Chapter 8 Super Trouper
The shocked silence is broken by Rosie's whimpers, so I scoop her out of the car seat and cuddle her close to my chest.
"What should we do?" I ask both men.
Morgan has a contemplative look on his face, but Rick looks determined.
"We have to help them! You heard what he said, he was calling out for Shane. I know there's hundreds of Shane's probably in Atlanta, but my gut is telling me its my Shane. My best friend. He's gotta be close by and with him is my family. I just know it."
Morgan looks to me, but Rick has a pretty good point, and I trust his gut. Not to mention my own gut is telling me this is the way. So, I nod in agreeance and Rick picks up the radio receiver thingy.
oOoOoOoOoOo
20 minutes later Rick and I are scaling up a fire escape following behind a young Asian man and into a department store window.
Morgan, the kids and Rhodey continued out of the wrecked and ravaged city. They were going to wait on the outskirts of the highway for us to catch up with them, and we each had walkies that were enchanted so we could stay in contact.
When Rick and I enter the department store behind the young Asian man, Glenn, we're met with a small group of disgruntled looking people.
Two women and two other men. Just as one of the women, a blonde, opens her mouth, assumingly to introduce herself, we're all startled by rapid fire gunshots coming from the roof.
The group all look at each other for a brief moment, then take off running, so Rick and I follow behind quickly.
We're running up some emergency exit stairs to the roof and when we burst through the heavy doors, we see a guy in a leather vest and dirty jeans, hooting and hollering, standing on the ledge of the building while shooting his gun into the crowd of walkers below.
He turns at the sound of the doors slamming open and I'm surprised that I recognize him.
"Merle what the fuck are you doing man!? You up here wasting bullets we ain't even got bringing geeks down on us from miles around!?" The man I'm pretty sure is T-Dog yells.
"Hey now! ya'll oughta be more polite to a man with a gun!" Merle shouts as he jumps back onto the roof from the ledge. "Only common sense."
"Man, you gotta chill!" T-Dog fires back.
Merle snorts. "You think I'm gonna take orders from the likes of you? That'll be the day."
T dog steps up to merle but I interrupt before things get too heated.
"Good ole Merle. Worlds gone to shit and he still can't help but be a tired old bastard. Guess some thing never change."
Everyone whirled around to look at me, even Rick but I'm focused on Merle. It takes a second but recognition flashes in his eyes.
Outwardly his demeanor changes, he looks me up and down and whistles low, but I can see his body is still tense. Ready to spring into action of needed.
"Well look at 'chu girlie. All grown up now huh? All that time and you sure did grow up real nice. Come on over here and let me get a good look."
I roll my eyes but walk closer to him, in hopes to disburse the tension. Up close and in the light, I notice Merle's pupils are mere pinpoints and he's breathing hard. He either just took a hit or he's coming down, but from his behavior I'd say he's coming down hard.
I can feel everyone's eyes on us, but Rick's are especially piercing.
"Daryl alright?" I ask hoping mention of his brother will help calm him down but when his body tenses further I know that was a mistake. Fuck.
Merle narrows his eyes at me and take a large step forward, closing the space between us. "Watchu mean by that girlie? Think Ole Merle can't take care of his little brother? Hmm? Watched over you just fine and you doubting me?"
Even though I know I have to tread lightly with Merle to not set him off I can't help but sigh. "You know I ain't mean it like that Merle. Last I heard you was locked up in county. Was wonderin' if he was with you is all. Ain't seen him since school let out."
We're interrupted by Rick before Merle can respond. Rick grabs my arm and pulls me back a step and, in his best, 'hostage negotiation' tone of voice says "Now just hold on a second here. There's no reason to step to a lady like that. Let's all just take a step back and calm down."
And from where I'm standing to the side and half a step behind Rick, I see the fire race back into Merles eyes.
Merle does indeed step back but when Rick turns to me, he springs into motion. I only have enough time to shove Rick out of the way before I'm taking the full brunt of Merles anger in a fist to the face.
Its enough to knock me on my ass and I shuffle backwards and out of the way as Rick, T dog and the Hispanic man basically jump Merle.
Merle gives them a good run for their money though, especially with it being three on one. He lands several punches and kicks to all three men while the two ladies and Glenn yell for them all to stop.
