A/N- I know, last chapter. I'm sorry guys lol No worries, Daryl will make it all better. Plus, we are gonna get to know more about why Murphy has never brought Aurora up before now. Ready? Let's go!
The sun had already risen when I finally woke up. I groan a bit and rub my eyes, I knew Daryl was up already, he was an early riser. I sigh softly and lay there for a bit trying to get my bearings. I slowly roll over on my side and open my eyes. I couldn't help but smile at the site in front of me. Two Cherokee roses laid on Daryl's pillow, stems gently tied together with a piece of twine. I lift my hand and gently touch the petals, I think back to the story Daryl told me. I smile and sit up slowly before picking the flowers up. I bring them to my nose and inhale their sweet scent. I lay the flowers back down, this time on my pillow, before getting to my feet. I slip out of Daryl's shirt and rummage around my bag before pulling out a pair of jeans and a dingy white tank top. I slip them on before grabbing my boots, slipping them on and pulling my hair back into a ponytail. I smooth my clothes down and head outside.
"Mornin'" I say as usual.
"Mornin'" Everyone says in unison.
Carol was crouched cooking eggs, everyone else was scattered around, eating and doing their own little things. I glance towards Toby who was sitting on the ground by what was his tent for now. I just roll my eyes, I was still hurting from last night, I held my head up high, he wasn't going to get to me, not again. I smile and ruffle Carl's hair as I walk past him, smile at Lori and Rick. As I walk by Daryl I feel him grab my wrist. I turn towards him and he pulls me onto his lap as he sits in a black camp chair. I laugh a bit, it's cute to see Daryl play big dog in the yard with Toby.
"Mornin'" I whisper sweetly.
"Mornin'" He says back in his rough still waking up tone.
Daryl holds his plate out to Carol, who spoons eggs onto it. She smiles and walks away for a moment, only to retrieve a plate and spoon the rest of the eggs on it for me. I go to move, but Daryl grunts and tells me to stay put. I look towards Toby, he was glaring as he ate his eggs. I could only imagine what he was thinking right now.
"I don't want to hurt your side." I say softly.
"Gonna hurt one way or another, so stay put and eat woman." He says taking a bite of his eggs.
"Whatever, redneck." I joke softly. "Thanks for last night by the way Dixon." I add.
"Anytime, told ya I would always help ya pick up the pieces." He says.
We all ate in silence, the rain from last night had long tapered off, but the breeze was still a bit cool. I glance towards Abby who was walking out of her and Shane's tent. I smile and wave, she smiles back. I look at Glenn and notice he looked a bit worried, pale even. I look around as I eat my eggs. Of course I laugh a bit when I see Daryl eating with his fingers. I shake my head and lean forward kissing his forehead. He gives me a strange look and I just smirk before popping some of my eggs into my mouth. I see Glenn walk towards the middle of the camp, looking as if he was walking to his death.
"Um, Guys..." Glenn says standing in front of us.
We all look at Glenn, a bit of nervousness settles over us wondering what it could be he wanted to say and why he looked too scared to say it.
"So...the barn's full of walkers." He says.
We all freeze, did we hear him right? I choke a bit on my eggs as we all stare in silence. No, this wasn't happening. Abby was on her feet, walking towards Glenn as she speaks, well more like yells.
"The fuck you mean, there's walkers in the barn?" She asks.
"Abby, calm down. There has to be a reason behind it." Rick says.
We all sit stunned, I admit I felt a chill run up my spine. We all look towards the barn then get to out feet, we had to check this out. I look at Daryl and then Rick as we head down to the barn, well all but Toby, he didn't give a shit what went on with us, he was just happy torturing me. The tension in the group spread like wild fire. I know Shane already had his issues, but somehow I knew this was going to only add fuel to his fire. We all stop a few feet from the barn, but Shane walks right up to the doors to investigate. He shakes the door and pulls on the locks, I admit I wondered how long till those doors break.
"You can not tell me you're alright with this." Shane said walking towards Rick.
"No, I'm not, but we're guest here. This isn't our land." Rick says.
I was still in disbelief, who the fuck keeps a barn full of walkers? What reason could anyone possible have for it? I feel Abby come up next to me, I glance at her, she was thinking the same thing.
"Oh my God, this is our lives man!" Shane yells.
"Lower your voice." Glenn warns in a fearful tone.
"We can't just sweet this under the rug." Andrea says.
