It was a clear, crisp morning. The sun had barely risen in the sky, and I was already up.
"Sam, we don't really do birthdays. It's not like that anymore." Dale reasoned, following me as I threw a rucksack into the pickup truck Glenn and I were going to be using.
"I know, but I want to. I've missed every one of his birthday's since he moved to America. It'll be good for him. For all of us." I shrugged, stopping to face him.
He shut his lips tightly, searching my eyes with his. After a moment he sighed, probably knowing how stubbornly I would argue. He knows me too well now. His eyes shot away and I smiled. Especially at the pattern on the day's Hawaiian shirt.
"Just be careful, you hear me?" He said quietly, and I laid a hand on his shoulder, my smile growing.
He sighed again, and reached to his back pocket. He pulled out a small handgun, and I wanted to laugh. Maybe he knew me more than I did.
"Don't worry about me. It's you I'm worried about. I don't know how you'll survive without me." I smirked.
He chuckled, before clasping my hand. With a nod, mostly to himself, he dropped my hand and walked away. As I watched him go, I couldn't help but feel incredibly protective over him like he did for me.
"Ready Sam?" Glenn called from the front of the truck.
"Yep. Let's go." I said, jolting from my reverie and jumping into the passenger seat, my machete by my feet. I reached back and put my machete in my bag, blowing my cheeks out as I did. I just hope it would be a quick and easy trip.
"Hold on!" Grunted Daryl.
I looked out of my window to see him walking over, face set in a hard line. Confused, I rolled down my window and waited.
"Can I help you?" I asked. He shook his head.
"Asian, is there a huntin' or there?" He asked, speaking across me.
"Uh... Wait, yeah, there is."
"'Kay, I'm coming with." He said, turning and marching towards his tent.
"I'll catch up with ya." He shouted over his shoulder.
I sat back silently in my seat, my eyebrows knotted. I looked to Glenn who seemed pretty stunned. In a way, I didn't want Daryl to come. He would be another person to look out for. I know he can handle himself, bit I don't want him to get into that situation. Then again, I hadn't spoken to Daryl in a while.
"Let's go, then." Glenn huffed, turning the engine on.
I sat back in my seat and sunk down. I can't let myself get distracted. I've got to focus. I've got to be on the lookout for supplies, something for Alex, and watching Glenn and now Daryl's back. Piece of cake.
We rolled out of the farm and arrived at the gate. I hopped out to open it up, and once the truck was through, I shut the gate over. After a second of deliberation, I left the gate unlocked for Daryl. I jumped back into the truck and soon enough, we were flying down the highway. I rolled the window right down and let the morning breeze roll across my heated face.
We weren't out long when a roaring sound grew louder from behind us. Intrigued, I put my head out of the open window and looked round, ignoring the whipping of hair in my face.
In a matter of moments I saw that it Daryl riding up on his bike, and he couldn't have looked any more hardcore. The bike purred as he rode past, and I couldn't help but smile as he went.
"I'm surprised that bike hasn't brought herds of walkers after us before now." Glenn muttered, making me pull my head back in the car and tried to tame my hair.
"Yeah, but I gotta admit, it looks awesome." I smiled.
Glenn glanced at me briefly, taking in my grinning expression. I took a step back too, wondering why I felt such an uplift in my mood. I had no idea. I flicked a glance back at Glenn, who simply raised and eyebrow and continued driving.
"Okay, let's head down that street - it leads to the outdoor store." Glenn pointed.
I grabbed my empty rucksack from the truck and shut the door as silently as I could. Daryl had crept round too. We'd all left the vehicles outside the town so we could go in with as little ooise as possible. It seemed to have worked, but I wasn't planning on eating my words.
Glenn left the empty street we were on first, followed by me with a raised machete and Daryl with his trusty crossbow ready to fire.
I searched the street constantly, my eyes scanning for the tiniest movement.
We moved quickly towards the shop with no trouble. The only walkers about were in the distance far off down a few streets, not even facing us. Finding the shop unlocked, we quickly piled in, and shut it as quietly as possible. When it was shut out, I let out a harsh sigh of relief. Daryl quickly did a scope of the small shop floor, and once he was happy, he lowered his crossbow.
"Okay, we shouldn't take long. It only takes one of them to know you're here before you've got a big problem on your hands." Glenn said quietly, eyes scanning the shop.
I nodded and watched as they both began moving about the shop. The first thing I needed was a present. What could I get for Alex? Something useful, that means something, something that still had value in the dead world. I cast my eyes over the virtually empty room.
