Chapter 3 - Born to Die
I rolled over on my side adjusting the pillows as I did. I groaned before turning the other way. I quickly sat up at looked outside noticing the sun had moved dramatically across the sky. It had to be close to 3pm by now. I slowly pushed myself off the cot and walked towards the zipped flap and peeked out looking for any sign that I was being watched. Satisfied that there was no one around I completely unzipped it and stepped out of the tent.
"Where do you think you're going?" Dale's voice spoke from my left. He was standing there an eyebrow raised at me a gun held tightly in his hands.
"To..get water," I nodded towards the lake. Dale visibly relaxed before shaking his head.
"You are a terrible liar," he responded. "But I guess being a liar is better than being a walker."
"You don't think I'm infected?" I asked watching as he pulled my 9mm out of his pocket before setting it down in my hands.
He shook his head, "I think you're a lot of things, Mel...But a walker isn't one of them. You would have had the fever by now. It'd be a shame if you were...you're the only one who seems to be able to control Daryl."
I scoffed shaking my head as I checked to make sure the weapon was loaded before sticking it in the waistband of my jeans. "Daryl controls himself, I just give him a little more leeway than most."
"Call it what you want, but the way he looks at you...There's something more than leeway there."
Dale didn't give me a chance to say anything before he was walking back towards his RV. I shook my head before looking over to the trail that led to the lakeside. That's where everyone had to be. I took a deep breath before heading up the trail when the sounds of shouting caught my attention. I bolted breaking through the tree line to see what was happening. Down below Shane had Ed on the ground and was beating the living hell out of the man. Carol was behind held back by Andrea and Jacqui as she screamed for her husband.
I ran at Shane and Ed. I instantly wrapped my arms around Shane trying to get him to stop hitting the man. Ed was laying on the ground whimpering pathetically as blood poured from his nose. His face was starting to swell around his eyes as several cuts marred his face. I wrapped my arm around Shane's neck in the chokehold he had taught me when we were kids. The hold didn't last as his elbow came back nailing me right in the mouth. I felt my head snap back before my body fell to the ground right behind Shane. I could feel the metallic taste in my mouth like I had been sucking on pennies for too long.
"SHANE STOP!" Lori's demand broke through the crying.
Shane instantly stopped his knuckles bloody a look of realization coming over his face. He quickly whipped around to see me laying on the ground my mouth covered in blood. I knew that must have looked really bad considering there was the chance I had been scratched by the walker. Rage fell onto his face as he pulled out his hunting knife a destructive look overtaking his features. I pushed my body back a few feet the fear gripping my heart as I watched him come at me. He lifted the knife as I finally came to a stop. If I was gonna die I wouldn't go out a coward.
"Do it," I whispered. A look of relief and pain spread across his face as he quickly let the knife fall to the side before taking a step back. I sat up and spat some of the blood in my mouth to the ground. "Come on, Shane, do it."
He narrowed his eyes at me before looking over at the women who were standing there watching in suspense. Carol was crying while Lori watched a wide-eyed look on her face. Shane stumbled back wiping at his mouth before turning away from us and walking away. I sighed letting my body fall back into the rough gravel. I couldn't wait for this day to be over.
I pressed the cold pack to my lip as I sat next to Sophia. She was sitting on a crate drawing on the ground with a stick. Her drawings in the dirt were stick people holding hands. Every now and then I'd add a face to one of the figures causing Sophia to smile. She was the first one to approach me since we got back to camp. Carol was weary until she realized I wouldn't hurt her daughter. The others would send me looks but they wouldn't approached me. Dale would occasionally as would Andrea and Amy, but the rest kept their distance. Lori would send me these sideways glances but never would flat out look at me. Whenever Carl would try to join me and Sophia, Lori would quickly drag him away.
"Does it hurt?" Sophia asked her high pitched voice pulling my attention to her youthful face.
"What?" I asked pulling the pack away from my lip. "This?" I pointed to my lip. She nodded. I shook my head, "Naw. At first, but now not so much."
"Oh baby, will you look at that," Morales voice broke through my and Sophia's conversation.
Both me and the young girl looked over to see Amy and Andrea come striding into camp carrying a chain lined with tons of fish. A smile crossed my face seeing them as they walked through camp triumphant grins on their faces. Lori clapped as Morales thanked the two women. I nodded for Sophia to head over to where her mother was and the young girl quickly went noticing the fish were closer over there.
"Because of you, my children will eat tonight. Thank you."
"Thank Dale," Andrea corrected Morales as she moved towards the RV. "It's his canoe and gear."
"Mom, look at all the fish! Whoa," Carl grinned poking at the fish mesmerized.
"Where'd you two learn to do that?" Lori asked her eyes wide as she looked from her son to the women.
"Our dad," Amy grinned as she took a drink of water.
"Can you teach me how to do that?"
