Chapter 9 – Push Forward
When the sun's light started filtering through the trees and my watch started quietly beeping the others started stirring. Guess that though they could sleep it wasn't well. I was going to have to force myself to sleep the next time we stop to rest. I couldn't protect my family or even myself if I was more sleep deprived while also being on edge during the day. More than a full day of no sleep, emotional exhaustion, and deadheads is not a happy or good mix.
"Nai" Rick calls so I look away from my stirring family and find Rick next to Daryl who had replaced Rick on watch when he returned from whatever the hell he was doing in the woods a few minutes after I had noticed that he was missing. Rick motions for me to come over then so I release a sigh as I get up before heading over. I stop a few feet away from them, not caring to be close to them and hopefully blatantly signaling this fact to them and give him a questioning look. My feelings on the group were clear; I'm using them to protect my family. Though I would protect Carl too if it came to it. I wouldn't be able to sleep again if I let a kid die to protect myself.
"Do you know where the car you and Merle were using on the way is?" Rick questions in a careful tone with a slightly hesitant look on his face, like he was afraid of my reaction. I don't blame him, if he asked me this yesterday before my little catharsis I don't know how I would have reacted and since it seems he got my silent message of distance loud and clear. I shifted my eyes to Daryl, who no doubt had told him about dead Herbie. I could have sworn he flinched, but his face was back to that he normally directed at me, minor anger, so I must have imagined it.
Releasing a sigh I turn my eyes back to Rick and inform him "Yeah. Should still be gas in it if that's what yer askin'. Least enough to get us all a nice chunk further down the road. Doubt people went near it with the deadhead guts all over it. Should also still have a gas can in the back too." Rick nods with a hum in response before asking "Enough to get to a place with more?" I hum myself as I close my eyes and tilt my head to the side, trying to place together our location, Herbie's location, and a location that would reliably have some more gas.
"Ah, our best bet for gas would be McNeil's farm." I say after minute or two before opening my eyes, straightening up, and continuing "They had a few tanks on the property so they could bulk buy when it was cheaper. But there and Herbie are in opposite directions. It'd be a waste of what gas we do have for us all to go to Herbie then back. I'd have to see what ya got left to know if it's even enough to get to either place. But it's yer decision." Rick nods with a hum in response again before looking past me to the rest of the group, back at me, then at Daryl before motioning between Daryl and I saying, "I want you two to go together." He then quickly gets his 'in charge' voice as he adds "I know either of you could do it alone, but you should still have someone watching your back out there without the rest of the group. This group needs you, both of you. Understand?" While looking back and forth between us again. There was also a silent warning in his eyes and tone to me with the last word. Damn it. Guess he wasn't just going to brush off that I was gone a little too long and was making sure I understood it wouldn't happen again anytime soon. If I was given a task I would be partnered with someone. And for this task it would obviously be Daryl. The motorcycle can move faster than walking and be spotted less than a car. Though it was pretty noisy, we were also the most capable in the group of being off on our own without the rest of the group nearby right now.
"Got it." I tell him with simply a nod, I wasn't going to argue against this as I wouldn't win, while Daryl only nods in response while directing his attention back at me, he obviously wasn't happy about this but wouldn't argue either. Rick nods again, a satisfied look on his face now, telling us "We'll all head out as soon as you two return. I'll inform the group of what's going on." "Got it." I repeat already turning to start making the small trip back to the cars while I assume Daryl repeats his nod.
Once at the cars Daryl heads back to the one in the back and opens the back while I just head to the motorcycle, waiting near it. Soon he slams it shut and comes over, a hose to siphon the gas in his hand. He then shoves it into the side bag of the bike before simply getting on and starting it. I sigh before I send a quick look back in the direction of the sad little group that contained my family before getting on behind him. I then tapped one of his shoulders, pointed in the direction to go to get to Herbie, before grabbing hold of the sides as there was no way I was going to hold onto him.
