Follow You Into The Dark - Shane Walsh [ the walking dead ]

Chapter Twenty-Four

A few long hours later, I was in the passenger seat of Rick's car. Since Lori was pregnant, she needed vitamins and some other stuff for the baby. So Rick asked me, or, more specifically, he commended me.

Once he stops the car on three tows over the usual town Glenn and Maggie go to get supplies, I get out of the car and grab my knife. I started to walk to the pharmacy but stopped in my tracks once I realized that Rick didn't move from his spot close to the car.

'' What's up? '' I walk back to the farmer policeman, worried about him.

'' You know when we first met? That day, in the alley? '' I nodded, not really understanding what was going on and why he was bringing that up. '' Since then, me and you.. We have this unspoken rule between us. You were looking for your mother, and I was looking for my family.''

'' Yeah..and we found them ''

'' We did '' He agreed '' But I never asked you what you had to do for it before we met. You were the one going all alone to those streets, not once I asked if you took another's man's life..''

'' That's your problem? '' I asked, taking offense as to what he was implying.

'' My problem is, I let you around my son who clearly loves you, I let you around Sophia, and once she was gone, you didn't want to go look for her. You came back that night without Otis, and don't tell me it was an accident and that he fell because I know damn well it wasn't, and yesterday—''

Getting fed up with his accusations, I laughed in his face.

'' Please Rick, you act like nothing is wrong in this world. You wrap that group in a bubble and expect not to burst. New's flash Rick, this isn't what it used to be anymore. Everything I did, I did to survive and protect the ones I love. I never killed anyone before I met you, and I never intended to do. Otis was an accident, I was going to pull that trigger on myself so he could make it. You saw the state I arrived ''

'' That doesn't make it okay, you took someone's life ''

'' Don't I know that Rick? '' I shouted, loud enough to be heard from two blocks '' You really think I go to sleep every night and I don't dream about it? You think im not scared to even hold the gun that took his life? I had what I had to do yesterday to save our asses, don't ever, ever pull this shit on me again. I did what you always asked of me, you told me to stay at the Quarry when you went out to look for Merle, I stayed silent at the C.D.C because you didn't want to ask questions. I kept my mouth shut when you asked me to not tell anyone that we were all infected. But that ain't me, with all due respect Officer. No one threatens my family anymore and lives, that group back home is my family '' I shouted, pointing at the way we had come to emphasize the words I spoke.

He remained quiet for a second.

'' It's not a democracy anymore Ashley ''

'' It's not? '' Desbelief came out of my mouth.

'' No. I want you out of the group ''

'' What do you mean by that Rick? '' I asked, tears threatening to fall down my face.

'' You heard me. Two days, I give you two days to leave. Crystal and Rosa are going to be just fine, I will protect them with my life. But we can't have you anymore, not after what you did to that kid. So now, let's go inside, grab what we came here to grab, and leave ''

'' You can't ask me to leave, they're my family Rick ''

'' I'm not asking Ashley, im telling you ''

'' Can I at least tell them? ''

'' I would advise you not to '' Rick turned his back on me, and walked to the entrance of the pharmacy, while I had to swallow the anger and the tears that wanted to come out.

I never did anything to gain something out of it. Never. But, after what I did and I do for this group, I thought Rick would understand at least a small bit of it. But no, he kicked me out because I had killed to save them. I was heartbroken, now I was going to be on my own. I was gonna have to survive on my own. Not that would be a problem, I knew how to do that. The problem was, having to be away from them and worry every second about them.

I just stood around Rick inside the pharmacy as he grabbed what he needed, and we went back to the car. The car ride was silent as we arrived at the farm.

'' I expect you to leave tomorrow night ''

That night, I sat by the fire as everyone was talking amongst themselves, sharing stories. I smiled as my mom told some of ours, and laughed when Crystal told the same story once again about how much she was scared of frogs and I had kicked one into her accidentally. I stole quick glances at Shane while he was distracted, made funny faces at Carl while we ate.

Once they all went to bed, I had stood inside my tent, waiting for Rick to go on watch, as he told me that he would be in order for me to leave so no one would ask questions and awake the whole camp. But before I could leave, Daryl was in front of me with a map in his hands, as he stared at the group. Suddenly, the two bags I was carrying, were heavier than I felt them be.

'' What's this? '' I whispered.

'' Rick told me '' He shrugged his shoulders '' It's just some places that I know are safe for ya' , ya know, so you can go ''

I held my tears since I got here from the run with Rick, but seeing Daryl so emotional, I couldn't hold them anymore.

'' We gonna see each other again, don't worry A' ''

'' We got each other back's right? ''

'' Yeah we have '' I saw a tear run down his face, which he was quick to dry.

'' Take care of them okay? And please, take care of yourself '' I didn't know if I should just hug the man. But that's what I did.

With no more words exchanged between us, I walked to my Jeep and discarded my bags in the backseat. Before I could turn the car on, I sprinted again towards Daryl.

'' I almost forgot to give you this '' I took the second pack of cigarettes I found yesterday at the counter in town and gave it to him.