Chapter 7 - Rescue Me
There had been as heavy silence the entire walk back to the group. Rick was just behind Daryl as they made their way through the foliage, both with despair weighing heavily on their minds. Daryl had a tight grip on his crossbow as he made his way silently along the path back to the group. Rick knew they had been close. It wasn't hard to figure out especially with the way the two would look at each other when no one else was looking. There was a longing and more recently a pain. With looks like that he expected more of a reaction out of Daryl not this silence.
Rick felt his heart clench at the thought. Silence. He would never hear her voice again. The last thing he told her was that they would survive this. He shook his head clenching his jaw as he walked trying to keep his emotions under control. Her smile, her laugh...It was all gone. It was all gone in one quick moment. He nodded to her that the coast was clear. If he would have waited she'd still be alive.
He sat there quietly his elbows resting on the bar as he stared down at the light brown liquid resting in the glass in front of him. He and Lori had been at each other's throats...again. It didn't matter how hard he tried backing down away from the fight she always found a way to drag him back into it, some new thing to yell at him about. Tonight it had been about how he seemed to enjoy spending more time with Shane and Melody instead of her and Carl. None of it was true. He saw Shane at work and he saw Mel maybe once or twice a week. The rest of the time he was with his angered wife and son.
"Keep your face like that too long and it'll get stuck that way," a distinctly female voice sounded from his right. He felt the smile forming on his face as he turned to face the source of the voice. "Much better."
"Didn't think I'd see you here tonight," Rick watched as she lowered herself onto the barstool next to him. She was dressed nicely tonight, which mean she had been on a blind date that Shane had more than likely set her up on. She was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans, a dark red shirt with her black leather jacket over it. Her jet straight dark brown hair shown in the lights despite how dim it actually was in the bar.
"Shane set me up again," she rolled her eyes before her chocolate brown eyes met his. "And I do believe this one was worse than the last."
"That bad, huh?" Rick asked as he watched her motion to the bartender.
"He started out the night with, 'Hey, pretty lady, you mind if we ditch this whole dinner thing and go straight to my place?'" she took a hold of the beer that had been set in front of her before taking a healthy gulp from the glass.
"They can't all be charming devils like myself," Rick joked as Melody set the beer down on the bar with a loud thump.
"Lori's a lucky lady," Mel grinned looking over at him.
Rick looked away from her and down at the bar. "Yeah, she is," he muttered. He knew he had sparked Mel's interest. He felt her hand on his arm drawing his blue gaze up to meet her concerned one.
"What happened, Rick?" her voice was soft.
He shook his head. "Just Lori being Lori I guess..."
Mel nodded looking away for a brief second before her gaze met his again this time a different glint in her eyes. "Want me to kick her ass?"
Rick felt the smile slide across his face at the joke. A smile lit up Melody's own face as she wrapped her arm around his shoulder pulling him into a side hug. Rick turned his body so he could pull her into a proper hug. He didn't realize he had pulled her off the barstool by hugging her. All he was thinking was how his arms wrapped around her petite waist while her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. He could smell the faint traces of the lavender shampoo that was her favorite. Her hair was silky smooth against his cheek as he tightened his hug before he let her go.
"Thank you," he said softly as the two went back to their respective stools.
"I wouldn't thank me just yet," she said looking away from him cradling the beer in her hands. There was something on her face that he couldn't get a read on as she put the glass to her lips draining the rest of the contents. "Let's get this party started." She motioned for the bartender as two shot glasses were set down in front of the two.
Daryl finally loosened his grip on his crossbow as he a Rick broke the tree line. He could see the group a little ways up the highway. They were standing near the guardrail comforting what looked like Carol. Daryl's eyes then turned to Shane who was standing there next to Dale and Glenn. He really didn't want them to notice the two of them until they were closer. He glanced back at Rick seeing the torn look on his face. He didn't envy the cop's position in the group. He was the one who had to explain that Sophia was still missing and Mel was...
"They're back!" Glenn's voice met Daryl's ears causing him to cringe. Rick quickened his pace so he was in front of Daryl. He knew he had to be the one to break the news. Daryl swung his crossbow over his shoulder walking up to the group a bit slower than Rick.
"You didn't find her," Carol's soft cry made Daryl's heart break even more as Rick came to a stop in front of the upset woman.
"Their trail went cold," Rick choked out as he climbed over the guard rail. "We'll pick it up again at first light."
"You can't leave my daughter out there to spend the night in the woods," Carol shook her head wrapping her arms tightly around her body. Rick watched as his wife came running up, Carl not far behind her. Shane had walked forward a bit standing just in front of where Dale and Andrea were standing putting him just behind Lori and Carl. Glenn and T-Dog stood a little ways back away from the gathering.
"Out in the dark's no good," Daryl finally spoke up his voice low not wanting to upset the woman anymore. "We'd just be tripping over ourselves. More people get lost."
