Chapter 34
Naked in a bad way
"This is a good place to stop for lunch." She advised Gordie.
"Fine."
Archer and Gordie were out on the canal circuit looking for more survivors. Costas had decided that Daryl knew the area well enough to run patrols on his own so Emma had been paired up with the newcomer.
Gordie had stepped out into the woods to relieve himself, leaving Archer alone by the water. As she waited for his return, she thought about yesterday's departure from the fort. Daryl had been particularly grouchy the morning when she told him she was off with Gordie.
"Be careful." He warned her.
"Of walkers or the jackass?" She'd asked.
Daryl rewarded her with scowl.
After the Roger debacle, Gordie had managed to find a place for himself at Fort Charles. What he lacked in personal skills he made up for in spades with brawn. He worked hard and never complained. He'd gotten to know the French brothers, Guy and Jean, as the three shared a deep love of hockey. Gordie could often be found playing ball hockey with them in his spare time.
Guy had assured Emma that Gordie was okay and Emma trusted his judgment. This didn't stop Daryl from biting his thumb whenever he saw her leave on patrol with the brute.
A yelp in the woods drew her attention, leaping to her feet she raced out in the direction Gordie had gone. When she found him he wasn't alone. A man and a woman were standing over him with a gun.
Archer skidded to a halt when she saw them. "Freeze." The woman warned. "Or your friend gets it."
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"I just want to point out that you're the one they got a drop on." She muttered to Gordie as they both walked alongside the canal in their underwear.
"Sorry." Gordie was grim.
"SHUT UP." The man jabbed Archer in the back with the gun. "Keep walkin'."
Archer winced as she stepped on a twig with a bare foot. It was bad enough that their captors had insisted on stealing their packs, she was incensed that they'd taken their clothes too. The woman had gone so far as to steal her riding boots.
Thunder rumbled in the distance as rain began to fall. Emma walked close beside Gordie. "Remember what I said about thunder?" She whispered. He nodded.
"Where are we headed?" Gordie asked their captors.
"Back to our camp." The man advised. "We'll have a real good time there."
"The boys'll be happy to have another cunt to fuck." The woman added
Gordie and Archer shared a glance. There was no way they were going to that camp. Gordie's footsteps were heavier now, he was deliberately moving through the forest as noisily as possible.
Another rumble of thunder sounded, followed by a flash of lightning. It wouldn't be long now.
They continued their march alongside the canal, listening carefully to the sounds of the woods. Emma flicked an eye to Gordie and ahead to the bridge crossing the deep waters. He followed her gaze and gave her a slight nod.
A low growl alerted them. Another flash of lightning and a yelp as the first walker descended on their party. Followed by another, and another and another…
"The storms," She'd told Daryl. "they get the Dead all riled up."