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O'Death

Chapter Sixteen

Savannah, Georgia. That was the Atlanta group's next location. With two members who knew the area well, Rick felt they had an advantage to this trip. From what Angela and Kaylee informed them -more from Kay since Angela was still recovering- Savannah had a more bearable climate than Atlanta. What concerned Rick the most, the drive would be a near 250 mile long trek. Now, normally that would be only a three hour drive. But with little gas, little previsions, and walkers everywhere, no doubt that was going to delay them for a day or two.

The frigid weather was taking a toll on some members, such as the kids and Lori. Rick tried to keep the heater in the car running best he could, fearing it could cause the clunker to break down. He had wished Dale's RV didn't burn during that escape from the farm, more room and better comfort for a recovering member.

That was another thing that had to be established, for Angela. She was told about Andrea, Patricia and Jimmy not surviving the herd invading the farm. Shane was dead, to which she was content to hear, much to some other's dismay. They didn't blame her though, after what he had just put her through and the recovery she would have to make. Once Angela found out that the shirt was planted by Shane though, she expressed wishing to kill the bastard herself.

With everything finally caught up for the sisters, they sat in the back awaiting their arrival to their once was home. When Angela heard about going back East, she was against the idea at first. But, knowing Rick's reasoning on surviving the winter there would be best, she couldn't argue with him.

Kay noticed one thing about her sister; she changed. Her once was high defense and un-trusted beliefs were changed to soft friendly expressions and chatted with the members like she knew them for years. Angela talked with Carl like he was her little brother, Rick as if he was a big brother, and most of all, Daryl like… Something was there, Kay just couldn't place it. Last she checked, Angela didn't trust any one of these people, even Dale. Which was tragic to hear Kaylee find out, as he was the first real kind person to the two. She wished she had gotten to know him better, like Angela got to with everyone. That was the problem, Kaylee felt out of place. She barely knew anyone, while her sister knew them like they were friends- Family maybe.

Carl and Rick were one thing, Maggie and Hershel were another. But, something about Daryl Kaylee didn't like. First, she finds her in his arms when they finally arrived at the interstate. Then, she wakes up the following morning to be cared for by him. It boiled something mean inside the teen. Being separated for two weeks or so and he gets the first on everything for her. Kaylee would be sure to keep Daryl at a distance from her sister, staying by her side as much as she possibly could.

Looking to Angela, she was leaning her head back with her eyes closed. Her brows knotted now and then whenever the sunlight hit her eyes. Looking to her other side, sitting in the middle she found Carol just staring out the window. The woman decided to take the extra spot in the Suburban as the cold wind hitting her from the bike was a bit much.

Key heard the sound of the said bike, she looked through the windshield seeing Daryl was slowly weaving between the double yellow lines. She rolled her eyes at the hunter taking advantage of the open road. The road was long and wide only a few walkers that they avoided well. Rick thought avoiding the highway would be best, less chances of roadblocks and more of finding places to scavenge along the way. Because the sisters traveled by foot through the woods and forests, backtracking was a bit difficult. Angela laid out the way best she could on Rick's map, T-Dog in the passenger seat indicating where to go. Because Daryl was in front, he would slow down and wait at crossroads and forks in the road to see which way to go. So far, no turns were made, Kaylee rolled her eyes whenever Daryl revved his motor.

"We should be arriving at…" T-Dog squinted at the map, bringing it closer since the words on it were extremely tiny. "Milledgeville, sound familiar?" He asked the girls in the back.

"Yup." Angela groaned, lifting her head gently and took a peek out the window. "There's a lot of food places and markets we can check around too."

Rick shook his head, "We go straight through." he ordered.

Carol leaned forward a bit, to give her input. "We're low on food and medication. We should at least give it a check."

"She's got a point, man." T-Dog agreed, Rick shook his head. "We ate that small amount you guys found this morning. We'll have to find more soon."

Rick looked to him, then to the others in the back through the mirror. He rubbed his upper lip debating in his mind what to do. Before he could come to a conclusion, Angela started groaning.

"Something wrong, Angie?" Kay asked, Rick glanced at them.

Angela placed her hand over her mouth, feeling sick again. "P-Pull over…" She muttered.