"She's twelve," Carol responded her voice breaking. "She can't be out there on her own with just Melody. You didn't find anything?!"
Rick looked down at the ground away from Carol's tear filled eyes before he glanced at Daryl over his shoulder. The man shook his head looking down at the ground gaining the attention of everyone. Rick looked back up sat Carol noticing Lori had grabbed her shoulders to comfort the woman. His wife caught the look on his face her eyes narrowing at him knowing something was wrong.
"You found something?" Lori asked causing the group to laser focus on Rick.
"Look," Rick started his eyes focusing on Carol. "I know this is hard, but I'm asking you not to panic."
"What did you find?" Carol asked her eyes still full of tears. Rick looked over to where Shane was standing and he knew he had to tell them.
"Rick," Shane spoke up staring at his friend. Rick glanced around taking in everyone's faces. Andrea, Glenn, Dale, and T-Dog were all standing in the back waiting to hear the news.
"We found..." His voice broke as he took a moment. "We found Mel." He looked from Shane to Lori waiting to see their reactions.
"What'd you mean you found her? Where is she?" Shane asked looking at his friend before his eyes widened. Rick shook his head trying to give the best comforting look he could but he knew he was failing. Lori's eyes widened as Carol let out a cry knowing what that meant. Glenn shook his head as Andrea looked ready to throw up. T-Dog sighed heavily looking to the ground as Dale shook his head like he was trying to deny it. Carl stood there a slightly confused look on his face not sure what this all meant.
"We tracked 'em for a while," Daryl broke the silence as Carol let out a sob. "We're sure Sophia's still out there."
"She's out there on her own!" Carol cried. "Melody's dead and my daughter is out there on her own!"
"We will find her," Rick tried calming Carol down.
"She's-" Shane cut himself off turning away from the group. He put his hands to his head shaking his quickly. "She can't be dead."
"We have to make this an organized effort," Rick spoke up over Shane. "Daryl knows the woods better than anyone. I've asked him to oversee this."
"Well that didn't fuckin' help my sister did it!" Shane snapped.
"She was injured Shane!" Rick snapped his heart aching yelling at his friend about this. "She took down a walker and then fell down a ravine. There was too much blood-"
"A walker?" Carol stared over at Daryl eying the blood on his pants as she started breathing heavily. She looked on the verge of a panic attack.
"There was no sign of a struggle," Rick told her trying to calm the woman. "It means it was a clean take down. Melody didn't let that thing anywhere near Sophia."
"How can you know that?" Andrea asked watching as Carol moved back and forth shaking her head trying to calm herself down. Rick looked down to the ground his gut clenching as he looked over at Daryl who was standing there with his own upset look.
"We cut the son of a bitch open, made sure," Daryl told her honestly.
"And Mel?" Dale asked as he rested a comforting hand on Glenn's shoulder. The young Korean kid looked close to tears as he listened.
"We're not sure..." Rick started slowly looking back at Daryl who just shook his head. "Her tracks lead to the edge of the ravine. Looks like she got banged up pretty bad on the fall. There were-" Rick cut himself off.
"There were what?" Lori asked staring at Rick her eyes wide. Rick's gaze turned to Carl who had a horrified look on his face as the situation began to sink in.
Rick shook his head. "Bloody drag marks."
"Looked like a struggle," Daryl stated his voice breaking. "We found her body on the creek bed."
Shane shook his head. "That is bullshit," he spat. He turned on his heels his gun in hand as he stalked away from the group stopping a few paces away.
Rick could feel the tug on his heart as Shane walked away from them. He wanted to walk after his friend and comfort him, but they had all lost her too. There was also a little girl they had to focus on. Melody was gone and there was nothing they could do to help her anymore. Rick looked back at Daryl who was clenching his fist tightly. Shane had no idea how this was affecting both him and Daryl as well.
"How could you," Carol started drawing Rick's attention to her. She was now sitting on the guardrail Mel and Sophia had jumped over earlier that day. "How could you just leave them there like that? How could you just leave my baby out there?!"
"Those walkers were on us," Rick tried explaining feeling his own resolve cracking. "I-I had to draw them off. It was their best chance."
"Sounds like-" There was a heavy sigh as Shane appeared next to Rick. He looked visibly upset but was holding it back. "Sounds like he had to Carol."
"Melody's dead," Carol cried. "How is my baby supposed to find her way back on her own! She's just a child," Carol's voice grew soft as it broke. "She's just a child."
Rick found himself falling to his knees in front of Carol putting his hand to his mouth before pulling it back and saying, "It was my only option. The only choice I could make." Rick looked over at Shane who was standing there his eyes red from tears shed in the brief moment he had been gone. "Melody fought for that little girl. Mel made sure Sophia got away from the walkers."
"I'm sure nobody doubts that," Shane spoke softly from his spot as he too leaned against the guardrail.
