Chapter 17-Preparing for the fight
A few days later
Leo's P.O.V
Leo walks away from the top of the stadium again. Every night he would go up there and think about calling Ivy before he gave up and went to bed. Most of the snow in the stadium had melted, and it was starting to melt around them. Leo looks towards one of the dugouts where the group was sitting around a fire. There were marshmallows in the stash that was brought back, and the group had decided to have a fun night. "Leo, I swear to god if you don't answer me. I'm going to be pissed," Ivy says.
"What?" Leo asks.
"Report," Ivy growls.
"I need more time. Two more days," Leo says.
"Two more days, and that is it," Ivy says before the radio goes off. Leo walks down the dugout and sits by Hershel. Carol looks at him.
"Would you like one?" Carol asks him as he holds a marshmallow out to him. Leo nods as he grabs one.
"Thank you," Leo says. Carol nods as Leo watches the group.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl was getting ready to go hunting. He knew there was a small chance he would find anything but a rabbit. He would be lucky to find a deer. He grabs his crossbow and walks outside. He walks towards the gate but stops when he sees Charlie and Carl. "Hey," Daryl says to the two kids who look at him. "You guys want to come hunting?"
"Really?" Charlie asks, excitement evident in her voice.
"Yeah, go get your things," Daryl answers. The two kids nod as they walk away. He looks at Lori as she walks up to him with a smile on her face. "I would ask Ruby, but I don't see her."
"Arthur is teaching her how to patch wounds," Lori informs Daryl, who nods. "Thank you. I can tell they both have felt a little locked up."
"I could use a partner," Daryl says.
"Can I...Can I come?" Lori asks Daryl.
"Lori..." Daryl says.
"I know, baby and all, but soon enough, I will be trapped in here with no other option. Please," Lori pleads. Daryl doesn't say anything. What could it hurt? She'll be with me, and she'll be safe.
"Fine, but you do everything I say," Daryl says. Lori nods with a smile as she goes to get her things. "What have I gotten myself into?" Daryl questions himself.
Ivy's P.O.V
Ivy walks outside her house and walks up to a trailer. She knocks on the door, and a man steps out. The man was the same height as her with black hair and black eyes. "What can I do for you, Ma'am?" The man asks.
"Well, Cody. You are in charge of runs, correct?" Ivy asks.
"Yes, ma'am," Cody says.
"Good, get me your best troops," Ivy orders him. "I want them all by my house within the hour."
"Of course, ma'am," Cody says as he walks away. Ivy walks back to her house.
Shane's P.O.V
Shane walks up to Leo, who is sharping his bowie knife by himself. "Leo, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Leo asks as he stops sharping his knife.
"How good are you with a gun?" Shane asks Leo.
"I was the best marksman where I was stationed," Leo tells Shane, who nods.
"I need a favor. You know Carol, right?" Shane asks Leo, who gives him a slight nod. "She's been trying to get better with a gun since the farm. She is slowly getting the hang of it, but we need it to go faster. I was hoping maybe you could help her." Leo nods as he stands up.
"I'll do my best," Leo tells Shane before he walks away. Shane walks away as well.
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia sat in her room with a book in her hands. She was lying in bed. There was a knock at the door. "Come in," She says. Ofelia opens the door and pokes her head in.
"Hey, Abraham needs you," Ofelia tells Alicia, who nods. Ofelia gets ready to shut the door.
"Hey, is everything okay? It seems like you have been distant," Alicia says.
"It's fine," Ofelia says firmly. "I gotta go," Ofelia shuts the door and leaves. Alicia grabs her coat and leaves the room. Alicia walks to the room. Abraham would plan their runs. She had seen Eugene joining him since they came back. She opens the door and walks in.
"What is it today, Abe?" Alicia questions the large man. Abraham smirks at her.
"Well, Eugene's group brought in a shit load of stuff, but it is better to be safe than sorry so that we will continue runs. I found a place that may be interesting," Abraham tells Alicia, who nods as she walks over to the map. "There are a few buildings Daryl asked me to head to and get him some things. I don't why, but I'm helping with the rest of the supplies. Can you take a group to these places? They aren't far," Alicia looks at the map and nods. "Group of at least four."
"I know," Alicia says as she leaves the room. I'll get Mom, Ofelia, and John. Alicia thinks as she goes to find those people.
Ivy's P.O.V
Ivy stands outside of her house, looking at the five men Cody had brought her. "Is this them?" Ivy asks Cody, who nods. "I need you all to do something," Ivy states.
"What would that be, ma'am?" The man in the middle questions.
