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O'Death

Chapter Seventeen

Everyone awoke to find Rick revealing to them the snow bound against the doors. Some snow trickled in through the gaps of the tool box, letting more cold in. They wanted to be far from the door, but with no proper blockage at the opening, it made them paranoid. The walkers might struggle in the snow, but the living won't.

To try and keep warm, they took a charcoal grill and lit it using whatever boxes and paper could be found to burn. The large manuals were be perfect as T-Dog kept ripped pages and crumbed them up to toss into the fire. All grouped around the fire, silently thinking the same thing; They were trapped.

"How long do you think the snow will stay?" Kaylee asked, sitting beside her sister.

"Hard to say, it could snow again later and add more inches." Hershel indicated. "How high is the snow now?"

"We found a measuring tape, found it to be over a foot." Rick told, crouching before his group. "Just as Hershel said, it could snow more. Impossible to get the cars out like this."

"So, we're stuck here?" Carol looked around at everyone in worry. "We can't stay here. We don't have enough food or blankets."

"I doubt we're gonna be here all winter. The further East we go, the less snow we'll be having to handle." Angela assured.

"One thing's for sure," Maggie spoke up. "We'll have to have full access to this mall if we're gonna be staying here longer."

Everyone nodded in agreement. "We can't find the keys anywhere, so we'll have to break the lock to that grate." Rick told them, giving a small grunt to stand. "I didn't want to, so we can shut it when we need to. We got no other choice."

"Did you check the register?" Kaylee asked.

Eyes went to her, some in a questioning way, Rick squinted at her. He looked to the said machine behind it, it was closed when they arrived and clearly untouched. "What do you mean?"

"We don't need the money inside." Daryl told, earning a glare from the teen.

"Obviously." She remarked at him, getting to her feet. Kay walked around the counter, looking over the money machine. "Do we have a crowbar?"

T-Dog handed her one he kept with him as a weapon he found in the store. She nodded in thanks and positioned it, jamming it into the drawer and forcing it opened with a grunt. Money was indeed left inside, but she ignored it and lifted the inner drawer grinning.

"Bingo, bango, bongo." She reached in and revealed a key to the others.

They were in awe, after all this time looking around the damn thing was kept in the drawer. Rick shook his head, grinning as he was handed the key. "How in the hell did you know it would be in there?"

The teen slammed the drawer shut with a shrug. "I worked part time in the summer. Figured if my job kept a spare key in things in the drawer, why not here?"

Angela smiled at her sister, proud of her quick thinking there. "Told you retail was worth it."

Rick turned to the others, "We'll have to determine who is going to make a sweep on the mall." he announced.



Those who volunteered were Glenn, Daryl, and Maggie. Angela still didn't feel one hundred percent enough to go on runs or fight, so she decided to stay behind. T-Dog stayed as well to keep watch, Carl wanted to go but Lori convinced him she wanted his company. Seems using the pregnancy card would work to keep her son nearby, Rick pondered how long that would work. His son wasn't stupid, he'd catch on eventually and would need him in runs and sweeps sooner or later. The one person who had to come unwillingly was Kaylee. Rick argued she was the only one who really knew the layout and had to guide them without wandering aimlessly.

"We'll keep it unlocked in case you need to make a run back." T-Dog informed as he kept the key on him.

"Don't be droppin' that key." Daryl warned, earning a eye roll from the man.

It was clear Daryl was joking, but the memory of it made Rick sigh. Kaylee raised a brow at the interaction of that notion, but dismissed it.

Angela crossed her arms at her sister, "If you find clothing, get something warmer. I'm surprised you didn't get frostbite yet."

"Clothing is a priority." Rick nodded at the sister's suggestion.

"Winter clothing won't be easy." Angela informed. "We saw no winter equipment in here, best try a storage room if possible."

T-Dog pulled the grate down, as it shuddered and shook when slamming to the floor. Everyone was tense at the loud noise it made.

"We'll be back in an hour, at best." Rick told them.

"And if you're not?" Angela inquired, raising a brow.

"We will." Daryl assured, earning a small smile and nod from her

Kaylee huffed. "Let's go."