A silence fell over the group after Shane had said that. Rick could feel the pang in his heart as he looked between Shane and Carol. Shane was holding it together better than Rick thought he would while Carol was falling apart. Lori was holding onto Carol's shoulders rubbing them gently. Carl stood next to Glenn tears in the young boy's eyes hearing that his two best friends were gone. Glenn looked ready to break down and cry while Dale had a comforting hand on both boys' shoulders. Andrea had a shocked look on her face as she gazed out at the woods. T-Dog had a hollowed out expression on his face like he was trying to process it. Rick's gaze turned back to look at Daryl. The man was standing there his hand clenching and unclenching at his side. The anger was present on his face, but he knew Daryl wouldn't do anything.
"My little girl got left in the woods," Carol's soft cried ripped through the silence.
That's when Rick felt his resolve finally crack. He could feel the tears gathering in his eyes as he nodded before climbing back to his feet. He wasn't sure what more he could say to the woman. He wanted to find Sophia so she wouldn't have to feel the loss, the hollowing feeling that was resting in his gut right now. He didn't want Carol to have to feel the pain that came with losing someone close to her, like he was with Melody. Rick turned away from the group and walked away, his gun hitting his side as he walked. He made sure he was far enough away as he put his hand to his eyes the tears falling down his cheeks.
My eyes opened slowly taking in the bright white around me. I let out a small breath of relief. Heaven.
"Good, you're awake," a hoarse voice spoke from my left.
My eyes quickly shot in the direction of the voice my heart pounding quickly. A sudden pain ripped through my leg before more minor pain spread through the rest of my body. I grunted in pain as I tried moving my body to get away from the voice.
"I wouldn't move too much if I were you."
My eyes shot towards the voice narrowing in confusion seeing who was sitting there. He was an older man, white hair and kind blue gray eyes. He was dressed like a conservative farmer and judging by his looks he was an older gentleman; early 60s.
"Where am I?" I asked my voice was hoarse causing me to cough a few times.
"You are a guest in my home," he said simply his hands folded on his lap. I moved slightly trying my best to sit up, but everything hurt.
"I fell," I groaned finally managing to get myself up.
The older man nodded before pushing away the blanket to show me my legs. My jaw fell open slightly seeing how bruised they were. There were several angry red marks raising off my skin from some deep cuts. There were small black sutures holding together a few of the wounds. What shocked me even more was everything looked surgically done. My right ankle had some ice wrapped around it and was propped up on a small pillow.
"Otis found you in the woods. Just south of here. You took a tumble down a ravine. You're lucky you survived. Looks like your legs were the worst off."
I was still staring at the stitches trying to wrap my mind around it. "Did you do this?"
"You would have bled out eventually," he stared at me no judgment on his face, but he didn't exactly looked thrilled either. "The wound on your thigh was too deep to be left unattended." I shook my head before my eyes widened.
"Did you find a little girl? Anywhere around me? She's twelve, blonde hair, blue eyes," I asked frantically as I pushed the covers away from me. I ignored the pain as I kicked my feet out trying to get out of the bed. The man didn't respond, instead he looked to the ground shaking his head.
"Daddy," a small voice asked from the doorway.
My head whipped around hoping that by some chance it might had been a very confused Sophia. Instead there was a teenage girl standing there her blue eyes wide as she walked in carrying a tray with some food on it. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, her eyes darting between me and the other man.
"Thank you, Beth," the man nodded. "Just set it down on the dresser."
The young girl nodded before setting it where she was told. "It's good to see you're awake. You had us all worried," the girl sent me a sweet smile before turning around and slowly leaving the room.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed breathing hard from the exertion of trying to get up as another woman walked into the room. She was an older woman probably late 40s early 50s and she was followed by another woman who looked a little older than Beth who had just left the room. The man next to me nodded to both of them as they came to a stop at the foot of the bed.
"Maggie, I think it would be best if you helped your sister," the white haired man next to me nodded to the younger woman. She parted her lips like she was going to argue, but the stern look from the man made her close her pink lips before turning around and stalking out of the room.
"Who are you people?" I asked as I tried standing up. A pain shot through my legs as I put my full weight on them. I managed to stand for a moment before I felt my body falling to the ground before my cheek met the hardwood floor beneath me.
"My name is Hershel," the older man stated as he stared down at me. The woman was immediately at my side as she wrapped her arm around me trying to help me up. "Patricia and I patched up the severe cuts along your body. Your strength will return in a day or two."
"I need to get out of here now," I grunted as Patricia got me up on my feet.
"You need more rest. You can barely hold your own weight," Hershel shook his head. "A few days of rest and you are free to go."
"No," I shook my head as Patricia forced me to sit down on the bed. "You don't understand there is a little girl out there that needs me."
"Hershel knows what he's talking about-"
"I'm a goddamn nurse, I know what he's saying," I snapped at the woman as a shooting pain went through my head. I brought both of my hands up pressing them to my temples applying slight pressure. I felt Patricia leave my side causing me to lift my head for a moment to see Hershel nodding. I stared at him confused before I felt a prick in the crook of my neck. I gasped at the sudden stick before it was instantly gone.