The fight ends when Rick picks up Merle's dropped rifle and smacks him over the head with it, and Merle goes down long enough for T dog and the other guy to hold him down while Rick whips out a pair of handcuffs and secures Merle to a metal pole.
Rick drags Merle into a sitting position, and I hear Merle angrily drawl out, "Who the fuck do you think you are?!"
I snort when Rick responds with "Officer Friendly."
Everyone takes a moment to gather themselves, with the ladies and Glenn checking on their beat-up comrades.
Rick shuffles himself over to me and takes my face gently in his hands, but I still hiss at the light contact. A sharp pain shoots up my cheek to my temple and I'm pretty sure Merle broke bone.
"Officer Friendly? Really?" I try to joke but Rick has his serious face on, so I sigh. "I'm alright Dad. He punches like a bitch when he's high. I've had worse." I know my attempt at smiling is just a straight grimace.
Rick sighs himself and helps me stand up. And he wraps his hands around my waist when I wobble.
"How do you even know him?" Rick asks me loud enough for the others to hear and they turn to hear my answer.
I turn so my back is to Rick and he's holding most of my weight supporting me.
"Merle's daddy used to cook up meth in one of his trailers. My father was a frequent buyer and he'd drag me along.
"First time Id met Merle; he pulled this man of of me. I was 9 and waiting in the car while my father smoked his 'medicine' inside. He'd said he was only running in to pick it up but after 10 minutes I knew it wasn't going to be a quick visit.
"So, when 2 hours passed and my father still didn't come out, I went in to get him. The trailer had a few people in it, most of them passed out but a man came out of nowhere and grabbed me.
"He'd thrown me on the bed and crawled on top of me. I reckon Merle heard me scream because he busted in, saw what was happening and beat the ever-loving fuck outta the other guy.
"Honestly, he probably killed him." I shrug as much as I can with Rick wrapped around me. "But afterwards Merle helped me find my father and load him up in the truck so I could drive us back home.
"I've seen him many more times over the years and he's always kept an eye out for me." I sigh. "Merle may be a surly, racist bastard, but he never hurt kids."
"He's always kinda been there when I was in the shittiest situations. Guess now is no different."
There's a few moments of awkward silence and I realize I kinda just trauma dumped on a group of random strangers at the end of the world. "So… My name's Indy and this is Rick…" I trail off uncomfortably.
Everyone introduces themselves and then Glenn brings us back to the real problem at hand. "So, how the hell are we gonna get out of here?"
oOoOoOoOoOo
Rick slowly walks me over to a wall and helps me to sit down. Him and Glenn have volunteered for their asinine plan to gut a Biter and wear said guts to mask their scent so they can walk through a crowd of them to find a car that's unlocked, with keys and has enough gas so they can swing by and grab us, and we can be on our way.
In other words, were screwed.
Rick crouches down beside me and cups the non bruised side of my face. "You gonna be alright while im gone?"
"Yeah." I look him in the eyes, "But you better not die on me Ricky."
He cracks a smile and presses a very gentle kiss to my hair. "Wouldn't dream of it Indiana."
I slap his knee as he chuckles and then he and Glenn are off.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Rick's POV
Walking away from Indy while she was hurt was so incredibly hard, but it had to be done. We need to get the hell out of here and while this may not be the best plan, its pretty much the only one we've got left.
Surprisingly, the hardest part of this wasn't chopping open some guys dead body. It was breathing in the wretched stank of said decomposing body. Not gonna lie, it feels like this is Wayne Dunlap's way of getting revenge from the great beyond or something.
Or maybe his revenge was when the sky opened up and began to pour down on us. Either way it fucking sucked.
Glenn was panicking and I was trying my damnedest not to as well but when the Biters started to take notice of us, Glenn and I booked it.
Running with a couple pounds of rotting walker guts wrapped around you isn't fun or easy, and I was starting to tire out, when Glenn, who was way ahead of me, got a box truck started. I shed my Biter jacket and threw myself in and once again, Glenn booked it.
I was just able to catch my breath when Glenn pulled over.
"Why the hell did you stop?!"
