A/N: So the next chapter is going to involve the Otis scene. I want to know what you guys think should Riley go alone with Otis in place of Shane or should she go along with Shane? Reviews are awesome as always like I said before I really want to know what you guys think. It sounds bad but it does make you feel good when you see someone reviewed your story. I know I'm sounding really needy but oh well I want to make sure I'm doing something people like, cause if not then I have to think of something else. Okay enough with the rant, on to the story.
Chapter 4: It's Not Your Fault
We have been driving for couple hours now; a few miles back we stopped to discuss a few things, on the agenda was the use of fuel and how we can use less of it. It was decided that Daryl would leave the truck behind and continue on using Merles motorcycle. This left me with two options riding with Carol, Sophia and the Grimes or in the RV with Dale, Andrea, Shane and T-Dog.
As Daryl and T-Dog unloaded the motorcycle from the bed of the truck I weigh my options. Riding with the Grimes and the children could be kind of fun, I got along well with Lori and Carol. Carl and Sophia seemed to like me well enough and I could get to know Rick; if I took the RV I would be contained with Shane in a small space and I still wasn't to sure about him. As I sat deep in thought Daryl came over and knocked me on the head with my massager bag
"Earth to Riles." he joked I looked up and gave him one of the signature Dixon smirks before grabbing my bag from his hands.
"You make up you mind?" he questioned I looked over to the truck and the motorcycle sitting by it. I gave a sigh and a nod "The Grimes" I spoke. Daryl nodded "Good choice…I don't know how I feel about Shane" he spoke in a whisper. I gave him a look that said 'I was thinking the same thing'. Rick then honked his car horn to signal that we should start heading out. Daryl gave me a look that said 'play nice' and headed towards his bike 'when don't I play nice' I thought with a grin
I made my way towards Rick and he gave me a smile holding the door open for me to crawl in. I sat in the middle with Sophia on one side, Carl on the other. As we started to continue our journey Sophia looked over to Carl who looked back, Carl gave a nod in my direction as if encouraging Sophia to ask me an unspoken question. Sophia leaned back and then looked back at me "Will you teach me to use that" she asked pointing to the crossbow sitting on my lap. I gave a smirk and made eye contact with Rick in the rearview mirror. I looked over to Sophia and responded with a simple "We'll see"
We had once again only been driving for a couple hours before the RV honked its horn. We all stopped and craned our necks to see what was wrong. Turns out the highway was blocked with forgotten and left cars. Dale spoke out his window to Daryl asking if he saw a path through. Daryl was able to lead us through the tangled web of cars; but after a few minutes the RV came to a halt once again. The radiator horse was on its last leg and the RV was stuck in the water. It was decided that we would savage the cars and left vehicles to try and find anything worth using. T-Dog headed off to find gas and fuel, while Shane and Glenn searched for the ever popular water. I took off to look for whatever could be helpful.
"Riley!" I heard shouted from behind. It was Carl and Sophia "Can we tag along" they asked. I looked to their parents who looked at each other "Stay in her eye sight you hear me" Lori spoke to Carl with Carol nodding her sentiments. The children agreed and we headed off. As we walked we passed Daryl who smirked at the children as they followed me like a lost puppy. I smirked back and shrugged my shoulder saying 'what would you do'
We made it about half a mile down finding nothing but empty bottles and melted granola bars; when Rick made his rushed way over to us. "Get under the cars!" he spoke in a hushed whisper. I was standing closest to Carl so I pulled him down with me and rolled under the car. Sophia doing the same with the car next to ours.
Moments went by and then we saw and heard the shuffling of feet, and lots of them. Walkers a herd of them were coming through and we were sitting ducks. One noise or squeak and we could all die. I looked out from under the car and made eye contact with Rick he held up his hand signaling to 'stay put' he then looked over at Carl, when he made eye contact with me again, I gave him a look that said he's okay. Rick gave me a nod then turned his attention to his wife and Carol who where under a truck over to the side. Carol was crying while looking over at Sophia. Lori had clapped her hand over Carols mouth to muffle the sound. I looked over at Sophia who was crying as well. She made eye contact with me and I mouthed 'it's okay look at me'. Sophia nodded. It had seemed like the last Walker had ambled by; I looked over to Rick who was still telling us to stay put 'better safe then sorry' I thought. I then turned to look at Sophia who was starting to crawl out from under her car. 'Stupid girl' I screamed in my head. A flash of me when I was probably a little younger then Sophia popped into my head.
I was hiding under my bed waiting for my dad to leave my room, he had come home drunk and that never ended well for me. Daryl and Merle were out so I was alone with him so I did what I always did; I hid. I stupidly thought he had left my room after not seeing his feet for a few moments however he was standing behind my dresser and I didn't see him so I started to crawl out from under my bed only to be ripped up by my hair and flung against the wall; I slid down with my father looming over me. The last thing I remember is him smirking. The same smirk that all his children inherited The night ended in a blur.
I couldn't let anything bad happen to another little girl. I told Carl to stay put and rolled out, I stood up and crept around to where Sophia would be when two Walkers started to approach and chase her over the guardrail. I followed suit and jumped the rail taking off after her. I wish I had my crossbow but it was still under the car with Carl. I suddenly heard splashes in front of me and there was Sophia; she crashed into me and started to yell that I needed to kill them. I didn't have my gun though and that would only attract more of them with the noise. So I instructed her to hide underneath a rock face. I told her I would lead them away and she should run back for the highway keeping the sun on her right shoulder. Sophia gave nod and hid clutching her doll tightly in her hands. I shouted over to the Walkers leading them in the opposite direction. I then hid behind a tree and waited. I was able to take one Walker out with my knife but I didn't have enough time to receive it so I improvised and used a large rock to dispose of the second. I then stood breathing heavily pulling my knife out of the skull cleaning it on my jeans and headed back to the highway.
