Chapter 5

The rest of the group on the highway had no idea that one of their members had recently been shot. Shane, Rick, Carl and Susan had been too far deep into the forest for them to of heard the gun shot that raced out of Carl's gun and inside Susan. They all continued to wait impatiently for the four of them to return with good news. Unfortunately, it had already been five hours since they'd left and they all felt equally worried. Lori had finally gotten Carol to drink some water and to socialize with her. Once Carol began talking about how much she was going to miss her daughter, she immediately burst into tears once again, but it was obvious that she was going to be on edge for a very long time and everyone had to accept it.

The heat continued to be unbearable so a couple of them rested inside of the RV which unfortunately wasn't any cooler. Andrea, Glenn, T-Dog and Dale mingled with one another inside of the RV while Merle took a nap on the bed inside of it. Daryl and Lacy were enjoying the heat and lounged around outside. It had been quiet for a while as the two of them listened to birds chirping and the quiet cries coming from Carol. Daryl decided to break the silence and asked Lacy the first question that popped into his mind.

"Favourite band?" Daryl inquired while glancing at Lacy who was sitting cross-legged on the pavement and taking in the heat. She smiled and stared up at Daryl who was leaning on the side of an old Chevrolet.

"The Doors…no competition." Lacy answered while stretching her legs out. "Favourite food before all of this?" Daryl sat down beside Lacy before answering her question.

"Uh…squirrel." He answered slowly while smirking to himself.

"Squirrel? Seriously?" Lacy giggled. She hadn't known what to expect from him.

"Hey! I didn't have no suburban upbringin' like some folks..."He smirked, looking at her suggestively. Lacy playfully smacked his arm and laughed. "Did you have a boyfriend?" Daryl asked quietly, avoiding her eyes. He already knew the answer but wanted to hear her say it to him.

"Matter of fact I did, his name was Kyle." Daryl's head lowered in disappointment, but she continued. "He was one of those guys that started out being real sweet and perfect and then slowly started to show me his true personality. He was immature, sexist and a fuckin' stupid son of a bitch. One day, he thought it'd be funny to start a fire in our chemistry class—just to get a few laughs outta his buddies. It got outta control and my teacher Mr. Blake fuckin' lost it." She giggled to herself after remembering something. "Susan had the biggest crush on that teacher…it was the funniest thing." She shook her head as the smile on her face faded. "Anyway, Susan and I had to quickly call the fire department and it was just really bad. Since he'd failed his tenth grade he was old enough to be sent to actual jail and not juvee." She stared off into the distance before continuing. "I was actually planning on leaving him the day the walkers showed up. I hope he's a rotten member of the undead by now."

"Wow, I'm sorry Lace. Maybe you'll find someone better than that." He caught her gaze, a slight hint of hope in his eyes that she caught.

"Maybe I already have." She smiled and looked down at the ground.

After Shane had gently placed Susan onto the bed, he backed off—knowing that Hershel needed his space in order to examine her. Shane and Rick continuously shot evil glares toward Carl, making Carl feel even worse about the whole situation. He sat in a chair close by, weeping quietly to himself.

Rick also felt extremely awful about the whole incident, and new that once he had the time and privacy he would apologize and hope that Susan would someday forgive his son. He couldn't help but feel like it was his own fault for allowing his inexperienced son to carry a gun. He knew that he should've taught him how to control a gun before ever thinking about letting him carry one around. If Carl had known how to properly aim and shoot the weapon, this never would have happened and she'd still be healthy. He continued to stare at Hershel examining Susan and hadn't said one word to Carl since they'd arrived at the farm. Even though Rick loved his wife, he couldn't help but feel extremely pained by the fact that Susan's life was on the line, he still had feelings for her deep down.

"She needs blood. She's losing it way too quickly. She's gonna need more blood transferred into her system before I can do anything else." Hershel paused while attaching her to an IV that would transfer blood from someone else to her. "Any volunteers? Quickly!" he demanded.

