeling groggy.
"She's up."
Katie turned to the noise, and was instantly hugged; kisses were planted on her cheek and temple.
"Thank you." Carol said, over and over. Katie felt her tears wetting her cheek, and smiled. Sophia was beside her, hugging her doll close. Her memories flooded back, and she sat up fully.
"Daryl and Rick went after you." Carol explained, nodding towards the doorway. Rick was there, as well as Lori. The Grimes both looked relieved. Lori had a hand over her heart.
"Daryl told us what you were doin' after you left." Rick said. "Looks like we got there just in time."
Katie shrugged, recalling the Walker that had the bolt in its head. She grunted as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Carol moved to stop her, but Katie shook her head.
"I'm fine. There's no reason fore me to waste the day in bed."
She got up, and surprisingly felt little pain in her foot. Someone had redressed her in her sweatpants and tank top, and Katie proceeded barefoot. Traversing to the porch, she spotted Dale atop the RV as before.
"Hey." she said, shielding her eyes from the sun.
"Hey, how ya feelin'?" Dale smiled at the sight of her. Katie wiggled her hand.
"I'm here. Where's Andrea?" she asked. Dale shrugged, creasing his brow.
"She went to look for Sophia with Shane. They left before you did. Daryl's set up way over there now." he explained. He pointed to the edge of the wood. Following his gaze, she saw that Daryl had indeed moved his tent, and had a fire going. Her lip twitched. Glenn walked past, looking troubled. He was holding a basket of peaches.
"Ooohh, are those what I think they are?" Katie asked excitedly. She loved fruit, and could hardly remember the last time she had any.
"No!" Glenn said quickly. He stammered for a moment. "I mean yes, yeah they're for everyone."
Katie gave him an odd look. He held out the basket, and she took one slowly. Dale and T-Dog shared a glance before getting some of the fruit for themselves. Glenn walked away, looking at hise feet.
"Alright then." Katie said, biting into her peach. She rolled her eyes in pleasure, wiping away the juices from the corners of her mouth. A light bulb went off in her head, and she looked back over to Daryl's new camp. Katie ran past Glenn, snatching another peach from the basket. He grinned as she ruffled his hair, only slowing a little to finish her own fruit before heading over to the crossbowman.
Daryl sat on a stump, shaping a stick into another bolt. Katie eyed the string of ears hanging by his tent. She decided against asking about it. Daryl glanced up from his stick, squinting up at her.
"Here." She tossed him the peach. Daryl turned it over in his hand, then took a bite. He nodded at her while chewing.
"So whatcha want?" he asked, taking another bite. Katie shifted her wieght to one side.
"Thanks." she said somewhat awkwardly. His demeanor was not welcoming. Maybe this was a mistake.
"Couldn't leave you out there." Katie jerked her head up. He had mumbled it, but Daryl had definitely said it. She stepped a little closer to him, sitting Indian-style in the grass. Katie began pulling up blades of grass, tossing them at his fire. He laughed.
"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You're such a little kid." Daryl said. Katie snorted.
"You're one to talk." She gestured around them. "What's all this?"
Daryl didn't answer her right away; he was busy cutting the pit out of the fruit. When he had succeeded, he flicked it at her. Katie tried to dodge it, but it hit her in the cheek regardless. She threw it back at him; Daryl dodged it easily and it went soaring into the bushes. A grin flashed across his face for a split second, and then it was gone.
"Just min' your own business." he ordered, going back to stick-sharpening. Katie frowned.
"Why do you shut people out?" she asked. He stopped his work, slamming his knife into the ground.
"It ain't none of your concern! 'Better off by myself anyhow." Daryl snapped. Katie stood immediately. Silently she strode away, biting her lip. She didn't go directly back to the camp. Instead she went to her new favorite place; the stables.
Touchy, touchy.
Katie did her best to ignore the voice; though its sudden appearance, as usual, made her lurch. She took a curry comb from a hook on the stable wall and stepped into the stall of the bay horse, patting him gently as she brushed him.
You seem to be getting awfully attached to these people, Katie. You have to know how it's going to end.
Images of Walkers filled her head; screams and crying echoed in her thoughts. Katie shook her head.
"This is a safe place. We're going to be alright." Katie said.
Nothing is ever 'alright'. You know better.
Katie felt the strange presence again, as if someone was standing right behind her. She didn't dare turn around. The horse was calm, so whatever it was, it wasn't real. I'm just being paranoid. Katie took several deep breaths. The horse turned and nudged her with its nose. Katie patted it again, continuing to brush the gentle creature. Brushing over the entire animal, she was actually a little tired when she finished. The sound of hooves drew her attention, and she peeked around the stall door to see Hershel leading another horse into the stable. It was fully tacked, and sweating. Hershel had a grim, serious look on his face. Katie quietly replaced the curry comb and crept out of the stable when his back was turned. She didn't want to face anyone's wrath at the moment. Dale passed her on the way in.
"Hello, Kat." he said pleasantly. "Is Hershel in there?"
"He just went in, actually." she replied. "I think Nervous Nelly came back."
