Day 156
"Alrighty, listen up!" I spoke confidently, interlocking my hands behind the back. It was late morning, and all of us stood in the back garden, Daryl next to me with a grumpy face, the rest of the group in front of me. We all dressed comfortably, I had my black denim slacks, boots, and black long sleeve top. My newly cut hair was pulled into a high ponytail. Rick stood further behind, watching us, gun in his hand. Hershel was the only one not here; he was keeping watch at the front side of the house, holding one of the walkie-talkies with him, to let us know if someone uninvited would come.
"The first thing you need to know is that Krav Maga is not a martial art. It's a form of self-defense. And that's what I'm gonna show you, only how to protect yourself."
"But, you know more?" Carl asked me, he was very excited since he woke up, looking forward to seeing what's going to happen.
"I have a black belt, kiddo. Anyway. The first reaction should be to find a way to run away. If you can, you run. But if you can't, then, there's a few techniques I'll show you to give you time, to run. First, I'll show you how I'd protect myself in a fight, and then we'll go over moves."
I turned around to Daryl with a huge grin, cocking my eyebrow at him. "Ready, Big Guy?"
"Bring it, princess." Oh, he was as excited about that as I was. Good.
I stood in a stance, legs spread, and balanced. Elbows close to my body, but not tense. I moved my fingers, inviting the hunter to make his move. He was hesitant at first, it was sweet, the thought that he didn't want to hurt me. But I guess my grinning face convinced him, and he also wanted to prove me wrong.
He was quick, swinging his body forward, bringing his fist to my face. I wanted him to sweat, to play with him. So I dodged his arm, bending my knees, so he missed me. I sent a palm into his chest, pushing him away. I spun around and kicked at his knees, making sure to not put too much force into it.
Daryl, went down to one knee, huffing a little. But quickly composed himself and jumped back to his feet, launching at me again. This time I stepped back, grabbed his wrist and arm, keeping it in place. I brought my leg up, my knee colliding with his side, making him groan in pain. I shifted to push him down, but he moved, spinning around, so now he was holding me, one arm across my chest, the other gently landing on my throat. He was panting slightly, his breath tingling my ear.
I moved my hands and grabbed the arm that was holding my neck. One leg forward, the other bend, I pulled, until Daryl flew over my back and shoulder. His back slammed to the ground. I took hold of his hands and pushed my calf onto his troat. We locked eyes, and I smirked, making him squint his bright blue eyes.
"In this position, I'd apply all my body weight to cut the airway, so he'd pass out. Or if I would move, just a little," I spoke and showed them where my leg was. "I could've completely crushed his trachea. Um, windpipe."
I stood up and stepped away from the hunter, stretching my arm to help him stand up.
"OK, that was entertainment. Now down to business." I looked over at Daryl, but he seemed to be fine. "Please stand straight, spread your legs, arms down."
He clenched his jaw at that and mumbled something under his nose, but complied.
"Easy spots, that can buy you time. Eyes, soft tissue only, you poke your opponent, and they can't see for a little bit." I made a move as to jab my fingers into Daryl's eyes, to show the group what I mean.
"Face, of course. But the best spot is going for a nose or jaw. The nose will bleed, and eyes will water. If you hit the jaw in the right spot, hard enough, it can knock them out. Yeah, you got it so far?"
I looked to the side, looking at the group's faces, and they were watching, nodding their heads.
"OK, going lower. Throat, again either fist or like that." I held up my stretched palm, to Daryl's Adam's apple. "Important tip. With a fist, thumb always goes outside; otherwise, you'll break it. Next Vertical Vertebrae." I grabbed Daryl's arms and moved him slightly so people could see the point at the back of his neck I was pointing to.
"It's part of nervous system; it depends on how hard and on the spot you hit. It'll cause pain, paralysis, or even death."
I could see Carol and Lori cringe a little at that, but I ignored it. They needed to know that.
I moved the hunter back into the position and pointed at his chest. "Solar Plexus. It will knock the air out of your opponent. Touch the front of your chest and find where your ribcage ends." I waited for the group to do as I say, doing this same, showing them what I mean. "In the middle, that joining point. And when we go down, just a tad, that's the spot. You all got it?" I saw even Rick, discreetly touching his chest, to look for it.
"Then, the next good spot are kidneys. Hurts like a bitch, trust me." Maggie and Carl giggled at that, which made me smile. "But it's not a joke. A kidney is a vital part of our bodies. If you strike it hard enough, it can cause immobilization, permanent damage, or even death."
