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O'Death

Chapter Four

The group had to recount on what had just happened, as they made their way back to Dale and T-Dog at the interstate. Judging by what the woman on the horse told them, Carl was shot and Rick sent her for Lori, so they didn't expect Shane to be at the interstate. Angela thought on the group suddenly now split into two. With Shane, Lori and Rick gone, adding the injured T-Dog, there defense was down to five people. Did this mean the search would be on hold from this new incident?

"Shot?" Dale questioned Glenn's quivering words, "What do you mean shot?"

"I don't know Dale." He told, climbing over the railing with the others making their way up the hill. "All I know is, this chick rode out of nowhere like Zorro on a horse and took Lori."

Dale's attention when to Daryl who was climbing over next. "You let her?" He questioned, earning an annoyed glare from the redneck.

"Climb down out of my asshole, man." He retorted, going around him to avoid his stare. "Rick sent her, she knew Lori's name and Carl's."

Angela and Andrea tiredly got over the railing, Carol did so last and leaned against it as Angela walked past toward the RV wanting to get to her equipment. "I heard screams, was that you?" He asked Andrea.

"She and Angela got attacked by a walker." Glenn explained, "It was a close call."

Dale looked toward the girls' retreating backs. "Andrea? Angela? You alright?" Andrea only looked back to Dale, she shook her head and entered the RV slamming the doors.

Angela didn't answer, as she also made her way to the Winnebago door, only to stop when Andrea's slam came to her face. Shit, her stuff was in there. Angela didn't want to deal with the emotionally stressed out Andrea, but wanted her personal items. Her eyes caught T-Dog who leaning against the back bumper, a small makeshift blanket over his shoulders. Despite wanting to get her stuff and take a rest somewhere, she wandered over to check his arm. Now seeing him close, he was looking worse than when they left this morning.

"How's your cut doing?" She asked, glancing down at the wound. "Should we clean and try to-"

"Please!" He begged, holding a hand up to keep her hands off his arm. She slightly jumped at his refusal. "It-it hurts too much.."

Angela frowned, but she nodded. "Could grow to be infected." She told him.

"I think it is." She looked over seeing Dale approach her. "He has a high fever. Blood infection, I think."

"Damn." Angela cursed, tipping her cap up a bit as the sun started to hide behind the trees and clouds, giving them shade.

Dale looked her over, some dirt and mud had gotten on her clothing, he noticed black muck at the sleeve of her jacket; walker blood. "You alright?"

Her eyes went up from staring at the ground in deep thought. "Yeah, just thinking." She brushed off, walking pass toward Carol and Glenn, who walked over to the RV.

"I don't have any medication for that, or the proper cleaning stuff for it." She told Dale, hearing him follow her.
Carol tilted her head at her words, she had been pondering this for a while. "Were you a doctor, or a nurse, Angela?"

Her eyes went to the mother, "Oh, no." She shook her head, sheepishly shoving her hands in her pockets. "I was a teacher in a high school before this all happened.

"Medical?"

"History." She licked her lips out of sheer nervousness, finding her past job and education 100% useless in this new world.

"Didn't ya say astronomy?" Daryl questioned, sitting on the hood of a Sudan checking over his crossbow.

"Astrology." She corrected, "But I studied it out of sheer curiosity in college, I majored in child education." She turned her attention to Carol. "I was taught emergency medical training in case any students were injured. The school was far from a hospital, so most of the teachers were trained." Angela cleared her throat, ready to drop the subject.

Dale sighed, a decision needed to be made. He called for Andrea to come out as Daryl hopped off the hood to join them, hearing their discussion not too far. Andrea came out, as Dale leaned against the opened door. Daryl looked over at each of them, with hands resting on his hips.

"What's the plan?" Andrea asked, looking at each of them.

"We may have to move out, we can't be in this position." Dale suggested, but Carol shook her head at what he was saying.

"I won't do it." She said, as everyone looked to her. "We can't just leave."

"Carol, the group is split." Dale tried to reason. "We're scattered and weak."

"What if they come back and we're not here? It could happen." Her eyes found Angela's, needing her support. Angela wanted to agree, but being out in the open with such little people was a huge risk.

Andrea was the one to agree. "If Sophia and Kaylee found her way back and we were gone, that would be awful."

Angela rubbed her eyes, and pinched the bridge of her nose, knowing Carol expected her to agree. But she couldn't find her voice to argue with Dale or Carol on the decision.

Daryl spoke up, feeling the tense struggle. "Okay; We gotta plan for this. I say tomorrow mornin' is soon enough to pull up stakes." His hands went up, "Gives us a chance to rig a big sign, leave them both some supplies." He explained, hands returning to his hips as he looked around for their opinions.

"It's the only thing we can do." Angela spoke, looking up to him as he nodded.

"I'll hold here tonight, stay with the RV." Daryl offered.