"That's good to hear." Dale said. He patted her shoulder before heading into the stable. Katie continued on back to the campsite. Andrea was seated atop the RV, and Katie couldn't help but notice the dirty look as she passed. Ignoring her, she popped her head in the old camper. T-Dog was inside, playing cards with Glenn and Sophia.
"Hey, where's Carol?" she asked.
"She's picking vegetables with Lori." Sophia said sweetly. "Play cards with us, Katie!"
Katie's heart melted at the girl's innocence. She fully entered the camper, and the girl hurriedly made room for her.
"What are we playing?" she asked.
"Go fish." T-Dog answered. He gave Katie a look. "Sophia is a cheat."
"Am not! You just suck." the little girl retorted, sticking out her tongue.
"I guess I'll find out, huh?" Katie laughed. Glenn dealt her a hand. He still looked as though something were bothering him. Katie made a mental note to ask him about it later. They played a few rounds, until someone came stomping up the steps.
"Group meeting." Dale said, his face unusually strained. "Right now."
Everyone gathered outside. Shane was pacing, running his hand over his head and looking absolutely livid.
"What's going on?" asked Andrea. Tension was thick in the air; everyone was on edge. Katie watched Shane intently, waiting for him to speak. At his feet was the bag of guns, and he was handing them out to the rest of the group.
"Hershel's got a barn full of Walkers." he said finally, jabbing his finger in the direction of the decrepit structure. Katie's eyes grew twice their size. She could hear the gasps of her comrades, but in her own mind she was recalling the conversation she had with Patricia. That's why she didn't want me to come. She was feeding those things! The realization of what was happening drained the color from her face.
"Are you serious? We have to do something!" Andrea exclaimed.
"Hershel thinks they're people. Very sick people." Dale added, spreading his hands wide. Katie's eyes darted from the barn to Rick. He hadn't spoken yet; his eyes were on the ground.
"I'll tell you what we're gonna do!" Shane said, gesturing strongly. "We're gonna clear that barn, right now!"
"Shane!" Rick snapped, drawing everyone's attention. "This is his land. We have no right."
Shane marched up, getting right in Rick's face.
"NO RIGHT?!" he shouted. "THAT FARMER'S KEEPIN WALKERS WHERE WE SLEEP!"
Katie looked towards the barn. Out of the trees near it was a strange sight. Hershel and Beth's boyfriend, Jimmy, were leading Walkers on catch poles. Others followed her gaze, and Shane lost it.
"DO YOU SEE, RICK? DO YOU SEE WHAT HE'S DOING?" he roared, pulling his pistol out. He ran towards the barn, and everyone bolted after him. Rick was yelling too, trying to reason with him. Katie followed, watching the proceeding with a mystified expression. Walkers, this close to where they slept. To where Sophia and Carl were playing. It was hard to believe, but it was happening, right there in front of them. Hershel and Jimmy stopped at the sound of the commotion, carefully holding the undead at bay.
"SHANE STOP!" Rick yelled, practically begging. "Don't do this, brother!"
"NO! It's time to wake up!" Shane shot back, taking aim at the female Walker Hershel was holding. He fired three shots straight into it's chest. The Walker snarled angrily. Katie watched Hershel's face become gripped by a horrid realization.
"That's three shots to the chest! Tell me, why is it still coming?"Shane demanded. He fired again, straight through its heart. "That would kill any living person! WHY ISN'T IT FALLING?"
"No Shane, stop!" Rick was pleading now. "Don't do this!"
"It's time for a wakeup call." Shane shot the Walker in the head. It fell to the ground instantly, and Hershel released the catchpole. He shot the one Jimmy was holding as well, just as Hershel fell to his knees, staring in frank disbelief at what he was witnessing. Carol and Lori shielded their children's eyes at the sight. Katie looked on; Shane wasn't finished.
"There's a time people need to face reality, Rick!" he went on, running up to the barn door. He grabbed a pickaxe nearby, ripping the lock from the door. With a grunt he pulled the wooden plank from its place, opening the doors wide. Katie heard screams, but what she heard over even that were the moans. Walkers poured from the opening like a tide, reaching for Shane. Everyone opened fire. Katie checked her Colt; still only three shots. She refrained, but held her knife ready in case any should get too close.
The Walkers fell easily under the rain of bullets, and soon there was nothing in front of them but a pile of bodies. Katie sheathed her knife, and looked to Rick. He was standing at the front, looking at the undead massacre, shaking his head. Shane was pacing, keeping his eyes locked on his best friend. Beth trotted forward, crying. She picked her way through the corpses, making for one in particular. It was a female Walker, wearing a long nightgown spattered with gore. She gingerly turned the Walker's head upward; lifeless eyes gazing blankly ahead. Katie understood in a moment. That was her mother.
The corpse suddenly growled, grabbing Beth by her pigtails. She screamed, fighting to keep away from it's snapping jaw. Rick rushed to her aid, pulling Beth backward. But the Walker's grip was too strong, and people were moving too slowly.
CRACK.
The Walker ceased moving, Rick dragged Beth further away from it. All eyes were on Katie. She lowered her gun, cringing a little at the memories the familiar sound brought to her. Almost as a half-forgotten second nature Katie spun the chamber open. Two bullets left.