Chapter 10 – Wildfire
My eyes snap open and I instantly realize my glasses were no longer on my face. It takes a moment to register that I'm in my tent, on my cot, that it's already morning, judging by the light available to me, and that I'm alone. I check myself over while slowly sitting up, my whole-body aching and my vision only clear for my arm's length before it starts to blur.
"Alrighty then." I mutter when I notice that I no longer had my satchel bag, that my shirt had been changed, and that I had some new bruises.
Small purple bruises on my shoulders clearly from the walker's fingers, a nice one on my arm that was an ugly shade of deep blue and purple where Felipe had grabbed me, and a light blue one where Daryl had grabbed me almost right on top of the yellowed one from where Shane grabbed me too hard when he saw Rick. I was sure to have one on my back too from where Daryl held me close to him but I couldn't see it myself.
I run a hand through my now loose hair while doing a quick look around my cot for my scrunchie. But the bright yellow thing was nowhere to be found. Guess I lost it last night or Shane or whoever changed me took it and put it somewhere last night. Whatever, I can look for it later or just label it lost and use one of my other ones from now on when I get a grasp on what's the status. Getting what the status was now was number one. What I looked like didn't matter.
With that I look around for my glasses then as I kind of needed them. Soon I spot them sitting, folded up, next to my gun, both on top of my satchel bag which was leaning against a leg of the cot.
Slowly I lean over and pick up my glasses. I immediately notice then that they'd been cleaned off, no longer having the blood splatter on the lenses, so I simply put them on. I then pick up my gun, check it, and find it had been reloaded, most likely by Shane.
I hum in approval as I stand, put it in the hem of my pants, and hide it under my shirt before bending, grabbing my satchel bag, straighten, put it on, and walk out of the tent, shielding my eyes from the sun with a hand for a moment.
I look around then and notice that Daryl is currently pick-axing those who died head's, Andrea is still on the ground with Amy, Lori is walking away from them to Shane, Carol, and Dale at the cooking station that were just watching Andrea, Rick is walking back from the hill from probably trying to hail Morgan on the radio, Miranda is off in the "school area" with Carl, Sophia, Louis, and Eliza, and Glenn, T-Dog, Jim, Morales, and Jacqui are moving bodies either into a fire or in a row of others.
I release a relieved sigh, as Rick joins the group at the cooking station and they discuss Andrea for a moment.
Everyone who didn't die in the original in the attack didn't.
Rick then starts to head over to Andrea so I go over to Shane, Carol, Dale, and Lori.
"Ah Cat." Shane says when he notices me before setting his shotgun on the ground, getting up, putting his gun away while coming over and pulling me into a careful hug with a "Scared the hell out me."
"I'm still here, aren't I?" I snap at him as I try pushing him off even if it was futile.
"And there she is." Shane says, amusement clear in his voice as he releases the hug but keeps an arm around me, a hand gently holding my arm, careful of the bruises; allowing me to turn to see what's happening again but not go anywhere.
Rick was now slowly backing away from Andrea who was pointing her gun at him, which causes Shane to slightly tighten the hold on me when he notices it too.
Though he relaxes it the second Andrea deems Rick far enough away, lowers her gun, and turns back to Amy.
Rick turns towards us then and his eyes immediately fall on me causing a relieved face before getting a teasing one as he takes the last few steps to rejoin the little group all while teasing "Nice to see, the Cat came back." with the song's timing and all before returning to being serious as he motions to Andrea informing "We'll have to let her be for now."
Right on cue Daryl comes over then practically growling "Y'all can't be serious. Let that girl hamstring us? That dead girl's a time bomb."
I look past Rick at Andrea then and feel guilt bubbling at the scene of her just sitting there staring at her dead sister.
I let that girl die. I let everyone here who died die. I knew it was coming and did nothing about it. I just let everything happen. I just exist when I shouldn't even exist in the first place.
"What do you suggest?" Rick questions so I look back at him.
"Take the shot." Daryl tells Rick stepping up to him and motioning to his head as he adds "Clean, in the brain from here. Hell, I can hit a turkey between the eyes from this distance."
"No. For God's sakes, let her be." Lori denies then as she sits back down.
Rick looks to Shane so I do too, only to find him looking at me now.
I look back at Rick, but he's looking at me now too, both of their faces clearly asking for my thoughts.
Amy didn't reanimate in the original until later and Andrea took care of her herself without incident. If this Andrea wanted to let her reanimated sister kill her, we should just let her. Who are we to say what she can do with her life? Why are you looking for my thoughts on this anyway? You don't need me. I don't exist here in the first place. But I couldn't say any of that.
"Just…just leave her be." I say slowly sending my attention to my feet as my hands tightened into fists causing Shane to gently squeeze me into him and rub my arm with his thumb.
After a moment of silence, Shane must have looked toward Daryl and shook his head no and like the original that causes Daryl to scoff and walk away.
"Wake up, Jimbo. We've got some work to do." Daryl says then causing me to slide my attention there and focusing on Jim as he turned while watching Daryl walk past him to start helping Morales.
If I wasn't looking for it, I wouldn't have found the small indication that Jim was bitten on his side, just like the original. No wonder no one noticed yet. Plot ain't got nothing on it.
"What are you guys doing?" Glenn's slightly panicked voice sounds then causing everyone to stop and me to break the attention on Jim and turn it over to him and that scene: Daryl and Morales dragging the body of a dead camper toward the fire pile.
"This is for geeks. Our people go over there." Glenn tells Daryl and Morales then, pointing to the other group of bodies than the one they were taking their current one to.
"What's the difference? They're all infected." Daryl scoffs at him while he and Morales let go of the body and turn to look at Glenn.
"Our people go in that row over there. We don't burn them!" Glenn exclaims before emotionally continuing "We bury them. Understand?"
Daryl and Morales just look at Glenn wordlessly as Shane's gentle hold tightens a little as he tenses. Probably anticipating Daryl going off on Glenn.
"Our people go in that row over there." Glenn tells them then while pointing to the other row of bodies.
Morales and Daryl just accept his words and drag it over there allowing Shane to relax.
"You reap what you sow." Daryl says as soon as he lets go of the body, just like the original.
"You know what? Shut up, man." Morales tells him while letting go of the body himself.
"Y'all left my brother for dead." Daryl snaps before starting to walk away from them, pausing to point at Andrea and adds "You had this coming."
I flinch at that as Daryl simply walks over to the pick-axe on the ground and picks it up again.
"It's not your fault, Cat." Shane says then; again, squeezing me into him a little and rubbing my arm with his thumb.
