Woot! 5,000 hits :D Love you guys Let's get to 10,000 and celebrate together! Dedicate this chapter to guccileopard for being awesome as always, and I would put a heart but ffnet hates hearts so (heart).


We tried to make our way back to the ladder as quietly as possible to not attract any more walkers down here, but it was hard with the water sloshing around our feet and the occasional accidental stepping on a rodent. I mean, they deserved it but could they be a little more considerate?

"How's your lip?" Glenn asked before we reached the ladder.

"Not too bad. He didn't hit me that hard." I boasted since I didn't want to look like just some other weak girl, damsel in distress, whatever you wanna call it.

"Sure as hell looked like it." He retorted, not in a hurtful way though, I knew he was asking out of concern, but I already had Rick looking over me 24/7.

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I'm fine." I stopped myself before getting harsh, because I know I wouldn't have meant much of it.

I climbed up the ladder first, with Glenn following behind, and the two of us met with the group in the store. Before I was able to explain the situation to them, one of the walkers had already slammed a rock into the glass. It won't be long before they get through the flimsy second set of doors.

We rushed upstairs to the roof, and ignoring Merle's obnoxious remarks, I explained the obstacle in the way of getting to a sewer tunnel. I could feel their disappointment, but hell I survived this long, I'm sure we can find a way back to this refugee camp they've mentioned.

Rick was leaning over the edge, surveying the ruins with binoculars, where the group met him. I, personally, did not trust having my back to Merle, so I kept an eye on him while they all devised our plan of escape. Which brought me to the question of what the hell we were going to do with Merle – arrest him? No jail. Kick him out? Yeah right, besides Rick wouldn't be able to bring himself to sending a man out there on his own. Punish him? As much as I wanted that, the chances of the group agreeing to any sort of penalty are slim.

"Yeah but they were feeding, they were distracted!" I overhead Glenn argue against Rick's choice of getting to one of the box trucks in the streets, risky – but worth it.

"Can we distract them again?" Rick asked, putting the binoculars down.

"Right, kid's on to something," Merle interrupted, and to my surprise it wasn't just some sexual offer or racial slur, "A diversion."

"God, give it a rest," Jacqui cut in, but I wanted to avoid any insults being thrown in, so I spoke up, "He's right. A diversion is our best chance of getting out of here. I know the walkers, or geeks –whatever, can be easily outsmarted."

"Right," Glenn added skeptically, "What are we supposed to do? Just make a run for it like you guys did?"

"No, no," I corrected, man this kid was paranoid, "The walkers are drawn by sound and the smell of the living, they don't attack each other because they know if something is dead or not so if someone can-"

Glenn must've known where I was heading with my idea, and I could already see the fear in his eyes, "You're saying," he began, "you're saying w-we're gonna have to smell like them?"

Rick sighed and I nodded, "It's not going to be the nicest smell ever but it's not just our best chance of getting out, but our only chance."

Glenn shook his head, and I had a feeling he already knew that the group would be volunteering him to go.


"If bad ideas were an Olympic event, this would take the gold." Glenn muttered sarcastically. I snickered at his sense of humor, at least someone can keep me laughing now.

Morales, clearly doubtful of the plan, tried to stop Rick from gathering the clothes from the rack, "He's right, Rick. Just stop for a second and take some time to think this through."

"How much time?" Rick retorted, "They already got through one set of doors, that glass won't hold together." He tossed heavy duty gloves and work shirt to Glenn first, and that established the fact that he'd be the one going outside for the distraction.

Trust me, I tried to volunteer on the way back to the where we met the rest of the group in the first, but Rick flat out refused – something about not wanting to put me in danger anymore. I understood where he was coming from, but it annoyed me that he could be so overprotective sometimes. After some nagging, he explained that the separate group someone to lead them, so I dropped it.

After dragging in a dead walker from outside, Rick smashed the glass pane that held an axe with a crowbar. I really hope I can keep that axe later.

He was about to use the axe to smash the walker to shit, but he immediately dropped the axe and removed his helmet to kneel next to it. The hell was he doing?

Rick reached into its pocket and pulled the walker's ID out of his wallet, reading out the details and then handing it over to Glenn, who hesitated to grab it. I'm sure he was just as confused as everyone else.

