Chapter Six

Washing. Cleaning. Sewing. Cooking. Washing. Cleaning. Sewing. Cooking.

It was a painful routine which Jessica and I had to slowly adapt to. The first few weeks were a hesitant time. I was constantly aware of the looks I got from others, though heeded to Laurent's warning and refrained myself from snapping at anyone. Jessica had withdrawn into herself and barely spoke a word through the day and if so, it was usually only to me. I was worried about her, but I didn't like to pry with her. Doing so usually just made her angry so I left her be.

The camp had almost made itself into its own little community, I realised. The men did all the hard work and kept everyone safe while the women did the domestic stuff. It wasn't until we were in the camp a week or so when I realised that we women were used for other duties as well.

I was sat by the fire after dinner one evening, washing up the vast amount of dishes in the battered tin bath we used for this job. I had just finished boiling some water and knew I had a long night ahead of me that involved a lot cleaning, though kept my head down and got to it. Always remembering Laurent's warnings.

Michonne was the only other women close by, apparently sewing a shirt and avoiding all eye contact I tried to get from her. She had kept to herself since our arrival, just as Clare told us she would. She never speaking a word to me, though I felt like we had some sort of silent agreement. Some of our duties were combined and though there was never any words between us, there felt like there was a mutual understanding and the dark, mysterious women didn't scare me like she scared Jessica. She would give me the merest of head nods at the start of every day - acknowledgement - and then silence would ensue.

Toby lay by my side, content with half of my meal for his dinner. I had heeded to scrawny Joseph's words and complied with sharing my food with Toby. Though it wasn't without consequences. The food was rationed already amongst us, with only half a portion a day I had lost a considerable amount of weight. So much, even Laurent was starting to give me worried glances and even leave some of his own portion for myself. I would usually half that with Toby too though.

Jessica and I barely saw Laurent and when we did, he was usually followed by a few cronies. 'The boss' had taken a shine to Laurent and he was involved in a lot of work involving the protection of the camp and going out on supply missions. I wasn't sure what to make of all this attention Laurent suddenly got, but didn't voice it to anyone. I was more curious about the infamous 'boss' who I hadn't seen so much of yet. Whenever I asked the other women about him, they would tell me he didn't bother talking to us women very often, preferring to keep command with the men.

Whenever I asked someone about him, they would give me vague answers. I hated the ambiguity of the camp and didn't like the air of uncertainty there was. Laurent said we had protection here, though with all these mysteries I wondered if there something else going on within the camp itself. No one would provide me with the answers I wanted though.

"I've never seen someone think so hard." A voice cut through me like a knife, startling me and bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked up from my work, expecting one of the men as the voice sounded quite deep but only saw Michonne sat across from me. I was about to blame the voice on my imagination when the dark-skinned woman looked up and met my gaze. I was taken back by the serenity of the gaze, the endlessly dark orbs that had me transfixed for a few moments. Michonne's lips pursed and she raised a perfect eyebrow and I realised that she probably expected me to speak.

"I've got a lot of things to think about." I replied in an attempt of a strong tone. Now I had more to think about. Michonne's expression didn't waver and she seemed to calculate me quietly for a few long moments before turning back to her work. I was startled by this sudden intermission, that I remained inactive with wonder.

"Over-thinking things can be dangerous." Michonne stated coolly. Her hands moved effortlessly and with meaning. I quickly restarted my brain and got back to my own work, though my main attention was focused on the woman across from me.

"Not as dangerous as the dead trying to eat us." I retorted, hoping that my tone was light enough not to offend. Michonne didn't even pause or flinch, merely shrugged. When the silence dragged out longer, I decided that I needed to continue this conversation. "I'm Ruby by the way, I never really got to introduce myself."

"I know who you are." She replied, not missing a beat. "And I suspect you know who I am too."

"Michonne's a curious name." I tried, attempting to smile when she raised her gaze to mine again. She didn't return it, but I considered it a triumph that she was even talking to me in the first place. "How did you come about this camp?" To this, Michonne snorted.

"Same as everybody else." I didn't miss the tone of bitterness in her voice. Her teeth were clenched hard I noticed too, almost snarl like, but I didn't comment on it. "Was passing through when I came across this place. Came for food and shelter, haven't left since."

"Have you wanted to leave?" I asked, quietly. The question must have struck hard as Michonne raised her gaze again and stared at me defiantly. Silence passed between us for what seemed to be a long time before a somewhat cruel smile pricked the corner of Michonne's mouth up. The smile gaze me no ease.

"I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse that you don't know." She stated suddenly.

"Know what?" I demanded. Michonne didn't reply, her gaze wandered away and towards something over my shoulder. It was Toby's murmur of a growl that made me look. I glanced behind me to see a couple of figures walking towards us. When I looked back towards Michonne, she was back to her work, her gaze down.