Seeing she was about to vomit like she had this morning, Rick honked the horn to warn the others and pulled to the side. The SUV behind came to a stop right behind, Daryl glanced back and stopped as well. The second the car stopped, Angela stumbled out of the vehicle and ran to the trees to expel more contents in her stomach. Kaylee shifted to the open door, and trotted over to her sister. The hunter watched, he got off his bike and turned it off. He walked over to Rick, as he rolled his window down.

"We're approaching a town soon." He informed.

Daryl nodded, folding his arms. "We should do a run there, check for any supplies left behind." He suggested.

"That's what we said." T-Dog said, leaning forward to see him. "He wants us to go straight through."

Daryl shrugged, "Wouldn't hurt to check." he said.

Rick shook his head once more. "It could be a risk factor."

"Then we'll find a place to rest and I'll make a run." Daryl told, agreeing with checking the town out.

Carol leaned between the seats from the back. "Angela needs pain medication and with Lori pregnant, we'll have to keep up on food more."

Rick sighed through his nostrils, rubbing his chin in thought. The man was just so nervous of the group separating, but its a risk he'll have to take for the other members. Finally, the man nodded at their insistence. He glanced to T-Dog and Carol, then to Daryl before looking back at the road ahead.

"Alright, we'll make a stop. Just need to figure out where, survey the area." Lori and Angela couldn't go out and fight in their conditions, leaving someone to have to sit by and watch them.



The town of Milledgeville was as dead as expected to be. Many motels and fast food places, but also a lot of walkers. Believing the fast foods would only have rotted food and not enough, the mall was chosen.

"I see a pharmacy store right across." T-Dog told, pointing to the red and white building as the three vehicles pulled in front of the mall parking lot where it was fenced in.

A gate surrounding the area was both a good and bad sign. Good that it would enclose them from any walkers outside of it. Bad of what was inside the mall and possibly keep them from escaping. T-Dog and Rick left their cars, weapons in hand as they approached the gate that was chained shut. It was rusted out, so Rick took some swings at it with his hatchet. T-Dog kept watch, gun in hand. He wanted to refrain from using it, as it'd attract more. When a walker was making its way toward the two, a bolt was shot right into its head, making it crumble to the ground. Daryl rounded the car and yanked the bolt out, setting his crossbow again.

The clanking and heavy jingle of the chains falling got Rick to instantly push the gates open. He waved his arms to ge the cars in, Daryl instantly got on his bike and rode right into the lot. Maggie drove the SUV so she was in next. With the Suburban, Carol took the wheel driving in last. T-Dog ran in as Rick slammed the gates shut just as the walkers were getting within grabbing distance. T-Dog held the gate shut as Rick wrapped the chains around the gate and fencing securing it best he could. The men jumped back, weapons ready for the gate to open, but the walkers couldn't figure it out. They just clawed at the fencing and gnawed at them with snarls. Deeming it fastened for their safety, everyone exited the vehicles to assess their surroundings.

Kaylee stuck by Angela's side, using her sister's baton. Carol followed after, Carl stuck by Lori, Beth and Hershel, and Glenn and Maggie. Daryl, T-Dog, and Rick lead the group toward the front doors of the mall. Cars scattered about the lot, giving Rick the idea to siphon some before they leave. Carol eyed up the usual lit up LED sign for the Milledgeville Mall, covered in white sheets with writing on it.

NO ONE HERE
BUT THE DEAD
LEAVE

It made the woman shudder as they stopped in front of the glass doors. The darkness inside didn't help to indicate if anyone living or dead was inside. Rick and Daryl looked to one other, giving the hunter a nod. Daryl slammed his hand against the glass to get anything's attention inside. Not wanting to rush, they waited in case it took awhile for the potential walkers to approach to the noise. Everyone kept their attention high and eyes peeled. Daryl smacked the glass a few more times before the slam of a few walkers responded. About five were at the front wanting to rip the flesh off of the survivors. Maggie took front with Glenn when Rick reached for the doors. He slowly pulled, revealing they were locked.

"Damn." Daryl grunted, pulling the door's twin feeling it wouldn't budge either. He gave the door a frustrated kick.

"Should we circle around for another entrance?" Maggie asked, adjusting the shotgun in her hands.

