Chapter Sixteen
We had made camp inside the main shop of the gas station, attempting to make ourselves comfortable for the duration of our stay. We had locked and attempted to barricade the doors in the little we had, just incase any passing dead tried to break in. While we were unsure of the state of the people we left behind, we could only hope they weren't coming after us either. A makeshift dinner was prepared by Michonne with various supplies that were found on the shelves of the store. It was obvious that someone had been before to gather supplies, though there was still a range of food and stuff left for our taking. It was definitely needed as our supplies from the escape were quite limited.
Michonne had bandaged up my head with what she had taken from our escape and had given me some painkillers which she found in a drawer in the back. I still felt a little dizzy though as time went on, the feeling began to subside. As we all sat down together, gathered by the shop till, we ate in silence. We all appeared lost in our own thoughts, our situation just dawning on us properly.
"So, what happens now?" I asked, breaking the somewhat uncomfortable silence. No one answered. "We've not discussed this part." I eyed Michonne carefully.
"We have limited options." She shrugged after a pause. She wasn't looking at me, instead she stared off across the store. "We could go our separate ways or we can stick together. Guess our main priority, whether we stay together or not, is to get as far away from those people. We've most certainly thoroughly pissed them off and we gotta find a way to keep away from them if they decide to come looking for us. Not to mention just staying alive."
"Hear hear." Merle muttered in agreement, eyes on his food.
"What would you propose we do?" I asked, ignoring Merle. I waited for Michonne's reply patiently.
"I can't make the decision for you." Michonne shrugged once more. "Honestly, I believe we may be stronger together, and I believe we have a better chance of survival as a group."
"I have no where to go." I began, sighing, my mind made up. "I wouldn't even know where to even begin if I went out on my own." Michonne nodded once and turned her gaze towards the surprisingly silent redneck. If he felt the attention on him now, he didn't let on. It was strange to see the man so lost in thought and not with a smirk on his face.
"What about you?" She demanded, monotony. "You're can leave us broads now, you have no obligation any more. You're free to do as you please." She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Or you can stick around. You have that option."
"Ain't decided yet." Merle muttered, falling silent and staring at the opposite wall. Michonne narrowed her eyes and sighed.
"I haven't got anyone left." She started, raising her eyes to the ceiling. I studied her silently. "That camp was all I have known, my life before this shit happened is gone. I have nothing anymore, no where to go, nothing to strive to. No one left to find." She sighed deeply again, a strange sad look in her eye. "I ain't got anyone looking for me and I haven't got anyone to look for." Michonne met my gaze with a slight smile. "Guess surviving is my main priority now."
"Mine too." I shrugged. "I haven't got anyone neither." I ignored the thoughts of my sister and Michonne nodded once with understanding. I knew she was probably curious about my statement, though she didn't question it further.
"You got anyone left, Merle?" Michonne asked, turning back to the man. "Anyone to look for or who's looking for you."
The man's jaw clenched tightly and Merle's only hand instantly grabbed his opposite forearm and he gazed down at where his other hand once was. There was an odd look on the man's face, one of thought and anger. Betrayal? It was one I hadn't seen in the man before and it certainly was very odd to see. It was almost a saddening sight to see, despite not knowing the man very well. His brow burrowed and his lips tightened to a thin line. Surely there must have been a story behind that look, behind the missing hand in fact too
"Ain't got no one." He breathed, his lips barely moving. Out of the corner of my eye, Michonne nodded once, though I wasn't as easily convinced. "Though that don't mean I'll be staying with you folks forever. Ain't gonna get cosy, if that's what ya want." He eyed the pair of us up, dangerously. Though Michonne only shrugged and smiled carelessly at the man.
"Do what you want." She muttered. "You're free to join us and leave us when you want." With a pause, she added. "Though I think it's best you refrain from your racist bullshit, otherwise I don't think this is going to work." Merle and Michonne glared at one another darkly before Merle broke the contact and chuckled to himself, eyeing his stump of an arm again briefly before staring off at the wall once more.
"Ol' Merle ain't making no promises." He replied, his voice cheerful again.
