A/N: I'm sorry guys! There is no excuse except plain laziness on my part, I've just been so blah lately and haven't felt inspired. I think I'll be wrapping up the winter in another five chapters or so because I have some things I really want to get to in season 3. But here is a super short chapter to tide you over until I get this next chapter up, which I plan to do by Wednesday. Anyway please read and review, they are always appreciated!
"Put your hands up where I can see them!" The man holding the gun yelled and I grudgingly obeyed. He came over and pulled the gun off of my shoulder, leaving me unarmed and defenseless. He was bulky and tall, similar to Rustle's build but had long blonde hair and the iciest blue eyes I had ever seen. He was beautiful except for the scars running along the left side of his face. There were four raised lines of scars curving to the shape of his face like some animal had attacked him. It took all of my self control not to recoil in disgust.
"What are you doing out here? Give me one good reason not to kill you right now!" He yelled in a booming voice and I faltered in my answer. I was mentally slapping myself for getting caught and for being stupid enough to try this in the first place. I needed to let the others know what they were up against though.
"Jimmy! She's with that group. Don't kill her, we can use her. Come on," another man said as he emerged from the brush. My heart was pounding and I was really afraid. I was in over my head. Yet another guy came over to join the others and they escorted me back to the house where we were staying, all of them keeping guns on me the entire time. They led me to the three guys who were holding the group and put me front and center. I saw Rick sigh and Daryl tense. The others had made their way outside as well, backing up the guys with guns pointed, but no one dared fire yet. I needed to tell the others how many there were without tipping off the others.
I figured Daryl was my best shot. I met his eyes and looked down at my hands subtly. He followed my line of sight and I carefully held up one finger and then two to communicate there were roughly a dozen guys. He gave the smallest nod to let me know he understood and I sighed in relief.
"Well. Seems things just got more interesting," Rustle said, grabbing my arm to pull me closer. I broke off abruptly and he gave me a dangerous look that sent a genuine trickle of fear down my spine, but I returned the glare defiantly.
"Okay. We're leaving. Let her go and we'll be on our way," Rick said, holding up his hands to show he meant no harm.
"Not so fast, seems like we have some new things to discuss now."
"No, I don't think we do. Let her go," Rick's voice was fierce with a dangerous edge.
I knew I needed to get away from these guys because me being with them gave them the power. Luckily, they all seemed to be focused on Rick so I just needed to wait until the perfect opportunity and make a break for it. It came in the form of another group of walkers charging into the area from the dense woods. I broke away, running back to the others who were taking off towards the cars, shooting only the walkers who got in our way, needing them to serve as a distraction for a little longer. I hopped on the bike with Daryl and we took off first, leading the way out of the neighborhood with the others behind us. We didn't know if these guys would follow us but we hit the interstate and flew down the road as fast as we could, giving me time to cast only one final look at the place that once served as my home.