A/N: So this chapter kind of jumps around again, so once again I hope it's easy to understand. I know some of the characters might seem like their out of character but I'm trying to show the relationship between them because I have some things planned that by having the back-story and involvement will come in handy. Please review and let me know what you guys are thinking. Like I said before I was hoping to not be one of those authors that crave reviews but it does actually feel good when you see a review for your story. Also I sometimes doubt what I'm doing
Chapter 7: Lost and Found
Daryl didn't want to move. He saw Andrea climb down from the RV and take off running. Yes Daryl was concerned; why would Rick shout out over a Walker. He tried to calm his mind by thinking that there was no way Riley could be down there, 'maybe she nailed Shane' Daryl thought with a smirk. He pulled his crossbow higher over his shoulder and decided he would hang around to see what all the fuss was truly about.
You know in movies when there's that scene it's one that usually involves something traumatic happening that causes the world around a person to feel like it's slowing down. Rick was experiencing that now. He watched as Riley collapsed to the ground in front of him. He couldn't move for a second his mind flashing back to when Carl fell to the ground after the sound of a gun being fired.
"No no no no" Rick spoke as he rushed forward. 'This can't be happening again' he thought as he bent down and scooped Riley into his arms. He then took off running back to the farm. Shane and Glenn snapped out of the shock they were also in and took off after him. The closer he got to the house the more his heart dropped. He couldn't let Lori see this. Lori loved Riley like a daughter wanting to protect her and give her the mother everyone knew Riley never had. Then there was Daryl…
He looked up and noticed a blonde head bobbing up and down in the distance; Andrea was running towards them with a look of panic written across her face.
"I told you not to shoot" he yelled as he tightened his grip on the young girl in his arms.
"Is that…Riley?" Andrea whispered out.
Rick didn't answer though as he continued on, it wasn't until he saw Daryl come around the RV that his heart dropped even more. 'First his brother now his sister' Rick thought.
"What is it with you people and trying to kill me?" a voice mumbled. Rick looked down and saw Riley's blue eyes flicker open and then close again. In that moment his heart and mind were put at ease; she was okay. He finally looked and noticed that the bullet just grazed her head ever so slightly.
"Is that Riley!" someone yelled from in front of Rick.
Rick's head jerked up as Daryl came running, meeting him a few yards away from the house.
"She's okay…bullet just grazed her, we need Herschel to look at it though." Rick said as he watched Daryl look down at his sister. Rick carefully placed Riley into Daryl's arms, it was then he noticed how small she really was. He already knew Riley was tiny but seeing her in the arms of Daryl showed that even more. Daryl quickly turned and rushed up the steps of the farm house opening the door and calling out for Herschel.
Rick took a moment and collected himself, he then turned and came face to face with Andrea
"Next time listen" Rick said lowly. Andrea slowly nodded her head and then turned walking into the house, wanting to make sure Riley was truly okay and try and apologize to not only her but Daryl as well. He then glanced at Shane and Glenn
"Glenn go make sure Daryl and Herschel don't need anything" Glenn replied with "you got it" and was off taking the steps two at a time.
He then turned his attention to Shane "You come with me" Rick turned on his heel and headed towards the back of the RV
Shane followed; once the two men were at the rear of the RV Rick turned and looked at Shane. Rick wasn't sure how to start, this was his best friend, his brother. Rick sighed and then looking directly at Shane spoke slowly and softly
"Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Shane stared back looking like a small child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
"I don't know what you're talking about" he told Rick
Rick stared back pleading with his eyes for Shane to come clean; they could somehow work through why he did what he did, but first Shane needed to confess.
"Shane….are you sure there is nothing you need to tell me about my family; which now includes the Dixons" Rick ended watching Shane's face for any noticeable changes in demeanor
Shane looked back at his friend "What are you getting at Rick; you honestly think I would do anything to Lori or Carl…or Riley Dixon?"
When Rick didn't respond Shane continued "What she say to you?"