Maggie drove the truck out the farm, after we bid goodbye to the others, and we were content with silence for most of the journey to the pharmacy. I gazed out the window, admiring the scenery that passed us. A lot of forest, I noted. Though I wasn't unfamiliar with that sort of setting considering all my travels on the road and in and out of the woods. It definitely was a refreshing change to not be spending day after day just walking through the similar surroundings of the undergrowth and various trees. It was nice not to be walking somewhere too. It was nice that the option of an alternative travel was there for me now. I had almost forgotten what it was like to drive in a car. The young farmer's daughter was the first to break the comfortable silence between us.
"We shouldn't be too long." She told me, glancing briefly away from the road. I smiled slightly and nodded. "Should only be real quick; grab whatever we think we need and go. The pharmacy is quite small so most of it will be needed in some way."
"You've done this before, I gather." I observed. Maggie beamed, nodding in my direction.
"Plenty of times. The place hadn't been looted when I first got there, not sure why. We only take what we think we need, rather than getting the whole lot. My dad's Christian politeness, I guess. Just incase someone who really needed some supplies came by, that's what he says." She shrugged and I nodded again. We fell back into silence once more, though we were nearing our destination now.
Soon we reached a small, remote town and Maggie brought the old pickup truck to a stop in front of the pharmacy. Eyeing the world through the window as Maggie parked and turned off the engine, I frowned slightly with thought. The streets were all empty; not a body or a walker in sight. Certainly an odd sight to see. This place definitely appeared untouched by all. I made the effort to observe my immediate surroundings before getting out the safety of the truck, not truly sure if I trusted this place. Maggie was more comfortable and got out easily, not even bothering to check. She made a point of taking a weapon though and I followed her into the deserted shop, my own weapons at the ready.
It was ransacked on the inside, most of its stock already been taken from the shelves from previous visits, from Maggie herself, I gathered. The mess of the place was curious though and I said nothing of it. The young girl beside me smiled briefly before handing me a small scrap of paper. Confused, I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Get as much as you can from the list and anything else you think we might need." She instructed me. "Need to get as much as we can this time. Especially because there's more of us. I'm gonna head into the back and check, you look out front." I nodded once and she walked away, taking out her own list and preparing to gather what she could. I followed her lead and did the same.
I gathered what I could, from plasters to feminine hygiene products; unsure what to deem necessary or unnecessary for our cause. Maggie was in the back of the pharmacy, raiding the medicine shelves, her eyes cautious now and scanning the shop constantly. She seemed nervous slightly, though I didn't question her and the pair of us worked quietly. It worked well and we got the job done faster.
After filling up the bags I had, I turned to the farmer's daughter and finally broke the comfortable silence between us.
"I'm just gonna go dump this in the truck." I informed her. She nodded her confirmation, before going back to her own task, and I left the small pharmacy, making my way towards the car. I couldn't help but eye the street again as I left the pharmacy.
The streets were still deserted, not a walker present, though I was unsure what I had expected. I stood by the truck, gazing down the street, trying to imagine a time when there was people walking up and down the sidewalks. Perhaps the echo of chatter would fill the air and the blissful atmosphere of community. I could imagine in such a small town like this, everyone knew everyone. People would pass each other on the streets and call out the usual familiar greetings to one another. A happy atmosphere all around, I expected. Though not anymore though.
I threw the bags into the back of the truck with a sigh and turned to head back into the pharmacy to help Maggie finish her job. Though something caught my eye before I could.
Down the street I saw something. A figure stood, a male figure. I knew it was most definitely not a walker, as the figure was not moving, merely stood with his hands in his pockets. The grey hair and strong build was enough to make my stomach clench and I felt slightly sick. Even from this distance I knew who it was. Laurent. And he was looking directly at me. A small amount of panic hit me.
Then suddenly, Laurent raised his hand and even from the distance away that I was standing, I saw him beckon me over. My eyes widened with shock, though I didn't move at first. Nerves were kicking in and everything was screaming at me, telling me that this was not a good idea. I glanced back at the pharmacy where Maggie was still gathering supplies and wondered if I should just re-join her instead.
No, that would be a stupid idea. Knowing Laurent as I considered I did, I knew he had no problem simply walking over here instead if I didn't go to him. Then who knows what else he would bring along with him. If he saw Maggie then I couldn't imagine what would happen then. He'd already seen Sophia so it would only worsen the situation. No doubt others were nearby and that meant nothing good for Maggie and I. Or the rest of the group for that matter. I saw no way out of this. The safest option would be just to oblige to what he wanted. I sighed in revelation.