I had a feeling this was some sort of funeral, which was nice, but unusual since we'd never done that before with any other walkers.

I kept my mouth shut and just waited for him to speak.

"This man used to be like us, had a family, worried about the bills – the superbowl." He paused for a moment to look over the slightly decomposed body, "If I find my sister, I'm gonna tell her about Wayne." I felt sort of…guilty for not thinking about walkers like this before. I always just saw them as something to brutally murder for what they did to my friends (hopefully not my family), but hearing that – it didn't change much about how I felt about killing but it certainly made me think about the walkers we'd encountered before and their lives before the world had gone to shit.

Glenn spoke up before Rick was about to bludgeon the walker, "He was an organ donor." Well that made this a lot easier, knowing that this is what the man would have wanted – not exactly in the most proper way, but still.

I was a little confused at the group's reactions to the walker being smashed to mush, but it was probably because I've become somewhat desensitized to this – and that really scares the hell out of me. I still can't really handle dead bodies, but seeing that horse getting torn apart by the walkers kinda did it for me. I let Andrea lean into me to shield her eyes and herself. As much as I didn't want the group getting used to this, I hoped they would since the world isn't gonna get any prettier from now on.

I had to admit though; the smell wasn't going to be something I'd be getting used to anytime soon.

Rick started with the legs and then the arms, which must have been tiring since he then handed the axe and the helmet to Morales. I was sympathetic to Glenn when he expressed that he was going to hurl, I knew that feeling, so I stood by him with my hand running over his back for support.

We all nodded after Rick asked if we were ready, and everyone began to dig into the guts of the walker. I dug in and clawed out several parts of its intestine to jokingly place around Glenn's shoulders as a boa. Well apparently it wasn't that funny, because as soon as I did, he threw up all over my boots. Curse my dark sense of humor…

I cringed and apologized quietly, then continued to smear more blood and guts all over his coat. The smell, plus with his vomit, was causing my stomach to churn already. You can keep it down, Isabelle. At least try to.

Once both Rick and Glenn were generously smeared with the insides of the walker, Rick asked if it was enough.

"More than enough." I pulled off my gloves to pinch my nose, "Get out of here, please." Didn't think I'd get a smile in response, but I did and I was glad that at least he could appreciate my jokes, I'll give Glenn some time to get used to it.

"What about Dixon?" T-Dog asked. 'What about him?' was what I wanted to say, still annoyed from our little "disagreement" earlier, but Rick was the one who handcuffed him, so I left it to him.

Rick stuffed his hand into his pocket to pull out a key, to which he tossed to T-Dog. They both shared a nod and it make me a little concerned that T-Dog would be going up there by himself to unlock Merle.

Glenn looked antsy to leave, but to be honest, I think Rick had something else in mind. He asked for the axe from Morales, and bluntly said, "We need more guts." I don't think the group was too excited about that.


Just before stepping outside, Rick turned and instructed all of us to be ready for when they get the truck, and I mouthed 'be careful' to Rick. I tried not to make myself too worried, but well, it's kinda hard to when someone you care about (but you know they can take care of themselves) is heading out into a city full of mindless cannibals.

I ran ahead of the group upstairs after snatching the binoculars from Morales, while also ignoring his bitching, eager to track Rick and Glenn's progress through the city. The group caught up behind me, and I leaned over the small wall of the building to scan the city for them.

"Can't see them…" I muttered under my breath, annoyed. There were too many things obstructing my view, and I suppose it was good I couldn't find them because that meant we did a pretty good job making them look and smell like walkers.

My eyes roamed around, when the jerky movements caught my eye. Found them!

They were doing pretty well blending in, their stiff movements, slow pace, tilted heads really helped. I gasped when I saw a couple turn their heads to them, but relaxed when they only sniffed them, hissed, and walked away. What a relief. This really was going to work!

Behind me, I could hear T-Dog trying to communicate with the survivors back at the camp, "T-Dog to base camp, can you hear me? Hello? T-Dog to base camp!" He repeated worriedly.

I could hear some static, but I tuned it out to concentrate on Glenn and Rick. I overheard bits and pieces of their conversation, although a majority of it was mainly "can you hear me?" or "can you repeat that?". I don't like radios and I know if I were in his position, I would've just smashed it from frustration like some caveman. But unlike me, T-Dog had patience, and was able to tell the survivors our location and current predicament.