"It ain't right, not remotely." T-Dogg adds.
"Their right Rick, this can't be contained. This is a massacre waitin' to happen." I say.
"We've gotta go in there, we gotta make things right or we just gotta go." Shane says. "Now, we have been talking about Fort Benning for a long time." He adds.
"We can't go." Rick says behind clenched teeth.
"Why Rick, why?" Shane asks.
"Cause my daughter's still out there." Carol says softly.
I admit, I was losing hope for Sophia. How long could she have really lasted out there on her own. I shake my head, I felt it in my bones, tensions were going to boil over and we would all be lucky to be standing at the end of it.
"Ok..." Shane snorts. "Carol, I think it's time we all start to just consider the other possibilities." Shane adds.
"Shane, we're not leaving Sophia behind." Rick says.
"I'm close to finding this girl. I just found a damn doll two days ago." Daryl growls.
"You found her doll Daryl, that's what you did, you found a doll." Shane snaps.
"You don't know what the yer talkin' bout." Daryl growled back.
"Man, look, I'm just sayin' what needs to be said." Shane says.
I reach out for Daryl as Abby reaches for Shane, I could see this coming. Daryl and Shane were like positive and negative, they were never going to truly mesh. Rick attempts to interject, but his warnings seem to go un noticed.
"Now you get a good lead, it's in the first forty eight hours." Shane says. "Let me tell you something else." Shane adds turning his attention to Daryl. "If she was alive out there and saw you comin', all methed out with your buck knife and geek ears around your neck, she would run in the other direction." Shane yelled.
"Shut the fuck up Shane, you got no right!" I yelled back.
"Shane, calm down this isn't helpin'" Abby said.
Before anyone could say anything Daryl swats at Shane and Shane lunges. Everyone joined in to pry them apart. Abby and I got between them, I manage, with the help of Glenn, to shove Daryl back a bit. Abby manages to get Shane back with the help of Lori and Rick. They both yell and continue to try and get at each other. Finally we manage to put distance between them. Rick tells them both to back off. I stand in front of Daryl, Abby moves next to Shane and everyone was ready to break them up again if needed.
"Now, just let me talk to Hershel, let me figure it out." Rick says.
"MAN WHAT ARE YOU GONNA FIGURE OUT?" Shane yells
"If we're gonna stay, if we're gonna clear this barn, I have to talk him into it. This is his land!" Rick yells back.
"This is fuckin' suicide! We have to do something. It's either us or them and I fuckin' choose us damn it! You better get real good at talkin' to him Rick. No disrespect, but I'm not living next door to walkers. I'd have better luck walkin' through the woods with raw meet strapped to my back" I say.
"Hershel sees those things in there as people, sick people. His wife, his step son." Dale interjects.
"You knew?" Rick asks, a bit shocked.
"Yesterday, I talked to Hershel." Dale says.
"What the hell, Dale?" I yell.
"And you waited a night?" Shane says.
"Come on Dale! You should of told us. It's not like our group has luck on it's side." Abby says.
"I thought we could survive one more night...and we did." Dale says.
I run a hand over my head, this was fucking ridiculous. I was scared, frustrated. I was with Shane right now, we needed to kill those things as soon as possible, I wasn't willing to bet our lives.
"I was waiting till this morning to say something, but Glenn wanted to be the one." Dale says.
"THE MAN IS CRAZY, IF HERSHEL THINKS THESE THINGS ARE ALIVE!" Shane yells
Rick tries to interject, but the raised voices got the walkers stirred up. I jump back and feel Daryl push me behind him.
"This is getting out of hand, we need to handle this Rick. We can't just forget about this, ever fuckin' second we spend standing here arguing, those things in there are smellin' dinner." I yell.
Rick walks away to talk to Hershel. Shane begins to walk around inspecting the barn while everyone heads back towards camp. I grab Daryl's hand and stop him, I pull him away from the group and we walk towards the field a bit.
"You plannin' on going out lookin' for Sophia today?" I ask.
"Course, 'specially now with the those things in the fuckin' barn. Ain't safe." He says.
"I know. I um, before this bombshell, I had wanted to thank you for my flowers." I say.
This was my attempt to change the subject, have a moment where neither of our minds were on the fact walkers were in our backyard.
"Yer welcome, they made me think of Aurora." He says softly.
"It means a lot to me, it really does." I say softly.