I moved Daryl again and showed the group two spots on his sides, before turning him back.
"Now, groin. Ladies, we don't know what's the pain like. Guys, if you've been hit there, ever, you know how painful it can be. A fist is a good choice, but not very comfortable. Better to hold on to your opponent, and use your knees." I touched hunter's shoulders and lifted my leg, stopping before I actually reached him. I think he'd flip.
"Next, knees. Now, that's kicking. If you do it at the front, you can bust the knee caps. If you push a foot into the back of it, well, you saw it. You pushing your opponent down."
I stood straight next to Daryl and looked at the faces around me. "So, eyes, nose, jaw, throat, back of the neck. Diaphram, kidney, balls, and knees. Now I will show you how to get out when they actually got a hold of you.
The next hours were fun, for me at least. I'm not so sure about Daryl. I think once or twice, I actually hit him for real, but he never said anything. I showed the group how to get away when someone grabs you from behind and pins you down. I told them to train gently on each other. I walked around, correcting their stances, explaining more, if they needed it. I showed Carl how to use his height to his advantage, and Lori, how to use her body without endangering her bump.
It was afternoon, and I knew we needed to stop, get something to eat, and rest. But I still had one more thing to show them. I took out two long pieces of cloth from the back pocket of my pants and wrapped it quickly around my hands and, most importantly, wrists.
"OK, that'll be enough for today. Glenn, do you have those zip ties?" I asked the Asian man, and he reached into his pockets to take out two plastic ties.
"I still don't understand."
"Just watch." I walked back, standing once again in front of the group, asking Daryl to help me out. I gave him the ties and pushed my arms forward, clasping hands together. I had a smirk on my lips while he shifted a little the situation, making him uncomfortable.
"Zip me, Big Boy." He grunted in response, but brought one of them around my wrists, tying them loosely.
"OK, how to get out if you're tied down. I told you back at the farm, if it's proper cuffs, you'd have to break or dislocate your thumbs. Not everyone can do it to themselves. But with those, it's easier." I moved my hands around to show them that I can't move and nodded.
"First, make sure that locking head is on top, facing the sky." I pulled my wrists up, looking them over, and then used my mouth and teeth to move it around into the right position. "Next, it has to be tight." I used my teeth again to pull on the zip tie, to make it bind me more. "OK, it's all about physics and force and other bulshit. You raise your hands and then quickly bring them down." I showed them in slow movement what I mean, bringing the hands; between my chest and belly. Before you do it, take a deep breath, tense your stomach muscles. Imagine that you want to reach your shoulder blades with elbows."
I rose my arms again, and this time, I did exactly what I told them, bringing my bound wrists down in one swift motion. And I was free. Carl jumped in excitement, and Maggie looked impressed. Yes, I am a show-off.
"OK, now back. Daryl, if you could." I turned around, so my back was to him, and I put my hands behind me. Again gently, he wrapped the plastic band around the wrists and pulled.
"This one is harder because you can't see. But you can feel." I said above my shoulder. "Wrigle your wrists a little, to put the locking head facing up." I showed them what I mean, it took me a few minutes, but I got there.
"Raise your hands as far as you can, and stick your butt out." I showed them what I mean and then slowly brought the arms down, placing my wrists over the coccyx. "In this position, you use your tailbone." My arms went up again, and just like before, I stroke down, freeing myself once more.
"OK, let's go eat," Rick spoke from the house, bringing our attention to him. I looked behind me, noticing that Daryl's already looking at me. I sent him a cheerful smile, but he just scowled at me.
"Hey, you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
He shook his head but didn't reply, starting to go back, passing me without a second glance.
"So, that's the problem, huh?" I spoke after him, crossing my arms over my chest.
"What?"
"Daryl. We both know that neither of us actually tried to hurt each other." I strode over to him, searching for his eyes. "The sole purpose of this exercise was for you to lose. To show that even if you're smaller, weight less, don't have bulging muscles or wide shoulders, you still can win, or buy enough time, to save yourself."
"Whatever." He grunted, but I noticed that his face got red.
"Would I win in a real fight, too? Probably, but I wouldn't bet on being in one piece. I wouldn't want your fist to collide with my face. You'd probably knock me down straight away" I smirked at him and patted his chest. "Come on, Big Boy, let's eat."
We were trekking through the woods, Rick, T-Dog, Daryl, Glenn, and I. I wanted to show them where the lake was located, and that way, we could check if they are any walkers in the area. For now, we stumbled across one, walking slower than usual, a potential sign that colder temperature is affecting them.
