Chapter 15: Right Behind My Back

Blurb: Hi, Sorry it has taken so long to update. I have been taking back to back summer classes to get ahead. :) Let me know what you think! ~ This chapter is titled after the song Seven Nation Army- Zella Day.~

Begin:

Ellen sat in the trunk bed with Daryl and T-Dog. Both men took up most of the space, so Ellen was pushed back toward the trunk's doorway. She was sitting at an awkward angle when Shane pulled the truck forward. Ellen jerked a bit, but quickly grabbed hold of the side and corrected herself. She missed seat belts.

Daryl watched Ellen from his position, taking in Ellen's awkwardness and discomfort. Daryl let a small hiss escape his lips as he contemplated Ellen's complete lack of where-with-all. Her presence was igniting feelings of… anger, and frustration in him. He could only do so much for her. She'd have to pick herself up if she was going to survive. And that was part of the problem.

Daryl tried to focus his attention on the scenery, scoping out the land with expert eyes for any threats. But his gaze always landed on Ellen. It was so fucking ridiculous.

The road was not kind to Ellen's rear end, and Shane didn't drive courteously. Every bump in the road was a renewed kind of agony. But Ellen was somewhat grateful for the distraction. She needed to keep her mind off the real reason they were out there. Dale was an unnecessary casualty in their peaceful farm life. They had to protect their territory now. Ellen clung to the present moment, refusing to ruminate in the despair that had taken her earlier. She couldn't be weak now.

Her companions were silent. Ellen noticed how T-Dog and Daryl were somber to the point of respect, in light of Dale's recent death. They all realized the purpose of this excursion. The camp was counting on them to keep death from their door.

Ellen noticed they were nearing the edge of the property. Shane soon stopped the truck near the fence's edge. The passengers all made ready to exit.

Ellen stood tall in the trunk bed and then sat on its edge, sliding off until her boots casually met grass. Daryl hopped over the trunk bed after her, crossbow in hand. He turned to look back at Ellen, "You want another weapon?"

Ellen shook her head, "No, I need to get comfortable with my knife."

Accepting her answer, Daryl began advancing toward the fence. The others were already looking over the fence, pulling at it for weak points. Daryl sent Ellen a serious look, "Yer' near me, got it?"

Something in Ellen's stomach felt warm, and she wanted to give Daryl a smile in return. But circumstances were different now than they once were before the walkers. This was serious. Ellen could only reply with a firm nod.

The group walked the perimeter of the fence mostly in silence. Ellen would pause to help the others tug on wires or wooden beams, testing the strength of the fence. Daryl mostly stood guard with his crossbow, watching the property before them. But He never moved more than ten feet from Ellen.

As soon as they were a good distance from the truck, they would double back and drive further down the perimeter. This kept the truck close, incase of some unforeseen complication.

At one point they had to explore through parts of the forest, which was contained within the farm's property line. Daryl led the way as they tracked multiple prints. When the trail ran out toward the next fence line, Daryl suggested they go back for the truck and search for the walker as they repaired the fence.

So, they doubled back for the truck once again and piled in. The truck pulled out, and Ellen watched as the dirt road slid under and away from her. They drove for a few minutes with nothing but the roar of the truck engine to dispel the silence. Finally, the truck stopped. Shane had stopped further away from the fence than they were accustomed to, and Ellen craned her neck to see why.

Daryl answered her question with a low growl, "Walkers."

Her companions hopped out of the trunk bed immediately, ready to face the dead. But fear was running rampant in Ellen's bloodstream, and she struggled to push herself to her feet. Daryl was on the grass beside the truck, crossbow in position. He was ready, but he wouldn't go until Ellen was right behind him. Receiving the message loud and clear, Ellen slid off the side of the truck in a hurry and pulled out her knife. It was cold and rigid in her hands.

Once Daryl noticed Ellen was beside him, he let out a small grunt and started to move forward to meet the walkers.

Ellen realized what Daryl wanted. But she sure as heck wasn't a cave man.

Daryl cornered one of the taller, male walkers. He had a clear shot, but he hesitated. Ellen noticed and realized that this was her chance. If she was going to grow, she would have to step outside her comfort zone.

So, she took two steps forward- away from Daryl.

The walker immediately focused it's attention on her petite figure. Daryl grew impatient when Ellen didn't react to the walker's sudden attention. He barked at her in urgency, "Ellen!"

Ellen didn't break eye contact with the walker. She just put one hand up slightly, indicating to Daryl that he should remain calm.

Daryl wasn't reassured. He kept his shot on the walker open, ready to take it at any moment.

Finally, the walker screeched and began hobbling furiously toward Ellen. It's long fingers reached toward her as it approached. This was so similar to Ellen's first walker attack. But she was determined not to mess it up this time.

The walker charged her, and Ellen took the last few steps between them. Now that the walker was in her immediate vicinity, Ellen was able to easily slip her knife upwards. She aimed for the walker's cranium and pushed with all her might, ignoring the resistance that came with the impact.

