Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or any of its characters.
Well this is and enitire week late, was not my intention. I apologise.
By the time we make it onto the road that leads to the quarry we've lost all daylight. I could have gotten here so much quicker but I figured it'd be rude if I left them behind. We're all knackered and all I want to do it is collapse onto my bed and possibly sleep the entirety of tomorrow away.
The sound of piercing screams breaks through the silence. My steps falter slightly as my mind comes to terms with what the screams mean. When my mind finally catches up I take off running, leaving the rest of them behind.
I pull out my bat and gun, not knowing which one I'll actually need. I emerge through the treeline and the sight before me causes my heart to sink.
Its chaos, there are dead people and Walkers everywhere.
I swing my bat at a Walker who comes at me. Its head caves in but I'm moving away from it before it's even hit the floor. I shoot the next one in the head as its eating one of the campers.
There's a scream to my left. A women has just been tackled to the floor. I race towards her and come to a sliding stop, dropping my gun and pulling a tent peg out of the ground as I go. I whack it in the side with my bat before jumping on top of it and plunging the peg straight through its forehead.
I drop to my knees beside the woman, I don't know her name but I've seen her doing laundry a few times. There's nothing I can do, she's losing too much blood through the bite on her neck. I place her head against my knees. She doesn't attempt to talk and neither do I, I wouldn't know what to say. She knows its the end. I take her hand as her breathing becomes sparse. Her eyes slowly slide shut and then she's gone. I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I won't cry because I can't let every death get to me, otherwise it'll be the death of me.
I leave her where she died and scan the surroundings. The shooting and screaming has stopped. All that's left is the sound of crying.
There's a growl behind me, I spin ready to shoot but when I face it doesn't move; Until it suddenly falls to the side.
My heart stutters as I look at my saviour.
"Hey ya sweet cheeks". He's unsteady on his feet but he's here, he's alive.
"Merle!"
He smiles weakly at me, a pained smile; And then I remember what happened up on that roof. I lower my eyes to the arm he has cradled against his chest. He has a bloodied rag wrapped around the end of his right arm. He takes an unsteady step forward but his smiles falters and then he's dropping to his knees.
I drop my weapons and hurry to his side, I manage to catch him before he completely keels over. His eyes start to flutter as he struggles to keep them open.
"Daryl!" I shout his name but I can't see him anywhere. I place my palm against Merle's cheek. "Merle, come on. Look at me". He doesn't listen. "Daryl!" This time it's more of a scream. I don't know what to do, I can't move him alone, especially with him barely conscious.
I keep looking around but there's still no sign of Daryl. He must be by the RV. I never made it that far, it's not even in my line of sight.
Merle's eyes snap open and he locks onto something. I follow his line of sight to find a lone female walker crawling out of some poor souls tent. My hand flies to my hip where I pull out my knife. Merle tries to take his own weight but he's clearly struggling. I don't want to leave him but I have to deal with her.
I stand over Merle, afraid to move to far away, and let her come to me. She takes her time.
An arrow is suddenly embedded into her skull and she collapses to the floor. Daryl's here.
Unlike me, he doesn't hesitate at the sight of his brother. He comes straight to his aid. He roughly shoves his crossbow into my hands and then takes Merle's good arm and wraps it around his shoulders.
"We gotta get him to the RV". He hauls Merle to his feet and then looks back at me. "I need ya to grab Merle's bag and the first aid kit". I hand him back his bow, "Be careful".
After I scoop up my own weapons I race to our tent. It takes me a couple of tries to get the tent unzipped because my hands are shaking way too much.
As soon as I've grabbed the two bags I'm running, as fast as I can, towards the RV. I get there just as everyone realises who Daryl's half carrying, half dragging, towards them.
The Sheriff and Dale react just like Daryl, without hesitation. Dale ushers them both into the RV followed closely by the officer. I just stand here, I'm not sure what I need to do.
Is there anything I can do?
I slowly move towards the door but the heart-breaking sound of a women crying out makes me pause. I look down to my left and the sight causes bile to rise up into my throat; And this time I can't stop it. I unload the contents of my stomach onto the floor, not much coming up as I haven't eaten all day.
She's dead. Why her?
She was my friend, a friend I managed to find at the end of the world. She was so kind, innocent and cared about everyone no matter who you were. Amy is one of only four people I have left in my life that I care about, had left in my life.
I use the side of the RV to keep my balance as my legs start to feel weak.
