This chapter is almost triple the length of previous ones so I hope you enjoy!
Let me know what you all think, as I've said before I love hearing your opinions.
Happy reading!
Daryl continued pacing up and down in front of Merles severed hand, his breath coming out in short bursts.
With a growl of frustration he quickly spun around, aiming his loaded arrow at T-Dog.
I held my breath as my Dad quickly raised his python, pointing it straight at Daryl.
Afraid to take my eyes off the situation I felt Glenn beside me, barely breathing as he watched the standoff between the two men.
"I won't hesitate," Dad warned after what felt like a ten minute silence. "I don't care if every walker in the city hears it."
Daryl seemed to struggle with himself before lowering his crossbow, his bottom lip quivering violently.
The tension seemed to cease between the men as all weapons were lowered.
"You got a do-rag or something?" Daryl asked T-Dog, his voice surprisingly softer than it had been before. I watched in slight disgust as Daryl took the rag from T-Dog and spread it on the ground, picking up Merles hand by one finger. "I guess the saw blade was too blunt for the handcuffs, ain't that a bitch?"
I watched in silence with the others as Daryl quickly walked to Glenn and shoved the hand into his backpack. Glenn closed his eyes in what I suspected to be an attempt to keep nausea at bay.
"He must have used a tourniquet, maybe his belt," Daryl mused, looking at the area of ground where the saw was lying. "There'd be much more blood if he didn't."
"At least that means he's still here somewhere." I shrugged, Daryl didn't look back as he continued on following the trail of blood Merle had left behind.
The trail lead us in through a door, back into the building. I gripped my sickle tightly as I followed Daryl through the room, I could hear my Dad and the others following behind.
"Merle, you in here?" Daryl shouted, causing me to grit my teeth. We didn't need to be drawing attention to ourselves out here but now wasn't the time to be scolding Daryl.
We walked through the building until we came to a wide hallway with what looked like offices on either side. Dad rushed forward, pushing me behind him slightly so that I was now in step with Glenn, T-Dog bringing up the rear.
"Had enough in him to take out these two sons of bitches." Daryl almost sounded proud as he examined the two walkers laying on the ground. "Toughest asshole I ever met, my brother, feed him a hammer and he'd crap out nails."
We each stared around the room, keeping an eye out for any walkers Merle might have missed, as well as Merle himself. A clicking sound told me that Daryl had reloaded his crossbow before we moved off again, still following the trail of blood.
"Any man can pass out from blood loss, no matter how tough he is." Dad said matter-of-factly before raising his python and leading the way through the large room.
"Merle." Daryl called out again, I was just about to open my mouth when Dad spoke for me.
"We're not alone here, remember?"
"Screw that," Daryl said nonchalantly, moving off into what looked like a kitchen. "He could be bleeding out, you said so yourself."
I glanced up at Dad as I passed by him, he was glaring at the back of Daryls head but met my eyes non the less, I shrugged slightly before following Daryl.
My nose wrinkled slightly as a smell grew stronger the deeper we went into the kitchen. Four flames were flickering on what looked like an old cooker. Realization hit me when Dad picked up an old metal iron, black matter burnt into the bottom of it.
"What's that burnt stuff?" Glenn almost whispered.
"He cauterized the stump." I groaned, realizing the burnt matter on the iron was actually flesh. Glenn went slightly pale as he refused to look at the iron.
"Told you he's tough." Daryl's voice was almost childlike. "Nobody can kill Merle but Merle."
"Don't take that on faith, he's lost a lot of blood." Dad grumbled.
"Yeah? Didn't stop him from busting out of this death trap." Daryl was now walking towards a window in the far corner of the room that was shattered, the trail of blood leading over to it.
"He left the building? Why the hell would he do that?" Glenn asked disbelievingly as he rushed over to examine the window.
"Why wouldn't he? He's out there alone, as far as he knows. Doing what he's gotta do, surviving."
"You call that surviving?" T-Dog spoke up, it had been the first time he spoke since we got here. "Just wondering out on the streets, maybe passing out? What are his odds out there?"
"No worse than being handcuffed and left to rot by you sorry pricks," Daryl fired back, his voice beginning to rise again as he stared T-Dog down before turning to my Dad. "You couldn't kill him, I ain't so worried about some sorry, dumb, dead bastard."
"What about a thousand dumb dead bastards?" Dad questioned, holding Daryls gaze.
