Guardian

Remember to Turn on the Light

Chapter 12

One Week Later

Percy cut through a walker, wincing at the pain in his stomach and ribs. They still felt tender, and he could feel a boiling hot pain in his stomach.

Despite constant warnings from Hershel and Maggie, Percy decided he wasn't going to stay cooped up any longer inside the Greene house. While he was appreciative of what they had done for them, he needed to help them in any way he could.

His main prerogative, finding the potential group of the men that he had killed. That boy had to run off somewhere, and Percy needed to know where they were in case they wanted to harm the inhabitants of the Greene family farm, or his group.

He hadn't expected to find them on the first day of searching, and he was right, he didn't. Ambling through the Georgia countryside without a clue of what he was looking for.

He was surprised however, to see a young girl sprinting through the woods, a doll clutched tightly in her hands. She couldn't have been more than eight years old and she was squeaking out in fear. Her lips and eyes bunched together in terror, her shoulders taught and tense.

Percy scanned the area, looking for anyone else following her. He saw no one, at least no one who was alive. Several of the undead were chasing after her, the girl was breathing heavily and practically sobbing as she ran, twisting at Percy's heartstrings.

Despite the fact that he seemingly no longer had his abilities over the water and ground, he hadn't lost any speed. Riptide sliced through the skull of a walker closest to him effortlessly, black blood and brain exploding in the air. Several walkers groaned and turned toward him, as if realizing he was a far better meal than the girl they were chasing. Their disgusting mouths of decaying skin mashed together as their dull grey eyes eyed him.

Percy cut down two with barely a thought, grimacing as he did so. A sharp pain exploded in his belly, but he pushed the pain down as he drove Riptide through the eye of a third walker, watching them unceremoniously drop to the ground.

He heard the young girl scream as she tripped on a random branch, she fell to the ground spinning around toward the lone walker that was hot on her heels. Percy sprinted into action as she kicked herself back trying to desperately get away.

It was close, far too close for Percy's liking as the walker fell to its knees and lunged out with its snapping jaws. Not wanting to risk stabbing the girl, Percy grabbed the shoulders and wrenched it back. Throwing it to the ground at his side, he didn't hesitate in driving Riptide through its skull with a disgusting squelch.

Turning back to the girl, he saw that her blue eyes were wide in terror and fear as she stared at him. Her long blonde hair was filled with dirt, a splash of freckles covered her cheeks as she breathed heavily up and down. Percy noticed that her attire was soaking wet, had she run through a creek? Percy wasn't sure.

"Please, don't hurt me." She said scared.

Percy frowned and immediately put Riptide at his side, he kneeled down to her level and looked the young girl in the eyes. "I'm not going to hurt you, sweetie." He said softly, she visibly calmed down almost instantly at his voice.

"Where are your parents?" He asked, fearing the answer.

Tears welled in her eyes. "My mom and I were hiding under some cars on this highway, when two of those things noticed me…" She stuttered, barely holding back the sobs. "I had to run off into the woods, this kind man followed me to help me but we got separated." He noticed that she said nothing about her father, either he was dead, or an asshole. He had experience with that.

"Do you know the direction that the highway was in?" He asked softly and calmly.

Her head turned side to side, her blonde hair bouncing as she desperately looked in every direction. Her hand came up and covered her mouth, terror and sadness expressed deeply on her face. "I… I don't… know…" She said after a few moments, fresh tears spilling from her eyes.

He smiled softly in understanding. "Don't worry honey, I'm staying at this nice farm. It's safe, has food, clothes and a bunch of really nice people, I'll take you there. Then I'll go out looking for your mother, how does that sound?"

"What if you don't find them?" She asked innocently, it took all of his power to not wince. There was a chance he didn't find them, especially in a world like this. But he had a feeling he would be able to.

"I'll find them, I promise. What's your name?" He reached out his hand and the young girl looked at it questioningly.

"Sophia." She replied timidly.