"I'll do it; we have the same blood type." Rick answered instantly, getting up to his feet. Shane glared at Rick, surprised. Hershel quickly hooked Rick up and began transferring his blood into Susan's veins. Shane watched nervously as Susan laid on the bed still unconscious, her blood slowly staining the sheets. He didn't know why Rick knew her blood type but he was glad he did, and was relieved that he had the same type. This didn't fully comfort him, though. He leaned in the doorway, chewing his nails and keeping his eyes on Susan's face—praying just to see her eyes open.

With some pressure they were able to slow her bleeding long enough to stitch her up. The bullet had gone in her side and out the back, she was lucky. Rick's blood helped, giving her enough strength to stay alive. She was in pain, having no medication to dull it or speed the healing. Hershel looked over at Rick,

"Y'all have anyone else with you? Might as well bring 'em on over. Your friend here is gonna need a while to get her strength up and you boys don't look like you're in the best state yourselves."

"Yes sir, we have a group down on the highway, one of our vehicles broke down and we were just looking for a new place to stay safe. We appreciate this very much." He turned to face Shane. "Shane, go back and let everyone know what's happened. Bring Otis along so he can show you the way back here on the road, bring along the RV with all of our supplies." Rick instructed while sitting on a chair and leaning closely beside Susan.

"Good plan. Let's get going Otis." Shane replied while walking toward the door. He stopped in front of Susan and leaned in beside Rick. "Take good care of her, Hershel. Please." He gently pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. He and Otis quickly left the house and jumped in a truck, making their way to the others back on the highway.

Hershel decided to leave Rick alone with Susan. He informed his family of the situation and put away all his medical supplies—content with his accomplishment. Carl followed Hershel outside of the room to go and get a drink of water. Now alone in the room with her, a lone tear feel down his face as he held Susan's hand. After everything the two had been through together, he wasn't ready to let her go.

Shane and Otis sped down the highway, Otis knowing the area well could easily figure out where the group was situated, even as the sun was setting. Lacy and Daryl had spotted them first. Shane jumped out of the truck as soon as it stopped moving and he began to explain what had happened. By the time he introduced Otis, the rest of the group made their way to Shane. Everyone was in shock once they'd heard what Shane had to say about Susan's incident. They all seemed worried— all except Lori. She stood there without saying a word, with the slightest smirk on her face before she quickly covered it up.

All the supplies were ready and packed for hours; all they had to do was jump in a car and follow Shane and Otis down the highway. Thanks to T-Dog and Andrea, all of the abandoned vehicles had been moved aside to make a clear path. T-Dog hopped in his SUV, Carol and Lori joined Glenn in a 4x4 and Andrea jumped in the RV with Dale and Lacy, Daryl and Merle close behind on their motorcycles. The group was relieved to have found safety, and didn't mind the half hour drive to the farm.

When they arrived, they were met by Hershel, who told them how Susan was doing and what their arrangements were. They were to stay outside for the night and to keep a distance between themselves and his family, just to be safe. He generously provided them with a fair amount of food and water. They were allowed inside the house to visit Susan and wash up, one at a time. Lori decided to go first, having already caught up with her son.

In the bedroom, Rick had been reattached to the machines, his blood slowly making its way through the tube. This was the third time he had done this since they had arrived, and it was taking a lot of energy out of him. He didn't mind though, as long as it kept Susan's strength up. He was extremely tired, but refused to fall asleep. He didn't want to miss Susan once she had finally woken up. He was growing impatient and continuously stared at her chest moving up and down—just to make sure she was still breathing. He whispered to her every so often but still hadn't gotten a reply yet. Before he was about to drift off to sleep, he heard someone knock on the door.

"Come in." he turned to see his wife entering the room. "Hey Lori… ya'll made it back here safely?"

"Yup." She glared at him before continuing. "Now, is there a reason you're ignoring our son and treating him like a stranger? Don't you think that's a little immature?"

"What Lori, you want me to congratulate him for shooting an innocent woman after she told him not to fire the gun? I had clearly told him to use it only if it was necessary. I am not about to take that lightly. She could've died if Otis and Jimmy hadn't found us, and I don't think I could live knowing that my son killed a harmless human being. He knows we never shoot stray walkers-we take them down quietly without wasting any bullets! He knows that." Rick said angrily while breathing heavily.