I stay silent as I look at him, feeling the guilt coming over my face.
How could it not be my fault? I knew it would happen…I knew everything would happen yet did nothing.
"It's not your fault, Cat." Shane repeats, his face serious, and emphasizing it wasn't my fault as his eyes flick towards Rick.
Like the original, he blamed Rick. But if he knew-
"A walker got him! A walker bit Jim!" Jacqui yells then cutting my thoughts off and causing us to snap our attention to them.
Shane releases me, motions for me to stay, and slowly approaches Jim with Daryl, Rick, T-Dog, and Morales as Jacqui quickly backs away.
"I'm okay. I'm okay." Jim tries.
"Show it to us." Daryl orders pointing at Jim before stepping forward demanding again "Show it to us."
Jim starts to panic, turns, grabs a shovel from the ground, and faces them defensive.
"Easy, Jim." Shane tells him while T-Dog slowly moves behind Jim.
"Grab him." Daryl orders when Jim shows no signs of backing down.
"Jim, put it down. Put it down." Shane orders but Jim still shows no signs of backing down.
T-Dog then rushes forward and grabs Jim from behind.
"I'm okay. I'm okay." Jim repeats, dropping the shovel and not struggling against him.
Daryl rushes forward and pulls up Jim's shirt revealing the bite as Jim keeps saying he's okay. Like if he kept saying it, it would be true.
Daryl drops the shirt and backs away while T-Dog lets go of Jim and backs away as well.
"I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay." Jim repeats looking around at everyone, an I'm okay, for everyone he looked at.
"I'm-" Jim starts when he looks at me but the next word drop off when his eyes meet mine and I shake my head once.
Jim swallows hard and starts breathing heavy as he looks around at everyone again before slowly walking the short distance to sit at the R.V.
With that the others start to huddle up and Shane looks at and motions for me to join them.
I release a sigh but obey.
Like the original the huddle was only a short distance away from Jim. He definitely heard and will be able to hear them talk about his fate.
"I say we put a pick-axe in his head and the dead girl's and be done with it." Daryl pipes up with as soon as we're all gathered.
"Is that what you'd want if it were you?" Shane asks quickly.
"Yeah, and I'd thank you while you did it." Daryl answers immediately with a nod.
"I hate to say it…I never thought I would…but maybe Daryl's right." Dale says then looking around at everyone.
"Jim's not a monster, Dale, or some rabid dog." Rick practically snaps.
"I'm not suggesting-" Dale starts but Rick cuts him off with "He's sick. A sick man. We start down that road, where do we draw the line?"
"The line's pretty clear. Zero tolerance for walkers, or them to be." Daryl almost growls at him.
"What if we get him help? I heard the CDC was working on a cure." Rick tries while sending a questioning look at me.
I'm not truly someone of this world so I always thought it'd be best to follow the original storyline as much as possible. However, if I share the information about the risk of the CDC will it cause us not to go and prevent the events that happen to Carl and Shane in the second season?
"We heard that too. Heard a lot of things before the world went to hell." Shane jumps in then but Rick doesn't take his attention from me and asks "Cat?"
I look at the ground thinking for a moment.
Who knows what my intervention of sharing information about the risk of the CDC will do? But I couldn't just ignore Rick; he was determined to get my input. And if there's a chance that it'll prevent Carl getting shot and Shane's downward spiral shouldn't I do it?
I sigh with that thought before looking back at Rick as I shift back and forth on my feet and tell him slowly "The CDC is home to some of the most dangerous diseases known to man. In the result of power failure HIT's are deployed to prevent them from getting out. They basically set the air on fire and blow up the building. Once the generators runs or ran out of fuel or people to fill it, boom. Bye, bye building and anything inside within seconds."
"What if the CDC is still up and running?" Rick still questions causing Shane to instantly say "Man, that is a stretch right there."
Huh, looks like, despite my information about the risk of the CDC things were still seeming to proceed as the original.
"Why? If there's any government left, any structure at all, they'd protect the CDC at all costs, wouldn't they? I think it's our best shot. Shelter, protection-" Rick argues turning his attention to him only for Shane to cut him off "Okay, Rick, you want those things, all right? I do too, okay? Now if they exist, they're at the army base. Fort Benning."
"That's 100 miles in the opposite direction." Lori pipes up with as I shift on my feet again and slide my eyes towards Daryl since he would soon go to attack Jim.
My eyes slightly widen in surprise seeing Daryl had been looking at me and quickly looked away towards Shane when my eyes met his.
Just what is causing this attention towards me from him?!
"That is right. But it's away from the hot zone. Now listen to me. If that place is operational, it'll be heavily armed. We'd be safe there." Shane says then, his leader voice turning on.
"The military were on the front lines of this thing. They got overrun. We've all seen that. The CDC is our best choice and Jim's only chance." Rick argues as Daryl then looks to him before back at Jim.
"You go looking for aspirin, do what you need to do." Daryl scoffs looking back at Rick before quickly turning towards Jim announcing "Someone needs to have some balls to take care of this damn problem!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Shane says quickly, him and Rick quickly following after Daryl as he heads towards Jim with his pick-axe raising to take a swing.
Before Daryl could bring it down Rick quickly points his gun at Daryl's head causing him to freeze.
"We don't kill the living." Rick tells him while Shane moves around to block Daryl's path to Jim.
Daryl slowly lowers his pick-axe and turns to Rick before telling him "That's funny coming from a man who just put a gun to my head."
"We may disagree on some things, not on this." Shane says then causing Daryl to look at him.
"I owe you." Shane tells him then with a quick look at me before looking at Rick with a "We both do." then back at Daryl ordering "But not like this. You need to put it down. Go on."
Daryl sends a look my way then back at Rick, who slightly nodded, then Shane, who did the same, before slamming the pick-axe down on the ground. With that Rick lowers his gun and Daryl immediately storms off towards his area to cool off.
Rick then moves around Shane to Jim telling him "Come with me."
That's when a gentle hand is placed on my shoulder.
I look toward the owner, a relieved Glenn, as Jim questions Rick "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere safe." Rick answers Jim, probably leading him into the R.V., before Glenn gets a stupid grin on his face and pulls me into a hug as he happily says "I'm so glad you're okay."
"You too." I mutter quietly, looking away while shoving him off.
"Aw, my little tsuns tsun's really okay." Glenn coos then.
"Fuck off." I snap at him pointing to a body that still needed to be taken care of.
"Alright, alright. I'll get back to work." He chuckles then, a satisfied look now on his face, before turning and brushing past Shane, who was returning to the group, as he went back off to move bodies.