The teen took lead with Rick beside her, Maggie, Glenn, and Daryl flanking the back. They walked over to the food court first to check for anything. Once again, more water was found and a few snack bags. Most of the foods sold were rotted, old, moldy or in the leaky freezers just as worse. They piled the waters outside the grate, then made their way to the stores across. There was a gaming store that proved useless, then a candy store. Though it was empty, much to dismay for any food to be found. What they thankfully found, was a ninety-nine cent store. Rare to find in malls, Rick was thankful nonetheless.

The doors were wide open, they cautiously entered, with weapons raised for anything to jump them. It was dead silent, some items could be found on the shelves further in the store. Ramen packs and cans of vegetables were shoved into the bag Glenn carried with him, along with crackers and chips. They ignored the freezers as before and left the store.

"It's not as much as I hoped." The Korean muttered, disappointed in their finds in the cheap store.

"Judging by how some stores are locked down, people tried to seek refuge here." Rick determined, as they trudged further into the mall with careful steps.

Kaylee couldn't have a perfect stride like the others, her leg was stiff and felt unable to bend well. She took a step, then limp. Took a step, then limp. She was either finding the others slowing down for her at times or pausing to have her catch up when they noticed they were walking faster than her. The teen didn't have short legs either, her height reached about five ft. eight, just two inches shorter than Rick and Daryl. She would keep up well, if her leg wasn't so messed up.

Her eyes traveled down taking a peak at the growing scars on her knee. Not paying attention, she rammed her face into the back of Daryl's vest earning a look. She glared and rounded him to see why they stopped. Rick was at a glass railing, looking down at the lower floor below them. They approached beside him and gasped finding dozens of walkers down below. They staggered and wandered about, moaning and snarling to themselves.

"That explains the echoing." Kaylee muttered.

"Why aren't they coming up here, though? What's keeping them down there?" Glenn asked, mentally counting how many there could be.

Maggie found an escalator not far from them. She jogged over, getting the others' attention. "This could explain it." They walked over, finding fridges and ovens piled up at the bottom of the escalators.

Some walkers spotted them at the top, hissing and banging itself against the pile. Others saw it rile up and joined, the group tensed in case they managed to get through. But even with five, or twelve at it, the appliances weren't budging.

"Someone really thought ahead on it all." Glenn praised.

"Ya don't think that someone is still here, do ya?" Daryl questioned, looking to Rick.

"Sure as hell hope not." He dismissed, turned to walk away.



"Tempting, isn't it?"

Beth and Carl were by the front door when they heard Angela's voice. They had been on watch for the front door, though Beth had no gun, she held a hammer. Angela was sure the teen hadn't killed walkers before, she hoped Carl or Maggie would teach her. Maybe even Kaylee could, finally having someone around her age.

"What is?" Beth asked as Angela walked up to him.

She pointed at the door, almost nodding her head. "The snow, almost makes you want to go out and play."

Beth smiled at her, "I was thinking it." she admitted.

"We can't." Carl shook his head.

"No, I know we can't." Angela chuckled at the instant reply from him. "Just a reason to come talk to you guys."

Beth fully turned to her, hammer loose in her fingers. "I thought you'd be with T-Dog at the grate for their return."

She shrugged, "He said he'd handle it. Pretty much no one is letting me do much. Just like back at the farm." Angela let a sigh out, shifting her stance. "And it's driving me insane."

Carl glanced out at the blinding whiteness outside as the sun shined on the white snow. He sheepishly shrugged, "It really is tempting."

Angela and Beth giggled at the Carl's honesty. "I saw an enclosed fenced area, they'd keep deliveries there. If it's secure enough, maybe I can convince Rick to let you two and Kaylee take a little trip down out there."

Carl had his doubt, "He wouldn't allow it." he told.

The older female hummed at the boy. "I'll think up of a reason. Just so long as you guys don't stay out too long, I think it'll be fine if I'm keeping watch. Which reminds me," Her eyes fell on the blonde. "You'll have to learn self defense soon, Beth. When Kaylee gets back, she and Carl can help you."

Beth nodded, looking nervous as the notion. "I honestly never fired a gun before."

"Don't worry, neither has Kay." She smiled down at Carl and flicked at his hat. "Think you can teach the girls a thing or two?"

Carl beamed and nodded, fixing his hat. "You can count on me."

Angela chuckled, "Perfect. I'll leave you two be, feel like an oldie pestering some kids for attention." The two laughed as Angela left them be.