"Sure! I'll teach you all about nail knots and stuff. If that's okay," Amy stated looking at Lori.
"You won't catch me arguing."
"Hey Dale," Andrea greeted the older man as he walked slowly towards us. "When was the last time you oiled those line reels?"
I slowly stood up setting the cold pack on the crate Sophia just vacated when I saw the somber look on Dale's face. Something was up. His rifle was slung over his shoulder per usual but the stressed look on his face kept me wondering.
"I uh-don't want to alarm anyone, but we may have a bit of a problem."
Shane walked over to Dale seeing the look on the man's face. Dale pointed up the ridge to the problem. Just over the lush green ridge we could see the top half of Jim's body doing the repetitive motion like he was digging. Digging for what though? I looked over at Shane who nodded to me before nodding to Carl and Sophia.
"Carl, Sophia," I stated walking towards the two. "How about we go find some sticks and start making a fire?"
"But-" Carl went to argue but Lori's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Go help Mel and Sophia gather some firewood."
"Yes, mama," Carl gave in before walking over towards me.
"Come on, little man," I smiled looking down at him, "helping me ain't gonna kill ya."
Carl muttered something under his breath that I didn't quite catch but I let it slide regardless. I knew he wanted to be a part of the group like everyone else. He was still a little boy though and despite the world ending he needed to be a little boy for as long as he could. Both him and Sophia got their childhoods ripped away from them. They won't get to go to the playgrounds to hang with their friends, they wouldn't get to go to middle school or to high school. Prom or weddings.
It was a harsh reality we all had to face. I had lost friends from the hospital and friends from town. Seeing them turning into cannibalistic monsters was hard enough, but seeing the children turned into that was even harder. It was like some sick and twisted joke. Turning the most innocent creatures on this planet into the most vicious of monsters. I looked over seeing Sophia and Carl animatedly talking while me moved along the tree line picking up sticks. A smile spread across my face as they filled their arms before wandering over to where the fire would be and throwing the twigs and branches to the ground.
I got stuck carrying the heavier logs, but I didn't mind. I needed the workout. Plus this all felt normal for a change. Like we were just out camping, not surviving from an apocalypse. I looked up as the sounds of shouting came over the ridge telling me that whatever it was Jim had been doing he didn't wanna stop. I noticed Carl and Sophia were startled and I quickly motioned for them to keep working. Keeping them busy would keep them from getting scared. It may have been just Jim, but odd behavior now a day's wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Sophia and Carl were dropping off some more wood near the fire when Shane came down the hill a struggling Jim trying his hardest to break free from Shane. Carl and Sophia immediately ran to their mothers as Shane led Jim a little ways from camp. Andrea and Amy walked near me Andrea coming to a stop.
"What happened?" I asked quietly.
"He's got tons of holes up there," Andrea responded just as quietly.
"Holes?"
"If ya ask me...They look more like graves than holes," Andrea muttered before wrapping her arm around Amy's shoulders and pulling the girl towards the fire.
Graves, huh? Why would Jim be digging graves. I looked over to see Shane walking back into camp without Jim. I quickly headed in the direction past Shane and down the small hill. As I walked down I noticed Jim was tied to the tree soaking wet. I immediately knelt down next to him clearing my throat. His eyes opened before he groaned seeing me kneeling there.
"What do you want?"
"Why were you digging the holes?" I asked glancing around at the tree line.
"I don't know...I just feel like we're gonna need 'em," Jim answered turning his head away.
I sighed, "I know how it feels to be bossed around and out casted trust me we've both gone through that today. But trust Shane. He's only doing what's best." I stood up and turned starting my way back up the hill.
"Mel!" Jim called out causing me to stop. I turned to look at him the sad look on his face causing me to furrow my brow in confusion. "Don't take the pills. You and the baby need each other."
My mouth fell open slowly as my brain processed what he had said. I shook my head letting out a shaky breath before turning away from him. He couldn't have known...it wasn't possible.
I grinned as Morales made a joke about women watching fish. Andrea and Amy playfully retorted causing more laughter. To my left Sophia asked for some more fish. I handed the plate to Carol so she could help her daughter out. I looked down at my own plate of fish and beans and couldn't help but smile. I was never a huge fan of fish but I would take anything at this point. Being picky wasn't a luxury I could have anymore. Especially when it came to food.
"Man, I miss this," Shane stated as he grabbed some more fish. "Hey, Mel, you remember when dad used to cook up that fish stir fry and you'd burst into tears because you didn't wanna eat it?"
I grinned shaking my head while a couple others chuckled at my expense. "It's true. I hate fish...But I LOVE Andrea and Amy's fish. Power to the girls!"
"Hell yeah!" Andrea grinned giving me a high five. I looked over at Jim who was watching me before he quickly casted his gaze the other way. The smile fell from my face as I looked down to the ground. The group fell silent for a moment as people took in the food they were eating.