A hand grips onto shoulder breaking me out of my staring of the poor girl on the ground. I turn to look up at Daryl, he's looking over me at Amy and then suddenly he's pulling me into his chest by a hand on the back of my head. As soon as my cheek touches his chest my resolve crumbles. Today has been too much. I grip the back of his top as tears slide down my cheeks.
"Come with me". He whispers into the top of my head. He doesn't let me out of the hug as he somehow walks me up the RV steps.
He forces me down into a seat and then crouches before me. "I'm sorry". He runs a hand over his face. "I know she was your friend".
I nod, tears still dripping off my cheeks. She was and I know he didn't care for her in the slightest but he's trying, for me.
I aggressively wipe my hands across my face to wipe away the tears and take a snuffly deep breath in. I look down towards the back of the RV where I can see Merle's feet on the end of the bed.
"How is he?"
His hand rests across the top of my bare leg, legs that I have just now realised are covered in blood.
"If we can keep it clean and infection free, he'll be okay". He glances down the camper and then straight back at me. "Ya want to see him?"
I nod because if I talk and my voice falters then I'm not sure I won't cry again. He grips my hand and leads me towards the bed where the Sheriff and Dale are working on a nearly passed out Merle, however they do vacate the room pretty clearly when Daryl glares at them.
I stare down at Merle. Even with all the sunburn he's pale, paler than he should ever be. His body is covered in sweat but he's still shivering slightly. His arm is wrapped up in gauze, it's not a good job but they've probably only done it to catch the blood.
Daryl pulls some pills out of Merle's bag and then taps him on the cheek until Merle finally opens his eyes. "Give him the water".
I look around for the glass, when I find it Daryl helps Merle lift his head while I help him drink. He only takes enough to wash the pills down with.
I sit on the edge of his bed and look across at Daryl who is sat on the other bed.
"He cut off his hand". The statement has Daryl frowning at me. "What are we going to do now? Cause I mean we can't stay here, not after what's just happened but can we leave this group? Merle can't survive out there with just the two of us. Not until he's healed at least".
I guess Daryl wasn't expecting that little outburst because he hesitates.
"I don't know, I haven't got a fuckin' clue what we're supposed to do now". He's not angry he's just as confused as I am. "Guess we wait 'til mornin'. Ain't much we can do now".
He's right, again. It's dark and with what's just happened it's better if we all stay close until daylight. We also just need to focus on Merle, he's what's important right now.
...
I groan as I wake up, I am seriously uncomfortable. I slept on the floor leaning up against Merle's bed. I didn't mean to but the kids came in to go to bed and it got dark and quiet and I must have just dozed off.
"'Bout time ya woke up squirt". Merle's voices has me up on my feet in an instant. He's sat up, picking at the window edge with his knife.
"You're awake!" Wow, way to spot the obvious.
He looks down at himself and then looks back at me with a small smirk playing on his lips. "I am".
I step closer but I refrain from doing the one thing I want, hug him. "How you feeling?"
He shrugs, "Like my hands be sawed off". I wince, "Too soon sweet cheeks?"
"Maybe a little," I try and keep it light just like he's doing, "give it a couple more hours".
He smirks, "Now ya awake, we're gettin' out of 'ere".
I lose any humour, "You sure 'cause I think you're supposed to be resting."
"I've had enough fuckin' rest, I'm leavin' with or without ya".
"Merle, this is a serious injury, not something you can just ignore". He just stares at me and starts getting up. He's struggling. I sigh, "Fine" and help him up by his good hand.
When he's on his feet he pauses. I step closer allowing him to decide what he wants to do. He hooks an arm around my shoulders, he makes it seem like it's just a gesture but I know he needs the help, he's just too stubborn to ask.
We manage to squeeze our bodies, side by side, through the RV and to the door. He kicks open the door and this god awful smell washes in. The smell of burning skin. When our feet finally touch the ground I notice the bonfire they have going, they're burning the Walkers.
The Sheriff spots us almost immediately and walks over. "You really shouldn't be movin'. Ya've lost blood".
I feel Merle tense under my grip around is waist, oh no.
"Yeah no thanks to you ya fuckin' pricks." I grip his waist, my fingers digging into his skin. "Karma's a bitch". He then makes us walk away. I let out the breath I'd been holding. Not gonna lie, I am completely surprised at his lack of hard anger.