"I apologize for this, but it's for both your safety and the safety of my family," Hershel stated as he stood up. My hand was on the spot where the prick was before I felt my muscles begin to loosen. It got harder and harder for me to hold myself up before I felt someone slowly lay me back on the bed as my eyes fell shut.
Daryl moved ahead of the group his crossbow pointed to the ground for now, but his arms were tensed so he could bring it up at a moment's notice. Ever since they had left the camp he could feel the dread climbing around in his gut. He was tired, frustrated, and utterly lost. She was all I had left. He shook his head trying to pull her from his mind. He should have gone after them sooner, should have followed Rick.
"You okay?" Andrea's voice broke his concentration.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Daryl shrugged her off. Relentless as she was Andrea was at his side again.
"You just lost someone, Daryl. It's okay to grieve-"
"I didn't lose anyone!" he snapped glaring back at Andrea. Andrea stood there with wide eyes as the group came to a stop watching the two closely. She knew not to push people when they were upset but he needed to know.
"She loved you, Daryl," she shook her head as tears started filling her own eyes for a moment. "She wouldn't want you hate yourself for not being there."
Daryl clenched his jaw before shaking his head. He looked over at the rest of the group noticing the stares, pity and grief. He had lost Merle and then Mel. They were just waiting for him to snap he could see it. His eyes landed on Rick seeing the familiar loss on his face.
"What cha'll staring at?" Daryl snapped. "We got a little girl we gotta find." He turned away from them shaking his head before continuing to walk on. He was going to find that little girl for Mel so she didn't die in vain.
Rick was the first to follow after Daryl. He shook his head slightly at Andrea who nodded realizing pushing had been a bad call. She fell is step behind Rick then it was Carol, Glenn, Carl, Lori, and Shane taking up the back. It was risky taking that big of a group out into the woods to look for a little girl, but that was just it. Mel was gone and Sophia was out there by herself and if she saw walkers rip into Mel, she would be traumatized.
Daryl's grip tightened on the crossbow when he noticed movement behind a nearby tree. His jaw clenched as the figure disappeared behind the tree. He came to a stop his eyes narrowed at the tree as Rick came to a stop next to him. The leader noticed the look on the redneck's face and he knew there was something going on. He followed Daryl's gaze to the tree in question.
"What is it?" Rick questioned turning his gaze from Daryl to the tree then back to Daryl.
He shook his head. "Ghosts," he told Rick honestly. "Let's keep moving."
Daryl moved slowly behind the kid and the girl, his brother right next to him. The two people ahead of them were skittish. They didn't trust him and his brother and they had a good reason not to. The way Merle attacked that girl he was surprised she was even taking them back to their camp. It was risky, but there was something about this girl that he just couldn't put his finger on.
"Whatchu think, little brother?" Merle's voice met his ears. He looked over shaking his head before his eyes went back to the girl, Melody. She was a small thing, thin but she had some muscle. The way she took down Merle was proof of that. Her chocolate colored hair was straight despite the tangles that came with roughing it out in the wild for a few days. Her skin was slightly tanned meaning she had spent a good deal of time out in the sun which made sense considering. Her light brown eyes though is what made him falter. Usually if anyone had gotten the upper-hand on Merle he was there to take the threat out. No one threatened his brother and got away with it.
"Keep up," the girl stated looking at them over her shoulder. "We ain't got all day."
Her accent came out thick there, but earlier it didn't sound that way. He didn't care. He looked over at his brother who was watching Melody a lecherous look on his face. Daryl reached over and hit his brother on the arm shaking his head.
"This is what we're gonna do," Merle stated his voice low. "We're gonna rob these people blind. Then we're gonna take that fine piece of ass with us...you know entertainment."
Daryl looked over at his brother, but didn't say anything. He didn't want to do that, but if these people had some things that would help him and his brother survive then he'd take it. What he didn't wanna do was kidnap someone. That girl was trying to survive just like the rest of them. They were survivors, they didn't need to be treatin' each other like they had before.
He listened more to the conversation that Chinese kid and Melody were having rather than listening to his own brother. They were arguing quietly about a guy named Shane and how he was gonna "freak out when they showed up with two hillbillies." He watched their backs closely specifically Melody's. This girl was small but she packed a punch. What was the rest of this camp going to be like?
The two came to a sudden stop before Melody and the Chinese looking dweeb turned to look at the two. "Okay," Melody took a step towards them. "You let me do all the talking and they might let you stay."
"We ain't looking to stay long," Merle grinned at the girl, his lips curled cruelly. "But you're more than welcomed to come along with us. Keep good ol' Merle company."
Melody scoffed at the older brother before turning her gaze to Daryl. "How about you keep him on a leash. People might actually like him if he's muzzled."