"I've gotta ask you man," Morales spoke up looking at Dale. "It's been driving me crazy."
"What?" Dale asked his cheek resting on his fisted hand.
"That watch."
"What's wrong with my watch?" Dale grinned as he looked at the watch in question.
"I see you, everyday, the same time, winding that thing like a village priest saying mass."
"I've wondered this myself," Jacqui grinned joining the conversation.
"I'm missing the point here."
"Unless I've misread the signs, the world seems to have come to an end. At least hit a speed bump for a good long while."
Morales picked up there, "But there's you, everyday winding that stupid watch."
I smiled as Dale answered the question beautifully. "Time - it's important to keep track, isn't it? The days at least. Don't you think Andrea? Back me up here." I laughed seeing the look on Andrea's face. "I like what, uh, a father said to son when he give him a watch that had been handed down through generations. He said "I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire, which will fit your individual needs no better than it did mine or my father's before me, I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you may forget it for a moment now and then and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it."
The group fell silent before Amy stated, "You are so weird." The group started laughing.
"It's not me, it's Faulkner. William Faulkner. Maybe my bad paraphrasing..." Dale defended. "Mel help me out here. You know what I'm talking about!"
The gazes of the group turned to me as a smile crossed my face. I could feel the heat rising to me cheeks as I set my plate down. "I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire...I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools."
The group fell silent the contemplative looks on their faces at my words. But the silence didn't last long. "You're both weird," Amy grinned looking over at me. There was some laughter before the group fell silent once more as Amy set down her plate and stood up.
"Where you going?" Andrea immediately questioned.
"I have to pee," Amy stated annoyed. "Jeez, you try to be discreet around here..."
The group fell into another fit of chuckles as Amy walked back towards the RV. I looked down at my side seeing my 9mm resting there. It was strange the feeling of contentment. It wasn't so often felt and when it was it seemed to pass over us too quickly. The sound of Amy closing the RV door led to another silence over the group. The cackling fire in front of us casting a warm glow on the faces around the fire. We were together and for the first time in a while we were okay. All of us.
The sound of the RV door opening again so soon caused me to roll my eyes. "We're out of toilet paper?" Amy complained.
Suddenly she began screaming. I whipped around to see a walker biting into Amy's arm as several others came out from around the RV. They were moving at their slow awkward pace as they growled at us their faces vicious. They had found a meal and they were going to do everything they could to get a bite. The women and children started screaming as more walkers filed out of the woods heading straight for us. I stood there frozen at the sound of Carl and Lori screaming from behind me as well as Shane before the sound of a gunshot rang out. I stood there watching as the walkers came towards us horror on my face.
"MELODY!" Shane yelled in my direction.
That jolted me into action. I picked up my gun before letting off a round into the head of the walker closest to me. I yelled over to Shane who was letting off round after round while Lori and Carl crouched at his feet Lori's body over Carl's. I let off a few more rounds before I saw the axe a few feet away sticking out of a bit of wood. I quickly ran towards it and pulled it out of the stump before swinging it at the walker that had advanced on me. I felt the walker's blood hit my face before I pulled the axe out of its head and swung at the next one. I did this until I grew tired of swinging.
I noticed two walkers taking down one of the campers and let off two shots knocking both walkers down. Neither were headshots meaning those walkers would be on their feet again. I looked over at Lori and Carl noticing Carl crying as his mother held tightly onto him. They were both standing behind Shane who had a fierce protective look on his face. My eyes widened seeing the walkers approaching Lori from behind. I immediately let off a shot hitting the walker in the head. It dropped to the ground behind Lori causing her and Carl to scream even louder.
"SHANE!" I yelled causing him to look over at me. "We don't have the ammo for this!"
"Follow me!" Shane yelled in response before nodding at me.
There was so much chaos around me I couldn't move from my spot as walkers continued to head for us. It seemed like a never ending stream. I let off another round at a walker in front of me completely neglecting what was behind me. I felt a body fall behind me and I whipped around to see Morales standing over the body of a walker that was going to attack me. I nodded to him and he quickly nodded back before racing to his family's aid.
I noticed the large amount of walkers heading for Morales as Shane started moving the women and children and whoever was left towards the RV where Andrea was tending to her wounded sister. I moved with Shane but I could let Morales deal with the walkers on his own. I raced towards the man my axe in hand. I could hear Shane yelling behind me, but the sound of crunching of bone as my blade embedded into a walker's head drowned him out. Walker after walker I finally dropped the axe and pulled out my gun finishing off what rounds I had before my gun began clicking instead of firing. I was out of ammo.
Morales whipped around to look at me hearing the same thing. He nodded before the two of us turned and bolted towards the others. As we were running the sounds of gunfire behind me brought me to a stop. Coming out of the trees were Rick, Glenn, T-Dog, and Daryl all sporting some new guns. I felt the relief flood through me as they quickly took down the walkers. Rick began yelling for Lori and Carl while whoever was left looked at the carnage.