Damned cinnamon roll.
"Cat, I need to talk to you." Shane says then.
I don't respond verbally as I slide my eyes to him.
Shane hands the pick-axe over to T-Dog then motions for me to follow him.
I nod and follow him over to the remains of the sports car.
"Is there a chance Rick's right?" Shane asks as soon as he comes to a stop and turns around to look at me.
I stay silent as I look away from him towards the direction of the city.
We stand like that in silence for a moment before he sighs out "We'd have seen it if it blew up."
"Probably." I whisper shifting on my feet again.
What was I doing? Didn't I want us not to go?
"I want to back him. I do. It's just…" He says trailing off, his voice slightly strained.
"You don't as well." I say shifting on my feet yet again earning a slow "Yeah."
"And you don't know if it's because your gut is telling you no or…" I say trailing off, not putting that in the air.
"Yeah." He sighs.
"I can't help you with that. I told you before I'm not a psychologist." I tell him looking at him.
He sighs before looking at me and saying "Just answer two things."
"Okay." I sigh out.
"Which is the safer option?" He asks then.
"None." I answer, hesitating before I added "The CDC blowing is a guarantee. If we're inside when it runs out of power we'd be trapped inside. Fort Benning is an unknown. Anything or anyone could be there. Here is close to the city. When more of the dead start moving, here is the first stop."
He just nods after every statement, agreeing with everything I was saying, before he slowly asks "If we go our separate ways, who will you go with?" while averting his eyes and tensing like he was afraid of the answer.
"You." I answer immediately.
I would go with him. That wasn't even a question. I'd follow his dumb ass wherever he decided to go.
He releases a heavy sigh while relaxing, before sliding his eyes back at me, his whole face morphing into relief, gratitude, and love as he whispers "Thank you."
"I'll follow your dumb ass wherever you decide to go." I mutter then looking away from him.
"I love you." He says, both gratitude and amusement in his tone, as he places a hand on my shoulder before gently pulling me into a careful hug.
"Shut up." I mutter but don't attempt to push him off, instead I slowly reach up and hug him back.
"I know." He hums out as he tightens his hold a little, not enough to hurt and still careful, but enough to show his feelings and his understanding of mine.
We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, until he pulls away, but yet again keeps an arm around me, when we start hearing the distinct sound of the pick-axe going through a head.
I turn to see that it was in fact Daryl, who'd now gone back to pick-axe the dead's heads, and that Rick and Carol was nearby. Her eyes were glued to the barely recognizable body of Ed and Rick had been clearly giving us some time as when my eyes met his he gave a gentle smile and came over to us.
I look towards Ed again then and notice that what was left of his face showed clear signs of getting pummeled, like the original.
"Shane…Did you beat Ed?" I ask quietly then.
Shane hesitates but answers with a slow "Yeah." Before slowly explaining "He got into it with the other women and Carol. And I…I kind of lost it."
I just nod and don't respond to him verbally, instead just watched as Daryl bring the pick-axe down on another head.
If it wasn't into a dead person's head, and he was copping wood I would've probably muttered something along the lines of refreshing points. Why did I have to be reborn into the world of the Walking Dead and not a plain jane romance anime like Ouran High School Host Club?
"Carol begged me to give him one last chance. Not that it did him any good." Shane whispers then.
I just nod again as Rick mutters a "Yeah." watching as Carol stops Daryl when he gets to Ed.
"I'll do it. He's my husband." She tells him so he slowly hands her the pick-axe and steps away.
With a final look at his mutilated corpse, she gathers the courage and slowly swings the pick-axe up before bring it down on Ed's skull.
You could almost feel how…freeing…it was for her as she does it again.
To finally be free of your abuser forever. To let all your pent-up feelings loose on them.
"I…I don't know…what I would've done…if I…lost you…last night." Shane whispers then, struggling to get the words out, the arm around me pulling me closer, as Carol does it again.
"Same here." Rick whispers, placing a hand on my shoulder and giving a small squeeze, as Carol does it again.
"I know." I whisper, just watching as she yet again brings the pick-axe down on the head.
What would happen to either of them if I died? Shane was my brother while Rick was in all manner of the word, but blood, my brother too. What would they do? Would either be able to re-kill me if I turned? Would either be able to make sure I wouldn't? Would Shane spiral faster? Would Rick go into the spiral he did when Lori died in the original? Would Shane just jump to the get rid of Rick plot? Would Rick just let him? But there's no way I'm realistically going to survive much longer.
"But you two have to be prepared for it." I whisper then as Carol sends one final blow to the remains before wordlessly holding the pick-axe out to Daryl, instantly causing both of them to tense and tighten then hold on me slightly, both knowing exactly what I was saying without saying.
But they stay silent, refusing to actually acknowledge it, as Daryl wordlessly takes the pick-axe from Carol.
So, I do the same while Carol leaves and Daryl just goes back to pick-axing the remaining few heads.
They knew I was right and nothing they could say would change it. That if they tried to argue I would shut it down with what just happened. It was sheer luck I was even still alive right now. That Daryl somehow managed to get to me before I was bitten like Jim or killed outright like Amy.
With the thought of Amy, I look over toward her body and Andrea, that guilt instantly coming back.
It was only a moment later that Amy's body began to stir and I froze up.
I just had to look when it was time for that didn't I.
In the next moment Shane had me forced into his chest, blocking the view as the moans start.
With the next moment the shot rings through the air causing me to flinch.
Even knowing what's to happen doesn't help living through it. Why the hell was I even here? Why did I get reborn here? Maybe I should have just gone through with my original plan. Maybe I still should…Maybe I should just forget about what my death…my suicide…would do. Maybe I should just go off and put a bullet through my brain.
"…alright." Shane's serious voice sounds right in my ear then, pulling me from those thoughts but it still takes me a minute to register that the hold he now had around and on me was tight and painful, and that he's still talking…repeating…"You're okay. It's not your fault. It's alright. You're okay. It's not your fault. It's alright. You're okay. It's not your fault. It's alright."
I'll definitely have more bruises.
"Shane." I say then and he instantly stops and lessens the hold, greatly, but not completely.
"I'm okay now. Let go." I order him, in the strongest tone I could manage.
I was okay…at least for now. I'll probably spiral again…and within the next few days…but I was okay for now.
He hesitates but obeys and steps away from me, finally allowing me to see something other than his chest.
"Go on. You have work to do." I order him before quickly turning to Rick adding "You too. Get to work." While motioning around camp.
