"Juliet it's been almost a week..." Douglas started to speak as I sat in his living room with Scott and Arron next to me. Over the last week I've been here I had spend a lot of my time with those two. We went out everyday at 8a.m looking for the rest of my group. We searched homes, barns and even ditches and so far all we found were a few tracks that led to a pile of dead bodies. Most of the Woodbury group we had taken in, they didn't last long out on the road.
"We have to keep looking." I said looking up at Douglas who looked annoyed.
"Look Juliet I'm worried about you." he started with a sigh. "You are up before everyone, the light in your house doesn't go out often, and you don't seem to be getting any sleep." He sighed again as he sat across from us. "I just don't think going out there anymore is going to help. You have to start seeing reality now." He said. "There is a good chance we aren't going to find anyone."
"You don't know that." I snapped back quickly.
"Juliet it's been a month since your home was destroyed. How many people do you think can survive out there on the road?" Arron asked turning sideways to face me. "I could see if we had found a trail or even the slightest bit of evidence, maybe we could keep looking but we haven't found anything in days." he sighed.
"I can't believe you are just going to give up." I said narrowing my eyes at him. He and Douglas exchanged looks and sighed. "Fine you can stop helping and just stay here. I'll go out myself." I said as I stood.
"Not alone you won't." Scott had finally spoke up. "I'll come with." he sighed. Scott had always been very kind to me since we started going out everyday. He could always sense when I was in a bad mood and always knew what kind of story to tell me while we were combing the woods.
"Scott." Douglas started.
"We can't just leave her people out there." He sighed looking over at Douglas. "You were lucky to have your family with you when you found this place, and Arron you found a girl to spend time with here." Scott said. "Not everyone is that lucky or ready to move on." He looked up at me and I smiled.
"Are you sure about this?" Arron asked.
"I went missing once... they never gave up on me." I sighed lying a little. The only person who hadn't given up on me when Sophia and I had gone missing was Daryl, and I'll be damned if I ever gave up on him. "I have to keep looking until I find them..." I paused. "Alive or... dead." I sighed looking at the ground.
It was quiet for a while as Douglas just stared at me and then looked at the clock behind him. "Alright, but I don't want more than three people out at once." He warned. "Last time we had a large group we almost lost everybody." He sighed.
"Thank you." I nodded as I headed for the door. There was still time to go out for a few hours. I left Arron and Douglas behind as I headed up the road to grab my pack.
"Slow down there Crash." I heard Scott call from behind me. I laughed at his nickname for me. When we had first started to go out looking he and Arron would always complain about having to watch my ass because I didn't pay attention to where I was going. I used to ignore then until one day I turned my back for three seconds and as I walked backwards telling them off I had wondered to far off the path and when I turned back around I ran right into the truck's road and it swerved to avoid me and crashed into a bunch of trees. They started laughing at me when I fell back on my ass and watched as the trees started to fall down.
"I'm never going to live that down am I?" I asked with a laugh as Scott caught up to me.
"Oh hell no." He shook his head.
I rolled my eyes as we continued to walk. Scott lived just across the street from me and it was nice whenever I needed someone to talk to and Maggie or Glenn were busy. Douglas had given everyone of us a job and it usually kept them occupied for most of the day.
"Thanks for havin' my back." I said and he nodded.
"It's nothing." He brushed it off.
"No it's not." I smiled. "It means a lot you care so much about finding my people."
"Yeah well I know what it's like being separated from your loved ones and not finding them." He sighed.
"Really?" I stopped and looked up at him as he sighed. "You never mentioned having a family..." I said feeling guilty.
"Never really came up I guess." He rubbed the back of his head.
"Scott I've asked you multiple times... you always change the subject." I added.
"We had better things to worry about." He shook his head.
"Well tell me about your family." I smiled as we continued to walk.
"Tell you what after our run, I'll make us some dinner and you can ask away." He said looking at the ground like he was nervous. I had no idea why he would be but I thought it was nice he wanted to talk about his family.
"Sounds good to me." I smiled up at him.
"Well alright then." He nodded as he crossed the street and walked into his house.
I smiled as I walked into my house to find it very quiet. "Hello?" I called out waiting for Maggie to answer.
"How'd it go?" She came around the corner quickly with Judith in her arms.
