Sorry for the two year hiatus. This chapter is Amber's. Erin, Brian and Amber belong to her. And Cassie and Jack belong to Aries. Enjoy!
"I can't believe you're here right now." I whispered as I pulled away from Rick. "How are you even here?"
"We'll talk later but I need to know. Are Carl and Lori all right? Are they safe?" Rick asked, pleading.
"They're fine. They are perfectly fine." I assured him. I saw absolute relief wash over his face at that news. I really did feel for my brother in that moment but I'm so glad that he was safe and alive.
We suddenly heard more gunshots and I groaned at Dixon's idiocy. Makes me very glad that Daryl is nothing like his brother. Suddenly a fight broke out between T-Dog and Merle that ended with T-Dog on the ground with Merle standing over him.
"All right! We're gonna have ourselves a little powwow, huh? Talk about who's in charge. I vote me. Anybody else?" Merle asked as he raised his own hand in the air while the rest of us remained quiet. I watched as Rick picked up a pipe and walked up to Merle. Jeez, I hope he knocks him out cold so we could have some peace and quiet.
Once Merle finished his little speech, Rick reached him and hit him with the pipe and then handcuffed him to another pipe. I frowned at this. As much as I didn't like the asshole, I don't think this is a good idea. "Who the hell are you, man?!" Merle yelled as he struggled in the cuffs.
"Officer Friendly. Look here, Merle. Things are different now. There are no niggers anymore. No dumb-as-shit, inbred white-trash fools either. Only dark meat and white meat. There's us and the dead. We survive this by pulling together, not apart," Rick said and that was when I decided to tune out once Merle and Rick began their verbal war. I watched as Cassidy walked over to the edge of the building, looking at the walkers. I decided to walk over as well, not really wanting to listen and just let Rick deal with it.
"Next time keep him on a shorter leash or leave him at camp." I said when I reached her. She rolled her eyes at me as she looked back at Merle and Rick's little war of words.
"Leave him here for all I give," she said. "My main concern is getting off this damn roof and getting back to my son." She finished as we both watched even more Walkers appear. I admit, I agreed with her there.
"You're right about that. I want to get back to Erin and my brother needs to get back to camp to get Carl and his...wife." I said, hesitating on Lori's part. I really didn't want to consider her as his wife after all the shit she has done to him and me.
"So there is someone who you hate more than me," she said smirking. "We really need to be figuring a way off this roof and not fighting among ourselves." She stated, sighing.
"You might be right on both accounts." I agreed. I really didn't hate Cassidy, she just had a habit of rubbing me the wrong way most of the time even when I try to be civil. "How's the signal?" I asked, looking at T-Dog, who was now sitting on the ground, leaning against the ledge.
"Like Dixon's brain...Weak." T-Dog replied as Merle flipped him the bird. I resisted the urge to slap people on the head...hard.
"Keep trying." Morales said this go around.
"Why?" Andrea asked. "There's nothing they can do. Not a damn thing." We went on to discuss what we could do but nothing was a no-go.
"What about under the streets? The sewers?" Rick asked. We all looked over the edge at the abundance of Walkers.
"The manhole covers must be all out on the streets where the geeks are," Morales said and I agreed. There was no way that would work. We wouldn't make it.
"Maybe not. Old buildings like this built in the '20s...big structures often had drainage tunnels in the sewers in case of flooding down in the subbasements." Jacqui explained and I looked at her shocked.
"How do you know that?" Glenn asked the question we all most likely had.
"It's my job...was. I worked in the city zoning office," Jacqui answered. Well then, it was definitely worth checking out.
"T-Dog, you good at staying up here to keep working on that C.B. radio?" Rick asked T-Dog, who nodded. "I'm under the impression that you can handle your own against that one." Rick said to Cass, motioning to Merle.
"I can handle him just fine," Cass answered. The rest of us then headed downstairs to the basement level. We let Glenn lead the way since he memorized this whole building. We soon found a manhole that went down into the darkness. It was kind of creepy.
"This is it?" Rick asked as we looked. "Are you sure?"
