I'm a Survivor: A Carol Peleteir Story

Chapter 11, "The Highway, Part 2"

I was woken up by Lori, who has knocked on my car door. "Carol..?" She asked gently. "We're about to head out.."

I nodded, wiping the stray tears from my eyes, from the nightmare I was having. I took a shaky breath and walked out of my station wagon.

The crows cawed early this morning, which obviously didn't mean anything good. But I guess, that's a given. Sense it's the end of civil living--living at all for that matter.

I sat beside Carl, who picked at his bowl of canned beans. "Is Shane still mad at me?" He asked, poking his plastic bowl with his fork.

"He has never been mad at you, honey." Lori kissed his forehead and handed me a bowl. "It's not the ideal breakfast but.."

"It's alright." I smiled and took a bite. "Thank you."

*****************************

"How are you feeling T-Dog?" I asked, his pale completion shined in the sunlight.

"Like shit." He said and started to chuckle at himself.

Daryl dug through his motorbike bag, and tossed a bag of medical drugs to Dale.

"Antibiotics." Daryl said. "Merle got the clap on occasion."

I looked at him in disgust and shook my head. We left Dale to work on the RV, and left T-Dog to rest as the rest of us to look for my baby girl.

******************

We started to walk on a trail, Daryl, Rick and Shane leading us to a yellow abandoned tent.

Rick motioned me to him, and whispered "Your voice is the first one she would want to hear."

I nodded, my breathes were shaky. "Sophia?" I began to call out gently. "Sophia, honey, it's Mommy.." No response. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of no hope. "Sophia..? It's Mommy..?"

No response. Lori patted my back as I started to cry again, and Daryl slowly walked into the tent, and a horrid stench filled my nose.

I nearly gagged as I got closer to the tent. "Daryl..?" I called out.

He crawled out of the tent with a dark brown hand gun. "It's not her." I nearly fell to my feet in relief. Thank god. "The guy did what Jenner said..Opted out?"

Everyone was quiet as Daryl handed Rick the gun and a church bell echoed through the trees.

"It's a chapel.." Lori said.

"Could be telling us they found her--"

"It might be her--come on. Let's go." We ran through the trees, to a small little white wooden church, with no bell, just a speaker on top of the roof.

"It's automatic.." Glenn said, disappointed as he went to the power box and unplugged it.

I sighed in despair as Rick, Shane and Daryl walked into the church. My heart broke several times today, and we've only been up for an hour...Maybe a prayer could help...That's probably why God sent us here..for me to pray...

"Carol?" Lori said. "Come on. Rick said it's clear to go inside. Rest your legs. Come on." We slowly walked in as the boys walked out, Daryl wore pity in his Eyes as he walked out.

I walked to the statue of God and looked at his bleeding crown. "Forgive me, father." I began, closing my eyes. "I prayed you'd give us a safe passage," I took a deep breath, tears Rolling down my cheeks. "You provided."
"I've asked for Ed to be punished for Putting his hands on me.." I looked back, and Lori bit her lip, waiting patiently. "And for looking at his own daughter..with whatever evil was growing in his heart..." Tears ran down my face. "I don't deserve your forgiveness...but have mercy on my daughter.." I ended with that, and sat beside Lori, who gave me a giant hug.