Curative

By Kaimaler

Huh, been a while... I lost a lotta love for writing after a bit. I'm fueled by what I find, read, and enjoy, but I couldn't enjoy a lot and no story I liked ever updated. Lotta stress around the home lately.

The Author's of FanFiction help each other continue their work; if one writer enjoy's "A" story and "B" story, but finds they never update, than they are likely to stop too. I don't know, I find it disheartening that so many writers on this site just stop and never progress or improve their work. It's their right of course, but it's a disappointment. Curative was created as a way for me to express a story I could formulate, that I saw no one else doing.
Instead, all the stories I liked were gone now. In the most tense part of their stories, they just stop.

And I think it's because the Author's could no longer handle the work of writing anymore. Once a story get's close to it's climax, or at a part (or the one part) that all the suspense has been leading up to - Author's give up and fail to perform anymore.

So instead, I started to taper off writing. I got discouraged and extremely busy. (I have one essay, one Research Paper, three quizzes, three tests, and I'm not even at midterm yet.)

But, between work, college, and now supposed to be a 'healing' trip to England; I think I can manage to write something more.

Also. We got a Greyhound. :3

The drive back was long and tiring, the tension between Rick and Shane was suffocating her. Shane didn't make this easy, he wanted them to know he was against Rick's leadership. For now though, the large man was beaten and knew he was lucky that Rick didn't kill him or let him die in that bus. Some part of him knew that had Laura gave Rick the confidence and understanding to leave Shane behind, he might've done it.

He owed Rick his life, and owed Laura an apology. Not like she'd ever get it though.

There was a lot to consider about this long and troublesome day. How would Rick ever be sure that Shane wouldn't try again? Could he ever have trust in the man who used to watch his back? The man who slept with his wife and called Rick's son his own?

Laura didn't think for a moment that this was the end of their feud. Something would come up, Shane would not let this go after one failed attempt.

This was not the last of their troubles.

She couldn't help but feel like the world was beginning to close in on them. The Greene's farm has been a wonderful find, the people were kind and hospitable, yet there was this nagging she could not resist in her head.

The Voice was a growing issue, she couldn't deny it anymore. Shane was the target, she didn't know when or where... Shane would be facing with the one side of Laura she never wanted to show. Those images forced in her mind were still so vivid, she always tried to forget them and they would come back clearer than before.

It was challenging to keep herself in line while this was happening, it was time to accept that she was becoming a risk.

"I don't know what to say to him."

Rick was with her, talking to her and she barely heard him this entire time. Too worried about herself, for them.

Laura looked down, they had arrived back at the farm. People were crying relief as they pulled into the drive. Laura couldn't help but feel that relief would be short lived, destroyed by an even worse situation.

What happened between Rick and Shane... It was bad - Very bad. No one would know how to control Shane, Laura did not know how to explain that Rick was allowing him back in the group knowing fine well that Shane had, and maybe still, wants him dead. At the very least just out of the way. It was growing more dangerous for Rick to just to be around.

Now, back at the farm, after the tearful greetings, they all saw that Randall was still with them and tied back up in the shed. This was an unwelcome development, but looking at the shape of Rick, Shane, and Laura; they no longer cared if Randall was there or not. They all had showers, their wounds cleaned and taken care of.

With the group all calmed down and most asleep, Laura had a moment alone with Rick finally. She knew Rick wanted to talk to her ever since they got back, the looks he was giving her said it had to be in private though. Most likely about Shane.

Here they were, in the fields. She was leaning against the fence, feeling her body ache dully. Rick was close to pacing, regardless of his own exhausted state.

They were talking about Daryl now though and she knew it. Rick hadn't said his name, but she knew what he meant.

"I know, Rick. I know." She sighed, glad that the Greene's were generous enough to have saved them some dinner that had been leftover, but if only a good dinner could erase her inner struggles. She could feel it even now, the hunger was returning and Daryl's reaction to what happened with Rick and Shane was the least of her concerns anymore.