He smiled at her again. "That's a pretty name. How about we go now? It's not safe around here." He told her. She gave a small smile at his comment about her name before bobbing her head up and down rapidly in agreement.

"Okay." She grabbed his hand. Her eyes trailed down to his stomach and they widened comically as she backed away in fear, dropping his hand as she did so. "Are you bit?" She squeaked anxiously.

His eyes trailed down to the shirt he was wearing, noticing a surprising amount of blood soaking through his shirt. He sighed before looking back at Sophia. "I'm not bit, I promise. Just burst my stitches." She looked at him skeptically, he understood the need to be cautious so he raised the hem of his shirt. Revealing his stab wound, showing blood pouring from the wound.

He winced, Hershel and Maggie were going to be pissed.

She nodded quickly as if in understanding before she asked him worriedly. "Are you okay?"

He smiled softly and nodded before reaching out to her, she quickly grabbed his hand.

Percy led her back to the farm relatively quickly. He had poked and prodded a couple questions out of her regarding her group, her mom, the one thing she steered clear of talking about though, was her father. It made Percy's blood boil just thinking about it. He really hoped the man was dead, otherwise, there were going to be serious problems when Percy stumbled onto her group.

Her hand still in his, he made his way up to the porch to see Maggie looking at him curiously. "Who's this?" She asked as the girl hid behind Percy's leg.

"This is Sophia, Sophia, this is Maggie. She's super nice." Maggie knelt down to her level and flashed her a big smile. "I found her out there in the woods, she got separated from her mom and the rest of their group."

"Hi Sophia." Maggie started warmly, her green eyes were sparkling in the sun, making her look beautiful. It momentarily distracted Percy. "Let me get you looked at and cleaned up. Okay?" She reached out a hand to the young girl. Sophia looked up at him questioningly, he gave her a reassuring nod and watched as the girl slowly crept to Maggie before taking her offered hand.

She flashed him one last look, to which Percy gave her a smile.

Inwardly Percy sighed with relief, she hadn't noticed the blood on his shirt. Otherwise he would get an earful.

Maggie led the young girl toward the door, gently ushering the young girl inside with a soft whisper before she turned back to him. Her eyes glared at him, glancing down to his stomach and then back to his face. He winced, spoke too soon. He could feel his face heating from embarrassment.

"Don't get any blood on the porch." She raised an eyebrow accusingly at him.

He raised his hands. "I didn't…" But Maggie cut him off angrily.

"Just sit your ass there and wait for me to come back." She snapped at him pointing at the open chair, and Percy nodded quickly as she slammed the door shut. He smiled softly after a moment, Maggie sure was something. He looked down and couldn't see a blood trail from where him and Sophia had come. Although his shirt was now soaked with his blood.

Quickly, he sat down. Not wishing to provoke Maggie's ire anymore than he already had.

He looked at the setting sun and decided that he was going to search for her mother and the group tomorrow. It wouldn't do him any good stumbling out there in an unknown area in the dark. Plus, if he did find the group in the dark. Accidents might happen, and with emotions probably high due to Sophia being missing. Percy wanted to avoid that, he was also bleeding which didn't help things.

He sat down on the porch and continued to watch the sunset as its beautiful orange rays spread across the landscape in front of him. The Greene farm was truly beautiful, and almost a reminder of a world Percy believed to be gone. It was strange how quiet, peaceful and seemingly safe the place was.

Off in the distance he spotted Lee and Carley idly helping Hershel's youngest daughter with something. He wasn't sure exactly what they were doing, but Percy was happy that Hershel had let them stay here. Although a small pain of sadness spiked within him as Carley had not spoken a word to him in their entire time there. Although he squashed it quickly, if she wanted to act like a child, then he would let her act like one. It wasn't his problem, nor did he owe her anything.