"Talked Douglas into letting us keep looking... but if we don't find at least a trail soon I think he might call it off." I sighed taking Judith from Maggie. "Hi there." I smiled as Judith giggled as tapped my face. "Don't you worry, we'll find your daddy and big brother. They couldn't have gone to far." I sighed.
"Juliet what if-" Maggie started and looked down.
"I can't afford to think like that Maggie." I sighed as I placed Judith in her play pen as Maggie sighed. "You were lucky you found Glenn... I would give anything to have been so lucky but... I never was a lucky person." I sighed. "Hershel always told me to have faith." I smiled and Maggie smiled as well. "I never listened until now... It's the only thing keeping me going to be fully honest." I sighed.
"Then what are you waiting for? Go and find the rest of our people." Maggie hugged me quickly and then shoved my knife and gun into my hands and pushed me out the door. I laughed as I walked out and she slammed the door behind me.
It wasn't long before Scott, Tyreese, and I were on the road. Arron had switched shifts with Tyreese on watch so he could take a break. I didn't argue, as long as we were going. "We should check those houses from Monday..." I started. "It's been a week maybe someone wandered back?"
"Whatever you say Crash." Scott laughed as he drove quickly. We drove for about an hour until we came back around to the small neighbourhood just a few miles from the prison.
"Have you guys ever ventured back to the prison?" Tyreese asked as we all stepped out of the car at the end of the street.
"No." I answered quickly as I pulled my gun and kept it by my side.
"Why?" Tyreese asked as neared the first house.
"To many walkers would have flooded that entire place." I sighed. "I barely got out a month ago... can't even think how many have just hung around now."
We went from house to house and came up with nothing. We were nearing the end of the street when we encountered a small group of walkers. Scott went to work beating their head's in with his metal bat, Tyreese whacked others with his hammer and I knifed a few. It was an easy crowd but the longer we stayed here the darker it was going to get.
"Well that was exciting." Scott laughed shaking his head as we all headed back. We walked slowly in a line down the street just in case someone came out of no where. "Seems like there are more and more of those assholes everyday." Scott sighed.
"That's a nice thought." I rolled my eyes.
"Well it's true." He said nudging me.
It was quiet for a minute until there was a distant clang from up he street. We all stopped and held our guns close. Then the sound came again and it seemed like it was coming from one of the houses we were around. Scott gestured to each of us to take a house and we did. I made my way to the nearest house and when I found nothing I stood at the front door waiting for the other two. Scott walked out and joined my sighed as we watched the house Tyreese had gone into.
It was quiet then a voice came from the house that made me tilt my head. "Tyreese! Is that really you?" The young raspy voice called and Scott looking over at me.
"Oh my god.." Tyreese laughed and that's when I started walking to the house.
"I can't believe it!" The voice suddenly made me break into a run.
I ran into that house and the door swung open when I pushed it. It was getting dark but what light there was shone into the living room and Tyreese had his arms around someone who was half his size.
"Ty?" I asked in a shaky voice and they both turned quickly. I nearly started to cry when I saw him. He had gotten so big in the last month I hardly recognized the kid. "Carl..." I said and his eyes to really big as his arms fell to his side.
Carl took a step back when he saw me. His face drained of colour and I couldn't help but smile. "No... It can't be..." He started and then took off and ran into my arms. I could feel him shaking as he hid his face in my shoulder. I couldn't believe how big he had gotten. "I'm dreaming..." He didn't believe I was really here.
"No kiddo it's me." I smiled as he pulled his head back and looked up.
"I knew it!" He laughed as he held tightly. "Dad said... but I didn't believe him!" He laughed again.
"Carl where is your dad?" I asked as I slowly led Carl outside.
"He's um..." Carl stopped as he just stared at me.
"Carl?" I asked as he looked down. That's when I started to panic. "Carl where is your dad?" I asked again as I knelt down and held his shoulders.
He sighed and looked up. "Few streets over... I'll so you... he's not doing so good." he sighed.
"And what dose that mean exactly kid?" Scott asked and I just waited for Carl to answer.
"The Governor really beat into him... He's been in and out of conscientiousness since we left." Carl said.
"Well then we should get to him." I smiled and he nodded as he hugged me again.
"I'm so glad you made it." he sighed as I patted his back lightly and smiled.