"Why don't you go take a tally, I'm gonna go get him." Before Daryl could move farther than a few feet Dad had put a hand on him and pushed him back. "Get your hands off me!"
"I don't blame you," Dad tried to reason, the trained authority coming back into his voice. "He's family, I get that, I went through hell to find mine."
As Dad talked Daryl into being reasonable I glanced at Glenn and T-Dog, both were looking tense, even worried.
"We can see most of the streets around from the rooftop but if I were out there I'd be in an alley somewhere, if not inside." I said, looking to each man around me.
"Only if we get those guns first," T-Dog shook his head. "I'm not strolling around the streets of Atlanta with just my good intentions."
We found a secure office, Daryl and Dad made sure it was clear before we filed in and shut the door. Glenn quickly found a marker in one of the drawers and I pushed one of the desks aside to make room to draw out the plan on the floor.
"Okay, I'll go out to get the guns alone." My head snapped up and a frown creased my face as I stared at my best friend.
"Well that's not gonna happen." I shrugged, shaking my head slightly.
"You're not doing this alone." Dad said firmly.
"Even I think it's a bad idea and I don't even like you much." Daryl sighed.
"It's a good idea okay, just hear me out," He said desperately. "If we go out there as a group then we're moving slower and we draw more attention to ourselves. If I'm alone I can move fast." I glanced at Dad before kneeling to look at the series of squares Glenn had sketched out. "This is the tank, five blocks from where we are now, this is the bag of guns, over here is where I met Rick the first time. That's where Daryl, Nikki and I will be."
"Why me?" Daryl and I asked at the same time.
"Your crossbow is silent and if anything else should happen Nikki has a gun but it's gonna draw attention and there's limited rounds so don't shoot unless it's absolutely necessary."
"You got us elsewhere?" Dad asked, frowning at Glenns map.
"Waiting in this alleyway here." Glenn showed us by placing an eraser in between two of the squares.
"Two blocks away? Why?"
"I may not be able to come back the same way, walkers might cut me off. If that happens I won't go back to Daryl and Nikki, I'll go forward instead, all the way around to where you guys are. Whichever direction I might go I've got you all in places that you can cover me."
"I can cover you by being out there with you." I grit my teeth, I didn't like the idea of Glenn running into the streets on his own with no weapons.
"The plan is set Nikki, it's faster this way." Glenn shrugged as my Dad piped up, saying he didn't want me out there.
"Hey kid, what you do before all of this?" Daryl said as he observed Glenn.
"Delivered pizzas, why?" He asked, slightly confused at the questions. A smirk tugged at my lips as Glenn sat oblivious to how he had impressed us all with his plan.
I stood from a perch on the desk as I checked the rounds in my gun. I had three bullets, and my sickle. I found myself praying to whoever was listening in this life that I wouldn't have to use either.
As Glenn, Daryl and I got ready to climb down the ladder that led to the alleyway I turned to Dad, throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him quickly.
"You make sure to come back in one peace." He spoke into my hair, kissing my forehead quickly before letting me go.
"I will if you do." I smirked, he smiled slightly before watching me decent down into the alleyway after Daryl and Glenn.
I followed Daryl and Glenns lead by crouching low and running as lightly as I could down the alleyway. Stopping briefly behind dumpsters to check if the area was clear.
"You got some balls for a China man." Daryl grumbled as he loaded his crossbow up again.
"I'm Korean," Glenn huffed back, keeping an eyes on the walkers that were closest to us.
"Whatever." Daryl rolled his eyes as Glenn sped towards the opening of the alleyway. Daryl and I stayed crouched behind the dumpster, I automatically held my breath as I watched my friend disappear into the walker filled street.
Daryl and I rushed towards the opened gate, closing it over slightly so the walkers couldn't get to us if we were noticed. I knew my brow was creased in worry as I watched to where Glenn had now disappeared, running from trashcan to abandoned car to avoid being seen.
"Why'd you come today?" Daryls whisper came out as a growl, causing me to glance towards him, my eyebrows slightly raised.
"Didn't want to sit back at the camp wondering if Dad was ever gonna show up all over again." I shrugged, looking back to where Glenn had disappeared, I took it as a good sign that the walkers didn't seem to be disturbed or focusing on anything in particular. "And I know how it feels to lose a family member, even though I got mine back."
After a few minutes of silence I turned my head to glance at Daryl, he had a slight frown on his face but he wasn't looking in my direction.