Just as the sun was setting he watched the three of them walk up to the house. Carley completely ignored him, he saw the flicker of her eyes toward him and a scowl immediately formed on her face. He internally rolled his eyes, but didn't try to initiate any communication. He didn't owe the woman anything. She quickly stepped inside, Lee was behind her. He stepped onto the porch and leaned against a post, his gaze toward Percy.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Lee?" He asked.

"Are you doing okay?" His eyes quickly traveled down toward Percy's wound on his stomach, he definitely noticed the blood. But didn't remark on it specifically.

"I'm fine, must have popped a stitch." He admitted.

"Well, Hershel said you should rest a few more days. What were you thinking?" Lee asked, there was visible concern on his face as he crossed his arms. Lee had checked on him every day, making idle small talk. Percy had appreciated him being around, he certainly made Percy feel less alone.

"If I hadn't gone out, I wouldn't have found a little girl. Walkers would have gotten her." Percy would always trust his gut, he had been determined to get started today and look what happened. A young girl had been saved because of it.

Lee's eyes widened almost comically. "You found another little girl, where…" He started stuttering out questions but Percy cut him off.

"A little girl, the same age as Clem. Her name is Sophia, she got separated from her group and a bunch of walkers were chasing her. I barely got to her in time, and I brought her here. She's with Maggie now." Percy inclined his head toward the house.

Lee leaned over and looked through the window as if he would see Sophia and Maggie just standing right inside. "She was all alone?" His words unknowingly echoing Percy's words with Clementine.

"Got separated from her mom and the group. I'm going to go out and look for them tomorrow." Percy said.

"I'll come with you." Lee said immediately.

Percy shook his head, and immediately a look of hurt came over Lee's face. Quickly, Percy explained. "I need you here to protect Clem when I'm gone."

"But Carley…" Lee started but Percy cut him off.

"Has been acting like a child, and the Greene's, bless their souls, aren't the fighting type. If someone dangerous came here looking for a fight…" He turned and looked toward the barn. "Well, I know you'd die for her, Lee." Percy gave him a look that Lee couldn't decipher.

Percy watched the fight visibly leave Lee at his words, and he nodded furiously. "Alright, but you shouldn't go alone, especially not if you're going to be bleeding everywhere." Lee demanded.

Percy sighed. "Okay, I'll see if…" They were cut off by the creak of the door opening. Maggie in all of her splendor stepped out, her eyes flickered to Lee, then to Percy. When her eyes landed on him, a scowl formed onto her face. In her hands was a bottle of rubbing alcohol, fresh bandages, and a first aid kit.

Lee smirked, and raised a mischievous eyebrow toward Percy. Who in question narrowed his eyes at him. He coughed slightly, "I'll go check on Clem." He excused himself, not before sending Percy a smug smirk.

Percy turned to Maggie who knelt down in front of him and whistled, motioning for him to lift his shirt up. He grimaced, feeling vaguely uncomfortable. She rolled her eyes at him, to which Percy responded by lifting his shirt up slightly. Revealing his bloody wound.

"How's Sophia?" He asked her after a moment, trying to get her mind off of being pissed at him.

She smiled at him. "She's good, she passed out once we got her all cleaned up. She was gushing about you. How you saved her, asking where you were. You really made an impression on her quickly." She brushed part of her hair behind her ear before applying some alcohol to his wound causing him to wince in pain.

Their eyes met, as a small satisfied smirk came over her face. "You big baby." She teased lightheartedly, causing Percy's ears to start burning. "You're lucky, you didn't pop your stitches." She said before beginning to wrap the bandages around his midsection, her soft fingers sending pulses of electricity throughout his body. She handed him a clean shirt and looked at him expectantly, he sighed before removing his bloody one and replacing it with the one Maggie offered. He noticed her eyes didn't leave his.

After a few more moments, she finally looked satisfied before backing away and sitting down at the chair across from him, she laid her head on her knee as she looked at him fondly. "I won't tell my dad about this, but you've got to be careful. Okay?" She looked at him worriedly.