After that I led Carl to our truck and Scott drove. Carl gave him directions and every now and again Carl would look at me just making sure I was still next to him. "I told you we would find someone sooner or later." I said punching Scott just as he parked.
"Hey I never doubted that." he smiled as Carl took off toward the house. He knocked first and we waited behind him.
He sighed and opened it slowly. "Dad?" he called out looking around and I stepped in after him. I looked around and noticed how Carl had boarded all the windows closed and had a wire around the doorknob to keep walkers out. I smiled knowing he was safe eve if his father was a bit out of it. Carl disappeared up stairs as Tyreese and I stayed in the living room. "Michonne?" Carl called out from ustairs.
"Michonne is with you too?" I called up the stairs and Carl looked down and smiled.
"I'm going to see what kind of food these two have. Might as well bring something else back with us." he shrugged with a smile.
"Sure." I nodded as Tyreese looked over at me.
"You think he is stable?" Tyreese asked. I looked over in confusion. "Rick, you think he is stable?"
"Why wouldn't he be?" I asked.
"After everything that's happened?" Ty added and I sighed.
"We'll just have to see won't we." I paused.
"Don't move." A very rasp angry voice came from the kitchen.
"Wooh easy man." Scotts voice came after something fell.
"Turn slowly." The raspy voice came again and Ty and I slowly made our way into the kitchen. We watched from he door as a very skinny man with messy hair held Scott at gun point. "What are you doing here?" he asked as as I walked in more I slowly begun to see who this very angry and beaten man was. I sighed when I saw him "Carl!" He screamed and Carl came running.
"Dad put the gun down." Carl demanded.
"You know this thief?" Rick's voice was shaky and I couldn't even believe how different he looked.
"Just put the gun down man." Scott started and Rick only stepped closer.
"Rick." I spoke and his hand started to shake. I took a step forward and he slowly turned his head. "Hi." I smiled sweetly at him as his gun lowered a bit.
"Juliet?" he questioned narrowing his eyes at me. I could see it in his eyes he didn't think I was actually there. He took a step away from Scott and closer to me. His gun at his side.
"Yeah." I nodded. "It's me Rick..."
Rick said nothing and instantly put his gun up to my head. The gun was just inches from my face and Scott quickly grabbed his gun. I put my hand up to stop him but he still kept it in his grip. "You're dead." he said through his teeth his hand getting more and more shaky.
"No I'm not..." I put my hands up slowly. "I'm very much alive... put the gun down Rick." I asked again trying to keep calm.
"Dad..." Carl started and I just shook my head as Carl stepped next to his father.
"I watched you die. You are dead." he said taking a step forward.
"Rick." I said softly slowly putting my hand out to reach for the hand he held his gun with. "It's been a long time... please put the gun down." I said.
Rick slowly look up and behind me. "Tyreese?" he questioned.
"We are real man." Ty said calmly.
"Who's he?" Rick said nudging his head back at Scott.
"That's Scott." I started. "He took us all in... we have shelter Rick. A safe place." I added.
"Safe?" He voice cracked. I nodded and he slowly looked to Carl who nodded. Rick slowly put his gun down and nearly dropped it as he looked over at me. "Juliet..." he started. I smiled and he sighed.
I put my hand out slowly and he took it cautiously. I smiled once he touch my hand. That was all he needed to believe I was real. He pulled my arm and put his arms around me quickly with a sigh. I smiled as I hugged him back and everyone let out a breath of relief.
"The prison..." Rick started as he pulled away.
"I know... But we have a place to go now." I said with a smile and he nodded. "Carl, help Scott and Ty grab what you can. We need to get Rick back to the Doc." I said nodding to Scott.
"Think Stevens can help him?" Scott asked as I put an arm around Rick who just stared at me.
"I think she can." I smiled back as I helped Rick outside. He walked slowly and with a bad limp and he grunted in pain as I pulled him into the back seat with me. Carl and Ty walked out front loading what they had into he back. Scott was last out of the house and as he walked toward the truck he looked nervous and uneasy. Ty sat up front with him and Carl sat next to me and held onto my hand tightly. "You alright up there Scott?" I asked and he laughed.
