Enjoy
Rick along with Morgan, Ana, and Duane stepped out onto the porch at the break of the new day. As they stood there looking around they could see a walker leaned up against the fence on the far side of the front yard. Rick held a baseball bat tight and looked back to Ana and Morgan, "I have to ask one more time, are they dead?"
Morgan looked at Rick dead in the eyes, "Yes they're dead." Rick let out a small nod and put on a mask to protect his face from the blood to come. He along with the others walked down the steps but the minute they hit the grass the walker was alerted. He let out a snarl and lumbered towards them.
Rick took a deep breath and ran forward smashing the bat onto it's head. The walker's head snapped back but didn't fall. Rick looked at it for a moment in shock as it didn't even seemed fazed by his hit. Once again he smashed the walker with the bat, this time it fell to it's knees but still it didn't stop snarling at Rick. Rick quickly hit it again sending it fully to the ground, now not knowing if it was truly dead he smashed the baseball bat onto its head to more times caving it's head in while its blood spurted across his shirt.
Rick knelt down holding his stomach, sickened by what he had just done. His hand shook violently and he took short shallow breaths. Ana walked over and knelt down, "Rick are you alright?"
Rick quickly whispered out, "I need a moment." Morgan looked down at him and Ana. Ana looked over at him and let out a nod telling him to just wait. After a minute Rick pulled himself to his feet and started to head next door back to his house.
Ana and Morgan followed him as he burst through the doors, he dropped his baseball bat and said, "They're alive, my wife and son. At least they were when they left. They packed some clothes not a lot but enough to travel."
"Rick…" Ana said with a small pause, "You know anyone could have come in here and stolen clothes right?"
"See any pictures hanging on the walls?" Rick said pointing to his barren walls. He quickly ran over to his armoire pulling open the doors showing it empty on the inside, "See our family albums, some random thief steal those too you think?"
Morgan suddenly started to laugh, "Photo albums." Ana and Rick turned to him and he took a seat, "My wife, same thing. Here I am packing survival gear and she's packing photo albums." Morgan added almost breaking into tears,
"I bet she's in Atlanta." Duane interjected,
"Yeah that's right." Morgan said with a nod,
"Why there?" Rick asked,
"Refugee camp, biggest one in Georgia. It's suppose to be protected by the military at least that's what the radio was saying before it stopped." Ana explained,
"Or maybe that disease place." Duane added,
Rick once again looked to Morgan with confusion on his face, "Center of Disease Control. The CDC. They are supposed to be working on a cure for this thing, trying to get it all sorted out." Morgan explained. Rick turned back towards Ana who just let out a shrug not exactly sure where they should go.
Fifteen Minutes Later…
Rick and the others were back in his police station, "Gas line has been down for at least a month." Morgan said as Rick turned on the one of the showers in the shower room,
"Station has it's own propane system." Ana told him while Rick put his hand under the water,
Rick turned back with a smile, "Pilots still on."
Over the next ten minutes the four of them had a shower, something that Morgan, Duane, and Ana had not expected to have for the rest of their lives. Rick let out a pleased smile as he could hear them all let out little cheers, songs, and sighs of relief while he shaved.
After they were done while Ana and Duane were getting dressed Rick had a chance to talk to Morgan, "So you guys moving on soon?"
"Yeah eventually, we were never suppose to stay in this town. But when my wife was hurt and the streets the way they were...I guess I just stagnated." Morgan said as he put on his shirt, "I want to leave but….I guess I just haven't worked up to it yet." Morgan said with a sullen tone.
Five Minutes Later…
Rick unlocked the armory door and swung it open, "A lot of it's gone missing." Rick said looking around at some empty shelves,
"Well not every cop stuck around here." Ana said grabbing a shotgun from the rack,
"Dad can I learn to shoot? I'm old enough." Duane asked with a hopeful tone,
"Hell yes you're gonna learn but we have to do it right. Gotta make sure you learn to respect the weapon." Morgan said sternly,
"He's right Duane it's not a toy whenever you pull the trigger you have to mean it. Always remember that." Rick said to Duane. Ana heard Rick say this and gripped the shotgun in her hands.
Many Months Ago…
"So how are you doing Ana?" A therapist asked her as she sat in a chair across from him,
"Good." She said simply,
"I understand you went to the shooting range, how did it feel to hold a gun again after so long?" He asked,
"Very good." Ana said with a small smile,
"And how is your boyfriend?" He asked he with a smile,
"We uh we actually broke up." Ana said with a little shrug, "I guess I'm one of those people who are just better off alone."