"We can't tell him what happened, that much I know." Rick sighed, coming to lean against the fence beside her. "How are you feeling? I should've asked that first. I couldn't see what he did to you."

Laura could hear his voice dripping with guilt, he felt responsible for what Shane did. "I'm fine, Rick. You should take it easy though, you took more of a beating than I did." She could see the cuts on his face, though cleaned and harder to see, they were still signs of what transpired. Someone would know eventually though, wouldn't they?

"Maybe, but you had enough injuries to deal with. Gotta look out for you better, you don't heal like us, right?" Rick put his arm around her shoulders, "I'm just... sorry about what went down back there. I feel like Shane shouldn't have gotten you involved. I don't know what he would have done if he got that gun though."

"I know what he would have done." Laura mused, Rick looked at her with concern and let out another deep sigh. "Yeah, so do I."

There was a silent moment shared between them while Laura kept her mind quiet. She was beginning to love the silence more than the company. It was not a good sign to her; she loved the group and the people that built it. This new fear of hurting them was starting to become overbearing.

Thinking about the Voice would often call it to the surface, but she couldn't help it. She wondered what was wrong, how it changed so quickly. Why could she only now remember who she really was?

Laura felt like she needed someone close to her now more than ever, yet feared what should happen to them if they did stay with her. It was painful, she could hurt someone. She could kill someone. They all trusted her so much, save for Shane of course. That was the plan though, to get rid of the only person who was actually right about her now.

"Laura..." Rick caught her attention, he could see that she was thinking hard about something. "... What is it?"

She blinked then stared at him, "What is what?"

He huffed, "I can tell when you're bothered. Not hard. You've been focused on one blade of grass for the last ten minutes. Something's on your mind, Laura." Offering a friendly smile, Rick was always looking out for everyone. She tried to help him as the weight of the group was too heavy for one person.

She needed help.

She trusted Rick.

But could he change what was already happening?

Laura felt her eyes sting and Rick caught on quickly. "Laura, what's wrong?" He turned to her at seeing her expression change so radically. She was always so docile, friendly, happy. Yet she was on the verge of tears. Something was very wrong. "You can tell me, I'm here for you. I owe you that much at least."

Laura gripped the fence tightly, "I'm scared, Rick. Something's gonna happen and I don't know if I can stop it."

"Something always happens around here. The world ended, comes with the territory." He tried to lighten Laura's mood, but what she meant was not the world around them coming to get them.

"Rick, I-" She swallowed harshly, "-I think I might hurt someone. I think it'll be Shane." She faced him, "And I don't think I can stop it."

Rick was surprised by this, he did not understand what she meant. "Laura, what do you mean?"

She screwed her eyes shut, "I don't know if I can control myself much longer. I'm losing touch. Something bad is happening and I'm not strong enough to keep myself from hurting someone. I don't feel like myself anymore; I'm changing."

He was incapable of a measured response, his words stolen away by shock. "What do you mean, Laura?... Are you... turning?"

She shook her head, "Not like that. But maybe?" A groan escaped her, "I don't know how to describe it. I might change, but not into a walker. Into something else. I have... a part of me that's never recovered from this virus and it wants to be in control again."

The pressure of her secret was finally coming out, but she did not know what Rick could do about it. Excluding the obvious answer. Though she realized she could be dangerous now, she did not want to die. She trusted Rick and he would come through for her.

"There is a part of me that was quiet and unreachable. The cure I had worked, but I don't know if that was a good thing anymore." She could feel the tears rolling down her face, she couldn't stop how much it hurt to admit that maybe it was time she left. Before something truly terrible happened.

"Don't say that." Rick enforced, he felt bad for this beaten up girl. She was just a child to him, too young to suffer this new world. Too young to know how to kill another person. He never liked the thought of shooting someone on the job back before the world was infested. He couldn't stand seeing people fight to survive like this; he just didn't want to lose them.

He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and hugging her to him with force. He cared about her like family, everyone in the group, no matter how much they disagreed with him were part of his life. Laura was a little different with her blue tinted skin and a heart that almost didn't beat. He cared about her just as much.

