A/N: So I had a question about the age of Riley. In my head I saw Amy older then maybe she was on the show. I pictured Amy as being around 24. Andrea makes a comment I think about how she still believes in fairies and mermaids, I thought Andrea was making slight fun of her because she was too old to still believe in such things. Riley would be about 21. With Maggie then being 23. Glenn would be a year older then Maggie. I want Riley to be old enough so that it is believable that she is strong both mentally and physically to handle the things I throw at her but also young enough were you can understand Daryl's need to protect her. I'm also going to then be making Daryl about 30 or 31 with Merle then being about 35 or 36. Someone also said it would have been more dramatic if Riley was the one that got shot; true but I already did that in another story and my plan all along was for Riley to be part of the supply run with Otis. I did try to add a little drama in this chapter though, so I hope you like it. Reviews are awesome I truly like hearing what you guys think…hope I'm making you happy.

Chapter 5: You Do What You Need To Do

We ran, we ran not like Walkers were hot on our heels but like a little boys life hung in the balance. Somehow I ended up carrying Carl's lifeless body. Rick was too in shock and was to busy pulling along 'trying not to kill is more like it' I thought; the jackass that shot Carl. I stopped for a moment to readjust Carl's body, his blood soaking through his shirt and onto my already stained and bloody shirt.

"How much further!" I heard Shane yell to the overweight man who could be the cause for killing a young child.

"Not much maybe half a mile. Ask for Herschel he'll help the boy" the man wheezed out.

'Half a mile' I thought; 'I can do this' and I picked it up a notch. I looked over and saw Rick running along side me. "Run ahead Rick…let them know we're coming" I huffed out. He nodded and took off.

I got to the farm house just as Rick was explaining that the boy his boy was shot by their man. Once Herschel saw me he came down the steps and helped me usher Carl inside. Once inside Herschel asked us our names. Rick too in shock to speak after finally seeing the extent of Carl's injury stood silent. "That's Rick" I said pointing to him "he's the father of the boy who's name is Carl" I took a breath "I'm Riley" Herschel nodded and then asked if we could leave the room so he could work. I led Rick out of the room telling him it would be okay 'I hope' I said only to myself.

It wasn't until we were back on the porch did I realize I was shaking; only my hands though. I brought them up to my eyes and pushed my palms into them until I saw stars. Shane walked over and removed my hands. He then wiped my face with a rag. "Blood…" he trailed off softly. I had forgotten that I had blood all over my hands and therefore smeared it onto my face. Shane removed the rag and brought his hands up placing one on my shoulder and the other on Rick's. "He's going to be okay" Shane spoke while looking at the both of us. Rick nodded while I simply stared at him.

We slowly walked back into the house and walked into the room. Carl was awake and was convulsing in pain as Herschel attempted to remove a bullet fragment. Carl was starting to move around to much so without a thought I went over and held his body down smoothing his hair back in hopes that it would make it easier for who I wasn't sure. All of a sudden Carl went still and Herschel removed a small piece of bullet.

"What happened…"Shane asked as I removed my hands from Carl, backing away from the bed worried that I had somehow made things worst. We all looked at Herschel "Just passed out is all" he said putting our minds at ease

"Two things though" Herschel started "One; he's going to need blood…" Rick cut him off "We're the same type he can take mine" Herschel nodded and continued "Two; I need to go back in " Herschel spoke looking mostly at Rick but glancing at Shane and myself as well "The deer slowed down the bullet which saved the boy, but the bullet broke up into six different pieces. That right there" he said pointing to the small piece he had removed "was the shallowest one"

"You can't go back in" Rick started on the verge of tears "You saw him"

"If I don't he'll die." Herschel stated. "I don't have the tools needed though, so either the bullet stays in and he dies or we do the operation without the equipment and maybe he lives maybe he doesn't." Man this guy really didn't beat around the bush.