"If the RV is stayin', I am too." Dale agreed, patting the side of the said vehicle.

Angela stepped to the side, shifting in her stance feeling her feet still ache from the walk. "Obviously, I'm staying." Her eyes went to Carol, who nodded with a smile at the three.

"Thank you. Thank you, so much." She told them, Daryl nodded and looked to Andrea at her decision.

"I'm in." She smiled, raising a hand.

Glenn looked over everyone, not wanting to feel the odd man out. "Well, if you're all staying then I'm-"

Dale turned, cutting him off. "Not you, Glenn. You're going. Take-take Carol's Cherokee."

Glen frowned, turning his full attention to the bearded man. "Me? What is it always me?"

"You have to to find this farm, reconnect with our people and see what's going on." He tried to reason, gesturing to T-Dog, who still resting on the bumper. "But most important, you have to get T-Dog there. This is not an option." Eyes fell on the exhausted and ill looking member.

Angela sighed, crossing her arms as she looked to Glenn. "I don't have the needed supplies and he won't let me touch it, Glenn. He's got a blood infection, which could kill him." Glenn looked down, nodding at her words.
It was then Daryl had walked away, a thought in mind. Dale and Angela's eyes followed as he walked over to the motorcycle. He sent a short glare towards Dale as he removed a dirtied white rag off the seat, and took something out of the side bags.

When he returned, he chucked the rag at Dale, "Keep yer oily rags off my brother's motorcycle." Daryl placed a large plastic baggie filled with multiple drug containers on a car hood.

Angela approached, seeing the containers in the bag- drugs. Wait, Daryl had drugs? "Why'd ya wait till now to say anythin'?" He asked, opening the bag as he looked through the containers. "Got my brother's stash."

Angela now understood, forgetting the motorcycle was his brother's, not his own. So, his brother was a drug addict. She was starting to see some sort of light on what kind of guy Merle was.

Daryl read the containers out loud, trying to find the correct bottle. "Crystal, X- don't need that." He read a third container, and tossed them to Glenn. "Got some kick ass painkillers." Going back in, he pulled out another bottle and tossed it to Dale. "Doxycycline. Not the generic stuff neither, it's first class."

"Damn, that's some good stuff your brother had. What was it for?" Angela knew that the pills were used to fight infection. Was Merle possibly ill with that type of medication?

"Merle got the clap on occasion." Her brows shot up at that answer, her curiosity stabbed and killed at that moment. Ah, of course he did.

As he walked off, Angela bit her lip and walked over to enter the RV wanting her own personal stuff. A grin was spreading on her face, as she went through her bag. She believes the word 'occasionally' was a light term for 'constantly'. Angela let out a chuckle, shaking her head at the memory of her co-workers teaching students the diseases from unprotected sex. Mrs. Jones had a way of putting fear into those sex driven teenagers.

"What's so funny?" Angela turned after finding a shirt to change into, as the mud and dirt on her clothing was starting to feel gross on her. She found Andrea walking in, curious to her laughter.

"Oh, just-" she shrugged. "Daryl's brother reminded me of the students I used to have." Andrea's brows furrowed in confusion.

Yeah, that didn't make any sense, now thinking. Angela paused her searching and turned to her. "I had a co-worker, Mrs. Jamestone, she taught P.E. and used to scare the sex out of the students."

Andrea smiled, sitting at the table clearly interested. "A lot of sex driven students?"

"Oh yea, trying to fix the reputation of that school was an utter hell." Angela placed the shirt down and went through to find another pair of jeans to change to. "She told those kids every sex diseases and what they do to you." Angela's crooked grin came again. "Jeez, 'clap' haven't heard that term in so long. Just-" She brought a hand up and let it fall back onto the bag, shaking her head. "Just brought back that memory. I did the same damn thing to Kay, she'd laugh hearing this."

Andrea nodded as Angela pulled a pair of lighter shade of blue jeans out and rested them on the table. Andrea folded her arms on the table, watching her head to the small bathroom to change. She returned in cleaner clothing and shoved the dirty clothes into her bag with a sigh.

"I know what you're going through." Andrea said, watching her.

"Oh?" Angela asked, giving a short glance as she took a cloth out and a bottle of water, wetting it to clean the muck off her face and arms.

"Kaylee reminds me of Amy." She told, looking down at the the table surface. "She had a lot of innocence, kinder than I was for sure." Angela nodded, but didn't respond. Andrea took that as to continue. "She wanted to go on runs with Glenn or such, I guess she wanted to be useful in the group."

Angela kept silent, focusing on getting the mud off her arms that was drying, making her had to scratch the crap off. Andrea sighed, "The camp got invaded by walkers, and she got bit. Didn't think I could go on without her." Angela paused and leaned on the counter, closing her eyes. "Just… seeing her terrified face-"

"Stop." Andrea looked up, seeing Angela glare down at the table. "That's not going to be Kay." Her piercing gaze hit Andrea. "She isn't going to leave me."