The therapist let out a small nod, "Have you been keeping in touch with anyone from the station?"
"Yeah, Rick and Shane invite me out once in awhile. Other than them, no not really." Ana said thinking about her friends,
"So you're pretty close to them, would that be fair to say?" He asked,
Ana shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "I guess...So, am I going to be let back onto the force?" Ana asked turning the conversation away from them,
The therapist stood up, "Ana you were the victim of a terrible shooting. Your station wants to make sure that you are in a good state of mind before they give you that power again. I mean that night when that man-" He started to say but was quickly cut off,
"Did my mother say to not clear me?" Ana asked,
"She left the final verdict up to me. Do you feel that you're ready to return?" He asked,
Ana let out a small frustrated sigh, "What do you think?"
The therapist nodded and walked over to his desk. He picked up a little leather case and walked back to Ana. He flipped it open revealing Ana's old badge, "Welcome back to the force officer Cortez." He said with a smile.
Back To Present Time…
"Ana!" Rick called out causing Ana to shake out of her thoughts,
"What, huh?" She asked looking around,
"Could you load this up?" Rick asked holding out a duffel bag,
"Right, sure." Ana said taking the bag from his hand and beginning to fill it with guns and ammo,
Rick picked up a small bolt action sniper rifle. "Here take this one, nothing special the scope is accurate." Rick said while handing it to Morgan,
Morgan took it from Rick's hand with a small look. He could tell what Rick was alluding to, his wife was still out there and he had to deal with her eventually. Morgan took a look through the scope, as he put it back down he let out a short sigh.
With that Rick and Ana filled one duffel bag to the brim with ammo and guns while Morgan and Duane filled another one. On the way out Ana went looking for a pair of police cruiser keys and Rick grabbed his old sheriff outfit. The group finally exited the police station holding two duffel bags of guns.
"You sure you won't come along?" Rick asked Morgan and Duane,
"In a few days, by then Duane will know how to shoot and I won't be so rusty." Morgan replied to him,
"Are you sure Morgan, I'd rather not leave you two behind." Ana said sincerely,
"Yes, don't worry I'll see you two in a week or so." Morgan said with a smile,
"Hang on." Rick said and quickly ran over to his cruiser. He returned with two small handheld radios, "Only got one battery, I'll turn mine on everyday at dawn." Rick said handing him the other one,
"You think ahead." Morgan said with a nod,
"Can't afford not to." Rick said in agreement,
Just then they heard a snarl and some plastic dragging on the ground. The group turned back to the fence that separated them from the front door. They saw Ana's old partner Leon turned walker. He let out growls and snarls while pushing against the fence trying to get to them, "Leon…" Ana said sadly,
"Didn't think much of him but we can't leave him like that." Rick said staring at him,
"They'll hear the shot." Morgan reminded them,
"Then let's make sure we're not here when they come." Rick said to them,
"Let's go son." Morgan said to Duane leading him back to their jeep. Rick started to walk forward but Ana stopped him,
"Let me, he was my partner." Ana said while pulling out her gun. Rick nodded and headed to the cruiser. Ana walked over to Leon who snapped his jaws at her wildly. Ana pressed her pistol to his head and stared at him for a moment. Then she pulled the trigger sending a bullet through Leon's head. Leon's head flew back, he slowly started to fall to the ground. As he hit the ground Ana turned back to the cruiser and got into the passenger seat.
As they drove out of the police station parking lot they gave Morgan a beep goodbye and he quickly returned it. They drove towards the town edge but Rick stopped at the park where he found the bike on his first day. "I'll be right back." Rick said getting out of the car.
Rick walked onto the grass and followed the trail of blood from the first walker he met. He eventually found the walker pulling itself through the park. Rick walked right next to it and pulled out his revolver. The walker reached for him weakly, "I'm sorry this happened to you." Rick said quietly then cocked the hammer of the revolver. He stared at the walker for a moment as a tear went down his cheek, he pulled the trigger sending a round through the walker's eye and killing it instantly. He returned to the cruiser and drove out of his home town towards Atlanta, hoping to find his family.
