As the small convoy of trucks heads down the abandoned road talking over the walkies. The sound of Merle cursing everyone and their mothers even trying to flirt with the woman to uncuff him for some fun. But he wasn't getting anywhere fast before he cut off in mid promise and Morales said "THANK YOU Andrea for shutting him up.
As they left the city behind heading into the outskirts toward a mountainous area covered in trees Philip got the whole story from multiple people. The military guarding the refugee center was overrun and the group of about twenty people had banded together in the chaos. After fleeing they had set up camp at a camping area about thirty miles from the city. And it had been quiet for the week no walkers went that far into the woods But as time went by they were using more supplies than they were finding or one person could carry back witch had prompted the larger party into the city, whereas Glynn had put it straight to shit.
As they started up the wooded trail everyone finally relaxed. Taking the winding curves for the next few minutes in silence Philip in his nervousness absent-mindedly unloaded his rifle cleared the chamber before loading again doing the same to his pistol. As he finished this for the fourth time they made the last turn and the camp dominated by Dales RV came into sight. At the same time, the people here saw them and came running.
As they drew near everyone came to a stop and turning their trucks off stepped out to be tackled by their frantic loved ones. Knowing what was to come Philip took a deep breath and stepped out. As he rounded the water truck taking his helmet off Carl saw me and came running. I don't know why but I could feel the tears the happiness of seeing carl alive and well just as strongly as rick had in the show. We tackled each other crying almost landing on top of him as I stood up carrying Carl. When I saw Lori Rick's emotions still running high I couldn't stop embracing her even knowing in my mind what she had done in the show. hell to be honest I don't even really blame her for shacking up with Shane I thought as we kissed again she did what she had to ensuring Carl and herself was taken care of.
Looking at Shane I give him a thankful nod witch with a mix of happiness and sadness he returns. After securing Merles still gagged ass to the bumper of the RV. Telling the others of what had happened and how his recklessness had almost killed them all. It was unanimously agreed to leave him there until his brother Daryl got back from his hunt.
Over the next few hours until night, we exchange stories and information about the fall of Atlanta and everything else. Shane had just come back from giving Merle two cans of coke and a handful of chip and cookie bags was about to say something when a loud crackling came from the next fire-pit. And my face went passive and a name ran through my mind just as Shane spoke up Ed
"Hey Ed, wanna rethink that log?"
With a sneer, Ed replied "sa cold, man"
"Cold doesn't change the rules does it?" with a tone of near exasperation "Keep the fire low just embers so no one can see us from a distance remember?"
"I said its cold" in a voice that I knew I wouldn't miss when that fat POS got ate in the coming days "should mind ya own business fa once"
Shane got up and walked over to crouch near the pit "you sure you want to do this now man?"
With another sneer, I couldn't wait to see eaten he told Carol to go on pull the log out. The scared woman I remembered her to be early on jumped to obey as Shane in disgust muttered "Christ"
Moving the log she sat back down next to her daughter as Shane followed making sure they were ok but under Ed's gaze she said they are fine. How a man like that had survived this long I don't understand I thought. The rest of the night passed without incident much as it had in the show. ending with making love to Lori.
The next morning came all too fast as I leave the tent buckling my pistol belt around my waist adjusting the sheathed bayonet to a more comfortable spot at the small of my back. Looking over to the water truck I see them filling almost a dozen of those office space water dispenser barrels. Others were doing laundry the best they could. Glynn, Shane, and Dale were stripping the box truck of everything useful and draining the tank of fuel. "Every little bit helps" dale thanks me as he walks past. Giving the others a nod, and a good morning as I walk towards Lori.