She clearly didn't mean the conversation to go like that. "I was just-"

"You're sister may be gone, and I am sorry for that." She hurriedly closed the water bottle and shoved that and the rag into her bag. "But Kay is different, she a survivor." Grabbing the bag and roughly taking it off the table, turning to the door. "I already lost my brother, that was devastating enough. You bringing the thought that she could be bitten or dying out there isn't helping me."

Andrea blinked by her sudden attitude, and got to her feet trying to fix this. "I'm just saying, I know what it would feel like if you-"

Angela turned back at her. "What? You expect me to do what I keep hearing you almost did? Take a gun and blow my brains out?"

A frown now appeared in Andrea's features. "That is not what happened."

Angela scoffed, shifting her footing as she slung the bag over her shoulder. "Whatever it was, it was stupid."
Andrea scoffed right back at her, "You said you lost your brother a while ago, you didn't feel the need to do that when it happened?"

"Fuck no!" She barked, stepping back, her words almost faltered at the denial.

"My brother died for some stupid reason, and we lived to keep trudging through this hell hole. Why we lived, I don't know. I ask myself that every goddamn day, sometimes wishing I had died instead of him." She admitted, taking a pause to catch her breath. "If Nolan was here, he would have prevented this, but I couldn't! And hearing your sob story doesn't put my mind at ease; it pisses me off."

Andrea took in her stance, seeing her sway as she kept going on, her voice raising and she was sure others heard her outside the RV. "Angela, I think you need to sit down." The emotions seemed to have been bottling up, and were exploding at this point.

Angela was panting, her mind was fuzzy. "I just need to get some air, and get away from you people!" Angela skipped a few steps to leave the RV, finding Dale and Glenn almost peeking in to see what the shouting was about.

Angela swallowed her dry throat, hearing Dale ask Andrea what just happened. Daryl was by his bag, going through the medication when he spotted Angela walking past him through the cars. He stood, seeing the sweat shine on her face. "Where ya think ya going?"

She just kept walking, ignoring him completely. Andrea stepped up with a look of concern on her face. "She doesn't seem alright." She told looking to him. Angela showed signs of leaving, until she climbed up onto the hood of a chevy and just sat there, staring at the trees.

He looked down and then bent back down to the bike. "Just leave her be for a while." He told her, tinkering with the bike. Andrea wanted to get this straightened out, but decided to obey Daryl's words and returned inside the RV.



Hours passed, and Angela hadn't moved from the car hood. Everyone had eaten and before it got too dark, Glenn left with T-Dog to the farm. Angela just kept sitting there, her knees huddled to her chest as her eyes were still on the treelines. Carol offered her food, but she be claimed he wasn't hungry. It was true, she had no appetite and just wanted to be alone. Once night had fallen, Daryl announced everyone should get some rest, and they piled to the RV to get some sleep. Dale kept watch on top, seeing Angela didn't move. He grew worried, after hearing the argument with her and Andrea, he couldn't stop glancing to check on her. Andrea believes she's emotionally exhausted, like how she was when Amy died. Dale reminded her, that this wasn't like Amy and started to wonder what it was she had said to Angela.

Dale took noticed that she would change her sitting position now and again. His attention got cut off, when he heard someone emerge from the RV. Daryl came walking out, crossbow clung over with Andrea following him. "I'm coming, too." She told him.

Daryl didn't argue, as he looked to Dale who sat back in his foldable chair. "I'm goin' for a walk, shine some light in the forest. If they're out there, give 'em somethin' to look at."

Dale's face scrunched with concern on that notion. "You think that's a good idea, right now?"

"Dale." Andrea gave him a look to drop it, and walked past Daryl. The crap going on between the two was growing larger, Daryl shook his head and followed Andrea who paused to shine her light at the tree lines.
Daryl made his way to the railing, pausing to look over at Angela. She still hadn't moved from her spot, heaving a sigh he followed along the metal up to the car she rested upon. "We're gonna go walk, shine some light for them to see." He told her, she didn't respond or even look in his direction.

He was going a bit far on this, he bit his inner cheek and tried to talk to her. "You wanna," he gave a cough." Wanna come with us? Find anythin' that yer sister might-"

"Just go." She told lowly, resting her head on her knees facing away from him. "I'll slow you down."

Daryl blinked at her words, his brows furrowed and he turned around without a word. Andrea looked her over before following him over the railing and into the woods. Angela could feel eyes on her still, she peeked over her shoulder seeing Dale was indeed watching her. She didn't want to be here, didn't want to be watched or concerned over. Her anger flared as she finally got up, sliding off the car and grabbing her bag. Her footing was off, finding it hard to see the ground below her, slowly maneuvering toward the RV. Dale stood, wanting to say something, but she didn't give the chance as she entered the RV shutting the door. Thought, expecting Carol to be sleeping, the sound of her soft sobs proved wrong.