"I really scoped this place out the other times I was here. It's the only thing in the building that goes down." Glenn explained. "But I've never gone down it." He quickly added. "Who'd want to, right?" We all looked at Glenn and he looked back at us, realizing what he would have to do. "Oh, great."
"We'll be right behind you." Andrea said and Glenn replied with, "No, you won't. Not you." I tried hard not to laugh at that. She was turned down so fast.
"Why not me?" Andrea asked, obviously insulted. "Think I can't?"
Glenn realized how it sounded as he quickly said, "I wasn't…"
"Speak your mind." I said this go around. I understood he didn't want to come off as rude but he needed to speak up, after all, he knew this place more than we did.
Glenn looked at me gratefully before continuing, "Look, until now, I always came here by myself. In and out, grab a few things...no problem. The first time I bring a group, everything goes to hell. No offense." Glenn quickly added and continued, "If you want me to go down this gnarly hole, fine...but only if we do it my way. It's tight down there. If I run into something and have to get out quick, I don't want you all jammed up behind me, getting me killed." He explained. We all nodded. "I'll take one person…not you either." He motioned to Rick who was gonna say something, most likely volunteer himself. "You've got Merle's gun and I've seen you shoot. I'd feel much better if you were out in that store watching those doors, covering our ass." He then looked at Andrea and said, "And you've got the only other gun, so you should go with him." He then looked at me, "You be my wingman." I nodded in agreement although I could see Rick give an uneasy look. Great, I know what's coming. "Jacqui and Morales, stay here. Something happens, yell down to us, get us back up here in a hurry."
"Okay." Jacqui said as Morales nodded with her.
"I don't know about sending Amber down there." Rick said uneasy. I sighed. I knew this was coming.
"Amber is the best one to go with me. She's the quickest and I've seen her fight. She can handle herself." Glenn explained and I nodded to him in thanks for defending me.
"All right." Rick said, reluctantly agreeing. "Just be careful." He said, looking at me and I nodded and smiled.
"I'll be okay, Rick." I assured. We then split into our jobs. I went down first, followed by Glenn. Once I reached the bottom, I quickly pulled out a flashlight so Glenn and I could see where we're going. He soon joined me and went down the sewer.
"Thanks for convincing Rick to let me come down here." I said. "He's always been overprotective of me, ever since we were kids."
"No problem." Glenn said, giving me a smile. "I was telling him the truth though. You can handle yourself." I grinned back as we continued. Unfortunately, we ended up coming to a dead end where the sewer was covered in steel.
"Can we cut through it?" Glenn asked. I placed my hand and felt the gate.
"If we had a blowtorch and half a day, sure. Dale's hacksaw sure as hell won't do it." I explained.
"Great." Glenn said. I tilted the light down and my eyes widened as we saw a Walker, munching on a rat as he looked at us and lunged. We both yelled as we quickly backed away. That was way too close.
We then backtracked and went to meet up with Jacqui and Morales. As we reached the top, we heard a crash from upstairs. That didn't sound good at all. We all rushed upstairs and met up with Rick and Andrea and saw that the Walkers got past the first set of glass doors and were currently working on the second set.
"What did you find down there?" Rick asked.
"Not a way out." I answered. "We need to find a way...and soon." I motioned toward the doors. We rushed back upstairs to come up with another plan.
Rick eventually did come up with a plan involving a construction truck. He came up with a plan to cover himself with guts from a dead walker and he chose Glenn to go with him.
"Rick, I should go too. I can help you." I said, staring my brother down.
"Not this time, Amber. I need you here in case something goes wrong and I'm not putting you in that sort of danger." Rick stated.
"I can handle myself, Rick. I've proven that." I explained, not backing down. I didn't want to be separated from Rick. I just got him back.
"We're not discussing this, Amber. You're staying here. I'm your older brother and you'll listen to me." Rick said. I knew instantly he was playing the big brother card and making me feel like that 13 year old again.
I stayed silent as we began covering Rick and Glenn in Walker guts and blood. Poor Glenn was gonna lose it. "Oh God! Oh jeez. Oh, this is bad. This is really bad," Glenn whined, choking a little. I felt for the poor guy.
