Chapter 2 - The Waiting Game
I closed my eyes as I listened to the static coming through the C.B. Nothing but static no matter how many times T-Dog called for someone. Merle hadn't said a peep since he found out who had the key. The rest of us were watching Rick and Glenn slowly making their way through the hoard of walkers down below. Thunder cackled above us sending a warning of rain to come. I just hoped the two reached the fenced area before anything happened.
"Hello? Hello? Reception's bad at this end," a voice came through the C.B. I whipped around to face T-Dog as the voice meshed with the cackling of the radio static. "Repeat. Repeat."
"Shane is that you?!" T-Dog shouted into the radio. There was no response and I could feel my stomach dropping as I turned back to watch Rick and Glenn. "We're in some deep shit! We're trapped in the department store. There are geeks all over the place. Hundreds of 'em. We're surrounded."
The static cut through the silence of the rooftop like a knife. There was no response. We were on our own. I knew they wouldn't help. Shane had strict rules. If you went on a run and you got into trouble the rest of the group wasn't going to risk their life to save your ass. You got yourself into the mess, you get yourself out. That's usually why Glenn and I went alone. It cut down on travel time and we didn't have a big group behind us getting us killed because they had no sense of judgment.
Andrea was the one that suggested more people go. More people go, the more supplies we could bring back. Shane, Glenn, and I were all against it at first. This wasn't something to be taking a large group to do. We needed quick and precise, especially in Atlanta. What we got was slow and noisy. Glenn and I would have been out and back to camp by now, but because we had the group, and Rick came riding in like an idiot, we were stuck here fighting harder to stay alive. I was never the kind of girl that would wish for a second chance to fix a mistake or two, but right now I really wish I could go back and keep the group from coming.
I felt Morales push the binoculars into my hands as we stood there against the ledge. I quickly put the binoculars to my eyes and looked down in Glenn and Rick's direction. Several walkers were watching them, one or two would come close enough to sniff them before moving on. Glenn's shoulders were tense as he tightened his grip on the crowbar while Rick glanced around cautiously. I pulled the binoculars away from my face just as the sound of rain hitting the concrete met my ears. I immediately looked up at the sky noting the dark cloud above us as more raindrops fell hitting me in the face.
"On no," Morales looked up before holding his hand out. Well said, Morales, well said.
I whipped the binoculars back up to my eyes watching Rick and Glenn closely as the rain began to fall faster and faster. In a matter of seconds we were all soaked by the rain, meaning Glenn and Rick would be too. The blood and guts will be washing away from their bodies and they would start smelling alive again. If the rain continued it would only be a matter of minutes before the walkers figured it out.
"It's just a cloud burst," Morales tried comforting Jacqui and Andrea who looked petrified. "We get 'em all the time. It'll pass real quick."
I looked over to Rick and Glenn noticing the walkers around them. They were all starting to focus in on the duo. I handed the binoculars to Morales who was tapping my shoulder repeatedly. I watched through the rain trying not to blink too much, but the water splashing into my eyes made that hard to do. I put my hand to my forehead to make a visor for my eyes. When they focused again on Rick and Glenn, Rick had swung around burying the axe into a walker's head. He and Glenn then took off running.
My heart was racing as the two raced through the streets swinging at any walkers who got in their way. My hand was gripped the ledge tightly as the two got some free space with no walkers. They were mere feet from the construction site. I sighed in relief as I watched the climb the fence before jumping into the construction site as walkers ran into the fence. The relief was short lived as the walkers began piling against the fence making it sway precariously. That fence wasn't going to hold. Some were smart enough to try climbing the fence, but before they could get over they got a bullet to the brain thanks to Rick. Suddenly Rick was running towards one of the large trucks there on the construction site. As he and Glenn ran towards the truck a walker managed to make it over the fence before making its way towards the men.
"We've got to do something!" I snapped looking over at the three to my right.
"Like what?" Morales asked giving me a skeptical look.
I shook my head looking back down to where Rick and Glenn were and watched as the fence protecting the yard was pushed over by the walkers as they flooded into the site. Just then the rain stopped coming down as the cloud moved past us in the skies. Rick and Glenn in the truck backed it up quickly before heading in the opposite direction, they were heading away from us. My stomach dropped, but I quickly shook it off knowing Rick better than that. He'd never leave us behind if he didn't have to.
"They're leaving us," Andrea spoke out first.
"What?" Merle shouted from behind us. "What!"
"Where are they going? Where are they going?" Morales muttered under his breath.
"No, no, come back!" Andrea shouted.
"Jesus Christ will you all shut the hell up!" I yelled as everyone's eyes immediately turned to me. "They'll come back for us."
"How do you know?" T-Dog asked from his position on the ground.