"I'm gonna get Merle back, he's still alive." He growled. I chose not to answer him, I knew what the denial felt like too.
As we sat crouched at the gate I noticed Daryls head turning slightly to the left. Before I could comprehend what was happening he was standing up, his back to the alleyway entrance, crossbow raised.
I spun around too, raising my gun. There was a boy, probably about my age standing staring at Daryl and I with wide eyes. His gaze focused on Daryl.
"Woah woah, don't shoot me!" He pleaded, raising his hands slightly. "What do you want?"
"Looking for my brother, he's hurt real bad, you seen him?" Daryls voice was back to a grumbling shout now.
I clenched my jaw again as the boy shouted a name I didn't understand.
"Shut the fuck up." I spat, Daryl and I had both moved closer to him, both weapons were nearing his face. Rolling my eyes as the boy shouted out again I jumped forward and whacked him across the head with the butt of my gun.
He fell to the floor, still shouting as Daryl jumped on top of him, attempting to clamp his hand down on the boys mouth.
I heard the sound of running footsteps after it was too late as I felt a blow to my right hand, my gun being thrown across the alleyway ground.
Crying out again as a leg came down on the back of my knee, causing me to fall into the dust. I grabbed for my sickle as a foot aimed another blow at my side. Pulling my knees up to my stomach I felt the wooden handle of the sickle, grabbing it I spun around, slashing it into the air, hoping it would make contact with whoever was causing this pain.
A loud cry told me I had succeeded, looking up I saw a man much larger than I was standing with one leg raised, the blood seeping down the shin of his trouser leg told me where my sickle had cut through.
I swung wildly again as the man looked up to me, fist raised ready to snap forward. He jumped back before grabbing my arm and twisting it behind me, I felt the sickle drop.
I was now facing Daryl who was on the ground getting hit repeatedly by another man carrying a metal bat.
I was lifted from the ground as the man placed a large hand around my throat squeezing tightly. Fighting to keep focus I struggled as my legs flailed in the air.
"You didn't survive all those walkers to be killed by a couple of thug morons." A small voice in my head said. I shook my head again, the edges of my sight going dark. With all of the strength I could muster I swung my leg backwards, the grasp on my neck disappeared right as the heel of my foot made contact with the man's crotch.
Swinging around again I pulled my fist back and let it snap forward, hearing a load crunch as the mans nose broke under the force.
To my horror both men stopped beating me and Daryl when they noticed Glenn standing in the alleyway entrance, both quickly sprinted after Glenn who had tried to run but failed.
I was doubled over, gasping for my breath as my throat tried to get used to the fresh flow of air again.
Daryl was laying on the ground, bloodied and bruised as one of the men hit Glenn across the face.
Before I could rush to Glenn, Daryl was getting up, raising his crossbow he took aim and shot an arrow straight into one of the mens asses.
I started forward quickly as they the men grabbed Glenn, a car pulling up outside the alleyway gate. Glenn called to me and Daryl for help as he was bundled into the car.
"Daryl, do something!" I cried, watching him raise his crossbow once more, but it was too late, the car had pulled off with my best friend inside it.
I quickly ran to close the gate to the alleyway, walkers were not coming over to see what caused all the noise in the alleyway. There jaws snapping and dead eyes wide as the fell against the wire gate.
Daryl quickly rounded on the boy who was now slowly getting up from his position on the ground, pushing him against the wall but my Dad had come running down the alley in the meantime. He pushed Daryl away from the boy, shouting for him to stop.
I felt all of the anger in my body begin to boil as I thought of Glenn being dragged off, plus my leg and side were still aching from the hits I had taken. I ran forward while Dad was distracted with Daryl and punched the boy straight across the jaw. Strong arms circled around me, dragging me back as I realized T-Dog had finally joined the scene.
He was dragging me back to where Dad had Daryl restrained but I could help but feel happy when I saw a trickle of blood leaving the boys now split lip.
"I'm gonna kick your nuts up into your throat!" Daryl spat at the boy. "They took Glenn, him and his bastard little homie friends." Daryl was jumping from side to side, Dad was now holding us both back as T-Dog rushed forward to stop the boy from running off.
Daryl was still shouting as I gave up the fight and placed my hands on my knees, my throat still contracting painfully, I had a feeling I'd be bruised later.
"Rick, we're cut off!" T-Dog shouted over Daryl, pointing to either end of the alleyway where walkers were now desperately trying to reach us.
