Hello! I promised I would post a new chapter today, since yesterday's was so short, so voila! Here it is! Thank you to those of you ( .95, gkelly, Lamia86, and Skies192) who have favorited my story and followed so far, it really means a lot to me. And thank you to anyone else who has been reading too, you guys rock! Reviews and comments on anything is very much appreciated and welcomed. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
"And lastly, this is my wife Lori with my son Carl," Rick smiled as he stepped further into the room with me following at his heels. He had been introducing me to everyone around camp today.
He motioned to a longhaired brunette woman with a soft looking face sitting by the bed where a young child was laying. The woman forced a smile but she only looked heavily distressed and exhausted. I gazed at the boy and he seemed to be peaceful and resting.
"Yeah," Rick started to say something, "when we were looking for Sophia, Carl was accidentally shot. It's…it's been really…rough." His voice sounded pained and tired.
"Oh my gosh," was all I managed to say as I held onto my face with one hand. I was truly shocked, I hoped he was okay, but I didn't want to ask and pry further into the touchy subject. They both nodded and continued to look deep in thought.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry this happened. No one deserves that," I said, trying to ease the mood a bit.
"Thank you," Rick said and went over to his wife and kissed the top of her head lovingly. I looked over and studied the young boy in the bed again. A sense of comfort and relief washed over me as I watched his chest rise and fall slowly. He is so lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love him.
After moments of silence, a young woman stepped into the room. She handed me a pile of clothes and shower supplies, with a smile gracing her features. She flicked her short brown hair out of her face and stuck out her hand for me to shake, "Maggie," she greeted me with her name. "Lauren. Nice to meet you," I said and returned a smile.
"These might be a little big because you're so dainty and small, but it's some of the best I can offer."
"Wow, thank you," I beamed, shocked for a moment. I took the clothes gratefully. I felt a sense of home and happiness for those couple minutes, and that was something I hadn't felt in several months.
"Not a problem! You don't look too hot, so I thought I'd offer and there is a warm shower upstairs with your name written all over it," she chuckled.
I thought about her words and I hadn't even realized how disgusting and deranged I probably look to every one of these people. She lost me at warm shower, however, I haven't had the blessing of one of those in ages. She led me to the small bathroom, and I stepped in and closed the door gently behind me. I felt entirely relieved, stripping from my dirty, mud-caked clothes. I turned on the water and crept into the heavenly looking tub. I literally gasped as I felt the steaming water above me pour onto my skin and down my torso and legs. I relished in the brilliance and sat there for several moments before finally beginning to scrub down. The water falling off of my skin was tainted dark as it cleansed my body of a couple months' worth of gook. I have never felt so elated in my entire life. Before this whole end-of-the-world bullshit started, I have easily taken these small things for granted. A shower everyday would have meant nothing to me several months ago, but right now it feels like the heavens above have opened up and blessed me with something so magical. I took my time bathing, because I wasn't sure of when I would be able to enjoy something like this again. After I was finished, I watched the warm steam swirl off of the surface of my freshly cleaned skin. This was the first time I have smiled in so long.
After drying off and dressing in clean clothes, I spent intricate time and combed my hair in front of the mirror. I watched the unfamiliar figure in the reflection in front of me. My features, now lacking the graceful softness they used to elucidate, are much harder and sharper now. My cheeks are thinner, the bones highlighting them are much more prominent. My jawline and collarbones stuck out more than usual, prompting the idea of malnutrition. My eyes have since grown much darker, now showing obvious emotional damage and exhaustion. I wasn't necessarily ever beautiful, but if I ever had a hint of it, it would be considered long gone by now. I noted the dark tan covering the entire surface of my skin gained by spending countless hours outside under the burning Georgia sun. I ran my hands through my long blonde hair, entirely grateful it is now dirt free. I stepped out of the bathroom, carrying my dirty clothes, soap, and comb. I brought them outside, and found Rick sitting on the porch by himself. He only turned to see who it was and offered a quiet smile. I hesitated before moving to sit on the chair next to him. I looked out to where he continued to look. His entire camp and his people were set out around a fire near their tents. He watched them only, his arm on his knee and his head in his hand. It was quiet for several moments before I decided to speak up.
"Hey. I'm sorry…I was really rude earlier and you…you were only trying to help. I'm-I'm really sorry," I said softly, avoiding looking at him. He turned his head to gaze at me and chuckled lightly.
"No worries at all. I realize how scared you woulda been if two strange men were pokin' around you."
"Thank you for saving me though, I owe you everything," I spoke truthfully, trying to convey my debt to him.
"It was all Daryl," he laughed smoothly, "he is a boss with a bow."
"I'll have to thank him, then," I continued the light humor, "I don't think we are on good terms right now, however." Rick only proceeded to chuckle.