Rick's face gets only a small smile as he says a simple "Yes ma'am." Before looking behind me towards Shane, his face changing to one that clearly said they should leave me alone now.
Shane sighs heavily behind me before muttering a simple "Alright. Just stay away from Jim and stay where you can be seen." And then following Rick as he then turns and walks off, leaving me alone.
I release a heavy sigh and rub the back of my neck.
That last statement was defiantly a signal about me sneaking off on my own but that he wouldn't address it right now. I'll get away with not being glued to his side or ordered to stay somewhere for the time being. But it was coming and I would have to listen to it. Damn. That's when I realize that A, I should check in on Carl and let him know I'm alright, B, I should probably properly thank Daryl for saving me, and C, I still had Merle's knife connected to my bag and should probably give it to Daryl.
With those thoughts I head over to Carl, and subsequently the other kids and Miranda.
Miranda's the first to notice me and gives a warm smile while greeting "Stephanie, glad to see you're alright."
"You too." I tell her with a nod as Carl bolts up and practically tackles me with a hug.
I hug him back and Carl instantly starts to complain "They wouldn't let me stay with you." voice muffled as his face was pressed into me.
"Well, you still need to go to school." I tell him, with a small laugh and small smile while looking down at him.
"Boo Aunty Cat." Carl huffs looking up at me with a pout.
"Yeah. Boo me." I chuckle ruffling his hair before grinning and adding "But you know…" trailing off.
Carl huffs again before looking away muttering "I still need to go to school and it's not up to you." But still doesn't release me.
"That's right." I chuckle before telling him "I need to do some things but I'll come right back after I'm done."
"Okay." Carl says slowly looking back at me, clear disappointment on his face, but releases me and slowly rejoins the others.
I look back at Miranda then before glancing back at Carl, then back at her, the silent question of 'how is he?' on my face.
Miranda just gives a gentle smile and slightly motions around and everything, silently signaling 'as good as he could be after everything.'
I give her a nod before looking around for where Daryl was now.
I soon spot him now loading the fallen campers' bodies in the back of his truck.
I didn't really want to approach Daryl but I really should return the knife and thank him for saving my life.
With that thought I head over to him while unhooking the knife and sheath from my bag's strap.
When I get near, Daryl glances up for a second but quickly focuses back on what he was doing while demanding "What do ya want?"
Even though he wasn't looking at me I hold the items out to him with a simple "To give you this."
He pauses and looks back at me, quickly focusing on them, before dropping the body he'd been dragging with a "I'd noticed that you had it but didn't realize it was Merle's. Where did ya get it?" his tone and face surprised, curious, and angry. But otherwise, doesn't do anything else or make a move to take them from me.
"When I was sneaking off from the group, I asked him to give my note to Glenn, and he gave it to me. Telling me not to get myself killed 'cuz he liked me." I tell him then.
He mutters something under his breath then before sighing, looking at me again, and saying a simple "Keep 'em."
"Huh?" I breathe out confused before it dawns on me what he said and question "What? Why?"
"He gave 'em to ya." He answers with a shrug before averting his eyes adding "Besides I don't need it. I got my own."
"Alright." I say looking down to connect the sheath back on my satchel bag strap, muttering a quiet "Guess I can just return it to 'em when we see 'em again. That is if I'm still alive then." As I do so, before looking back up at him with a "I also wanted to thank you properly. You know…for saving me. I owe you one."
"Don't need it." He grumbles then looking back at me before adding "Even if it was just to pay Merle back, ya went back for him so I just did it when I saw ya were in trouble." Then looking away again finishing "Besides yer brother and Rick owe me one now."
"Alright." I repeat, with a simple nod even though he wasn't looking at me, before turning and starting to head back to Carl, though not without glancing at the bodies he still had to load up and those he'd already done.
Would it have been better if I had been killed last night? If I was one of the bodies getting loaded up to get taken to the makeshift graveyard that Rick and Shane were surely working on now, that Jim dug earlier because of a dream? Maybe. But only time will fucking tell right? That earlier thought process was just one of those…what is it? Call of the void moments? Yeah, I think that's what it's called. Or a throwback to when I figured out where, the hell, I'd been reborn.
You always think about Plan A, right? The Plan A that was out the fucking window. Going and offing myself without cause wasn't an option. Plan B was still in effect. Try and survive but if I ended up bitten or about to be killed by another person, a living person, go out my own way. I really didn't like the idea of being bitten or killed by someone so I wouldn't just let it happen. Screw that noise. But you know…what would get me was probably what did me in the first time. My own body. No truck-kun here. World where the dead walk the earth and your own body takes you out. Go figure.
****Time Skip****
When Daryl's truck starts up, for him to start backing up the path to our makeshift graveyard Carl stands and offers his hand with a "Let's go Aunty Cat."
"Oh, thank you Mr. Grimes." I tell him dramatically while taking it.
He giggles as he pulls me up.
He doesn't let go so we walk together, hand in hand, up the path to the little funeral with the rest of our sad little survivors behind the truck. Lori, who was right up front, hadn't even sent a look over to check on Carl or see if he was coming. No wonder he was able to sneak off in the original, steal Daryl's gun, come across that walker, show up to interrupt Randall's death, and save Rick from turned Shane.
We arrive at the little funeral just as Daryl is saying the end half of his line "Burn 'em all, wasn't that the idea?"
"At first." Shane tells him, crossing his arms and resting them on the handle of a shovel.
"The Chinaman gets all emotional, says it's not the thing to do, we just follow him along?" Daryl questions Rick, quick motion of raised hands and dropping them and all, before looking over at our little group then back at Rick with the "These people need to know who the hell's in charge her, what the rules are."
"There are no rules." Rick tells him.
"Well, that's a problem." Lori pipes up with, her voice a little weird from what I can remember it was in the original, causing the three to look at her as Carl leads us over to Shane.
"We haven't had one minute to hold onto anything of our old selves." Lori continues as Shane notices our approach and gives a small smile.
"We need time to mourn and we need to bury our dead." Lori adds as we get close enough and Shane reaches out, places a hand on Carl's shoulder, and gives it a small squeeze.
"It's what people do." Lori finishes as Shane does the same to me before he gives me a slight motion of his head towards the truck.
I give him a nod while no one voices any argument.
He returns the nod while dropping his hand and then going and start working with Rick, Daryl, Glenn, T-Dog, and Morales to start to move the bodies, minus Amy's that Andrea had bee-lined too, Dale close behind her, into the graves. All of them and everyone else, silent now.
That's when Lori comes over and wordlessly holds a hand out to Carl.