"Because we aren't gonna make it without some sort of distraction! The horde behind us is going to quickly meet up with the one at the department store. Then we'll really be fucked! But you see those cars over there? If I can get in one and get it started, I can drive in the opposite direction and cause a distraction. The walkers will follow the noise of the horn or something, then you can grab the others and we'll all meet up back at the quarry."
Before I could even fully process, he was out the drivers side door and sprinting towards a group of cars. I stayed long enough to see him get in one and turn it on before driving off myself back towards the store and Indy.
As I was making a sharp turn, my walkie fell, and I remembered I'd need to fill everyone else in on the new plan.
"Indy, Morgan do you read me? There's been a slight change in plans. Indy I'm heading back towards ya'll. I'm in a box truck and I'm going to pull up at the loading docks so make your ways down there. we really don't have any time to waste.
"Morgan, Glenn is going to be heading your way. He's drawing a group of walkers away from the department store, then he's gonna circle around and head to you. Follow him on up to the quarry. The rest of us will be following soon."
Once I get confirmations from everyone, I put all my focus into driving this damn truck.
I pull up to the loading dock and the Biters are swarming. I hear the back of the truck fly up and look back long enough to make sure everyone is climbing in, and I hit the gas as soon as they start shouting to go.
The next hour is a blur of yelling, driving, and avoiding huge swarms of biters from overwhelming the truck.
Its only when we make it out of the city, away from any hordes, and are on our way to the quarry, that I finally unclench.
I continue driving for maybe a mile and a half longer, when I see Morgan leaned against the suv, so I pull over behind him.
Through the windshield, I see him talking into his walkie. The grim look on his face makes my heart drop as I get out of the car.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Indy's POV
After Rick tells us the new plan, we all scramble to get our shit and go. My head is pounding, my vision is doubled and I'm nauseous as hell but its do or die right now. The others are collecting their stuff while I shuffle over to Merle and uncuff him.
He'd woken up not too long after Glenn and Rick left and has been uncharacteristically silent ever since.
"Ole Merle gotchu good didn't he girlie?"
I don't respond, mostly cause it'd be a waste of energy. My swollen, black and blue face can attest to how good he got me.
Merle grunts and groans as he gets up, and once he's fully on his feet, he slings his arm around my waist and puts my arm over his shoulder so he's supporting me.
When I look at him questioningly, he snorts.
"Been saving that perky lil ass for 10 years, ain't about to stop now. Now quit yo gawkin and move them feet."
We moved as fast as we could but ultimately it wasn't fast enough. The group was hauling ass and making all kinds of noise in their haste. The biters had evidently put it into high gear and by the time Merle and I made it halfway to the loading doc, the group was out of sight and the biters had broken through the windows and doors.
I had no idea if there was an alternate route we could go and apparently neither did Merle, and there wasn't much time to breathe, much less think so Merle hauled me over his shoulder and made a break for the stairs.
We made it back to the roof in time for me to see the box truck driving away, and Merle to chain the roof door shut.
Merle sat me propped against the wall and for who knows how long, all I could register was pain. The adrenaline was fading, and my concussion was making itself well known.
When I opened my mouth to speak, I lost any food that was left in my stomach, and I must have passed out because the next time I opened my eyes, I was lying down with my head propped against my pack.
I heard snoring and slowly looked to my left to see merle passed out beside me. My mind felt so groggy, but I remembered everything that happened, so hopefully my concussion wasn't too severe. It did hurt to move but the pain wasn't as excruciating as it was earlier, so I slowly sat myself up.
I couldn't tell how much time had passed but I don't think it was very much.
I grabbed my pack and reached in for some ibuprofen, water, a granola bar, and my hand also hit my walkie, so I grab that as well to try and contact Morgan. I figured Rick was either still driving and I didn't want to distract him, or him and Morgan were together and would both respond.
"Morgan, do you copy?" I asked and my voice sounded like shit.
"I'm here Indy. Are you guys okay? You don't sound so good."
"Yeah , well. There's been a bit of a SNAFU on my end. I'm still at the department store. I'm here with someone, but Rick and the others got out. They should be making their way to you soon. I'm actually kind of surprised he isn't with you yet."