I put the binoculars down for a moment to turn back to the group, "Guys, get your stuff ready," I instructed, "We gotta bounce as soon as they get to the truck."

Just as I was about to take another peek through the binoculars, I could hear the distinct roar of thunder above us. Oh shit, please, please, please don't rain. At least not right now.

I shoved the binoculars into Morales' hands, "Keep your eyes on them." I ordered before running to Glenn's bag to retrieve my foldable shovel.

"Wait!" I heard Andrea call me from behind, but I ignored it and went to the door.

She firmly gripped my forearm and pulled me back, "Where the hell do you think you're going?" She demanded.

"I need to do something!" I yelled back, reaching for the door handle.

"Isabelle, don't." She warned, "You know Rick wants you to stay here."

I sighed and stared down, she was right. But did I want to admit that? Hell no.

I really wanted to kick something, but instead kept it together and faced her, "Fine. I believe you." I said before dropping the shovel, "But if anything happens…" I trailed off, hoping for her to get the message. She nodded in agreement and we both went back to Morales.

Thankfully, he handed me the binoculars again, and my eyes roamed to find them since I'd lost them before.

My heart beat quickened when I saw them being chased by about forty to fifty walkers, and even when I saw Rick turn around and thrust the axe into several of their heads, I still had the urge to run down there and take care of them myself.

God damn having emotions.

I didn't want to watch anymore, and I know the group thought I was being indecisive by taking the binoculars and then giving them back, but I needed to be ready. I paced back and forth behind the group, because if anything happened to them down there, I'm not sure I'd be able to stomach witnessing it.

"They ain't gonna make it…" Merle mumbled to himself and I tried to keep it cool, but I just couldn't and didn't want to hear it. I stopped pacing and stopped to give him a swift slap to his face, the same way he hit me.

"Shut your fucking mouth!" I screamed, only for him to snort, call me a "bitch", and have the nerve to spit on me.

I know I shouldn't ever attack a man who was handcuffed and can't defend himself, but I didn't give a fuck anymore, he was getting on my last god damn nerve. I lunged at him to throw a punch to his nose, causing blood to spurt out and trickle down to his lips. Getting ready for another fist to his jaw, I was pulled off him by T-Dog and Morales, who were both trying to calm me down.

Honestly, if it weren't for Morales and T-Dog holding me back, I think I would've killed that motherfucker – handcuffs or no handcuffs.

Jacqui kept me away from Merle, trying to talk me down while the storm passed. It rained for several moments, and we just…waited. Kept waiting, kept our hopes up.

I didn't talk much either; I was just seated on the wet cement, waiting for anything.

"Isabelle, you okay?" Jacqui asked in a motherly way, and even though it annoyed me, I geuninely appreciated her concern.

"Yeah, just tired and-"

Everyone's heads perked as soon as we heard an engine rev up and tires screech, they made it! I pulled myself up and ran over to snatch the binoculars from Morales, oh my god they actually fucking made it!

We noticed that they began driving away in the truck, and Andrea panicked, "They're leaving! They're leaving us!"

"No, no they're not," I assured her, "They wouldn't. They're creating a distraction."

We stood there, watching the truck get farther and farther away - when we heard a car alarm ring in the distance and static come from the radio, followed by Glenn's voice, "Those geeks in front of the store are facing the street! Meet us there and be ready!" He hastily ordered.

"Come on, let's go! Let's go!" Morales yelled, throwing the groups' bags over his shoulders and handing the rest to us.

I slung Glenn's bag on my shoulder and picked up my shovel I'd dropped earlier, keeping the door open for the rest of the group to descend the stairs. T-Dog was still on the roof though, and I was waiting for him.

"Don't leave me here! You can't leave me here! Man you can't leave me here!" I could hear Merle yelling, pleading from his restraints. T-Dog and I stared at each other, and I nodded for him to go back and unlock him, our group would be able to handle Merle. At least that's what I hoped.

"I'll meet you down there! Go!" T-Dog told me, and even though I really didn't want to leave him up there alone with Merle, I followed his instructions and joined the group downstairs.