****Time Skip****
We come up to Herbie sitting exactly where we had to stop looking the same, dried blood staining the white hood and sides, some of it streaked having been re-wet by the rain or dew, and still some deadhead bits here and there. Daryl stops the bike a few feet away before turning it off. We get off with Daryl readying his crossbow and me drawing my knife as we scan the area for any sign of movement. It was quiet, no obvious signs of deadheads or the living and Herbie was still polluting the air with a faint smell of burnt flesh and hair and a strong smell of the dead. I relax a little before motioning to him then around us before motioning to me then Herbie.
Luckily it looked like he was going to let me take the lead and listen to what I said, as he just nodded before getting the hose from the bag and holding it out to me, his face not changing from that minor anger look. I took it and he immediately went back to scanning the area. He wasn't dumb, I'll give him that. His weapon had range and my knife didn't. If something came up on us it'd be safer with him on watch and ready to go. I wasn't even surprised he was back looking at me that way. The extent of our relationship was that of our relationship with Merle. Merle being gone didn't change that he was his brother, and I was his partner. We'd use each other until it was no longer beneficial. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I then walk over to Herbie and check inside, better safe than sorry, before putting my knife away, opening the door, reaching in, and popping the trunk. Walking around to the back causes me to pause at finding everything as we left it, the empty gas can, the small box with a handful of granola bars and a few still full water bottles, and the few empty water bottles scattered around. I had had a small hope that Merle had made it here and took them but nope. I shoved that disappointment out of my mind as I grabbed the can and shut the trunk. I could still leave them for him as stupid as it was to do so.
I then made quick work of siphoning the gas before pausing again when I shut the tank door, an intrusive thought to indicate that the tank was empty somehow. I let it win, set down the can and hose, draw my knife, scratch an "N" on the tank door, give myself a small nod, put my knife away again, grab the can and hose, and walk back over to Daryl. He doesn't spare me a look as he takes the hose from me. I roll my eyes at him then as he simply puts it back in the side bag of the bike followed by getting on and starting it. I send a quick look back at Herbie before getting on behind him. I then tapped one of his shoulders before grabbing hold of the side with my free hand, as there was still no way I was going to hold onto him.
****Time Skip****
We made it back to our sad little caravan quicker than we made it to Herbie as Daryl didn't have to wait for my direction like he did on the way. He drives over to Rick standing near the back car, with Carl, Lori, and T-Dog, and stops next to Rick. I get off and hand the gas can over to Rick while Daryl shuts off the bike. "Any trouble?" Rick asks then so I simply shake my head in response before walking over to join my family, plus Glenn and Carol, near the other car. Carol gives me a gentle look with a small smile as she leaves the family group and joins Daryl again. That's when Rick closes the back of their car, more than likely putting the gas can there, and announces "Alright lets head out!" We all take our places in the cars, the drivers starting them, and our car takes the lead of the caravan. More than likely as we knew the directions to McNeil's.
****Time Skip****
McNeil's was surprisingly void any noticeable deadhead presence in the fields or around the buildings as we all headed up the drive. Almost as if it wasn't touched by the end of the world. We all come to a stop a good distance from the main house, get out, and group up. "Alright, Hershel, Carol, Lori, Carl, and Beth stay here and keep a look out for anyone coming, if anyone comes honk one of the horns. We'll come running. Maggie and Glenn check around the outside, especially where the tanks are. T-Dog you're with me to check the barns. Daryl, Nai check inside the house." Rick announces then earning different confirmations from the others; a nod here an "Okay." or an "Alright." there. We then split, our collective groups following their "leader"; Hershel, Rick, Maggie, and me; in silence while readying their respective weapons.
It was quiet, no obvious signs of deadheads or deadhead activity as we walked up the drive scanning the area. Once at the porch steps I pause, look back, and hold a hand up to Daryl, signaling for him to wait. And unlike Merle who wouldn't listen to that and follow me anyway, he nods and stops so I turn back towards the house before slowly approaching the front door. I pause and look and listen for any indication that there was anything inside or anything amiss. Hearing or seeing none, I step towards one of the windows and glance between the curtains.