"You were meant to be here, one way or another. You are here and I wouldn't have it any other way. I want you here, but I want you to feel safe." Rick pulled back, looked her in the eye, and held her shoulders tightly.

"Rick, if I can't resist this... other side... I could seriously harm someone." She had a revolted face on, "Maybe even eat-"

"No, I won't let that happen." Rick chewed on the inside of his mouth, "I will protect you, just stay close and tell me if you get those urges. I'll be there for you, no matter what. Are you... do you feel like a walker now, even after all this?"

Laura glanced back towards the camp. "Honestly, I don't know what I am anymore. With the group, with Daryl, with you... I'd rather survive on my own than risk your lives."

"And I'd rather you stay with us. We want you here and I want you here. I will do whatever I can to keep you safe." Rick reinforced, he couldn't just agree to let her go. Not with knowing what she had done and been through to find them, to help them. He couldn't let her go.

"What if it happens anyways, Rick?"

He looked back to the group. "We'll find a way, Laura. We will. It'll be okay." He pulled her to him again, holding her head firmly. "I won't let you go without a fight, alright?"

She nodded against him, "Rick... What's happening to me?"

"I don't know. I don't know." He spoke lowly, "But we'll figure something out."

Laura had headed off to Daryl's tent. She only hoped he wasn't too disturbed by her lateness. They never intended to be out until night and they only arrived at the farm when the sun went down.

Daryl wouldn't head down to the farm and stay, though from what Maggie and Glenn told her he did show up occasionally to watch over the group. Rick trusted him to protect their people and though Daryl never said much, he was checking up on them. She was glad he was still... tolerated most of them or seemed to.

He was a better person than he let on, but people were put off by how straight forward he was. She didn't mind it, it wasn't like playing nice or sugar coating problems was going to make anything better. It could even get people killed.

She wondered if he was even at the tent right now. It was a little too dangerous to go out hunting so late at night, but Daryl does know how to take care of himself. He is a capable person, also rational to a degree. He would know hunting at night was close to suicide with all the walkers out there. So once she arrived at the tent, she went around it to see the small fire he started.

Sure enough, there he was sitting on the log beside the fire. He had to have been out hunting today as there was some new, fresh squirrels hanging on the line between the trees.

"Daryl?" He turned to see her coming up and instantly got up to go to her. She thought it was relief to see her back, but it was to inspect something on her face. Shane had thrown all the force he could into his punch earlier that she had almost thought she went unconscious. She couldn't tell Daryl that... He might march into camp and kill Shane.

It was a hard hit, but Shane was beaten now. This wasn't time to make matters worse. Or public.

"Shane." He growled out, he knew what a punch looked like. He had quite a few in his time and the idea that Shane went after his girl was intolerable.

"Daryl." She held onto his arm, "Don't."

He was visibly angry. "That son of a bitch does that to your face and you don't wanna do nuthin' about it?" She sighed, but Daryl was definitely not having any of it. "I told him, lay hands on you again-"

"Daryl, it's alright. Rick was there, he's not in any better shape either. Randall's back in the shed. I'm done for the day, I just want to relax now. It's been pretty rough." She wanted to convince him to stay here with her even though he looked like he was about ready to strangle Shane. Probably would too if he could get close enough.

He bit his thumb, that old nervous tick. "What happened, he grab at ya'? Rick get him back?" To his credit, he did want to know what went down instead of ignoring her. Daryl wasn't as gung-ho as he once had been. She figured he made this accommodation for her specifically, it wasn't something Daryl was known for doing and was clearly having a distressing time doing it.

"Randall knows Maggie, he knows who she is. From what he said, he went to school with her. Could know where the farm is..." She fell onto the log, letting out a deep breath. "We couldn't leave him in case he found his group. So Rick wanted to take him back and think about the next step. Rick knows though, we may have to kill Randall."

Daryl grudgingly sat down on the log too, though still seething in anger. He had a soft spot for her and he knew when to take a step back. Laura looked in bad shape, he would not push her too far.