"Daryl?" She asked, Angela stepped up and looking down the hall to find Carol in the back room, wiping her eyes. "Oh, Angela…" She sniffled and sat up, trying to clean her face.

"Sorry..." She muttered, Carol must have thought Daryl returned sooner than expected- possibly found her daughter. Angela cleared her throat, turning toward the door. "I was just-"

"No, I'm sorry." She told, sitting up, still wiping the remaining tears off her cheeks. Angela watched her wrap her shaw closer to her, Angela felt her head tighten as a tension headache growing in her skull. A soft smile graced her lips seeing Angela. "I'm glad you came in, we were getting-"

"Worried? Don't." She snapped, earning surprised look from her. Angela glanced, guilt filling her chest. "My bad, just... Headache."

Carol nodded, then remembered the painkillers Daryl had from his brother. They split what was left in case they needed any after Glenn and T-Dog left. "Do you want some painkillers for it?"

Angela nodded, but then shook her head, confusing Carol. "He said they were strong, don't need them knocking me out."

"You honestly should be resting, right? You haven't slept in over 24 hours and didn't eat a meal." Angela didn't respond, he rubbed her forehead feeling her headache get worse in mere seconds. Carol noticed her silence, trying to concentrate on her headache. "You're always welcomed to sleep here."

Angela cracked an eye open at her, her smile was saying 'you can trust me'. Can Angela actually trust right now? Well, she was trusting Daryl to find her, and they all trusted Dale to keep watch for them. Carol was a broken woman right now, distrusting would make it worse, right? With a sigh, she decided to muse her and nodded to her suggestion.

"I'll rest my head for a.. Few seconds." She told, trying to think the words through, the pounding headache making it hard to focus.

"You might have a migraine on your hands." Angela now leaned heavily on the table, she closed her eyes and lowered her head onto the bag with a groan. Carol started looking through the RV for the pain pills, before eventually peeking outside to ask Dale. He kept them on him, tossing a bottle down to her. Angela heard him ask what they were four, She explained Angela had a horrible headache. He asked if she was okay, Angela couldn't hear anything that that.

Carol returned, closing the door and holding a pill out to Angela. "Taking it will help."

When she didn't respond, Carol gently patted her shoulder, only to startle Angela and cause her to stumble for the floor. "Oh, gosh!" She gasped seeing Angela wouldn't make a move to get up, she knelt down as Angela's hands pressed against her eyes.

"Angela, this is scaring me now. When was the last time you had proper rest?" She asked, her hand pressing to her forehead to move her hat out of the way.

"Days…" She mumbled, then pressed her hands to the side of her head as her eyes close tightly.

The RV door opened, Dale came in. "What's all the- what happened?" His attention instantly on the woman on the floor. "Angela?"

"She fell over, but I think she's over exhausted." She moved over to Angela's other side, Dale put her rifle down and instantly knelt down to help Carol. "She hasn't slept and the search today didn't help."

"Let's get her to the bed." Dale suggested. They both heaved the girl up, and got her into the bed in the back. Angela groaned as she pressed the palms of her hands into her eyes. She grumbled a being fine, earning a stern look from Dale. "No, you're not. Where are the pills?"

Carol went back to the table, getting the pill he placed there and a bottle of water from Angela's bag. She returned and the two managed to get her to swallow the horse pill, and drink some water. Carol noticed her cap was off her head, must have fallen when they picked her up. Her hand pressed against her forehead in a motherly manner, Angela's hands fell to her side and her breathing started to even out.

"I think she's out for the count." Dale said, Carol nodded in agreement. "Scared the shit out of me." He muttered walking down the hall and taking his rifle, he picked up Angela's hat, looking it over before placing it on her bag resting on the table. "She'll be alright?"

Carol looked over and nodded, "I think she really needs this rest, exhausted hit her hard." Carol rubbed her arm in a soothing way, making sure Angela was indeed asleep. Dale made it for the door, as Carol followed him. "Mind if I join you for a bit? I can't really sleep."

"Of course." Dale told, and the two walked out, leaving Angela to her dreams.



Daryl and Andrea soon returned, after the only thing they found was a walker hung up in a tree, legs eaten clean to the bone. The note on the tree explained in a few simple words that he got bit and 'opted' out, as Daryl like to say. Carol become near distraught once again, seeing only the two of them. A small hopeful thought they might find Sophia was in her mind. This also meant they didn't find Kaylee either, Angela slept though so that's a concern to come in the morning. Carol returned inside the RV, forgetting Angela was sleeping inside for moment. The girl was curled to her side, facing the opposite Carol was facing before. There was room for the two, so Carol laid down beside her, just as she heard the RV door open. Daryl came in, peeking down the hall to find Carol trying to keep from crying. He didn't have to tell her, she already knew.