"Think about something else...puppies and kittens. Dead puppies and kittens." Rick told Glenn, but that just made things worse as Glenn vomits.
"That is just evil. What is wrong with you?" I asked, looking at my brother like he was insane. How did he think that would help?
"I'm sorry," Rick apologized to Glenn as Glenn told him that he sucked. "Do we smell like them?"
"Oh yeah," Cass answered and then went to talk to Glenn.
"If we make it back, be ready." Rick said as he threw the keys to Cass. "Give me the axe. We need more guts." He began to chop the walker up some more. I made a last minute decision. Rick wasn't gonna do this without me.
I quickly rushed up to the Walker and began covering myself in guts and Walker blood. Rick looked over at me, pissed off at what I was doing. I just gave him a look that said try me.
Once we were ready, we headed to the back of the building into the alleyway as the others went back to the roof. "I cannot believe you did that, Amber. That was stupid." Rick said angrily to me.
"I'm not letting you do this without me. I just got you back and I'm staying with you. We can talk about it later." I said back and continued on. Once we began getting closer to the Walkers, we all began walking slower with limps like the Walkers. One walker walked close to me and Glenn and looked at us. Glenn and I nervously looked at the Walker and I made a small grunt noise to blend in. The Walker looked at me for a minute before continuing on.
We came to a semi-truck that was blocking the way. We got close and got on our knees and crawled under the truck to the other side, slowly so we wouldn't draw attention and then continued on our way.
"It's gonna work. I can't believe it." Glenn said in disbelief.
"Don't draw attention." Rick said, getting Glenn to be quiet. We were getting closer to the construction site and I could feel a small relief settle over me but sadly, it didn't last long. We soon heard thunder and it began to rain. Oh that is not good. We tried to remain calm and continued walking like Walkers but I knew the smell would start to go away due to the rain. We soon were starting to get more Walkers looking at us and walking towards us.
"The smell's washing off, isn't it?" Glenn asked, becoming nervous while Rick tried to keep him calm. Suddenly a Walker lunged at me but I quickly stabbed it with my knife.
"RUN!" Rick yelled as we began to run the rest of the way. Luckily we aren't that far from the site. We quickly arrived at the fence to the site and we all climbed over it. We soon found the truck that Rick found and we all got in and drove away.
"Oh my God. Oh my God. They're all over that place." Glenn said as we both looked at all the Walkers that covered the front of the store.
"You need to draw them away. Those roll-up doors at the front of the store." Rick explained.
"The loading dock?" I asked him. He nodded.
"That's what I need cleared. Raise your friends. Tell them to get down there and be ready." He explained.
"And I'm drawing the geeks away how?" Glenn asked. "I...I missed that part."
"Noise." Rick answered as he pulled up to a red Dodge Challenger and broke the window, unlocking the car and sitting inside of it. He then used his knife to get the car started and allow the alarm to go off. Rick got out and motioned for Glenn to get inside the car. I could see excitement on his face as being able to drive the car.
Soon after, we put our plan into action with Glenn leading the Walkers away and Rick driving to the loading dock once most of the Walkers had left the area. I got up from my seat and unlocked the back of the truck and rolled up the door and knocked on the dock door. It rolled-up as the others got into the truck and I noticed that Merle wasn't with them. We drove back to camp and I listened as Cass and T-Dog talked about what happened with Merle. Oh boy, Daryl was not gonna be happy when he finds out what happened.
"I never got to ask you. Are Erin and Brian okay?" Rick asked. I looked at the engagement ring for a moment and looked at Rick.
"Erin is safe. She's at camp with Lori and Carl. Brian didn't make it though. He turned and tried to kill Erin and Shane came in and shot Brian." I explained.
"I'm so sorry, honey." Rick said as he grabbed my hand in comfort. I squeezed his hand in thanks and we continued to the camp, me showing him where to go.
We finally arrived back and I quickly jumped out. "Mommy!" I heard. I smiled and walked forward as I watched Erin rush over to me. I opened my arms and she rushed into them. I hugged her tight, lifting her and swinging her around in a circle and kissed the top of her head, happy to have my baby back. I looked toward Carl and Lori and saw how sad Carl was.