"Get to the ladder! Go!" Dad called, I didn't waste time in running after T-Dog and the boy as Dad dragged Daryl behind us.
We jumped onto the ladder, one after the other, scrambling up it as walkers started to flood the alley.
T-Dog continued to drag the boy through the department store as the rest of us quickly followed behind. We didn't stop until we got to the office we had been in before.
The boy was thrown onto a chair, Dad and T-Dog either side of him while I leaned up again a desk and Daryl began his usual pacing back and forth.
"Those men you were with," Dad began. "We need to know here they went."
"I ain't telling you anything." The boy spoke, sitting back in the chair. My jaw clenched as I glared at him.
"Jesus man, what the hell happened back there?" T-Dog asked, looking between me and Daryl.
"I told ya, the little turd and his douchebag friends came out of nowhere and jumped us," Daryl continued pacing but kept his eyes on the boy the entire time. "One of 'em tried to choke Nikki to death."
Dad sighed deeply at this before turning back to the boy, he looked like he was finding it hard to keep a level head.
"Ey, you're the one that jumped me, puto." The boy shouted back. "Screaming about not finding his brother like it was my damn fault."
"They took Glenn, they coulda taken Merle too!"
"Merle?" The boy looked up at this, squinting at Daryl. "What kinda hick name is that? Wouldn't name my dog Merle."
I watched as Daryl stalked around the desk before drawing his fist back but Dad was too quick for him, jumping forward and pushing him away from the boy once more.
"You wanna see what happened to the last guy who pissed me off?" Daryl asked, walking over to Glenns backpack and taking out the do-cloth. Unwrapping it he turned around and slammed Merles severed hand down on the boys lap.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh as the boy jumped from the chair, scrambling to get as far away as he could from the dismembered hand.
Daryl jumped forward again, grabbing the boy by the throat. "Think I'll start with the feet this time."
I watched as Dad sprung forward once again, grabbing Daryl by the scruff of the neck and pulling him backwards.
"The men you were with took our friend, all we wanna do is talk to them, see if we can work something out." Dad reasoned, crouching down in front of the boy. I let out a small huff of breath, the ache in my side stabbing harder as my ribs moved with my lungs, I wouldn't mind letting Daryl pound on the boy a little bit but Dad had to take the reasonable way out.
I watched as the boy nodded once more before going into an explanation of where his camp was based. T-Dog kept a firm hold of him as he led us to the red-brick building his camp was living in.
T-Dog and I took a sniper rifle each from the bag of guns and headed in opposite directions. Just before I got to the brick wall I heard a familiar growling sound coming from the tree. The walker emerged shortly after, hands outstretched and limping in my direction. It's jaws clamping down repeatedly.
I waited until it was close enough to dive forward and grab me before I ducked under its arms and spun around, slamming the butt of the rifle into the back of its head causing it to slump forward, hitting the ground with a thud.
After I had climbed the wall I found myself looking down on a sort of courtyard. The grass had long since overgrown and it was wildly unkempt but it wasn't hard to imagine it almost being pretty in a past life.
I looked straight across to the opposite wall to see T-Dog there, lying on his stomach with his rifle pointed down to the scene below us.
Following his lead I lowered myself to my stomach and made my eye level with the scope.
Watching with bated breath I saw my Dad and Daryl following the boy across the courtyard to the large wooden doors. Both had their weapons raised.
As Dad and Daryl made it to the wooden doors they opened impressively. A small man walked out from the building, he was unarmed as far as I could see.
I was too far away to hear what they were saying but I saw the man glancing between Dad and Daryl.
My jaw clenched as the two men from the alleyway walked into the courtyard, guns raised. I focused my scope on the head of the man that had tried to strangle me. My finger was dancing on the trigger, only looking for a reason to pull back.
I relaxed slightly as the man in front made the other men lower their guns. As the exchange went on I couldn't help feeling more and more tense. If it was going to be simple it shouldn't be taking as long as this.
I felt my hand grip the rifle tighter as Dad gestured to where T-Dog and I were on either side of the courtyard, the man in front looking directly at us both in turn.
I heard the man calling for another of his men. To my horror no one arrived from the wooden doors. Instead, I saw Dad and Daryl looking up.
Higher than where me and T-Dog were lying, two men had Glenn standing on the edge of the roof, hands tied behind his back and tape across his mouth.