Rick, Daryl, Maggie, Glenn, and Kaylee managed to make it across to the other mall, but were stopped as the clothing store had a grate locked up. Rick tried to pry it open, despite he knew only reaching the lock could do the deed. Sadly, the lock was on the inside of the store, but Kaylee could slid her skinny arms between the gaps and reach it.

"How can we open this one?" Glenn asked, looking inside the dark store. No skylights were in there and no sign of the sun reaching though any doors from outside.

"My second guess, would be security keys." Kaylee grunted as she got her arm back through, rubbing the marks the metal gave her. "There's a problem with that."

"Don't tell me-" Glenn groaned, knowing what she was going to say.

"It's downstairs."

Daryl shook his head, "'Course it is." he paced around in aggravation. "Why don't we take those power tools we got to it?"

"It'll be extremely loud." Kay told with a tone to the redneck. "You also can't use power tools without power, genius."

He spun at the teen. "Listen, ya little-"

"Hey, enough!" Rick got in between Daryl and Kay. He knew Daryl wouldn't hurt the, teen but he didn't want an argument to start between the two.

Daryl scoffed and wandered away from them.

This has been going on through their tour in the mall. Every time Daryl had something to say, she'd retort it in a smartass remark or just shut his suggestions down. Maggie and Glenn kept out, Glenn himself didn't want to endure the wrath of the hormonal teen. Maggie bit her lip to keep was saying anything, reminded her of how Beth would act when she went into her brat mode. Daryl had been holding himself back for a good while. If it was anyone else, he'd yell back left and right. Rick had a hunch it was because she was Angela's sister, it kept him quiet for about this long.

"Kaylee." Rick turned to her.

She folded her arms, shifting her weight to the side. "What? It's true."

He shook his head, a warning finger raised at her but couldn't find the words. He just sighed, not wanting to deal with a lecture, hand dropping to his side. "Is the grate on the lower level closed?"

Daryl leaned over in an angle to try and see over the glass rail. "Can't tell from here."

Rick walked over, leaning next to Daryl. The two felt the rail shift making them instantly step back. Despite it being glass, the poles were crooked, proven to break off from any weight on it.

"Let's head back for now. We know this floor is safe, so that's something." Rick ordered, the others agreed and left the grate to follow.

Kay begrudgingly followed, tailing at the back on purpose. Her glare was kept switching between the back Rick's head to Daryl's. Half of her mind thought she was acting very immature with these two, retorting and starting fights. Though, the teen bit back a grin when she finally got the redneck's temper to flare. She didn't see what Angela liked about Daryl, whenever she was went back to Angela he was right there with her. After their spat, he was sitting there watching her sister sleep. This morning, he was awake first sitting with Angela talking. Kay did notice that once she arrived, he backed off and left them. Good, he was learning to back off, but not enough. The teen wanted the hillbilly to stay away completely.

Kay didn't mind most of the other members, Glenn was kind and awkward, but kept with the Maggie and her family most of the time. Carl she liked sticking with the most, his mother had been distant so she didn't know Lori well. Carol was nice, Kay assumed she and Daryl were close since Carol approached him on his thoughts about Rick's decisions at times. T-Dog, she liked his company. He was quiet at times, but gave his word in conversations when needed.

The teen's mind wandered until she spotted a snack machine next to an emergency exit down a hall. Her hazel eyes looked to the others, seeing they were marching back. Deciding for a quick check, Kaylee half limped half jogged over to it, seeing it was still intact with candy bars, chip bags, mini cookies- a gold mind! Kaylee grinned as she whipped the baton out and stepped back. She brought an arm up to cover her face and slammed the baton against the glass having it smash and shatter apart. It sprinkled all over the ground and inside of the machine, making Kay's smile widened. Eager, she reached in grabbing whatever she could and piled it beside her.

"Kay!" A voice hissed at her. She looked over seeing the damn hillbilly rush over to her. "The hell ya doin'?"

"What does it look like?" She retorted, leaning deeper to get the snacks in the backs of the coils.

"We heard glass break n' we find ya gone." He spat at her carelessness.

Kay looked past him seeing no one there, "So, did the sheriff send you to fetch me?" She clicked her tongue with a smug look. "Such a good boy."

Daryl bit his lip, stepped up to lash out at her. He let out a long sigh and turned away, mumbling curses to himself. Kay sneered, letting her arm reach about for more bags and packages. "Seems you can teach an old dog new tricks."

"Keep runnin' that mouth of yer's. It'll get ya killed." He warned.