"Because I know Rick. He wouldn't leave us here." Just then the radio on my hip began cackling.
"Mel," Glenn's voice came through the radio. I pulled the radio from my belt and put it to my mouth.
"Talk to me Glenn!"
"Those roll-up doors at the front of the store, facing the street. Meet us there and be ready!"
The radio cut off leaving us standing on the roof in silence. I looked up at Morales who was waiting for the word. I gave a simple nod before everyone jumped into action. Andrea was grabbing the bag she had packed earlier, Morales grabbed two, Jacqui grabbed one, while I was helping T-Dog up. Morales was shouting for us to hurry up, while Merle was screaming for us not to leave him. I moved past T-Dog who was grabbing the tools and through the door past Morales. Andrea was screaming for us to hurry up.
My feet pounding against the stairs as I made it lower and lower into the building I came to an immediate stop. I couldn't just leave Merle there. Sure he was an asshole and knew things he shouldn't, but he was Daryl's brother. Daryl would go nuts if we left him. They had only been with us a month, but they were an important part of the group. I groaned before turning around and heading back up the stairs only to come face to face with Morales.
"What are you doing!?" He yelled blocking my path.
"We can't leave Merle up there!"
"T-Dog went back for him," Morales shook his head. He pushed me back towards the front of the store, "Now come on!"
Morales and I made our way through the front of the store. The walkers were pressed up against the cracking glass moaning and growling at us. One was hitting the glass with a rock snarling at us his teeth bared. I could hear the glass cracking as we made it past it and over to where Andrea and Jacqui were ready their hands around the chains to open the rolling doors. Morales dropped his bags and went to help the ladies while I stood near the door my gun poised ready to shoot in case the walkers get through the glass before Rick showed up.
"What is that?" Andrea asked suddenly breaking the silence. I looked over at her confused before I heard it. It was some kind of alarm. A car alarm maybe? My gaze snapped back to the hallway as the sound of shattering glass caught my attention. I raised my gun as T-Dog came running down the hall...without Merle.
"They're coming let's go! They're in, let's go!" T-Dog was shouting when there was a banging on the door leading outside.
More shouting ensued it was getting hard to understand what everyone was saying. I looked back to see the doors lifting and Rick standing in the back of the enclosed truck he had jacked earlier. The bags were thrown in first before Rick helped T-Dog in. My gaze turned back to the hallway as walkers appeared and started heading right for me. I let off a few rounds getting a couple in the head as I quickly backed up towards the truck.
"Melody!" Morales yelled to me.
I quickly whipped around and grabbed onto his outstretched hand as the walkers began to fill the room. He pulled me up onto the truck as Rick began pulling the truck away. The walkers reached out, within grabbing distance before Morales slammed the door shut blocking us from the walkers. I sighed collapsing on the floor of the truck breathing heavily.
"Like running from the farmers back home ain't it, Mel," Rick's voice met my ears.
I grinned letting out a small laugh, "Stakes are a little higher now." The smile slowly slid from my face when the gravity of my words set in. "Little higher..."
I sat up pressing my back against the wall of the truck looking around. Andrea and Jacqui were right behind Rick's seat huddled together. Morales was now sitting in the passenger seat with T-Dog pressed against the seat behind him. Merle was still on the roof. I shook my head as I brought my knees up to my chest resting my forehead on it. Camp was going to be a war zone.
"I dropped the damn key," T-Dog's voice broke through the silence.
I scoffed. "You had tools. You could have broken him free."
"Mel, enough," Rick stated tiredly from his seat.
I shook my head in annoyance, "Fine, but y'all are the ones who have to deal with Daryl when we get back."
"Daryl?" Rick asked keeping his eyes on the road.
"Merle's brother. He's back at the camp with everyone else," Morales answered.
"Where's Glenn?" Andrea spoke up looking around.
"He's fine," Rick answered.
I whipped my head around the truck not believing I had really missed the young Korean kid. He really wasn't there. Rick said he was fine and we had no reason not to trust him. If Rick said someone was fine they were usually fine. I went to move but instantly froze when the familiar churning feeling came back. I put a hand to my stomach and closed my eyes trying not to succumb to it. I felt a hand on my shoulder before another hand was rubbing soothing circles into my back. My eyes snapped back open my blues meeting a pair of dark brown eyes. Jacqui looked down at me sympathetically with a knowing look on her face.
"Please," I whispered.
"It's your secret, sweetie...Not mine to tell," Jacqui stated softly.
"What are you talking about?" Andrea asked looking between us. Her piercing light blue gray eyes were watching us closely as they narrowed.
"Must have eaten something bad this morning," Jacqui covered. "I'm feeling quite ill myself."