"Mel!" I heard Daryl shout. I quickly spotted Daryl holding a rifle his crossbow on his back. I knew I had blood spatter all over the front of me as I pushed past people rushing towards Daryl. "Melody!" he called out again before his eyes met mine. As I reached him I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck as his arms wrapped around me pulling me tightly to his body. He pulled back for a moment checking me over. "You bit? Scratched?"
"No," I shook my head before he pulled me close again as Andrea's anguished cries filled the air. I closed my eyes tightly pressing my face to Daryl's chest leaving smears of blood on his shirt.
"AMY!" Andrea continued to cry.
I opened my eyes my body still pressed to Daryl's as I looked over at Andrea. Laying in front of her was Amy covered in blood. Andrea was leaned over her sister's body crying and screaming. I shook my head pushing away from Daryl and walking away from the massacre.
I wiped the sweat from my brow as Glenn and I moved another body into the no burn pile. The walkers we would burn, but our friends from camp we would bury. Every one of the dead we picked up from our camp I would take the metal fire poker and push it into the skull and through the brain. Every time I did this to one of our old camp mates Glenn would cringe and turn away. I knew he wouldn't be able to do it, which I why I was the one with the fire poker.
After we set the body of Carter, one of our late campers, near the others to be buried Glenn shook his head before stalking away from me and the body. I looked down at Carter noticing his hand was starting to twitch. He was reanimating. I took the fire poker and pressed it to his forehead as he opened his eyes, the familiar greens were replaced by bloodshot, cat-yellow eyes. Applying my weight to the poker, it went through the skin of his forehead, then his skull, and into his brain with a sickening crunch.
I quickly pulled the poker out of the man's head, the rough ridges of the metal pressing into my hand before I pushed the bloody tip into the dirt next to the bodies of those we would bury. Glenn was standing over by the dismantled car as Daryl took a pick axe and buried it into the head of a walker laying on the ground. More precautions.
T-Dog then Glenn walked over and picked up the walker setting it near the burn pile. I looked over to see Andrea still leaning over Amy but she was no longer screaming or hysterical. I watched as Rick made his way over to her but was immediately halted when Andrea shoved her gun in his face. Rick put his hands up and slowly backed away causing Amy to lower the gun slowly and turn back to her sister. I watched as Rick walked back over to where Daryl, Lori, Dale, and Shane were standing. I slowly made my way towards the group until I was standing next to Dale who was giving me a grim look.
"Y'all can't be serious," Daryl spat. "Let that girl hamstring us?"
"Why don't you just be quiet for once, Daryl?" I asked.
"Why don't you stop acting like you're in charge, Melody," his curt response caused me to roll my eyes. "That dead girl's a time bomb."
"What do you suggest?" Rick asked stepping between the two of us. He sent me a look that clearly told me to stop before looking at Daryl.
Daryl licked his lips before stepping towards Rick. "Take the shot. Clean, in the brain, from here. Hell, I can hit a turkey between the eyes from this distance."
"Well if we ever need a turkey we know to call Daryl," I spat pushing past him bumping my shoulder into him before making my way towards Andrea. I could hear Lori talking behind me, I just didn't give a damn enough to stop.
The sound of the crackling fire a few feet away from where Amy and Andrea were drew my attention to the flames for a moment before I looked back to the siblings. Amy's face, neck, arms, shirt were all covered in blood. Her own blood. Andrea sat there on her knees one hand gripping Amy's limp one the gun in her other hand. The crunching of the gravel beneath my feet alerted her of my presence. She whipped her head before he gun followed pointing it right at my head. Seeing her do this to Rick didn't startle me in the least bit. I moved closer watching as her finger tightened on the trigger. Her eyes darted from mine to my waist where my 9mm was resting. I slowly reached down her sharp blue eyes immediately looked threatened as I pulled my gun out. I made sure I was holding the grip so my fingers weren't near the trigger. I tossed it to the side showing Andrea that I was no longer armed.
"I'm not here to shoot Amy, Andrea," I looked down at the young girl laying on the ground.
"Just leave us alone," Andrea spat.
I shook my head moving around to Amy's other side and knelt down. I was pressed between Amy and the RV before I reached down pulling Amy's hand into my own. As soon as her hand was in mine a loud gunshot rang out causing me to jump. I looked up to see Andrea's gun pointed in my direction. I looked to my left and saw the bullet hole in the side of the RV. I looked up to see the entire group was watching us tensed up. I looked back to Andrea who had a cold look on her face though her eyes were wet and bloodshot. I put Amy's hand down before looking Andrea straight in the eyes. I reached forward my hand wrapping around her gun, before I moved it so the weapon was pointed at my head.