"It'd make sense," I spoke suddenly, making Rick catch up to me.
"What?"
"Um, walkers. That one was slower. We should look for others to confirm it, but- so they're dead. It means I hope that their blood is not pumping through the veins. In that case, it'd mean they will get slower, sort of freeze on the inside."
"Well, we'd have to check that. It would be amazing. Would give us an advantage, definitely." Sherrif said, looking ahead, deep in thought.
"Lake will be frozen too," Daryl grunted from behind me, making me nod slowly.
"Yeah, but we got pickaxe, we will break the ice, once it comes to that."
We finally came out from the tree line, onto a small opening in front of the water.
"Now, I hope you paid attention, that's the only safe route." I pointed ahead, showing them that body of water was actually located in a small ravine. "You don't want to fall down."
I looked down again, and a small shiver run down my spine. Yeah, I'm not going anywhere near it. My last adventure in water nearly cost me my life, I'll pass.
"I'll keep guard," I told them, turning back towards the woods, bow in my hand ready. None of them seemed to protest when they walked to the edge and started filling various buckets and containers we had with us.
"We can easily filter it and cook it," T-Dog said after filling, yet another bucket. "It'll help save the generator. We will use less by cooking it when we need, then heating up a boiler."
"We checked it. I think we can stay here longer than we thought." Rick added, linning up the containers, making Daryl fill up the last one.
"What you mean?" I asked him, looking over my shoulder at him.
"It's petrol-based. Generator. We can keep refiling it, get a good routine going with it. Have that place as a central place; keep scavenging in surrendering towns."
"We would have to fortify the place, make the fence stronger," T suggested, making me hum in reply. I never thought of this place as anything more than just something we'll survive winter in.
"If we're serious about this, we need to ask Hershel what he'll need for the baby," I told the men when they walked back up to me. I reached for one of the buckets from Daryl, but he shook his head.
"Nah, ya keep an eye out." He told me, tightening his grip on two big buckets he was carrying. I licked my lips involuntarily, and quickly turned around, to lead us back to the house.
"We'll ask him and see if we can get what he needs," Rick told us confidently. I wish that I was so sure about our future.
"Well," I started again, clearing my throat. "We already have a crib. That's one thing off the list."
I didn't mean to make any of them uncomfortable. I don't know what I tried to be fair. To show them that it's alright? That they don't have to treat me like some porcelain doll, I'll be fine, and avoiding the subject won't help. It never does, and I kept it bottled up for so long already, it's time to stop.
There was a noise of a twig breaking somewhere on our left. I froze immediately, and lifted my fist up, to show the men to stop as well. I moved silently into that direction, and then I smelled it, that distinct scent of decay. I turned around, back towards the men.
"Go, you're just five minutes away. I'll take care of that." I whispered and moved without waiting for an answer.
I walked towards the noises, quietly, my knees bend, the bow ready with an arrow already notched in place. I moved some lose branch out of my way, but that was enough to get their attention. About half a dozen walkers turned into my direction. I sent the arrow into the head of the closest one, instantly reaching behind for another one. I moved to the right, so I don't lead them back to the guys. I took another shot, observing the walkers. They were definitely moving slower, but they groans, and snapping jaws were just as vicious as usual.
I grabbed another arrow, shot the third geek, and swung the bow over my shoulder when they came in closer. I grabbed two of the knives from my reins and threw one, holding the other tightly and swinging it at the head of female geek, that was in my reach.
I circled the last one and kicked it in the chest, bending down in swift motion, stabbing it in the brain. I was ready to breathe out and do a small celebration dance when something pushed me down, hard, making me lose the blade somewhere in the leaves.
"You killin' them!" Someone yelled in my ear, making me flinch. They were lying on me, something pressing into my side. "You killed Frank and Joey! Now I kill you!"
A woman, from the weight on me, I anticipated that she was smaller than me, or my size. But the way she pinned me down, gave me an opening, making me thrust my elbow up, hitting her face. She cried out in pain and slightly rolled over from me, pushing up I kicked her away from me, reaching for a hunting knife from my tight.
"The fuck lady?" I took a good look at her, messy and dirty hair, I couldn't tell what color they were supposed to be. Her clothes were full of mud and blood, ripped in places. She looked starved, and something was shouting crazy, in her eyes, that was staring at me with pure hatred.
"You killed them!" Was the only answer, she was holding her nose, and looking around at the bodies.
"They were already dead."
"No! You did this!" She was surprisingly fast on her feet when she launched herself at me. I rolled to the side and then sprung up.