I heard more and more shouts from the roof, so I stayed at the bottom of the stairwell to wait for T-Dog. When he finally reached down here, I looked up and around him shocked, he was…alone. I tried to speak, but I choked over my words, and the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

"What's done is done, T-Dog," I began but was soon interrupted by the fragile glass creaking, "We'll talk later, let's go!" I added quickly, running to get past the store.

We reached the metal door, and before Jacqui and Andrea pulled the chain to bring the door up, Morales stopped them to press his ear to the door. It was silent. He waited a little longer since nobody wanted to take the risk of opening the door to be face to face with a group of walkers.

"Just open it! Now!" I ordered as soon as I heard the glass windows shatter from the store and the walkers shuffling.

Jacqui and Andrea pulled down the chain to lift the door, and thank god it was the box truck we'd been praying for. The back door flew open and Rick extended his arms to reach for the bags that Morales and I were throwing in. T-Dog stayed at our rear, keeping an eye out while rushing us to get the hell in the truck and out of there.

We all jumped into the back and just in time, Rick took off and I was able to kick several walkers away for Morales to close the back door. I sat there, panting and trying to catch my breath, before jumping into the front seat with Rick, on the brink of bursting into tears.


The ride was just…scarily silent. We knew what happened; we knew Merle was left behind somehow. I knew it wasn't on purpose, but the thought of it just made me start to shake.

T-Dog broke the silence with a guilt-ridden tone, "I dropped the damn key."

I pinched the bridge of my nose to keep myself from crying, but with my hands shaking it was nearly impossible. It's hard to explain why I was getting emotional, but can you imagine punching and yelling at someone and then finding out they're being left for dead on some fucking rooftop? I was also sympathizing with T-Dog, knowing you could've done something to save that person and you fucked it up somehow, it kills you inside – and it never leaves your conscience. You're stuck with that thought for the rest of your life.

I felt Rick grab my hand and give me a gentle squeeze, which calmed me somewhat but I still felt like a little whiny bitch for crying to myself, when it should be T-Dog feeling upset.

The group fell back to silence after T-Dog's confession as if they seemed…alright with it. Yes, I hated the man and I wanted to kill him, but I can't stomach the idea of him up there. I sniffled, trying my best to stay quiet and keeping my hand interlocked with Rick's, yeah it was unsafe with him having just one hand on the wheel but there wasn't anyone else on the road and it was starting to help.

"Where's Glenn?" Andrea asked, breaking the silence once again.

I noticed Rick's mouth tug into a small smile, "He found himself a nice ride." Seeing him smile, even a small one, brought one on my face as well, and I closed my eyes to get the most rest I could get. Hopefully when I wake up we'll be there already so I can just have some time away from everyone…


I woke up when Glenn drove past us with that stupid car alarm blaring and stretched in my seat. I probably slept for less than an hour or so, but any amount of sleep was better than nothing. I was still surprised that it'd been the same day we met the survivors; I was just about ready to crash.

Glenn drove ahead of us, and I went back to closing my eyes. They can wake me up some other tim-

The truck pulled to a stop in front of an isolated camp, so my worries of walkers following us flew out the window.

Morales opened the back door for T-Dog, Andrea, and Jacqui to get out; telling us to come outside and meet everybody before he left to join his family.

I unbuckled my seat belt and leaned forward to rub my tired eyes with my palms. The door to my right opened and it startled me, but it was just Rick opening the door for me. I gave him a small smile, but I didn't want to keep him waiting, while at the same time I really wasn't in the mood to be meeting more people.

"Go meet the others. You're the civil one in our rela-" whoops, word vomit, "yeah I don't like people." I quickly corrected myself. That's awkward.

He tugged my hand, "It won't be that bad, Isabelle."

"I'm tired." I whined, trying to playfully pull my hand back.

"I'll carry you if I have to."

I sighed, as much as I loved the idea of him carrying me there, I don't want the groups impression of me to be that I was some lazy diva. "Fine." I muttered, and grabbed his hand to pull myself out of the truck. "But if I'm cranky it's your fault." I joked, nudging him with my elbow.

We both started walking to the camp, and I was looking around to absorb my surroundings. I noticed the group waiting for us, along with the guys we were with earlier, and almost jumped when I saw a small freckled boy run from the crowd. Rick saw him too, and they both ran to each other, where the boy jumped into his arms.