"Are you threatening me, redneck?" She questioned, almost laughing at his words.

"More like a warnin'." He remarked.

Kay gave a mock laugh, "Wow, how thoughtful of you."

Daryl wanted to just ditch this mouthy brat so badly. Once emptied out, she slugged her bag off her shoulder and started shoving them all in the backpack. Daryl had his arms crossed, watching her as she was content with her actions and words.

"Done?" he asked, raising a brow.

Kay rolled her eyes and shoved past him, turning the corner with Daryl following. The others were found waiting at the grate, finding Rick's disapproving looks. Kay's smile faded, not at him, but the deep frown Angela was sending her sister.



"What in the hell is wrong with you?" Angela paced in front of her sister in anger, as Kay sat on top a tool box. "I didn't think I would have to tell you to stick with them, I didn't expect you to actually wander off."

Rick and Daryl stood by watching the older sister unleash her wrath on the teen. At first, the men wanted to leave the sisters alone, but Angela insisted they stay, as Rick was the leader and Daryl made sure she got back. The teen pouted childishly on top the tall toolbox in the power tool section, trying to ignore her sister's scolding.

"When you are out there, you listen to the others." Angela stopped and pointed a finger at Rick. "Rick is in charge, so you do what he says." Then her finger went to Daryl who flinched for a second. "If you are with Daryl, you listen to what he says. End of story."

"Whatever." Kaylee waved off.

Angela growled in anger, turning away and pinching the bridge of her nose. She didn't need this, she should be resting. "I know it's hard to adjust to being in a group, but you'll have to get used to it."

Kaylee turned to Angela, throwing her legs over the edge. "I get used to it? You didn't even want to go with them in the first place!" She threw an arm out toward the men. "Now, you do what they say without question. Makes me sick!"

Angela spun back at her, stumbling a bit on her footing. "You were the one who insisted we go with them just to get to Fort Benning. I agreed for you, Kay."

"Don't make this as if it's my fault!"

"I'm not! It's no one's fault this happened!"

"It had to be someone's fault, Angie!"

Rick and Daryl stood by silently, deciding not to give in their opinion on this. Sibling arguments or fights was something Daryl understood having an older brother. Though, not in this context for sure. They mostly drunk fought or Merle just started wrestling with Daryl in means to 'toughen him up'. What also made this largely different, this was between sister- Women. It might be best if Maggie, an older sister to a younger sister, was here instead of these men. Rick, on the other hand, had seen teenage girls duke it out. By duke, meaning they'd rip their hairs out and seek for blood. The first time he saw a cat fight, Shane left him to deal with it. It resulted in Rick getting scratch marks on his arm and swore the one girl bit his hand. The once was sheriff hoped the sisters wouldn't get caught up in such a tussle.

"Why does it have to be someone's fault, all the damn time?" Angela asked, clapping her hand at each word. "Shit happens and there's no explanations sometimes."

"Maybe Rick should've kept a better eye out." Kaylee puffed her cheeks and looked away, crossing her arms as usual.

"You're old enough to know not to wander off, and stop with the attitude! Especially toward these two." Kay's shoulders tensed at that accusation when Angela waved her arm at the men. "Think I wouldn't notice, or did you not expect them to tell me?"

Kay mumbled about them being tattletales, whoever told. She honestly didn't think anyone would actually tell. Her silence was enough for Angela to continue.

"You can't keep blaming Rick for everything that happens, he has enough on his back already with what's happening. And I don't know why you got a problem with Daryl, but I want it to stop." The older sister demanded, still earning no response.

Angela released a huge sigh, rubbing the side of her head feeling pain return. "If you're going to be acting like this, maybe it's best you stay and let the others handle the runs."

"Fine!" Kay snapped, turning her body away. "I didn't want to go anyway."

Angela's shoulders sagged and she turned trudging back to the men. "I am, so, so sorry, Rick. You too, Daryl."

Rick rubbing his chin, taking in the bout between them. "Does she usually do that?" Angela looked to him in question. "Y'know, wander off."

Angela shook her head, though regretted it with a wince. "No, she would whine about things, but never wandered off. She knows better!" She barked at the teen, who just huffed at her.

"Well, like you said. We'll keep her back here. She needs to learn proper self defense anyhow." Rick told, placing his hands on his hips as his usual habit.

She turned back to him. "I was just telling Carl how Beth should learn some self defense. Maybe a little gun training as well."