Merle's lips curled up into a smirk before he stepped towards Melody. Daryl instantly put himself between his brother and the petite woman shaking his head. "We ain't here to fight. Let's just get this over with, get some help and get the hell outta here. Deal?" Daryl said looking between Merle and Melody.
"Deal," Mel answered. "Come on Glenn. Better go warn Shane."
Daryl watched the girl closely before shaking his head a Merle. He didn't want any more enemies. Shit was hard enough, but Merle was right about one thing. They weren't gonna stay long no matter how pretty that girl was.
Daryl kept his pace in front of the rest of the group ignoring the slight chatter in the back from Lori, Carl, and Shane. He kept his eyes roaming the ground and the trees around them looking for any sign of Sophia's tracks. After they had found Mel's body they followed Sophia's tracks only for the trail to grow cold. It was a fucked situation, but no one else was good enough at tracking. Rick was still shaken and Shane was out for blood. She didn't deserve to go out like that, but he couldn't help the feeling in his gut that she was still out there. Same as Sophia.
"Daryl." He came to a sudden stop, Rick nearly running into the back of him.
"What?" Daryl snapped at Rick. The sheriff's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Daryl.
"What?"
"You say something?" Daryl snapped.
"No," Rick stated slowly glancing back at the others who looked equally as confused.
"Daryl," the whisper came again causing him to turn back to the front his eyes narrowed. His mind was fucking with him. It had to be. He scanned the woods until he saw a familiar figure standing near some trees. "Come on Robin Hood. You ain't far."
Daryl stared at her for a moment his eyes narrowed dangerously before he tightened his grip on the crossbow. He moved forward slowly before she disappeared behind the familiar nylon of a generic camping tent. Daryl put his hand up to Rick motioning for them to stop before he silently pointed to the tent and slowly crouched down. Rick understanding what was being said motioned for the others to kneel down as well.
"She could be in there?" Shane asked his voice quiet as he saw the mellow yellow and gray tent.
"Could be a whole bunch of things in there," Daryl muttered thinking about what he had just seen.
He slowly crept forward before standing up and moving around the trees getting a better look at the tent. The flap was hanging slightly open meaning there might be someone or something in there. He looked back at Rick pointing between the two of them then the tent before Rick nodded. Shane came to a stop just behind Rick as Daryl pulled out his knife and slowly crept forward. His eyes darting around the tent remembering the familiar brunette he had seen earlier. There were supplies strewed across the ground outside the tent, from old food wrappers to soiled medical supplies. He set his crossbow down holding just his knife as he reached the tent flap, the knife held tightly in his hand ready to strike if needed. He tried peeking into the flap, but didn't want to open it completely in case there was something in there before he carefully made his way to the corner of the tent peeking in. He couldn't see a goddamn thing. He looked back at Rick shrugging, but staying poised to strike.
Rick called out to Carol motioning for her to come forward while Shane made sure the rest of the approaching group gave Rick and Carol some room. Daryl stood there ready at the tent flap as Rick explained to Carol what she had to do. He began bouncing on his feet as he thought about what Mel had said...or ghost Mel. Was this what she was talking about? Was Sophia in there? What were they close to? Pull it together Dixon, Daryl thought shaking his head. You were seeing things. She wasn't there. She ain't there anymore so let her go.
"Sophia, sweetie," Carol called out softly pulling Daryl from his thoughts. "You in there? Sophia it's mommy." Daryl looked back at the petrified woman. He wanted to make this right for her even if he couldn't get Mel back he'd get Sophia back. "Sophia, we're all here baby. It's mommy."
There was no reply nor any movement inside the tent. Daryl looked back at Rick shaking his head slightly before Rick moved forward towards the tent. As he moved forward Daryl reached down slowly unzipping the tent trying his best not to make too much noise in case there was a walker inside. Once it was open enough he carefully pulled back the flap before covering his nose with the back of his hand. The stench coming out of the tent was nearly unbearable. The smell of rotting flesh hit his noise causing him to cough turning away from the smell to catch his breath. He slowly made his way into the tent hearing Rick coughing and gagging from outside. He noticed the large hole in the back of the person's head his face scrunching up in disgust seeing the rest of the person. The bottom half of its jaw was missing while maggots were burrowing holes into its forehead.
"Daryl?" he heard Carol calling out for him. He reached down and pulled the pistol out of the dead man's hand as he heard his name being called out again. He looked up turning so he could put the pistol in the back of his pants before he froze. Standing in the corner was Melody. Her clothes were dirty her hair matted. He took a step forward towards her as her head shot up only her eyes...her eyes weren't brown no more. The whites were bloodshot the iris a bright yellow fading into and iridescent green. His breathing grew heavy as he watched her cock her head to the side.
"What happened Daryl?" she asked her voice sounding gurgled as some blood dripped down her chin.
He shook his head his eyes wide taking a step back before he ran into the dead guy in the chair. His eyes shot down to the dead man before back to the corner where Mel was...only to find there was no one there. He whipped around looking at the inside of the tent seeing that he was the only living one there. She shook his head once more trying his best to calm his racing heart before he stepped out of the tent trying to keep his composure.