After the conversation began to die out, I decided to bring something up again before I would turn in for the night. "Listen…I think- I think what you're doing for these people is amazing. You've definitely got a determined heart, Officer Happy." He turned to me again, cocking his head and smiling little, simply replying, "Thank you." I offered a soft grin in return before rising to my feet, clutching my belongings closer to my body. I stepped down off of the old wooden steps and swaggered over others in the group. Content and tired emotions graced their faces as they all exchanged hushed words with one another. They averted their gazes to me as I walked by them. I went and opened my tent which Dale had set up for me earlier and placed my things inside. I turned to the others as they continued to watch me.
"Mind if I join for a minute or two?" I asked. There was a series of nods. I glanced over at Daryl, who watched me even more intently than the others. I pushed it away and walked over and took my seat on the ground next to Glenn, whom seemed happy to greet me this afternoon.
"Woah. Lauren, I had to literally sneak a double take. You look so different! Pretty," he offered.
"Different? I magically turned pretty? What is this?!" I spoke sarcastically back, laughing at his attempt of a compliment.
"No! No no! That's not what I meant- I…I mean—" he gasped, trying to salvage his mistake.
The others around began to laugh and his face flushed a dark shade of crimson. I patted him on the knee and he looked down in embarrassment.
"So I take it you're a foot-in-mouth kinda guy huh?" I joked, but the others around seemed to nod and chuckle in agreement. "It's cool," I smiled genuinely at him, tipping up his hat. I sat forward again and leaned back on my hands. I looked up and took a deep breath. The sky was peppered with billions of shiny, gleaming specks. I felt so small in a world so vast and unexplainable, a world now entirely broken and torn apart at the seams. Oh the humanity. Moments passed with the soft voices and conversations continuing within the group around me. I didn't participate, but instead took the time to reflect on the past couple days. Is this even real? I was two seconds away from having my life taken away from me, but I was somehow found and rescued, right before I took my anticipated last shaky breath. I had every plan to die that day; I was so entirely close to ending it all myself. I had decided I refused to press on in a world so broken to the point of no repair. But maybe this group was the calling of my fate, maybe, just maybe, I'm supposed to live like this for just a little bit longer, in hopes of seeing or creating a change myself. That was the only hope I held onto.
Individuals of the group began silently turning in to their tents for the night, in hopes of catching some hours of sleep. I decided to do the same, but before I walked over to my cot, I turned. I glanced at Daryl sitting in his chair, poking the dying remnants of the fire. I hesitated before walking closer. I watched his eyes slowly drift upwards on my body and to my face. He didn't necessarily look angry, but he wasn't clearly impressed.
"Look, Daryl, I'm really sorry about earlier," I began quietly, my voice trailing off at the end. He looked up at me and blinked only. I wasn't really expecting words, so his reaction was okay. "Yeah, but um…thanks though. I appreciate you saving my life and everything. You're cool." I mentally slapped myself for sounding like such an idiot, but the negative vibe radiating off of him was making me quite nervous. "Goodnight," I finished with a small smile, turning around and heading off into my tent. At least I got it off of my chest, I owed him that much. I didn't want to create enemies here, and maybe if I just keep my distance, I wouldn't have any issues.
The next morning was rough, it seemed that not one part of my body wanted to be awake. I flipped over on my back and slung myself lazily out of bed. I ran the comb through my hair and pulled it up into a high ponytail. The ends tickled my bare shoulder blades, sending a radiance of shivers throughout my body. I unzipped my tent and stepped out, taking in the bright early morning radiance and fresh air. I saw Carol and Lori hanging the campers' freshly cleaned clothes on a line to dry. They saw me and smiled. "Good morning," I sang, "beautiful Georgia dawn, isn't it?" The two nodded and chuckled. I saw Rick coming out of the house and I waved him over.
"I'm going out today. I'm going to get the rest of the supplies out of my truck on the highway," I told him.
His eyes widened, "By yourself? That isn't the best idea…" he trailed off.
"Okay Officer Happy, tell me about the months I spent out there. Who was with me? Oh right, no one," I said sarcastically, flicking wild strands of blonde hair out of my face.
"I'd feel better if you had someone with you," he said sternly, turning to join the ladies hanging clothes.
"I'm fine, Rick, honest," I continued to pester, knowing I am capable of being independent. He ignored me after that, letting me know that his argument had been settled and the debate was over. Being me, I refused to take no as an answer. "Can I at least have my knife back please?" I asked, defeated. He grunted but gave in, pulling my knife out of a sheath in his belt. I put it in my own, and nodded before turning on my foot and heading off down the hill to my tent. I pulled my backpack out and laced up my boots. This was going to be a hell of an adventure.