I walked towards him with a frown.
Laurent made no move for his weapons as I approached, nor did he break eye contact. As far as I was aware, no other cronies were in the immediate area, but I didn't rule out them hiding. I let my eyes run cautiously over the nearby buildings, trying to distinguish any movement within. Though nothing moved in the shadows and all seemed quiet and still. I slowed my steps to a halt a safe distance away from the man, my hand gripped tightly on the gun in my belt and I made no point of hiding it. Sarcastically, Laurent raised an eyebrow.
"Making a pharmacy trip, are we?" He asked, carefully, his eyes burning into mine.
"None of your business really." I replied, evenly, trying to keep my tone from wavering. He smirked anyway.
"Where's that kid? You dumped her already?" Laurent asked, not missing a beat. My heart plummeted at the mention of Sophia. "Gotta say, I didn't put you as the baby-sitting type, Ruby." That only made me angrier, though I glanced around once more, keeping cautious.
"What do you want, Laurent?" I asked through gritted teeth. His smirk fell slightly.
"I think a better question is who are you with?" He asked, eyes gazing behind me towards the pharmacy. Again my heart sunk. I had hoped he hadn't seen Maggie but apparently that wasn't the case. "Who's the lady? And who exactly was that girl I saw on the highway with you? Here was me thinking it was just you and that dog of yours." I swallowed hard, keeping my face as neutral as I could.
"Again, none of your business." I told him. Laurent's eyes narrowed almost dangerously.
"The group are panning the area looking for people." He began, he words slow. "We found some message on the highway, something about a 'Sophia', the Gov reckons there's people nearby." His eyes wandered again. "And after seeing you these past couple of times, I suspect his inkling is correct." For a long moment, I didn't say anything.
"So the title 'the Governor' is catching on, huh?" I murmured, keeping my voice cool. "Suppose it suits him better than Philip." My jaw clenched,and I saw, by the look in Laurent's eyes, that my response was not a good enough answer for the man. He took a few steps forward.
"Take the hint, kid, get out of here while you can. The Governor ain't gonna be too friendly on your friends, believe me."
"Who says you're a problem for me?" I asked. "Who says I'm not just passing through too? I could be gone before you all even realise." Laurent raised an eyebrow.
"That mutt of yours, where is it?" I paused then, noting my mistake immediately. "Never usually leaves your sight unless its got a safe place to wait." He raised his chin over my shoulder. "That truck your in is empty apart from basics, I see too. If you were moving, it'll be full of all your supplies. And the girl? Well, I'm guessing she's safe and sound somewhere too." Another few steps forward. "I'm not an idiot, Ruby, and you are sure as hell lucky that I'm the only one who has seen you today." I glared at the man and refrained from stepping back as he closed the distance slightly again. "Take the truck, your mutt and your stuff and leave. Warn your friends if you have to, but hear this; Gov is going to be ploughing a whole lotta shit around this area and if you're holding up nearby then I would be worried if I was you."
"Thanks for the heads up." I muttered, taking a step back, thankful to get away from the man. "I'll heed to your warnings." With that, I turned and began to head back to the pharmacy and the truck. With a cautious glance over my shoulder, I saw that Laurent had gone. Though his words still remained. Quickly, I picked up the pace and all but sprinted back to the truck.
As I reached the pharmacy, Maggie exited it with a smile on her face, completely clueless to the exchange that had just gone on. She didn't even take note of my absence.
"I reckon that'll do us fine." She told me, brightly. I didn't smile back and swallowed back the lump hard.
"Maggie, we have a problem." I said finally in a broken tone. She stared at me with confusion, opening her mouth to speak. I shook my head and cut her off quickly. "We need to get back to the farm now, I need to tell the others." Without asking, Maggie nodded and threw her stuff in the back with mine. Without a word between us, we got in.
The truck burst into life and soon we were out of the small town and heading back towards the farm. I held my head in my hands, dipped with shame. Why hadn't I urged everyone to leave sooner? I knew of the threat the other group posed and I should have made more of an effort to get everyone to leave. Another thought occurred to me then as my eyes darted about the rushing scenery we passed. Suppressing a sigh, I leant my head back against the chair, feeling the exhaustion. Now I would tell them, along with bearing the news that the farm would surely be attacked any time soon by the people that still hunted me. I would have to tell them that we would not be prepared for what was coming.
