Chapter Twenty Six
Kylie didn't leave the house much after the incident in the pharmacy. Though she told herself that they wanted to horrible, unspeakable things to her, Kylie couldn't help but feel the weight settle on her shoulders. Taking human life was against everything she once was, and Kylie could slowly feel herself being taken by this new, cold world.
For almost an entire week, Kylie stayed at the house. Never venturing farther than the backyard. From the doorway she would scan the backyard and shoot down any prey that stumbled across her path. Everyday she would scan the streets from the windows of the living room, just to make sure that the town was void of human life. She didn't want any pharmacy repeats.
Her already sensitive psyche couldn't handle it.
She had stopped thinking about Rick and the others after that first night, after she had scrubbed the blood from her skin. Thinking about the people she would never see again hurt too much. Thinking about how disappointed they would be in her damn near killed her.
A week later there was still a slight ringing in her ear from the gunshots. When she slept at night, she still saw the look in their eyes, the sounds of their bodies hitting the floor. In her dreams they came back as walkers, devouring everyone who ever meant anything to her and saving her for last. Having to watch Carl, Sophia and Daryl die over and over again, night after night, destroyed her even further.
After being away from her group, her friends and family for almost a full month, a strong depression had settled itself around Kylie's heart. The optimistic side of her knew that they were all okay and still alive, that they had already found Sophia and were all living. But the other part of her. The part that had given into her depression believed that they were all dead and were wandering around the countryside as walkers. And that's the part that was slowly winning out.
Slowly, Kylie was starting to gather everything she needed in the house. Her bags were perpetually packed, the duffle had found itself hidden underneath the back seat of a white and turquoise Ford Bronco. She had lucked out when she had found the 4x4, it was in almost mint condition with half a tank of gas. After she jimmied the truck unlocked, she found a spare key hidden beneath the steering wheel.
The day before she planned to leave, Kylie prepared herself mentally. She planned on doing a small circuit down the street to grab any supplies she had previously looked over. Steering clear of the pharmacy, Kylie moved from store to store. Though she didn't find much, it was still enough to last her a few days before having to scavenge some more. On her way back to the house, Kylie faltered in front of an old bar.
Deciding she needed something for the nights it got too quiet, for the nights she was too stuck inside her own head, Kylie knelt in front of the door and began to pick the lock. Once she heard the 'click', Kylie pulled her crossbow from her back and ventured inside. There were only two walkers, and once they were easily dispatched Kylie placed her bow onto the counter before scouring the shelves.
Her breath caught in her throat when she heard the jingle of the bell above the door. Instantly, her hand retreated from the bottle of whisky she was reaching for and went for her gun.
"Who're you?" she growled when she saw an old man walk through the door, her gun still aimed at the man's head. He didn't answer however. Instead, he sat at the bar and put his head in his hands. With her eyebrows knit together, Kylie holstered her weapon. "What's your name?" she asked, finding it odd to be using her voice.
"Hershel" was his one word reply. Kylie could tell that the old man was trying not to break down in front of her.
"Well, Hershel, my name is Kylie" the woman forced a smile before turning back to the shelf and grabbing the bottle of whisky. Without speaking, Kylie grabbed two glasses from under the bar and poured them both a drink.
The old man stared at the glass before downing it all in one gulp. Kylie could tell that the man had been dealt a heavy blow recently. Biting her lip, Kylie swirled the alcohol around in it's glass. She had become so unused to interacting with people, she didn't know where to start.
"So, wanna tell me what troubles you?" She asked. "You know, since I'm playing bartender and all?" Kylie added, keeping her forced smile on her lips. Hershel just sighed and motioned to the bottle. Kylie obliged and poured more into his glass. He took the drink slow this time.
"I didn't know..." he said sadly. Kylie was lost. What didn't this man know? What had led him to the bar with no back up or protection? She decided that it wouldn't be wise to push the issue.
"Well, whatever it was, you know now" she shrugged. They were silent for a while before Kylie sighed and downed her drink. "You know, it's been a while since I did this whole 'bartender-therapy' thing..." her words caused Hershel to look up with sad eyes and a watery smile.
"You're doing a fantastic job, my dear."
Again silence filled the bar. Kylie shifted almost uncomfortably behind the counter, before placing the bottle in front of the man. A part of her wanted to grab her things and run. But she decided to stay. There was something about this sad old man that reminded her of her grandfather and in turn of her uncle. She couldn't, in good conscience, leave him to himself.
"I'm, um, I'm gunna check the back" she stammered, running a hand through her growing hair. "Make sure it's safe to be letting our guard down." Without waiting for a response, Kylie grabbed her crossbow from the counter and walked to the back of the bar.
When Kylie heard voices coming from the front a few minutes later, she lifted her crossbow in front of her before skulking back to where she had left Hershel. Her breath steady in her chest as she geared up to take care of the possible threat. Kylie thought she recognized the voices of the newcomers, but she couldn't be sure. Not with her hearing messed up from the attack on the pharmacy.
She froze when she saw who was standing with Hershel. Her heart nearly stopped beating and tears welled up in her blue eyes.
"Kylie?"
-AN: As promised, here is the second chapter for this week. Like I said yesterday, I'm going to do the best I can to get you guys two chapters every week. Hopefully I can :) Oh just so you guys know, this chapter officially marks the return to the shows story line, so yay! lol
So yea, the events of the last chapter are definitely weighing heavily on Kylie's mind. The first human interaction she's had in almost a month and it goes sour. She knows that the likely hood of finding Daryl and the others is slim, so our girl gets herself a bad ass new ride and is preparing to move on. I gave Kylie a Bronco because it's one of my own personal favorites. I was gunna give her an older muscle car because that's what I am always drawn too, but with the Bronco, I was thinking about future chapters. Lots of storage space. So yea. :)
Like I said, we see a familiar face in this chapter. I sort of fought with myself on how this would play out. I didn't know if I wanted Kylie to stumble across the farm, or have her go to the pharmacy when Glenn and Maggie are there for supplies. But after I solidified the fact that I wanted to go through the upheaval we saw last chapter, I figured having her sort of bond with Hershel before knowing that the groups back at his farm. And here we are, lol.
Thoughts? What did you guys think of this chapter? How do you guys feel about Ky's mental state? Do you think it'll last, or do you think that her friends and family can bring her back to the happy-ho-lucky person she was before the separation? How did you guys feel about the small amount of bonding between Kylie and Hershel? Who do you think said Kylie's name at the end of this chapter? I would love to know!
Coming Up Next On 'In The End': The moment we've all been waiting for! Lot's of nicknames and new comers who aren't so friendly. So come back Sunday to see what happens!
As Always, Leave Love
)0( Iris RainbowWolf )0(