It then seemed like the word die flipped a switch in Rick's head and made him remember that Carl also had a mother. He looked at me and Shane "His mother doesn't know…Lori doesn't know…she needs to be here." Rick's shaky voice spoke. Shane looked at me but before either of us could offer to head back; a young girl a little older then myself stepped into the room Herschel introduced the girl as Maggie his oldest daughter.

"I'll go" Maggie spoke up "You all need to be here for him" she pointed to Carl "and for him" she said gesturing to Rick. Shane excused himself to give Maggie directions on the whereabouts of the group.

Rick looked over at me with pleading eyes, just as I was about to make my way over to him, the man who shot Carl we learned his name was Otis, poked his head into the room. He came all the way in when we all just stared at him. He was wringing his baseball cap in his hands.

"I heard you talking about needing supplies and equipment; what about the high school. They set up that military base. The Red Cross was there. They could have the supplies needed. " Otis said desperately trying to make up for the deed he committed. We all looked at each other and knew it was the best bet at saving Carl.

We all walked out of the room just in time to see Maggie running out the door. Rick and I walked over to the sofa and took a sit while Shane occupied the chair. Herschel and Otis walked into the kitchen to make a list of the needed supplies and equipment.

"Otis told us about a high school that may have the supplies Herschel needs" Rick spoke out. "The Red Cross had a base there. It could our best chance."

Shane and I meant eyes from across the room

"We'll go" I said speaking for Shane and myself "You need to be here to give Carl blood when needed and especially when Lori shows up."

Shane nodded in agreement "You take care of your end; we'll take care of the rest"

Rick looked between Shane and I "Thank you" he spoke with new tears forming in his eyes. Shane walked over to Rick and squeezed his shoulder he then headed to the kitchen to go over the list with Herschel and Otis.

Rick looked over at me. "You don't have to go you know" he looked directly into my eyes almost willing me to understand something "Shane and Otis can handle it"

I looked up at Rick "Carl…" I broke off looking at the closed door that Carl lay beyond "I need to…Carl…he's family….you're family." I then turned my attention back to Rick "I can't fail another kid Rick…" I trailed off then diverting my eyes from Rick's to the front door.

"Sophia wasn't your fault, and neither was Carl" Rick said placing a hand on my shoulder. I simply gave a weak nod. I looked back over at Rick and said "I'm going, more hands means the more stuff we can bring back." Rick looked unsure "When Daryl gets here, he'll…" I cut him off "Daryl's not here, Carl is." I then stood, gave Rick one last look and joined Shane in the kitchen.

As the separated group made their way back to the highway. Each with different thoughts rolling through their mind. They came to a stop when Carol sat on a log asking if this was it. She then looked around and then back down at her feet. Lori who took a sit next to Carol spoke up

"I can't imagine what your going through, but you need to stop blaming Riley." Lori took a quick peek over to Daryl who was leaning against tree. Daryl didn't know why but Lori was also very protective over Riley, and Riley the same with Lori; maybe it was because Lori could sense what Riley has been through and wanted to be a mother figure for her, and maybe Riley wanted that, even if she didn't show it, every girl needs a mom.

"she ran after your little girl without any hesitation. I didn't see anybody else react. If any of you would have done the same thing let's hear it." Lori ended looking around at the group. When no one said anything Lori shook her head took a quick sip of water from her warm water bottle and stood up. "Let's keep moving"

They had been walking for less then half a mile when they all stopped at the sound of a gun shot. Daryl and Lori looked at each other both feeling the dread that maybe their loved ones was the reason behind the shot for either good or bad.

"It was only one" Andrea spoke up. Daryl scoffed as Lori spoke "Don't patronize us. Rick, Shane and Riley wouldn't risk the noise". Daryl cut her off "and the whole reason Rye is out there is because she has the "quiet" weapon remember. Why would they use a gun?"