Before Andrea could say anything in response, a loud wailing alarm sped past us. A grin spread across my face when everything clicked into place. Glenn had led the geeks away with a car siren. I heard the sound of an engine revving before the blaring siren faded. At least someone was enjoying themselves today.
"Morales, move," I groaned as I pushed past the Hispanic man.
The truck whipped to the side as Rick pulled it off to the side of the road. As the truck came to a complete stop I pushed open the door letting what little I still had in my stomach out. Morales turned his head away from me as I retched. I felt bad being half sprawled on him as I puked out the passenger door. It wasn't really vomiting, more like a constant dry heaving. There wasn't enough in my stomach to throw up.
"Let's get her back to camp," Morales' accented voice breaking through the sound of me heaving.
"I'm fine," I muttered pulling the passenger side door shut as I climbed back into the cargo area of the truck. "Y'all won't be though when Daryl finds out..." I muttered.
The truck fell silent as we all retreated to our own spaces. The road turned from some pavement to bumpy off road. I had to keep from getting car sick before the truck began slowing down and making sharp turns. I could feel the anxiety rising the closer and closer we got to camp. I felt the truck slow before coming to a complete stop.
"Come meet everybody," Morales patted Rick on the shoulder before climbing out.
Andrea and I quickly opened the back door before Andrea hopped out calling out for her sister. I helped Jacqui out of the truck before helping T-Dog out. He nodded in appreciation before I made my way around the truck. I saw Andrea and Amy holding onto each other tightly both in tears while Morales hugged his family.
"Mel!" a small voice called out. I looked over to see Carl running towards me a grin on his face. I picked him up and swung him around, hugging him tightly. He laid his head on my shoulder for a moment before I set him down. I nudged him back towards his momma before I noticed Shane loitering by the Camero Glenn had stolen. We stared at each other for a moment before smiles spread across our faces. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me into a tight hug.
I pulled away from Shane before the two of us were drawn over to where Lori was kneeling next to Carl. The poor boy looked near tears as Lori comforted him. It was because Morales was greeting his two children...They had their daddy. Carl thought he had lost his. If only he knew. Dale was talking about being glad to see us while Shane looked from the car to me a confused look on his face.
"How'd y'all get out of there anyway?"
"New guy!" Glenn responded. "He got us out."
I looked towards the ground as Shane's eyes narrowed on me. "New guy?"
"Yeah," Morales drew Shane's attention to him. "Crazy vato just got into town."
"I wouldn't say that," I muttered.
"Hey, helicopter boy, come say hello!" Morales called out.
I looked over as Rick climbed out of the truck looking tired. I took a step back as Rick looked up his eye meeting several members of the group. I noticed Shane stumble back his eyes wide as he stared at Rick. My eyes then went to Lori and Carl who were standing on the other side of the camp watching to see who the newcomer was. I saw the shocked look cross Lori's face as Carl ripped away from her arms. He screamed for his father as he ran across camp. The tears in Rick's eyes were enough to make me finally turn away from the scene as Rick picked up his little boy crying as he held onto him.
I looked up my eyes meeting Shane's. I shook my head before walking over to where my tent was set up. I tossed my weapons into the tent before climbing in myself. I looked around the messy tent before I caught sight of one of Daryl's cut off shirts. I closed my eyes momentarily before they snapped open once more. I reached over grabbing the large hunting knife tucked under my pillow before grabbing my 9mm and some extra clips. I pulled off the shirt I had been wearing for the run, switching it for a more earthy toned shirt. I pushed my way out of the tent and out to the main part of camp where Rick was standing there talking to Lori tears in their eyes.
"Where'd you think you're going?" Shane's voice silenced the camp as I walked through towards the wooded section Daryl usually headed off in. I turned so I was facing Shane but continued to walk backwards.
"We left Merle on a rooftop," I called out. "Someone's gotta tell Daryl, might as well be the one person he won't kill."
Dale stepped in my path forcing me to stop, "Maybe you should wait until he comes back. Going out there by yourself, there's no guarantee you'll even find him."
"I'll take my chances," I muttered pushing past Dale.
"Melody, damn it, we don't go wandering off alone," Shane came towards me.
"I can handle my own," I responded before breaking through the tree-line disappearing from sight.
I made my way a few yards into the woods until I couldn't hear Shane yelling for me anymore. It wasn't that I enjoyed going against his authority, I mean I did get a little kick out of it, it's just I hated when he acted like he could control me. Truth is the civility between me and Shane...it was just an act. The moment we were alone we were at each other's throats. Since the outbreak he had been acting like he was God's gift to man going all survivor man on us. Set rules he thought were for the best, but in reality it was so he could be in charge. All his life that's all he ever wanted...and now he got it.