"It ain't her," he announced as he stepped out into the fresh air. He wasn't sure if he was talking about Mel or Sophia.
"What's in there?" Andrea asked watching Daryl closely as Lori comforted Carol.
"Just some guy. Did what Jenner said. Opted out," Daryl responded as he picked up his crossbow making sure it was ready to go before slinging it over his shoulder. "Ain't that what he called it?"
Before Daryl could say anything the sound of ringing bells could be heard in the distance. They were faint, but they were there. Rick pointed towards the ringing before he, Shane, and Daryl all took off towards the noise. The rest of the group quickly followed knowing that there was the possibility that the ringing could be Sophia.
This could be it. Maybe that's what his hallucinations were trying to tell him. The bells seemed to be echoing all around them it was hard to get a good direction on them. The group stopped discussing what they were hearing and what direction. Daryl's eyes scanned the woods quickly before they stopped at a familiar figure. Melody was standing there looking normal, not like in the tent. He quickly looked at the others noticing that no one seemed to be able to see her. She was looking straight at Daryl before turning her head in the direction Rick was saying the bells were coming from. There was no doubt that was where they needed to go. Thanks, Mel, Daryl thought as the group rushed down the hill in Mel's direction. As Daryl passed her, the familiar brown gaze met his blues before she smiled and nodded. He hurried past her glancing back for a brief moment only to find she wasn't there.
The bells tolled a few more times before the woods once again fell silent as before. They kept moving in the same general direction Rick had pointed out. The group was growing weary as they continued to move quickly before relief flooded through Rick for a brief moment as they broke the tree line. The relief was quickly shattered by Shane as he came to a stop next to Rick.
"That can't be it. Got no steeple. No bells," he pointed out his rifle in his hands. Rick shook his head before taking off in a sprint.
They would have to cross an extremely small cemetery to get to the small white church that rested on the other side of the clearing. The rest of the group followed quickly behind all sprinting as fast as they could to keep up with Rick. There was the chance that the little girl was still alive he was gonna do everything in his power to get to her as quickly as possible. He couldn't save Mel, so he was gonna do everything in his power to get Sophia back.
His sheriff's hat covered his eyes from the sunlight as he rounded the small church both Daryl and Shane right behind him. He noticed a pair of blood red double doors which more than likely led to the main hall. He quickly made his way up the stair, Daryl right behind him. They stopped at the door exchanging nods of understanding as Daryl readied his crossbow. The two men slowly pushed open the red doors revealing the hall where mass took place. The church looked relatively untouched, but what was unnerving was the three bodies in the pews. They looked dead if it hadn't been for the light snarling noise that began echoing around the church. The three bodies that had previously been facing forward turned around to look at Daryl, Rick, and Shane as they entered.
The three walkers eyed the three men closely before they slowly stood up. Almost like they were pissed off for having their 'mass' interrupted. Rick reached behind him as Lori held out a large, wicked looking machete before he began moving towards the walker on the left side of the room. Shane headed straight down the aisle pulling out his own knife going for the walker in the front. Daryl handed Glenn his crossbow as the Korean kid handed him a knife with a nasty hook on the end. All three walkers were quickly taken down by the men as silently as they could before the reality of the situation set in. Sophia wasn't here.
"SOPHIA!" Rick yelled his voice echoing.
Daryl walked up the center aisle towards the statue of Jesus Christ that was hanging on a cross. "Yo, J.C., you taking requests?"
I could feel the dull ache in my legs before I slowly opened my eyes. The familiar white ceiling came into focus as my hands moved slowly at my sides. The feeling of the cottons sheets beneath my cracked fingertips caused me to grimace before I stopped the movement. I closed my eyes again as my head felt like it weighed tons and my ears popped painfully. Once the feel passed I slowly sat up my hand to my head.
"You'll be groggy for a little while, but I'm sure you knew that," Hershel's deep voice met my ears.
"You knocked me out," I groaned glaring up at him.
Hershel nodded before looking down over my body where the stitches were before his eyes met mine once more. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," I answered honestly.
"Physically...or mentally?" the man asked. His eyes stared into me like he knew exactly what I was going through.
I scoffed shaking my head looking away from him. "Both," I whispered. Hershel placed a hand on my shoulder before nodding.
"I understand you've been through some trials lately. The wounds to your body tell me that. But there is hope. You survived. We can help others do the same," Hershel stated before taking his hand away. I wasn't sure what that meant, but it made sense. "Now let's get you up on your feet and see how your strength is."
"How long have I been out?" I asked reaching both hands out gripping his.
"About a day and a half," the man answered taking a firm grip of my hands before nodding.
"I have to-" I cut myself off grunting as I climbed to my feet. A sharp pain ripped through my ankle, but I had enough strength to stand. "There's a little girl out there I have to find."