Resting his crossbow on the seat by the table, he took notice of the bag and hat. The hat was Angela's; now that he thought about it, he didn't see her outside when he and Andrea came back. Daryl looked around, and looked to Carol who nodded her head beside her, finding the girl had been asleep. The exhaustion he mentioned before finally hit her, it seems. He trudged down the hall a bit further, kneeling down to his makeshift bed on the floor, now seeing her curled up to her side. Without the hat, Daryl could see her hair was almost as short as Carol's. The dark made it look more brown, but in the light he knew it was a darker shade of dirty blonde. Carol's soft sobs returned, Daryl glanced to her and to Angela.

They needed to find these girls sooner or later, Carol was venting her emotions out but Angela was becoming a ticking time bomb. He was sure her shouting at Andrea today was only the beginning. For now, he laid down, resting his arms behind his head as he closed his eyes, to get some rest for himself.


The sun hadn't even risen when Angela' finally woken up. Her eyes felt the crusts of sleep, she rubbed them out, sitting up to make sure they didn't fall into her eyes. Letting out a yawn, she looked around finding Carol sleeping beside her, back facing her. Ah, she blacked out from last night. Angela peeked out the window, seeing dawn was almost here. Not wanting to go back, she slid off the bed, making her way down the hall finding Andrea sleeping at the table. Her eyes went to her hat, she instantly placed it on her head without a second thought. She hoped nobody saw that, maybe if she was lucky it was too dark to see anything.

She took her bag, making sure not to wake Andrea who was resting her head right beside it, and stepped down to the doors exiting the vehicle. Her headache was gone, and she felt a little better, energy wise. Yes, Angela admits she needed that rest, but would never say so to the others. What if something had happened while she slept? Taking the final step, she wobbled feeling those pills made her drowsy still.

"Ain't mornin' yet." Angela shut the door and looked up top, finding the hunter on watch duty. Was Dale asleep? He must have been sleeping up front. She remembered seeing a sheets laying in the hall of the RV, Daryl's spot no doubt.

"Don't feel like sleeping anymore." She countered, deciding to get a better look at the area, Angela walked over to the ladder climbing up to join Daryl. She spotted him sitting in the arm chair, crossbow resting in his lap as he eyes scanned the area.

"When'd you get back?" She asked, slowly making her way to him, only to stop a few feet away for personal space.

Daryl shrugged. "Not long after ya blacked out." His narrowed eyes kept off her, watching for anything to move. Angela cursed to herself, she walked to the edge of the roof and sat down, letting her legs dangle off the end. "Told ya were exhausted." He added.

"I wasn't going to rest until I found Kay." She countered, refusing to look to him as well. "Guessing you found nothing out there?"

"Just some dead guy, hangin' in a tree. Left a note." Angela titled her head toward him, wanting to hear more. "Said, 'Got bit. Fever hit. World gone to shit. Might as well quit.' Ended up turning after he killed himself."

"What inspiring words." She said with sarcasm. Angela turned, lifting one leg to look to him. "So, he was just hanging there?"

Daryl nodded, "Like a big, dumbass pinata." Angela couldn't help but chuckle as his chosen words. "His legs were eaten like prime rib."

She shook her head, retaining her laughter. "Did you put him out?" He nodded again, she turned back to look at the trees. "Amazing how many people can just give up, without even trying."

"Once yer bit, yer bit. Ain't no other way than that or turnin'." He told, remembering how Jim and Amy went. Bit and turned, that was the end for them.

"Think your brother would get bit?" She asked, knowing that was not a proper thing to ask.

"Nah." He answered casually, leaning back in his seat. Angela looked to him, as his narrowed eyes met her. "Merle's a dumb pain in the ass, but he'd never let a walker get him." He held up two fingers, "Killed two sumbitches while bleedin' out after he cut his hand off."

Angela nodded at his words, "He sounds like a badass brother, to me."

Daryl shook his head, hand resting on his knee. "Ya wouldn't have liked him, with yer smart talk and shit." He told, Angela stood ready to counter it. "Wouldn't know astronomy from his biology."

Angela couldn't help but snicker at that thought, how could he be so clever on getting out of being handcuffed, yet be as dumb as Daryl claimed? Then again, Daryl seemed to be an expert tracker and hunter, yet didn't know much on the science or history side.

"You're close, it's astrology." She corrected again, he furrowed his brows not seeing the difference. "Astrology is the study of horoscopes, star signs and history. Astronomy, is the study of star readings." Thinking it through, she nodded at him. "They are connected though. I just like the history of the signs more than the science."
Daryl nodded, his eyes went up to the sky, seeing whatever stars were left before the sun would rise. Angela walked over and sat beside his chair, was he looking for some right now, she wondered. "What was that one you made up? Scrotum?"