Rick thought on that decision, eyeing up the walkers at the glass. The number of walkers inside was unknown, there was five here and the perimeter of the building was way too large. It was like guessing the number of candy in a jar. Looking to his group, he saw Beth, Kay, and Carl shiver as the cold grew more heavily on them. They had to get inside, find food, medicine and warmer clothes.

"C'mon." Rick called, taking lead along the mall to the next doors.

The group followed after finding themselves going uphill of the lot. Rick tested the doors, finding them locked once again. He got aggravated and hit the doors, stepping back.

"What do we do?" Carl asked.

"Smash the glass?" Glenn suggested, though he had a look of apprehension.

"Risky." Daryl stated, taking another look around. "Anythin' wanderin' out here could get in there."

Angela stepped forward, "The mall has a hardware store, if we can get that as the main entrance, we can access them and block our entrance instantly." she informed.

Rick approached her, "Do you know the exact layout of the building?" he asked.

Angela shook her head, instantly rubbing her forehead. "I can't really think to remember." She ducked her head, closing her eyes. "But, um, Kaylee knows the layout."

The teen looked to Angela, seeing where she was going with this. "I'm not leaving you out here." Angela sighed at her sister, not wanting to have an argument on this.

"I just need you, Daryl, and Glenn with me." Rick assured. "The others will be here together. Do a quick sweep, then we can block and search the building." He explained.

Kaylee glanced to Angela, she really didn't want to be separated from her sister so soon after being with her. She also felt a bit resentment on tagging along with the redneck. It couldn't be T-Dog instead? Then again, he wouldn't be here with her sister so it could be either or the other.

The hardware store was found, Rick smashed the glass allowing the four to enter the building. The rest outside kept their eyes out both on the lot and on the door in case any walkers wandered out from the building passing the radar.

Before leaving, Kaylee held the baton out to her sister seeing she had no weapon anymore. Knife gone and her gun was too, for some reason. "Here, you need this."

Angela frowned and shook her head. "You'll be killing some of those things, you need it more."

"But you don't have anything, sis. Take it." She insisted.

"Hold up," Rick came between the sisters and handed a gun out to Angela. She saw it was her gun, hadn't had it since that night on the farm. "It's fully loaded. Should've returned it a while ago."

Angela smiled at Rick and gladly took it, cocking the weapon. "Thanks, Rick." Kay's brows knotted at the exchange.

He nodded, giving Kay a look to follow before he slide under the door handle through the door. Daryl eyed the sisters before going under as well, Glenn in toe. Kaylee stepped over, giving one last look to her sister. Angela gave an encouraging motion as Carl stepped over to Angela.

"I'll watch her, Kaylee. I promise." He swore, a gun held in the boy's hand.

The teen grinned at the kid's dedication. "Thanks." She told, then ducked under and followed the men.



The hardware store was more of a mess than Rick assumed it would be. The way the world was when he first woke up was a shocker alone. Seeing the amount of damage this once was store still managed to get his nerves shaking. Blood was found stained about and some walkers were wandering the area of toolboxes. Dust was covering any surface in the room and the smell of grime and rot lingered in the air.

Rick was quick to get the others to duck by the garden section, his first priority was to clean out the walkers and dangers inside. Rick turned to the three, he motioned for Daryl to follow on one side, then Kaylee go with Glenn on the other. They nodded and got to moving to rid the walkers further down.

Rick and Daryl rounded the right banging on the boxes to get their attention. Daryl shot one in the head with his bow, taking an arrow to prepare the next shot. Others turned and hissed at the intruders as Glenn and Kaylee went to the left. They snuck right up behind the walkers, Glenn stabbing one in the head, Kaylee slammed the baton onto another. The two dropped leaving them with two more. Kaylee swung her baton and it got wedged into it's skull, once it fell it brought Kaylee's grip downward as well.

"Shit!" She hissed, yanking at the baton trying to get it free.

The last walker snarled as it shot its arms out to reach for her, but an arrow pierced its skull causing it to fall limp to the ground. Kaylee looked up seeing Daryl resetting his crossbow. He walked over, yanking the arrow out and then freeing her baton from the skull. Kaylee glared him, taking the weapon back from him.

"Yer welcome." He muttered at her, setting the arrow on his bow.

"Didn't need your help." She spat, shoving past him to keep up with the others.

Daryl sighed with annoyance and just followed after.