With what little light was filtering through them I couldn't tell if there was any signs of deadhead activity, like blood or signs of a struggle, from where I was, just some of the throw pillows on the floor, what looked like a jacket on the ground as if it fell, and an abandoned mug on the side table. The simple messiness, similar to that of the signs of hurried leaving I saw in the empty apartments and which Merle and I saw in the empty houses in the development. I then knock on the glass and look and listen for any indication that there was anything inside again. I don't hear or see anything so I turn back towards Daryl, point at him, and motion for him to take the left of the door, before pointing at me and motioning that I would take the right. I couldn't tell if there was any deadheads inside that didn't hear the knock so we still had to be ready.
He just nods in response, so I return it causing him to slowly approaches the door like I had. I carefully joined him before trying the handle. It clicks, unlocked, so I step to the right before pushing the door open. Stepping inside we scan the room, still finding no deadhead or otherwise, just the simple mess. We looked at each other so I pointed at him, motion that he should take the first floor, before pointing at me then the stairs, indicating that I would take the second floor. Signaling we should split up to clear the house. It'd be riskier but quicker than going together. And it's not like we couldn't handle it.
His jaw clenches a little then before he looks away and scans the room again. I roll my eyes in annoyance but stay silent as he looks back at me and gives me a once over. When his eyes meet mine again I give him an 'Your answer?' look. He doesn't relax his jaw and shakes his head in disagreement causing me to frown. With no obvious signs of deadheads this would probably be a good place to stay, at least for the night, and clearing quickly leaves more time for resting, which we all still needed. Besides the thin layer of dust that clung to everything was a good indicator that nothing had been here for a while.
My reaction earns an amused face which causes me to glare and harshly turn away. I quickly scan the room again before stepping in front of him and start carefully heading to the next room, circling away from the stairs to circle back once the first floor is cleared. His only response is to silently follow me which pisses me off more. Especially since he probably still had that amused look on his face.
The dining room was clear and normal, minus an askew chair and well, long dead, flowers in the middle. Moving to the next room, the kitchen, we find the normal level of chaos left behind of someone gathering things and leaving in a hurry, open cupboards and drawers and even a fallen box of crackers on the floor. Said box was probably empty by now given a chewed open corner; a mouse had probably had a field day. The layer of dust here was also a good sign that we would probably find a decent amount of supplies here. That is if said mouse didn't raid the cupboards too.
The next door revealed stairs leading down to the basement which I just shut again, said basement could be checked last as we would probably only find storage. The next revealed a messy pantry/closet, semi still stocked with various things. I leave this door open as we move to the last door in the kitchen, which revealed only a dust covered laundry room. An abandoned basket of laundry sat on the dryer which was open with a sock hanging out. I do a quick scan over before going to its only other door, which opened to the outside. I stuck my head out and looked around, finding nothing but Maggie and Glenn in the distance by the tanks, I shut the door and returned to Daryl, who had stayed in the doorway to the room.
We move back to the living room and I circle around the stairs to the only other door than that which lead outside. This opens to a small bathroom with only a toilet, sink and cupboard, and mirror. I shut it before moving to the stairs and carefully head up. I open the first door in the hall, discovering an extremely dust covered room. I do a quick scan over before going to the other door, probably the closet, and open it. It was empty save for a few cardboard boxes on the top shelf, so it must've been a quest room.
I again returned to Daryl, who had yet again staying in the doorway to the room, before moving to the next. Opening the door I'm only met with a closet of towels, sheets, and toilet paper, oh and a fly swatter on a hook on the door. I ignore the intrusive thought to smack Daryl with said fly swatter and just shut the door moving on. The next was only an empty bathroom; tub/shower, toilet, sink/cabinet, mirror, floor rug. Nothing out of the ordinary. Not even the rug was out of place.
The next was what must have been the McNeil's son's room, Sam, one of Shawn's friends. Good kid, missing a few crayons in his box but top athlete. The dust layer covered the messy room; clothes thrown about on the bed and floor, a knocked over trophy, half empty and open drawers of the dresser, open closet door. I avoid the clothes on the floor as I go to take a look inside the closet, just in case. It was, of course, void of bodies and messy. All the tell-tale signs that they left in a hurry and haven't been back. They must have left in the beginning. Probably to try and get to their daughter who lived with her husband when it all started to go to shit. From what I remember she was a few years older than I was.