As soon as the walker had been pierced, the fight left it. The walker collapsed at Ellen's feet, knife still in its skull.

Suddenly proud of her accomplishment, Ellen turned to face Daryl. He sent her a small nod and indicated the other walkers with a hand gesture. Understanding the skirmish wasn't over, Ellen reached down to pull out her knife. She grabbed hold of it firmly and yanked with moderate force. The knife was bloodied, but not in the way Ellen was used to as a nurse. It was more like the remains of sick and rotting bodies. The thought sent a shiver through Ellen's spine. This world was so surreal.

Once Ellen had her knife in hand, Daryl made his way toward the remaining three walkers. T-Dog and Andrea were tag teaming one walker. So, Daryl aimed his crossbow at another walker.

Ellen and Daryl both had their eyes trained on their claimed walker. Neither of them noticed the remaining walker until it was nearly too late. Apparently, Shane had allowed it to stray away from him- near Ellen and Daryl.

Without warning, Ellen suddenly heard a hiss from behind her, and she whirled around to come face-to-face with a disheveled female walker. It reached one long claw toward Ellen, and she dodged quickly. Unfortunately, Ellen lost her balance in the process and fell to the ground at the walker's feet.

The next thing Ellen knew, the walker was on the ground with her. It was lifeless and unmoving, an arrow protruding from its head.

Ellen was still on the ground, and Daryl was on his feet right beside her. He had nearly forgotten their claimed walker, which now came crashing toward them in a fury.

Lacking a close-range weapon on hand, Daryl met the walker head on. They were wrestling for dominance above Ellen's sprawled figure. The walker's jowls opened and chomped in Daryl's face, begging for flesh. Daryl finally managed to push the walker forward, forcing the monster on its back in the grass.

Ellen pushed herself up, watching as Daryl kicked the walker in a torrent of rage. Seeing that the walker was still moving, Andrea and T-Dog moved in on the walker as well. Shane came over then, and the group continued to rain down blows on the walker. It wasn't until Shane took a shovel and forced it down on the walker's head, that the blows stopped.

Ellen watched the scene in a temporary state of shock. She was having trouble processing what had just happened to her. Did Shane just allow a walker to come towards her and Daryl?

And Daryl was taking his anger out… on this walker?

It was true that Dale's recent death had been difficult for all of them. They would all have to deal with it in their own ways. But now, to add insult to injury, they couldn't even trust the people in their camp- specifically Shane. Ellen realized then that Daryl was not only angry with their circumstances, but also with himself for allowing her to be attacked. In some sense, he had failed her. They had both let their guard down around Shane. And they could have paid for it dearly.

When the walkers were all terminated, Daryl stalked around the group in frustration. He was pacing, trying to blow off some steam. The last thing Ellen wanted right now was for Daryl to attack Shane, when Rick couldn't moderate.

Ellen got to her feet quickly, and approached Daryl cautiously. The rest of the group watched on as Ellen tried to get his attention. Daryl was clearly furious. He noticed Ellen immediately, and trained his eyes on her as he continued pacing vigorously.

Daryl didn't calm himself, despite the fact that Ellen was nearby and trying to silently reassure him. Ellen decided she had to take more assertive action. So, as Daryl was about to walk past her for the twentieth time, Ellen stepped in his path. His broad figure nearly ran her over, but he righted himself and looked down on her in exasperation, "Shit, Ellen! What're you doing?"

"You need to calm down."

Daryl hissed back, "Like hell."

"Daryl, please."

Daryl continued his pacing, but in smaller and more confined circles. "This is bullshit, Ellen."

Ellen nodded, "I know."

Daryl did a double take, "And you ain't even mad?" Daryl dropped his voice down a few octaves, so only Ellen could make out what he was saying, "That fucker could have killed you."

Ellen squared her shoulders. "I know that, Daryl."

Daryl shook his head in disbelief, "Unbelievable." He stopped in his tracks near Ellen's stationary position, and let out a long breath. "You want me to get back in that truck and act like nothing happened?"

Ellen nodded, "For now, yes."

Daryl let out a small chuckle, still clearly uncomfortable with Ellen's request. "You sure are quick to forgive, ain't ya, Peaches?"

Ellen's eyebrows knit together and she sent Daryl a serious look. She whispered back to Daryl with her back to the group, "No, I just know Rick is the best person to go to with this. I can't have you dealing with Shane out here, Daryl. I won't let you get hurt for me. Especially not over something like this."

Daryl met her eyes then, searching for any sign that Ellen might be holding back her feelings on the subject from him. But he found nothing but honesty. Daryl nodded in acceptance, "We go to Rick first thing."

Then, Daryl turned and brushed past Ellen to make his way toward the truck. He was the first one seated and ready to go.

Shane was problem that couldn't be ignored any longer.