div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"NICOLETTE /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've missed it, you know?" Sarah's voice made her look away from the landscape as the two sisters were both sitting on the bed of the RV. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Nicki asked as Sarah smiled. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Seeing you with a bow" she said "It was like you were missing one of your limbs" Nicki smiled too, looking over the bow and quiver set behind her on the mattress. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""All thanks to Glenn" she said making her sister chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's always thanks to Glenn" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah was right. Glenn had saved them, had saved Rick and provided for everyone. And after this gift, Nicki could not find a way to thank him properly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""People had always found it strange" Nicki said chuckling "How holding a bow makes me feel" people at school had made jokes on her, never getting her and her passion for archery. Someone found it strange that a girl her age would rather stay alone practicing than going to parties and 'socialize'. It was not her thing; getting all dress up and talking about boys. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I bet they would love to be that good at shooting, now" Sarah said moving a strand of Nicki's hair behind her ear. Sarah had been there, when Nicki didn't understand why she wasn't able to make friends, when she felt alone. Sarah was always there. Her presence was enough to make her feel better. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""T-Dog can't stop talking about it" Nicki giggled at her sister's words. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm glad I can help you now" Nicolette said looking at Sarah who frowned a little "I don't want you to worry about me, nor blaming yourself for something that you had never done" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki..." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Mom and Dad would be proud of you and everything you're doing" Nicki insisted making Sarah stop talking "I want to make them proud too, I want to make you proud and I'm sorry it took me so long to find the right words to say" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah eyes watered a bit before a sweet smile appeared on her face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Come here" she muttered before gesturing to Nicki to get closer. They embraced and stood like that for some moments. They always tried not to talk about their parents, both of them too afraid to break down. But having one another had always helped them and it would keep doing it. They had each other's backs and now Nicki felt capable of be on par with her sister. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, jeez" they both turned as they listened Dale "Oh, no" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah got up, walking toward the man behind the wheel. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on Dale?" she asked as the RV slowly come to a stop "Oh, no..." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki got up too, taking her bow, getting closer to her sister trying not to fall down on the floor. As she looked in front of her, she noticed a lot of abandoned cars blocking the road. It was like it had been the day she, Sarah and Glenn had met Dale. Maybe it happened the same; the owners of those cars maybe got overrun by walkers. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"After some moments she saw Daryl on his bike coming back. He must have gone take a look. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""See a way through?" asked Dale as he got closer. Daryl looked between the man and behind himself, before gesturing to him to follow. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe we should just go back" Glenn said with the map in hand as they started to follow Daryl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We can't spare the fuel" said Dale. He was right it was a miracle that they had found some more during the journey, they had to keep going. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they kept going, what was before them was really something that Nicki would have never believed to see. Cars were upside down; a truck has land on its side and in some cars, she was pretty sure, she had seen bodies. It was so quiet, but not a peaceful one, she could feel her heartbeat raising a bit. That was creepy. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She couldn't help but yelp when suddenly a loud noise came from the RV and in front of them a column of smoke rose. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, shit..." muttered Sarah walking back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on?" asked Andrea as she got up from her sits looking at Sarah knelt to take the toolbox. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Dale was livid as he got down from the RV, muttering something to himself. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Is it bad?" asked Glenn as Sarah opened the door to get out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm not an expert" she said "But smoke doesn't seem a good sign, come on" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where?" asked Glenn getting up anyway. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My hand hurt, I need someone to help me, come on" Sarah said showing her right hand. It was still fresh and even the stitches were visible. It looked like hurting a lot. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As Sarah and Glenn got out, Nicki heard Shane took a breath before following them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We should go" said T-Dog making Andrea nod her head. As they moved down the short stairs, Nicki followed them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by empty cars and corpses. It would have been a long ride before arriving at Fort Bennings. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I said it. Didn't I say it?" said Dale as he opened the panel to show the engine surrounded by the smoke. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You did" said Sarah tying up her hair before starting to take a look. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thousand times" Dale kept saying as Nicki noticed Sarah and Glenn share a look "Dead in the water" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could be worst" Sarah said. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Problem, Dale?" asked Shane as everyone got out from their vehicles and Daryl came walking towards them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We need some spare parts" said Sarah bent down looking at the motor. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, good luck with that!" exclaimed Dale throwing his hands in the air dramatically "Just a small matter of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no hope of-" when he turned around, he stopped with wide eyes his gaze moving from car to car "That was dumb" Nicki noticed Sarah nodding here head. She had probably already noticed where they were. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If you can't find a radiator hose here..." started to say Shane just before Daryl begun to scavage in an open car a few feet from them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""There's a whole bunch of stuff we can find" he said taking out some toothpaste. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That could actually be useful" said Nicki before Daryl turned to throw it at her to catch it. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thanks" she said shielding her eyes from the sun to take a better look at the man who turned again to the car. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I can siphon more fuel from these cars for a start" proposed T-Dog making Rick nod his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe some water?" asked Andrea. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Or food" said Glenn. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This is a graveyard" Nicki heard Lori say before turning to start walking between the cars. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'll go take a look" Nicolette said to her sister, that looked away from her work for the first time with a little frow "I won't go far" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" Sarah said with a bit of worry in her voice "Stay were everyone can see you" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ok" answered Nicki before starting to walk adjusting the quiver on her back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Her focus went to a red car not that far from where she was standing. It was so full of dust. She wondered for how long they had been left like that. She slowly got closer to the window, trying to not make any noise as she looked inside. She let out a breath when she saw that it was empty. Nicolette opened the door before getting inside. On the front sit there was a hat and a book. She reached out to turn it, to see what was the title. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah will be happy" she muttered seeing one of her sister's favourite novels. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"emSense and Sensibility. /em /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She smiled before putting it in her shoulder bag, where she had put the toothpaste Daryl had given to her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Found anything?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Jesus!" she gasped putting a hand over her fast-beating heart then she turned "Carl! Stop coming out from nowhere" he just chuckled before opening the backseat door and get in. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki, check it out" she heard him say "Red licorice!" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The girl spun her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What really?" she said with wide eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Never seen you so excited before" he said looking at the candies in his hands. Nicki observed at him before leaning her shoulder against the sit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's my favourite candy" she said. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thought you more of a sour candy type" she spun her head at him but widened her eyes when he giggled. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are a little shit, you know that?" she said letting out a small laugh before turning. Carl chuckled. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki shook her head before opening the glove compartment in front of her. There was a map and some napkins, that she took. Then there was a gps, but she put it down, it was not like they could use it. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Cool" she heard Carl say as he took a comic in his hand. She observed him for a moment, going through the pages with wide eyes, then she turned. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's yours?" she asked. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My what?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Your favourite candy" she said keeping looking for something useful. She heard him stop his action, probably thinking. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I like chocolate more" he said "So maybe Reese's" she nodded her head. Good choice. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If there are even Candy Bears, Sophia is going to love them" he said looking around, making her turn. She didn't know that. Not that she had ever asked anything to Sophia, or Carl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You know her pretty well" she said looking at him from the corner of her eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She is my friend" he said simply before looking at her "I can't find anything else" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki nodded her head, before following him to get out of the car. She walked behind him for few metres observing him and Sophia as the girl ran to him, telling him that she and her mother had found some new shirts. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This piece could do?" she turned when she saw Sarah and Glenn looking inside the hood of a car. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could" Sarah said taking the screwdriver in her hand, but she hissed when she had started to work with it. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey, let me do it" Glenn said taking her place. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Still hurting?" asked Shane walking around taking a look at the cars. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's been just three days since Jenner stitched me up" Sarah said trying to move her hand. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's gonna get better, don't worry" Shane said eyeing a truck some feet from them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thank you" Sarah said nodding at Glenn that smiled keeping working. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They had become friends like Carl and Sophia. Nicki wondered how they did it. Getting along so easily, in all of that. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki" she heard Carl say making her turn "Here" he said handing her the red licorice. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You found it" Nicki said shaking her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You said you like it" he said shrugging his shoulders "Find me some Reese's, so we are even" she observed him, before taking the plastic bag. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You've got yourself a deal" she said putting the candies in her bag. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Lori, under the cars" Rick's voice made the two of them turn "Carl, Nicolette, Sophia, get down now" he whisper-yelled in fear as he gestured for them to get under the cars. She took a look over Rick's shoulder and when she saw a walker, she knew they didn't have much time. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Come on" Nicki said at the two children running a few feet ahead before they slid under two cars, she trying to be careful not to break her bow. Carl and Nicki were under a pick up; on Nicki's side, under another car there was Sophia and on Carl's side under a truck there was Rick. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki's heart was beating faster as she wondered where her sister could be. But she decided not to focus on that, she needed to stay calm and quiet. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As the first feet started to appear next to her, Nicki took a breath sliding a little colliding with Carl's side that had been doing the same. Growls could be heard above them as even more feet pass next to them. They were so close. If one of them had noticed them it would have been over. There were too many walkers to get away. Sophia was a few feet from her hugging her doll close, looking around. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki then turned to Carl that looked at her with deep breaths, surely trying to keep calm too. She nodded her head trying to let him know that everything was going to be alright, only to have him do the same and she had to admit that she felt slightly better. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She didn't know for how much time they had been laying on the ground. But it seemed an eternity. The sound of her own heart was covering the walkers' grunts and she found herself just praying that they would have gone soon. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then finally silence. Silence surrounded them, but all of them stood still trying to understand if the walkers were gone or not. Nicki looked at her right trying to look as best as she could, then she turned to Carl that gestured her to wait with his hand before turning to his father. Nicki followed his gaze, seeing Rick trying to check around him as best as he could. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The silence was suddenly broke, when a piercing scream made Nicki turn. She widened her eyes when she noticed a walker knelt down trying to grab Sophia, who kept screaming. Soon another walker was lured by the noise. All Nicki could do was looking at Sophia sliding out from under the car and starting to run towards the woods, soon followed by the two walkers. Rick immediately ran out trying to chase Sophia, but suddenly another walker appeared starting to follow Rick closely. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"emShit./em /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She thought before sliding out of the car following Rick movements until she arrived at the side of the road. Rick was running trying to get away from the walker as he followed Sophia. Nicki took a breath, raised her bow, nocked the arrow and took position. She didn't know how long it took to her, but after endless moments she released the arrow that hit the walker behind Rick right in the head, making it go limp and fall on the ground. Rick didn't even turn as he disappeared in the woods. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You hit it" said Carl that had stopped next to her. Nicki could just nod, not very sure on how she managed to hit a moving target with all that panic. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Lori" she heard Carol cry as she ran in their direction "Those two walkers are after my baby" if Lori hadn't managed to stop her, Nicki was sure Carol would have entered the wood. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Silence fell among them once more disturbed just by deep breaths and Carol's sobs. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki turned to Carl, whose eyes were fixed on the woods. Nicki bit her lip. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Your dad is going to bring her back" Nicki said nodding her head as Carl turned to look at her "He will". /p
/div
p style="margin: 0px;"NICOLETTE /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've missed it, you know?" Sarah's voice made her look away from the landscape as the two sisters were both sitting on the bed of the RV. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Nicki asked as Sarah smiled. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Seeing you with a bow" she said "It was like you were missing one of your limbs" Nicki smiled too, looking over the bow and quiver set behind her on the mattress. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""All thanks to Glenn" she said making her sister chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's always thanks to Glenn" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah was right. Glenn had saved them, had saved Rick and provided for everyone. And after this gift, Nicki could not find a way to thank him properly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""People had always found it strange" Nicki said chuckling "How holding a bow makes me feel" people at school had made jokes on her, never getting her and her passion for archery. Someone found it strange that a girl her age would rather stay alone practicing than going to parties and 'socialize'. It was not her thing; getting all dress up and talking about boys. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I bet they would love to be that good at shooting, now" Sarah said moving a strand of Nicki's hair behind her ear. Sarah had been there, when Nicki didn't understand why she wasn't able to make friends, when she felt alone. Sarah was always there. Her presence was enough to make her feel better. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""T-Dog can't stop talking about it" Nicki giggled at her sister's words. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm glad I can help you now" Nicolette said looking at Sarah who frowned a little "I don't want you to worry about me, nor blaming yourself for something that you had never done" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki..." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Mom and Dad would be proud of you and everything you're doing" Nicki insisted making Sarah stop talking "I want to make them proud too, I want to make you proud and I'm sorry it took me so long to find the right words to say" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah eyes watered a bit before a sweet smile appeared on her face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Come here" she muttered before gesturing to Nicki to get closer. They embraced and stood like that for some moments. They always tried not to talk about their parents, both of them too afraid to break down. But having one another had always helped them and it would keep doing it. They had each other's backs and now Nicki felt capable of be on par with her sister. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, jeez" they both turned as they listened Dale "Oh, no" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah got up, walking toward the man behind the wheel. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on Dale?" she asked as the RV slowly come to a stop "Oh, no..." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki got up too, taking her bow, getting closer to her sister trying not to fall down on the floor. As she looked in front of her, she noticed a lot of abandoned cars blocking the road. It was like it had been the day she, Sarah and Glenn had met Dale. Maybe it happened the same; the owners of those cars maybe got overrun by walkers. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"After some moments she saw Daryl on his bike coming back. He must have gone take a look. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""See a way through?" asked Dale as he got closer. Daryl looked between the man and behind himself, before gesturing to him to follow. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe we should just go back" Glenn said with the map in hand as they started to follow Daryl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We can't spare the fuel" said Dale. He was right it was a miracle that they had found some more during the journey, they had to keep going. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they kept going, what was before them was really something that Nicki would have never believed to see. Cars were upside down; a truck has land on its side and in some cars, she was pretty sure, she had seen bodies. It was so quiet, but not a peaceful one, she could feel her heartbeat raising a bit. That was creepy. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She couldn't help but yelp when suddenly a loud noise came from the RV and in front of them a column of smoke rose. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, shit..." muttered Sarah walking back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on?" asked Andrea as she got up from her sits looking at Sarah knelt to take the toolbox. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Dale was livid as he got down from the RV, muttering something to himself. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Is it bad?" asked Glenn as Sarah opened the door to get out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm not an expert" she said "But smoke doesn't seem a good sign, come on" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where?" asked Glenn getting up anyway. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My hand hurt, I need someone to help me, come on" Sarah said showing her right hand. It was still fresh and even the stitches were visible. It looked like hurting a lot. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As Sarah and Glenn got out, Nicki heard Shane took a breath before following them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We should go" said T-Dog making Andrea nod her head. As they moved down the short stairs, Nicki followed them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by empty cars and corpses. It would have been a long ride before arriving at Fort Bennings. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I said it. Didn't I say it?" said Dale as he opened the panel to show the engine surrounded by the smoke. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You did" said Sarah tying up her hair before starting to take a look. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thousand times" Dale kept saying as Nicki noticed Sarah and Glenn share a look "Dead in the water" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could be worst" Sarah said. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Problem, Dale?" asked Shane as everyone got out from their vehicles and Daryl came walking towards them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We need some spare parts" said Sarah bent down looking at the motor. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, good luck with that!" exclaimed Dale throwing his hands in the air dramatically "Just a small matter of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no hope of-" when he turned around, he stopped with wide eyes his gaze moving from car to car "That was dumb" Nicki noticed Sarah nodding here head. She had probably already noticed where they were. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If you can't find a radiator hose here..." started to say Shane just before Daryl begun to scavage in an open car a few feet from them. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""There's a whole bunch of stuff we can find" he said taking out some toothpaste. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That could actually be useful" said Nicki before Daryl turned to throw it at her to catch it. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thanks" she said shielding her eyes from the sun to take a better look at the man who turned again to the car. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I can siphon more fuel from these cars for a start" proposed T-Dog making Rick nod his head. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe some water?" asked Andrea. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Or food" said Glenn. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This is a graveyard" Nicki heard Lori say before turning to start walking between the cars. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'll go take a look" Nicolette said to her sister, that looked away from her work for the first time with a little frow "I won't go far" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" Sarah said with a bit of worry in her voice "Stay were everyone can see you" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ok" answered Nicki before starting to walk adjusting the quiver on her back. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Her focus went to a red car not that far from where she was standing. It was so full of dust. She wondered for how long they had been left like that. She slowly got closer to the window, trying to not make any noise as she looked inside. She let out a breath when she saw that it was empty. Nicolette opened the door before getting inside. On the front sit there was a hat and a book. She reached out to turn it, to see what was the title. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah will be happy" she muttered seeing one of her sister's favourite novels. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"emSense and Sensibility. /em /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She smiled before putting it in her shoulder bag, where she had put the toothpaste Daryl had given to her. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Found anything?" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Jesus!" she gasped putting a hand over her fast-beating heart then she turned "Carl! Stop coming out from nowhere" he just chuckled before opening the backseat door and get in. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki, check it out" she heard him say "Red licorice!" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The girl spun her head. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What really?" she said with wide eyes. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Never seen you so excited before" he said looking at the candies in his hands. Nicki observed at him before leaning her shoulder against the sit. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's my favourite candy" she said. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thought you more of a sour candy type" she spun her head at him but widened her eyes when he giggled. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are a little shit, you know that?" she said letting out a small laugh before turning. Carl chuckled. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki shook her head before opening the glove compartment in front of her. There was a map and some napkins, that she took. Then there was a gps, but she put it down, it was not like they could use it. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Cool" she heard Carl say as he took a comic in his hand. She observed him for a moment, going through the pages with wide eyes, then she turned. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's yours?" she asked. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My what?" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Your favourite candy" she said keeping looking for something useful. She heard him stop his action, probably thinking. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I like chocolate more" he said "So maybe Reese's" she nodded her head. Good choice. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If there are even Candy Bears, Sophia is going to love them" he said looking around, making her turn. She didn't know that. Not that she had ever asked anything to Sophia, or Carl. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You know her pretty well" she said looking at him from the corner of her eyes. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She is my friend" he said simply before looking at her "I can't find anything else" /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki nodded her head, before following him to get out of the car. She walked behind him for few metres observing him and Sophia as the girl ran to him, telling him that she and her mother had found some new shirts. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This piece could do?" she turned when she saw Sarah and Glenn looking inside the hood of a car. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could" Sarah said taking the screwdriver in her hand, but she hissed when she had started to work with it. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey, let me do it" Glenn said taking her place. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Still hurting?" asked Shane walking around taking a look at the cars. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's been just three days since Jenner stitched me up" Sarah said trying to move her hand. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's gonna get better, don't worry" Shane said eyeing a truck some feet from them. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Thank you" Sarah said nodding at Glenn that smiled keeping working. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They had become friends like Carl and Sophia. Nicki wondered how they did it. Getting along so easily, in all of that. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nicki" she heard Carl say making her turn "Here" he said handing her the red licorice. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You found it" Nicki said shaking her head. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You said you like it" he said shrugging his shoulders "Find me some Reese's, so we are even" she observed him, before taking the plastic bag. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You've got yourself a deal" she said putting the candies in her bag. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Lori, under the cars" Rick's voice made the two of them turn "Carl, Nicolette, Sophia, get down now" he whisper-yelled in fear as he gestured for them to get under the cars. She took a look over Rick's shoulder and when she saw a walker, she knew they didn't have much time. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Come on" Nicki said at the two children running a few feet ahead before they slid under two cars, she trying to be careful not to break her bow. Carl and Nicki were under a pick up; on Nicki's side, under another car there was Sophia and on Carl's side under a truck there was Rick. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki's heart was beating faster as she wondered where her sister could be. But she decided not to focus on that, she needed to stay calm and quiet. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As the first feet started to appear next to her, Nicki took a breath sliding a little colliding with Carl's side that had been doing the same. Growls could be heard above them as even more feet pass next to them. They were so close. If one of them had noticed them it would have been over. There were too many walkers to get away. Sophia was a few feet from her hugging her doll close, looking around. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki then turned to Carl that looked at her with deep breaths, surely trying to keep calm too. She nodded her head trying to let him know that everything was going to be alright, only to have him do the same and she had to admit that she felt slightly better. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She didn't know for how much time they had been laying on the ground. But it seemed an eternity. The sound of her own heart was covering the walkers' grunts and she found herself just praying that they would have gone soon. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"Then finally silence. Silence surrounded them, but all of them stood still trying to understand if the walkers were gone or not. Nicki looked at her right trying to look as best as she could, then she turned to Carl that gestured her to wait with his hand before turning to his father. Nicki followed his gaze, seeing Rick trying to check around him as best as he could. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The silence was suddenly broke, when a piercing scream made Nicki turn. She widened her eyes when she noticed a walker knelt down trying to grab Sophia, who kept screaming. Soon another walker was lured by the noise. All Nicki could do was looking at Sophia sliding out from under the car and starting to run towards the woods, soon followed by the two walkers. Rick immediately ran out trying to chase Sophia, but suddenly another walker appeared starting to follow Rick closely. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"emShit./em /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She thought before sliding out of the car following Rick movements until she arrived at the side of the road. Rick was running trying to get away from the walker as he followed Sophia. Nicki took a breath, raised her bow, nocked the arrow and took position. She didn't know how long it took to her, but after endless moments she released the arrow that hit the walker behind Rick right in the head, making it go limp and fall on the ground. Rick didn't even turn as he disappeared in the woods. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You hit it" said Carl that had stopped next to her. Nicki could just nod, not very sure on how she managed to hit a moving target with all that panic. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Lori" she heard Carol cry as she ran in their direction "Those two walkers are after my baby" if Lori hadn't managed to stop her, Nicki was sure Carol would have entered the wood. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Silence fell among them once more disturbed just by deep breaths and Carol's sobs. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Nicki turned to Carl, whose eyes were fixed on the woods. Nicki bit her lip. /p
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div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Your dad is going to bring her back" Nicki said nodding her head as Carl turned to look at her "He will". /p
/div