Soon, the hardware store was clear, finding few more walkers by the entrance of the mall. Lucky for them, the security gate was down at the main mall area. The ceiling skylights lit up showing floating dust, overgrown plants by the fountain and bodies laying across the floor. There was a massacre here, that was for sure. Though despite the upper level looked clear of walkers, the sound of growling echoed out to them. Rick gripped the gate and shook to test its security.

"Seems sturdy enough." He informed, turning back to the three. "Let the others in and we'll secure that door."

Daryl and Glenn nodded, jogging back to the others. Kaylee looked through the grates, her fingers curling around the spaces. Rick looked over, hearing the snarling echoing about.

"We're on the top floor." She informed, Kay pointed toward the right. "If you want to get to the center, the food court can be found on the right side, then the left are other stores." Her finger moved straight across. "There should be a clothing store on the other side of the mall."

Rick nodded. "Problem is, how to get to them."

Kay glanced to him, then to the grate. She folded the baton and slide it into her pocket. Gripping the gate, she tried to yank it up to no avail.

"Damn." She grunted, waving her hands in the soreness it gave at the attempt. "Best chance is to find the keys."

Kay walked along the grate with Rick following, showing him the padlock that kept the grate in place. Rick eyed it up, placing his hands on his hips. "It's fine for now. Knowing anything out there can't get in is a given."

The two went back to the entrance seeing the rest of the group wander in. They blocked the broken door opening with the tall, heavy tool boxes locking the wheels in place. Rick assured they'd find something else to secure it once found, it was easy for them to move in case they had to make an exit.

Everyone looked around, using the leftover flashlights illuminating the store. They managed to find hammers, screwdrivers. The bag of left over guns were lost on the farm and the trek to get them back was not worth the risk.

"What other stores are here?" Rick asked as he and other members were gathered at the register leaning and sitting on the counters.

"A lot of clothing and electronics stores. I don't know if the food court could help, we may be able to find water at best." The teen told, sitting cross legged on the counter.

"Food and medicine is a top priority." Rick looked to T-Dog. "You said you spotted a pharmacy across the street?"

The dark man nodded. "It's not far, literally right across the street."

The sheriff scratched his stubbled jawline, debating on what to do. "The pharmacy could have food." Hershel told.

"Who should go then?" He asked, looking around.

"I'll go." Daryl offered tapping his hand against the surface.

"I'll go too." Maggie insisted, causing Glenn to glance in worry.

"You sure?" Rick asked, tilting his head at her offer.

The farm girl shrugged, looking to Glenn then back to Rick. "It's nothing different than when Glenn and I went out. I know what medicine to get anyhow."

"She got a point." Daryl agreed, he himself not knowing and would just grab anything containing pills not knowing if they'd be useless or not. "What are we mostly aimin' for?"

"Pain medication, prenatal vitamins, and I'd suggest something for colds and flus since it's growing to that season." Hershel informed, leaning against the counter.

"Should I go too?" Glenn asked, clearly wanting to stick by Maggie's side.

"Nah, need you here." Rick dismissed. "They'll be fine, it's only across the street."

Maggie placed an reassuring hand on the Korean's shoulder, placing a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be alright." She told, before moving to grab her gun.

Hershel gave his daughter a hug, "Be careful." he firmly told her.

Daryl walked over to the door, unlocking the wheels and moving the toolbox aside. The carpet gave silence to whoever approached him, but spotted their boots in his peripheral. He stood seeing Angela was standing before him with a smile. "You better be careful." She told him.

He scoffed, adjusting the crossbow across his chest. "Just hang tight." He told her, ducking through the door to outside.

Maggie followed, ducking under and the two jogged across the parking lot in the pharmacy's direction. Angela tried to push the toolbox back in place, only to grow dizzy and fall to her knees. Kaylee and T-Dog rushed over, she got her sister back by the counter as T-Dog pushed the toolbox completely in place.

"You okay, sis?" Kaylee asked as Angela sat against the counter.

"Just dizzy, that's all." She assured, rubbing her eyes only to hiss in pain.

"What's wrong?"

"My head is pounding..." She pressed her hand against the side of her head messaging her temples.

Hershel knelt down and pressed the back to her head. It still felt swollen, "You pushed yourself today." he informed. "You should rest while we wait for them to get back with the medicine."