"Who" Rick questioned back
"Lori" Shane hissed
"Nothing….should she have" Rick said with a hint of distaste in his voice
Shane shook his head and quickly tried to divert the subject
"So you gonna believe some redneck, white trash over me?"
Rick didn't reply for a moment, he simply glanced over Shane and looked at the house "No" Rick began bringing his eyes back down to Shane "but these people all of them are my family now, and if I see, or hear that your threatening them" Rick paused picking his next words carefully "I won't hesitate" with that Rick gave Shane one last hard look and turned making his way inside.
Shane stood looking at the spot Rick had just vacated, and knew he would have to come up with something…and quick
Inside the house Herschel was patching Riley up. The girl was sitting up in bed as Herschel used a small piece of gauze and some rubbing alcohol to clean the fine line that the bullet left as it whizzed passed her head. Riley was busy watching Daryl, as Daryl was busy watching Herschel. Daryl was biting his thumb nail something Riley knew he did when nervous or deep in thought. Daryl may have looked like he was watching Herschel but his mind was back to when Riley was eight and a promise he made
'Daryl walked through the front door and was immediately hit with the smell of stale beer, cigarettes and a smell he couldn't place, it was a smell he only smelt once in his life, when Merle was on a weekend bender with one of the "working girls". His heart started to race, Merle would never do that if Riley was at home and he was told by the people across the street that Merle had left earlier that afternoon. "Daryl…" the woman from across the street called as he tried to open his front door. He turned his head and nodded in a greeting "I think you should know your brother left this afternoon, and then your father showed up…he had been... drinking, I haven't seen little Riles all day, and wanted to make sure she was okay" the woman spoke. Daryl replied with a nod and a thank you and made his way all the way into the house. The woman from across the way had reason to worry. Daryl took in the sight before him and he didn't know what to do first. His father lay on his back with beer bottles and cigarette buds all around him. He took a shaky breath and made his way for the stairs. He started to climb them and then he heard the sound of the shower running. He made his way towards the bathroom and tried to turn the door knob. When he realized it was locked he softly knocked calling out to his little sister. "Rye bread" he said tapping on the door. "Come on Rye it's me" he said. A few minutes passed and then the water stopped, he waited not knowing what to do. The door then clicked open and his baby sister stood before him in her clothes soaking wet. Daryl dropped to his knees and grabbed her face with his hands. "Daryl" she spoke with a tremble in her voice. Daryl placed a kiss to her forehead and picked her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist and clung onto him burying her head in his neck. He then walked back downstairs holding Riley's head into him so she wouldn't glance up and see their father. Daryl opened the door and walked down the steps, he was just about to walk down the street even though he didn't know where to go, when Merle pulled up beside them. He took one look at his baby sister and her soaking wet, trembling form and the way she was clinging to his brother for him to be able to piece the puzzle together. Merle got out of the truck told Daryl to take her to 'Harrisons' the local bar, and wait for him. He then walked to their house with a look Daryl had never seen before. Merle was very protective of Riley and he didn't even want to think about what he was doing. About two hours later, Riles asleep in Daryl's lap, Merle walked through the door; Mark the bartender pointed to the back booth and Merle turned making eye contact with his brother. He then walked over to Mark, they exchanged a few words and Merle walked over. He gently scooped up Riley and held her against him. Rubbing the back of head. He looked at his younger brother, both connected eyes and nodded making a silent vow. He then looked back down at his tiny innocent little sister. He placed a kiss to her temple and whispered in her ear "Never again Rye bread, never again"
Daryl was awaken from his thoughts when he heard Herschel place his medical bag back onto the hard wooden floor. He looked at his sister and felt like he had failed her, after that night with their father he and Merle made a vow that as long as one of them was around Riley would never be in danger, and he had failed.
"You should be fine my dear, maybe a bit of a headache but all in all nothing a good night sleep won't help." he then paused and looked up at Daryl and then over to the door where Rick was now standing.
"Now on to more pressing matters…what happened to you?"