"You bet Crash." he winked into the mirror and I just shook my head at him with a small smile. I noticed Rick staring at Scott with narrowed eyes but I ignored it. "We get these two back in time we can still-"
"Oh no." Scott started. "We are done for the day."
"Scott we still got a few hours of day light." I said. "I'll go on my own."
"Ugh fine." he huffed as he started to drive just wanting to get back.
"Thank you." I nodded.
"Go where?" Carl asked.
"Well we still got people to find." I smiled. Carl and Rick said nothing.
"Wait!" Rick sat up quickly and Scott stopped the truck and Rick jumped from the truck.
"Rick?" I questioned him and he stood in the middle of the road and looked around.
"Michonne!" He called out quickly and I climbed out and stood next to him. "We can't leave. She is here too." He looked at me with a soft smile.
"Michonne!" Carl jumped from the truck and started going from house to house.
"Are you sure she is here?" I asked staying with Scott and Tyreese.
"Yes." Rick said quickly. "Michon-" He started to call before he walked into one of the houses then he stopped and smiled back to me. "Come on." he said to someone inside. I was leaning on the side of the truck looking up to Scott who had narrow eyes on Rick.
"You sure he is all there?" He asked looking down at me.
"He's injured not insane." I shot back and Scott smiled. "Wait does Rick have another kid?" Scott said looking at the house and the entrance.
"Yeah back at camp... I told you this." I shook my head.
"No other than the baby and Carl?" He squinted and I was confused.
"No? Why?" I asked as I followed his gaze. Rick was standing in the door way with Michonne next to him and they were smiling at me. I looked between them and just in front of them, there stood a very sad looking little red head. My arms dropped from my hips and my mouth hung open. "Hannah?" I questioned as I took a few slow steps forward. She was looking down but when she heard her name and felt Rick's nudge she looked up at me.
"Momma!" She screamed as she started to run at me. I was still shocked to see her that I didn't even move from my spot in the street. Hannah ran right into me and I fell to my knees as I wrapped my arms around her tiny body. She had started to cry as I held her. "I knew you were okay." She said holding around my neck tightly as I slowly picked her up. My knees were very weak as I stood. "Michonne said we would find you. I did what she said. I stayed quiet and I ran when the bitters started to follow us." Hannah said pulling away and looked at me. My eyes were full of tears that I could barely see past her happy face. "Why you crying?" She asked as she put a hand to my face and tried to wipe away some fallen tears.
I just smiled and hugged her again. "I'm happy." I said quietly and she hugged me back.
"She is pretty smart for someone who jumped off a bus." Michonne said with a small smile as she walked over to me. I slowly put Hannah down but kept a tight grip on her hand.
"You found her?" I asked taking a deep breath.
"She was calling for you and Daryl but I found her and just kept her close." Michonne said. "Then I found these two hiding out here."
"You saved her." I said again and before I could stopped I quickly hugged Michonne who awkwardly tapped my back with a small laugh. "Thank you." I said over and over.
"It's what we do." She said placing her hands on my shoulders.
I smiled at Michonne and Rick and then looked down at Hannah who had a big smile on her face. We all headed to the truck and Scott smiled at me as we all piled in the back. Hannah sat on my lap still holding on tightly and Carl and Rick on one side and Michonne next to them. "We good now?" Scott asked as he looked back at me.
"Yes." I nodded and he started to drive again. It was a quiet ride and for once in a very long time I was happy.
"Where are we?" Rick asked as Scott pulled up to the gates.
"The Alexandria Safe-zone." he smiled back as he got out quickly and opened Rick's door to help him out.
"It's safe?" Carl asked rushing out and walking around to help his father stand.
"That's why they call it the safe zone kid." Scott smiled. He looked up to me and I put an arm around Rick. "You get them to the Doc, see what she can do for them. I'll talk to Douglas and I'll meet you back here in an hour?" He asked as he started to walk back toward Douglas' house.
"Sounds good." I smiled as I led Rick a few houses down. Carl was holding him up with Michonne and Hannah still held onto my hand tightly.
"Douglas?" He asked.
"He kinda of runs this place." I sighed and Rick seemed to pull away. "Don't worry." I shook my head. "Douglas is good, I've been here for almost two weeks and he seems stable." I nodded. We neared Doctor Stevens' house and I knocked loudly. "Doc it's Juliet!" I called and she came running and opened the door.