John and Adam stopped by the camp fire Michonne and I were working beside. Neither of us reacted at their presence and I kept my head down to avoid their stares. Toby's ears were pricked up and his attention was focused on the men. I saw the subtle traces of a snarl on his snout and swallowed the lump in my throat down hard.

"You ladies look busy." One commented, I think John.

I hesitantly glanced at Michonne, who was pointedly back to ignoring the world again. I bit back a sigh and raised my head. The pair were smirking down at me. I nodded once in attempt of acknowledgement, hoping they'd go away. I didn't like the unease when the men wandered over to our little section of camp.

"John and I thought we'd come and say hello." Evidently Adam told us. "We were hoping for a little fun tonight actually."

My hands actually froze in my work as the implications hit me hard. My throat constricted for a moment and I swallowed down hard again, now completely avoiding the pair's gaze and focusing on my work.

"We can provide you no fun tonight." Michonne's voice picked up suddenly. I glanced over to look at the dark-skinned woman, who was still looking down at her work but clearly addressing the two men. "We have work to do, and I suggest if you want it done, you'll leave us alone."

The silence was thick for a few moments and I expected a tragedy to follow after Michonne's cold words. But all that ensued were a few chuckles from the brothers.

"The woman speaks sense, John." Adam chuckled. "These two are far too busy."

"We'll have to query one of the other women." John concluded with a chuckle of his own. "We'll be seeing you two later though."

I glanced up just in time to see him wink before they scurried away towards the tents. Nothing was spoken between Michonne and I for a few moments. I stared after the men, wondering what on earth was going to happen as they entered one of the tents - it was too dark to tell which one.

"If you know what's good for you, you won't say anything." Michonne muttered harshly. She was staring at me intently now. "When they came back out, we're going to ignore them. We're going to continue with our work and ignore them."

"You can't tell me what to do." I hissed unconsciously. Michonne smirked slightly.

"No, I can't. But if you want to be left alone you will listen to me." My reply was cut off by a strangled cry from within the tent the men had entered. Toby was up on his feet, though didn't move. I gently patted the dog, though my hands quivered slightly.

A few short moments after and the tent flap opened and three figures came out of it - one practically being dragged. My eyes widened in horror as I saw the dragged figure was sixteen year old Sarah, who was sobbing and attempting to scream. She probably would have if one of the men - Adam - hadn't constricted her cries with his hand. I turned to Michonne, expecting her to do something, say something, but her head was bowed and her hands were back to work.

"Please!" Sarah cried through Adam's hand and her tears. "Please don't!" The men's laughter was sickening and rippled through me.

"Don't worry, darling, it'll all be over soon. It's just a bit of fun." John taunted. He gazed at Michonne and I, eyes landing on me with a daring eyebrow raise. None of the other girls had come out at the commotion - no one had come to help. Not even my own sister who I knew was resting in our shared tent. Surely she would hear Sarah's muffled, but loud enough, cries?

"Please!" Sarah sobbed. I was frozen and watched in horror as the frightened young girl turned her gaze to me and her eyes widened. The next words that followed struck me hard. "Ruby! Ruby, please help me! Please!" She was begging for help - my help. My stomach fell sick and I knew I must have physically paled.

"Stop." The words came out my mouth before I could stop myself and out of the corner of my eye I saw Michonne's hands stop working and her head raise. John turned to me and I saw his smirk gone, a snarl on his lips now. Adam held the young girl to him, one hand to her mouth, the other running sickeningly down her small body in a way that made me visibly flinch and Sarah squeal some more. "Don't, please." Suddenly John's face was in mine and his hands ripped at my hair, pulling me to my feet.

"What did you just say?" He hissed. He didn't get any further as Toby's teeth sunk into his leg and John let out a yelp before letting go of my hair. He shrugged Toby off roughly, not before the dog clenched his jaw harder which surely drew blood, before sending his boot in my dog's direction forcefully. Toby let out a whimper as it connected with his face and John smirked in triumph, turning his gaze back to me. I attempted to stand my ground. "You wanna repeat what you just said, huh?"

"Don't hurt her." I tried, seeing Sarah struggle behind John's figure. The silence that lapsed afterwards was sickening and I watched as John's eyes grew darker.

Then, everything happened at once. One minute I was standing in front of John, my hands clenched by my sides with my fingernails digging painfully into my palms, the man in front of my practically seething. The next moment, John's heavy fist connected with my face with so much force I fell back and the agony that struck through my face made me gasp. I had never been punched before. Blood layered my fingertips as I held my hand to my nose and I looked up just in time to see Sarah already halfway across the camp, having being dragged away by Adam and John, their looming strides with meaning and a quick pace - eager for what they were going to do with her.