We make it to our little camp. Other than the door flapping in the slight breeze nothing seems to have been touched, I guess the Walkers never made it this far.
I help him collapse into his camping chair. "You've surprised me, thought you'd have a little more anger for the Sheriff".
He scoffs, "I wanna fuckin' kill the pig but Daryl told me what he did". He means that the Sheriff went back and looked for him. "And I ain't in no state to do anythin' righ' now". The most honest thing he's probably ever said and will ever say again.
"Okay, well you stay here. And don't move. I'm gonna go find out what where Daryl's gotten to".
He pulls out his handgun and lays it on his lap. "Alrigh'. You got yours". I tap my hip and wiggle my shoulder to indicate I have all three of my weapons. "Be careful". I'm hoping the group of Walkers from last was it, I need today to be a boring day.
"I'll be back soon". With that I walk away, I'm hoping he takes this time to get more rest.
I spot Daryl as he appears from the trees with Morales, they're carrying a body between them. I'm almost certain he's probably been doing this all night, instead of getting even an hour of rest.
As soon as he spots me he drops the body and, ignoring Morales complaints, comes striding right over.
"You should to rest". My command is weak.
"How's he doin'?" Well I guess he's gonna ignore me. Wouldn't expect anything less I suppose.
"I think he's okay, he went back to the tent". Daryl rolls his eyes at that piece of information. "But you should go and check on him soon 'cause he just keeps telling me he's fine". Maybe Merle will be more truthful to his brother.
"A walker got Jim, he's been bit". That's not Daryl's' voice, we both turn to the source of the commotion, I don't know her name.
Daryl gives me a stern look "Stay back" and then he's running off towards the growing commotion. Of course I don't listen, I follow after him at a much slower pace.
The man who I'm assuming is Jim has scooped up a shovel and is brandishing it at people, trying to keep them away. I don't completely blame him though, they are circling him like vultures and Daryl's now at the forefront. They're scaring him.
T-Dog suddenly rushes him from behind and wraps his arms around Jim's torso, giving him no option but to drop the shovel. Daryl yanks up the poor mans shirt and the small gasp I let out is accidental. There's the bite mark, clear as day on his stomach.
There's a flurry of commotion as Dale hustles Jim to the back of the RV, he forces the poor man to sit and then forces a bottle of water into Jim's hands.
I look around at the people, not one of them knows what to do, I mean neither do I. I've never been around someone who was bit and wasn't in the process of already dying. This poor man is going to go slow and what do you say to someone that that's happening to.
Sheriff man and Shane, along with a few others, slowly move closer together. I don't think they really know they've done it until Dale comes marching over.
"What do we do?"
I move closer, extremely curious on what they plan on doing. But it seems no one can answer Dale.
"We have to help him", yes Sheriff because that's possible.
"Look Sheriff..."
"Rick", the Sheriff interrupts me, does he think I don't know his name. His wife says it every two seconds.
I ignore him. "Look Sheriff Rosco," their faces react to the name which would have been funny under different circumstances. "I don't know what you think is going on around here but that man is dying and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."
"I say we put a pick axe in his head, and the dead girl and be done with it". Maybe not the right words Daryl, but he's not wrong. The fact that Andrea is allowing Amy to turn is just wrong and Jim, well maybe he'd prefer it to dying a slow death.
"So you two are happy to just kill an innocent man?" I roll my eyes at Shane because that isn't what I meant at all, although I can't say the same for Daryl though.
What I mean is surely Jim should be included in this conversation because it is his life. This isn't our choice and there really isn't anything any of us can do.
"I'd want you to do the same to me", I argue back. Maybe not with pick axe but I'd definitely like to be put out of my misery. I don't think I'd be able to spend my last day in agony. The quicker it ends the better.
"She's right". Dale agrees with me, at least he understands what I'm saying.
"Jim's not a monster or some rabid dog". I try and cut in but the Sheriff isn't done. He has completely misunderstood me, I guess Daryl's little input didn't help. "He's sick".
Sick with no chance of recovery. If he's going to refuse to listen to us, me, then I'm not listening to this anymore. I'm done. I just turn and move away without saying another word.
My eyes land on Jim as he sits on a box by the RV. He's already looking pretty pale and I'm sure that sweat has nothing to do with the heat. I couldn't say how long he probably has left.
I move my eyes away from him when he looks at me which causes me to look at the one place I've refused to focus on. Andrea and Amy. I force my feet to move in that direction. Andrea looks up at me as I stop beside her.