"Rick!" He shouted and nearly knocked Rick off his balance. I felt really out of place, it was just a big sea of emotions and as selfish as this sounds, I was drained. Can't I just go to sleep? Would anyone notice if I slipped back into the truck and passed out?

"Carl get back here!" A tall woman emerged from the crowd to grab her son, but then as soon as she laid her eyes on Rick she ran and joined the embrace.

This must've been some family reunion, because another guy followed, a tall bulky guy, to run over and shake hands with Rick, since he wouldn't have been able to fit in the hug…

I just stayed behind, leaning against the truck, me being my awkward self, and watched the family reunion. I didn't know anyone here, I didn't fit in. And no, I wasn't trying to be bitter and miserable; I just wasn't sure what to do. Introduce myself? Nah, never was good at those.

Don't get me wrong either, I was happy as hell for Rick. And it was relieving to finally meet – er well see – Shane, Lori, and Carl. If I weren't so damn exhausted, I'd be doing all kinds of acrobatic flips in celebration.

My eyes met Shane's and he looked over to Rick with a look of concern over his face, probably wondering just who the hell I was. I pursed my lips into a thin line and finally stepped forward casually with my hands in my pockets. I hate introductions and by the way I presented myself, I'm sure they got that feeling as well.

"I'm uh – I'm Isabelle. I met Rick somewhere near Atlanta and we stuck together for a while…"

"How's Atlanta?" He asked, and man I had to look up at him, his height was intimidating to my small frame.

"Shit-tacular." I replied dryly, and covered my mouth quickly to clear my throat for forgetting there was a damn kid there. Whoops.

The lanky woman, Lori, stepped forward and put her hand on Shane's shoulder, "Maybe you should introduce her to everyone." She laughed, and I was starting to see the resemblance with her and Rick.

"Yeah. Right," he introduced his wife and son first, "This is my wife, Lori, and my son, Carl…" he ruffled Carl's hair and I flashed him a small smile, it was nice to finally see a kid. I felt bad that he had to live in this world though…

"That's the Morales family," He pointed to Morales, surrounded by his tired looking wife and two kids, a boy and a girl.

"- Dale, along with Amy and Andrea," Dale was sitting atop a rundown RV, but I appreciated the small wave he gave and reminded myself later to ask if he had another fisherman's hat. Amy and Andrea were at the back of the group though, hugging and I figured I'd introduce myself later.

"- Glenn and T-Dog," Glad to know Glenn made it back in one piece, but was growing concerned for T-Dog. I need to talk to him later.

"- Ed, Carol, and Sophia," I noticed how tight the girl clung to her mother, while the man, Ed, gave me an almost sneering look.

"- Jacqui," Man, she looked just as tired as me.

"- Jim," He was by the RV too, along with Dale, but he also gave me a welcoming wave.

"- And…Daryl…" I extended my neck to look around, only to see a man, disheveled and pacing around with a crossbow held close to his chest. I stared until he made brief eye contact, to which I looked away immediately. Why did I get the feeling he didn't like me?

"There's more families 'round the camp, so I think you'll be able to meet them at dinner." He finished and returned to speak to Rick, to catch up. The rest of the group returned to where they were earlier and I left to go back to the box truck to get my things.

I went to the back and opened the door and scanned for my bag. Wait, right. It's in Atlanta. Awesome. Oh and Rick's bag of guns. Fan – fucking – tastic.


Finally she meets the group! It only took 14 chapters! :D

Thanks for putting up with my story so far folks, and unfortunately due to the break ending soon, I have to go back to reality *cries* so updates might be a little slower.

Review time:

Guccileopard: so so so true, I was gonna make him lose it at first, but then I really thought about it and was like actually…he'd storm off.

Merle Dixon: thanks for the kind words but im still gonna call you stumpy

Padme4000: Isabelle's got some balls, eh? Just kidding she's a sissy like me ;p

Paperlanterns86: I agree that he needs attention from someone, and that someone is me :D

Chlexfan10: she is sure as shit lucky, man, I'm too much of a sissy I wouldn't turned a blind eye and been like 'nothing going on here', but obviously felt bad about it later.

Jack-chan88: woot! Another follower! Let's party now :D

Catastros: I hope their family is alright too, who knows what'll happen, but I can guarantee you'll be seeing them again ;)

Leyshla Gisel: I was wondering where you went! I thought you disappeared on meh