Being there was nothing they could do they kept walking. Lori made her way up to Daryl "They could be alright; it could have been another group" she spoke to the hunter. He turned to her and nodded. Thinking that thought was better then the ones floating around in his mind. They were both silenced however when they heard a scream. They all took off running in time to see Andrea get a Walker that threaten to bite her slugged out of the way by a girl on a horse with a baseball bat. The horse came to a halt.

"Lori…Lori Grimes" the brunette girl spoke

Lori walked forward "I'm Lori Grimes"

"You got to come quick…Rick sent me, Carl's been shot" Lori dropped her bag and mounted the horse. The girl quickly gave directions to her family's farm and took off. The rest of the group in total shock collected themselves and headed back to tell the remaining members of their group the news and formulate a plan. As Daryl walked the only thought in his mind was 'Riles is okay…I hope'

Shane and Riley were waiting out by the truck each looking over the list of supplies needed; a lot of it neither of them have ever heard before, heck they couldn't even pronounce a lot of them. They both looked up though at the sound of footsteps. Rick was approaching with Otis not to far behind.

"I can't express how much this…" Shane held up his hand

"Don't say anymore brother…we want to do this. Like Riley said we're family, you do what you need to for family." Shane said pulling Rick into a hug. Once they broke apart Rick reached over and embraced me whispering in my ear "be careful, stay sharp." when he pulled away the same look from before was in his eyes. I simply nodded and told him not to worry "we'll be back before you know it"

Otis was then at the truck and getting into the drivers seat, Shane held the door open for me to crawl in, once I was in with my crossbow on my lap Shane entered and we were off. I looked over to Otis and saw the look of guilt on his face. I felt so angry all of a sudden. This man while what he did was an "accident" could possibly kill Carl a little boy who was my family now. I then looked over at Shane who made eye contact with me. He gave me a nod and in that moment I knew that together we would do whatever we needed to save Carl's life…whatever needed.

Back on the farm Lori had arrived. Together she and Rick stayed by Carl's side. Herschel explained to them what needed to be done. He also stressed that it needed to be done quick. That if Shane, Riley and Otis didn't arrive back by midnight that they would have to try to do the operation without the supplies. Rick and Lori nodded both praying that their rescue team would return in time.

A few hours later Glenn, and T-Dog who had a serve cut and blood infection located on his arm arrived at the farm. They made their presence known saying they were here, for anything.

The group that remained on the highway, spent the night trying to sleep or in Daryl's case looking for the lost little girl and worrying about his sister. Everyone just wanted morning to arrive so they could all be on the farm and back together.

Shane, Otis and Riley had arrived at the high school to a disappointment. It was swarming with Walkers.

"How the hell do we get by all of them" Otis hissed to us. In the distance I spotted a police car. Police cars are stocked with all sorts of things including flare guns. I nudged Shane in the ribs and pointed over to it. He smirked knowing exactly what I was thinking. We slowly made our way towards the car with Shane sneaking forward to open the drivers side door in order to pop the trunk. Once he did I reached inside and was able to grab the three remaining flare. Once Shane made it back to the rear of the car I handed them over knowing he would throw them farther then I could. Once all three flares were released and a small group of Walkers moved closer to the light, we made our move.

"Shane you go first, I'll take the rear" I spoke looking only at Shane. We were both doing this for Carl and that's all we saw. Shane nodded and started to move forward with Otis following. I picked up the rear with my crossbow ready for any Walker that got too close.

Once we reach the Red Cross truck we quickly and quietly made our way up the stairs. Once inside we divided and conquered each of us going to different sections to grab what Herschel needed plus any extra medicine that could be beneficial for the group. When we were satisfied that we had everything and more that was needed we headed for the door. I was in the back as Shane opened the door but when I heard him mutter "Holy Shit." I knew it had to be bad our flares probably ran out and the Walkers had returned.