"I'm sorry".
What else do I say? 'I wish I'd been here' but what good would that have done. I wouldn't have been able to save her. 'I know how you feel', I do but she doesn't know that I had my parents ripped from me and then watched them die.
She doesn't reply instead she just looks back down at her sister. I keep my eyes trained on Andrea's head, I can't look down at the girl on the floor because I'm not a hundred percent sure I won't cry.
I look over my shoulder as Daryl's voice raises above its normal level.
"Ya'll go lookin for aspirin. Do whatever ya need to do. Somebody needs to have some balls and take care of this". He then, to my horror, spins around and starts moving towards Jim with his pick axe raised.
I don't think, I just move. I run forwards instantly blocking Daryl's advance. He goes to move around me but I grab the handle of the pick axe with one hand and his arm with the other. He doesn't instantly stop which causes me to move backwards a few steps.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I don't care that I'm practically shouting, which is a bad idea but I can't believe he's doing this.
He glares down at me but he doesn't lower the axe. "What the fuck do ya think I'm doin'?" He tugs on the axe but not too hard, more of a get off move. "Now fuckin' let go 'cause this needs to be taken care of". I'm a little taken back by the anger he's directing right at me but I can ignore it. He's just pissed at the whole situation, I know he's not angry at me.
Sheriff and Shane come up behind Daryl but I ignore their presence. Instead I keep my tight grip because I am not letting go and I am not giving in.
"How is this taking care of it? You want to kill him in front of all these people, in front of the kids". He just continues to stare down at me. His scowl is slowly starting to drop though.
"Danny I think it's best if you just step away". Of course Shane has to get involved.
"Shane will you shut up". His jaw clenches but surprisingly he listens.
Daryl's arm suddenly lowers so I let go of it and place my free hand on the handle of the axe; He steps back and with my firm grip on the pick axe he has no choice but to let it go. He stalks off but I don't follow, he's pissed and I should let him calm down.
I hand the axe to the Sheriff and start walking over to the only other person I can talk to.
I can tell when Glenn realises it's him I walking towards because he stands up straighter, and despite the situation he's puts on a small smile.
"You alright?" I run a hand through my hair and give him my best reassuring smile, although by the look on his face I'm sure it looks more like a grimace.
"I'll be okay. I'm sorry about Daryl, he's impulsive". I'm not a hundred percent sure why I feel the need to apologise, maybe it's because I'm slightly embarrassed and shocked at how close Daryl came to actually killing someone in cold blood. I carry on though before he can reply because if he says 'it's okay' then I know he's lying. "What's happening then, what did they decide?"
"Rick wants to head to the CDC and Shane wants to head towards Fort Benning". Of course neither of them can agree.
...
I'm not really sure how long Glenn and I have been sat here for, maybe an hour or so; We both fell into a comfortable silence and just sat back and watched as bodies were being wrapped up in white sheets and loaded into a van. The Sheriff and Shane have finished digging the graves and Andrea has finally put Amy down, Lori's there now helping her wrap the body up.
Daryl reappeared but we have yet to speak to one another. I haven't gone over to him because I'm slightly worried he's disappointed at my betrayal. I've not taken my eyes off him since he reappeared hoping he'd look at me, he doesn't.
Fingers snap in front of my face causing me to jerk back and look at Glenn. "They're ready to go up. You coming?" I nod and allow him to pull me to my feet.
We walk to the burial site in silence, side by side. We arrive at the end of another argument about rules. This group has some serious issues and if they don't fix them they are going to fall apart pretty quickly. Glenn pulls a pair of gloves out of his back pocket and moves to go and help, he's looking like he'd rather be doing anything but burying those bodies.
The process is long and by the end of it all my eyes are stinging with un-shed tears. I may not have know any of them, except Amy, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. All these people gone in the space of half an hour. At some point Daryl came and stood behind me, and even though we still haven't spoken to one another he still hooks an arm around my chest as we watch Andrea bury Amy.
...
I lie in the cab of Daryl's truck as he, Glenn, Shane and T-Dog refill the graves. I offered to help but they refused although I bet they're regretting that decision now because they all look ready to collapse.
The drivers door opens so I sit up to allow Daryl to climb in. He smells like sweat and mud, it's actually a little over powering but nowadays it's something you really have to get used to; I'm fairly certain I don't smell like a peach either. I really want to wash and shower but I do not want to get naked here now, not after last night.