Angela looked to him, trying not to laugh if he seriously thought that was the name. "I swear, I didn't make it up. Scutum, is the name. It was founded in the late seventeenth century, Latin for shield."

"Figures." He looked around more, Angela couldn't spot any tonight as the sun was going to rise soon.

"You remind me of Sagittarius." She spoke, still looking at the night sky.

"How so?" He asked, his own eyes wandering the stars that were slowly fading.

"He's an archer, like you." Daryl couldn't help but grin at that fact. "The history is that the Scorpius and Sagittarius don't get along."

"But ain't they beside each other?" He asked, glancing to her.

She nodded, "Yes, but he's pointing his arrow at the scorpion." She told, and continued explaining. "Lore has it, that Scorpius the Scorpion was sent to kill Orion the Hunter. Sagittarius is actually Latin for archer. So," She shrugged and smiled to him. "You are technically called a Sagittarius."

Daryl shook his head at her, "Thanks for the history lesson." He sarcastically replied.

The sun was finally shining over, the two looked over watching the sky turn from dark blue to pink. A new day had arrived, a day to join the others at the farm. Angela, didn't want to sun to ever return. She wanted to wait longer for her sister, and staying here alone with an option she couldn't do.

Daryl grew curious, he adjusting his seating and soon got to his feet. "What would ya consider yerself as?" He asked, glancing down to her.

She got to her feet as well, and folded her arms in thought. "Never really thought about myself." She shrugged at him, "Maybe I'll find out sometime."



Lead them; running and going back around was the only thing she could think of. Hopefully she hid Sophia well, the thought they would smell her blood immediately made her mind boggle. The dark night beforehand was hell to get through. Barely on any sleep and covered in mud, sweat, and the little girl's blood, Kay felt like this was just a horrible nightmare. Wake up, wake up! If she wished really hard, she'd wake up next to Angela and…

No, no this was real. Because if she woke up, Nolan wouldn't be there. It would just be Angela and her alone. Alone, how long can she handle being alone? She had just left the girl alone, how well would she do.. If she didn't bleed to death.

Kaylee slid down a cliff, losing her footing to fall face first into a mud pile. She groaned, spitting the gross muck out of her mouth and shook her head to whip it out of her hair. Snarling made her scramble to her feet as she wiped the mud off her face best she could, the weight of the wet dirt hanging off the front of her clothing. Kay coughed, still tasting muck in her mouth, spitting constantly to get it all out, she swore there might have been a bug at one point.

Before leaving Sophia, Kay followed along the creek so that when she lost them, she could follow her way back. It lead to failing, as she got blocked off by more walkers and had to take a sharp turn to avoid being cornered.
Kay's legs burned, wanting to stop and rest, she also felt a stinging side in her waist. Her arm wrapped around and pinching hoping to ease it, it reminded her of being forced to run track back in high school. Kay mentally wished she had ran more back then, not expecting it to actually be important back than.

She wished the sounds of snarling were fading, but she found herself too scared to even look back and check. The sun beat on her shoulders and face, causing the skin to turn red from sunburn. Her breathing was now turned to wheezing as she just couldn't stop. Would she eventually just collapse or find somewhere to hide? Kaylee's thoughts started to think up on what to say if she saw her brother in heaven soon.

Oh God, what kind of thinking is that? She had to live, she can't leave her sister on her own like this. Keep going, she told herself, wincing after leaping over a fallen tree.

Keep!

Going!



The next morning, everyone packed up, though Carol was hesitate despite trying to able herself to do so. She and Angela picked out some foods and drinks to leave behind and gathered them on the hood of a yellow 1967 mustang. Angela near thought of her daddy when looking the vehicle over, Daryl managed to find spray paint in one of the cars, leaving a huge message on the windshield.

SOPHIA KAY
STAY HERE WE WILL
COME BACK EVERYDAY

Angela leaned against the guardrail, looking over the trees. They were leaving, sure they'd go and check everyday. "We're ready to go." Angela sighed at Daryl's voice, she turned finding him approach her with crossbow.

"If I could, I'd stay." She said, crossing her arms.

"We're separated enough, as is."

"What if I handcuffed myself to the railing here?" She told, earning a dark look from Daryl. She realized those words were not right to say, to him of all people. "My bad, I didn't mean it like that."

Daryl shook his head, "Just get packed n' pick a ride." Was all he said and turned, walking away.

Angela sighed and turned followed him until he got to his bike, attaching his crossbow onto the back of his motorcycle. His ride was a no go, she never rode on said ride and if shit were to go south -say a herd came around- they could grab her instantly and the loud noise attracted them. Not to mention, with his reaction to Dale's rag on the said vehicle, she doubted Daryl would allow another human being touching the thing. Her eyes traveled to the RV, it had better protection against a herd and more room for sure. It was Dale's ride, and she didn't have to consider if he would allow, Dale would insist if anything. Angela's final choice was a light green 2011 Hyundai Tucson, which Andrea was driving. She internally winced at the thought of a long silent ride with the woman she barked at yesterday, Dale's RV was the only choice she had.