I made my way up the hill pushing through some bushes before the sound of twigs crunching broke the silence. I came to a complete stop pulling the hunting knife from its sheath on my hip. My blue gaze scanned the scene around me carefully taking in every tree. I whipped around hearing the snapping coming from behind me. That's when I heard it. The first indicator. The soft panting like someone who couldn't quite catch their breath. I watched as the walker came out from behind one of the trees in front of me. It was moving slowly not having seen me yet. I watched through narrowed eyes as his gaze suddenly whipped towards me. It had smelt me.
It tilted its head at me before growling. It began moving quickly towards me at its awkward pace. I waited until it was close enough before I brought the hunting knife up and pushed the sharp tip of the blade straight through its eye socket and into its brain. It made a gurgling sound until I pulled the knife out of its head letting it fall to the ground. I sighed looking down at the spatters of blood that now marred my once clean shirt. I groaned in frustration as I bent down wiping the blood off my blade using the walker's shirt. Once it was clean I put it back in its sheath before taking a few steps back and away from the walker.
I felt something tighten around my ankle causing me to let out a scream. I was suddenly yanked off my feet, but I didn't hit the ground like I expected. Instead I went up in the air dangling a few feet off the ground. I struggled in the air for a moment as my gun fell out of my pants and onto the ground beneath me, out of my reach. I looked up to see a rope wrapped around my right ankle keeping me suspended in the air.
"Girl, ain't nobody tell you that the woods is a dangerous place to be alone in?" a thick southern accent sounded from my left.
"Ain't no one tell you hunting alone is a bad idea?" I retorted struggling to get the rope off my ankle.
I heard him scoff before the sudden tension in the rope was gone. I felt my body plummet to the ground, the leaves and twigs I landed on cracking under my weight. I groaned before rolling over and onto my stomach before pushing myself up and off the ground. As I stood Daryl Dixon came around the tree his crossbow in hand, his eyes narrowed at me. He didn't look the least bit tired even though he had gone out early this morning when we had left to go get supplies.
"Daryl we gotta talk," I brushed off the leaves and twigs avoiding eye contact.
"Be quiet, Mel," Daryl's gruff response came. My head snapped up to look at him an annoyed look on my face.
"I'm serious. We gotta do this before you get back to camp..."
"Melody I said shut the hell up," he snapped glaring at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to the woods around us. He suddenly raised his crossbow taking a few steps forward.
I watched as he aimed carefully before letting off one of his arrows. It whizzed through the air before making a loud thump hitting something. Daryl lowered the crossbow before quickly running after the arrow. I went to follow him, but before I could he disappeared over a ridge. I reached over and picked up the gun that was still on the ground. As I straightened up I looked up to the tops of the trees and noticed the light was starting to wane.
I wasn't sure how far into the trees I had wandered, but being out here at night was the worst idea. I wanted to get Daryl, but when he was out here he was in his element, this is what he did best. The hunting, the tracking. We wouldn't be this well off if it hadn't been for him and, unfortunately, Merle. We had a good stable camp going and that was something sorely needed right now, stability. The children needed it and to be honest some of the adults needed it as well. We had no sightings of walkers up here near camp until the one I killed earlier. I would have to tell Shane about that.
The hours passed as I wandered in circles the trees growing darker and darker as it did. I finally came to a stop when I saw a light shining through the trees. The dull glow of a red-orange fire alerted me to my proximity to camp. I felt the relief shift through me before my vision began growing blurry. I came to a stop pressing my hand to the bark of a tree ignoring the rough sensation against my already dry, cracked hands. I stood there taking deep breaths trying my best not to lose it. I stuck my hand in my pocket before pulling out a small thin package containing two pills.
I stared down at them knowing exactly what I had to do. Why was I hesitating? The little white pills sat in the wrapper just waiting for me to open them. I had to. I had taken three pregnancy tests and all said the same thing. I couldn't bring a baby into this world. If circumstances were different? Yeah I'd do it, but now? What kind of life would that be? We had only been on our own for a little while and we were already starving. I wouldn't be able to sustain enough nutrients to keep a baby healthy. If I did it would require taking food from others and that wasn't fair.
I felt the first tears sliding down my face as I popped the first pill out of its packaging, staring down at it sitting in the palm of my hand. I tightly clenched my fist around the tiny pill almost willing my hand to crush it as the tears continued to fall. Using my free hand I brushed away the tears rubbing my skin harshly. With my fisted hand I hit the tree in anger before slowly opening my hand again. Resting there, like it had been untouched was the first pill.