"But Shane didn't like that. Said that he didn't think Rick could keep the group safe, couldn't keep Lori and Carl safe. It was mostly just Rick and Shane, but Shane trapped Rick under a motorbike and went for a gun that they dropped. I couldn't let him kill Rick. I fought back, grabbed onto him until he knocked me off." She absentmindedly rubbed her face.

"Still hurts?" He asked, but she just shook her head. "Not much really. Don't heal fast, thankfully don't hurt as much." He only nodded his reply.

"Well, Shane pointed that gun at me but Rick grabbed him and just beat on him until Shane stopped. Rick got up and Shane hocked this huge monkey wrench at Rick. Rick tried to dodge it, but Shane missed anyways. Broke a window and about a dozen or so walkers fell out. Shane tried to hide in a bus, but got cornered. I got in between them and Rick, but there was too many. I killed some and Rick got the others. Shane was still stuck." She pinched the bridge of her nose, "We went back for Shane. Got the car, drove around, Shane jumped in through the bus's emergency door and here we are."

"Fuckin' made a mess of things." Daryl still had a growl in his voice, "Rick shoulda' left him there. Save us all the trouble."

Laura shrugged, "Maybe, there was no wrong choice. I told that to Rick too. Leaving Shane, who tried to kill us or save him." She looked to Daryl, "I dunno', maybe we should've left him there. I doubt that's the end of the bad blood between them. Shane ain't the kind to just... stop being a total dick."

Daryl huffed, giving Laura a flash of a grin. "He really is. Fuckin' ass."

Laura smiled pathetically and scooted closer to Daryl on the log. She knew he was still contemplating how he would get Shane back, but for the time being, he was trying to be good for her. Trying to be a different man, possibly one he thought was better in a way.

She knew he did that, he wanted her to think well of him. He wasn't vain, just didn't like to lose people. He lost his brother, who wasn't the best person, but he was still family. Laura still felt bad that Merle had gone the way he did; there was no safer, cleaner option. All Daryl could do is know he was out there, still surviving.

However, the group and Laura were not so sure Merle could make it on his own for long. Not with one hand.

"Thank you, Daryl." She felt like she had put a leash on Daryl. He was listening to her, biding by her wishes momentarily. He'd get off this invisible leash and Shane would be in bad shape; even if Shane was bigger and most likely tougher. Shane was also hurt right now and exhausted. Daryl had a significant upper hand.

"For what?" He was a little confused, he wanted to be in camp looking for Shane. The man had hurt his girl and that wasn't going by without a fight. Now or later.

"For being here and not killing Shane." She gave him a short smile, trying to properly express her gratitude that she didn't have to deal with two quarreling men.

He bit his lip, "Didn't say I wasn't gonna' later."

Laura giggled, "That's fine, I'm just too tired to deal with it right now." He put a careful arm around her waist and she leaned against his shoulder.

"I know that, darlin'. I ain't gonna do shit for now, don't mean I don't want to. I'll get that fucker back tomorrow." He was never completely comfortable with people touching him, even Laura. He'd come around a bit, allowed her closer to him. Though she knows he was doing all this for her, putting so much stress aside so that she would stay with him.

Daryl, for all his physical strength, skill, and street smarts, was a very cautious person. He didn't like people easy, he wanted to stay far away. Laura was a different entity to him, almost as if her infected history changed his perception of her. Though her survival and drive to move on beyond those struggles definitely did earn her his respect.

It earned the group's collective respect even. What Laura was never able to understand is while her history as a walker was troubling to hear, it helped fuel the group to survive and do a better job of it. If she could live on and fight while struggling with the virus, than they, uninfected and still human, could do so too.

Laura felt lucky to be here with them, even while she began to become their 'mascot' in a way. She was reminder that walkers were out there looking for them, but that she as a short, small girl in this new dangerous world was capable of survival. They would use each other and her as motivation to continue looking for their new, permanent home.