"If you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right," I told her keeping my voice low. "I know you are hurt Andrea, but none of this is going to bring Amy back. But if you think it's going to make you feel better do it. Shoot me."
Andrea stared at me her eyes wide. I could see a fresh set of tears in her eyes before she slowly lowered the gun letting it rest on Amy's stomach. I let out a sigh of relief glad she didn't actually shoot me.
"You reap what you sow," Daryl stated as he and Morales dragged a dead camper past me, Amy, and Andrea.
"You know what. Shut up, man!" Morales spat as the two dropped the body near the rest of the dead campers we couldn't save.
"Y'all left my brother for dead! You had this coming!"
I put my hand over Andrea's patting it softly before standing up and walking to pick up my gun. Daryl running through the camp yelling about us having this coming wasn't helping. Not to mention every time I came near him he'd either snap at me or completely ignore me and walk away. We were grieving and now was not the time for Daryl to be acting like a prick. I quickly stalked over to him walking past Jim and Jacqui as I did.
"Then show me!" Jacqui raised her voice causing me to stop my warpath towards Daryl. Jim whispered something to Jacqui before she quickly stepped back.
"A walker got him!" Jacqui shouted pointing to Jim. "A walker bit Jim!"
I grabbed Jacqui and pulled her away from Jim as the rest of the men that were left gathered around Jim in a circle. It was horrifying watching it happen. Us descending on him like walkers after a piece of meat. I knew what it felt like to have a gun pointed at you. Hell, we all knew the feeling, but Jim was bleeding fresh blood from somewhere near his stomach.
"I'm okay. I'm okay," Jim tried convincing us.
Daryl with his pick axe strut around the circle the axe lung up on his shoulder. "Show it to us," he demanded coming to a stop on my right side. I glanced over at Daryl before my eyes focused on Jim. People started shouting the words overlapping becoming nothing more than a jumble of sounds as Jim whipped around and picked up a shovel.
We all tensed as he continued to shout that he was okay. T-Dog appeared behind Jim grabbing onto him tightly forcing Jim to let go of the shovel. As the shovel hit the ground Daryl jumped into action racing forward as T-Dog held Jim's arms back. Daryl lifted the shirt to reveal a clear cut bite mark on Jim's upper torso. The mark was so definite with individual teeth marks left in the man's flesh. Daryl dropped the shirt like it had burned him and quickly stepped back as T-Dog released Jim who was no longer fighting. He kept repeating "I'm okay," over and over again.
I was the first to put my weapon away. Jacqui shook her head at me before I nodded and walked out into the circle where Jim was at. He took a step back as I came closer but stopped moving when he realized I wasn't gonna hurt him. I reached my hand out setting it on his arm comfortingly causing him to flinch before he relaxed. I wrapped my arm around him sending a look at those around me before mine locked with Ricks. I nodded at him and he nodded back in understanding.
"Come on, Jim. Let's get you sat down," I stated softly my nursing side coming out.
Jim nodded before he allowed me to lead him over to the back of the RV. There was a crate sitting there and I immediately had him sit on the crate while the group closed ranks and began talking, rather loudly, about what they were going to do. I put my finger under his chin before forcing him to look at me instead of at the group.
"Keep your eyes on me okay?"
Jim shook his head, "I know what they're gonna do." I didn't respond instead I slowly lifted up his shirt to get a good look at the bite. The teeth marks were clear and there was nothing to debunk the possibility of him not getting bit. He wrapped his hand around my wrist causing me to stiffen before I looked back up at him. In his eyes he was still Jim. The fever hadn't set in, but it would. He would die then come back as a walker. It's what the infection did.
"I'm sorry this happen to you..." I whispered. Jim reached forward pressing his hand to my flat stomach.
"I'm sorry for scaring you. For scaring the baby." I sighed looking down before I looked over to see Daryl was watching us. The realization crossed Jim's face. "Daryl?"
I didn't say anything, as I quickly stood up Jim's hand falling from my stomach. I shook my head as I went to move away from Jim and the thought of the innocent life dying inside of me when I heard Daryl shouting something about having balls as he rushed towards Jim his pickaxe raised. I quickly stepped between him and Jim causing Daryl to stop the assault his pickaxe held in the air ready to strike. I shook my head as the sound of Rick cocking his gun echoed through the silence.
"We don't kill the living," he spat glaring at Daryl. Daryl's own glare was set on me before he shook his head in anger turning to look at Rick.
"That's funny, coming from a man who just put a gun to my head."
I looked over as Shane came up beside me nodding at me in a dismissing way. I shot him a glare before turning around and facing him. I crossed my arms over my chest before moving behind him kneeling next to the frightened Jim.
"We may disagree on some things, but not on this. You put it down," Shane stated looking at Daryl from under his baseball cap. Daryl turned around to face Shane a defiant look on his face as he slightly puffed out his chest.