"Lori! Carl! Come here. There's someone who wants to see you." I called and then looked over to the truck. "Hurry up!" Rick finally emerged and Carl yelled happily and ran to his Dad, Lori right behind him. Rick and Carl hugged and then walked over to Lori and hugged her. I couldn't help but smile a little but I noticed the looks between Shane and Lori and my happiness dulled.
"Uncle Rick!" Erin yelled happily and ran to Rick and he hugged her as well. I was happy to have my family back.
We then began talking about the Merle situation and who would tell Daryl about what happened. "We were all scared up there," I said. "Everything that was done, needed to be done. And if Cass wants to be the one to tell Daryl, let her. As far as I can see, she's the one closest to him here, besides Merle. It will sound better coming from her." I explained. I know Cass wouldn't trust my words but I was telling the truth. She was the closest to him at the moment, me being second in a way. He and I weren't best friends or anything but we got along well.
We soon finished our conversation and just spent the time around the fire, listening as Rick talked about what happened to him. It was definitely unbelievable and I was glad and relieved he made it.
I had been thinking for a while and I knew that Rick would go back to town tomorrow for Merle and I decided to go with him. I knew I had to tell Erin and she wasn't gonna like it. We all headed to our tents to rest and i sat in front of Erin after I got her ready for bed. "Erin, sweetie. I need to talk to you."
She looked at me and sighed, "Are you going back, Mom?" She really was a smart girl.
"Yeah I am." I answered.
"But why? You and Uncle Rick just got back." She said and I could see tears in her eyes.
"I know. But what have I taught you? If someone needs help, you help them even if you don't like the person. Remember?" I explained and she nodded. "I want you to stay with Cass and Jack until I get back, okay?"
"Okay, mom." She said, crying. I just hugged her as we went to bed. I hated hurting her like this but I couldn't leave it alone.
xOx
After breakfast, I went into my tent and changed into a plain black tank top, blue jeans and combat boots. I then tied my hair up in a messy bun and placed my knife in my belt loop. Just as I was ready to go, I heard terrified screams. One sounded like Erin and I rushed out of my tent and ran towards the screams. I saw Jack and Erin holding onto each other as a walker ate on a dead deer. I ran up along with Cass and ushered our kids towards the others from the group. We both walked to the Walker and stabbed it in the head and headed back to the group with me checking on Erin, making sure she wasn't bit or scratched, which thankfully she wasn't.
"That's the first one we've had up here. They never come this far up the mountain," Dale said, shocked.
"Well, they're running out of food in the city, that's what," Jimmy snapped out. We then heard rustling in the woods and everyone who had guns pointed towards the woods. I let out a sigh once I saw Daryl come out.
"Son of a bitch!" Daryl yelled once he saw the dead deer. "That's my deer! Look at it, all gnawed on by this filthy, disease-bearing, motherless poxy bastard," Daryl said as he kicked the dead Walker. I probably would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious.
"Calm down, son. That's not helping." Dale said, trying to calm Daryl down.
"What do you know about it, old man?" Daryl asked, looking at Dale. "Why dont you take that stupid hat and go back to 'on Golden Pond'? I've tracked this deer for miles," Daryl explained. "I was gonna drag it back to camp and cook us up some venison. What do you think? Do you think we can cut around this chewed up part right here?" Daryl asked, kneeling next to the deer.
"I wouldn't risk it," Shane answered.
"That's a damn shame," Daryl sighs. "I got some squirrel. About a dozen or so." He said and we all went back to the camp. I knew things were about to go downhill so I had Erin go with Carl.
I listened in when Cass said, "Merle's not here, there was a problem with him in Atlanta." Cass started.
"He dead?" Daryl asked.
"I don't think he is," she said.
"He either is or he ain't, which one is it?" Daryl bit out.
Everything began to go downhill with explaining things with Daryl. A fight ended up breaking out between Daryl and Rick, with Shane getting involved once Daryl pulled out a knife. Shane put Daryl into a chokehold and once everything was calm, Shane let go of Daryl and Rick explained what happened.