It had obviously seen many lootings, because there wasn't much left. The items that hadn't been taken were strewn about the place. I sifted through a few items, stopping to take a bag of tent pegs and a few water canisters, just for good measure.
Daryl seemed to be searching hard for something. I watched as he sorted through a load of items, a harsh scowl painted on his face. If he did notice me stopping and staring, he didn't show it. I dragged my eyes away from Daryl and rested them on Glenn, who also seemed to be rummaging thoroughly.
I was about to give up hope, when I saw Daryl moving something. I quickly scampered towards him, picking up the shiny black boot he it down on the counter. Ignoring his eyes on me, I turned it over in my hands. I saw the size was a little too small for Alex, so I began my hunt. I knew Alex's shoe size, anyway - it'd been the same ever since he hit puberty. He had huge feet.
I looked around where the 'shoes' sign was in the shop. Sure enough, I found one boot in Alex's size. But just the one. Huffing, I began a fruitless search to find the other boot. After scanning the entire shop floor a few times, I threw my arms up in frustration. I placed the boot down on the counter and headed towards the back of the shop behind the counter.
"Just going to check if there's a stockroom here." I said quietly over my shoulder.
Not waiting for a reply, I continued to the room in the back. After nudging the stiff door, I found myself in a averagely-filled stockroom. I skirted around the room until I found a bunch of shoe boxes. I held my breath as I began rifling through the boxes there. Eventually, it paid off.
Placing my machete down excitedly, I pulled out the box of black boots hidden at the back of the shelf. Looking inside, they were Alex's size. Letting out a loud sigh of relief, I quickly shoved the box in my bag, zipping it as best as I could. Birthday present - check!
Beaming, I shouldered the bag and set off back to the door. I was almost near it when I heard the faint sound of someone else walking near me. It wasn't Glenn or Daryl - I would've heard the door open. I couldn't keep walking towards the door. I had to check. I'm such an idiot. I should have checked before I went running to the shoes. Silently, I turned and crept slowly towards where the sound was coming from.
Oh no. Where's my machete? I was so wrapped up in finding something for Alex that I forgot to pick up my only bloody weapon on the way out.
I changed direction. Instead of heading for the sound, I headed for my machete. I was only a couple of aisles away before I spotted the cause of the sound. It was a walker.
It wasn't just any walker though; he was industrial size. The guy must have been nearly seven foot tall, and worked out nearly everyday before he turned by the looks of him. He was gigantic - and he started charging straight at me.
"Oh shit!" I grunted, because before I could even move he was on top of me.
He crashed into me hard and I yelped as we slammed hard into the ground. My ribs and back screamed in pain, but I ignored it as I fought to keep the walker's snapping mouth away from me.
I gruntee as I grabbed him by his shoulders and pushed him back, but he was so heavy I couldn't get him far away. I wriggled as I managed to pry my legs from underneath him. His face was mere inches from mine, his body pinning me to the spot. With my legs free I tried to roll him off me, anything to get out from underneath him. But it didn't seem to be working. If he wasn't crushing the air out of my lungs, I probably would've been able to call out. I had just hoped the crashing of my body and the floor was loud enough, because I was already getting tired.
The door to the stockroom swung open, and my head span round to see Daryl with his crossbow held in position. He faltered for a second, but then stepped quickly to my side. With a silent understanding and all the strength I had in me, I forced the walker up, gritting my teeth against the strain. When it was far enough away from me, Daryl put an arrow through it's skull.
The walker stopped moving, and I slumped. It's body crashed back onto mine again, it's head resting in the crook of my neck and it's body crushing the air out of me. my leg joints were getting sore as they jutted out from underneath the walker. The whole situation felt incredibly awkward and so very painful.
My eyes flicked to Daryl, who was glaring at the walker. His eyes ran the length of it, his lips turning more and more into a snarl.
"A little help, please?" I gasped as stinging pains shot through me.
He grabbed the shirt of the walker and yanked it, rolling it off of me. I shut my eyes as I moved my back, the pain making me want to yelp. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, only to see Daryl standing over me with a hand outstretched.
I took his hand feeling a little surprised. He gripped it and slowly pulled me to my feet, his eyes never leaving my face. He let go as soon as I was straight up, his eyes quickly flying to the floor. He then turned to walk out of the room, pausing to spit on the body of the walker as he passed. I stared at the back of his head as he walked away, the wind being knocked out of me in more than one way. He didn't have to save my skin, but he did. And I haven't even said thank you. And what was his reaction like that for? Oh, gosh...