He smiled back. "I'll be more careful from now on, I promise." Maggie smiled at him brightly.

They sat in a comfortable silence before Maggie broke it. "Sophia was pretty shaken up, but she wouldn't stop gushing about you."

He smiled softly. "I'm glad she's okay"

"What happened?" Maggie asked curiously, he was sure that Sophia told her some of it. But a child's mind during stressful situations like that typically left things out.

Percy nodded. "Apparently she ran off into the woods with a couple walkers chasing behind her. She got separated from their people, and couldn't find her way back to the highway." He looked down. "I barely got her in time, if I hadn't been there she would have been bitten on the neck."

"So, what now?" Maggie asked him curiously.

"I'll look for her group tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll find them and reunite the girl with her mother."

"Alone?"

Percy nodded his head. "Probably." Although he had just told Lee he wouldn't go alone.

Maggie frowned at that. "What if they're dangerous? With what happened to you guys before you got here?"

Percy turned and looked at her, surprised to see the worry in her face. "They have a young girl, and she told me about their group. I'm not worried about it, the groups that attacked us were all men, no women or children. That already tells me something." He trailed off, although he could see Maggie's point.

"I'll go with you." Maggie offered.

Percy shook his head. "No, it would be…"

Maggie cut him off sternly. "That wasn't a request, I'm going with you. We'll take our horses, cover some more ground together. Someone needs to watch out for you, can't have you actually popping your stitches."

He smiled at her, "Okay, that's a good idea." He hadn't seen the horses yet, he was actually afraid too. He hadn't met a horse that didn't like him, obviously with being Poseidon's son. But all godly traces had seemingly been washed away. He assumed it would be the same with horses, he wouldn't be able to communicate with them. It would further cement into his mind that everything was colossally wrong. Where had the gods gone? How could they just let this happen?

"Percy?" Maggie asked him questioningly, breaking him out of his internal musings. She had a concerned look on her face.

He shook his head and turned to her. "It's nothing." He brushed off her concern rather quickly. She didn't seem convinced, but let it drop. Another comfortable silence broke over them as the night sky twinkled before them.

"Why?"

Percy flinched lightly at the question, not expecting it. He turned toward her and tilted his head to the side. "Huh?" He said eloquently as Maggie shook her head.

"I mean, you're so selfless. You've now saved and protected two little girls when many would just look out for themselves. You've protected the people in your group, even though one of them won't even talk to you. You're adamant about helping us, and protecting us. If you weren't so earnest and honest about it, my daddy would've booted you in an instant. I guess what I mean was why do you seemingly put everyone first? It's just odd, and I'm sorry for askin'..." She rambled, causing Percy to chuckle slightly. Her face went red from embarrassment.

"I guess it was just a part of how my mother raised me. To always help others who needed it, to look out for those who couldn't help themselves." He smiled fondly albeit a little sadly as he thought about his mom. His heart broke as he realized he would probably never figure out what happened to her.

"Tell me about her, your mom." Maggie said.

"Her name is Sally, and she's the greatest person in the world. She sacrificed everything so I could have the best life I could, and I was far from being an easy kid." He rambled on about his mother, lost in thought, telling her different stories of his mom and the great things that she did. All the while Maggie just sat there with a fond smile, her green eyes sparkling as she looked at Percy.

Percy paused, having no idea how long he had been talking. He kind of zoned out as he talked about his mom, he hadn't really realized how much he missed her. His face turned red with embarrassment before he turned to Maggie. "Sorry I…"

She waved him off. "No, no, don't apologize. That was really sweet." She patted him on the knee before standing. "I'm going to go check on Sophia again, go get some rest." She turned back and gave him one last smile that made his heart flutter before she entered the house.

After a moment watching the night sky, he rose and made his way into the house. Stopping and knocking on the door that belonged to Clementine. He heard the little girl squeak softly. "Come in."