A hand grasped my shoulder and pulled me to my feet. When I saw who it belonged to I shrugged it off furiously. Michonne didn't even flinch or make out that my actions had affected her, merely held out a cloth and gestured to my face.

"You better clean that up or it'll only worry your sister." She told me, her voice scarily passive. I took the cloth attentively and Michonne walked away without another word. Sarah's cries echoed in my head and I turned back to where the three of them had gone to. "Don't go after her. It'll only make it worse." I turned to the dark-skinned woman, who was back to her work like nothing had happened yet again.

"How could you just let them take her like that?" I demanded. "You know what they're going to do to her! How could you?" Michonne met my eyes coolly.

"Because I'm not a fool. If I react it'll only make things worse for myself and Sarah." I stared with disbelief.

"I don't care what you think, I'm going after her." I turned, with all meaning to march over and save Sarah from those two monsters. Though my tracks were stopped when Michonne suddenly appeared in front of me, her expression turned down to a scowl and a long blade in her hand, pointing at my throat. I eyed the blade hesitantly before swallowing hard.

"You want to subdue yourself to the same fate as her?" Michonne hissed. "I've told you, if you go over there it'll make things worse. If you have a shred of intelligence then you will listen to me. The world is not the same anymore, humanity is not the same anymore, we are not the same. This camp isn't some fairy tale land where all the good is kept." She stepped closer, keeping her blade merely a breath away from my throat. I saw her jaw clench, her eyes piercing into mine, daring me to butt in. I remained silent, keeping my gaze dancing between her and her sword. "I've watched you since you got here, observed you. You're a survivor, Ruby. But you're still holding onto all your emotions and dreams. There isn't any time for that anymore. You have the potential to live, you just have to stop being stupid. What you did tonight was stupid. Moral, yes, but stupid. Next time won't have to same results, you're lucky to come off with just a busted nose. Next time you will ignore it. Block it out and focus only on surviving. Otherwise you'll end up just the same as Sarah, a frightened little girl who isn't strong enough to fight-"

"She was draggedaway by two men at least triple her size, how in God's name was she supposed to 'fight' them?" I cried. "She's just a child!"

"No, she's weak." Michonne retorted.

"And how would you react if they tried to drag you out of your tent and-" I trailed off, feeling the tears biting at my eyes and knowing that I should do something instead of arguing with some delusional prophet. But what could I do?

"I'd slit their throats before they could lay their hands on me." I don't know what startled me more, the content of what she said or the tone she said it in. I stared at her in silence for a few moments, not knowing what really to say or do. "What would you do?"

"I don't know."

"Wrong answer." Michonne lowered her blade, though I noticed she held it tightly and her gaze dared me to make a move past her. "What you should reply with is that you would take that heavy looking bat of yours and bash their disgusting brains out."

"Are you completely screwed in the head? Why the hell are we having this discussion when there's a sixteen year old girl getting raped at this very moment?"

"Because this is how the world is now!" Michonne cried. "You think this is just a one off occasion? You don't think that the men haven't wandered over here before looking for 'fun'? This is what I'm talking about! The world is fucked and this is our life now! Tonight is just the beginning and believe me when I tell you it's going to happen plenty more times. Now, I'm giving you advice from one survivor to another and if you ignore it then it's your own funeral, but I'm going to give you it anyway. Forget it all. Forget all the morals and justice and just focus on surviving. That's all there is to it now. No more fairy tales or happily ever afters. Just death and those hungry flesh-eating bastards beyond these fences."

"You're into all this deep crap, aren't you? Why do you care so much whether I live or die? You've made it pretty obvious you don't care about anyone else but yourself."

"I don't care." Michonne shrugged. "Like I said, just advice from one survivor to another." She glanced over her shoulder towards the other side of camp before striding past me and back to the fire. The last look she gave me said it all; make your choice.

I was now given the opportunity to do the 'moral' thing. I could run now towards where they'd dragged Sarah away, I knew Michonne wouldn't stop me now. I could try and help her. Key work; try. What could I do, honestly? I didn't even know which tent Adam and John were in and I could be too late now anyway. Sarah's screams and sobs echoed through me and it made me sick. Michonne's words echoed beside them and I was conflicted as I tried to figure out what to do.

I was unsure how long I was stood there before I moved -

- moved towards the camp fire.

It was a decision that would change me. Whether it was for the better or worse, I didn't know. But as I turned my back on the other side of camp, I knew I had turned my back on Sarah and perhaps my morals.

I didn't return back to my work, like Michonne had done. I heeded Toby to follow me before dumping all the remaining dishes back into the tin bath and leaving it by the fire. I'd do them in the morning. Michonne was watching me with a unfathomable gaze and I clenched my teeth hard.