With a shaky breath and a glance over to Rick, who was staring at the girl with such concern that it made her nervous, never had anybody but Merle and Daryl ever truly cared about her, she spoke out
"I was left"
Shane sat at a picnic table watching the house before him. He was to distracted in his thoughts that he didn't hear Carl approach
"It's great Riley's back isn't" Carl spoke with a smile on his face. He loved Riley. She didn't treat him like a kid and it was like having an older sister, a badass older sister.
Shane snapped out of his daze and stared over at the young boy "yeah…great" he replied. Then he thought, maybe if he could convince Carl that Riley was no good Rick would have to believe him.
Just as Shane was about to throw out some random lies and stories about the girl, Lori appeared, and told Carl to run along, that he could check on Rye, she probably wanted to see him, she said. Carl's smile grew and he ran off
"You stay away from my son, you hear me" Lori spoke lowly "and Riley" she added. She had heard and seen what had happened both at the farm and while out on the run. She was sicken by what Shane had done and would do anything in her power to make sure he was never alone with the children again.
Shane stared back and watched as Lori made her way back to the tent she shared with her family.
It had been a couple days since Riley returned at the farm and things were moving along, until one morning a very anxious Glenn stood in the center of the group as they ate breakfast and spoke the words that baffled everyone
"So guys….there's ummm there's Walkers in the barn."
It took a moment for that statement to register in peoples minds and process what had just been said, but once it did it was like a tidal wave of activity.
Everyone took off for the barn, once Shane was close enough he peeked through one of cracks and looked inside, it was a few seconds before a Walker eye appeared and Shane jumped back, turning around and flying into Rick's face
"You can't be okay with this man, it was fine when we were all playing house and picking daisies but this is our lives."
Dale cut in with "Herschel sees these people as sick"
"You knew about this" Shane lashed out. Dale and Glenn informed the group that they knew last night but Glenn wanted to be the one to deliver the news.
"Let me talk to Herschel" Rick spoke with a little edge in his voice. He wasn't okay with this in any way, his family all of his family were only a few yards away; but this wasn't his land and after everything Herschel has done he couldn't and wouldn't do anything before talking to the man.
As the group broke up, Shane stood guard over the front of the barn while Andrea agreed to watch the back
As Rick started to make his way up the porch steps looking for Herschel, Riley stopped him
"Rick" she called out. He turned and waited for her to continue
"Thanks…for believing me, for caring. I've never had someone besides Daryl or Merle take my side on anything. You didn't have to and you did. I want you to know that I too will have your back with whatever decisions you make" she rambled on. Rick looked down at the young girl before him, she was a young girl, she had so many demons tucked away she was a little girl who needed to grow up too fast. Rick gave her a smile, and walked back down the steps. He pulled Riley into a hug "You're family now, we look out for our own" he then pulled away and with a smile on his face gave her hair a ruffle and quickly walked back up the steps. Riley watched Rick's retreating back and grinned to herself, 'this must be what having a real dad feels like' she thought. In the distance Daryl watched the exchange between his sister and a man he was starting to admire and trust, he to smirked, happy that even though it took 21 years and a zombie apocalypse Riles was finally getting the family she always deserved.
Rick didn't expect this when he agreed to take a walk with Herschel. He thought maybe Herschel was going to show him the graves of his loved ones as the older man spoke briefly about a wife and step son he lost. Instead though he was now walking back to the farm with a Walker attached to a pole, Herschel right beside him with a female Walker attached to his. Jeremy a boy that worked on the farm was ahead of the men directing the Walkers to their destination.
The group members at the farm were dealing with their own problems. Shane had officially gone crazy, and was passing out guns to everyone asking if they were ready.
"You going to protect yours" he spoke to Glenn. Glenn took a quick glance to Maggie; the two had started dating and it was actually pretty cute. This however could be a make it or break it for them. Glenn took the gun with shaky hands and watched as Maggie shook her head. Shane then approach Daryl, who also took a gun, looking over to his sister who stood with a protective arm around Carl. Lori also stood by she walked forward though when Shane tried to hand a gun to Maggie
"Can you shoot" he asked the farmers daughter who replied with a snippy "Can you stop" Lori interjected with "Wait for Rick, he's with Herschel, he'll deal with this"
Not a moment after she spoke did everyone's head snap over to Rick, Herschel and the sound of Walkers. Everyone's mouths dropped open
"deal with it like that" Shane yelled as he took off after the men who were headed towards the barn.