Gently he opened the door to see Clem in bed, her hat sitting on the nightstand next to her. As soon as the little girl saw him, a full blown smile appeared on her face and she excitedly squealed. "Percy!"

Percy smiled at her. She made to get up but Percy shook his head and sat down on the bed beside her. "How was your day?" He asked her.

Her eyes got really big. "I got to help with the horses today!" She said childishly.

He raised his eyebrows. "You did, huh?"

"They're really cool." She whispered out, the small smile on her face made Percy feel at ease and happy. He was glad that the young girl was able to have some semblance of excitement and happiness in her life. Percy had thought it wouldn't be possible. But he was happy to be proven wrong.

"What else did you do today?" He asked curiously.

"Helped Maggie with some chores, cleaning and stuff. She's really nice!"

Percy chuckled softly. "Yea, she is."

"You like her?" Clementine asked curiously, Percy could feel his cheeks flaming at the unexpected question. Glad that it was dark, the little girl was far more astute that anyone gave her credit for.

He sighed after a moment. "It's complicated Clem."

"How?" She asked innocently. Ah, the mind of a child. Percy thought to himself.

"I wouldn't worry about it honey, it's up to me to figure it out." He told her after a moment.

She huffed but didn't comment further on it.

He rose, ruffling her hair a little bit, much to the little girl's chagrin. "Hey!" She complained, but Percy could see the small smile on her face.

"Get some sleep, kiddo. I'll check on you in the morning."

"Okay, Percy. Goodnight." She replied softly as her eyelids fluttered and she yawned.

"Goodnight." He whispered back before quietly closing the door as he left the room. He made his way back to his own room shortly. Sighing in content as he laid down on the soft bed, it was a luxury after laying on those crappy mattresses from the motel.

His mind quickly began to wonder about Kenny and his family, along with Lilly. Were they alright? Had he made the right decision in not going after them? All in all it really wasn't that much of a choice. This farm was far better for Clementine than being on the road in an RV, plus, they were grown adults capable of making their own decisions. He shuddered to think what could have happened to them all had they followed.

Yawning widely he let his eyes close. Tomorrow was probably going to be a long day, he had to worry about a dangerous group potentially being out there. As well as find Sophia's group, which could be more dangerous than the young girl led on. There were a lot of unknowns, and Percy didn't like that much.

Suddenly, he was startled by a weight entering his bed. He opened his eyes and rubbed them while yawning, he had no idea how long he had been asleep for, but this had happened a couple times before. Clementine, scared from a dream or something, came in and laid next to him for comfort.

However, as the weight hovered over him he realized it was distinctly heavier than an eight year old girl. As his eyes started to become adjusted to the darkness he could make out pale skin as the weight suddenly straddled him.

"Maggie?" He asked questionably. "What are you doing?" He asked, pushing himself up on the back of his arms.

He felt her lean down so her warm breath caressed his face, causing him to feel something warm spreading down his body. "I want you." She whispered as her arms went around his neck. He could distinctly feel his hormones running wild.

Percy shook his head to clear the fogginess, both from sleep and the situation happening to him right now. "I uh… I don't…" He stuttered, at a loss for words.

Maggie merely chuckled. "Never had a pretty girl in your bed before?" She asked teasingly. He didn't answer her question.

"We don't know each other, I don't…" She cut him off.

"We can learn all about each other," Her voice was a sexy whisper and gods it drove Percy's instincts wild. "But that doesn't mean we can't have fun in a world like this." She argued.

He didn't have a rebuttal, he felt strongly for Maggie despite not knowing her well, and based on this she felt something for him as well.

Rather than responding he kissed her, before flipping them around so she was on her back and he was above her.

She squealed. "Oh my God." She gasped out. "What are you gonna do nex…" She started.

But Percy shut her up quickly with his lips.

Hello, I know it's been a while. Life has been busy, there's just not enough time these days. Next chapter, we'll finally meet Rick and the gang. So that'll be interesting.

Anyways, thanks for reading.