Many Months Ago…
Ana walked into the police station right to her mother's office with an angry expression on her face, "You're putting me in the file room?" She said crossing her arms,
Her mother quickly hung up her phone, "Yes, this is your first day back and-"
"I want to be put back onto patrol." Ana interrupted her,
"You know I can't do that, if I put you back on the street already people are going to know I pulled strings." Her mother replied.
"Then transfer me." Ana said angrily,
"Ana.' Her mother said with a sigh. She began to fill out a form, "You won't get the transfer but I'll give you the patrol."
Ana took the paper from her mother then once again frowned, "You're putting me with Leon? Why am I not back with Rick?"
"I put him and Shane together." Her mother replied,
"Why, we've been partners for years." Ana said irritated,
"Look you wanted back on the streets you got it but personal decisions are mine." Her mother replied sternly,
"It wasn't his fault mom." Ana said crossing her arms. Just then Shane poked his head into the office,
"Hey Ana got a call for you, says it's real urgent." Shane said quickly,
"Be right there Shane.' Ana replied and Shane walked away,
"They are throwing you a party, they got a cake and everything. Try to act surprised." Ana's mother said without looking up at her. Ana stared at her then walked out of her office.
Back To Present Time…
Ana suddenly jerked forward from her sleep as the police cruiser came to a stop, "We're finally out of gas aren't we?" She asked as she stretched,
"Yeah but look over there." Rick said pointing to a small farm off the side of the road, "Maybe we can get some gas there."
Ana looked back at the farm and with a slight sigh said, "Guess it's better than nothing." She then got out the car. Rick handed her the gas can and siphoner while Rick grabbed the duffel bag of guns.
As they approached the house Rick called out, "Hello! I'm a police officer, could you spare some gas." Ana quickly turned to him and put her finger to her lips signaling him to be quiet. Rick nodded and the two walked up to the house. Ana opened the front door and walked inside. However as soon as she entered the living room she saw a horrid sight. A family laid dead, three shot in the head with a shotgun and the final one with a gunshot blast to the head in a clear suicide.
The smell of decaying flesh pierced Ana's nose and she immediately ran out of the house. She leaned over the porch a wretched up her breakfast. Rick closed the door and returned to Ana, "You alright?"
"I-I'm fine." Ana said while spitting out the remaining vomit from her mouth, "You have some gum or something?"
Rick checked his pocket and pulled out a small tin of mints, "You know I always carried them." He said as he handed her a couple. Ana popped them into her mouth and the two walked back down the steps. Rick spotted a station wagon sitting in the driveway and ran over to it. He checked inside and found no keys, Ana tried to siphon gas from it but it was bone dry.
"Damn it, what the hell do we do now?" Ana said returning to Rick,
Rick looked over to her with a small smile and pointed towards the barn where two horses trotted around the field next to it, "I think we found our ride."
Rick and Ana approached the two horses who trotted up to them, having not seen human life in probably months. Ana and Rick quickly saddled them, "You know I haven't done this before right?" Ana said tieing the saddle to the horse,
"I've only done this once, when I was a kid. So we just have to take it slow." Rick said pulling himself onto the horse.
Ana followed suit pulling herself onto the horse carefully, "Alright buddy, just take it easy." Anna said as the horse followed Rick. Rick's horse suddenly started to gallop down the field while he yelled out in surprise, "Hey Rick Wait!" Ana yelled out and tapped her foot against her horse, it quickly started to sprint after Rick while Ana hung onto the reins tightly.
One Week Before Rick's Shooting…
"Ana they got him!" Shane said running over to her in the police station,
"What are you talking about?" Ana asked him in confusion,
"Your shooter, got the sonofabitch in lock up. He confessed and everything all we need you to do is ID him." Shane said smiling at her, "That's great right?" Shane asked after seeing Ana frown,
"No, yeah of course it is. Let me see him." Ana said following Shane to an interrogation room,
As they walked over to the room Ana saw Rick and her mother standing by the two way mirror staring into the room, "He confessed and everything Ana just need you to make an ID." Her mother said,
Ana stared at him for awhile and finally said, "It's not him." Shane, Rick and her mother looked at her in shock. Ana turned and started walking away.
Rick ran over to her, "Ana, this is the guy who shot you. Hollow point bullets, through your vest! You're just gonna let him walk?"
Ana looked at him coldly, "It's not him." She said and quickly turned away while Rick stared at her with an increasingly concerned look.
Back In Present Time…
Rick and Ana stopped as they reached the outskirts of Atlanta. They were on one of the four lane highways. The left highway was full of cars that had tried to flee, on their side however not a single car was in sight. They looked to each other slightly concerned that they haven't seen any military yet.
