Carol had been wandering aimlessly for going on three days now.
Before leaving the house she had packed a bag with as much food and water as she could stand to carry. Upon a deep sweep of the house she had managed to find 2 more knives and a hatchet. The hatchet had been hanging on the wall in Charles room, the feathers and tribal markings told her it was definitely on decorative. However it was sharp so she had taken it.
She found a small cottage, but had only stayed one night. She felt too antsy to stay in one spot too long. She felt too vulnerable sitting still.
So she kept moving. Following a creek. She had been following for the soul purpose of hearing the water. She had always enjoyed the sound of creek water. It had always been comfortable. It was what her full mind needed right now.
She luckily hadn't met many walkers, but the ones she had were easily handled with the hatchet.
She was no stranger to sleeping outside on a cold night. She did miss having someone to share warmth with. Her small fires and stolen blanket were just barely enough to make her comfortable.
On this particular day it was unseasonably warm. The sun was bright, the sky a deep blue with a smattering of white puffy clouds. The air was just brisk enough to be invigorating.
Carol had been moving slower today, just soaking up the warmth, instead of her usual head down march she had adopted lately.
She was standing face toward to the sky when she heard the first scream. It was a woman's scream.
Carol looked around trying to pinpoint the direction it had come from. Fighting the surprising urge to just ignore it, she ran in the direction she thought it was coming from.
As she drew closer she could hear several other panicked voices shouting over each other.
When Carol finally saw the group they were surrounded by a small herd of walkers, of about twenty.
There was two women and two men .The men were fighting for all they were worth, but only had small knives. The women from what she could tell were unarmed, standing behind the men.
Dropping her pack on the ground she raced forward hatchet raised. She had the advantage of being behind the herd.
She had taken out five before the other walkers recognized her as food. She was aided by the fact her hatchet was very sharp and went in fast and came out smoothly.
She was in a zone taking out whatever she could.
She was brought back to reality by a startled "Whoa." from the man whose head she was aiming for. She immediately dropped her arm.
She took a few steps back taking in four very surprised faces.
There was a brief stare off before her almost victim got out.
"Where the hell did you come from?"
Carol pointed behind her. "I was out for a walk." she stated flippantly.
"Well you just saved our asses." the other man joined in. "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen" he stated excitedly.
Carol couldn't help but smile. The man who was actually closer to being a boy was looking around at the walker destruction excitedly. Carol took in the group quietly.
They were all probably in their twenties. They were clean, well as clean as you could be after fighting walkers, and healthy looking. She figured they were part of a bigger group. From the way they handled the herd she didn't think they would have lasted long without help.
When she turned to get her pack she heard a gasp behind followed by a whispered "She has bite marks." She quickly pulled her shirt back up where it slid down during the fighting.
"Hey did one of those assholes bite you?" the first man blurted.
Carol snorted and picked up her pack. "No the asshole who bit me was still alive."
The group looked uncomfortable until one of the women stepped forward. "Um… my name is Misty and this is Dawn." she said pointing to the other woman, who waved awkwardly. "And these two were Shiloh and Hank." she finished gesturing to the men.
Carol moved to the women "Why aren't you armed?" her words came out harsher than she meant for them to.
Misty and Dawn shared a slightly guilty expressions. "We don't really know how to use knives or anything and we weren't expecting to run into any deadies. We haven't really been seeing them lately." Misty finished lamely, looking almost ashamed of herself.
While thinking how stupid the name deadies was, Carol pulled two knives out of her bag. Opening one and making stabbing motions in the air. "If you can't run which you always should. Aim for the head. It's not rocket science." She closed the knife back and handed one to each of the women.
Each of the women both looked excited as they opened the knives and giggled at each other. "Thanks" they bother chirped at the same time, making the others laugh.
Carol gave a nod and turned to walk away.
"Hey wait." Hank said reaching out to catch Carols arm.
She jerked away forcibly, startling Hank in the process, his hands shooting up palms out in surrender. "Sorry." he said quickly. "You have to let us repay you. I mean you saved our asses." he stated hands still raised. "We could feed you a warm meal and give a nice place to sleep that's semi comfortable. It's indoors at least." he concluded with a shrug.
Carol thought a bit and then agreed. Her stomach winning over her desire to get away from the perky group.
"Mama was working on a deer before we left." Dawn spoke up, bouncing excitedly in place.
The group all smiled at that "Mama is the cook at home. Her name is Pam but everyone calls her mama. She can make amazing things from anything. You'll enjoy it." Shiloh spoke up with equal excitement.
The group picked up all of the discarded containers.
"We just need to get water." Hank announced heading toward the water.
After the water had been gathered. Carol helped carry the load to the truck sitting at the edge of the woods.
She had been offered the passenger seat while Mist, Dawn, and Shiloh all climbed into the bed of the truck. Hank was behind the wheel.
"There's about fifteen of us at home. We all basically stumbled up each other. Well me and Shiloh have been together sense the beginning." Hank explained "We watch out for each other. Have you been alone the whole time?" Hank questioned.
Carol didn't answer immediately, finally saying "I was with a group until just recently."
When she didn't give any more information Hank dropped the subject and continued to drive in silence.
The next thing Carol knew she was being gently nudged awake.
"We're home." Hank stated quietly.
Pam Wilby stood over a large pot filled with her "famous" deer meat stew. She used jars of vegetables from their garden they had canned during the warmer months.
Pam had started cooking as a way to keep her mind off how horrible the world was now. She used as much time of her day cooking. Just to stay sane.