Carl gives my hand a squeeze before releasing it and taking hers.
She sends me a look that screamed that she thought I should've died before steering him away, stopping between where Carol and Sophia, and Miranda, Louis, and Eliza were.
I just release a small sigh and look away from her, used to this behavior from her.
When it came to Amy's body being the last one Andrea shoos the guys away, and like the original all but Dale listens to her.
Shane returns to my side and wastes no time in wrapping an arm around me and pulling me into him as we watch Andrea struggle to take Amy's body to the grave, Dale following her but respecting not to help just yet.
I accept the comfort and lean into him as Andrea starts telling Dale the repeated "I can do it." When she gets to the grave.
Every move she made getting Amy's body into the grave was accompanied by an "I can do it."
When she practically falls into the grave with Amy's body, Dale now ignores her now exclaimed statement and helps with the feet.
That's when the sounds of some of the other's starting to cry starts while Andrea also starts just crying and working on getting out from under the head and grave with Dale offering her a hand.
Andrea takes it and he pulls her out and she gives a silent thanks before looking down at Amy's body.
No one says anything and the only sound is that of those of us crying for a few moments, just giving a silent funeral to our fallen.
I can't help but sign a quick sorry at the graves as we start heading back to camp, earning a thumb rub on my arm from Shane as he leads me back.
I hadn't unconsciously used any of the few signs that I knew since this whole dead waking up thing of the Walking Dead started but sorry was one of them that would pop up enough before over the years that Shane knew what it meant.
He probably also knew what it also meant like I did. Boy did I freaking know what it meant…Not just sorry but that I'd actually started to accept the task of trying to survive instead of just saying I was. I was usually really careful about doing or saying anything from my past life that either didn't exist here or wasn't learned here explicitly. But at times when I actually accept this life or this life mirrors the old, I slip up.
Luckily though when I do slip with things it's easily explained away as hearing or seeing it somewhere. Being labeled a genius does have its advantages for a reincarnated person. And slipping with behaviors was also easily explained away as having a cat like personality. Or as Glenn said after learning the word…being a tsundere.
I never should have taught him that word but when we were talking about comics and things somehow Fruits Basket got brought up. And one thing led to another and he now had a new term for me. That blasted cinnamon roll.
Speaking of that blasted cinnamon roll, I look around and spot him sitting on the log near his tent just staring at one of the darker spots on the ground, a spot of dried blood.
That's when Shane sighs, stops leading me over to my tent, and his arm around me drops.
I look up at him and he just motions over to Glenn with his head and a "Go on and check on him. I'm going to talk with Lori about Rick before getting him and Dale for our sweep."
I can't help but release a warning "Shane."
"I don't expect anything." He tells me, voice and face unwavering.
He didn't expect anything from her? Really? He'd let her go? Let Carl go? Was he telling the truth? He had to be.
Shane gives a small smile then before reaching up and pressing a finger between my eyebrows with a "Your thoughts are written right here."
I smack it away with an annoyed sound causing him to chuckle before giving a serious look and telling me "I just want to talk to her about Rick and about telling him about what happened. I want to…no…I need to tell him about it."
I release a heavy sigh then before telling him "Just be careful about it. She got all pissy when you told me about it. And Rick's sure to wanna punch you in the face."
"Yeah, I will. But even if he does, I won't blame him." He sighs out.
"Can you call me over before he does so I can watch?" I joke then with a small grin.
"Sure." He laughs, checky brother face and all now.
I roll my eyes at him now and motion over to the R.V.
His face falls a little glancing over to it but it's back, though with a mischievous glint, as he looks back at me and quickly reaches out to ruffle my hair a second.
He's already turning and fast walking off as I swing on him so I only get air.
I frown at his back before turning and heading towards Glenn while I sigh and fix my hair a bit. After I check on Glenn, I'll need to tie it back so Shane won't be tempted to do it again. He always was more prone to do it when it was loose than when it was pulled back.
Glenn was still fixed on the spot when I get to him so I simply sit down next to him.
After a minute of silence, I break it with a slow "Ya good?"
When he doesn't respond I glance at him, only to find him looking at me with a look that screamed 'Am I dreaming right now?'
I shift my face to a 'shut up' one so he now gives a small smile and says "I'm okay. Just…just thinking."
I stay quiet, just looking at him so he slowly looks back to the stained dirt, loosing the smile, as he starts to quietly explain "Burying the others is bad but then…when Andrea…you know…I…" trailing off.
I look at the stained dirt myself then, staying quiet just giving him time.
"I…I was hit that it could've been you…then I…I…" He continues trailing off a moment again before sighing out "God I'm a horrible person."
"You're human, that's all." I tell him then earning a half-hearted chuckle before he whispers "I'm sorry I didn't stick around you last night."
"It's fine. I had it…" I tell him trailing off before muttering "Until I tripped and fell on my ass."
This earns another half-hearted chuckle before he quietly says "I thought my heart stopped when I heard Shane cry out for you and looked and saw that thing pinning you down…I thought I was fast but Daryl beat me to you."
He releases another half-hearted chuckle before adding "It was like some action movie or game, you know? The guy saves the girl then holds her close while finishing off the bad guys."
"Only the cliché ones do that. They also usually end with them kissing or some shit." I tell him earning an annoyed "Cliché can be nice too."
"Sure. Cliché can be nice too." I say with a nod, truly agreeing with him.
"Though I guess there are times you wanna yell at the screen." He sighs out before dramatically exclaiming "They survived without a scratch?! They so died or at least got hit once!"
"Oh yeah." I chuckle before humming "Good ole' plot armor."
"Oh yeah." He chuckles then, no longer half-hearted, before sighing out "Thanks." While nudging me.
"Shut it." I huff out earning a sign-song "Yeah, yeah."
****Time Skip****
Most of us were all gathered around the campfire while waiting for Dale, Rick, and Shane to come back to camp. I was now situated on one of the folding chairs and Glenn was standing behind me. Only Daryl hadn't made his way over there yet, though like the original he probably will when then come back. Glenn and I'd only taken a slight detour to my tent when the gathering started to look for the missing scrunchie and tie my hair back. He'd helped look for the lost one for a few minutes before we both deemed it gone and gave up. So long the only yellow one I had, hello red.
It was only a few moments of waiting later when Dale, Rick, and Shane came from the trees and made their way over. I flicked my attention between the three as they do so. If things were following the original still in regards to Shane and Rick, Dale would now be cautious of Shane. Shane would've had the first thought of taking Rick out and Rick would have a sense something was up. But from what I could tell there wasn't any obvious signs of that from Shane. Nor Rick. And Dale didn't seem to be looking at Shane or Rick with any hint of wariness. Was that a good sign?