"Where going to have to run for it" Shane told us peeking his head back inside. I nodded as Otis tried to calm himself down. Shane then reopened the door and we took off. We headed back towards the truck but had to make a U-turn when Walkers appeared out of nowhere. Otis pointed over to the actual high school and we made a bee line for the doors. Once we were all in Shane slammed the gate closed and locked it. We leaned against the brick wall planning our next move. Otis was wheezing something fierce and I made eye contact with Shane 'He's slowing us down' I screamed to him hoping he would understand. Shane glanced at Otis then back to me and I knew he got the message, he gave me a quick nod and I knew he agreed.

"We got to move!" I said; one because the Walkers were pushing onto the gate and it wouldn't hold much longer and two we needed to get back to Carl.

Shane heaved himself off the wall and we moved into the school. We turned down a hallway and came face to face with another herd of Walkers we quickly skidded around and ran for the gymnasium. Once inside we scaled to the top of the bleachers, trying to figure out a course of action. I pointed to the windows located at the end of the wall. "There!" I shouted over the groans of the undead below us "We can jump down from there maybe circle back around to the truck!" Shane nodded and looked to Otis "Maybe you two…look at me no way I can squeeze through there…no I'll head there." he spoke shining his flashlight onto a door labeled 'locker room'. "There's windows in there more my size; I'll circle back from there and meet you out front." Shane nodded "We'll give you a little cover" he then pulled out his gun, I quickly followed suit. 'Save the arrows for later' I thought.

Otis then ran and jumped down landing hard on the floor. He rose shortly after and limped for the door; Shane and I taking down any Walker that got in his way. Once we were sure Otis would be okay we made our way to the windows. Shane pushed it opened and looked down

"A little further then we thought" he said looking back at me sweat dipping down his face. I pushed myself up looking out as well.

"Tuck and Roll" I spoke before throwing my large duffle bag out the window followed by my crossbow. I then climbed up onto the ledge and started to climb down when there was nothing left to hold on to I followed my own advice. I let go and tucked my body together I then rolled down once my body hit the ground. 'Guess years of abuse are finally paying off' I thought bitterly

I looked up at Shane "Come on your turn" I hissed up not wanting to attract any unwanted attention. Shane tossed his duffle bag down as well followed by his shot gun. He then climbed out and started to shimmy down. Once he was out of hand holds he let go. He didn't tuck as well as he ought to though and fell awkwardly on his ankle. I helped him to his feet, each of us picking up our bags and weapons.

We then made our way back to the front. I supported Shane as best I could. We then came to a fence that overlooked a football field. Walkers were everywhere. It truly felt like we were trapped. We started to fire at the ones that were a little to close and then took off again around a corner. It was then we bumped back into Otis "Oh thank Heaven's I thought I wasn't going to find you" Otis spoke

"You make it out okay" Shane questioned

"yeah a little run in nothing major…you?" he asked looking between the two of us

"just fine" I spoke out sarcasm dripping from each word.

Otis then led us around to the front of the school. Finally the truck was in sight we just had to make it maybe a mile give or take. We started to run as fast as we could. We could hear the Walkers behind us attracted by the noise we made.

Shane turned and started to fire, Otis followed suit. I kept my eyes on the truck saving my ammo for when it really mattered.

"How much you have left" Shane screamed over to Otis

Otis quickly checked "5, and 1 in the barrel" he responded "you" he questioned "4" Shane spoke back. Each man shot one more bullet and then turned back around.

"We're going to slow" I yelled

Shane looked at me, and then at Otis. Shane stopped running "You need to go without me" he said "my ankle… I can't go any faster." I stopped running and looked over at him this wasn't the plan "No Shane" I spoke "come on I'm not leaving you behind". Shane looked at me with a look that match that of my fathers after a night of drinking when he would come home reeking of booze. He would smirk at me as he decided what form of beating he would unleash that night. Shane looked over to Otis. "Well your not leaving me…I'm leaving you" he said in a calm and even tone; he then shot Otis in the leg making the man crumble to the floor. "You do what you need to do" he spoke while looking down at Otis. He then turned his attention to me "Thanks for the help redneck" was the last thing I heard before everything went black.