Carol climbed into the RV, Angela adjusted her bag with fresh food and water now inside, and made her way to the large clunker. Dale smiled at her presence, "How ya feeling?" He asked, not getting a real chance to since she was avoiding everyone all morning when they were turning the cars around.

"Better, thanks." She nodded, and walked up with him behind.

Carol sat at the table, she decided to join her, as Dale moved up to the front. The RV started, Angela can hear the loud roar of Daryl's motorcycle taking lead. How did that not gain any nearby walkers, she wondered.

"Did you sleep alright?" Carol asked, feeling the silence kill her a bit.

Angela personally preferred the silence of the ride, the sound of the motorcycle actually soothed her mind. But, Carol probably needed to talk with the thoughts of possibly leaving Sophia behind plaguing her thoughts. May as well amuse her, for the sake of this lost mother.

"Yea," She muttered, tapping her short fingernails against the table surface. "Sorry about doing that to you. I won't be that troublesome anymore."

Carol smiled and shook her head, "Dale and I were extremely worried, but seeing how you were this morning proved to be alright." Angela nodded and glanced out the window. When they hit a bump, Angela was the only one who was startled as the vehicle jumbled. She grabbed the edge of the table, looking outside as if to see what caused it.

"Sorry!" Dale called from up front, seeing her reaction in the rear view mirror. "Just a small snag on the road." Probably a walker laying in the road, Angela thought.

Carol didn't seem too jolted, possibly used to the bumpiness this vehicle gave. "Don't get carsick, do you?" She asked, tilting her head at the young woman.

Angela couldn't help but chuckle, "Not even a bit woozy." She told, managing to relax a bit once the ride grew smoother. "Just never been in an RV before."

Carol nodded in understanding. "It's the same as a bus, right?"

Angela shrugged at the comparison, resting her arms on the table. "I usually rode in small cars, Corvettes or Cameros growing up."

"You're dad was a Chevy man, I guess?" Dale asked from up front.

Angela moved to sit at the end so she can properly respond. "True blue Chevy man. He was shunned when we moved here years ago, seeing Fords left and right." Angela grinned, "Knowing my dad, he'd travel by foot before relying on a Ford to get around."

Dale and carol laughed at that, imagining a grown man refusing to ride just for the car being a certain manufacturer. "Where is it your from again?" Dale asked, focusing on the road but glanced in the mirror now and again.

"Delaware."

"Oh, I've never been there. What's it like, compared to Georgia?" Carol asked, leaning on the table with interest.

"Well, I've only been in Savannah so I stayed by the shoreline here, I did visit Atlanta once or twice. But, it's much safer here than back home. Delaware is known for having a large crime and murder rate."

"Did that toughen you up, growing up in that environment?" Dale asked.

Angela shrugged, "I guess so. I'm not too shocked with crimes, when a small store got robbed or someone got stabbed on the news, I wasn't too bothered. There is a large weather difference, though."

"You get more snow, right? Being more North?" Carol asked, Angela nodded. "That's one good thing about Georgia with this happening; less snowfall."

Angela hummed in thought, "I didn't think about that."

"It could go both ways." Dale spoke, the two women look over to him. "The snow would slow the walkers down for sure, but it would be a risk for us on shelter and resources."

The rest of the ride grew silent, Carol soon moved to sit up front with Dale. Angela stayed in her spot, gazing out the window as the scenery changed to farm lands. They were getting close, soon open fields of cattle and horses came into her sight. Now and then she'd see a wandering walker, but didn't think too much on it. Surprisingly, the ride was relaxing her to the point she rested her head on the table.

Angela thought back on rides with her dad every weekend, just driving around. They would talk about her job or his car projects. It had been awhile since she admitted that she missed her father, the cars back on the highway brought back memories. Being able to identify each one and the type reminded her of what her father drilled into her head. Whenever they went on drives, he would point out what each car was at every red light or stuck in traffic. He could even tell what was an original and what was modified.

She hadn't even realized her eyes were closed until the RV came to a stop. Angela sat up, seeing a farmhouse outside the window, spotting Glenn and some bald guy with him. Her, Dale, and Carol got out, joining Andrea and Daryl to approach the others. Angela knew everyone was worried to hear about Carl, just as the other half of the group needed to know how the search went.

As Angela walked with Dale, she noticed the bald man in the heavy farmer garb turned out to be Shane! Her brows furrowed, why did he shave his head? She noticed his limping and thought maybe he got a head injury as well?

She noticed by the porch were a few new faces; one short haired brunette, and blonde girl looking Kaylee's age and a boy standing beside the blondie. Walking with Rick was an older man, behind him a woman with sandy blonde hair. Angela guessed he must be the owner of the farm house and property.