Rick glanced toward the direction of the front, "We won't be leaving anytime soon. Carol needs to learn to handle them as well."

"Good, and don't let what she said get to you, please?" She looked at the two men. "Whatever she said, she didn't mean it."

"Yes! I did!" Kay barked at them.

Angela groaned to herself in annoyance. Daryl nodded silently, shifting his footing ready to take his leave. He felt awkward enough having to witness that argument. Rick eyed the teen up, thinking on how to handle her with this attitude. Rick can ignore her snide comments as much as possible, Daryl with a short temper, was a different story.



Two days had passed, snow still kept them inside and the group was coping with their situation best they could. Angela's condition passed over and she was well enough to go on runs again. The group learned about the lower half of the mall being crowded with walkers, uneasy knowing those things were all over below them. Although, they were assured it was blocked and Rick kept the grate closed at all times.

Emotions through the group were beginning to show. Carol and Angela spent time with Daryl to chat, though he seemed distant with Angela. Lori kept her space from Rick, the two didn't even talk that much anymore. Angela wondered if it had to do with the possibility that the child she was carrying was Shane's and not Rick's. Other members took notice, but none questioned it. Kaylee kept her distance from nearly everyone, but Beth and Carl. With them close to her age, despite being older, she felt better than being near the demanding adults. They usually talked about their days in school or life before the outbreak.

Rick himself left at times to try and find a way to get into the store across the mall. No security location was found upstairs, Angela went with him and Daryl on the second day to see the situation. Their third day in the building was spent teaching Carol and Kaylee about guns with the help of Carl and T-Dog. Though with little ammo, they just resulted in how to clean and work the guns. That was going to change.



"A gun store?" T-Dog questioned as they sat around to eat some ramen. Lori was eating out of the veggie cans, as the chicken flavor smell was making her feel sick. "Right here, in this mall? You gotta be shitting me."

"I shit you not." Angela proudly stated waiting for her portion of the noodles to cool off. "With all the woodsy area around here, they hunted out there a lot. It opened about two years ago. I can't believe I completely forgot about it." She laughed.

"Good thing you remembered it when showing you the walkers down below." Glenn agreed, his smile fading. "Wait, the walkers."

"How many are down there?" Carol asked.

"'Bout a few dozens or so." Daryl answered.

Angela sighed, "I was thinking to lore them at the bottom of the blocked escalator and just stab them one by one." She shook her head. "Thinking it over, they'd pile up and soon be unreachable after many five or so. Wouldn't even make a dent."

"It sounds way too dangerous to even try anything." Lori opposed. "All that for, maybe a bullet or two. We don't know what kind of supplies are down there, if there are any."

Rick finally spoke up, "We need bullets, we'll figure a way down there. Just gotta think it through."

"Even if there's a chance nothing is left?" Lori questioned, giving her husband a skeptical look.

He didn't meet her gaze, he kept it on the small fire trying to keep them warm. "We need to get to the security dock anyway. Even if we lessen the numbers, worth a shot."

Lori looked away in disgust, any opinion she had was shot down by Rick instantly. Lori placed her can down, and stood excusing herself to the bathroom. No one spoke for a while, thinking how they could access the lower floor.

"What if we did the same back at the farm?" Beth asked, everyone looked to her. "When the barn was on fire, it caught a lot of those things' attention."

"You saying we should set something on fire?" Kaylee asked sarcastically.

"Er, no." Beth answered.

"Go on, honey." Hershel encouraged her.

She shrugged sheepishly. "I mean, what if we set up something to get their attention?"

"Like what?" Carl asked, intrigued by her idea. Beth shrugged again, not knowing what could be used as such in the mall.

It got quiet after that, Rick silently thinking over the situation. He looked over at the group, seeing them struggling to stay warm. Kaylee still wore those damn shorts and tank, she had a risk of getting sick or frostbite with the cold. Everyone needed proper gear for the winter, but also proper training.

"Daryl and I will give it a check tomorrow, see what we can do." Rick finally informed, getting to his feet. "Let's get another night's rest while we can." He eyed the front door and turned to walk around the store.

A habit Rick had was when a decision was made, he tended to think it over to himself walking around alone. No one bothered him, though Angela grew concerned. He held so much weight on his shoulders and everyone expected perfection. If something went wrong, Rick was instantly blamed. Praise was rarely given to the man. A small amount of guilt was held in her chest, remembering how she blamed him when Kaylee got lost out in the woods. Now, Kay herself was doing it to him, it wasn't fair.