Once he was out of the room, Glenn came rushing in with a serious look of worry in his face. My eyes darted between Glenn and the place where Daryl had just been.
Once again, he'd saved my life. Damn it.
"God, Sam. Are you alright?" Glenn asked in a whisper, his eyes bulging.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay." I nodded, my voice breaking slightly.
"What happened?"
"Left my machete back there and the walker just... Jumped me, I guess. I was under him when Daryl got him. I'm fine. Just a little shell shocked." And not just because of the walker, I thought.
He nodded, his eyes scanning the full length of the walker. I cleared my throat and walked quickly to get my machete. I headed back to the door, pausing to pat Glenn's arm and take one last look at the walker when I left.
Back on the shop floor, Daryl was nowhere to be seen. I sighed, knowing not to worry. He's going to to his alone thing. I'd come to learn that that's just what he does. It's best if he's left alone - I know he's more than capable to look after himself. Sighing, I leant against the counter and waited for Glenn. When he emerged from the stockroom looking slightly pale, I decided we needed a change of scenery.
"What next?" I asked.
"I need to get some more supplies. Fancy giving me a hand?" He asked, readjusting his cap. I nodded.
"I was thinking too, maybe I could find something to make for Alex? I mean, he was always a sucker for cookie dough, and the stuff to make it doesn't really expire. If it does, I'm sure Hershel'll have stuff." I asked, pushing off the counter and heading to the door.
"I suppose we can, just don't put yourself out of your way to get something." He said and I nodded, scanning the street.
"Lead the way, Glenn."
After a moment of hesitation, Glenn carefully opened the door and tentatively stepped out onto the street. Squinting into the sunlight, I raised my machete and stayed behind Glenn as he ran to a small store a few buildings away. As well as looking out for walkers, I was keeping an eye out for Daryl. I decided didn't like the fact that he was about on his own, no matter how capable he was. Despite what I had thought before, no one is really capable in a crazy world like the one we struggled to survive in.
Before I knew it, I was stepping through the door of the small store, my eyes running over the small insides.
"Anything that you think is important or whatever, grab it." Glenn said, pulling his own bag of his shoulder and began rifling through what was left in the store.
Sighing, I slipped off my bag and opened it as I began to walk through the aisles. I picked up a few tins and placed then in my bag, as well as finding a reel of thread and a half empty box of matches behind the counter.
I looked over at Glenn to ask how he was doing when I noticed he had a strange look on his face. It seemed to be a cross of a scowl and a grimace. I stopped what I was doing and cleared my throat uncomfortably.
"Glenn, are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said shortly.
"That was convincing." I remarked, causing him to look up at me with a surprised expression.
"I mean, you're not convincing me. What's happened?" I asked, walking round the counter and stopping next to him.
"It's just Daryl." He shrugged, continuing with what he was doing. I frowned.
"What's he done?" I rushed, my mind racing through things that involved Daryl and what he could have done to get Glenn worked up.
"He had a go at me for letting you come along." He said after a brief hesitation.
My frown dropped, but so did my jaw. He didn't want me to leave the farm? Why is what I do any of his concern? What the hell...
"Did he say why?" I spluttered.
"Something about you being in danger. Which is crazy, I mean, has he not seen you? You're able to look after yourself. " He rushed, seeming more angry with each passing word.
"That's nuts..."
"I know. And after what happens back in the stockroom, he stormed passed me and said 'told ya'." He said, mimicking Daryl's accent bitterly.
"Look, don't worry about it. I'll talk to him later. Just try and stay focused, alright?" I said, trying to convince myself to do the same.
Who the hell does he think he is? I can handle myself. I mean, I've made mistakes around walkers, but I'm only human, and I'm not a child. And he definitely is in no position to dictate what I can and can't do. I do appreciate him caring, although I'm astounded to know why. At one point we seemingly didn't like each other, and now he cares whether I'm in danger or not?
Although I can't talk. Ive caught myself a few times thinking about his safety. Damn, this is a mess.
I tried to push any thoughts of Daryl from my mind and carried on searching the tiny shop for supplies. I found nothing.
Sighing, I turned to Glenn and went to step forward, when I tripped. I landed on my knees, only to notice I'd tripped on an undone shoelace. I bent down and tied them tightly. Flicking my eyes around the area I dropped at I saw nothing of interest. However, before I stood up, I saw something poking out from under one of the shelves. I crept towards it, pulled it out from its hiding place and gasped.