"I've been, uh…" Shane starts to announce then trailing off a moment then so I turn my attention back to him.
He sets his gun down before looking over the group and continuing "I've been thinking about Rick's plan. Now look, there are no…" trailing off another moment when his gaze lands on me to give me a reassuring look before looking back over the group finishing "There are no guarantees either way. I'll be the first one to admit that. I've known this man a long time. I trust his instincts. I say the most important thing here is we need to stay together. So those of you that agree, we leave first thing in the morning. Okay?"
There weren't any verbal confirmations then as people just started silently dispersed to their own areas.
Shane looks back at me then and gives a look that did nothing to hide he hoped he just made the right decision.
I give him a small smile and nod, signaling the same.
Only time would tell if it'd follow the original going forward.
Feeling a hand on my shoulder then, I look towards the owner finding who I figured it was; Glenn.
Glenn gives me a cheesy smile and squeezes my shoulder lightly, signaling he would go with us.
I roll my eyes at him and smack him off.
Glenn gasps in mock offense, hand I'd just smacked on his heart and all, before grinning, releasing a sing-song "Tsun tsun.", and taking off before I could smack him again.
I sigh and shake my head at his retreating form.
That freaking cinnamon roll is something else.
****Time Skip****
I leaned on Shane's Jeep putting additional pressure on the arms around my ribs, while just staring at the colored light on my now currently charging DS, sitting in the passenger seat, trying to distract from the pain when I breathed. All while the others moved around loading up the cars and deciding who rides with who. Those were nearly identical to the original; Morales, Miranda, Eliza, and Louis in Morales' car, Rick, Lori, Carl, Carol, and Sophia in Carol's Jeep, Glenn, Dale, Jim, and Jacqui in the R.V., T-Dog and Andrea in T-Dog's van, Daryl in his truck, and then the only change: Shane and I in his Jeep.
Shane had already loaded up his bag, tent, and cot into ours when I woke this morning. Then when he came in to wake me and then noticed the wince as I breathed, he shooed me away to do the same with my bookbag, tent, and cot for me. Simply ordering me to rest and wait for him around the Jeep. I wasn't going to complain or argue about it though. I do tend to stray towards being lazy after all. That and the muscles around my ribs have decided to be constricted this morning. I couldn't take anything for it yet as I haven't eaten anything this morning and it'd just make me throw up dinner. Thus, the only help was the pressure I could give them right now until they decided to be normal or you know, after I can take something and it kicks in.
"So that's what you got when you snuck away." Glenn's voice says suddenly from next to me then.
I jump, wincing at the movement, but feign innocence and being all okay as I look at him with a simple "I don't know what you mean."
But he's not fooled and just stares at me with a knowing and slightly concerned look as he leans on the jeep next to me.
I huff and look back at it, sort of missing the one I'd left at the house.
I'd forgotten to put it and the black case back in my prepacked bag when I'd taken them out to play it and then I'd forgotten to grab it when we were leaving. It wasn't something I regularly played or had with me unlike my MP3 unless I was focused on one game.
"Why'd it have to be pink?" He asks then, slightly winey.
Guess he wasn't going to push his concern right now, which I was thankful for.
"'Cuz the pink one is what I had." I tell him, wincing at the end.
"You probably even had a skin on it too, didn't you." He says more than asks.
"Nintendogs." I simply say with a nod.
"I know you so well." He chuckles then.
"Go away." I huff out.
""I don't wanna." He says with a half wine.
"Too damn bad." I snap at him with a glare, instantly regretting it with the pain that shot through me and causing me to release a small "Ow." Instead of just a wince.
"Can I do anything?" He asks quickly then; concern clear in his voice and face now.
"No…It…it'll pass a…after a bit." I tell him, having to pause and wince throughout.
He gets that 'at a loss' look that Rick always got when I told him he couldn't do anything to help.
"Everybody listen up!" Shane announces then so I turn my attention away from Glenn and towards him while slowly going and joining the huddle, Glenn following.
"Those of you with C.B.s, we're gonna be on channel 40. Let's keep the chatter down, okay? Now you got a problem, don't have a C.B., can't get a signal or anything at all, you're gonna hit your horn one time. That'll stop the caravan. Any questions?" Shane announces then, cop voice active.
"We're, uh…We're…We're not going." Morales announces then, just like the original causing everyone to look at the family.
"We have family in Birmingham. We want to be with out people." Miranda tells everyone.
"You go on your own, you won't have anyone to watch your back." Shane tells them.
"We'll take the chance. I got to do what's best for my family." Morales tells him.
Best for his family huh? I'm pretty sure the next time the show sees Morales he's alone but I can't remember for sure. And it's not like if I'll warn them, it'll change anything. They know the risk and are doing it anyway. When shit hits the fan most people's first thought is family.
"You sure?" Rick asks them then.
"We talked about it. We're sure." Morales confirms.
"Alright." Rick says before looking at Shane with an added "Shane."
"Yeah, all right." Shane confirms.
I look over at the two and watch as they bend down next to the bag of guns and ammo and go through it.
".357?" Shane questions then.
"Yeah." Rick confirms so they stand up, Shane now with a box of ammo in his hands and Rick with a gun.
They then walk over to Morales and his family with Rick handing over the gun.
Shane then gives Morales the box with a simple "The box is half full."
Daryl scoffs loudly then but is wholly ignored.
Lori goes up to the family then as Miranda says "Thank you all…for everything."
Lori gives her a hug while Shane offers a hand to Morales.
"Good luck, man." Shane tells him when Morales takes it and they shake hands.
"Appreciate it, you too." Morales tells him.
"Yeah. Thanks." Shane tells him as they release the handshake while Lori kisses the top of Louis and Eliza's heads.
"Bye." Eliza tells Sophia then.
The two girls hug, both crying, while Miranda tells Jacqui another "Thank you."
The two hugging groups separate and like the original Eliza gives her doll to Sophia.
"Channel 40 if you change your minds. All right?" Rick tells them then.
"Yeah." Morales confirms before looking Glenn and I's way and raise a hand in a wave goodbye.
Miranda does the same.
I slowly return it as Carol hugs the crying harder Sophia.
They give a nod and drop their hands before steering their children towards their car so I return the arm around myself.
"What makes you think our odds are any better?" Shane asks Rick then before turning, noticing I'd joined, came over, shooed off Glenn, and steered me back to the Jeep all while adding "Come on. Let's go. Let's move out."