"Leo has been sent on a mission to infiltrate an enemy's base, and when he is ready, we will need to take down the enemy. The thing is, they are well defended, and we will need more soldiers. So start training the people here. It is time they pulled their weight," Ivy orders them.
"Yes, ma'am," The men shout before they walk away.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl walked through the woods with Lori beside him and Carl and Charlie behind them. Daryl had two rabbits on a string. "Why do you still hunt? We have enough food," Lori says. Daryl glances at her.
"I like it, and you can never have enough food. I figured this way I could get some more food and keep myself from getting rusty," Daryl tells Lori, who nods as he stops. He motions Charlie and Carl forward. He points to some tracks on the ground. "What are those?"
"They belong to a person," Charlie says. "But this person walks weird."
"It's a walker," Carl says. Daryl nods.
"Good job," Daryl says as they continue to walk forwards.
"I really can't thank you enough for all you have done for him," Lori says to Daryl.
"I like the kid. I enjoy hanging out with him," Daryl explains to Lori, who nods. They continue walking until they see the walker. Daryl raises his crossbow.
"I got it," Lori says as she pulls out her knife. Lori walks past a batch of snow, and as she is walking, a walker grabs her leg. Lori falls to the ground. Another walker comes out of the ground. Daryl quickly raises his crossbow and shoots the one walking before he drops his bow and runs over to Lori. He stomps in the head of the one trying to bite Lori and stabs the third one at the top of the head. He turns back around and bends down by Lori.
"You okay?" Daryl asks her as Charlie and Carl look around with guns in their hands.
"Yeah," Lori says, panting and with a shaky voice. Daryl looks at her leg and only sees a handprint. He let out a sigh. He helps Lori up and grabs his bolt from the walker's head. He walks back over to his crossbow.
"Can we go back?" Lori asks Daryl, who nods.
"Yeah, come on," Daryl says as they start to head back.
Leo's P.O.V
Leo had put a silencer on Carol's gun and was helping the woman shoot it. He moves her arm in a better position. "You are thinking about it too much, Carol. Take a deep breath and slowly squeeze the trigger. Do not pull," Leo explains to Carol, who nods as she does what the man says. She shoots the gun, and the bullet hits part of the target. "Better," Leo says. "Carol, what is the one thing that makes you pissed off?" Leo questions her.
"I couldn't protect my daughter," Carol says instantly. "I couldn't protect her from the walkers."
"I know the feeling. Think about that when you are shooting. For every walker, person, or whatever you kill, you are saving the people you love. You are protecting Lori and her baby. Carl, Charlie, and Ruby are safe because of what you are doing," Leo advises Carol, who nods. "That's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow,"
"Thank you, Leo," Carol says before she walks away. Leo nods as he puts the gun up.
Ivy's P.O.V
Ivy was eating her food when she heard shouting outside. She sighs as she stands up and walks outside. She sees one of the men that she talked to earlier talking to an older man. "You are not making me, or anybody else picks up a gun. We don't want to fight!" The older man shouts.
"Alvin. What is going on?" Ivy asks the man.
"Ma'am. I'm sorry we have got a few to pick weapons and begin training, but some will not listen," Alvin says with a shaky frightened voice.
"It is not your fault, Alvin," Ivy reassures the man. She looks at the older man. "What is your name?"
"Jordan," Jordan says. "I don't care that you are the leader, Ivy. We have our rights, and we will not be forced to fight your fights. Do you under-" Jordan was speaking when Ivy pulled out her handgun and shot Jordan through the head. The people behind her shouted and backed up as Jordan fell to the ground.
"You will pick up a weapon and begin training, or you will end up like him. Make your choice, or I'll make it for you!" Ivy shouts before she walks away. The people start to pick up weapons.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl sat by the gate as it was turning dark. He pulls the gate open and lets Alicia in. "Pull that off to the side," Daryl says. Alicia nods as she stops the car. Daryl walks over to them.
"I'm assuming this is a surprise," Alicia says as she looks at the supplies in the back. Daryl nods while looking anywhere but at Alicia, who smirks.
"Have fun. What you are doing is a pain in the ass," Madison says before they walk away.
"Tell them I'll unload this stuff myself and join later," Daryl tells them. They nod as they walk away, and Daryl starts to unload the supplies.
Thanks for reading. I left the run with Alicia out on purpose because what Daryl is doing will be a surprise. Let me know if you guys want to see more thoughts as you did during the chapter. Also, would you guys like to see chapters involving charchters back in Georgia or Virginia? And one or two with Leo's back story? Let me know if you do. I'll do one next chapter. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.