Rick took a quick glance up scared to have his eyes off the Walker for more then a minute and saw his group running towards him guns in all their hands.
"Hold up, Shane, hold up" Rick tried to explain the situation to Shane, but Shane had already lost it. He went off on Rick and Herschel, yelling and screaming that these people aren't sick, their dead, dead, dead. Shane shot the Walker Herschel was holding, screaming how he just hit the lungs, heart and chest, how could it still be moving and coming at him. Herschel dropped to the ground as Shane shot the Walker in the head. Rick tried desperately for Herschel to take the Walker he was holding onto so he could deal with his out of control group member.
Shane however took matters into his own hands
"We're doing this, this is our lives, this isn't safe, it's our lives!" he shouted before shooting off the lock on the barn doors. Rick then having to help protect his family shot the Walker he was holding in the head before helping to dispose of the mass that was exiting the barn.
Everyone who had a gun or weapon was using it, as the herd of Walkers came pouring out at them. Riley had pushed Carl away and the boy ran to him mother. She then loaded her crossbow and sent arrows flying. Once she ran out she switched over to her gun. The last Walker hit the ground and the only sound was that of Beth; Herschel's youngest daughter crying and the heavy breathing of the group.
Riley took a glance at everyone before stepping forward for the task of collecting her arrows. She was pulling the last one out of skull of a Walker that was a few yards from the barn door when she heard it, the low distinct sound of a Walker snarl. Her eyes went to the barn and she watched as skinny legs in tennis shoes stepped forward.
'No, it can't be' Riley thought 'it can't be'. Her eyes continued up until they came to the faded blue rainbow shirt, they then went up to the blonde hair and glassed over brown orbs of Sophia. Riley's heart sank. Sophia wasn't lost, huddled in a hole or abandoned house looking and waiting for them she was a… Walker. She had a giant bite mark on her neck and the left side of shirt was covered in blood. 'When had this happened' Riley thought 'if I didn't leave her, if I just had her come with me, if I told her to stay put rather then try and find her way back on her own, if I looked harder, if I, if I, if I.' those were the only thoughts circling in her head.
Noise seemed to fade out, she could faintly hear Carol behind her crying and what sounded like Daryl telling her not to look. Riley then did what she had to do, she had to be the one, she was the reason why Sophia was in the barn as a Walker in the first place. She dropped her crossbow but held tightly onto the arrow she had just removed from the Walker below her feet. She then watched as Sophia spotted her and made her way over to where she stood. Once close enough; Riley grabbed the back of Sophia's head holding her, they looked each in the eyes, glazed over brown orbs staring into the bright blue ones that held unshed tears that wouldn't fall 'you don't get to cry' Riley thought bitterly. In her head she heard her father 'you bottle that crying shit up or I'll give you a real reason to cry'.
Daryl watched as his sister held onto Sophia , he could see how tightly she was grasping the arrow her knuckles turning white, he then saw her whisper something to the girl. He repeated to Carol don't look as he held her tightly keeping her from running over
Riley looked into Sophia dead eyes once again, before bringing up her hand and pushing her arrow up into the back of her skull. Sophia's body went limp and Riley slowly lowered her to the ground. Riley turned around in time to see Carol running up the hill towards the RV. She bent picked up her arrow and crossbow and walked towards the forest, she heard someone approaching, she didn't care who it was so without turning around or slowing down her pace she called out
"Don't" in a low eerily calm tone before disappearing among the trees.
So the next chapter Herschel goes missing; I had a couple ideas; one was Riley is already at the bar when he gets there, or she returns to the farm and ends up going with Lori to look for them. Also what would you guys think about Riley going with Rick when he kills Shane? And should Riley get left behind again when they have to escape the farm? I can't wait till their at the prison =)