"Or what?" Daryl snapped. Rick opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but I beat him to it.
"Daryl," I spoke looking from my spot next to Jim. Shane moved a little to allow Daryl a clear sight of me. "Just put it down."
Daryl sent me a hard look before shaking his head and slamming his pickaxe into the ground in front of him. He sent me, Rick, and Shane all our own individual looks of hatred before stomping off. Rick quickly put his gun away before briskly walking towards me and Jim. He reached down pulling Jim up into a standing position. I immediately shot up to stand as well.
"Come with me," Rick pulled Jim along.
"Where are you taking me?" Jim asked the fear in his eyes.
"Somewhere safe..." Rick answered before his eyes found mine. "Think you can handle Daryl?"
"Oh I know I can," I retorted before taking off in the direction Daryl had gone.
After Jim had been taken by Rick, Shane had come to me handing me the pickaxe Daryl had been in possession of. He nodded to me before walking away and heading towards Lori. Gripping the axe tightly in my hand I could feel the smooth wood of the handle pressing into the flesh of my hand. My eyes traveled up to the metal of the pick covered in dark red and black blood a few pieces of human brain still on the tip like it was a skewered fish.
I tore my gaze from the axe before I looked around the camp and noticed Daryl was pacing nearing the stripped Camero, several walkers laying unmoving on the ground in front of him. I knew he was itching to bury somethin' in their skulls, but he had nothing to do it with. He had plenty of things around him he could use, but there was something in his eyes holding him back. I slowly walked over to him the axe propped up on my shoulder the weight of the axe on my shoulder heavier than I initially thought.
"Hey, Robin Hood," I spoke up to catch his attention.
His gaze immediately met mine before he rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"
"Thanks honey, I'm great! What about you, darlin'?" I asked my southern accent thick with sarcasm.
"Go ta hell," Daryl muttered.
"Short trip. I'm already there," I tossed his the axe. He gave me a confused look as he stared at the axe in his hands. "We aren't your enemy, Daryl. We're just trying to survive-"
"So you leave my brother on a roof?!" he spat at me.
"That wasn't my choice," I growled poking my finger against his chest. "I went back for him, but Morales said T-Dog was helping him. I had no idea, Daryl, so don't you fucking blame Merle's stupidity on me!"
Daryl took the axe before swinging it burying it in the head of one of the walkers. I sighed crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned against the hood of the Camero. A few minutes of silence passed between us as he buried the axe in the head of a walker before I cleared my throat catching his attention.
"Jesus Christ, Mel what do you want me to say?"
"Oh gee, I don't know. Let's start with figuring out what in the hell is going on between us," I started walking towards him.
Daryl scoffed shaking his head. "Not right now."
"I think now is perfect," I retorted my hand grabbing the axe forcing him to look at me.
"What do you want me to say, hmm? That I act stupid around you? That you're the first person I pick out when you get back from runs?" he growled over the wood splitting us. "I can't be weak. That's all you make me. So why don't you just go over there with your fucking brother and leave me alone."
Daryl pulled the axe outta my hand before turning away from me. I stared at him for a moment the shock running through my body. I could feel the sadness and the anger all wrapped into one as he said that, but I wouldn't do anything about it. I nodded choking back the emotion before slowly turning away from him. I could hear him smashing the pickaxe into the heads as I walked away flinching every time I heard the crunch of bone.
I sat there on the seat, my knees pulled up to my chest as I stared down at the empty fire pit. I kept repeating Daryl's words in my head as I stared blankly in front of me. Carol had tried to say something to me, but I didn't respond. I couldn't even register what she was trying to say to me. I could feel the churning in my stomach though. My mind was brought back to the pill I had taken yesterday. It would be working its killing powers on my womb right now. I closed my eyes tightly thinking about what I had done. I did it at an emotional time, without thinking things the whole way through. Now I was responsible for ending a life. A life that never even stood a chance. I clenched my fists before I gently released the tension.
"Scoot over," a small voice said from beside me. I opened my eyes expecting to see Sophia or Carl standing there, but instead found Glenn. "Come on, ninja scoot over."
I moved over slightly so he and I could share the seat. He put his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into an awkward sideways hug. I moved my body so we could sit comfortably with his arm around my shoulder. I curled into him glad for the human touch he provided. It seemed like there was just so much killing going on people forget that there are still human beings with emotions here.
I felt Glenn's arm tighten around my shoulder in a comforting way as I looked around our diminished camp. I sighed before Lori stood up announcing it was time to say goodbye to the people we had lost. I shook my head at the calloused way she had said it, but I knew she was trying to stay strong for Carl. Glenn squeezed my should before the two of us carefully maneuvered our way onto our feet. The entire group minus Rick, Shane, and Daryl who were already at the graves, moved together up the hill. Glenn and I were at the front, Glenn with his arm wrapped around my shoulder in a comforting gesture. One we both needed. As we reached the three men it looked like Daryl was arguing with Rick about something.