Daryl, on the other hand, respected her because even with having been a walker at one point, Laura still demanded respect from people and had not given into fear. She stayed smart, knew where to go and when. If she was stuck alone somewhere, Daryl wouldn't worry so much unlike Rick would worry about Lori or Glenn would Maggie.

He knew she could handle herself and find her way back to them, walkers, survivors; hell or not. That commanded his attention.

Not to mention she was the only girl sweet on him. She wasn't harsh or rude, didn't panic or depend on other people to not starve. She treated him well and all she wanted was someone to return that.

Granted, he wasn't the nicest or most romantic of men. He could give her what she needed, someone sturdy to hold onto. He cared about her, wanted to know she was alright even though in the back of his head he knew she'd be just fine. She treated him different than other people, listened to him, didn't force him to do or be someone else.

But he wanted to be better for her. In these moments where something wasn't chasing them, he could do that.

Didn't much care if other people knew, he did want them aware that if they messed her up then he'd return the favor. Shane knows this, he accepted that now. Though he didn't think Daryl could do anything.

"Come on, girl. I gotta' sleep sometime." He jostled her a little, then noticed something very odd. Laura said she was too tired to deal with it. He scoffed, "Thought you said you don't get tired-"

He looked down and saw her eyes closed, she was completely still. She didn't need to breathe to live, not as much anyways, but her motionless form was still cause for concern.

"Laura?" He spoke quietly at first, his reaction was that she was asleep. Only, she didn't sleep. "Laura!"

She didn't budge. Daryl jumped up, supporting her. "Laura, wake up girl. What's wrong?" He shook her but she did not open her eyes.

He laid her on the log and pressed an ear to her chest, waiting to hear the beat of her heart. It was slow, he knew that, it'd take a moment. He waited, and waited, and waited.

"Fuck!"

Daryl picked her up, her body limp in his arms. He ran back to the camp, Hershel would know what to do. He told himself that, the man wasn't an actual doctor, but he'd still know. He had to. Something was wrong with her, Daryl couldn't let her die here. She took a punch, she's done that before; why was this different? Why wasn't she waking up?

Every step felt like it took longer than the last until he finally reached the farm. Dale was on lookout, in the midst of switching shifts with Glenn when Daryl ran up.

They saw him once he was close enough and both got down off the RV. They could just make out that there was something in his arms and immediately went to full alert.

"Daryl!" Glenn called out as he was rushing to meet him. Dale could see who it was in Daryl's arms, "Laura!"

The calls of alarm started to wake up the camp, most thinking it was walkers until some of them opened their tents to see Laura being carried by Daryl. Glenn and Dale beside them, ready to help.

"Go get Hershel!" Dale told Glenn, who bolted into the farmhouse to wake up Hershel. The Greene's were well asleep, but the lights began to turn on quickly once they heard the door slam behind Glenn.

Rick was up fast, he had only been in his cot with Lori for twenty minutes when he heard Glenn and Dale. The rest of the camp lit up like wildfire, all to Daryl and Laura wondering what had happened, why she was unconscious.

"Daryl, what's wrong with her? What happened?" Rick came up, without time to dress or prepare he walked with Daryl, but he was completely awake upon seeing Laura's seemingly lifeless body.

He wasn't replying though, his only focus was getting her inside and with Hershel. After that, make sure she didn't die. It was always a worry that her slow heart could mean she could die, they didn't understand her medical condition well enough to know what she would do, what her body would do. At this point; there was a very real chance that her heart had just given up.

Daryl rushed into the house, Maggie was holding the door open for him, only in her PJ's with Beth nearby. Hershel wasn't down yet, but Glenn came up to tell them where to go. "Upstairs, first room on the left. Hershel said he's coming, he's gotta get dressed." Patricia was standing at the top of the stairs, ready to show them where to go.

Maggie, Beth, Glenn, and Daryl carrying Laura all went upstairs. Rick kept everyone else downstairs for the time being. "Wait here, I'm going to help Hershel. See if I can find out what's going on. Y'all wait here, I'll tell you once we know." Rick assured them and headed up the stairs with the rest.

