AN: Okay, so upon request by views I will continue this story. I want to give shout outs to my first two reviewers: Parldro42082 and . Thank you sooo much! Your reviews made me want to continue! Now, I want y'all to know that I'm changing the POV of the story. It's going to be 3rd-person from now on. I know that the first chapter was 1st-person, but I feel that this story would work so much better as 3rd-person. So enjoy!
Rick gathered his group. They stared at him expectantly. He didn't know what to do about this other group. He knew if they wanted to be they could be dangerous. But, having some extra weapon-trained people, and not leave the heavy lifting to himself, Shane, and Daryl.
"These people..." Carol began in a frail voice. "Are they dangerous..?
"Anybody to make it out of Atlanta alive, they way they did, they've gotta to be," Shane said.
"Shane's right. But, they could be useful too," Rick said.
"They have a child," Dale said. "We can't force them to just leave us! And they just lost someone."
"We've all lost people," Andrea replied. She knew that first hand.
"I think they should stay," Carl joined the circle, disobeying his mother and father, who told him to stay in the RV.
"Carl, what did I just tell you," Lori said. "You could've gotten yourself hurt, or worse."
"Sorry mom."
"Now go back to the RV," Lori commanded. The young boy did what he was told, not seeming happy about it all the while that he did it, though. Being a kid in the apocalypse was certainly not easy. For one, you had to grow up much faster than you should have, and for two you would never be treated like an adult, even if you could act a lot like one.
"What do you think, Daryl?" Rick asked, looking to the redneck, wondering what he should do with them. He wanted to let them in, but not if everyone else was opposed.
"Don't matter much ta me."
"Why don't we see if we can use 'em," Shane suggested. They all turned to see the younger blonde woman walking toward them.
"Sheriff," she said. Her accent wasn't southern, but she definitely had one. New York maybe? "I think it's about time we got to work moving these cars."
"I reckon you're right," Shane spoke up.
"Daryl, Shane, T-Dog, Glenn, and I will go start moving cars. The rest of you look for anything of use. Dale, get that RV ready to move," Rick told the group.
"I hate to bother y'all," Lilian scratched her neck awkwardly. "But, if someone can watch Olivia, thing would go a lot faster..."
"I can watch her," Carol volunteered.
"Are you sure? I don't want to trouble you."
"No trouble."
"Thank you so much," she smiled. "I didn't catch your name."
"Carol."
"I'm Lilian." They quickly went through introductions throughout the entire group, everyone interested in meeting the newest additions to their small, but close knit group.
"This is Lori-my wife, Dale, Andrea, Shane, Glenn, Daryl, T-Dog, and I'm Rick."
"Nice to meet y'all."
The group of men, and Lilian began working on moving cars. Every few minutes she'd turn around to check on Olivia.
"She'll be okay. Carol has a daughter herself," Rick assured her.
"How old is she?" Lilian wondered if she was close enough to play with Olive. That'd be something she hadn't had for a while.
"Twelve. Same age as my son."
"Hey Lil?" Mason asked, meeting back up with the group. "Where's Olive?"
"She's with Carol," Mason gave her a confused look. "She's part of Rick's," she paused to point to the sheriff, "group."
"Oh."
"Why don't you try to help us, hm?" she gave him a pointed look. In this world, they didn't have time to grieve. They had to survive.
"Yeah, okay," Mason began helping the group however he could. Daryl and Lilian ended up pairing up. She half wanted to work with Mason or Liam, but Liam gave her a look that told her he needed some time alone with his friend.
"Sorry 'bout yer..." he paused. He didn't know what to call the woman that he shot earlier.
"Sister-in-law," she finished for him. "Thanks," Daryl nodded. "Y'know, I've known her since I was fifteen...that's twelve years! When her and my brother started dating...I hated her. But, now I miss her...a lot..." she then realized she was telling all of this to a complete stranger. And attractive stranger. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe I'm bothering you with this..."
"Ain't no big deal," he shrugged. "So that other dude your husband?" he asked out of pure curiosity.
"Liam?" he nodded. "Oh no. No, he's just a friend."
"Walkers!" Dale called. Lilian looked like she'd turned to stone. Daryl grabbed her arm, and pulled her under a red car. Daryl wrapped his arms around her waist, to keep her still. Her blue eyes searched for the members of her small group. She wanted to know that they were safe. Olive. Where was the young girl? Was she safe? The same questions plagued Mason's thoughts.
Lilian saw the feet of walkers pass. The shoes were worn, and looked like they could speak. All birds, and other nature like sounds hushed, the only sound that was heard was feet against concrete.
A strange feeling passed between Lilian and Daryl. For the first time since everything happened, Lilian felt safe. Which, was really ironic since there was a herd of walkers passing by her at the moment. But, there was just this unexplained feeling of safety. She'd never felt it, not even when she was with both Liam and Mason.
Daryl's arms released her abruptly. As far as he was concerned he didn't need anyone. If he got close to this girl, it wouldn't help him survive. In the end, it would only make it harder for him to keep himself alive.
"Sophia! Sophia!" Carol sobbed. "Where's my baby?"
"Carol what happened?" Lilian asked, as she ran over to her.
"Sophia ran off. Rick went after her," Shane answered. He was much more calm than sobbing woman. Lori pulled Carol into a hug.
"Aunt Lil!" Olive ran to her aunt.
"What's the matter Olive?"
"It was so scary!" she hugged Lilian tightly, and buried her face in Lilian's hair.
"It's okay baby doll," she kissed her cheek, and brushed back her curly blonde hair.
"Olive, wanna come to Daddy?" Mason asked the sobbing child. She nodded and Lilian handed her brother his daughter. She was surprised at how well Mason was doing, considering he just lost his wife.
OoO
The two groups waited for Rick to return with Sophia. To their disappointment, the next time they saw him, he was alone.
AN: What did you think? I love hearing feedback! If you have any ideas for the story let me know. Eventually, I'm sure I'll get writer's block-like I have for one of my other stories right now...so ideas are helpful! Bye y'all!