As Dad and Daryl made their way out of the courtyard with the boy I looked over to T-Dog. He glanced to me and shrugged before getting up and shouldering his rifle.
I decided to do the same and rushed down to meet the others.
On the way to a trailer we had passed earlier Dad explained how the men had wanted a trade of guns.
Once we got there, he placed the bag on the desk and spread the guns out, deciding which ones to give away.
"Those guns are worth more than gold," Daryl shrugged, resuming his pacing. "Gold won't protect your family."
"Glenn is family," I snarled at Daryl who glared back at me "He's worth more than every gun in that bag."
"D'you think he's really gonna give Glenn back once we hand them over?" T-Dog asked, glancing between the three of us.
"You callin' G a liar?" The boy piped up before getting a slap across the head from Daryl.
"Are you a part of this? You wanna hold on to your teeth?"
"Questions is, do you trust that mans word?" T-Dog continued as if there was no interruption.
"No, the question is are you willing to bet on it," Daryl answered back. "Cause it could be more than them guns, could be a life," He turned towards Dad. "Nikki's little boyfriend worth that to you?"
I narrowed my eyes at Daryl, my right hand curling into a fist again.
"The life I have I owe to Glenn," Dad said simply, ignoring Daryls jibe. "I was nobody to Glenn, just some idiot stuck in a tank. He coulda walked away but he didn't, neither will I."
"So you're going to hand the guns over?" Daryl asked, shrugging slightly.
"Obviously we're gonna hand the guns over you dick," I snarled, still glaring at Daryl. "It's not a question!"
"I didn't say that," Dad spoke quietly before Daryl and I could start fighting. I turned to him, my eyes wide in disbelief. "There's nothing keeping you three here, you should get out, get back to camp."
"And tell Lori and Carl what?" T-Dog asked, running his hand over his face.
The four of us stood, glancing to each other. We all seemed to nod in unison before started forward and grabbing a gun each. I could hear the boy groaning behind us as we loaded the guns, jaws set in determination.
Before we left the small trailer Daryl gagged the boy with a cloth, muting the risk of him giving our plan away.
The doors opened as we all marched across the courtyard, Daryl pushing the boy ahead of him.
As we filed into the building I was slightly taken aback by how many men there were with weapons. All built the same, strong. I swallowed my fear and kept in line with T-Dog. The man from earlier stepped forward.
"I see my guns, but they're not all in the bag." He frowned, looking to the guns raised in each of our hands.
"That's because they're not yours," Dad stated, he was wearing his sheriff hat along with the uniform, the look of authority fully back in place. "I thought I mentioned that."
"Let's just unload on their asses." The man that tried to strangle me was saying. I felt the bruises on my neck pulse as I aimed my gun straight at him.
"I don't think you fully appreciate the gravity of the situation." G was saying, his voice struggling to be kept level.
"Nah I'm pretty clear." Dad stated before taking out a pocket knife and cutting the ties around the boys hands. "You have your man, I want mine."
"I'm gonna chop up your boy," G announced, walking towards Dad, my gun changed position until it was trained on him. "Gonna feed him to my dogs, they're the most evil, nastiest, man-eating bitches you'll ever see. I picked them up from Satan at a yard sale. I told you I wouldn't hesitate to beat, are you woefully deaf?"
"No, my hearing is fine," Dad said, raising his gun once more. "You said to come locked and loaded." There was the sound of guns snapping as Dad, Daryl, T-Dog and I all pumped the guns once before picking a man to point them at.
There was a tense moment as Dad and G stared each other down. I was waiting for the nod as my finger tensed against the trigger.
"Philippe, Phillipe," A womans voice sounded from the back of the crowd. We spun to see a small, wrinkled old lady standing in between the brute, weapon-clad men.
"Go back with the others," The man that had tried to strangle me called back, clearly he was Phillipe. "Now!"
We all paused in confusion as the old woman spoke to Phillipe in her broken accent. Telling him that someone needed medicine. G glanced back at Dad hesitantly.
"Phillipe go take care of it okay," G ordered impatiently. "And take your grandmother with you."
"Who are those people?" The old lady asked, walking forward until she was in front of my Dad. "Don't you trouble him, Phillipe is a good boy, he had his trouble but he's pulled himself together."
I glanced to T-Dog who was looking equally as confused as to what to do. It didn't feel right to point a fully loaded gun in an old ladies face.