There were a few moments of silence on Morgan's end. "Indy. Why the fuck are you still at the goddamn department store?." His voice was heavily strained, and I could tell he wanted to yell.
"Yeah well, I didn't exactly plan on it, thanks. There was an incident, a few of them really, and I'm pretty sure I've got a concussion.
"We were following behind the group, but it was a little slow going and the others were hauling ass, then the Biters broke through and we got separated. We didn't really have any alternatives besides 'get back to the roof and barricade the door,' which we've done, and it seems to be holding up pretty well."
I take a moment to catch my breath and take the medicine.
"Listen, I don't think I have enough energy to get off this roof right now. I want to apparate a few roofs over but I'm pretty sure ill splinch myself in half if I try, so I'm gonna ward the roof as best I can and hunker in for the night.
"You and Rick need to continue on to the quarry. I'm like 95% sure his family is actually there, and he deserves to see them. You know very well I can hold my own for a night and it'll be too dangerous to turn around right now.
"In the morning, I know Rick will come back and probably so will a few of the others," I say thinking of Daryl, "and we'll be right where we were left so there won't be any scrambling to find us. Hopefully by morning most of the biters clear out as well."
There was a heavy sigh on Morgan's end, but there's wasn't really much he could say or do. We have to make the best of a shit situation.
"First thing in the morning, were heading back to you. And I want hourly updates on the walkie until you settle in for the night."
"Yeah alright. I would say not to worry but I know how unlikely that is. I will see you tomorrow Morgan. Give kisses to Rosie, Duane and Rhodey for me. Later."
"One hour Indy."
oOoOoOoOoOo
Rick's POV
Hearing Morgan say that Indy isn't in the back of the truck id been driving for God knows how long took a few minutes to sink in. it wasn't until I was yanking the shutter door up, staring into faces that weren't hers that it clicked.
She got left behind. By me.
The world tilted and the ground was rushing towards me when strong hands grabbed me by the shoulders. Morgan's face was a blur, but it cleared up real fast after he slapped me.
"Pull it together Rick this is no time for dramatics. I told you Indy is fine. When she checks back in you can see for yourself."
Morgan supported me until I calmed down and could stand on my own. I still felt a little weak in the knees, but it soon turned to rage as I looked into the back of the box truck. Not one of them sitting back there would meet my eyes.
"So yall really let me drive and just never mentioned that Indy wasn't in the back as well?! We voluntarily helped you selfish fuckers when we didn't have to, and this is how you repay us? By letting her get left behind?" I was pacing right in front of the open shutter door when Morales jumped out and got in my face.
"Listen here Blanco, we got people waiting on us back at camp. My wife and kids, Andrea's sister. We made it to the truck and if your little girlfriend wanted out, she should've made it too. Plus, you just said she was okay. You can go back and get her but I'm getting back to my family."
I didn't even think when I swung. I just did and next thing I knew, Morgan was pulling me off the man I was beating into the ground.
I jerked out of Morgan's grip and stormed over to the truck. Despite my anger, I gently lifted a smiling Rosie from her carseat and walked back over to the others.
"You're not the only ones with family you fucker! And if this baby girl loses her mother, that shit's on you. All of you."
oOoOoOoOoOo
The rest of the ride to the quarry is quiet. I climbed back into the SUV with Morgan and let the others sort out who was going to drive the box truck and whatnot. Morgan said Glenn had gone ahead to let everyone know we were coming.
We weren't too far from the quarry anyways, so I didn't bother putting Rosie back in her seat. It felt good to cuddle up with her in the front seat and I wasn't going to lose my shit while I was holding her.
Morgan had pushed a bottle of water and a sandwich into my hands, and I took my time with it, sharing tiny pieces with Rosie. Her soft 'all gone' when the sandwich was finished soothing my spirit just a little bit more.
When we were almost there, I hear Indy's voice coming from the walkie and quickly snatch it up.
"Indy? Its Rick. I'm so damn sorry you got left behind darlin'. I didn't even realize until we met up with Morgan and if that doesn't make me feel like a piece of shit, I don't know what would. I never would've drove off if I knew you weren't in the back, you gotta know that."
