I have been in a funk since Sunday's episode and the big reveal, but I am trying to work through. Here is my effort to get my story back on track. Please enjoy the story and give a review.

What Ever it Takes

The trucks were loaded but Rick expressed concern about the lack of fuel. He talked to Daryl about searching through the vehicles on I-77 to find fuel. He reminded Daryl that most people had abandoned their vehicles and started walking. Daryl wanted to start home but he knew that Rick had a good point. They decided to find a four wheeler and use that to drive through the median to find fuel. Terry ,Andy, and Patrick went off to find one that they had seen on a scavenge and they were back in less than an hour with two four wheelers. There were empty fuel cans in the warehouses. Daryl and Patrick were in one four wheeler and Rick and Sam took the other. They traveled together and started north on I-77. The northbound and the south bound lanes were close together on this stretch of highway. Both lanes were completely block and occasionally there were cars and trucks in the median. Patrick nudged Daryl and said, "They must have tried to get around using the median".

Daryl answered, "They just got wedged in tighter". They weaved in and out around stalled vehicles. They waited until they came to a relatively clear area before stopping. They worked as a team trying to find diesel fuel. Daryl noticed that there was a truck escape route on the southbound side and they all decided to check to see if any trucks were over there.

There were several trucks parked in a row on the steep grade. Sam commented, "They probably pulled off there to protect their loads and got blocked in. They probably took off walking after that". They went over to check out the trucks. They started with the first one and found that there wasn't much fuel. The second one was almost completely full and Sam noted that fuel was cheaper in Virginia. They filled their containers quickly but decided that they needed more fuel. They had attracted walkers and they had to put so many down that they decided to go back to the warehouse.

Sam put the fuel in and started the engines. They sputtered a bit but were running. Daryl knew that they would have to go back and get more fuel to make it home. They all waited impatiently; the walkers would probably wander off after a bit. They could walk up more quietly than on a four wheeler but the fuel cans were too heavy to carry and more very fast. They checked and rechecked the loads on the truck and basically twittled their thumbs. Finally, when Daryl could wait no longer they started again. They worked faster and filled all the cans.

After the trucks were filled and all the extra fuel was stored, they were ready. The college kids had packed their stuff in the big trucks and tucked themselves into the big suv. Patrick and Sam were in one truck and Rick and Allen were in the other. Michonne drove the remaining Humvee and Daryl rode shotgun. Jamela sat in the back. Michonne took the lead and the convoy started for home. Daryl noted the angle of the sun sourly. They would have four or five hours before they had to stop. They should probably stop before then to make sure that they were in someplace reasonably safe well before dark.

They followed their path in, it wasn't the quickest way but nothing too terrible had happened on the way in. Daryl found himself smiling at the chatter from the kid's suv. They were silly but their relief at finally leaving the warehouse was palpable. Jamela laughed at some comment Andy made and even Michonne smiled a bit. It was a nice day, sunny and bright, and everyone's spirits seemed to lift after they left the dead zone around the interstate. This road was fairly open though Daryl noticed that it was easier to drive the Humvee through some of the spots than it was the semis.

Daryl didn't let his guard down; he wasn't taking this homeward stretch for granted. He knew the semis would be a magnet for looters and war lords alike. Michonne drove at a moderate speed and was paying attention to the road and its surroundings. The next four hours passed quickly and they were closer to the mountains. Rick radioed, "Where do you want to stop?
Daryl answered, "I would like to find a place where we could park trucks out of sight."

Patrick jumped in, "Remember that high school we passed. It was set out of town and I think we could put the trucks back behind the building and the wouldn't be seen from the road."

Daryl remembered the place, "That is about 30 miles from here. If you see anyplace you like better call it out."

Michonne picked up the pace a bit. She wanted to get there before late. The place might have too many walkers around or other undesirables. Michonne was glad to get started; she wanted to be home. It was going to be tough going back without Ty and having to face all that sorrow and sympathy from everyone. The mountain felt like home now and it seemed to have been so long since she had a home. She wanted to fall into Carol and Andrea's arms and let them comfort her. They were the two that would understand how she had depended on Tyreese's kindness and good humor to help her accept all that had happened to her and the ones that she had loved.

Michonne pulled off the highway and onto the access road that led to the high school. The school had been built well out of town and on a large pacel of land. There were playing fields on two sides of the school and the grass had had two summers to get out of hand. Michonne drove slowly along the school while everyone scanned for walkers. There were few cars in the lot; it had been summer time and school wasn't in session. Michonne kept driving until she was around on the back side of the building. She left plenty of room for the big trucks to park and go out cautiously. Daryl and Jamela go out and stood at the ready for anything. It seemed quiet but Daryl was cautious. He had been looking the building over. They needed to find someplace close so that they would watch over the trucks and be safe. Daryl went to the windows to see what was inside. The big room was carpeted and looked like a day care center and he noticed that there was a small playground that opened out to the other side of the building. This looked good. Rick and Patrick came up and put their seal of approval on it. Patrick went around the other side and cut open the chains. They trooped in quietly. They blocked the door to the hallway with a heavy desk and considered the room. There was a kitchen area with running water. There had been a water tank so they must have their own water supply. The bathrooms still flushed. Patrick and Daryl went down the hall to check things out. They found walkers coming their way and took them out. They checked the entrances and exits in the building. There had been a few people working here that day but not many. The food was all gone, but only that area had been disturbed.

There was food being prepared when they got back. April and Ellen were making dinner on the camp stove and the seemed secure. They could keep an eye on the trucks and have a dry place to sleep. It was quiet there that night though. No one knew what tomorrow would bring.