One little pill that can change the course of everything. If I do this no one will ever know. Everyone except Merle, but he was gone now. Jacqui knew, but she would never say anything. It was my choice. I moved towards the edge of the trees seeing that many of the group were surrounding the fire. Rick was huddled with his family, Amy and Andrea were huddled, the others in their own little spot. I pressed my back into one of the trees watching as people slowly broke off going into their own separate tents. It got to the point where Shane was the only one left, the dying fire casting a dark shadow across his angular face.
This wasn't right. I shook my head before shoving the small pill back into the packaging before shoving it back into my pocket. I wanted to talk someone, to have them listen and help me. I wanted them to tell me it would be okay to have a baby. I wanted them to tell me that it was possible to keep such a small life alive in these cruel times. I pushed my way through the brush coming into the camp on the far side away from where Dale's RV was camped. Shane was on top of it his gun pointed in my direction until he realized who it was.
I slowly walked towards the RV before grabbing a hold of the metallic ladder climbing up. Once I got up to the top, Shane was sitting in a chair his rifle resting on his lap his gaze directed at Lori and Rick's tent. I pulled the other chair that was sitting on the roof next to Shane's before plopping down pulling my own 9mm out and resting it on my lap.
"Find what you were looking for?" Shane's deep voice cracked near the end.
"Did you?" I asked looking over at Lori's tent. When Shane didn't answer I looked back over at him and saw the devastated look on his face. "Looks like we both got the short end of the stick in the apocalypse."
Glenn and I moved quietly along the street. Our feet barely making a sound as we dashed around cars. I had a shotgun in my hands while Glen had a crowbar in his and on our backs were some empty backpacks. The little town seemed to be quiet, no walkers, no humans. This would be our last run here though. This last run will wipe out the supplies from the convenient store for the camp. I knelt next to a Honda Civic before Glenn appeared next to me. His breathing was steady as he looked around.
"Okay," I stated quietly. "Doesn't look like there are any geeks around. But keep your eyes peeled. First one to the store...gets the last bag of M&M's." The serious look on our faces at this agreement was priceless. I stuck out my hand to the man before he nodded shaking it.
"The first one without killing any geeks," Glenn added. "We're going ninja on this bitch."
I grinned, "You're on."
I pushed away from the car heading down the alleyway to my right. Glenn bolted in the opposite direction. With my shotgun held up in front of me I methodically made my way through the alley keeping me eye out for anything that would harm or help me. As I rounded the corner the barrel of my shotgun came into contact with something hard. My finger tightened on the trigger before the gun was ripped out of my hands. I let out a yelp as the man grabbed a fist full of my hair and yanked my head back.
I threw my elbow back nailing the man in the gut his grip on my hair immediately gone. I whipped around to see who it was and came face to face with a man I had never seen before. His face was weathered, but the cruel smirk on his face said he was flat out dangerous. His eyes scanned my body in a way that made my skin crawl.
"What's a pretty girl doing out here all by yourself?" he asked taking a step towards me. I immediately took a step back away from him. I didn't say anything as my jaw tightened, watching him carefully. I eyed the large hunting knife he had tied to his belt and the revolver he had stuck in his pants. "You deaf or somethin'?"
"Come near me and you'll regret it," I spat.
"Oh, feisty...I like that."
The man lunged for me again pulling out the hunting knife as he did swinging it at me. I immediately ducked out of the way before springing back up throwing my fist toward his jaw. My hand made contact with his cheek causing his head to whip to the side. I wasn't expecting him to recover so quickly as he threw his arm out wrapping it around my neck pulling me towards him so my back was to his chest. I immediately froze feeling the knife pressed to the skin of my throat. I swallowed hard when I felt his nose at my neck sniffing me. He let out a moan.
"Merle, let her go," a new voice spoke from our left. The man, Merle, whipped us around to face the new voice.
Standing there was a man younger than Merle but older than me. In his right hand was a cross bow, but it was hanging at his side not poised to shoot. The men knew each other. He had medium length brown hair, his blue eyes looking over me quickly before looking at the man behind me.
"But I was just getting to the good part," he pressed his nose into my hair again rubbing his body against mine. I squirmed trying to get away from him.
"I said let her go, we ain't got time for this."
I heard Merle growl from behind me before the knife was removed from my throat. I felt his body pull away from mine and decided this way my chance. I whipped around throwing my fist out satisfied when it hit the man's nose causing a loud crunch. Blood began falling from his nose as he screamed in pain instantly gripping his nose. I pulled the gun from the waistband of his jeans pushing him away from me before pointing the revolver at the other man. He had his crossbow raised and aimed at me.
"You fucking crazy?" he shouted at me.
"Kill the bitch, Daryl!" Merle yelled from his spot on the ground as he cradled his nose which was still gushing blood.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't shoot you," I spat.