"What? Sam? What's happened?" Glenn yelped.
"Glenn," I said, jumping up and facing him. "I've found chocolate!"
With the chocolate packed carefully in my bag like it was a rare diamond, we headed back to the truck. The day was slowly ticking on, and we still had no clue where Daryl was.
"Glenn, where's the truck?" I asked, scanning the streets outside the shop window.
"A few streets away. We'll get there in no time." He shrugged, pulling on his rucksack.
He gave me a nod to say he was ready, I opened the door and crept out onto the street. It was still empty, and I didn't want to tempt fate so I began to jog. Glenn kept up, and we would soon be there in no time.
But we weren't far away when a roaring echoed through the streets. I faltered mid-step, spinning round to see where the noise came from.
"Daryl." Glenn stuttered, and I nodded.
He took off again, and I followed closely. As quickly as the sound of Daryl's bike had started, it stopped, but it was replaced with another sound.
Groaning bounced off every surface, and although we couldn't see any walkers, they were definitely about.
"Run. Run!" I yelped, gripping my machete tightly as I raced towards and past Glenn.
The moans and gargles were getting louder, and the one thing I could think of was beheading Daryl. So help me, if he's ridden away, I will kill him when I find him.
"Sam!" Glenn cried, and I spun round and slid a little, only to see Glenn pointing down another street and disappearing down it.
Damn my lack of direction! I grunted as I launched myself towards where Glenn disappeared and I followed him as he sped away. When I met him at the bottom of the street, he sprinted away again. I followed closely behind him, only to bump into him when he stopped dead.
At the bottom of the road in front of us was the truck with a number of walkers approaching it - and Daryl firing into the fray.
"Shit. Stay behind me." I whispered harshly.
Without waiting for a reply from Glenn, I started walking towards Daryl. And the walkers, obviously the walkers.
By my reckoning, there were seven or eight surrounding the truck, and no doubt more would be arriving soon. I kicked my speed up a notch, and was soon close enough to launch my machete at the nearest walker's head. It slumped quickly, and I way already swinging at the next walker.
"What the hell were you doing?" I shouted angrily at Daryl.
"Bike ran outta gas. I had'ta put it on the truck." He shouted back, before shooting an arrow through the head of the walker I was about to take down.
I looked at him and gritted my teeth, but he merely ignored me and reloaded his crossbow. Angrily, I swung my machete the nearest walker to me, bringing it down in one fowl swoop.
Soon enough, the walker's around the truck littered the floor and by the sound of it, more were on their way. Daryl laid his bike down and shut the boot before jumping into the back seat. Glenn climbed into the drivers side and threw the vehicle into life while I climbed into the passenger door. I ripped off my rucksack and chucked it next to Daryl. I rolled down the window to see where the walkers were, and choked. There were a few. Quite a few.
"Glenn, step on it already!" I yelled, reaching back in to pick up my machete.
I looked up to see Daryl leaning out of the other side window in the back, a handgun in his hands. Remembering Dale before I left for today, I reached back inside for my bag, grabbing the small gun he gave me. I put my head back out the window and almost had my shoulders through when the car spluttered and lurched.
"It's stalled!" Glenn shouted.
Swearing, I pulled my arms through the window so I was halfway out and began aiming. I ignored the engine stalling again, the sound of Daryl firing and the whirling in my gut I felt at the sight of the oncoming walkers. I aimed and fired.
The shot caught a walker on the shoulder, the momentum of the bulled pushing it back a bit. I took a deep breath and aimed again, this time hitting the same walker in the head, making it drop instantly. A smile cracked, surprise smacking my right in the face. Not exactly the best situation for it, but at least I knew I could shoot under pressure. I didn't stop, and continued to shoot at walkers while Glenn tried the engine again. The engine revved as a few walkers were a mere yard or two from the end of the truck.
The truck slammed forward as we began to drive away from the town. The jolt mad the gun jump out of my hands, but after a quick scramble, I managed to catch it before it fell on the road. I ducked back into the truck and rolled my window up.
I then looked back at Daryl with such fury that I was on the verge of ripping his hair out.
"What the hell. Why didn't you think about gas before you left the bloody farm?" I shrieked, glaring at him with such indignation that I think even Glenn flinched.
He didn't answer, but looked at me with a with the slightest defiance before looking away. That made me even angrier.