After leaving the gas station, rested and a truck full of supplies, we headed East. For no particular reason, it was just decided amongst us. I drove again this time and Merle insisted on driving up front with me as Michonne hadn't been in the back yet. It was her turn apparently to feel the pain. A childish response really, though the man wasn't to be argued with. Michonne obliged, though not without a few insulting mutters directed at the man.
The silence was uncomfortable for me, though I tried just to remain focused on the road ahead and not the handless man beside me. My companion appeared more at ease with the silence in the cab, though I couldn't think of anything to say to break the tension. Perhaps I would have preferred to just sat in the back?
"Where'd ya learn how t'shoot?" Merle's gruff tone asked suddenly. I flinched slightly, his voice startling me. I glanced at him out the corner of my eye to see him examining my gun in his hand. The man had found himself a knife in the back room of the gas station which he had taken as his own weapon until we found a gun or something better for him. He had thankfully returned my own knife back to me.
"A man from back in the other group showed me how. Laurent, he was called, he saved my sister and I right back when everything was hell. Taught me how to shoot and gave me that gun and the rest of my weapons." I told the man quickly. Merle grunted in response.
"Was Laurent that asshole who ran that place?" He asked, darkly. I shook my head and chuckled a little, bitterly.
"Nah, he was that asshole's henchman. Laurent was alright before we came across that place." I paused and thought a little about all that Laurent had done for me since the outbreak. I wondered how far I would have gotten if it wasn't for him. In honestly, not very far. My sister would have been bitten if it wasn't for him and I didn't even want to think of what fate I would have succumbed to. "Suppose he's always been good to me, his priorities are just fucked up because of that place." Merle didn't answer and I gathered that was his end of the conversation over. I sighed and glanced at the man one more time, itching to ask the question that had been bugging me since we had met. Suppose it couldn't hurt? I wondered to myself. "Can I ask you something, Merle?"
"I ain't the kinda bloke that does heart-to-hearts and all that shit, sugar." Merle muttered quickly. "So, save ya breath if that's what ya after." I shook my head and let out a hearty laugh.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't expect you to be. It's a question about you actually." From his silence, I took his confirmation and the go ahead. I licked my lips hesitantly before asking "How did you lose your hand? Before or after the outbreak?"
My questions sent the redneck into a dark trail of thought. He stared down at his handless stump with the same expression I had seen the night before; anger, betrayal. His nostrils flared, his jaw tightened, his forehead creased. I wondered briefly if I should have perhaps left the question as the man seemed deeply caught up in his thoughts all of a sudden. I didn't say anything, just waited for Merle to speak. If he was going to.
"After." He breathed, so quietly I barely heard the man. "Lost it in Atlanta. Went on a supply run with some jackasses, got handcuffed to a roof by Officer fucking Friendly. Dumb nigga dropped the God damn key 'nd left me there to get eaten by some rotting, nasty geeks." He paused, hand tightening over his wrist. "Had to cut it off with a saw to get free."
The car lurched a little as I gasped in shock. The force caused Michonne to jolt in her place on the truck's bed and she banged loudly on the window to show that I had pissed her off. I gave her an apologetic smile over my shoulder and glanced at Merle before turning back to the road. The man himself was eyeing my carefully with a heavy glare, as if daring me to say something. .
"You cut it off?!" I cried, not quite believing it.
"Ya goin' deaf?" He hissed, dangerously. I shook my head once and couldn't help it as my gaze wandered down to his stump. I quickly averted my eyes back to the road, knowing I had well and truly pissed off the man beside me. I could feel his heavy stare on me and I tried to keep my expression neutral.
"I'm sorry." I said after the longest of uncomfortable silences. "I'm sorry that they did that to you." Merle made a shrugging gesture out the corner of my eye.
"Didn't stop ol' Merle gettin' free and savin' his own ass." There was a heavy bitterness in his tone. "Better without the mother fuckers, just held me back." I glanced briefly at him to see his eyes gazing off distantly, his eyebrows burrowed in thought. "Imma kill the lot of them if I ever see them again." Though I didn't know the man quite yet and what he was capable of, in that terrifying moment, I didn't doubt his ability whatsoever.