"Yeah, I know it just fine Ricky. But the walkers busted through the windows and doors and they're could've been an alternate way but neither Merle nor I knew one so were back on the roof. I warded as best I can and set up a little shelter for Merle and I so we'll be good until you guys come back, but its okay Rick really it is. No hard feelings."
I still feel guilty and I know that's not going to go away until I physically see Indy again, but I feel a tiny bit better having spoken to her. Plus, it puts a little smile on my face to hear Rosie babble into the walkie to Indy.
We sign off, Rosie with a sweet 'bye bye mama', and I try to psych myself up for what's next, good or bad.
In moments, were pulling into the quarry and I take another minute while everyone is getting out.
I hear Morales make a comment about me and step out of the SUV, doing a quick scan of the small crowd gathered round.
When I see Carl, its like time slows down. It takes only a few seconds for him to register I'm actually here, before he takes off in a dead sprint towards me, screaming 'DAD!'
It almost feels like I'm back in Indy's vision, but when Carl slams into the side of me I know its real.
This is real and its so goddamn overwhelming. Days ago, I woke up from a months long coma in the hospital and learned the world fucking ended. Now I'm hugging my son in the quarry we used to camp in during the summer, surrounded by people I don't know, holding my friends newly acquired baby. Against all odds I made it here. The only thing that could've made this perfect was if Indy was here as well.
Carl, Rosie, and I collapse on the ground, and I hold onto them for dear life, and I don't let up until Rosie starts squirming.
I stand up holding both kids, but I almost have to sit back down when I see my very pregnant wife waddling up to me with Shane supporting her. The possessive hand he has on Lori's stomach and the glint in his eye very telling. Especially because I had a vasectomy when Carl was 2.
"Morgan," I call. "Can you come take Rosie?" I pass her off with a kiss to her head.
When Shane and Lori reach me, I pull a sobbing Lori into a hug around Carl, who still hasn't let me go.
"I thought I'd never see you again Rick!" Lori cries. "Shane told me you were dead!"
"Its cuz I thought you were brother," Shane interjects. "I put my head to your chest and didn't hear anything. But I barricaded your room. They were shooting patients in their beds. So, I blocked the door and got Lori and Carl the hell out of there. I swear I never would've left you there if I thought you, were still alive man."
In my head, that makes no fucking sense. Why would he need to put his head to my chest when I was hooked up to machinery? And why barricade the door for a dead man?
But instead of voicing my thoughts, I give Lori another squeeze and let go, before clasping Shane on the shoulder. "I understand man. Thank you for making sure they were safe. I'm very grateful."
Because I am. My son is safe and alive and in my arms. And I 100% understand that the baby currently in Lori is his. Me being 'dead' left space for him in my family. I'm understanding a whole lot right now.
oOoOoOoOoOo
After the sun has set and we've eaten, we all sit gathered around the low burning campfire and I talk about how absolutely wild the past couple of days have been for me. Everything I remember from getting shot, to meeting Morgan, Indy, Duane, Rosie and Rhodey, to now, I explain it all, with some light censoring.
And in turn I learn more about the group. Everyone's names, and a little bit of their stories. The bombing of Atlanta and how everyone had migrated to the quarry from the blocked-up highway.
Its very late when everyone collectively decides to turn in. Earlier Carl and I helped Morgan and Duane set up some tents in an empty spot. To my great relief, the boys really hit it off well and were on their way to becoming best friends.
Things get a little awkward when Lori assumes id be sleeping in the tent with her, but I literally cannot make myself do that, after everything I've learned and realized today.
So, when Rosie toddles herself over to me and won't let me go, I use it as the perfect excuse to sleep in a separate tent with her, Carl and Rhodey, who Carl absolutely adores, and Lori is terrified of.
It takes little time to get Carl and Rhodey settled but Rosie isn't having it. Her quiet little sobs are killing me, and I just know its because she's missing Indy. Morgan brings me a spelled warm bottle and thankfully its enough to calm her.
As she drifts off, I kiss her forehead and make her a promise. "You'll have your mama back tomorrow princess, I promise."
When she's asleep, I arrange us all on the large blow-up mattress, one kid on either side of me cuddled in, and Rhodey dozing by the tent entrance. I'm asleep seconds after my head hits the pillow.
oOoOoOoOoOo