"Lady, I don't want to hurt you," I told her gently, but she just growled at me and brought her knife up, swinging her arm at me. I blocked her arm, twisting it to the side, but she headbutts me, sending me back. I saw black spots for a moment, shaking my head to try to clear my vision. But that was the opening she needed. She pushed me to the ground, wrapping her small hands around my neck.
Instinctively I stretched my arm up, trying to push her off me, but she was keen for her small frame. Breathing became harder, and I used my other hand to try to find the blade that landed next to me.
She kept pressing her small hands into my neck, slowly cutting off my oxygen supply. I scratched her face, making her cry in pain, but the only thing I achieved was her going more feral, pressing harder with her whole body weight.
I finally felt the blade's coldness under my fingertips, and I grabbed it, pricking my fingers in the meantime. I started seeing black spots, meaning that I was about to lose consciousness. I pulled the knife towards me, and using the last of my strength, I grabbed the handle, swinging the blade at a woman's head. Her hands went slack, and she slummed on me, her blood pouring all over me.
I took deep, shaky breaths for a moment, and then I pushed her off me. I moved to all fours, gently touching my neck, feeling the bruises already forming.
"Fucking bitch." My voice was hoarse, but that was expected. Fucking, hell. I should've just killed her when she attacked me the first time. I pushed her body to her back, scanning her face properly for the first time. "Nancy. Fucking, Nancy."
One of my neighbors, I guess the apocalypse drove her mad. Not everyone can survive that sort of craziness, but that was something fucking else.
When I felt strong enough to stand up, I collected all my knives and arrows, and then started a walk of shame, back to the house. Oh, Daryl will have a ball.
House came into view, I opened the back gate when I reached it. I could see the curtains moving, and second, later, Glenn and Daryl burst through the door. The hunter's shoulders were tense, and if how he held his crossbow was any indication, I'd say he thought I was one of the dead ones.
"I'm alive, you hillbilly." I crocked at him, his face relaxing for a second before he jogged towards me, grabbing my arms.
"The hell happen to ya, woman?" Did I sense the worry in his deep voice? Who fucking gives a shit, right now I needed water, shower, and sleep. I think I was still in slight shock, because it took me a moment to register, that Daryl was touching me, like everywhere.
"Fuck you doing? Make me dinner first, at least." I swatted his hands away, scrunching my face in confusion.
"Ya bit?" Ah, that made more sense.
"No. Just had a lovely chat with my old neighbor. Can I come inside and fucking sit down, before I tell you?" That made him finally stop checking for bites or scratches, and he wrapped an arm around my middle, helping my walk.
"My legs are not injured, you now?"
"Just shut up, El."
"Just saying, not complaining." I tried to smile at him, but I don't think I achieved that, because his eyes went darker, like usually when he got angry.
"Elena, God. What happened?" Glenn asked me with a scared face, letting us walk through the door.
"Jeez. I'm fine. Just let me sit down." I told him, and let Daryl lead me to the couch. Lori and Carl gasped at how I looked like, and Hershel immediately went into the doctor's mode.
"Are you hurt, what happened?"
"It's not my blood, relax. I'm not bitten or scratched."
"Here." Carol sat down next to me with a bowl of water and a fresh towel, starting to wipe my face and neck. "Take off your coat."
I complied, flinching when she got to the sore spot around my throat.
"Elena, what happened." Rick crouched in front of me, searching for my eyes.
"Nothing. I took down six walkers and was about to leave. This woman came from fucking nowhere." I told them, thanking Carol at this same time and gently taking the towel from her. I started wiping my neck and around the neckline. "She was fucking nuts. I started yelling at me, saying I killed them."
"Them?" Maggie asked, confusion evident on her face.
"Yeah, I figured she meant the walkers. She attacked me, and I hesitated." I looked Rick into the eyes, knowing that he'll understand. "I didn't want to kill her, but she was nuts. Anyway, she tried to strangle me. I killed her."
"The hell, can't leave ya for fuckin' minute," Daryl spoke, and I noticed he was pacing in the corner, chewing on his thumb.
"And how I supposed to know it'll happen? I'm fine, I'm here. Stop being such a drama queen." I told him, furrowing my brows. He just scowled at that and left the room.
"He's just worried," Carol said in a hushed voice. "He was ready to go get you when you didn't come back."
"Hm."
"She's right." Maggie winked at me, and I just rolled my eyes at that. To be fair, I'd probably be the first to go search for him if the roles would reverse. But still, I don't need that fucking attitude right now, I just need sleep.