"And what the hell was telling Glenn I shouldn't come about? Am I a child that needs you to tell me what's safe and what isn't?" I rushed, my chest starting to heave.
"Sam-"
"Don't, Glenn." I said shortly, my head spinning to glare at him before looking back at Daryl.
Daryl again didn't reply, but kicked the back of Glenn's chair once.
"Haven't you got anything to say for yourself? Because I will come back there and beat it out of you. Don't think I won't." I scolded.
To my horror, a smirk glimmered at the corner of Daryl's mouth, as it did on Glenn's. I gritted my teeth and sat back round in the chair and crossed my arms angrily. Glenn snorted next to me, and in anger I reached out and punched his arm. I didn't do it hard, but enough for him to know that I will get him with my bare hands.
With their sniggering becoming the soundtrack to the ride home, I sunk down in the seat and curled my legs into my chest, sulking like a child the entire ride back.
Glenn switched the engine off and sighed. I saw him in the corner of my eye and tried to fight off a smile.
I'd acted like an idiot when we left the walkers, and the more I thought about it, the more I cringed. I had a point, but I didn't put it out there too well. I gave in. And giggled, to which Glenn got out the car laughing.
I looked round to Daryl who didn't seem so amused as his expression was stormy. My smile faltered.
"I'm sorry I snapped earlier. I was just worried." I said, struggling to meet his eyes.
"So was I." he said, before letting out a smirk and climbing out of the truck to hide it.
He wasn't angry at all! He was just plugging me for a reaction. I clambered out of the truck and ran round it to face him, ignoring the stupid feeling of butterflies in my stomach.
"You're such an asshole!" I laughed.
He chuckled, pulling his crossbow off of the backseat. After shouldering it, he passed me my rucksack. I raise an eyebrow but accepted it anyway.
"Thanks." I said, but it sounded almost like a question.
A smile grew on my face though, and it stayed there while I looked at Daryl. He too seemed to be quite amused. Little lines formed around his eyes and he put his head down to hide the smirk. He cleared his throat to stop himself and held the bag out further for me to grab.
I took the bag and checked everything was inside when something struck me. I had nowhere to hide Alex's present. I can hardly fit a shoe box in my bag - the corner of it was poking out at that moment. There was nowhere to hide it in the tent, and he's always going in the truck for something.
"Sam?" Daryl asked, his gnarly voice snapping me out of my train of thought.
"Uh? Oh, sorry. Just thinking of somewhere to hide Alex's present." I muttered, crawling back into the truck to get my machete.
I emerged to see Daryl looking like he was having an inner battle with himself.
"Daryl?"
"Want me to take 'em?" He asked, his lips set in a straight line.
"I, er, yeah. Yes, that'd be great. Thank you." I stumbled, a burning sensation creeping up across my face.
I checked the coast was clear before I opened the rucksack and handed him the shoe box. He tucked the box comfortably under his arm and stepped back. He turned and walked away quickly, and I let out a harsh breath as he moved off. Why was that so awkward?
Trying to brush it off, I headed to the house. I sprinted up the stairs and and rapped on the door, waiting somewhat impatiently. Maggie eventually came to the door, smiling pleasantly.
"Sam! You all get back okay?" She asked, her eyes scanning me, probably for signs of trouble.
"Yeah, we're all fine - Glenn's okay." I said, trying to hide a smirk.
"I was wondering if I could leave some food here please? It's stuff to make cookie dough for Alex's birthday tomorrow." I asked, feeling like I was imposing on her.
"Of course! We have some butter that's still alright, and the hens have laid a few eggs today if you need them." She offered, and I nearly squealed.
"That would be perfect! And I have something to offer in return - some chocolate. Not much, but it's better than nothing!" I grinned, watching her eyes light up.
I pulled my bag off my shoulder and broke off a few rows of the chocolate bar, as well as handing over a small bag of flour Glenn found at the shop. The rest of the chocolate I was going to put in the cookie dough - I could hardly wait to give it to him.
"Come get me tomorrow when you want them, and I'll help you, if you want." She smiled, and. I nodded.
I thanked her with a quick hug before walking back down to the camp. As I drew closer, I saw Alex stoking the fire. I grinned, waiting for the next day to come.
Thank you for reading!
I'm sorry it's taken me a while to update. I hope this starts to make up for it.
Thank you for reading, commenting, favouriting, alerting and staying with me while I take forever to update!
- Loré. X