Angela nodded without any argue, only to regret that action. "I wanna lay down." She muttered.

Rick heard the request knowing despite there was carpet, it was just concrete underneath and would make her head pain worse. He walked around the counter into the isles looking for something she could cushion her head. There wasn't much, but he managed to find a few packages of garden gloves. He ripped a few out of the plastic and jogged back to Angela.

"You can use my legs as cushions." Kaylee offered, sitting beside her sister.

"No, your legs are too bony." She teased, looking up to see Rick kneel down to her.

"Here, use this for your head." Rick shrugged as Angela took them. "It's all I could find."

Angela smiled at him, "Thanks, Rick." she moved to lay down and tucked the gloved under her head.

A sigh was released when she slowly lowered her head onto them, though she winced feeling pain in the back of her head. She moved to lay on her side prompting to hide her scar. Rick stood and rounded the counter, feeling a tense gaze across the way. His eyes fell on his wife, who still looked at him the same way she did when he revealed Shane's fate. His jaws locked up, looking away as he took a flashlight to take another sweep around the store to look for any keys to unlock those gates.

Angela closed her eyes, feeling the light shining from outside stinging and aching her head more. She let out a soft groan catching her sister's attention. "You alright?"

"My head hurts a lot." She excused, letting a sigh out.

Kaylee chewed on her lip, watching her sister. Angela had the gun in her hand resting at her side. Rick had this gun, last she checked Angela still had the gun in her possession.

"How come Rick had Nolan's gun?" Kaylee asked, huddling her knees up and twisting with the steel weapon in her hands.

"He was taking care of it while I was out." She told.

"But, he said, 'a while ago'. So, did he mean right after you woke up?" She persisted. "I just find it weird you weren't pissed he had Nolan's gun."

The older sister looked over at her sister, then back down. Kay wanted to watch the door but the cold air on her scar made her want to cover it, so she faced the counter and her sister. Angela felt wearing something would aggravate a headache and with the one she was sporting already, she rather be spared of a constant one.

"Rick's alright, Kaylee. He gave it back." Angela remembered why he originally took her gun. It was a day before the incident with Shane happened.

Kaylee shrugged in frustration. "You just don't seem bothered by it. You always said no one is allowed to touch or take Nolan's gun."

"Just drop it, Kay." She groaned, rolling onto her back and folding her arm over her eyes. "I don't want to deal with this right now."

Kaylee scoffed at her. "It's just so unlike you, Angie. Next thing you know, you'll let that redneck carry it around."
Angela raised her arm a bit to give a warning look to her sister. "Don't start shit, Kay. Please, drop it."

From her angle, Angela saw that Lori, Carol, and Glenn were trying not to listen or watch the sisters' potential fight. Hershel kept watch at the door, glancing toward them now and again. Having daughters of his own, he awaited the argument to start. Though it was something Kay should drop not to make Angela's stress worsen.

Kay scooted closer to Angela. "I just want to know why you didn't flip shit. You barely let me hold his gun, so the fact you let the" She rose her hands to make air quote gestures. "sheriff of all people hold it surprises me."

It was then Angela got up, making Kaylee pause in her words. "What are you- You should be resting."

Angela let out a grunt to bend over and pick up the gloves once she got to her feet. "I was trying to." She told, giving her a look. "You're giving me a migraine."

With that, Angela marched off into the garden section. Kaylee stood, taking a step seeing her disappear behind the isles. She raised her hands, unable to figure out what she said or did wrong. Her hazel eyes looked around, seeing the others watching, some looked away once her eyes fell on them. Lori kept watching, as a mother she held a concerned look in her eyes. Past the others Kay spotted Rick had returned and watched Angela storm off. She gave a look and marched off into the sports section, giving a nearby lawn mower a kick to the wheel.

Angela rubbed her head as she sat herself on top of a stack of dirt bags with a huff. She hung her head between her knees and pressed her palms into her eyes. She just wanted to rest until they got back with pain meds, it was killing her head that she was sure her aggravation and stomping off made it worse. Angela let out a small groan, lowering off the soil bags and onto the floor, soon laying on her side and curling into a ball. It hurt, her head hurt so much she screwed her eyes shut wanting it to go away.