Rick and Ana pushed on into the heart of the city, it was decolite of all life or all human life. As they rode through the cluttered streets walkers began to come out of bus's. Buildings or just the streets themselves. Rick and Ana figured that they could always out ride the few that were following them.
Just as they turned onto a new street they stopped dead in their tracks. A horde of the dead, at least five hundred packed the street. At once the walker's turned towards them and let out a booming growl. Ana and Rick turned their horses and raced off away from the herd as it chased them down. However as they rode back down the streets they came from the dead that were following them had also packed together. Trapped between the two hordes they panicked, Rick was grabbed and thrown from his horse, he dropped the bag of guns and watching in horror as the dead forced his horse to the ground and began to rip it apart, feeding on it's body.
A walker jumped onto Rick grabbing his collar and snapping it's jaws at him. Rick used all his strength to keep it away from him. "Rick!" Ana cried out and jumped from her horse. She ran over to Rick and kicked the walker off of him. Ana turned back to see her horse now forced to the ground as well and ripped open by the dead.
Rick crawled under a nearby tank as walkers closed in on him. Ana pulled herself onto the top of the same tank as the dead reached out for her. She pulled out her gun and began to fire at the dead pulling themselves on top of the tank. Meanwhile Rick pulled out his revolver and fired at the walkers crawling after him. Just as he reached his last bullet he put the gun to his head, "Lori, Carl I'm sorry." He whispered out. A second before he pulled the trigger he looked above him and saw a hatch opened at the bottom of the tank. He quickly pulled himself up through it and slammed it shut locking it.
Ana ran to the top hatch of the tank and jumped inside hitting the body of the tank operator along the way. As she laid on the floor of the tank Rick crawled over to her, "Are you alright?'
"Yeah, you?" Ana said while breathing heavily. Suddenly the tank operator's body sprung to life and grabbed onto Ana's leg. Rick without thinking pulled out his revolver and took a shot sending a bullet into it's head. The backfire of the gun sent a disorienting ringing into Ana's and Rick's ears. Ana pulled herself up out of the hatch while shaking her head trying to gain control of her ears again. She saw the dead feeding and reaching up at her, she pulled the top hatch closed and jumped back down to the tank's floor.
She sat down leaning her head back against the wall of the tank. Rick leaned against the same wall and asked, "How many?"
"Too many, we're stuck." Ana replied with a grumble.
One Week Before Rick Was Shot…
Ana took a swig of whiskey while sitting in a bar. She kept looking over at the two men playing pool. One of them was the man who shot her, the man she let walk away from the police station. She had been there for hours just waiting for him to leave.
Finally after three hours of waiting the man said goodbye to his friend and walked out the door. Ana left money for her drinks and followed him out. She pulled out a gun and put in between her arm and her jacket.
Just as the man turned into the parking lot Ana took a deep breath. She tightened her grip on her pistol and was midway through pulling it out when suddenly a voice called out, "Ana don't."
She turned around and saw Rick standing behind her slowly moving towards her, "Ana listen to me you don't want to do this."
"What are you doing here Rick." Ana said venomously,
"I'm stopping you from making a mistake." Rick said still walking to her with his hands flat out,
Ana turned back around and saw the man drive away in his car. She let out an angry groan and turned back to Rick, "You just let him get away!"
"Ana you did, he confessed and you let him walk. Look at you, you were ready to kill him. What does that make you?" Rick said trying to get through to her,
"What you think I'm like him!" Ana shouted angrily,
"You tell me? You're the one who was following him with a gun." Rick said now only a foot away from her,
"I Was Pregnant!" Ana shouted at him. Rick stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her with a shocked look,
"I-I didn't know. I'm sorry." Rick said softly to her. Ana's face was twisted with anger and sadness. Suddenly she broke down into tears and collapsed into Rick's arms. Rick held her tightly comforting her as she cried hardly into his shoulder.
Back In The Tank...
Just then the radio of the tank began to crackle, "Hey dumbasses, yeah you two in the tank cozy in there?"
Alright Chapter Two is done, I hope you guys enjoyed it! I also hope you liked the flashbacks I put in throughout the chapter. I figured that it would be an interesting way to add a bit more of lost into the story as well as showing the past relationship Ana had with Rick. Anyway leave a review for me I love seeing what people think of my story as a whole.