The sound of an incoming vehicle put everyone on alert, but a quick call of "Ours." calmed everyone.
Anytime a group came back from an outing the rest of the group would go out to welcome them home. As Pam went out the door she knew something was different.
There was complete silence. Standing by the truck was a stranger. They hadn't had a new person in months. The woman was standing awkwardly, silently taking in her new surroundings.
Her clothes were almost black with dirt and filth. Her face had several nearly healed cuts. A particularly brutal looking slash at her jaw caused a shiver to run down Pam's spine.
The woman was the picture of exhaustion, her eyes were bruised with deep shadows. Her face pale, her shoulders slumped. She leaned against the truck as if the thought of holding herself up was just too much.
"Who's this?" Gerald, the closest thing to a leader the group had, asked Hank who was taking supplies out of the bed of the truck.
"This is um…." Hank turned to Carol. "She never said her name. She saved us though. She took out like twelve deadies all by herself." Hank finished with a grin.
All eyes turned to Carol.
"Carol" was her only reply.
"Well Carol." Gerald replied "You are more than welcome here."
Pam watched as the other all introduced themselves to the woman. She could tell she was a little overwhelmed. She was the last to approach.
"You look like your head is about to explode." Pam got a chuckle and shrug as her answer.
"How bout' you come with me and I'll show you were you can wash up. Supper will be done soon."
The building was a small warehouse. They had divided the building into several different sections. There was a sleep section, with an array of random mattresses that people had dragged from random places. All spread out on the floor for people to use at will.
Beside the sleeping area was a curtained off area for bathing. Then there was a common area and a cooking area, which consisted of a large homemade grill and prep area.
Pam moved the curtain to the bath area aside and motioned Carol forward. "This is where you can get clean. There's towels in that container there." Pam explained pointing. "Do you need something to wear?"
Carol shook her head in the negative. "Okay I will leave you to it. Just come to the grill when you're done." Pam finished nodding toward the cooking area.
Pam moved off and continued her cooking. She had just served the last person in line when she saw Carol. Standing awkwardly at the entrance of the cook area.
Pam caught Carol's attention and motioned her over.
"I hope you like deer meat." Pam announced passing a full bowl into Carol's hands. The woman immediately started shoveling the food into her mouth.
Carol was about six spoonfuls in when she finally acknowledged Pam's words.
"This is amazing." Carol spoke barely stopping chewing.
Pam gave her a large smile, always liking a compliment and ignoring the fact the woman probably would have said that about anything.
"Here sit down." Pam said to Carol pulling out one of the chairs. Carol lowered her herself into the chair while still stuffing food into her mouth.
Pam chuckled. "So I heard you were pretty amazing out there." She finally said. Shiloh had told her all about the incident. Gushing endlessly about Carol's impressive deadie killing prowess.
"I just did what I had to." Carol said quietly.
Pam snorted "No, we both know now a days most people would have just kept walking." Pam observed.
"You look exhausted. We have plenty of places you can sleep. Just as soon as you are finished I'll show you where to go."
Pam watched as Carol finished eating.
"I'll look away if you want to lick the bowl." Pam teased at the almost sad sigh Carol had let out after the last bite.
Carol let out a bark of laughter. Pam laughed with her.
Pam showed Carol where the beds were and she wasn't surprised when all she got was a quick "thanks" before Carol was dead to the world. She hadn't even removed her boots.
It was the middle of the next day when Pam saw Carol again. She stumbled into the cooking area her eyes squinted, hair sticking in all directions. Pam almost lost it when she yawned a huge yawn and then smacked her lips.
"Hey Carol." Pam called causing the other woman to startle slightly.
"You're just in time for lunch. We're having leftover stew." Pam volunteered.
"Sounds great" Carol responded, taking the offered food gratefully.
Carol watched people mill about while she ate her food, with the same gusto as before.
"So tell me about this place." Carol told Pam between bites.
Pam told her how she and Gerald were the ones to find the place originally. They had been alone for months before people started to wander in. Now they were all just a big family.
When Pam finished she noticed Carol deep in thought. Obliviously remembering something.
"What happened to your group?" Pam asked curious now. Hank having mentioned Carol mentioning a group.
Carol seemed to contemplate answering. Finally reaching a decision, she simply replied "I left." Without going into further detail.
Pam dropped the subject.
Pam was clearing the lunch mess with the help of Carol when they heard shouts from outside the open warehouse door. Dropping everything they rushed outside.
Pam gasped at the scene. Shiloh was lying next to a deadie, his hand bloody and short a couple of fingers.
Gerald was standing over him a gun aimed at his temple.
Pam was used to this part of their new life, but the thought of losing Shiloh was almost more than she could handle.
She saw Gerald's finger twitch before they were all brought up short by a shouted "Hey!"
Carol rushed to the two men pushing Gerald away from the prone man.
"What the hell are you doing?" Carol shouted again.
Gerald look at her shocked.
The whole group was standing around now.
"It's just his hand." Carol pointed out. "I need you to hold him down."
She looked around continuing her instructions "I need towels, lots of towels. Hank you help Gerald hold him and give me your belt."
No one moved immediately, but a shouted "Now." got everyone motivated.
Pam hadn't moved so fast in a long time. When she got to Shiloh's side he was calmly watching Carol tightening a belt just below his elbow.
"What's happening?" Shiloh asked shakily.
Carol shot him a glance. "I'm cutting your hand off." Carol stated simply.
There was a moment of stunned silence before Carol spoke again.
"Hold him."
Pam watched as Carol calmly raised her hatchet and brought it down swiftly.