Kaylee, across the store, kept angrily pacing back and forth in the football section. She kept huffing and hissing out small curses. Seeing a filthy deflating soccer ball on the ground, Kay reared her leg back and kicked the damn thing with all her might. It went flying right into the baseball equipment, making all the bats fall off the racks clattering to the ground. Kaylee winced and cringed at each loud noise the bats made, stepping back as they rolled about.

The sounds of shoes running towards her, made her jump when Rick came around the corner. He saw the bats all over the ground and the teen looking perfectly fine- Just standing there in shame. Heaving a sigh, he holstered his gun looking down at the bats on the ground. Kaylee felt a bit trapped, with a wall behind and needing to maneuver the bats to pass by Rick.

"Can we talk?" He asked, placing his hands on his hips.

"It's about what you heard, right?" She asked, shrugging. "Look, whatever it is you're trying to do, stop."

"I just want to talk." He insisted. "I heard how upset you were about the gun."

"No shit." Kay scoffed, folding her arms. "Anyone would be if you took their weapon away. How would you feel if I took your gun away?"

He tilted his head, "Not too keen on that thought." He joked, trying to get a smile out of her.

Kaylee shifted her feet, feeling her emotions fueling her again. "Why did you have Nolan's gun?"

Rick felt he didn't have the right to tell the true reason he had the gun. Thinking back at the night Angela tried to use said weapon to 'opt out' made him frown slightly. It wasn't his right to tell the teen this, if Angela didn't want her to know.

He decided to take that approach at the mention of the brother. "Nolan was the oldest brother, right?" Kay nodded. "Taught Angela all about shooting and you about camping?"

"He was a cop." Kay told, moving toward the isle wall and messing with a sports jersey sleeve hanging on a hanger.

"So, he was like me?" He asked.

The teen gave a look, only to scoff again. "He was way better than you." She told, shaking her head as she scratched at the material. "Didn't let any of us get hurt, always kept us in line, kept us safe." Her eyes went up to him, raising her head up in confidence. "You? You'll never be like that."

"I don't plan to be like him. Just a fellow officer." He tried to bring the conversation back up. "I commend him, though."

Kay raised a brow at him. "What do you mean?"

Rick looked down at the bats all around him, he stepped over them managing to keep them from rolling into one another to make more noise. He got through, but kept his distance for the teen to have her space.

"He sounds like a dedicated brother. Kept you alive when this all happened, even after his passing you still carry his rules and beliefs with you." Rick couldn't help but chuckle as he idly looked over the baseball gloves on the wall. "Makes me wish I met him."

Kaylee thought on what would Nolan and Rick be like if they met. Half of her wants to think that they'd get along well. But something else made her think that wouldn't be true. She shook her head as she turned away from him.

"He would kill you."

That caught Rick by surprise, hoping this would soften the teen up. She turned giving him the same piercing glare she did that other night. "If he saw how you let Angela get hurt, he would kill you on the spot."



Finally, Daryl and Maggie got back much to the member's relief about an hour or two later. The two managed to find water and the needed medication, though very little. Maggie instantly gave Lori the needed vitamins, Daryl looked around finding the sisters not present.

"Where's Angela?" He asked.

"Hiding in the garden section." Glenn answered, throwing a thumb in the direction she left. "She and Kaylee got into a bit of an argument."

"Just a sisterly spat." Hershel told, looking over the other medicine they brought back. He handed the pain medication to Daryl. "Give her two pills. She might be laying down."

He nodded, taking the bottle and walking off to find the woman. He was careful in his stepping, not only be be silent but not wanting to accidentally step wherever she was lying about. Passing by where shovels would be sold, he found her sitting next to a pile of soil bags. She was leaning against the stack, resting her head in her arms eyes closed. A slight tinge thought she blacked out came to mind, but her position proved she chose to go to sleep like this. As Daryl approached her, he placed the pills beside her head. He moved around to sit down, wanting to wait until she woke up, but he stepped back and let her be to rest.

Daryl leaned against the wall, taking out a pack of cigarettes and matches putting a stick in his lips. He struck the match and lit the end, puffing on the cigarette he kept between his lips, letting the smoke escape through his nostrils. The hunter thought of leaving her completely alone, but he didn't trust this place as far as he could throw a brick through its windows. Danger could be lurking around any corner. He just stood there, leaning against the wall watching the woman before him sleep soundly. Daryl thought to stay there until Kaylee would come to look for her, then he'd ditch.