Daryl flinches when I hug him, but I was compelled to, he has done so much for me. I exhale when I feel an arm come around me. I look up at him, he was still tense, pissed off from the thing with Shane.
"I know, he shouldn't have talked to you like that." I say letting him go.
"Sum bitch had no right, he wants a fight I'll stomp his ass. Ain't 'fraid of that pig." Daryl growls.
"He's right about the walkers though, that barns not safe and we're all in danger." I sigh.
"I know, which is why I need to find Sophia so we can get the hell outta here. I won't keep you in danger, Murph." He says.
"Thanks Dixon." I say.
"Always, I'm not gonna risk lettin' ya become one of those things." He says.
I smile, even though right now I felt like my heart was gonna beat out of my chest. I look around, I was grateful that my Aurora didn't have to be stuck in this world, stuck in this hell with everyday the risk of her becoming a walker was over our heads.
"Be careful, please. I don't wanna lose you Dixon, I can't. Not when I might kind of love you and would maybe be a little sad if I lost you." I say.
"Crazy woman." He says.
We slowly make our way back towards camp. I see Toby walking into the tent, I was glad that I wouldn't have to deal with him for now. Tensions were running high, everyone was trying to figure out what we were going to do. I grab Abby, tell her let's go let off some steam out by the make shift gun range. She nods and we walk over to retrieve our eagles from Dale. I tell Shane we'll be back, he only nods as we head out. I climb behind the wheel of the station wagon and we head a few miles up the road. I guess Abby could feel my tension because she was the first to break the silence.
"Well, today has gone to shit." She says as we climb out of the car.
"Tell me about it, but I expected it after last night." I say loading my guns.
"Toby kept on being an ass?" She asked loading her clips.
"Yeah, he taunted me about Aurora, told Daryl I was a bitch who couldn't have puppies." I say.
"I'm sorry babe, you know he's an ass. He just wants to make everyone just as unhappy as he is." She says.
"I didn't let him see my cry. I ran off into the woods like an idiot to do that." I say as we walk towards the fence.
"What'd Daryl say?" She asked as we begin to shoot.
"He was surprisingly understanding, reassured me it was all ok. He's a good man, but I think he sees that as a sign of weakness." I say hitting the no trespassing sign.
"Yeah, I can see that in him. I'm glad you found someone who treats you good Murph, you deserve it." She says nailing the same sign.
"Thanks, I hope one day maybe he will open up to me. I told him about Aurora, all about her. How I was shocked to learn I was pregnant, how I felt losing her." I say letting my anger show in my voice. "But part of me is relieved in a way, I wouldn't want my little girl growing up in this world. Having to fear every day that she could become one of those things." I add.
"You're right in a way, but like I told you, she's the little angel on your shoulder." Abby says as we continue to hit our targets.
"Thanks babe." I say with a smile. "So um, what about you and Shane?" I ask.
"What about us? I'm not looking for love. He helps me forget the shit storm we face every day." She says.
"Ah, nothing wrong with that. In times like these, everyone does what they gotta." I say.
"Yeah, plus he is all hung up on Lori. We flirt, sneak little kisses, have mind blowing sex, but I am not looking for a romance. I'll leave that to you and squirrel boy." She says.
"Thanks." I laugh. "Do what makes ya happy, but he better not hurt ya or I'll put a bullet in his ass." I say.
"Hoes over bros." Abby laughs.
I laugh as well as we continue to shoot. It was stress relieving, though the walkers in the barn were still in the back of our minds. We let about an hour or two pass before deciding to head back. The ride was peaceful, just for a few moments my neck and shoulders weren't tense, my stomach wasn't in knots and I had a bit of hope. I feel Abby reach over and squeeze my hand and smile at me, I smile back.
As we pull back up to camp I see some people gathered on the porch. Abby and I look at each other and then get out of the car. We holster out guns and walk towards the porch just as Andrea and T-Dogg approach as well.
"Do you know what's going on?" T-Dogg asks.
"Where is everyone?" Andrea asks.
"You haven't seen Rick?" Glenn inquires.
"He went off with Hershel. We were suppose to leave a couple of hours ago." Andrea says.
"Ain't the time to be runnin' off, now is it?" Abby says.
"Yeah, you were. What the hell?" Daryl asks as he and Carol walk up.
"Rick told us he was going out." Carol adds.
"Ok, this is freakin' great. No one knows where Rick is. Where the hell is Shane and Dale? Is no one in their right fuckin' mind today?" I ask.
