A/N: Happy to see those of you who are following or favorited. Good to know people are reading my story. :] Here's the second chapter. Who knows how long I'll update this quick; it only happens when I'm obsessed with something. Lol. Anway, enjoy! Read and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.
Chapter 2
I woke up, groggily turning over onto my back. My whole body was hurting from sleeping on the hard, concrete roof of the building. Well, not really sleeping, more like passed out. I sat up, glancing out at the sun. Judging from its position I had been out for a few hours. Great. I pushed myself up and headed over to the edge of the building, my body still stiff and sore, before I raised my binoculars up to my face and pointed them toward the building I had left the man on. I frowned. He wasn't there.
The cuffs were there, still intact, and blood stained them. I grimaced at the only thought that came to mind: he had cut his own hand off. I sighed and scanned the area below me. Where had he gone? Bleeding out, surely he'd attract the attention of the horde if he didn't pass out from blood loss first. I groaned a little and sat on the edge of the building, my feet dangling against the wall below me. I had tried to step up and help someone, and instead got attacked and probably ended up getting the man killed. So much for that plan.
I continued to look around the area, hoping I could spot him and continue to help him. All I saw was the undead, though, wondering about aimlessly. Just as I was about to give up I caught sight of movement, faster than the zombies, more strategic. I focused my binoculars and found the Asian boy again. This time he was followed by a man dressed in a cop uniform carrying a bag of guns, a black man holding what looked like a tool box, and a man carrying a crossbow. I bit my lip as my mind went to work, trying to decide if I should go to them. I knew I had to decide quickly; I was running out of time and they were heading out of the city. I groaned in frustration. There was no way I could catch up with them in time, so I had to gain their attention somehow. I could shoot an arrow, I thought to myself, but was that really so smart? They had guns and would probably think I'm a threat if I shot at them. I sighed. I couldn't think of another way.
I stood, steadying myself as I pulled my bow off my shoulder, an arrow from the quiver. I had taken a few archery classes when I was in high school, but since the apocalypse had started I had a chance to hone my skills, and I wasn't so bad, if I do say so myself. I raised my weapon, aiming it toward them. It was hard to see without the binoculars now, so I judged it the best I could and shot.
It was hard to tell, but I was pretty sure I had gotten their attention. The had stopped moving and were looking in my direction. I smiled a little to myself at my accomplishment, though it quickly faded when the cop pulled out a sniper, aiming it at me. I put my bow back on my shoulder, holding my hands in up in surrender, showing him I meant them no harm. I stood like that as they stood where they were, probably debating on what they should do. I took the chance and slowly reached for my binoculars, raising them to my face to get a better look.
They were definitely discussing it, alright. The cop kept his gun trained on me, though I hoped it wasn't because he was planning on shooting me. The Asian kid was saying something, the black man nodding, and the other man was shaking his head. From what I was getting, or imagining really, the Asian was wanting to help me, the man shaking his head was wanting to leave me, and the cop was debating on what he should do. Finally the cop nodded, lowering his gun as he looked at me. He held up his hand, telling me to wait there. I paused. Wouldn't it be safer if I headed toward them? Maybe not, since they were on the streets. At least I was out of the horde's reach. I nodded, keeping my eyes on them as they headed in my direction, noticing the man with the crossbow grab my arrow from the ground as he passed by it. I frowned a little. He had better not keep it; that arrow was mine. I shook the thought off as I watched them carefully make their way toward the building I was in, noticing that they didn't use the guns. Smart, really. Shooting one would surely draw more attention to them. That was why I didn't use guns, even though I had found a few of them. My bow was silent, took longer, but got the job done. Apparently the man with the crossbow felt the same way. I noticed them head into the alley beside my building before finding the door and heading inside.
I lowered my binoculars, sighing a little as I looked out at the city. Who's to say these men wouldn't just kill me and take my stuff? Or leave me here to fend for myself? I doubted it, though. The Asian boy looked harmless enough, and the cop was a cop. The other man, however, looked like he had wanted to do just that. Leave me here. I turned as I heard the door open, keeping my hands free as they headed onto the rooftop. They stopped to look at me, the man raising his crossbow up, aimed at me. I held my hands up in surrender.