Hershel looked up at me his eyes showing a brief glimpse of sadness before it was gone.
"You said you were a nurse?" Hershel asked.
I nodded. "I used to be. I was a trauma nurse in the emergency room."
"Your skills come in handy I presume?"
"Just like yours," I tilted my head at him before he took my hand and placed it on his arm before slowly helping me walk. He didn't respond to my comment instead just guiding me. I wasn't sure why he was helping me, but I didn't pull away. I looked down to see what I was wearing and noticed I wasn't in my own clothes, I was in someone else's.
"My daughter Maggie lent you those," Hershel stated seeing my confusion. "She, Beth, and Patricia helped clean you up and change you."
I sighed as we reached what looked like the front door. "Thank you," I said softly as he opened the door and guided me out.
I took a deep breath as the fresh air hit my nostrils. The familiar smell of the sweet Georgia country hit my senses as a light wind tussled my hair. A light smile crossed my face until reality came crashing back down. I turned and looked at the house I had been in and realized this was a farm house. The barn could be seen a little in the distance while several coops were set up alongside the house. The wraparound porch we were standing on was also occupied by none other than Hershel's daughter, Maggie. She was leaning against the railing her eyes scanning the countryside. I nodded to Hershel who slowly let go of my arm letting me stand on my own.
I slowly began to walk towards Maggie my face set with determination. I felt fine, but every time I moved the stitches felt like they got tighter causing discomfort to shoot up my leg. I slowly came to a stop next to Maggie who was watching me closely before her eyes flickered over to her father then back to me.
"You're on your feet sooner than we expected," Maggie's thick southern accent coming out. Her short brown hair waving slightly in the wind as she turned her body to face me. I shrugged as I leaned against the railing my eyes turning from Maggie to the open farmland in front of us.
"Gotta be a quick healer in these times."
"You're safe out here," Maggie stated looking out at the land with me.
"No one's safe," I muttered darkly my gaze turning back to where Hershel had been standing only to see he wasn't there.
I sighed before my gaze turned out to the land once more. My eyes scanning over it quickly wondering which direction I had come from. How far was I from the others? Were they okay? What if they were out there still looking for me and Sophia...Damn. Sophia. I could feel the familiar stinging in my eyes from tears that wanted to fall. She could still be out there wandering and scared and I was sitting here doing nothing. Why wasn't I out there?
"You know when Otis brought you back, daddy was sure you'd die," Maggie blurted out as she began to pace behind me. "You'd lost so much blood. You were as pale as a ghost."
"And I didn't go into shock?" I asked looking back at her. "Impressive."
Maggie nodded, "How'd your legs feel?"
I sighed looking down at them. I leaned over rolling up the jeans a bit to show the nasty marks. "Okay, actually. I can stand, that's a plus..." I looked back up noticing Maggie's gaze was fixated on something behind me.
I gave her a confused look before turning around to see what was going on. In the distance just beyond the barbed wire fence there was someone approaching. They were so far away it was hard to get a good look at who it was, but it did look like it was carrying something. I looked back at Maggie whose eyes were wide as she pulled out some binoculars. She suddenly turned around and shouted for her father. My eyes widened as I took the binoculars from her and looked out to see who was approaching.
My heart wretched when I saw who it was. Rick Grimes was running towards us looking out of breath and the front of his sheriff's uniform was covered in blood. In his arms was the source of the blood. Carl hung limply in his father's arms as the man raced towards us breathing heavily. I nearly dropped the binoculars as Hershel came out of the house with Patricia, Beth, and Jimmy who was carrying a baseball bat.
"Was he bit?" Hershel called out as Rick came closer his labored breathing meeting my ears.
"Shot!" Rick called back. "By your man!"
"Otis?" Patricia asked.
"He said find Hershel," Rick's voice was breaking as he adjusted his son in his arms.
I stood there frozen on the porch unable to move. Carl got shot by the man that had saved my life? How? What happened? I could hear the desperation in Rick's voice to help Carl as Hershel quickly told Rick to bring the young boy inside as he rolled up his sleeves. My eyes met Hershel's as he nodded to me. I quickly went inside before the others and towards the room I was in, ignoring the pains shooting up my legs. I quickly prepped the bed I had been in moments ago as Hershel came in with a devastated Rick behind him.
"Patricia, I need my full kit!" Hershel called out. "Maggie, painkillers, coagulates-grab everything! Clean towels, sheets, alcohol! Melody, I'll need your help."
My gaze snapped up to see Hershel pointing Rick to the bed. As I looked up my gaze met with a familiar set of shocked blues as he carefully lowered his son on the bed. His eyes were red and bloodshot as he stared at me his mouth partially open. I could see the confusion and horror on his face but nothing was said or done as Hershel pushed Rick back and out of the way so he could get beside him.
"Melody, I need vitals now!" Hershel snapped at me as Patricia handed me the blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. I tore my eyes away from Rick grabbing the supplied before immediately setting to work on the little man in front of me. Hershel didn't know I knew them. "Pillowcase," he demanded of Rick.