"DAMN IT! Isn' anyone takin' this seriously? We got us a damn trail." Daryl says as he motions by swatting the air.
"We can't afford to be sitting ducks, Sophia can't afford us NOT being out there doing something!" I snap.
We were all frustrated and now with Rick missing was like a kick in the face in a way. How could he disappear at a time like this? I go to speak, but I'm cut off by Daryl motioning towards Shane approaching.
"Oh, here we go." Daryl says.
"You with me man?" Shane asks Daryl.
"Yeah." Daryl says as he takes the shot gun from Shane.
"Time to grow up! You got yours?" Shane asks Andrea, Abby and I.
"Yeah." Abby and I say in unison as we draw our eagles.
"Yeah, where's Dale?" Andrea asks.
"He's comin'." Shane answers.
"Thought we couldn't carry? T-Dogg asks.
"Yeah, well we can and we have too." Shane answers back.
"Will someone please explain what the fuck is going on?" I ask. "What are we doing?" I add.
"Now look, it was one thing to be standing round here pickin' daises when we thought this place was safe, but now we know it ain't." Shane yells.
I shake my head and look around, yeah the shit just hit the fan. Abby and I move behind Daryl as Shane walks over to Glenn and holds out a shot gun.
"How about you? You gonna protect yours?" Shane asks.
Glenn hesitates, but then takes the shot gun. I wasn't paying attention as Shane said something to Maggie and she said something back. I glance towards the barn and then back at Shane who was arguing with Lori now. I look at Daryl who looked a bit lost like the rest of us did.
"I think Shane's losin' it." I say.
"I think he's sayin' what needs to be said." Daryl answers back.
"Not doubtin' that, but is this the way to go about it?" I ask.
"Seems like the only way, some people are hard learners." Daryl says.
"Oh shit." T-Dogg says.
We all turn just in time to see Rick and Hershel leading two walkers. I admit, I was floored.
"What the fuck?" I say.
"What is that?" Shane says.
We all take off running towards Rick, we had to have answers now. Had he lost his fucking mind? This was only building the anger most of us felt. Shane started circling Rick and Hershel like a rabid dog. On instinct Abby and I both draw our eagles and train them on the walkers.
"Man, what the hell you doing?" Shane yells at Rick.
"Shane just back off!" Rick yells
"Why do your people have guns?" Hershel asked.
"Why the fuck do you think you fuckin' lunatic?" Abby yells.
"You're holdin' on to things trying to fuckin' kill us, THAT'S WHY!" I yell.
"Are you kidding me? You see? You see what they're holding on to?" Shane asks.
"I see who I'm holding on to." Hershel yells.
"Rick, come on, this is fuckin' suicide. Zero tolerance for walkers, no matter who the hell they are. This is insane, you need to use your head!" I yell.
"Murph, I got this. Please!" Rick yelled.
Abby and I keep our eagles trained. Hershel really way crazy, he really thought these people could be restored. I shake my head, in the chaos I didn't see Toby just standing watching everything unfold. He was good at playing the sideline, not that he was important at the moment. No, right protecting myself and those I loved was the only thing on my mind. Everything was so loud, Shane yelling at Rick and Hershel, Hershel trying to justify things and Rick trying to calm Shane. Of course it wasn't working and Shane was just getting more riled up by the minute. I admit, I was ready to put an end to all this bullshit.
"Shane, just let us do this, then we can talk!" Rick yells.
"Time for talkin's been long gone Rick." Abby says.
"Whatcha wanna talk about, Rick? These things ain't sick, they're not people. They're dead! Ain't gotta feel nothin' for them, cause all they do, they kill. THESE THINGS RIGHT HERE! THEY'RE THE THINGS THAT KILLED AMY! THEY KILLED OTIS! Gonna kill all of us unless we do something!" Shane yelled.
"Shane! Shut up!" Rick yells.
"Come on Rick, he's right! You think you can talk to these things? They kill, it's all they know how to do. It's us or them and I fucking choose us!" I yell. "I'm not living in fear with these things bitin' at our damn heels Rick. THIS IS SUICIDE!" I add.
"She's right! Come on Rick, you think this is smart? You puttin' them things in the barn, livin next to them is signin' our own damn death warrants!" Abby yells.