Once I jumped the guardrail Carol was on me asking where her daughter was.
"She should be here by now I told her to run back this way while I took care of the Walkers." Carol looked at me like I had three heads
"You left my baby in the woods…" Shane cut her off "It sounded like it was the only way" he spoke.
Daryl then spoke up as well "Rye take me back there maybe we can track her together" I nodded at my brother him giving me a look that spoke multiple things 'don't go running off again, do you know how worried I was' but the most important 'this isn't your fault.' Itook Glenn, Shane, Rick and Daryl back to the rock face and explained everything that happened. Daryl saw a couple track and it was decided that myself, Rick and Daryl would keep with the search. Shane was told to keep everyone else busy with tasks and chores and let them know we were on it. As we were following the tracks we came across a Walker. I looked at Daryl and pointed to a few yards beyond where we now stood he nodded and I took off. Once I was behind the Walker I whistled the Walker turned fully to face me and Rick was able to take the Walker down.
We examined the Walker and noticed flesh under its nails. Only way to tell what kind of flesh. We had to open the Walker up. Daryl volunteered to do the honors and me and Rick watched. Rick looked like he might be sick. Once the cut was made I stepped in; my hands were smaller and I could easily get inside and take out its stomach. We opened it up to discover a woodchuck. "At least we know" I spoke. Both men nodded. As the sun had started to set we made our way back empty handed to the highway.
As we approached Carol came over. She quickly sat on one of the post and started to cry and repeat "My baby got left in the woods…" she then looked right at me and stood "You left my baby in the woods…it's your fault" she hissed with tears streaming down her face. I looked right back at her unable to say anything at first "I tried Carol…honestly" Daryl then jumped in never being okay with seeing his sister taking a beating verbal or physical. "She did all she could…" Rick then jumped in hopping to defuse the tension "Riley and Daryl know the woods better then anyone I asked them to oversee this….we'll pick it up at first light" Carol looked at me before sitting back on the post with Lori rubbing her back. I turned and walked away. As I passed Carl he handed me my crossbow and a gentle smile.
I climbed atop the RV and told Dale I would take watch. I sat there for the whole night replaying Carols words over and over and thinking 'it wouldn't be the first time you killed someone' At some point in the night Daryl came out of RV saying he was going out to look again. He looked up at me but I kept my eyes straight ahead looking at the vast highway. I heard Andrea join him which made me feel a little better at least he wasn't alone.
Rick was true to his word at first light we set off in hopes of finding a lost little girl. Daryl took point while I stayed in the back. Rick liked the idea because we had the "quiet" weapons. We came across a tent which held nothing useful expect a man who "opted out" Daryl said.
We were just about to continue on when we heard church bells; we all took off hoping that maybe Sophia was ringing them or if not would hear them too and come running. As we got closer though we knew it wasn't her. There was no steeple. The bells were on a timer. Carol looked at me long and hard saying "I'm going to go back in for bit" as she passed. I made eye contact with Daryl who was leaning against a gravestone. He was concerned not sure how I was feeling, emotions weren't a big thing in our household 'you bottle that crying shit up or I'll give you a real reason cry' I hear my dads voice in my head. I turn quickly seeing a squirrel starting to jump a tree. I whip my crossbow in front of me shooting out an arrow taking the squirrel down mid air. I look down shake my head and walk over to pick up the rodent. I feel Daryl's eyes on me the whole way.
As I come back the group is now being divided. Rick and Shane are going to keeping looking. This is why I like Rick he sticks to it, never a quitter. The rest of us are heading back to the highway to wait and worry. Just as we are about to take off Carl pipes up that he too wants to go with his dad.
"She's my best friend…I want to be there when you find her." he speaks. Rick looks over to Lori who is unsure with the idea but you can see she is tried of being the "bad cop". Rick looks up and makes eye contact with me. Carl seeing the look steps up to me. "You can come too Riles…you're the tracker after all." Carl says hoping he is making his case. I look over at Daryl, then back to Rick. I nod and the decision is made. Rick gives Lori one last hug and the excuses himself to go inside the church for a minute. Daryl comes over to me and before he can speak I say
"Just like you with Merle….this is something I have to do. I have to find that little girl." Daryl knows how I feel about Sophia I never spoke a word but I know she too was beaten by her father. We had a bond that neither of us would speak about but knew was there. Daryl sighs and rubs the back of his neck. He pulls me into a hug
"Be safe Rye… l love you" he then pulls away and starts walking towards the waiting group. He gets to the front and the rest turn and follow suit.
Rick is done in the church and we head off deeper into the Georgia forest. I keep my eyes focused on the ground and trees around us for any sign of disturbance I'm about to take another step when I stop and throw my hand up making the guys behind me stop as well. Out from the thick trees comes a deer. It stops and eats at the ground around him. Carl looks at it in awe, he looks up at me and I smirk. He then looks to his father who nods. Carl slowly makes his way towards the deer. It isn't until Carl steps on a twig does the deer look up right into Carl's eyes. I'm taken from my peaceful moment watching this magical scene when I see something out of place about a mile in front of us. It looks like a hunter. He doesn't see Carl, only the deer.
"CARL!" I yell. I'm starting to run forward to push Carl out of the way but I'm too late and Carl and the deer hit the ground.