"Ma'am, I'm near to arrest your grandson." Dad explained, lowering his gun.
"Then what do you want him for?" She asked almost innocently.
"He's helping us find a missing person," Dad sighed. "Fella named Glenn."
"The young boy? Come, come, I show you." She smiled, her voice lighting up at being able to help.
I eyed the men as we followed the old lady through the dark room to the back of the building.
"Let them pass." G sighed, causing his men to step aside.
The old lady led us out of the building and through a large garden, we entered a second building and I realized we were in some form of retirement home. Younger people were there too but seemed to be helping the elderly with medication.
As we entered a large room with a stage placed at the back I spotted a small group of people gathered around an elderly man in a wheelchair.
"What the hell is this?" Dad asked, looking to Glenn who was stood watching Phillipe giving the old man an inhaler.
"Asthma attack," Glenn announced nonchalantly. "Couldn't get his breath back all of a sudden."
"We thought you were being eaten by dogs, man!" T-Dog said crossly, his forehead creased in a frown.
Glenn turned towards the corner of the room, following his gaze I saw three Chihuahuas sharing a leopard print dog bed. My eyes rolled towards the ceiling as I realized how little danger we were all actually in.
"Sorry about that." Phillipe said, gesturing to my neck. "I wouldn't have killed you, just wanted you to pass out long enough so we could get away."
"That's a great comfort thanks." I snarled back, narrowing my eyes.
"Guys can you come with us for a minute?" I heard my Dad shout to us as he walked out of the hall with G.
He led us into one of the private rooms which I assumed was his. After explaining to us that the elderly had been left to fend for themselves, their carers leaving them behind as the apocalypse hit and how after he had vowed to protect them as best he can and now having everyone looking to G for guidance, I watched as Dad handed over a number of our guns. At least it was for a good cause.
Shortly after that we left the retirement home and pretty soon we were back to walking along the railway tracks again, Glenn back by our side.
"Admit it," Glenn smiled, glancing to Dad. "You only came back to Atlanta for the hat."
"Don't tell anybody," Dad chuckled back.
"You've given away half our guns and ammo." Daryl sighed as we waked quickly back to the truck.
"Not nearly half," Dad rolled his eyes.
"For what? They're old, they're gonna die momentarily anyhow. Seriously, how long do you think they've got?"
"How long do any of us." I glanced to the ground at this comment, I didn't like to think of the answer to that.
"Oh my God," Glenn groaned as we rounded the corner to the truck.
"Where the hell is our van?" Daryl growled, looking to the now empty space where our van was once parked.
"We left it right there? Who'd take it?" Glenn asked desperately.
"Merle." As the word came from Dads mouth we all dropped our gaze, concern on each of our faces.
"He's gonna be taking some vengeance back to camp," Daryl sighed.
The only way to get back to camp now was to walk. We started on our journey, hoping Shane would be able to contain Merle as best as possible.
As we jogged up the steep hill, panting heavily a series of gunshots brought us to a halt.
"Dad, that's the camp." I cried as a series of shrieks and more gunshots met our ears.
Suddenly, we all seemed to get a fresh bought of energy as we burst into a run the rest of the way. I tried not to think of the danger Carl and Mom could be in at the moment as the gunshots grew louder the closer we got.
Finally we broke through the bush and saw the camp infested with zombies. I pushed my fear to the back of my head and pumped my rifle before taking aim at the nearest geek and shooting. I could see Carl and Mom cowering behind Shane who was shooting off his own rounds at the zombies surrounding them.
Trying not to think of who could be lying on the ground or what body I could be stepping over I rushed deeper into camp as I spotted a walker limping towards Carl from the back, I took aim and shot.
A scream echoed out of my mouth as I felt a cold hand grab my shoulder, spinning around quickly I came face to face with dead eyes and a snapping mouth. I was struggling to get my gun under the walkers chin when all of a sudden it became stiff and fell to the ground. An arrow protruding from it's skull.
Taking a deep breath, I turned to see Daryl stood with his crossbow still raised in my direction. He nodded to me once before springing back into action and driving an arrow through another rotting skull.
The gunfire eventually stopped and the silence brought an eerie ringing along with it. Carl rushed forward when he saw Dad and I stood in the middle of the camp.
Dad picked him up before throwing an arm around me, tears flowing freely as we took in what had just happened. Mom had rushed forward to join us as well.
Once more, we were left crying into each other's shoulders.