Neither of us said anything as we get in and everyone starts their vehicles.
Morales' car leads followed by the R.V., then Carol's Jeep, then T-Dog's van, then Daryl's truck, and finally Shane's Jeep.
The Morales' family split off as soon as they were off the dirt road with a raised arm out the window in goodbye.
After driving a few minutes in silence Shane broke it with a slow "I've thought about it but I won't yell at you."
"I was…just fine." I say, pausing to wince, keeping my attention on the truck in front of us, knowing exactly what he was talking about right now.
"You're lucky-" He starts to snap at me but stops himself, sighs again, then says a calm "You're lucky your convoluted plan to take one down safely worked."
Exact same words as Rick. Did they share a braincell or what?
"It worked." I huff out and look away, at the passing scenery.
"It did, but I don't want you doing anything risky like that again. You hear me?" He says then, stern but not quiet ordering like I'd expected.
I wasn't planning to so I just release another huff, though slightly pained this time, but don't look at him.
He sighs but doesn't say anything else putting us back into silence.
Though not an uncomfortable or awkward one since we both understood we were both right when it came down to it. We both understood that it'd been my plan from the beginning that day and he still let me go knowing I'd probably still do it, that he didn't immediately notice so I had truly been fine, and that I wouldn't do something like that again for the time being.
It wasn't that much longer though before there was a pop and smoke started coming from the R.V.
Just like the original the radiator hose burst on the way to the C.D.C.
Everyone pulls over, gets out, and huddles up around it with Rick and Dale looking at the problem and Shane surveying the area with binoculars.
"I told you we'd never get far on that hose. I said I needed the one from the cube van." Dale says that line after a moment.
"Can you jury-rig it?" Rick questions.
"That's all it's been so far. It's more duct tape than hose." Dale answers with a shrug before adding an "And I'm out of duct tape."
"I see something up ahead. A gas station if we're lucky." Shane says then.
On cue, Jacqui comes out of the R.V. saying a quick "Y'all, Jim…it's bad. I don't think he can take anymore." Before going back in to Jim.
"Hey, Rick, you want to hold down the fort? I'll drive ahead, see what I can bring back." Shane says then.
"Yeah, I'll come along too and I'll back you up." T-Dog adds then.
"Y'all keep your eyes open now." Shane tells the group before looking specifically at me and telling me "Just sit in the R.V. away from Jim. We'll be right back."
Knew that one was coming but I wasn't going to complain or argue about it. Simply breathing hurt right now. Screw what any of them thought about me taking a break.
I nod so Shane returns it before motioning for T-Dog to follow him as he turns back towards his Jeep.
Shane looks back over when the two get there to give me a final look, clearly a little conflicted about leaving me.
But both of us knew I wasn't going to be much help right now if they run into trouble ahead.
Thus, I just motion with my head for them to leave.
Shane sighs but climbs into his Jeep and drives off ahead.
I know they find something that gets the R.V. to at least that car graveyard in the beginning of the second season. And even if they run into trouble, Shane can handle himself so I'm not worried about it. But that doesn't mean I don't stand there watching the Jeep pretty much disappear in the distance.
I take my eyes from the small figure then and slowly make my way into the R.V. getting passed by Jacqui on her way out. I avoid looking towards the back where Jim was opting to simply sit in the passenger seat and close my eyes.
"They're all dead. I don't think you know what you're asking. The fever…You've been delirious more often than not." Rick's voice sound from the back then.
Guess that's where they're at in that conversation.
"I know. Don't you think I know?" Jim says strongly before groaning in pain a moment then finishing "I'm clear now. In five minutes, I may not be. Rick, I know what I'm asking. I want this. Leave me here. Now that's on me. Okay? My decision. Not your failure."
That's when I decide to ask Jim "It's not…even touching it…is it?" pausing to wince, referring to some of the pain meds Jacqui was sure to have given him.
"No." Jim answers with a small chuckle before groaning in pain again.
"Sucks donkey balls." I tell him in a chuckle, causing me to release my second "Ow." For the day instead of being able to hold it back with a wince.
"Sucks donkey balls." Jim repeats in a full laugh himself then before also releasing an "Ow."
That's when I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder so I open my eyes and look towards the owner, a sure as shit 'at a loss' Rick.
"They're back." Rick says then while motioning with his head outside.
I nod so he removes his hand as he returns it.
I slowly stand so he turns and leaves the R.V.
I do so myself and as soon as both of my feet were on the ground Rick says that line "He told me to leave him here. It's what he says he wants."
"And he's lucid?" Carol asks so Rick glances at me.
Jim knew exactly what he was doing. Pain coming from deep in your own body is a different beast but he knew what he was asking for.
I nod so he answers her "He seems to be. I would say yes."
"Back in the camp when I said Daryl might be right and you shut me down." Dale says then so we all look at him while he continues "You misunderstood. I would never go along with callously killing a man. I was just gonna suggest that we ask Jim what he wants. And I think we have an answer." Dale says then.
"We just leave him here? We take off? Man, I'm not sure I could live with that." Shane says.
"It's not your call, either one of you." Lori pipes up with then.
Shane and Rick look at each other then and nod so I move to the side to allow the two to go into the R.V.
Soon they come out, carrying Jim, and take him to a nearby tree all of us following.
"Hey, another damn tree." Jim says that line before chuckling.
"Hey, Jim…I mean, you know it doesn't need to be this." Shane tells him.
"No. It's good. The breeze feels nice." Jim answers, breathing heavy.
"Okay. All right." Shane tells him before stepping away, coming over to my side, and putting a strong arm around me.
Jacqui steps forward then and tells Jim "Just close your eyes, sweetie. Don't fight." Before kissing him on the cheek and just walking away.
Rick steps forward then while taking out a gun and showing it to Jim while asking "Jim, do you want this?"
"No. You'll need it. I'm okay. I'm okay." Jim tells him shaking his head.
Rick nods before turning and walking away with Lori and Carl so that's when Dale steps forward.
"Oh. Hey. Thanks for, uh, for fighting for us." Dale tells him before walking away with the others minus Daryl and Shane and I.
Daryl steps forward then and just gives the simple nod before walking away.
Jim looks to me then and gives a weak smile and nod.
I return them before looking up at Shane and giving him the same.
Shane returns them himself before leading me back to his Jeep.
The group stays long enough for Dale and Glenn to patch up the R.V.'s radiator hose before they were going back inside it and we start moving again.