"Maggie, does this truck not go any faster?" I demanded, my grip tightening against the door handle. My irritation was growing, though I knew nothing was Maggie's fault, I could only hope she wouldn't take offence to my bitterness. The farmer girl beside me sighed.
"Fast as it's gonna get, I'm afraid." She informed me before her eyes glanced awkwardly in my direction. "What the hell is going on, Ruby? What's the matter? Had something happen?" I shook my head once.
"I need to tell the others." I muttered, my head pounding. "I need to tell Rick."
The farmhouse came into sight and my heart leapt as I set my eyes on it. Still in one piece, thankfully. There was a brief pause as I had to open and shut the gate behind the truck, but soon enough we were ploughing down the farm track towards the farmhouse at rapid speed. I didn't pay attention to the world around me, I just kept my eyes locked on the approaching house ahead. I could make out figures under the trees by camp, working feverishly. Some had stopped though in their work, mainly the ones around the RV, to stop and watch our approach. I could make out Rick's figure stood at the steps of the farmhouse, no doubt watching our arrival. I was practically bouncing in my seat now.
Maggie pulled the truck to a halt by the house and soon the entire camp had stopped what they were doing to see what was going on. Only Herschel and his family weren't present, I noticed. I opened the door quickly and got out, Maggie doing the same. Not wasting anytime, I rushed to the front of the house.
"Something's wrong." Lori's voice spoke, a statement not a question. I ignored her and turned directly to her husband. Rick raised a curious eyebrow when I met his gaze and I swallowed down hard, the nerves making me shake.
"We have a problem." I told him, suddenly breathless. No one interrupted and I quickly ploughed on. Rick stared evenly back at me. "The other group, their scoping the area for people. And it's only a matter of time before they find the farm. They're coming, there's no doubt about that. We can't stay here, they'll destroy everything, they'll kill everyone." Better to not beat around the bush.
"How do you-"
"I saw one of them today." I cut the leader off quickly. "Laurent, the man who found me and my sister at the start of the outbreak. I didn't tell you this before but since I escaped the other group, I've crossed paths with him a few times. He finds me from time to time, to talk to me, to check how I am, sometimes he gives me supplies and information." Judging by the sudden look of suspicion on some faces, what I had said wasn't the best of news. Why I hadn't told them this on the first day was an issue I should have thought about before now, due to the looks I was getting. That was definitely a mistake, I realised. I ploughed on, nethertheless. "I saw him today and I spoke to him. He told me to leave, quickly. That the group were moving through the area, looking for people." I glanced at Carol, who clutched tightly to her daughter. "They saw the message on the highway and knew they were someone nearby." My eyes darted back to the ex-sheriff. "They're looking for us, Rick. And it's only a matter of time before they find us."
Silence filled the air when I finished and I stared at the leader, awaiting his verdict. He remained staring at me, his face thoughtful and a frown on his lips. I wasn't sure what he would make of this news. Even though it may have been minor to me, I knew that the fact I had left out Laurent's visits wouldn't go down well. I couldn't make out Rick's response from his expression as he remained silent. Of course, it wouldn't be Rick to break the silence though, only his best friend; the obnoxious Shane Walsh. Though I didn't expect anything less.
"I knew we shouldn't have trust you." He muttered, his tone cold. When I turned to him, he was glaring at me with complete distrust. I swallowed hard, trying to keep strong under his intimidating gaze "Didn't I tell you, Rick, that she was a spy?"
"I'm not a spy!" I hissed, matching the man's glare.
"Then how come you're apparently so cosy with one of them? You told us you weren't part of that group and yet one of them finds you from time to time, 'crosses your path'?!" Shane retorted with a shout, he took a dangerous step closer. "You been relaying information back to them? Giving them our location? Our strengths? Our weaknesses?"
"No!"
"Was that why you were so intent of bringing Sophia back to her momma? Worm your way into the group, was that it? Then bring a whole lotta shit down on us!" He turned back to Rick, who looked like he didn't know what to make of the situation. I sent a pleading look to the leader, hoping he wouldn't believe Shane's words. "This is what I've been telling you all along, Rick!"
