Chapter 2

I found solace walking by myself. Knowing in the woods I was never really alone, especially if Daryl was out hunting. He could be anywhere. As I walked I took in all the sounds and smells. Sometimes I wish I just lived out here by myself. Not having anybody else to worry about would be wonderful, but also I know that I have a better life because of many of those people too. No way could I have found a way to generate electricity.

I didn't stay out too long and was back in time for dinner. There was a pecan tree that i passed on my way back to the farm, so I loaded my t-shirt with the tasty nuts. Who said I didn't know how to share?

Arriving back at the camp was immediately alarming, it was very chaotic. There were people being carried from Tentville up to the house. Other's were gathering belongings and racing ahead. Parents were pushing crying children into tents and covering their mouths and noses like that would somehow help.

The flu hit fast and it hit hard. It swept through and took out 20 people. That is half of our camp. Hershel did his best to accommodate all the sick bodies lying around. Even though his farm house was a large 16 room home, most of those rooms were parlors and sitting rooms and a breakfast nook. All now littered with pale, weak people. I tried to stay clear of any of the sick as I have always been known to have a weak immune system. Something that always bothered me. I hated having such a weakness. As a child I would not always be the first to come down with something, but if the flu or cold was making its way through friends and family it always stopped to set up shop in my body.

As I am usually more comfortable by myself than around people, I was able to avoid the flu this time around. I stayed far away from anybody who had a cough or even a sniffle.

Maggie and Beth, Hershel's daughters were of the biggest help. They cooked for and cared for all of the ill. Nothing seemed to phase them. I thought differently about the farm girls… especially Beth after their constant vigil over the sick. The others did non-stop loads of laundry to keep everything clean and germ free while anybody else available took on the extra work around the farm.

I was out by the edge of the farm along the woods chopping up firewood when he approached me. His lumbering size was fierce and determined.

I hit the axe into the chopping log and waited for him to say something.

"You and I are going into town." Was all he said.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, let's get going." I didn't move. I just stood where I was with my hands on my hips. He was going to give me more information if he thought I was going to go off anywhere alone with him. My last encounter with Shane was not a pleasant one and right now I would rather snuggle up in bed with somebody who had the flu than go off somewhere alone with Shane.

"Riley, we have to get medicine. Hershel said there is a drug store in town and we have to at least try. You don't want all the mouths to feed dying on us do you?" Oh he was so snarky. Of course he wasn't the least bit disturbed when half the camp came down ill. He wouldn't care if we had to bury them. Like he said, less mouths to feed.

"Let's go then. Hopefully there is still medicine left. It's been a while." I thought there was no way in hell that there would be anything left in the small town drug store. We had to try though, this really is our only hope.

Shane drove Hershel's truck and I was on the lookout. All of the store fronts were getting more and more difficult to recognize. The graffiti and vandalism had done its toll.

"Shane, look! The drug store!" There it was. A small town drug store with all the windows smashed and a pot leaf painted in green all across the front of the building.

His face fell at the sight. But to his credit he didn't give up. We agreed that even though it was clearly ransacked, we had to try. Maybe there would still be some medicine left.

Upon entering the store it was very obvious what people were after. Food. All of the food shelves were striped. And, because the windows were smashed maybe that's what kept everybody else away. The pharmacy was full. Almost untouched.

"This is unbelievable. People are so stupid." Shane remarked as he loaded his backpack with as many bottles as he could. "I'm taking all of these just in case."

I agreed and stocked up as well. I grabbed some of the glass bottles that look promising, one of them being morphine. I also grabbed some hygiene products like shampoo, toothpaste and tampons. The ladies will love me. I smiled to myself.

"What are you smiling about?" He was right in front of me. So close. I couldn't believe he had gotten that close to me without me noticing. "I never see you smile." He tried to return a smile but on Shane it was more of a sneer.

"Not much to smile about I guess." I stuffed a small box of q tips into my bag and moved away from him. Pretending I was looking for more supplies so it wouldn't appear like i was cowering away from him. But he gave me the creeps.

"Why don't you like me?" What? What a stupid question.

"Shane, we don't like each other. It's just one of those things. Can we just finish up here and get back home?"

"Home? Sweetheart, that's not your home. That is some strangers farm that we are crashing at. Hell, we don't even get to sleep inside. Home? No girl, that's not home." He moved closer. "No creature comforts, ya know?"

"I feel comfortable enough there. It's like a long camping trip."

"So honest. That I'll give ya. You are always so honest. Tell it like it is." Shane's eyes changed, it's like he saw me differently. I knew that look, I'm 27 years old, I've seen that look enough times on a man to know what it means.

"Shane, we should really just keep collecting what we need and get back. People are counting on us." I moved away from him again. This is becoming a game of cat and mouse. I needed to stop coming off as prey. Guys like Shane thrive on that behavior.

"How long has it been since you've had a boyfriend?" One of his eyebrows cocked up in a gentle arch. Was he trying to be cute?

"What a stupid question that is. And it's none of your business. We already addressed the issue that we don't really care for each other, so can we just keep on track here?" I looked at him now, trying to let him know that this conversation is over. He didn't get it.

"Ok so, we don't need to talk about your love life." He threw his hands up in surrender with a grin. Then his face darkened and he took two steps toward me. "When was the last time you got laid?"

I audibly showed my annoyance, huffing heavily. "Not sharing that information either."

"Come on Riley. We're adults. We already can't stand each other, so there's no room for awkwardness afterwards, no relationship hassels. Let's just scratch an itch and be done with it."

"What has gotten into you? You're being crazy." I tried to busy myself again with the shelves but Shane had thrown me off my game. This wasn't normal for us to be talking like this… or at all. But I needed him to know that there was no chance I would budge on this issue. "I know that Andrea has her eye on you, go bark up that tree." I slung my backpack over my shoulder and turned my back on him to leave. Showing that I could without being intimidated. "I am going to be of no assistance to you in that area."

"I don't want Andrea, I don't want a relationship. I just wanna fuck. Come on, look at me, it's not like it would be torture." He motioned to his well sculpted body. Yeah, he was fine. No doubt a roll in the hay, er, the drug store, would not be disappointing. But hell to the fucking no.

At this I laughed… is it possible we are having a human conversation? I spun around to look at him again. I very clearly looked him up and down with an approving grin. I stopped at his eyes.

"The packaging is lovely Shane, it's the inside that's rotten. No thanks. Now can we please get back to hating each other and get the hell out of here?" There, that settled it.

"You're a real bitch you know that?" The words were harsh, but the tone was gentle.

"Sure do, now let's go."

Shane and I having that brief moment of awkwardness was good for me in the end. Because I felt like it settled something between us once and for all. No secrets or guessing about it. We didn't like each other. It is somewhat comforting to not have to pretend any longer. We can now co-exist without having to make the attempt to get along.

The way Shane saw our interaction had a completely different effect on him. He now saw it as a personal challenge to get me into bed. He thought he'd even try being nice if he had to. But he thought he knew me now and the way to get to me would be honesty. Time will tell.