Kaylee watched Rick leave, giving a roll of her eyes as she stuffed her face of her remaining noodles. She muffled something with a full mouth earning a look from her sister. "Wha?"

Angela held this disgusted look, "Swallow before speaking, Kay." she told.

The teen opened her mouth, showing her chewed food making Angela groan and look away. Kay hummed in laughter and swallowed. "Happy?"

"I'll be happy when you drop the attitude." Angela retorted, leaning her chin into her palm.

She scoffed and stood, "Whatever." Kay marched off to the exercise section.

Once out of range, Angela sighed leaning her head back against the shelving behind her. "I am never having kids." She muttered, earning a soft laugh from Maggie.

"Speaking of kids," Attention went to Hershel, as he eyed everyone up. "Lori's baby will be arriving in about seven months. Which means, I'll need help when the delivery day arrives."

"Of course, daddy." Maggie nodded, willing to help either way.

"I'll help." Carol rose her hand, slowly placing it back down. "I want the baby to arrive as safely as possible."

Hershel smiled to the woman, "I'll train you whenever we can. I'd like you to be my assistant during the procedure."

At this point, Carl and Beth left to follow Kay. Probably to entertain themselves or practice more self defense before going to sleep. Once gone, a subject that has been meaning to be risen was brought up.

"When the baby is born, how will Rick handle it?" Angela asked, some gave her questioning looks. She shrugged, "I mean, what if the looks of Shane comes into the kid. Will Rick reject it?"

Everyone looked to one another, some with worry and others skeptic. "I can't see Rick doing that." Glenn spoke up, "He loves Lori, he fought his way to get to his family. I can't see him just-" He threw a hand up, shaking his head. "I don't think he will."

"I just can't believe that was happening before Rick got back." Carol told, huddling her knees up. "I thought Shane was Lori's husband at first, when she told us he was dead…" Carol sighed, knotting her fingers.

Angela sat up, "I spoke with Rick, she really did think he was dead." Angela put her makeshift plate down and moved to add more papers to the fire. "I don't think it was right, going to another man right after your husband is dead."

"You wouldn't do the same?" Maggie questioned, Glenn glanced at her question. "Even if it was a few months, or years. You wouldn't move on?"

Angela shook her head, looking to her. "Nope, if someone told me someone I loved was dead. I'd never get over it, I rather die alone."

Daryl kept looking up from adjusting his crossbow when Angela spoke. When the hunter and Merle first met the group, his brother kept making crude comments about Lori and Shane on how attached they were to each other. Though, it didn't matter until the mention of Lori being pregnant came into play. Daryl was not an idiot, he can do the math and knew it was not Rick's.

"I think all that matters now, is that we are there to help and support Lori. Even if Rick isn't." Hershel told, everyone nodded in agreement.


The adolescents were found at the grate, where Kaylee was arguing with Carl.

"Your dad left you with the key, just hand it over." The teen urged, holding her hand out to him.

Carl stood his ground, "No, he said it stays shut at all times."

"Why do you want the key anyway?" Beth asked.

Kaylee looked to her, "Rick doesn't want to take the risk on your idea. Making a distraction, it's perfect!"

"But with what?" She asked.

Kaylee grinned, folding her arms. "A car."

"What?" The two questioned.

"You heard me." Kay snickered, "I saw it down below, I don't think Rick and Daryl did though."

"Okay, what about it?" Beth questioned, "You gonna hot wire it?"

Carl looked up with interest. "Can you?"

Kay's smile faltered, "Well, no." She admitted, leaning on the grate. "I just gotta rig the horn and that'll do. While they go to the car, we can access the gun store and the security dock."

Beth and Carl looked to one another, it wasn't a bad plan. But, it was dangerous that she was about to this by herself. Kay looked between the two, seeing their hesitance.

"I don't expect your help, I just need the key." She shot her hand back out to have Carl hand it to her. "If you don't hand it over, I'll just wrestle you for it."

Carl sighed, he reached into his pocket and dropped it key into her palm. "Carl." Beth reached out to get the key from Kay, only to have her yank her hand back. "Kay, you can't do this. It's too dangerous. Just let Rick and the others handle it."