"I mean you no harm, I come in peace," I said, a bit of a sarcastic tone to my voice. I know people had to be cautious, but damn, did I look that threatening? The cop placed his hand on the man's crossbow, lowering it down.
"You out here alone?" he asked. I nodded, lowering my hands.
"Have been since this hell started," I replied.
"How'd you survive?" I could tell that the cop acted as their leader, standing a little ahead of the other three and asking questions.
"Same as you; lay low, scavenge, hide, run." I shrugged. "I've been watching ya'll come in and out for a while now. Mainly you," I nodded toward the Asian kid, I really had to learn their names soon. "Until recently you came alone, smart. Then you brought half a dozen people with you, not so smart." I paused, watching the boy's expression change. Apparently he thought the same thing.
"Exactly what I said," he replied, confirming my statement.
"But you didn't wait nearly as long to come back out there this time." I paused, then nodded toward the building down the street. "Did you come back to get that man you left chained up over there?" I noticed the black man look away, a bit of a guilty look on his face. I bet that was the man who dropped the key, but before I could even fully establish the thought, the man with the crossbow suddenly had it raised again, aimed on me as he headed my way.
"Do you know what happened to him? Did you do somethin' to him?" His voice was accented like the other man's, laced with accusation. I took a step back, making sure it was small since I was close to the edge already, and shook my head.
"No, I was trying to help him, considering he was left to die," I replied, once again my patience wearing thin.
"Where'd he go? What happened? Tell me!" I glanced over as the cop stepped up to the man, his voice quieting a little.
"Daryl, quit harassing her. Threatening isn't going to help any," he said. Great, I had one name down, three to go. Daryl stared at me for a moment, then groaned as he lowered his weapon, turning and heading away from us, shooting a dark look toward the cop and black man as he did. I stayed quiet for a moment.
"I really don't know what happened. I left him to go look for something to cut the cuffs and-"
"Why didn't you go back, then? Why did he have to cut off his own hand to escape?" Daryl turned around and said, the accusation back in his voice.
"I was getting to that," I replied, giving him a slight glare. I turned my attention back to the cop. "I left and got attacked by the creatures so I had to make a run for it. Kinda got banged up and exhausted and passed out." I glanced down to my torn jeans, the blood on my legs now dried and flakey.
"You're not bit are you?" The cop asked and I shook my head.
"Nope, not yet."
"Guys, it's gunna be dark soon. We should head back," the Asian boy said, glancing around. The cop nodded.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Carman, yours?"
"Rick Grimes. This is Glenn, T-Dog, and that's Daryl." I nodded, glancing at each of them as I was introduced. Glenn gave me a nod of approval, smiling a little. I could tell that he was going to be a friend. T-Dog, as well; he didn't seem like a bad guy. Daryl, however, looked like he was about ready to shoot me between the eyes. I gave myself a mental note to stay away from him.
"So I can join ya'll?" I asked, keeping my voice as neutral as I could, though I was happy to have other people around. Rick nodded, holding out his hand.
"Welcome to the group," he said as I shook it. I couldn't help but smile then, nodding as he turned and headed back through the building.
I followed them out onto the street, reaching my hand to my thigh, hovering over my knife in case I needed it. Everyone stayed quiet as he walked, keeping their eyes peeled and staying cautious. This was fine with me, I knew that silence and discretion was a key to surviving this. I kept feeling eyes on me, however, and knew that the man named Daryl was giving me dark looks. I deduced he was somehow related to the man on the roof, and was pissed that they had left him out here, and that I hadn't gotten him free. I ignored it, however. There was nothing I could do, and at least I tried. We made it to the edge of the city, jogging the rest of the way, though they slowed to a stop after a few moments. I paused, glancing at the four of them as they stared at the empty space in front of us.
"It's gone…" Glenn said.
"What is?" I asked.
"The fuckin' van!" Daryl replied.
"Who would have taken it?" T-Dog asked. They still had their eyes on the empty spot, as if the van would reveal itself any second.
"Merle," Rick stated.
"Who's Merle?" I asked, still a bit lost.
"My brother who you idiots left chained up to die," Daryl said, anger back in his voice.