"What we got?" She asked as she let us in. Doctor Stevens had turned her home into an infirmary. It was the biggest house on the block and had enough supplies to keep us going for a while.
"Beat up badly, in and out of conscientiousness for three weeks, and possible fractured leg." I smiled up at her and Rick huffed not agreeing he was in that much pain.
"Alright put him over here." She ordered and patted a clean bed.
"Carl, Rick this is Doctor Stevens. She is the best doctor around." I smiled.
"I'm the only doctor around." She rolled her eyes as she went to work cleaning Rick's wounds.
"Same thing." I laughed as Car sat next to Rick's bed. "Hannah stay with Carl, I'll be right back okay." I smiled and she nodded and took a hold on Carl's hand.
"Where you going?" Carl jumped to his feet still keeping Hannah's hand in his.
"Just stay here. I'll be right back." I sighed as I took off. I ran out the door and headed toward my house. When I opened the door Maggie was sitting on the couch with Lizzie and Mica.
"What happened?" Maggie jumped quickly.
"Where's Judith?" I asked. Maggie pointed to the play pen where the girl was smashing two blocks together with a laugh. I walked over and picked her up. "How would you like to see your daddy and brother?" I asked and she laughed.
"Oh my God you found them!" Maggie jumped with a smile.
"They were held up in a house a few streets from where we last checked." I laughed. "Rick is in bad shape but Carl is just fine." I nodded.
"That's amazing! Anyone else?" Maggie asked quickly.
"Michonne and Hannah." I smiled and Maggie looked like she was going to cry. I walked over and hugged Maggie quickly."The Doc is when them now. I just think it's been long enough since the Grimes family has been apart." I sighed as I headed out the door.
As I stepped into the Doc's house again I took a deep breath. I had no idea how they were going to react or if Judith would remember them. I took a step into the room and smiled. "Hey." I started and they both looked up and it was quiet as they realized who I had in my arms.
"Judy!" Carl yelled with big eyes and a wide smile. He came running and quickly took his sister in his arms and held her tightly. Hannah sat calmly next to Rick with a big smiled. I smiled as Judith started to laugh and grab at Carl's long hair. Carl looked back to his father who was speechless. Carl handed Rick his daughter and that's when Rick finally smiled. He just looked at her with tear filled eyes and quickly hugged her tightly and rocked her in his arms.
"But how?" he asked looking up at me as I walked over and stood next to him as tears ran down his face.
"Found the poor thing strapped to her car seat. She was screaming and attracting walkers. I just happened to come by in time to get her to safety." I nodded. "She's really smart too, for someone who can't talk she sure knows how to be quiet when running from walkers." I said with a smile.
"You kept her safe?" Rick asked looking up with shock. "For how long?" he asked.
"Um.. Three weeks, just about." I smiled as Judith smiled over at me. "She kept me safe." I said reached for her little hand and stroked it. "It's like she had this sixth sense. She would let out a small growl when we were being followed." I laughed.
"She's smart!" Hannah laughed as Judith smiled.
"Thank you." Rick said placing a hand on mine. He squeezed tight.
"My pleaser." I smiled. "Like I said she kept me safe too." I stood but Rick still had my hand. "Maggie and Glenn with come check up on you in a little while then you can rejoin everyone. You will stay with me until the construction crew clears out a few more houses." I said.
"Where are you going?" Carl asked again.
"I don't want you to go." Hannah sighed as she walked over and grabbed onto my leg. I smiled down at her.
"Hey I'll be back I promise... but some people are still missing." I smiled pressing a light kiss on her forehead.
"Can't I come with you?" She asked with a sigh.
"You haven't found Daryl?" Rick asked sounding shocked.
"No..." I sighed looking over at him. "But don't you worry, I'll find him." I smiled at everyone looking at me. "Now I need you to stay with Carl and Rick, Michonne too. You stay with them. Don't go wandering off." I said and Hannah nodded. "I'll be back in a bit. Doc take care of these three while I'm gone would you?" I called out as Doctor Stevens came around the corner.
"What else I got to do?" She shook her head at me. I couldn't help but laugh and take one last look at Hannah's smile as I left. She gave me a small wave and looked back to Rick. I sighed as I closed the door.