For now, he'd relish in the silent company while he still could.



The group would spend the night at the mall. Rick informed them that next morning they would siphon whatever gas was left of the cars in the lot and continue East. He found that getting those grates opening would be impossible. They all slept in the garden section, with night shifts being given as the front door wasn't as secure as the grate by the mall entrance. Daryl took first shift, then T-Dog, and Rick offered to have them get as much sleep as possible since they didn't get much rest the night before. Some members were still tired from the escape off the farm, wishing they could stay at the mall a for days more. Rick didn't want to risk it, not wanting to stay at one place too long.

Rick was on his watch just before dawn, giving T-Dog his time to rest. He checked in on the group, seeing their chosen spaces to sleep. Hershel and Beth stayed close, Maggie and Glenn huddles together. Carl curled up with his mother, Carol slept alone but soundly. Despite the spat between Angela and Kaylee, the two were leaning against one another curled together. Daryl was awake last he checked, claiming he had enough sleep when T-Dog took his shift. The group used the material off of umbrellas in the outdoor section as blankets. It didn't keep them toasty, but did the deed of keeping the cold off of them well enough. Sadly, the cushions used for lawn chairs were gone or destroyed so they used the soil bags as pillows.

The sheriff walked along the storefront, seeing the pitch black outside. With no street lights outside, it was just absolute freezing darkness. He felt the cold air blow through, the wind was picking up. Rick walked over to the door, looking to see if he could somehow keep the cold out.

"Rick?" The man stood, shining a flashlight he kept on him up through the room, spotting Angela yelping at the light shining in her eyes. "Turn it off!" She hushed, waving her hands.

"Sorry, sorry." Rick pointed it downward and jogged over to her as she was rubbing her eyes leaning on the counter. "Sorry, you okay?"

"Yeah, just woke up. Daryl told me you were on watch." She told, looking up to him squinting her tired eyes.

"How ya feeling?" He asked, tilting his head to get a look at her.

Angela rolled her neck getting the kinks out. "Sore. I hate feeling like this. I'm weighing you guys down."

Rick frowned at that. "No, you're not. Don't think that." He told, gently rubbing her shoulder reassuringly.

She smiled at his kind gesture. "Mind if I keep you company?"

Rick extended his arm out to the counter, "Be my guest." he offered.

Angela sat upon the surface and crossed her legs, releasing a sigh. She shivered when the window managed to get through the front open door. "It's really getting cold out there."

Rick nodded, leaning his back against the counter beside her. "Hoping it's just a gust passing through."

Angela hummed in response, tilting her head in thought. The two sat in silence, sounds of the whistling wind outside. "One good thing about this cold." He looked to her. "It'll freeze any walkers outside. Giving us an advantage."

Rick hadn't thought on that. "Probably only advantage we have for a while."

He glanced to the woman, only to have his eyes fall onto the blemish on her head. It was impossible to cover or hide it without causing head pain to her. Rick just couldn't help but wonder where the scar came from, it was something traumatic with how much she tried to hide it. Wearing hats and bandanas, her sister covered it best she could as well. Her hair was too short to even try and comb anything over to cover it.

Feeling eyes on her, Angela glanced over just to see Rick look away. She sighed, "I know it's an eyesore."

"I didn't mean to stare." He apologized.

The woman blinked, rubbing her tired eyes then looked away again. She didn't see Rick steal another glance in the corner of her eye so she kept her own sights at the door. "It was a punishment."

Rick's brows furrowed, "Punishment?" She turned to him, then pointed at her scar.

His eyes went wide, mouth opened and closed wanting to ask more about it. But, he didn't want to overstep the boundaries. She was opening up to him, choosing to do so. Rick didn't want to push her too far into an uncomfortable corner.

"The very first group me, my sister, and brother came across was this man and his people. You can say it becoming a community. It was only two months into it and when we met these people, we thought society was going to build right back up again. They gave us shelter, food, and safety from the walkers."

Angela swallowed, looking down at her lap as she let her fingers tangled together. "The man, his name was Roy Benson. He was in charge and was a kind man- at first."

"He did that to you?" Rick asked, Angela nodded. "Why?"