Rick's growl is what everyone heard when we got close enough, "There are no rules."
"Well, that's a problem," Lori spoke up. For the first time in a while I actually agreed with her. "We haven't had one minute to hold onto anything of our old selves. We need time to mourn and we need to bury our dead. It's what people do."
I tried smiling up at Glenn, but it came out as a grimace instead before moving away from the comforting embrace. I walked over to where Shane was standing next to the body of a teenage girl I recognized. I knelt down next to her when the slight breeze blew off the sheet that was covering her face. grabbing the rough cloth I covered her face once more.
"Her name was Kaitlyn," I spoke out. The chattering behind me slowed until there was nothing but the sound of the breeze and my voice. "She was a senior as Westmore High School here in Atlanta. She-uh..." I took a deep breath trying to keep the emotion down. "She lost both her parents in the initial outbreak. Glenn and I found her when we were on a run. Told her we'd protect her..." I stood up finally turning to face the group who were watching me all with different expressions of grief and sorrow marring their faces. "I didn't mean to lie to her."
I swallowed the lump that seemed to be growing in my throat before nodding looking down to see the dark brunette hair sticking out from beneath the clothe. Rick put a hand on my shoulder nodding his eyes full of understanding and sorrow. I wanted to smile at him but I couldn't. I reached up pushing some of my dark hair behind my ear before walking past Rick brushing his arm lightly as I did. As I reached the group Glenn wrapped his arms around me pulling me into a tight hug. With my cheek pressed against his chest I could see Daryl out of the corner of my eyes, his gaze glued to me and Glenn. I turned my head so I could see him clearer and as our eyes met I watched as guilt flashed across his face before he dropped his head breaking our gaze.
I looked away as Andrea and Dale stood next to the grave Amy's body would be put into. Amy laid completely wrapped in a white sheet on the ground next to the grave. Andrea jumped into the hole and began pulling her sister into the deep gouge in the earth. I tightened my grip on Glenn's waist and he responded by tightening his arm around my shoulder. I could tell Andrea was trying not to break down as she pulled Amy into the hole. Dale was trying to help but she kept saying she could do it. It broke my heart to see her going through that. I glanced over at Shane and noticed he was looking at me as well. If it were me and Shane in this situation I don't think I would be able to handle losing my brother. We were at odds now, but I still loved him.
Once Andrea climbed out of the grave Shane and Rick carefully covered the hole as Andrea watched a stoic look on her face, but her bright blue eyes betrayed her true emotions. She was utterly lost. Once the hole was covered Andrea was the first to move away, Dale right behind her. Glenn let go of me when he realized I wasn't going to move just yet. I stared down at the graves as the families moved one by one away from the sight. The Morales family, then Carol and Sophia, Glenn and T-Dog, then Rick and Lori and Carl, then Shane...This left me and Daryl standing there staring at the dirt. Knowing the bodies would be rotting as we speak beneath the weight of the earth crushing down upon them.
I pulled myself away from the graves putting my hand over my mouth as I did. I could pretend to be tough all I wanted, but when it came down to losing people I lost it. I reached the edge of the clearing when a hand wrapped around my wrist.
"I need to talk to you," Daryl's voice met my ears as he pulled me to a stop. I quickly whipped my arm out of his grasp before crossing them over my chest.
"What more could you possibly say?" I choked back the sorrow I could feel running through my veins.
"Earlier..." he trailed off. A tension filled silence fell between us.
"Yeah?" I asked after a while.
"Jesus, could you give me a second to think?" Daryl snapped. I rolled my eyes shaking my head.
"This conversation is done," I turned like I was going to walk away.
"Damn it, Mel," Daryl reached out grabbing my wrist stopping me. "I'm trying to apologize here!"
"Well you suck at it," I retorted.
"We all suck at things...but I know a few things you're pretty good at suckin-" I punched him in the gut cutting him off as he grunted.
"Seriously?" I growled.
"I'm sorry," he grunted straightening up. "That what you wanted to hear?"
I nodded, "It's a start." I turned on my heel and walked away from him.
"A start? That's it?!" I heard him calling after me.
I nodded glancing back at him before continuing my walk down the hill alone. But that was all this was. We all stuck together and acted like we could rely on each other forever if we just pretended. The truth was we were all alone. At some point we would all have to face this on our own whether it be our demons inside or our enemies on the outside. We couldn't keep this up forever. People were hurting, people were emotionally damaged, people were changing right before our very eyes. Who we are now was not who we were going to be when we reached our own personal end. I just hope that when I do meet my end I'll go out a better person that I came into this as.