"Do you not think, that if I was trying to kill you, I would not be telling you all this?!" I bellowed, intent with fury for being named a traitor. Shane's lips turned up in a horrid sneer.
"Then why not tell us in the first place?" Lori asked, quietly. I eyed the woman carefully, slightly shocked by her input.
I didn't know what to make of her, whether she trusted me or not was another issue. I knew she didn't like the fact I didn't help out with hers and Carol's tasks though I had given my reasons to Rick and I thought they'd been made clear. Lori opinion of me in general was questionable, though I didn't want to hold any bad feelings towards the woman, personally. This didn't stop me from being shocked at her words. I hadn't expected her to speak up for Shane, but couldn't help but think about the rumours relaying around camp about the pair of them and held my tongue from a remark on that situation. It wasn't fair on Rick, that was for sure.
"Because I thought it was better that you didn't know." I hissed at the woman, unable to hold back the bitterness. "None of what Laurent's told me in the past has anything to do with the safety of the group. But now-" I trailed off and turned back to Rick. "I would never bring harm on anyone here, I owe you all my life and I am not a traitor, you have to believe me. I'm trying to help you!"
"But the lies-" I sighed heavily and turned back to 'Lady Grimes' as Andrea so delightfully called her, all intent to put the woman in her place then. I was too angry and caught up with it all to care about the fact I didn't want to fall out with anyone right now, especially now. Andrea however beat me to it before I could say a word.
"I hardly think you are one to talk about lies." The blonde muttered, loud enough for all to hear. Suddenly, Lori's attention was averted. I couldn't help but curiously glance at the woman, myself.
"And what is that supposed to mean, Andrea?" She demanded in a careful tone. Judging by Lori's expression, she seemed to know full well what the other woman was talking about. Her question was a challenge. Though while I'd only know her a sort while, I knew Andrea was more than happy to rise to meet her challenge. The blonde eyed the other woman with a grimace of a smile and folded her arms across her chest, turning to her with a casual slouch. Her expression was bitter.
"You can stand there and talk about lies. But I found a pregnancy testout in your tent when I was making a patrol the other morning." The blonde began, without heart, her tone emotionless "It was positive and I'm betting you've kept that to yourself too. Need I say anymore?"
If Lori's face could get any more tense, I fear she would break under the strain. Everyone watched the two woman, silently, as they remained in eye contact with each other; one sarcastic, the other glaring. While I was angry with Lori right now for comments against me, I couldn't help but feel slighted by the fact Andrea announced this personal news in front of the entire group. It certainly wasn't her place and it certainly wasn't something I expected to be used in an argument. Like everyone else though, I remained silent. Lori was the first to compose herself and she turned to her husband quickly.
"Rick, I-"
"This isn't the time." He cut her off immediately, tone firm. She nodded once and bowed her head. Carl beside her, stared up at her with wonder, but said nothing either. Glancing at the angry man before me, it seemed Shane was having some sort of inner battle with himself, gazing at Lori and Carl before running a hand over his bald head and fisting his palms into his eyes. It was a curious sight, one that most of the group missed. I didn't though and I could guess the ever observant Daryl didn't either nor the leader of the group, himself.
"If we're all sharing secrets," Glenn's awkward voice began suddenly, clearing his throat before he spoke. Eyes turned to the man then and he rubbed the back of his head in a tense fashion, looking anywhere but in Maggie's direction. "I have something to tell you all too-"
"Glenn." Maggie warned suddenly. He hesitated before he spoke, but he carried on nether the less, ignoring the woman's warnings.
"There's walkers in the barn." There was a collection of gasps and some heads turned towards the barn behind us in shock. I spared the building a mere glance, before glancing at Maggie. The farmer's daughter was all but seething, shaking almost with anger. She sent Glenn one final scowl before storming past Rick and into the farmhouse, shutting the door behind her. The door slamming awoke everyone from their slight trance.
"I don't know if I can take anymore secrets." Carol attempted to break the silence, light-heartedly. She chuckled to herself, awkwardly filling the silence. I eyed the woman and her daughter for a brief moment before sighing.
"They'll find us, Rick." I said, turning back to the leader. "There's no doubt about that."
