Starved

Chapter 9

Months have passed. Winter has come and gone. It wasn't as cold as I had expected but I'm from Alaska and I'm not use to a southern winter. In fact that was my first. Now that spring is here everything is muddy and moist. We've been moving from house to house, cabin to cabin. I'd say we've stayed in about 84 different houses. Rick hasn't gotten any better but continues to work hard. Kyle and I usually go out on runs when Rick naps because he wouldn't let us go alone if he was awake.
"Is he asleep?" I asked.
     "Yeah" he whispered closing the bedroom door slowly and putting on his hat. "Well lets get out of here then" I said throwing my backpack over my shoulder walking out the door. We would take an old two person bike we found in the backyard every time we went out. Carl hid it in the backyard so Rick wouldn't find out about all the runs. When we got to town I get off and he parks the bike.
"I'll go to the get food and water supplies." I said
     "Ok, I'll go get medicine." He said. I walked down the empty wasteland of  the streets that use to be filled with life. A piece of paper flows freely down the road as the slight breeze takes it away. I get to a convenient store. "Looks like a good place" I say to myself aloud. The windows were to dirty to see inside of them. I didn't care though. I gave the door a jolt and I swung open with the jingle of the sliver bells hanging above me. The place seemed empty so I grabbed some gum, candy and an extremely out of date magazine. I move down the isles putting some things in my bag. Chez it's, Soups, Ritz, Trail mix and some other snack foods. I walk over to the freezer and opened the door. I was automatically hit with a horrible stench of rotten meat and spoiled milk. I covered my nose and grab some water bottles and jugs. After I decided to go to the femenine  products isle. I felt awkward about it because I was living with Carl and Rick so it wasn't all that easy. I walked down the isle and put some pads in my bag. Leaving the isle I noticed a walker on the ground; it was dead. Usually I would just keep walking, but this was an unusual sight. I bent down and examined the body "aha" I say aloud. I pulled out an arrow from its dead rotting corps and took a good look at it. It was Daryl's!! I wiped the arrow down and put it in my bag. I left the store in excitement and waited for Carl at the bike. I waited for about an hour. When he never showed I went to look for him. I went into the pharmacy to find him on the ground bleeding. "CARL!!!"
     I ran over to Carl on the ground. "WHAT'S WRONG?!? Are you bit!?" I say in panic.
"No, it's my leg" he pulled up his pants in extreme agony. His calf had a giant gash on it, there was blood everywhere and he winced when I went near it.
"We need to get you back to the cabin" I say worried it could get an infection. I pull his arm over my shoulder and help him outside. When we get up to the bike I realize that if he couldn't walk how was he suppose to peddle?
"Um Eleanor..."
"Yeah I know, but how are we suppose to get back. I mean I can't carry you all the way back. I pondered
"No...you need to look over there." He said pointing his finger shaking. I look in the direction he was pointing in. There was a huge heard slowly stumbling our way.
"what do we do!?"
"I don't know!" Carl says in panic. I pull him in a near by car and hot wire it. "Do you even know how to drive?"
     "Nope" I say hitting the gas and getting the heck out of there.
     "How do we get back to the cabin? I asked slowing down.
"I don't have a clue. Try taking a left." Kyle suggested
"Ok whatever you say" I take a left. It seemed to be the right way. And turns out that it was. I helped Carl get inside and when we do Rick is waiting for us.
"Where were you?"
"Dad I need to first aid kit" Carl say lifting up his pant leg changing the conversation.
"What did you do Carl?"
     "It's nothing to worry about." He says back in a surprisingly calm voice.
     "Eleanor can you go and get the first aid kit while I talk to Carl. It in the back room's closet" Rick asked sternly. I walked away but I could still hear them talking. "What were you to doing? She's a bad influence." Rick stated
"Dad it wasn't like that. It's never been like that. If it wasn't for her I would be dead right now." Carl said.
     I didn't make out much more except "no it wasn't a walker" Carl said about the scratch. I brought out the safety kit and helped clean and wrap his leg. After I went and laid down. Rick didn't want me there. I could tell. Not because he didn't like me, but because he worried for his son like any good father would do. I decide at sun rise I would be on my own, out in the unknown.
     At dawn I packed my back. I tiptoed into the stale dark kitchen. I slowly open the cabinet. I grabbed trail mix and other foods then placed them in a ziplock bag in the front pouch of my backpack. Once I was all set I went into the living room and was about to head out the door when the sudden screech of a floorboard stopped me.
"Planing on going some where?" MRcks low southern accent flustered my ears.
"Well I was um going to leave...I think Carl will be better off this way." I mumbled looking down in spite of him.
"I'm sorry Hun, but I would have to agree with that" Rick moved in close to my face only inches apart as the sweat dripped off his nose he continued "I only want what's best for Carl, I'm doing what I have to do. You should go now I will make sure to tell him that I didn't see anything. Goodbye I wish you luck my dear." He grabbed Carl's shirt pulled of his badge and handed it to me. I was speechless, I nodded in agreement ; he nodded back. Leaving the house without another word was my next move. I followed the road. I think that would have been my best bet, it's kind of hard to sneak up on someone when there is no where to hide. I juggled the badge in my hand wondering why he gave it to me. I didn't think he liked me very much. Maybe this was all in my head but I couldn't help but wonder. Why me? Why did I matter? I laid my map on the hood of a car. "So I'm here. I could go north if I take this road. But what it I take a highway" I say aloud moving my finger along the map. A voice emerges from behind me. A man grabbed my waist and pulled me up against him still from behind
"I think it would be better if you came with us."