"We need to get back to camp," Rick said, heading down the road and motioning for us to follow. I glanced at Daryl. So I had been right; he was related to the guy on the roof, who had a name now, Merle. I kind of felt bad for him. If my brother was left like that, I'd probably hate everyone in the world, too. But, my brother was probably long dead by now. I hated the thought, so I tried not to think it.
Once again everyone was quiet as we walked, the sun setting in the horizon. I had gotten used to the silence, but I hoped that not everyone in their group was like this. Just as I had the thought, Glenn jogged up beside me, striking up a conversation now that we were out of harm's way for the moment.
"So you survived all on your own, huh?" he asked. I nodded before replying.
"Yep. Taught myself pretty quick on what to do."
"You said you saw me make runs, right? Why didn't you try and contact us sooner?" I shrugged a little at the question.
"Wasn't sure. I mean, I watched the Mexican's and thought about joining them, but I seemed better off without them." I paused. "And they seemed like 'stick to your own kind' type of people. I doubt I'd fit in." Glenn laughed a little, shaking his head.
"You wouldn't have," he confirmed.
"So I watched you for a while, saw the diversity in your group, and how you took care of each other. I thought it'd be worth a shot. Surviving by yourself kinda sucks."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. We've got your back," he said with a smile. I smiled back. "How'd you learn to shoot like that, anyway? You don't look like a hunter or anything." I paused, shrugging a little again.
"I took a few archery classes a while back. Since the world ended, I've had a lot of time to perfect it. I got pretty good at throwing knives, too," I replied. He looked at me for a moment.
"It's weird. You don't seem freaked out by the whole situation. You're one of the calmest people I've met."
"I'm not as calm as I seem, and I'm pretty freaked out, believe me. I've just had some…preparation for this."
"What do you mean by that? What kind of preparation?" I waited a moment before answering.
"Video games…?" I said, laughing a little. He laughed as well, shaking his head. I heard a scoff behind me; Daryl, I imagine.
"A female gamer…I think I've found my new best friend." I nodded in agreement.
"Me, too." We all stopped suddenly, our smiles fading as we heard gunshots echoing through the darkness. After a second was heard, then a third, they took off in the direction the sound came from, and I followed after them. As we got closer we heard screaming, crying, and more gunshots, and we came up upon the camp to see a scene of blood and fear.
The men took no hesitation in firing away at the dead creatures that were attacking. My ears were instantly ringing from all the noise, the gunshots going off one after another. I stood there, flashbacks of my own bloody encounters with these things attacking my friends, my family. Yelling, screaming, round after round shot; it was chaos. I closed my eyes for a moment and steeled myself, shaking my head as I pulled myself together and slid my bow off my shoulder. Within seconds I was firing arrow after arrow, straight into the skulls of the zombies. I wasn't going to freak out, now was definitely not the time. I didn't know most of these people, and barely knew the people I had met, but they had accepted me into their group, another mouth to feed, another person to watch over. I wasn't about to let them down.
My eyes scanned the area, doing my best to take out as many as I could. I caught sight of one heading toward Daryl, his back turned to the creature as he shot at ones in front of him. Just as the creature launched itself at the man, I shot my arrow, praying it hit its target before he was bitten. Thankfully it did, and the zombie went limp, its dead weight falling straight on top of Daryl as he turned around in time to see it. I watched as the two fell to the ground, Daryl whipping out his knife to slice at it, though he stopped when he noticed it unmoving, the arrow sticking out of its skull. His eyes went from the arrow to me, who still had my boy raised. I wasn't sure what the look I saw in his eyes was. Confusion? Disbelief? Anger? Oh yeah, there was definitely anger there. I tore my eyes away from him. Let him be angry, see if I ever save him again.
After a few minutes, though it seemed like hours, of shooting, killing, and saving, everything was back under control. I glanced around the campsite. People were shaken up, clinging to one another, or mourning over lost ones. I caught sight of Rick, who was hugging a boy and woman to him, telling them that it would be alright. His family, no doubt. Glenn stood a few feet from me, wide-eyed and out of breath. Over near an RV a woman knelt over another one who had been bitten. Bodies laid scattered about, and the smell of rotting flesh was strong in the air.
I stood there, not knowing what to do. It was crazy to think that all this was real, but it was. This is what life had become for the living.