That small conversation back in the R.V. was the longest I'd had with Jim. So, I didn't feel sad about his death but that guilt bubbling again instead. But I simply push it back away. For now, I should focus on the upcoming events of season two instead of worrying about the C.D.C. events. In the original my group was okay so I don't need to worry about it. And if Rick never got the grenade from the tank or Carol doesn't have it anymore so what? We'd all be dead. Game over.
But season two brings Carl getting shot and Shane's death. Carl was okay in the original but A, I don't think I want to witness him being like that, and B, it shouldn't be too hard to make sure it doesn't happen. Though Glenn still needs to meet the love of his life and it'd be a good idea to have Hershel in our group even if he's just a vet. So, I'll just suggest we check out the Greene farm since there's a fence. Ah, I guess I should also try and save Sophia. I really don't think I want to witness her dead being stumbling out from the barn. And doesn't she survive in the comic? Would it really change that much if she survives?
****Time Skip****
"Shit. This doesn't look good." Shane curses as we come to a stop in front of the C.D.C. and he notices all the corpses of both civilians and soldiers alike surrounding the building.
"Stay close to me." Shane orders as we get out.
The stench was disgusting and the sound of flies buzzing around the bodies was loud enough from the sheer number of them to be disturbing. Though if you think about it the fly population is probably at an all-time high right now. All the dead flesh is their perfect breeding ground, right? You do hear stories of people dying in their home or apartment alone and not being found until its practically filled with flies. No wonder some people lose their lunch when they're found. I guess it's a good thing that none of us have ate today or we'd be painting the pavement with vomit. Of course, that didn't mean some of us didn't cough, try and block our noses, or still gag.
I nod while I draw my gun with one hand, grab the edge of my jacket and cover my mouth and nose with the other, and stick close enough that he could reach out and grab me if needed as the group slowly moved together towards the building.
My flare up had relaxed a considerable amount the rest of the way here so I didn't have to keep the pressure around my ribs and could either run or fight back if needed right now. The little victories man.
"All right, everybody. Keep moving. Go on. Stay quiet. Let's go." Shane whispers as we go, periodically glancing back at me to make sure I was in fact close enough that he could reach out and grab me if needed.
"Keep moving. Stay together. Keep moving. Come on." Rick whisper says as he moves a little faster, leading us.
"Shh." Shane quietly shushes him.
"Carol." Lori whisper calls then earning another shushing from Shane as the two mothers huddle closer.
"Oh, God." Glenn whisper groans when we get close enough to see the building was in fact locked and shuttered like the original.
Though If Jenner was inside like the original, he was watching us and would open the shutter eventually.
"Keep it together. Come on." Shane tells us all quietly but not quiet whispering anymore.
"We're almost there, baby. Almost there." Lori sooths Carl, who'd started to whimper a little instead of just coughing, gaging, or groaning as we get to the building and Rick reaches out and rattles the shutter.
"Nothing?" Shane questions, reaching out an arm behind me and leading me to the middle with the mothers and children, before leaving my side to try the shutter with Rick.
When it doesn't budge Shane pounds on the shutter.
"There's nobody here." T-Dog says then as I hear the quiet unmistakable groan of a walker from behind us.
"Then why are these shutters down?" Rick questions as I drop the hand from my face and look behind us to see the dead had started to rise like they did in the original.
"Walkers!" Daryl shouts then as I have a small hand grab mine.
I look toward the owner, a clearly scared but trying to be strong Carl, as there's the distinct sound of Daryl's crossbow firing.
I give his hand a small squeeze while there's the distinct sound of the body hitting the pavement behind us.
"You led us into a graveyard!" Daryl yells that line then so I quickly look up to see him almost stalking towards Rick, just like the original.
"He made a call." Dale defends.
"It was the wrong damn call!" Daryl shouts at Dale.
"Just shut up. You hear me?" Shane snaps at Daryl getting between him and Rick before quickly pushing him back with an ordered "Shut up. Shut up!"
Daryl doesn't look happy about it but nods and turns back towards the approaching walkers again.
So, Shane turns back to Rick, approaches him, and almost pleading tells him "Rick, this is a dead end."
"Where are we gonna go?" Carol asks.
Shane, closer to Rick then, points at him and tells him "Do you hear me? No blame."
"She's right. We can't be here, this close to the city after dark." Lori says as there's another thud of a body hitting the pavement.
Rick just looks back at the doors so Shane tells him "Fort Benning, Rick, still an option."
"On what? No food, no fuel. That's 100 miles." Andrea says.
"125. I checked the map." Glenn informs, from right next to me.
Guess he moved next to me and I didn't notice.
"Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight, now." Lori snaps.
"We'll thing of something." Rick says looking around at the group before back at the building.
"Come on, let's go. Let's get out of here. Let's go. Please." Shane pleads with Rick before turning back towards everyone and zeroing in on me as he orders "All right, everybody back to the cars. Let's go. Move."
Though Rick doesn't move an inch so I meet Shane's eyes and motion towards Rick with my head.
"The camera…it moved." Rick says then as Shane whips back around towards him.
So, Jenner is there.
"You imagined it." Dale tells Rick.
"It moved." Rick says going back up to the shutter.
"Rick, it is dead, man. It's an automated device. It's gears, okay? They're just winding down. Now come on." Shane pleads with him going up to him again before trying to physically drag him back pleading "Man, just listen to me. Look around this place. It's dead, okay? It's dead. You need to let it go, Rick."
But Rick just pulls away and slams on the shutters again causing Lori to shout "Rick, there's nobody here!"
"I know you're in there. I know you can hear me." Rick just tells the camera as Shane tries to get Rick again.
Again, Rick just pulls away so Shane looks back at us and orders "Everybody get back to the cars now!"
"Please, we're desperate. Please help us. We have women, children, no food, hardly any gas left." Rick pleads.
That's when Lori pushes Carl closer to me and runs over to Rick and tries to push him back while telling him again "Rick. There's nobody here."
I hug Carl to me now as Rick just continues pleading with the camera, with Jenner, "We have nowhere else to go."
"Keep your eyes open!" Shane orders everyone now pulling Lori away and pushing her back allowing Rick to pound on the shutters again crying "If you don't let us in, you're killing us!"
That was enough for Shane to get rougher with him, grab him again, though harsher, and start forcing him away with a "Come on, buddy. Let's go. Let's go."
Rick struggles against Shane as he then yells at the camera "Please help us. You're killing us! You're killing us!"
Shane pushes Rick forward then and he gives and starts leaving so we all turn to leave.
Then just like the original we only get a few steps away before the shutter opens, drowning us in light.