Rick nodded once, already resigned to that bit of information apparently, and lowered himself onto the steps, sitting himself down and putting his head in his hands. In such little time, he had to have consumed a lot of knowledge. I felt sorry for the man and certainly didn't envy his job as leader right then. When I glanced around, Shane's face was fuming again, though it was something I was becoming used to. Carol looked shocked, but there was no anger in her expression when I met her gaze; no anger towards me thankfully. This was much the same in T-Dog's, Andrea's and Glenn's expressions too. They all appeared almost indifferent. Dale looked pensive, surprisingly quiet in this discussion. He wasn't looking at me, he was staring at the ground in thought and I could practically hear the cogs in his head turning. Daryl was a little away from the group, though close enough to hear everything that was going on. He leant against a tree with Toby at his feet. All I got from him was an eyebrow raise when I met his gaze. I couldn't quite distinguish if he was angry at me or not, though the lack of a scowl on his face could only have been a good sign. Lori's expression, however, was much easier to read.
"You kept that from us?" She asked, her voice dangerously low, as she returned the subject back to what we were previously on. I stared at the woman and shrugged, too exhausted to provide her a verbal response. With one last shake of the head, Lori turned to her husband's hunched figure. "Perhaps you should have listened to Shane, Rick."
That statement certainly shocked me. Shane too looked mildly shocked by it and raised his eyebrows highly in response to her words. The two kids looked completely confused on what to do with themselves, standing by their mothers, unsure whether just to go play and leave the grown-ups to the discussion. I felt sorry for the pair and hated the fact they had to listen to it all.
"You've lied to us, Ruby." Shane muttered. I rolled my eyes at the man, sick of his arrogance completely.
"It wouldn't have made a difference if I told you about Laurent when I first got here or right now." I retorted. "What would have changed?"
"A certain level of trust." Lori threw back immediately, taking me yet again by surprise. I turned back to the woman, feeling very much overwhelmed by the pair of them and their sudden tag-team against me. I was blown back by her words and stared, wordlessly, at the woman. Her words actually hurt me then and I couldn't help the frown fall on my face as I considered her words. They didn't understand what it was like to be with that other group, to go through what I went through with them and on my own. Yet she had the audacity to turn all of it on me and say those words. While I had previously felt no anger towards the woman, I certainly did now. Someone stepped in before I could speak.
"Jesus, people, give is a rest!" Daryl's voice cried from the back of the group. "What the hell does it God damn matter? Ruby's right; it would have made no difference if we knew right at the very start or not. No need to lay into her anymore than ya already have done." His face was thunder and he directed mainly his glare at Shane and Lori. "We've got other things to think about right now."
The silence was deafening after the hunter's words. Thankfully, no more harsh words were directed at me, though I didn't miss the dark looks I got from Shane and Lori. I expected a negative comeback, I must admit. It wasn't going to be easy and I knew that. Though that didn't stop all the words from stinging me. Rick hadn't moved since he seated himself down on the step, apparently still in thought. I observed the man, carefully, unsure on what to do. Apparently, everyone else was having the same problem. No one really knew what else to say, it seemed.
"Rick?" Lori asked, quietly. The man raised his head and leant back against the step. He wasn't looking at his wife and instead stared off across camp. The man's expression was unreadable. "What do we do?" Her question was slow and careful, full of meaning and order. Rick was the leader and this was a decision he needed to make. I watched in silence as the man battled with himself, internally, about all he had just found out.
The farm was in danger, from both the dead and the living now. The barn located on the farm itself, just a little distance from where we rested at night and where we were currently standing, was full of walkers. And we were unsure if the barn could actually truly contain them. And to top it all off, Rick was going to be a father. Well, in theory he was. Whether or not, Shane had anything to do with the situation was another matter entirely. Though at the moment, those were as the facts stood. Finally, Rick sighed.
"We need to talk to Herschel."
(Author's Note): I'm back, with a quicker update than before! And a whole lot of information in this chapter. Well, for the characters that is. I know all the secrets have pretty much just come out in the last section and can kinda seem a little over-whelming, but that's how I planned it to be. Hopefully you all don't mind too much that I'm swaying off course from the series. Fingers crossed you're liking where I'm going. :)
Thanks for the reviews from the last chapter, they really do mean a lot. I should try and update the next chapter soonish, but I won't promise anything. Until next time, and thanks again!