The man with the crossbow, Daryl, narrowed his eyes at me before lowering his crossbow. Through my own narrowed eyes I kept the gun trained on him as he disarmed his weapon completely lowering it. I slowly lowered Merle's gun as the man behind me got even more agitated.
"You out here by yourself?" Daryl asked.
"What's it to you?" I responded keeping a tight grip on the gun.
"We can help you," Daryl stated nodding to Merle.
"What are you...the redneck Robin Hood?" I spat. I watched as a handsome smirk crossed his face.
My eyes snapped open. The large hunting knife under my pillow was immediately out as I sat up quickly ready to strike. As my focus cleared I noticed Rick was standing at the opening to my tent his eyes wide as he stared at the knife. I let out a sigh before immediately relaxing. I pushed my hair back as I pushed myself up off the cot realizing I was in shorts and a tank.
"Can I help you, Rick?" My voice rough from the lack of water.
"You okay?" He asked concern marring his handsome face.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked glancing over his shoulder noticing Lori watching us closely.
"You seemed pretty sick yesterday..." Rick glanced over his shoulder to see what I was looking at. "Just making sure you were okay."
"That's sweet of you," I muttered as I walked over to my clothes grabbing a pair of jeans and a fresh tank top. "But I'm good. Right as rain," my accent thick.
"Now I know something's wrong," Rick stated stepping completely into the tent as I pulled off my shirt and replaced it with a fresh one.
As it turned back to face him I shook my head. "Don't do that."
"Don't do what?" Rick turned away as I pulled down the shorts before quickly pulling my jeans on.
"Playing the concerned friend card," I muttered plopping down on the bed grabbing my boots.
"We'll I am concerned and I am your friend Mel," Rick argued keeping his voice low.
"Maybe you should be worrying about your family, Rick, not about me."
"Lori and Carl are fine," he quickly responded stepping towards me. I stood up and faced the man, my arms crossed over my chest. "Talk to me, Mel."
I wanted to. There was just something about Rick that made me want to blurt all of my problems out to him. I wanted to tell him everything, but that would do more harm than good. I parted my lips to say something, but hesitated. I walked forward pressing my hand to his arm opening my mouth to finally say something when the sound of Lori calling for Rick cut me off. I sighed immediately dropping my hand back to my side before nodding towards the door.
"You should go..."
Rick shook his head taking a step back and out of the tent. "We'll finish this conversation later." He stated before turning and walking over to where Lori was.
Lori was sending me a look that could kill as Rick reached her. Her lips moved quickly her eyes wide in annoyance. I rolled my own eyes before looking around at camp. Everyone was up and moving around getting things for the day done. The guys were stripping the car Glenn had brought back for parts while the women either hung clothes or cooked the food. How sexually segregated we were. I grabbed one of Daryl's long sleeve plaid shirts before putting it on over my tank. I rolled the sleeves up before heading over to where Carl was playing with a little blonde haired girl his age, Sophia. She was Carol and Ed's daughter and one of the sweetest little girls I've met.
"Now what are you two rascals up to?" I grinned tackling them wrapping one arm around Carl and one around Sophia lifting them both up at the same time. I got shouts of laughter before immediately setting them back down on the ground.
"Gathering sticks," Carl stated proudly puffing out his chest.
"Really?" I asked looking around at where we were. "You guys are a bit far out don't you think?"
"We wanted the really good sticks..." Sophia told me looking down. I nodded looking around before a grin spread across my face.
"Then let's go get some really good sticks." I watched the grin spread across both their young faces. "But stay within my sight, you hear?"
Both nodded enthusiastically before shuffling off ahead of me and into the brush. I quickly followed after them keeping my eyes peeled for any sign of walkers. After my run in with that one yesterday I was more than weary. I jumped as an ear piercing scream erupted from in front of me.
"Sophia! Carl!" I yelled running towards them. I searched them quickly both were standing there frozen in fear. In a small clearing there was a deer with several arrows sticking out of it. Crouching over it was a walker as it tore into the deer's throat. Sophia's scream had alerted it to our presence. "Run," I hissed at them as the walker turned to face us. "Run!"
Both of the kids turned and ran back in the direction of camp leaving me with the walker. I reached for my knife but was met with nothing but air. My eyes widened realizing I had left it on the bed when Rick had come in to talk. The walker slowly stood up before it growled at me. I spotted a large rock and immediately grabbed it as the walker advanced quickly towards me. Using the rock I bashed the side of its head putting all my force into it. It sent both me and the walker stumbling to the ground.
"Melody!"
"Shane!" I yelled back reaching for the bloody rock as the walker began climbing to its feet. Before the walker could reach me Shane, Rick, Morales, Dale, and Jim broke through the brush each holding a weapon. They immediately surrounded the walker cutting me off from its path. I felt a pair of hands wrap around my arm and looked up to see Andrea helping me up with Amy right behind her.