Shane begins to yell at Hershel, he takes aim and shoots one of the walkers as he yells. Abby and I keep our eagles trained, we were all running on adrenaline and when the smoke cleared I wasn't sure we would all be standing. Rick yells at Shane, but Shane continues, shooting the walker to make his point. Right now I was on Shane's side, I wasn't up to living among walkers. Even if Shane may be going about it wrong, I couldn't fault him, he was doping what we were all thinking.
"Enough!" Rick yells
"Yeah, you right man, that is enough." Shane says shooting the walker in the head.
Silence, it was deafening. Some were shocked, but not me. I saw this coming, and even if Shane was in the wrong, he was doing what needed to be done, he was forcing people to open their eyes and see the reality. See that we needed to put these things down before they had to chance to kill one of us. Shane begins to pace like a caged animal as he yells.
"ENOUGH, RISKING OUR LIVES FOR A LITTLE GIRL THAT'S GONE! ENOUGH, LIVIN' NEXT DOOR TO A BARN FULL OF THINGS TRYING TO KILL US. EHOUGH!" Shane yells. "RICK, IT AIN'T LIKE IT WAS BEFORE! NOW IF YA'LL WANNA LIVE, IF YOU WANNA SURVIVE, YOU GOTTA FIGHT FOR IT. I'M TALKIN' ABOUT FIGHT, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!" Shane screams.
Shane runs for the barn. He starts breaking open the door as Rick yells for him to stop. Abby and I get on each side of Daryl, one gun trained on the doors the other trained on the walker Rick had. My pulse was racing, my throat was dry and I was trying not to panic. This could be the end, this could be game over for us all, just because some idiot thinks he can save these people.
The doors come open and all hell breaks loose. Abby and I were shooting walkers in the head left and right, bodies were hitting the ground, blood was splattering everywhere. This was a massacre, but it was necessary. There was no middle ground for walkers, no other option but a bullet to the brain. Rick screams at Hershel, begging him to take the pole. Hershel was in a trance, of course you would be to if you think your family was being massacred. We all stand on the front line clearing walker after walker, the gun shots echoed through the air and it seemed like hours passed before the barn was empty. I should of felt a bit guilty, but I didn't. These people were long since dead. I know it sounds cold, but it's reality.
I guess the silence was the calm before the storm. There was a growl, the barn doors started to creak and everyone raised their guns once more. Fuck, how many things were in the damn barn? Then I saw it, the thing that dropped me to my knees. Walking from the barn was little Sophia. The side of her neck ripped open, her eyes sunken in. I hear Carol yell "Sophia!" and run towards her little girl. Luckily Daryl was there to catch her, hold her so she didn't get too close to what was not her daughter. Everyone was silent, in shock. We spent weeks looking for this girl, Daryl almost died, I almost got bit and this is how the search for Sophia was going to end.
Rick steps forward and slowly raises his revolver. It was only right he was the one to end her suffering, he was the one who Carol held responsible. A single shot echoed and little Sophia crumpled to the ground. Carol sobbed in Daryl's arms, everyone else stood stunned, too afraid to move. Abby held on to Shane and cried and I just sat their on my knees, staring blankly into the barn. Of course things weren't quite over yet, no...there in the shadows of the barn emerged one more walker. Tall, long black hair dirty and tangled, clothes ripped. It's tattooed arms had chunks of missing flesh. My mouth dropped and Abby screamed out, it was Joshua. No, no no no, it couldn't be him. We had packed him up and sent him north, what had happened? My eyes were already tearing for Sophia and now Joshua only made my heart hurt worse.
Joshua gets closer, I look up at him as he reaches me and say "sorry" before pulling the trigger on my eagle. Blood splatters everywhere, I duck not to get it in my face as it splatters on my neck and shoulders. Joshua's body drops in front of me and Abby is there in a second. I put an arm around her and she buries her face in the crook of my neck as she cries. I reach down and brush Joshua's hair from his face. My poor Josh, I had convinced myself he had made it to Tennessee, that he was safe.
I lower my head and silently pray as I hug Abby tight. Things weren't going to get easier, no, they were going to get harder and I accepted that. I accepted the fact that tomorrow wasn't guaranteed, hell the next six hours weren't even guaranteed. I look down at Joshua, I kiss my fingers and touch them to his cheek. Heaven gained two new angels today.
A/N- I debated forever whether or not to kill Sophia, but in the end I knew I had to. I want to keep key parts of the story, ya know? I hope you guys are enjoying. I hope my stuff isn't getting stale. :) Thanks for all the Favorites, Reviews and Alerts.