Her eyes shifted up to him, almost finding it hard to form the words. She thought back on the day it happened.


"Brothers 'n sisters! We have found a black sheep in our flock!" Called out the man, leader, and savior known as Roy Benson.

His red hair was held in a ponytail as it trailed down his mid back. His matching goatee and well dressed suit proved he was a clean man compared to some of his people. He looked to be the age about late forties to early fifties. The man's loud voice reached out to his people as they gathered around a front college building on campus. Many people, dozens possibly thousands listened to him, looking up to him as he stood above them like some God on a makeshift platform. His stature was tall and his width was thin.

"A black sheep, who has wronged us!" He continued, pacing back and forth as over his people. His thick southern drawl and a tone that made him sound like a preacher. "'Dey gone against our ways 'n our life, a'most riskin' us against 'ta undead out 'tere!"

"Show us!"

"Bring them to us!"

The people bellowed, raising fists to see who the culprit was. Roy nodded, wanting to please his people. He opened the doors to the front building behind him, letting the person be shoved outside. Their arms bound behind them, but the figure was proved to be a girl in her teens as her face was covered with a bag. He grabbed her arm, bringing her to the front of everyone and roughly removed the bag to reveal it was Kaylee. People screamed and hollered at her, throwing their fists in the air. The teen looked shaken in her stance, wanting to step back from the angry people but Roy's grip kept her in place.


"'Dis child has done us wrong!" He barked out, making the people quiet down to listen. "We people believe in trust 'n respect in this lovely community! But, we can not stand for defiance 'n disrespect 'tat 'dis she devil has displayed!"

Kaylee glared at the man, only to earn a stick eye right back at her from him. She coiled from his, wanting his grip off feeling bruises forming under his hand.


"She will be given a severe punishment 'tat she won't be forgettin'!"

"Wait! Hey, wait!"

The crowded parted letting Angela through. Her shoulder length dirty blonde hair kept in a braid, green eyes wide staring in shock at the scene before her. Her stage formed into a thick glare as she approached the makeshift stage.

"What the hell is going on?"

The man grinned deeply at the sight of the older sister. "Ah, Angel." His tone softened when speaking to Angela. She snarled at his chosen nickname for her. "'Tought ya went on a run wit' yer brother?"

"Nolan went with Jake instead." She dismissed, moving to climb the stage only to have some people block her. "Roy, what are doing with Kay? What 'wronged' bullshit are you spouting?"

He placed a hand over his chest, "Angel, I assure ya. Yer sister has broken a rule, endangerin' 'ta people."

Roy waved an arm toward the crowd who booed and jeered at the teen. Angela glared over the heads then back at the ginger. "What exactly did she do?" She called over the loud voices behind her.



Rick listened to her story, in which Angela paused in her words. She opened her mouth to continue, but only sighed and rubbed her head. "Sorry, felt dizzy for a moment."

"You should rest some more. It's almost dawn, get as much sleep as possible." He told, glancing out the window waiting for the sign of the light outside of the sun rising.

Angela slide off the counter, Rick stood by in case she felt wobbly at her stance. "I'll finish the story once my head is a little clear. It's just all foggy thinking about it."

Rick furrowed his brows. He hoped the head injury wasn't causing memory problems. Then again, a lot has happened since she met him and the group. Still, something as traumatic as that would be burned into his mind for the rest of his life.

"I'll go sleep for a little bit. If not, I'll pester Daryl." She joked, sending a short wave.

"Rest well." He wished, nodding to her as she rounded the isle.

Rick paced a little bit in front of the counter thinking on the story she's told so far. The man, Roy, sounded like a dictator. The way she described him sounded like some preacher or politician. Rick had the need to know what had happened to not only her brother, but how it came to her and Kaylee leaving the group and meeting the Atlanta group.

Seeing bright light start to fade in from outside, Rick sauntered over to the front to see the outside. His shoulder sagged and lips frowned at the sight before him. He stepped back, sighing and brought a hand to rub his forehead. Squinting at the unusual brightness, made him look away in aggravation. He should've known- Damnit!

A surprise blizzard rolled through. They were snowed in.

Notes

Comments

@DarylsLilAssKicker

If you love this one, check out the sequel; 'I Just Wanna Die Anywhere Else'!

VixxDer VixxDer
8/4/18

Love love love!!!!!