"It's not Rick's fault. I had the key, I gave it to your brother before I left the roof." Cass explained. Daryl was about to retort until Cass said, "And don't even start with me, because you know that I will pick my son over your brother any day and that is what I did."
"I watched your brother fumble and drop the key. Neither one of us could reach the key with where it went. I didn't have a choice." T-Dog explained this go around.
"If it's supposed to make me feel better, it don't." Daryl grumbled.
"Well, maybe this will. Look, I chained the door to the roof, so the geeks couldn't get at him. With a padlock. It's gotta count for something." T-Dog explained. I doubt it did.
"Hell with all y'all! Just tell me where he is so I can go get him," he demanded.
"They will show you where he is at. I am not going, I am staying here with my son," Cass said. I didn't blame her there. I really didn't want to go either but my caring side wouldn't let me even if it was someone I couldn't stand.
"He'll show you. Isn't that right?" Lori asked sarcastically. Something tells me that they already had this conversation.
"I'm going back." Rick said, determined to help Daryl. Rick and Shane went off to talk and most likely argue since Rick just came back to everyone. No doubt that was what Lori and Rick did last night.
I walked over to Daryl as he was getting his stuff together. "We'll get your brother back." I said, standing next to him.
"Why the hell do you care? It's not like your friends with 'im." Daryl asked, I could see the annoyance on his face at the situation.
"No I'm not. I really don't even like him to be honest; but you are my friend, Daryl." I answered as he looked at me surprised. "And I'll help you guys go find him."
"Why?"
"Because it's not in my nature to leave people behind to die, no matter who they are." I explained.
Of course, our little conversation was ruined by Shane saying, "Why would you risk your life for a douchebag like Merle Dixon?" We both looked and saw that Rick and Shane were still arguing.
"Hey, choose your words more carefully." Daryl threatened.
Shane looked at us and said, "No, I did. Douchebag's what I meant." Shane shot back. I just rolled my eyes and left to go find Cass. I eventually did find her and walked over to her.
"Hey." I said when I reached her.
"What's up?" Cass asked.
"I know you and I don't get along but I do trust you. Can you watch Erin for me until I get back?" I asked her.
"Of course. You didn't even need to ask me that." Cass answered.
"I know. It's just...I don't know. I guess I'm trying to extend an olive branch." I explained. I already knew that Cass would look after Erin. I guess a part of me wants to get over with whatever the hell is going on between us.
"Yeah…" Cass said. "But I'll make sure Erin is safe." I nodded and thanked her before going back over to the group.
"So you and Daryl, that's your big plan?" Lori asked in disbelief. Rick then looked over to Glenn and I could see Glenn deflate.
"Oh, come on." Glenn pleaded.
"You know the way. You've been there before. In and out, no problem. You said so yourself." Rick explained. "It's not fair of me to ask, I know that. But I'd feel a lot better with you along. I know she would too." Glenn reluctantly agreed.
"That's just great." Shane said, pissed off. "Now you're gonna risk three men, huh?" I glared at Shane.
"Four." I said. Everyone looked at me in shock. "I decided last night. And dont start Rick. I'm not changing my mind." Noticing that Rick wanted to say something. Shane looked at me, pissed.
"Make it five." T-Dog said.
I heard Daryl next to me huff and say, "My day just gets better and better, don't it?"
"You see anybody else here stepping up to save your brother's cracker ass besides Amber?" T-Dog asked.
"Why you?"
"You wouldn't even begin to understand. You don't speak my language." He answered.
"That's five." Dale said.
"It's not just 5. You're putting every single one of us at risk. Just know that, Rick." Shane exclaimed and I wanted to shut him up right now. "Come on, you saw that walker. It was here. It was in camp. They're moving out of the cities. They come back, we need every able body we've got. We need 'em here. We need 'em to protect camp."
They soon got into an argument about the bag of guns that Rick had before he was attacked by those Walkers in Atlanta. I just walked over to the truck and sat down on the back of it while Daryl was putting stuff in. Erin walked over and I placed her on my lap and just held her. After Rick finally convinced everyone that we needed to go, we were ready to leave. I kissed Erin on the forehead and told her to stay with Cass and Jack and got in the truck.
I had a feeling shit was gonna go down in town.