Wildfire-A Walking Dead Story [Book 1]

{1.2}

<Marley>

I round the tents at the camp, it has been almost 2 weeks since the camp in Atlanta fell through. We were lucky to find a small group to set up with on the outskirts. I sigh and set a bottle of water in front of Carl, who was playing in front of the RV. "Make sure you drink something bud," I say ruffling his hair before walking away.

I look up at Dale, who's on top of the RV, "Have you seen my mom?" I ask him, shielding my eyes from the sun. "I'd check the water, she said she had to wash some clothes," He says back, pointing to a quarry that's part of the woods behind camp. "Stay near Dale," I tell Carl before heading off into the woods. It's quite a walk from camp to the water, as I walk I look at the woods surrounding the camp. Even with the world in shambles, nature still looks as beautiful as before.

I finally make it to the water and find my mom, Carol, Andrea, and Amy doing laundry. "hey guys need any help?" I ask as I approach them. Carol flashes me a warm smile. Mom begins to speak "No I think we got it" she smiles as she holds up a soaking wet T-shirt. "Keep an eye on your brother, make sure he eats, and maybe take him on a walk" she finishes turning away going back to what she was doing.

I find Carl in the same place I left him "Hey bud let's go for a walk" I smile down at him, holding my hand out for him to take. He jumps up, excited taking my hand, the only people who get to leave camp are the ones who need to and Carl isn't on that list. While we walk Carl points at every animal that scurries past us with a large smile on his face. It was the first time I have seen him genuinely smile since this whole mess began.

A low growl cuts through the peacefulness and a walker stumbles into the path. Carl freezes as I take my knife out, approaching carefully I drive my foot into its knee. Once it falls to my level I stab my knife through its head, blood splattering onto my shirt. It falls limp and I stumble back, my eyes wide. My first walker kill.

The walk back to camp is mostly silent, Carl stays glued to my side until we enter the camp. As soon as he sees Mom he runs to her. She looks from him to me then to the blood all over my clothes. Her eyes go wide "I killed it" I say looking at my shirt. "Did it touch you or Carl?" She asks trying to keep her voice even. I shake my head before walking away to the tent.

As I lay on the camping cot with my back to the entrance of the tent I hear the zipper moving. I turn to see Carl enter with a bottle of water and a bowl of soup. "I brought dinner" he speaks lowly. I smile and sit up taking it from him "Thanks bud". I take a drink of the water bottle "Are you okay?" I ask as he goes to the corner to play "I think so" he shrugs. Physical he was fine but that's not my worry.

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