Lori and Carol looked at each other, their respective children in their arms. T-Dog, Shane, and Dale were all standing in the hallway, anxious to know what was going on.

Upstairs, Hershel had entered the room just as they had laid Laura on the bed. Patricia had Daryl stand back as she checked Laura's vital signs, but it was all for naught. There was no sign of life.

"Is she hurt? What happened to her?" Patricia asked while going through checking Laura for physical wounds.

"Nuthin' happened! We were sittin' down, at our campfire. We were talkin' normal then she just passed out. I couldn't wake her up, so I brought her to you guys." Daryl was actually growing more and more worried. There was nothing stressful happening, he wasn't trying to cause problems. He knew Laura didn't like dealing with fights.

"Did she complain about anything? Headaches, fever, anything at all?" She asked while she lifted Laura's wrist, trying to count the pulse.

Rick was standing there and voiced what happened to her when they were out. "She got hit a few times, we were out trying to drop Randall far from camp. Took a few hits, but I didn't see if they were real bad. Nothing like this."

"I remember, nothing broke the skin..." Patricia had been there helping patch up Rick, Shane, and Laura earlier. "I didn't see any signs of concussion or internal injury. There must be something else... I can't get a pulse." She sighed, "I don't know how to tell if she's alive or..."

"She's a cured walker, she doesn't have normal vitals. Heart is slow, pulse, breathing- Can't tell if she's healthy 'cause of it." Rick was panicking some, he couldn't believe Laura was in this situation so soon after they had spoken. It wasn't even an hour ago. She was fine, she'd been hit plenty of times before and this never happened.

"I was there, I'm trying to find anything. I know her heart rate is slow, but Rick... I'm not getting any sign she's still alive." Patricia gave him an apologetic look. "I don't know how to tell if she's still with us."

"Patricia?" Hershel asked, seeing how troubled she was not being able to get a pulse.

She looked up to him and shook her head. "It's like... she just switched off. Like a light. No concussion, no serious internal injuries. I can't find even the slowest of vital signs. Hershel..."

He nodded, "Alright, everyone out. Rick, Daryl, you two stay."

Maggie, Glenn, Beth, and Patricia all slowly left the room. Believing they had just lost a member of the group. They all went down stairs and were immediately met with questions, but they didn't even know how to answer them. Glenn was with Maggie while she comforted her younger sister.

In the room, Hershel had Rick and Daryl sit down, even though the hunter was hesitant to do anything but get Laura medical help.

"Rick, I'm sorry." Hershel glanced to Daryl, "I'll do what I can to find some life signs, but I can't promise I'll find them. She was in bad shape before, if the injuries she sustained earlier were severe enough her heart might've just decided to stop. We already knew her condition."

"I understand that, Hershel. I just can't figure out why that would happen. She was fine, I talked to her an hour ago." Rick ran a hand down her face, "Is there anything that can be done?"

"Well, unless we see some improvement, no. We can monitor her, see if we can get her to a stable rate, but without the heart pumping... there's a very real chance that she won't wake up. Now, for safety, knowing her; we will secure her to the bed and isolate the room. No one goes in without a way to defend themselves." He nodded towards Rick, "Do you understand?"

"Yeah, yeah... just, try something, Hershel. Please." Rick stood up, "We can watch her, make sure."

"Y'all talkin' like she's already dead. You don't know shit, all we know she just passed out. Don't mean she's dead!" Daryl was livid, not at them really; at the idea that Laura was leaving them. "Give her a damn chance, don't pop her just 'cause she ain't doin' what normal people do."

"We won't, Daryl. I promise you that." Rick reassured Daryl, "I won't let anything happen to her. Not until we know for certain. It's a good idea though, for everyone, that she be restrained just in case."

Hershel gestured them to the door. "Patricia and I will handle it from here."

Rick gave him an odd look, "You sure? We could-"

"Rick, I'd rather not have two volatile, emotional men with guns up here making a mess. Now, Patricia and I can take care of ourselves. Best you two head out and get some rest. Nothing can be done tonight. When you get downstairs, tell Patricia I need her." Hershel led them out the room.

