» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» A CERTAIN DOOM PT.2 «

Burning Down The House

I flinched every time a body bumped into mine, absolutely certain that each one would have spotted me by now. Like I was simply waiting for one of them to dig it's fingers into my flesh and break off my bones.

My racing heart slowed slightly when I noticed the last trickles of walkers, indicating that we were almost at the edge of the horde. From here I could see a small huddle of hooded figures, hunched behind a fallen log for cover.

Maybe I was distracted by that, or maybe I was so desperate to get out of here that I completely missed the knife coming my way, only becoming aware when it sliced at my weapon wielding hand.

I forced down the scream that threatened to erupt from my throat, my eyes stinging with pained tears as blood dribbled between my fingers. It was a shallow cut but it hurt like hell, a flare of anger pulsing through my veins.

In a single fluid motion my blade connected with the woman's stomach, the handle twisting and turning until she let out an agonising howl. Her mouth gaped open from beneath the mask, the sound vibrating in my ears as she slumped into a mess of waiting hands.

My blood ran cold when a second scream broke through the snarls, Beatrice's grip on my bag slipping as she was pulled down. Her body impacted with the gravel hard, her terrified yells becoming louder as she was engulfed by the dead.

It felt like I was frozen in place as they tore her apart, skin and muscles and limbs separating as she called my name.

"Take it, Belle!" Even as she was eaten into she still made the effort to rip off her bag, tossing it away from the puddle of blood that was coming from her body.

I didn't even look at it, my horrified stare glued to the dying woman as she cried and cried. And then she was silent, the only sound being the snapping of her arms and legs and the hungry growls of the corpses tearing her up.

A soft hand was suddenly in mine, the stranger's fingers linking with my sleek red ones. Whoever it was didn't seem to mind the blood as they tugged me along, breaking me from the disgusted stupor.

Through the holes in the mask I could see Lydia's eyes looking back at me, her hands tight around mine and the forgotten bag shrugged over her shoulder.

She didn't let go until we were clear of the horde, Daryl's hand finding my arm as he encouraged me lower to the ground. "You ready?" He asked, brushing a thumb over the cut on my hand with concern.

I swallowed hard, the image of Beatrice's fearful eyes stuck in my mind. "As I'll ever be." I nodded, shaking away the horrible scene. This was no time to break down.

Our bags held the last of the missing pieces that Luke needed, a gleeful grin on his lips as he plugged in each part. I almost jumped when music blasted from the jumble of speakers strapped to the wagon, a small smile curling my lips upwards. It was actually working.

The swish of my sword was muted against the bass shaking the ground, my eyes constantly on the tree line as we slowly made our way down the road. I didn't need to see the walkers to know they were there, the snarls following close behind as we drew them away from the Tower.

I suppressed a burst of laughter as Luke skipped alongside the vehicle, his eyes full of excitement as he shuffled in a subtle dance.

"You're dancing?" I asked, the amusement hinted in my voice. "At a time like this?" I gestured to the wall of bodies coming our way, the slow movements contrasting with his energetic beat.

Luke shrugged shamelessly, his grin only widening. "If I'm gonna die today, at least I've got a great backing track." He defended, his weapon prepared despite his positive attitude.