Kay glared at her, "I'm sick if letting the others handle shit. Look where it got us, where it got you guys!" She exclaimed lowly, the two looked away. "If no one else is going to do anything, I'll have to."

Beth took a step forward, locking her hands together. "Please don't do this, Kay." She looked to Carl, "Talk some sense into her!"

Before Carl could even get a word out to either of them, the padlock clicked and fell to the tile floor with a clunk. She threw the grates up and ducked under them. "I'll be back!" She called, and bolted out into the mall.

"Kay!"

"Kay, come back!"

"What the hell is goin' on?" The two turned to see Daryl had jogged over. He saw the grate opened and marched over to the padlock on the floor. "Why is this opened?"

"Kay just ran out there." Beth immediately told, stepping up to the hunter. "She said she wanted to distract the walkers her way, and she left."

"None ya'll tried to stop her?" He questioned, then raised the padlock. "Who gave her the key?"

Carl stepped back, his head lowered as his hat hid his face. Daryl tossed the padlock to Beth and he ducked under, then slammed the grate shut. Daryl pointed a finger at the two, "Do not come out here, I'll be back."

They nodded and Daryl turned jogging into the mall.



"There's the car." Kay grinned at the sight of the black Mazda sitting perfectly still by the side exit of the bottom floor. The once was clean and new car now sat there covered in grime and dust, with specks of blood of whoever's.

"The moon roof, I can smash it and climb right in to set the horn." Kay chewed her lip, tapping the baton against her knee. "But how?"

"How's 'bout we start by gettin' yer ass back to the others?"

Kay jumped and spun around to see a fuming mad Daryl Dixon. She brushed off his anger and folded her arms. "They tattled, didn't they?"

"Doesn't matter, we're goin' back." He told adjusting the crossbow over his shoulder. "Ya shouldn't be runnin' off out like that, get yerself killed."

Kay glared at him, "No one else was going to do anything, I had to." she pointed toward the car. "We can set the horn on it and it'll get their attention, letting us get to the store. It's simple!"

"No, it ain't." Daryl argued. "We're not sure it would work, they don't just go by sound, they go by scent." He indicated tapping the side of his nose.

"It's still worth a shot."

Daryl sigh, he was close to throwing her over his shoulder and carrying the brat back. "C'mon." He reached out, taking her arm only to have her yank it out of his grip.

"Don't touch me." She demanded, stepping back.

Daryl stepped forward, reaching for her arm again. "I ain't playin' games. Now, c'mon!"

"I said, don't touch-!"

Kay felt gravity take hold off her, as when she backed up more, she hit the loose railing making her fall over the edge. She let out a scream expecting to slam her body onto the floor below, but felt her arm getting painfully pulled above her. Looking she found Daryl laying on his stomach grabbing her arm to keep her from falling. Kay reached up, circling her grip around his wrist. He groaned and grunted trying to position himself to pull her up.

"Hang on!" He grunted, his grip tight to not let her drop. "Pull yerself up!"

"I-I can't!" She gasped, her legs dangling below her.

"Don't look down!" He growled, teeth clenching as he felt his arms ache to keep her above the walkers.

Said walkers looked up, reaching their arms up to find a meal hanging above them. They all crowded below her, causing her to look down and give a cry at the sight of them trying to reach for her feet. She gasped and yelped, kicking her legs making Daryl's grip loosen.

"Stop movin'!" He barked, feeling her swinging at his hold on her.

"Pull me up! Pull me up!" She cried, trying to tuck her legs up, but found it a struggle. The stress brought moisture to her hands, her eyes shot upwards in panic "Hey- Hey! I'm slipping!"

"Yer not slippin'! I got ya!" Daryl looked around trying to find something to use as leverage to pull her up.
Kay shook her head, terror bright in her eyes. "No, you don't! You're gonna drop me!"

"I ain't dropin' ya!" He barked back over the snarling and hissing of walkers grouped below. "I won't let that happen!"

"It's just like before!" She cried, voice strained as she swallowed. "You left me out in the woods, now you're gonna leave me down here! It's the same!"

Darly's brows furrowed as he frowned. "No, it ain't!"

Where was this coming from? Was she going into hysterics being dangled above dozens of flesh eating creatures? Before he could think of a response, the sweat in both their palms made their grip slip. Daryl tried to reach for her again, but her body was falling to the bottom with her scream echoing in his ears.

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!!!!!