The conversation runs much the same except instead of Merle being left behind its about grabbing more supplies saying even stripping the box truck the rest of the cars and trucks not to mention dales gas hog RV are at less than half a tank we have enough food and water for now but we will need more. She doesn't put up as big a fuss as she had about Merle he was a dick. Plus everyone needs to eat. She goes on to bring something else up when a scream echoes the woods with screaming calls of "mommy" and "daddy" Carl
Pulling the eight-inch blade free I take off towards the sounds of the screams quickly joined by Morales, Shane, Glynn, and T-dog. Seeing the kids were ok we rushed past letting the woman who was behind us make sure they were ok. We rushed into an opening to find a deer with three arrows in its side having its throat ripped open and munched on by a walker. Surrounding it I don't even wait for it to stand up grabbing its filthy hair and ramming the blade upwards at the base of its neck.
The threat killed faster than they had expected dale mentioned that they never come up this far before another guy guessed they must be running out of food in the city. As branched cracked looking in that direction they saw Daryl come out of the woods exclaiming "Son OF A BITCH" before saying his piece of tracking the deer for over a mile hoping to make venison before wondering aloud "I wonder if we could cut around the bite?" but no one wanted to try that… for good reason "Oh well got about a dozen squirrels guess that'll have to do." As he walked past toward the camp
He admired the Humvee with the 240 mounted on top as he called "Merle!" he stopped to notice the new water truck and the stripped box truck as he called again "Merle! Where your ugly ass at? We got sum squirrel lets stew 'em up!"
That was when Shane put his shotgun in his jeep calling out that they needed to talk real quick. Talking as he led Daryl behind the RV telling him what had happened in Atlanta of his brother putting everyone in risk and how they both know he doesn't play well with others it was when they rounded the corner to see Merle still asleep handcuffed to the bumper with empty bags and bottles around him from last night's dinner.
To say he was pissed off was kind of an understatement wanting him released now after some back and forth they agreed on one condition. If he tries to get back at anyone we will not handcuff him we will take care of him permanently. Daryl understood this would be his brother's last chance kicking his boot Merle woke up seeing his little brother there "Bro you gotta get me out of here these fuckers have had to be cuffed here since yesterday afternoon man." After explaining the situation to merle they released him.
"Okay everyone I know I just got here," I said as we started eating a breakfast of little snack bags of chips, cookies, and crackers with chilled soda thanks to Dale's RV fridge. Everyone kept eating and drinking the cold drinks but listened "but while this is nice we have food and drinks not to mention gas for our vehicles however we will need more I know there is no reason to risk going back into the city this fast but we need everything we can get our hands on while we don't really need it so there is no rush to get supplies when we do" looking around at the crowd as they ate and drank "from the run I came back with we all have three maybe four meals like this before we are out of food our cars have less than half a tank of gas same goes for the generator. To put it bluntly, we need to do another supply run.
Everyone looked around enjoying the food and drinks and there were no arguments. "So I would like to lead a team of six people into the city for another run Morales, T-dog, Andrea, Alicia, Glynn, and myself. Shane if you don't mind giving us a ride into the city id feel better if you were here keeping an eye on the camp but before we go I want to hand out some things that seem to be lacking here."
Walking to the Humvee I open the door and start pulling cases of rifles and ammo out along with vest "these should keep everyone safe until we get back." An hour later everyone was geared up and armed and the Humvee was empty except for the extra 240 and its linked ammo. And morale soared as everyone felt safer. Well that should keep them safe from the attack tonight I thought out loud I called ok everyone let's head out. Rick and the others climbed into an eighteen-passenger van waving to their loved ones and Shane took off everyone called out "We will see you when we get back."
Back at camp about two hours later Shane had just returned after dropping the guys off and was just getting his shit back under control after Lori had stopped him and carl on the way down into the quarry for some frog catching when he caught wind of Ed's bullshit harassing his wife and a couple of ladies doing laundry when he hears a sharp slap and screams as he reached Ed he sees Jacqui on the ground with Carol holding her. Shane doesn't even hesitate coming up behind him grabbing his shirt and yanking him backward and away from the girls throwing him to the ground and starts slamming his fist into him repeatedly. The girls voices finally snap him back to reality reach him Eds face is covered in bruises and his eye is swelling shut
"You put your hands on your wife or little girl or anyone else in this camp again and i. will. Not. Stop. I will beat you to death" as he walks away he gives him one more good kick in the ribs.