As soon as I was up I pulled away from Andrea and pushed past her and Amy as the sound of the guys beating in the walkers echoed through the trees. Andrea called my name, but I kept walking. Blood coated the palm of my hand as I walked briskly past Lori and Carol who were standing there with their children. I could feel the bile rising in my throat as I broke out into a jog towards the other side of camp. I heard someone calling my name, but I didn't respond. I collapsed to the ground a few paces past my tent emptying the contents of my stomach all over the ground. Once the retching had stopped I closed my eyes taking a deep breath climbing to my knees.
My eyes suddenly snapped open as my eyes because focused once more. I quickly rose to my feet ignoring the fact that there was unidentified blood on my arm and hand before stalking towards my tent. My hands were clenched at my sides as I ripped open the flap to my tent and went barreling in. I quickly spotted the jeans I had been wearing the day before and quickly pulled them off the ground. I dug around quickly in the pockets before my fingers met the crackling foil of the packaging. I pulled it open and stared down at it for a moment refusing to let the emotion cross my face. I put the pill in my clean hand before quickly depositing the pill in my mouth and swallowing. I looked around for some water and found a small bottle with a little left. Finishing off the bottle I threw it to the side and grabbed the shotgun that was sitting next to my bed. I could hear Daryl calling out for Merle as he entered the camp.
"There is or he ain't!" Daryl snapped. The voices got quiet before Daryl was once again shouting. "...You handcuffed my brother to a roof and you left him there?!" I walked out of the tent shotgun in hand as Daryl fought against both Rick and Shane. Both cops and Daryl thought he could take 'em? "You'd best let me go!" Daryl shouted.
"Nah, I think it's better if I don't," Shane responded having Daryl in a head lock. I pumped the shotgun the clicking alerting everyone of my presence. I held the weapon up pointing it at Daryl and Shane. Shane's eyes went wide while a smug smirk fell on Daryl's face.
"Let him go, Shane," I stated calmly over the barrel.
"Melody, what are you doing?" Rick's voice drew my gaze to him for a moment before it went back to Shane and Daryl.
"Let. Him. Go." Shane eyed me carefully before releasing Daryl.
"Yeah that's right!" Daryl spat at Shane and Rick. He started walking towards me but the shotgun was instantly pointed at him halting him. He put his hands up in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Are we all done acting like fucking cavemen?" I asked looking at the men. "Now, let's discuss this calmly shall we?" With my left hand clutching the forend tightly, my right finger on the trigger loosened as I slowly lowered the weapon. I nodded to Rick who nodded back before carefully taking steps towards Daryl.
"What I did was not on a whim," Rick started causing Daryl to turn and look at the man. "Your brother does not work and play well with others."
"It's not Rick's fault," T-Dog spoke up drawing the attention towards him. "I had the key. I dropped it."
"You couldn't pick it up?" Daryl glared at the man.
"Well, I dropped it in a drain."
"If it's supposed to make me feel better it don't," he spat as he started walking past the group.
"Well, maybe this will..." T-Dog turned as Daryl moved through the camp. "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," Rick added.
I watched the pained look on Daryl's face and my grip on the shotgun tightened once more. Using the back of his hand he wiped at his eyes shouting, "To hell with all y'all! Just tell me where he is. So's I can go get him."
"He'll show you," Lori spoke up. Our gazes were drawn to the woman standing with her son near the open door of the RV. "Isn't that right?"
"I'm going back..." Rick confirmed.
I shook my head before letting the gun fall limply to my side. As I did that I felt the stinging sensation running up and down the length of my arm. I looked down and spotted the fresh trail of blood winding down my arm. No, No, No, No! This couldn't be happening. Movement to my right drew my attention to Morales who was standing there looking at my arm a shocked look crossing his face.
"Morales, don't," I shook my head.
"You're bleeding..." he motioned to my arm. "Melody's bleeding!" he shouted causing everyone's gaze to whip around to look at me and Morales. I instantly tensed as a few of the women grew hysterical automatically thinking the worse. I put the gun back up taking a step back as Shane pulled out his own weapon and pointed it at me.
"What happened, Mel?" Shane asked his voice steady as he looked over the barrel of his own revolver.
"Tripped and fell," I answered taking another step back.
"Why you so defensive?"
"You start bleeding around here and everyone's ready to put a bullet in your head."
"Just a precaution," Shane responded nodding his head.
"Put the gun down and let's talk this out," Rick's voice cut in.
