FuchsiaGrasshopper, Thank you! as always you have some of the most enlightening reviews:) I really wanted her to make out like to her, it was just something that had to be done, not some heroic deed and I'm so happy that it transferred well enough:D
**Thank you, thank you, thank you! To my new followers, and of course the wonderful reviews(: Keep reading! Keep reviewing! & enjoy the next chapter(:
"Easy girl, easy." I say softly, calming Raven as I lead her out of the rain and into her stall. She has never been a fan of rain, for reasons I really can't fathom. The fact that it's raining at all frustrates me, the clouds moved in with frightening speed and it's been a mixture between raining cats and dogs and sprinkling for about 30 minutes now, with no signs of letting up.
-We're still going. Don't have a choice, we need medical supplies and formula for Judith. Rain or shine, the run is happening today.
I pour plenty feed in both of their pans, and fill up their water. I leave the stalls open, as well as the big barn door so they have the chance to come and go, just in case I don't come back today. It's not something I like to think about very much, but it's hard not too, especially when we're actually leaving the farm. Down the mountain, was a small city, much like Savannah, it had a rustic charm about it but with modern luxuries, and quite a large population. That's where we will go, and hopefully survive to see the farm again.
I make the journey through the now misting precipitation, stepping under the safety of the porch just in time to watch the bottom fall out of the clouds once more.
"Damn rain, it's been months and you choose today to show up?" I curse mother nature under my breath as I walk into the house, shedding my muddy boots in the tiled foyer. I walk further inside to find Rick, surrounded by the rest of the group, (sucking in a breath as my eyes meet Daryl's) with a map and giving the men, plus Maggie, a quick briefing.
"There's a nasty traffic jam at this bridge," I speak up, pointing at the map, "my jeep and the truck should make quick work of the river bed, it's been dried up since summer." I finish, looking only at Rick.
He nods, redirecting the route to make up for the bridge.
"Alright, it'll be myself, Glenn, Maggie, Daryl, and Rose will take point," Rick starts laying out the commands like a seasoned general, "she knows the area, what's safe and what's not, we do not leave her sight." He finishes, looking into each of our eyes receiving quiet nods of acknowledgment.
The group disperses to ready themselves for the trip, and I find myself sitting next to Carl and a fast asleep Judith.
"Can I?" I ask quietly to Carl, and he hands her over light as a feather.
I look on at the sleeping baby, feeling the warmth enter my heart, the immediate love I had felt for this child, as well as Carl, had been the deciding factor of letting the group stay. They were my miracles, my renewed faith, my reason to keep going.
"They'll keep you safe. They'll make sure you come back." Carl says matter of factly, "Just be careful, we need you." He adds quietly.
"Hey, I can handle myself out there," I say with a playful nudge, I pause before adding, "I'll never leave you guys."
The conviction in my own voice surprises me, and my heart nearly stops when Carl throws his arms around me. I slowly lift an arm from underneath Judith and wrap it around his small frame, fighting back the tears that had formed in my eyes.
I hand Judith back over to Carl when Glenn and Maggie step into the living room, with dark, serious eyes. I stand, giving them a nod to follow me out to the separated garage toward the back of the house. I unlock the door, rolling the large sheet metal back, revealing a black Jeep Wrangler. It had been my pride and joy back when cars were important. I had made plenty additions to the hardtop, large all terrain tires and a big brush guard garnished with two KC spotlights. We climb in, Glenn chivalrously taking the back seat, and we make our way to front of the house, just as Rick and Daryl pull up in the silver Dodge Ram.
I roll down the window, "Stick close to me!" I call out through the rain, and answered with a nod, we slosh down the muddy drive way towards the big gate.
We drive in relative silence except for the heavy pattering of rain and the occasional random conversation Glenn has a way of coming up with. I check the rear view constantly, making sure Rick and Daryl are still following, until we finally make it to the bridge. I stop, sticking my arm out the window motioning for them to pull up beside me. Daryl sits in the passenger seat as the window rolls down, I clear my throat hoping no one notices the nervousness blushing my face,
"Y'all go first, just in case you need a push, it looks pretty sticky down there now." I say, trying to keep my eyes away from Daryl's, but failing to do so.
They both nod, Daryl keeping his eyes on mine until they pull ahead of me, starting down the steep embankment. I wait until they are safely on the other side before driving down myself, feeling a rush as I power through the muddy river bed in no time, a smirk on my lips as I take the lead again.
"Hey, watch out." I hear Maggie say, pointing toward the bridge, I look over to see 3 walkers stumbling through the graveyard of vehicles.
Not wanting to think about them for long, I look back to the road ahead of us, "They won't follow very far." I say, speeding up just a little.
It seems so odd driving through a big town that is quieter than a cemetary. No people, no other cars, just nothingness, anxiety starts to knot in my stomach the further we go until we reach a very deserted shopping center. The rain is still beating down relentlessly as I back the big Jeep up to the door I intend to use, just in case we should have to make a hasty escape. All three pairs of eyes examine as far as we could see for any signs of 'life', if you can call it that, not feeling the least bit relieved that there is none. Yet.
We step out of the vehicle just as Rick comes around to find us. The rain is cold, and coming down in buckets, we're beyond drenched before we make it under the awning over the big doors. I open them, motioning everyone inside quickly, I can't look Daryl in the eye as he hobbles through, still embarrassed of this mornings mishap in the hall.
I pull my machete from its harness on my thigh before I enter, knowing that a bow isn't the most efficient close-range weapon. It's gloomily dark inside, the only light coming in is the overcast sun trickling through the huge skylights and now our flash lights. We move with the stealth of a well-trained hit squad, sticking together in a tight ball formation, watching all angles. We move from store to store, tacking a little cloth on each wall of a cleared space so that we know what is safe to enter when we come back through to actually gather the supplies.
Checking twice, I finally feel it's safe enough to split off so that the items can be found more quickly and it appears Rick does as well as he whistles lightly for us all to circle up.
"Okay, we stay within sight of each other at all times, and no one goes further than what we've cleared," He says, pure authority in his voice, "take what we need and meet back at the door, move quickly and silently."
With that, we separate, them sticking to pairs mostly, as going alone was just too foreign anymore. I step away from the group, going for a particular store that caught my attention on the way through, a small baby boutique. I know it seems petty and downright silly, but Judith needed some of these things. She needs to be as normal of a baby as one can be in times like these, my mind rationalizes my judgements as I move through, taking small toys, infant clothes, diapers, and extra bottles and sticking them into my bag. I grab cans of formual and bottles of natural children's medicine, as well as a couple of tubes of diaper rash cream.
- Jeez you're acting like you have all the time in the world, it's time to get back! My thoughts yell at me and I zip my bag closed to shut them up.
I turn to leave when a little shiny box catches my eye, it's silver and engraved with beautifully intricate patterns. I pick it gently, turning it over in my hands before sitting it back on the shelf. I flip the tiny latch down and carefully open it, as I do I hear music play and slam it shut immediately, praying to the Lord that no one,or anything, had heard it.
I pick it up again quickly, intending to put in my bag when I feel a big hand clamp down over my mouth.