"Oh Rick he was just excited! All he wanted to do was impress you guys—especially his father. He tries to be just like you. He admires you so much, and now that he's made a mistake you're gonna act like your twelve years old and ignore him?! Grow up Rick! It's not like she's all that important anyway!" Rick shot his eyes up at Lori with disbelief.

"Excuse me? Not important? How could you even say that?! Everybody in our group is important whether you think so or not Lori. You're saying I'm acting like a child? Take a look at your fucking self for Christ sake! You give her dirty looks all the time and you've never even given her a chance! You judge everyone before you even get a chance to know them!" he shouted back at her.

"Oh shut the hell up, Rick. I know the only person you care about right now is her. I see the way YOU stare at her. Hell, you even look pained when she and Shane are chatting with each other for Christ's sake! I'm not stupid, and I'm done with it. That little cunt has fucked up everything we once had and you know it. You either man up and realize that your priorities are with your family and get over that bitch, or-"Rick couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wasn't in the mood for continuing this argument. If she said one more negative thing toward Susan, he was going to lose it.

"Shut the fuck up Lori. You have no right to be talking shit right now. Our son just shot her and you don't even feel sympathetic? That's just sick. She has done nothing but good for this group and I won't hear this shit from you anymore." He shook his head in disgust. "Oh and you're concerned with my priorities? My priority is keeping this group alive. Show a little remorse once and a while and get the fuck over yourself! " He gave her a glare and looked back at Susan on the bed, ending their argument. "I'll talk to Carl later." Lori turned and walked briskly down the hall and out the front door. Rick sat there and grabbed Susan's hand once again.

"I'm so sorry, Susan. She doesn't know what she's talking about half the time." He stopped to wipe a tear from his eye. "I really should've taught him how to use a gun first... I should've never given it to him... This is entirely my fault." He muttered to himself, his head bowed.

"It's not your fault. Don't blame Carl either, he didn't mean to, I know he didn't." Rick's head whipped up to meet Susan's eyes staring right at him. Rick's face lit up as more tears continued to roll down his cheeks. Embarrassed, he looked down and rubbed his forehead with his hand.

"You had me really worried for a little while there, Susie." Rick whispered. He had started calling her that only a couple of days after he had found her and Lacy months ago. Ever since he'd been back with Lori, he'd rarely say more than a couple of words to Susan—almost as if he was avoiding her.

"You know me. I'm stronger than I look." Susan joked while comfortingly rubbing his head. She winced in pain, realising that it would be a while until she could move around as easily as she used to. Rick looked up at Susan and held her gaze for a long moment before speaking.

"I'm sorry for rarely talking to you anymore. I've just been…busy." He looked away, knowing that his excuse was pathetic. "And I'm sorry for everything you may have heard just a couple of minutes ago."

"I know. Don't worry about me. It's a miracle you found your wife and son and I'd never try and take that away from you. I know you're happy with them, and that makes me happy. I just wish Lori would understand that… but besides, I am growing pretty fondly of Shane anyways." Susan said while smiling. "Thanks for doing this by the way." She quickly changed the subject while gesturing toward the IV. "But… where are we?"

Rick explained to her everything that she'd missed while she was unconscious. He told her that Hershel had done most of the work, and that he had practically saved all of their lives by inviting the rest of the group back to the farm. They were both extremely grateful for Otis and Jimmy as well, for they were the two that found them in the first place and had rushed them back to their home. Susan had fallen asleep quickly after their conversation, and Rick had also fallen asleep in his chair soon after—holding Susan's hand for his own comfort as well as being pleased that he hadn't lost her.

As the day was coming to an end, Rick's transfusion was finally done and Hershel was confident that Susan was going to be just fine after all. Everyone had become acquainted with one another and the group from Atlanta finally felt safe for the first time in a very long time. After Lori had left the room and Rick and Susan had fallen asleep, Shane came in and waited patiently for Susan to wake up again. He felt angered about seeing the two of them holding hands, but figured he'd just have to deal with that later once he was alone with Rick.