I stared at Rick for a moment before my gaze locked onto Daryl's. He had a shocked, angry look on his face. I turned my defensive gaze back to Rick who had his hands out in front of him trying to keep me and Shane from shooting each other. Rick nodded slowly his eyes wide, but there was no contempt in them. I could feel my heart clench at the look on his face before I lowered my gun. I looked down to the ground before clearing the shotgun watching as the unused shell came out of it. I hit the safety switch before tossing the gun and the shell at Shane's feet. The group was watching me carefully, everyone tense.
"How do we know if she's infection?" Rick asked as he came close to me holding my arm in his hands as he looked at the jagged cut running along my forearm.
"Guess we'll have to wait and see," I spat whipping my arm away from Rick before turning around and heading for my tent. Might as well be quarantined somewhere with a bed.
Rick buttoned up his freshly cleaned police uniform as he stepped out of his, Lori, and Carl's tent. The crestfallen look in his blue eyes focused on the ground in front of him as his boots crunched the gravel beneath. He drew his eyes from the gravel up to where Shane was standing there an anxious look on his face.
Shane Walsh kept looking over at his sister's tent rubbing his hands along his face or through his hair. He was pacing his hands clenching and unclenching at his side when they were touching his face or hair. Rick could feel the squeeze on his heart seeing his best friend going through this. Hell, he was going through it too. Melody was family. Losing her would be a shot to the heart. He watched as Shane moved like he was going to head towards Mel's tent but stopped when Daryl unzipped the flap to the tent and walked in. Shane shook his head before turning back to face where Rick was standing.
"She's gonna be okay," Rick spoke first.
Shane shook his head. "The moment the fever kicks in I have to-" He cut himself off as he placed his hands on his hips, his head hung low. Rick walked over putting his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Shane looked up at his friend the disbelief on his face. "So that's it huh?"
"Shane-"
"We helped protect her when she was a little girl and now we might have to put her down? Tell me how that's fair," he spat pointing to the tent where Mel was. Rick looked to where his friend was pointing and saw Mel sitting on her cot while Daryl stood in front of her saying something.
"It's not," Rick shook his head. "Don't act like this isn't hard on me too!"
"She's my sister, Rick. Mine. Not yours." Shane shook his head angrily. "And now you're just gonna walk off. Just to hell with everybody else? With Mel?"
"I'm not saying to hell with anybody. Not with you, Shane, Lori least of all and especially not Melody," Rick retorted glancing over at where Lori was working before looking at Mel's tent seeing Daryl shake his head before storming out of the tent.
"Tell them that," Shane snapped.
"They know." Rick turned and walked away from his best friend.
I sat there on my cot staring down at the jagged cut on my arm. I had been in here for close to 20 minutes and I could already feel myself losing my cool. Shane had taken my guns and my knife leaving me to sit in the tent with what little possessions I had. I look around and the clothes the trinkets. There was nothing of value except for the ring that rested on a chain around my neck. A simple gold band a solitary diamond on it, the matching gold wedding band next to it. My mother's before I got sent to live with Shane and my father.
I rolled my eyes standing up before I began pacing in the small tent. I kicked clothes out of the way clearing a path so I could pace without anything blocking my way. After a few moments of that I sighed before throwing myself back down on the cot. I didn't feel any different so why was I stuck here? It's a precaution. I could hear Shane's voice in my head clear as day. Precaution my ass. My gaze snapped to the door as the zipper was pulled up opening the flap. I watched was a pair of familiar eyes met mine before he stepped into the tent.
"Merle what you were going to tell me about? In the woods?" he asked his gaze never leaving my face. I nodded, but didn't say anything. "What in the hell were you thinking?"
"Which part?" I muttered.
"Damn it, Melody!" he snapped.
"If you're gonna come in here and yell at me, then leave," I responded coldly.
Daryl stared down at me an annoyed look on his face. He turned away from me his back to me as his hands went to the top of his head. He shook his head parting his lips like he was going to say something but would stop and not say anything. He moved back and forth in a pacing manner before he finally stopped his blue eyes narrowed at me, but not in an angry way.
"You remember when we first met? You asked if I was a redneck Robin Hood."
A dry chuckle left my lips as I closed my eyes remembering it. "You said, "'Hell naw, if I steal something I keep it.'"
"When I get back with Merle, you better still be here and you better still be you," his response put a small smile on my face.
"And if I'm not?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'll go all Robin Hood on your ass," he muttered before walking towards the tent flap.
"Hey, Daryl." He stopped as he looked at me over his shoulder. "Be careful."
"Yeah, whatever," he shook his head before stomping out of the tent zipping it closed behind him. I scoffed shaking my head before laying back on my cot resting my arm over my stomach.
I would honestly like to thank EVERYONE who favorited, reviewed, and alerted my story you guys are fantastic! Here is the next installment so I hope you guys like this one as wellll! If you have any questions regarding the story or timeline please message me and I'll give you the low-down :)