Returning to Daryl, who had yet again staying in the doorway to the room, before moving to the next. The next was what must have been said daughter's room. Mostly everything was in place save for a face-down teddy bear and a seemingly empty spot for one on the bed, where there was a few more of them sitting. Guess they grabbed one of them on the way out. And like the others I do a quick scan over before going to the other door, probably the closet, and open it. Said closet was neat with a few clothes hanging up and boxes on the upper shelves. No deadheads.
As I make my way back to Daryl I sit the fallen bear back up with its brethren, which of course earns an amused sound. "Shut it, Darylina." I snap as I purposely shoulder check him as I pass him. This, however, only earns an angry grunt, which of course pissed me off more than if he would've retaliated. Hell, I'd even ended up using Merle's pet name for him and that's all I got.
The last room was of course the "master" room which was in a similar state to Sam's. Thus, I didn't bother going in to check the closet instead opting to head back to the basement to finally check it. Though there was what looked like something was missing from the wall above the bed; as it had a lone nail in it in a position to hang something. Guess they took whatever it was with them. A family picture? Whatever, it doesn't really matter.
I stop at the door and open it again before shifting my bag off one shoulder before retrieving the small flashlight I kept in the small pocket. Electricity was off in this house thus the lights wouldn't work, and the basement would more than likely be pure darkness. Which, obviously, would be dangerous. Though I doubt a deadhead, or a living person was down there it didn't mean there wasn't.
Switching on the light I start carefully going down the stairs, which of course had to creak under our feet. At the bottom I pan the light around, sure enough, only finding two shelves of storage. I then move to look under the stairs and just as I get there something small shoots out. I quickly step back and unfortunately into Daryl, who releases a grunt and who evidently had been following me this time, as it runs past us. I pan the light in the direction the being ran, just in time to see a small but fat mouse disappear under a shelf. Probably gorged itself too much on the abandoned food and could no longer fit under the door in came in from.
I pan the light back under the stairs only to reveal nothing but empty space. Thus I release a sighed "Just a mouse." Earning an annoyed "Should've been a squirrel. Too much work to eat a single mouse." From him that sounded really close for some reason. "Like a squirrel could squeeze itself into a closed house like a mouse can. And here I thought ya weren't…" I say but trail off when I realize the position we were in. We were close, practically pressed against each other. He hadn't budged when I ran into him!
"Fuckin' hell Daryl! The hell ya doin'?!" I explode snapping out of it and quickly stepping away from him while shining the light on him and feeling my face burn in embarrassment. "The fuck yer freakin' out about?! Yer the one that ran into me! I sure as fuck didn't get spooked by a fuckin' mouse!" He snaps back while shielding his eyes a little from the light, rage on his face and practically growling. "I know I did! Doesn't mean ya just stay there!" I snap back earning a frustrated sound from him as he looks away, his jaw clenched, before he turns and starting to walk away but pauses, looks over his shoulder at me, and grumbles a "Ya comin' or what?"
I blink at him in surprise before an involuntary laugh escapes my throat as I move the light down. I quickly compose myself and shake my head mumbling "God damn Dixons." He hums signaling that he heard me causing me to snap back an angry "Shut up! Let's go!" while I purposely shoulder check him again as I pass him. This, however, only earned a very amused chuckle as he follows me, which of course earned him a frustrated sound and me another very amused chuckle. I cut my losses and forced myself not to respond already knowing he probably had that amused look on his face and would keep it no matter what I said. God damn Dixons.
"Any trouble?" Rick questioned as we join the re-joined group so I simply shook my head in response. Rick sighs before he give an 'Your thoughts?' look so I tell him "House's been empty for a while. They probably left in the beginning. It's a good spot for us to recover for the night. And depending on how much gas we got from here we probably won't have to stop again for supplies for a while if we take from here. It's up to you what we do." Rick gives a nod but stays silent, as he contemplates what I said. Again, I said my piece and left the decision to him.
"Alright, let's fuel up the cars and move them closer, take what we can from here, and get a good rest before heading out in the morning." Rick announces after a minute, so Daryl, Glenn, and Rick go to their respective vehicles to move them while the rest of us head to the house to gather the supplies.