"You've made the right decision." She told me. I stared back at her, with a darkened expression that didn't phase her one bit.

"Fuck you." I hissed before stalking past her and towards my tent, closing the flap behind Toby and I and curling up in a ball beside the still form of my sister.

A long silence passed between us before I realised that Jessica's form was shaking and not from the cold. I tucked myself next to her, attempting to draw her close as I let her sob into me. Apparently Jessica had heard the commotion that night and had chosen to ignore it.

Just like I had.

I didn't cry that night. Not even when I heard Sarah return, and could do nothing but listen to her defeated sobs drilling into me from her tent a few feet away.

No, I did not cry.

There was a deserted graveyard outside the modern looking church. As the three of us wandered towards it carefully, I wondered briefly why there was a church so far out in the forest as, far as I knew, there wasn't civilisation for at least a few miles and even that was just a small town.

Sophia's steps were rushed and I had to urge her a few times to slow down incase something else other than her family was inside the church. She stopped when we reached the bottom of the steps and let me lead the way up.

The door was already ajar and I slowly opened it, my gun ready to shoot. I scanned the small church to find no sign of anyone and I felt my heart immediately drop. Toby pushed his way in past me and I opened the door further, making one last scope of the room before gesturing Sophia to follow me.

Her face dropped harder than my heart when she saw the empty church. She didn't say a word, but I must have become so accustomed to her expressions now to tell. I opened my mouth to say something, only Toby's growling caught my attention. With my gun raised, I made my way towards where the dog stood. Only to find him stood beside a body lying in the middle of the aisle.

It was definitely a walker. No doubt about it. Though what I found odd was that its head had already been dealt with, it was already dead.

"There's another one over here." Sophia's voice rang out. I glanced over my shoulder to find her stood by one of the pews and pointing to the floor. I saw the body she was gesturing to and glanced around to find one more body too. Three bodies and yet all were dead already. "This one is in a wedding dress." Sophia mused, glancing up at me. I walked over and stared down at the mangled body of what was once a woman preparing for her wedding day.

"They're all dead." I stated obviously. "Someone has been here before us."

"Momma?" Sophia asked, hopefully. I mused it over for a few moments before sighing and nodding.

"Perhaps." I concluded, smiling down at the girl. "Looks to me like we're only one step behind them. We're bound to catch up sooner or later." Sophia gave me a large, tooth-filled grin and I took off my bags and set them down. "Now, we've got quite a few hours of day time left. We've got two choices; either we stay here for the night or we try and work out our next heading and try and get there before nightfall. Though that will include a lot of non-stop walking and the likelihood that we'll be sleeping in a tree again." Sophia chewed her lip in thought for a few moments before coming up with her answer.

"We carry on." Sophia stated.

"That was going to be my answer. I don't really like the idea of sleeping in a church." I looked around and Sophia giggled.

"Yeah, it's creepy."

We got out the map again and spent a considerable amount of time going over it. There was barely any landmarks nearby apart from a creek which would take a lot more than just the daytime that we had left to reach. After a lot of debate, and sulking on Sophia's behalf, it was decided that we would catch up with the river and follow it along to the creek on the map. Sophia said that water was a dire need for her group at the moment and so they'd be looking to refill at some point. If they were not at the creek, then we were only a bit away from the small town and could look there and possibly restock on supplies.

The creek was unreachable today, possibly tomorrow aswell, so I sensed a lot of sleeping in trees ahead of Sophia and I. The twelve year old was happy about that while I couldn't quite see the desire about it, having done it for so long now.

After packing up, we made our way out of the church and headed in our next direction. Sophia's bounce was back and I quickly muttered a small prayer before exiting the church after them both. I wondered briefly as our hike got under way, how much I actually believed the God anymore and if there was any point in praying. It seemed so pointless now.

Perhaps God had given up on humanity? It sure as hell felt like it.

(Author's Note): Alright, this chapter is a little depressing to say the least and I was really undecided about whether I should rewrite it or just post it. I decided on the latter. I realise that I may have made Ruby seem heartless now, and I hope some of you still like her! And I'd also like to know what you thought of Michonne. I'm not sure I've done her much justice, and if I haven't please say!

Time wise, I think in the show the time shifts a lot between episodes with Carl's recovery. I highly doubt it would take like four days from him to recover from being shot. So after this episode I may make time jump abit for Ruby and Sophia - to quicken things up for y'all! As for the creek, I think it's mentioned in the show by Daryl and between Rick and Herschel, but I'm not sure. It's FanFiction after all so if not, then I'm sure you'll forgive me!

Anyway, thank you for you reviews! Please leave one for this chapter and tell me what you think about Michonne and what happened to Sarah. Anyone's views on Ruby's old group now? Thanks again, and I'll try and update soon!