"I wanna' be here. 'Case she wakes up." Daryl was still very confused as to what was going on, why Laura was... not alright. He wanted to stay.

Hershel put a hand on his shoulder, "I understand, believe me I do. There's nothing good to come out of sitting in here and I need to work. Best if you get some sleep and I'll tell you what we find in the morning."

Rick led Daryl out of the room now, Hershel closed the door behind him. All Rick could think is the stress Daryl was under now and wanted to show that he could be counted on when it came to Laura's safety.

"Daryl, I'm sorry about all this. I swear, I will keep Laura safe and make sure everything that can be done to help her will be, alright?" Rick was trying to earn some trust, this was a sensitive issue.

Daryl just gave Rick a critical look, "Yeah, ya' mean like how you did with Shane?" Rick looked down for a moment, trying to reply carefully. "I ain't stupid, I know what it looks like gettin' in a damn fight. Girl got battered and that asshole's still out there, couldn't be happier that she's in there. Could be dyin'!"

Rick just let the hunter take out his frustration, he had no way to respond to his accusations. He felt bad that Laura got hurt and he thought it was his fault anyways, it was no use trying to resist the angry and worried man.

"Tell you somethin', Rick. You keep that fucker away from my girl; next time I catch him, I'll kill him. He just fuckin' can't keep his hands to himself. He tried to kill you, Laura and you're still lettin' him walk around without doin' nuthin' about it. Fuckin' stop being so blind, that bastard has it out for you and he ain't gonna stop." Daryl stormed down that stairs and out of the farmhouse. He was too ready to get into a fight, Shane or Rick; at this point he didn't much care.

He knew she'd be unhappy about him fighting Rick though. He didn't understand that friendship they built up, but he did not much care so long as she was safe.

Back at the farmhouse, Rick mentally prepared himself for a flurry of questions. What he got instead was the group looking crushed, sitting around their own small fire. Glenn and Maggie sitting close together, the others silent as the grave. Apparently they already talked about Laura's condition and were all too worried to say much.

Rick approached Lori and Carl, sat down, and joined the silent group.

Pink9571: Aww thanks, you're too kind. I'm trying to get it back on track. It's about to take a crazy/weird turn I think though. So be ready!
I'm glad you're enjoying it so much! This chapter is NO WHERE as long as the last one... 15k words. I dunno that was crazyyyy long.

Mooka333: Thanks! I didn't quite know how to start the story properly. It was odd and very difficult to start, the story was only ever going to get easier to write later and it really did. So far it's been quite fun and a smooth writing process! Sometime's I don't even discover my plot until later on! x3

Anon!: Wow, I'm super happy I could make someone happy just by reading my story! I hope the next updates are worthy of that! In the meantime, here's a little 5k chapter to get it back on track. It's always hard to come back to reading a story if the chapters are too long, so I'm easing things back into the motion!
I hope everything's gotten better too! Good luck! ;3

Shika93: Yeah, I started liking Andrea, just a normal woman. She changed over time, came out a really damaged person but never quite made it to the badass that is was in the comics. A shame really, I did like her story.
I'm glad to know you're liking the story! Been kinda tedious!

JosieBosies: Oh definitely! People are meant to feel bad for this world, the struggles and suffering of the individuals in it. All of them too! I've always tried to include the people of the group into Laura's life and her into their lives. It's a little tricky sometimes, some characters are so underdeveloped in TWD that I've had to avoid some stuff completely so as to not change a character so completely!

Mmeggy999: It's good to start updating a bit again! ;3

Nameless Fable: I thought this story even getting 30 was lucky! I'm kinda happy at the little things :3

FtDLulz: Woooooo! Been even longer this time. :x

Foresthunter: Kinda here I suppose. Been super long I know. Gotta work a bit harder on this. x.x

Syria13: Oh things get CRAZY complicated in a few chapters. As we all know the Horde is coming and the farm will fall. But this shit will go downhill so fast, gonna be one fast, dangerous ride and I'm looking forward to making it as stressful as I possibly can!