I sat on top of the RV, a hunting rifle sitting on my lap. I sat partially shaded by the umbrella that was sitting on top of the camper, but it didn't feel right. Several tents had been taken down as the circle of tents moved into tighter quarters so we were closer together. Glenn and I decided to ditch his tent and just share, since mine was big enough for two and Shane refused to sleep in the tent.
Speaking of Shane...I had noticed his movements getting a little more jerky after we had gotten back from burying the dead. They weren't real noticeable unless you've lived with him most your life, like I had. He had this nervous habit of rubbing his hands together or putting them on his head. Every time he did this he would fidget more, keep moving never staying still. It looked like nerves...but I knew better. I did the same thing, especially when I was angry.
"Mind if I join you?" a voice caused me to jump before I whipped around to face the source. Dale was climbing up the ladder a smile on his face as our gazes met. I gestured to the other chair that was sitting on top of the RV. He nodded before sitting down and letting out a sigh. I set the gun on my lap before turning to look at the older man.
"Okay, what's wrong?"
Dale looked over at me shaking his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Y'all went out to scan the woods at the same time, but Shane came back first...Shane never comes back first," I told him narrowing my eyes at him.
"Have you noticed any changes lately..." Dale asked as he turned his body so he was facing me.
"What do you mean?" I looked over at him confused, but something in my gut was telling me I wouldn't like it.
"With Shane I mean...Does he seem - I don't know - okay to you?"
I turned my full attention to Dale a sigh passing my lips, "What happened?"
Dale looked down at the ground like it was hard for him to say this. "He had his weapon drawn and pointed at Rick, Mel."
I scoffed hearing that. I shook my head before turning back to cleaning the gun in my hand. "You were seeing things Dale."
"I'm being serious, Melody!" Dale raised his voice slightly before lowering it. "He had the safety off and was pointing it straight at Rick."
"Rick, is his best friend. Shane wouldn't kill Rick..."
"You sure about that?" Dale asked his brows furrowing at my hesitation.
"Yeah...I am."
Dale sighed before standing up. "Just be careful Mel. Wouldn't want to see you get hurt."
As he climbed down the side of the RV I sighed putting my gun to the side. "Dale!" the older man stopped and looked at me.
"Are you sure that's what you saw?" I asked.
He nodded. "I'm positive."
I sighed the dread growing in my stomach. "I'll find out what happened...Thanks."
"Why don't you come on down," Dale motioned. I nodded before standing up and walking to the side of the RV. Instead of taking the ladder down I jumped off the side landing on both feet in a crouched position before I straightened up. Dale shook his head at me a slight smile on his face before the two of us went over to where the group was noticing Shane and Rick walking up to them.
"I've been thinking about Rick's plan," Shane started as he propped himself up on a log. "Now look, there are no guarantees either way, I'll be the first one to admit that." Shane paused before looking up at Rick. "I've known this man a long time. I trust his instincts. I say the most important thing here is we need to stay together." I watched as Lori looked up at Shane with a wide-eyed look on her face. "So those of you that agree, we leave first thing in the morning. Okay?"
"We'll split watch tonight," Rick spoke up. "Myself, then Shane, T-Dog, and Daryl."
"I can help," I spoke up causing Rick to shake his head.
"You need to get some rest-"
"And so do you," Lori cut in. "Melody's right. Add more people to the watch so we can all get some rest."
Rick sighed looking down to the ground knowing he had lost this battle. "Alright...Mel you can take shift after Daryl, then it'll be Morales and then Dale. One hour shifts, no more, no less. We leave at dawn."
We all nodded before the group separated. The sun finally dipped below the tree line shrouding the camp in a dark glow. Glenn and I made our way over to our tent but the heat of someone's looks forced me to stop. Glenn continued into the tent but I turned to see where the feeling was coming from. As my eyes scanned camp they came to a stop on Daryl who was standing outside his tent. His eyes were focused on his crossbow before his blues shifted up meeting my own blues.
I wanted to walk over there. I wanted to get lost in those eyes in his touch, but I couldn't. The anger I had felt earlier had washed away when he apologized. I was the one dragging this out, not him. Why? Was it the baby? I shook my head turning away from Daryl's gaze and stepped into the tent. There was no baby. There couldn't be. This wasn't a world to be starting a family in. It was hard enough with kids Carl and Sophia's age, let alone a baby. As I sat down on my cot I heard Glenn sit down next to my his hand on my shoulder.
"We're gonna be alright, Mel...right?"
I looked up at Glenn nodded lightly. "I hope so, Glenn. God I hope so."
I would like to send a HUGE thank you to all those who are following my story! I'm really glad y'all gave it a chance! I would like to send a huge shoutout to Auburn and Green, as well as RiversSongofSilence. Your reviews really meant a lot to me! Review do mean a lot guys so shoot me one every now and then and let me know what you think of characterization, the plot...anything! Just don't be rude. If you dislike the story don't read. THANK YOU EVERYONE!