Rick, Lori, T-Dog, Shane, and Glenn were all accounted for. Not seeing Carl insight brought a heavy feeling in her heart.

"How is he?" Dale asked, Angela couldn't find her voice to ask herself.

"He'll pull through, thanks to Hershel and his people." Lori gave a tear smile, Angela let out a sigh she hadn't known she was holding.

"And Shane." Rick added, eyes glancing toward the man. "We'd have lost Carl if not for him."

Everyone seemed to have felt the same, Dale pulled Rick into a hug, as Carol gave a 'thank God' as she hugged Lori tightly. Andrea and T-Dog shared a hug as well, careful of his properly bandaged arm. Angela felt out of place, she stepped back and tipped her hat downward. Noticing Daryl wasn't take a motion to greet the others like three had, she assumed he wasn't the touchy type and respected that.

"What exactly happened?" Angela asked, not wanting to seem like she didn't care- she was strongly wondering how the hell he got shot.

"Hunting accident." Rick answered looking to her, before shaking his head. "That's all… Just a stupid accident."

Angela's eyes couldn't help but fall on Shane, something was different about him. He was more quiet and reserved than usual. "We'll be holding a funeral." Hershel told, gaining everyone's attention. Now that was a word Angela even forget existed anymore.

"Did someone die?" Andrea asked, recounting to make sure it wasn't one of their own. Angela's eyes darted about, fear believing it was her sister.

"One of ours; Otis." The woman behind Hershel bowed her head looking as if she had grieved enough, but felt the need for more. "He and Shane got the needed medical equipment for the boy. He didn't make it back."

Angela glanced to Shane again, he avoided eye contact of any kind. Now, she didn't know this man well, only a day or two. But, she hasn't seen him this silent ever before. It was obvious that the rest of the group would attend, it'd be extremely rude not to. With no grave, what was substituted were rocks they were piling up when Angela and the others arrived. It was told, that each member for honor of him, would place a rock from a wheel barrel on the pile, same as when one would toss dirt into a grave; respect. Angela felt she didn't belong there, standing by Daryl who was silent with her. Hershel held his bible, reading as everyone in his group- er, family, placed a rock down.

"Blessed be God, father of our lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to him for the gift of our brother Otis, for his span of years, for his abundance of character; Otis, who gave his life to save a child's, now more than ever, our most precious asset."

Angela noticed those with hats, such as Jimmy, Rick and Glenn, took them off. She grew nervous, her own hat still upon her head. Angela knew removing it was a big deal with these things, her eyes glanced to Daryl who stood beside her, not paying attention. Taking a breath, as Hershel continued, she turned more toward the pile almost bumping Daryl in the arm. That gained his attention to her moving as she removed her hat, revealing her short hair. His eyes went back to the ceremony, Angela held her breath praying no one would walk on her left side to see what she was hiding.

"We thank you, God, for the peace he enjoys in your embrace. He died as he lived, in Grace." Hershel paused, his eyes fell upon the shaved, bald man. "Shane," He called, "will you speak for Otis?"

Shane swallowed and declined. "I'm not good at it." He muttered. "I'm sorry."

"You were the last one with him." Said Patricia, Otis' now widowed wife. Her voice strained to speak. "You shared his final moments." Maggie placed a supportive hand on her shoulder, everyone's eyes falling onto Shane. Angela almost turned, but kept her eyes down at the rocks. "Please, I need to hear." She begged, as tears formed in her eyes. "I need to know his death had meaning."

The broken look on the woman seemed to have gotten Shane to cave. It was the damned least he could do. "We were 'bout done." He started, keeping his eyes on the ground, still avoiding anyone's gaze. "Almost out of ammo. We were down to pistols by then. I was limpin', it was bad. Ankle all swollen up. "We gotta save the boy." See, that's what he said."

Angela could hear his voice crack, it must have been hard for him to retell this tale. "He gave me his backpack, he shoved me ahead. "Run," he said." Shane took a breath. "He said, "I'll take the rear, I'll cover ya." And when I looked back…"

Angela was tempted to look again, only to look back at the rocks, her hat tightly gripped in her hands. It was clear by his pause, the worst had happened to Otis. Out of her peripheral, Shane was limping toward the barrel. Angela stepped back and held her head up, growing more and more self conscious without her hat on.

"If not for Otis, I'd have never made it out alive." He looked to everyone, as he worked his words out. "N' that goes for Carl too. It was Otis. He saved us both." His eyes fell onto Patricia, he nodded to her. "If any death ever had meanin', it was his." Shane made a few more limps toward the pile, placing his rock to join the others.

Once Hershel and his family turned, giving the signal the service was over, Angela turned right around and shoved the hat back onto her head. Her heart was racing, scared someone would notice and just stare or question her after the service.

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!!!!!