Daryl clears his throat but keeps his attention on the road ahead. "Sorry, I was a prick".
"It's okay", He doesn't owe me an apology.
"It's not, I coulda hurt ya". Of course he's not apologising over his attempted murder, just over the fact that I got in the way. I'm not surprised though he probably doesn't regret that in the slightest.
"I have a question then. If you ever get bit, would you like to be put out of your misery?"
"Yes". He has no hesitation.
"Me to but maybe don't use a pick axe". I see the corner of his mouth turn up slightly. I'm forgiven.
He stops the truck back beside our tent, Merle's not in his chair but I can see his feet sticking out of the tent door. Looks like Daryl may have forced him to actually get some rest.
"You do that"? I point towards the tent door as I get out the truck.
"Yeah, he moaned the entire time, surprised he's still in there". Merle can be like a child sometimes.
I push open the tent door. "Heya squirt". Merle's grinning up at me. He's looking a lot better, a lot less pale. He's piled up our bags and made himself a back rest.
"How you feeling?"
He shrugs, "I feel like gettin' up. Come on girl, get me outside". He then holds out his good arm.
I glance over my shoulder at Daryl but he just stands there with his arms crossed over his chest. When he sees me looking at him he just one shoulder shrugs, he's not getting involved.
I stare at Merle's hand and then look back up at his face. "I don't think so, you have to rest". He definitely needs at least one more day of rest, if not more. He's only feeling okay because of the amount of drugs he's probably got in his system right now.
"I've rested and now I'm bored outta my fuckin' mind." He's whining. "You ain't seen me all day and ya'll about to leave my arse again".
I roll my eyes and let my hands slap down against my bare thighs. Way to make me feel guilty. "Fine". I grab his still outstretched hand and help him to his feet. I hear Daryl make a noise behind me but if he had a problem with me caving then he should have gotten involved.
The walk to the other camp is slow, Daryl and I not moving more than a foot away just in case. But he makes it and doesn't lose any of his colour on the walk.
We arrive at the fire the others have going where I then drop down into an empty chair that's beside Glenn. I smile at him before I watch as Merle lowers himself down on the other side of me. Everyone stares at him but he ignores them and just grins down at me.
"See I made it, dunno what all ya'll fuss was about doll face". I'm allowed to be worried about him, we're family.
Daryl is pacing around behind the two of us as we wait for The Sheriff, who has apparently decided he's in charge, to appear. I look around at the people that are left. Carl and Sophia are sat with their mums, curled into their sides practically asleep. In fact everyone looks like they're just about ready to pass out, I think I may have been the only person to actually get some sleep. It wasn't long but it was obviously more than these people.
Sheriff and Officer douche appear pretty quickly, Daryl's hand lands on my shoulder as the two of them move into the centre of the circle.
"I've been thinkin' 'bout Ricks plan. There are no guarantees either way, I'll be the first to admit that. I've known this man a long time and I trust his instincts. I think the most important thing is that we need to stay together. For those of you that agree, we leave first thing in the mornin'". Shane then leaves, walking over to RV where I'm sure he'll be posted all night. The Sheriff, his wife and Carl are next to leave after saying their goodnight's, and then one by one everyone else seems to follow.
So, they're all heading for the CDC but the question is, are we?
Daryl drops down into Glenn's vacated seat and leans forwards so his elbows are resting against his knees.
"I know what I'd like us to do but it ain't necessarily what we should do. It's up to you Danny, we'll go wherever you wanna go".
Oh okay, I don't know. Out of all the decision they probably make without me why does this one fall on me. This is one I'd wish they'd just decide on their own because I have no idea what they want to do.
We don't need these people, we're probably better on our own but with Merle now not being at full strength we might need them. Especially after what we witnessed here last night. We couldn't have defeated all those walkers on our own. There's also a very slim possibility that the CDC might still be operational.
"I think we should go with them, see what happens". We could always leave once Merle's better.
Daryl nods and gets to his feet. "We should get some rest, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow".
The next chapter is the CDC but I really don't want to write those scenes so I might skip over some of the group discussions because we all know what happens in them anyway, we've all seen the show. I'm only doing it because I really just want to get onto season 2 because I have some really good ideas, the second series is going to have some really big changes so just bear with me for another chapter then I promise the fun will begin. ;)