"Is he alive?" Rick asked looking down and the pale white boy.
"Barely," I answered my voice coming out more forceful than necessary. "BP is 80 over 60, we don't have long Hershel."
"Pillowcase, quick!" Hershel snapped at Rick. Rick had a shocked look on his face as her took in everything that was going on his eyes darting from me to Hershel back to Carl. His movements were sluggish, but his eyes were wide. I pulled the cuff off Carl's small arm before helping Hershel push up the young boy's shirt revealing the scattered wound on the right side of his chest. "Fold it, make it a pad," Hershel continued barking orders at Rick. "Melody, heartbeat?"
I put the stethoscope in my ear before holding the cold metal to the skin just above Carl's small heart. I listened carefully for any sign of a beat my heart sinking slightly when I heard nothing at first until there was a sudden lub-dub. I sighed in relief before looking up at Hershel nodding.
"We have a heartbeat."
"It's faint," I told him pulling the scope from my ears handing it back to Patricia. I looked down at Rick's hands pressing the pillowcase to Carl's chest, his hands shaking. "Rick I got it." His eyes immediately shot up to meet mine. "Rick...We have it. Let go."
After a moment of hesitation Rick stepped back as Patricia quickly stepped in taking Rick's place. Hershel called out for Maggie to get an IV going while Patricia and I handled the bloody wound. I nodded to Patricia who let go of the wound as I pressed my hands to it firmly. I could feel the squishing liquid beneath my fingers as she went to grab a proper pad for the bleeding. Maggie appeared at my side holding an IV just as Patricia came back with a sterile pad. I quickly pulled the bloody pillowcase away, tossing it to the ground behind me before taking the needle from Maggie as she held it out to me. I carefully surveyed Carl's arm before I found a good vein and stuck the needle in. Maggie handed me some medical tape as she held the IV bag up so the liquids could flow. I taped the head of the tube to Carl's arm before taking a step back.
"Rick, we're gonna do everything we can okay? You need to give us some room," Hershel stated fiercely. "Melody, take him outside."
I looked up at Hershel confused before nodding. I stepped back and away from the little boy as Maggie took my spot next to Carl. I shook my head before grabbing Rick's arm slowly pulling him away from the chaos. My hands covered in Carl's blood I moved the man out of the room. We reached the open front door and walked out onto the porch when Rick came to a sudden stop as he whipped around quickly to face me.
"Mel?" he asked softly. His bloody hands reached up cupping both my cheeks as he stared down at me. "Melody?" his voice careful like he was afraid it was a dream.
"Hey there, sheriff," I whispered my eyes tearing up as I stared up at him.
The tears gathered in Rick eyes as he let his hands drop only to wrap his arms around my neck pulling me close. I closed my eyes as my cheek was squished against his chest my arms wrapping around his body. I felt his body shake in a silent sob as he held onto me tightly. I wasn't sure if the sob was for me or the fact that Carl was laying inside with a gunshot to the chest.
"I thought I had lost you," he whispered pressing a kiss to my head before pulling back his hands once again on my cheek.
"I'm not going anywhere," I told him shaking my head. "Not just yet."
"Rick!"
My heart jumped as I pulled away from Rick turning around to face the source of the voice. I wasn't sure whether he'd be pissed at me or happy to see me, but it was a chance I was willing to take. I hands hung at my sides as he slowly approached his eyes wide like he couldn't believe I was standing in front of him. It worried me the way both men had looked at me when they initially saw me. It was almost like they were seeing a ghost, like they thought I was dead. He made his way quickly up the steps in front of me and Rick before wrapping his arms around me pulling me to his body tightly.
"Damn I should disappear more often," I muttered as I rested my cheek on his chest the sound of his heart beat calming me for a brief moment.
"What in the hell were you thinking?"
"Love you too, Shane." I retorted pulling away from him. There was relief in his eyes as he searched over me.
"You bit, scratched?" I shook my head. "What happened? What are you doing here?"
I looked between him and Rick confused before I saw the empty look on Rick's face. He was going into shock. I quickly pulled away from Shane and putting my hands gently to Rick's cheeks.
"Melody!" Hershel's voice echoed through the house and out onto the front porch. Rick whipped around towards the voice, but I grabbed his arm keeping him from moving.
"Shane, talk to him," I looked at me brother. "Keep him calm."
I watched as his hands shook before Shane appeared next to me with a rag talking soothingly to Rick. I took a deep breath ignoring the pain shooting up my ankle as I quickly walked into the house and back towards the room Carl lay in. That little man had to make it...He just had to.
Hey guys! Sorry for the delay in posting! It's been a hectic week! Anyways this is a lot of Daryl and Rick and I really hope y'all enjoyed this! Please review and let me know what you liked, what you didn't like, and what you wanna see more of! Again thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers! This chapter is dedicated to you!