Apocalypse Now

Chapter 21: Reunion

So who's going to be happy to see Camille back?

We were only riding about ten minutes before Daryl started to slow down. Passing through the small town I had circled on the map, we rode through to the other side, then we came to a few lone houses.

I recognised the Cherokee and the Prius parked out front. People started filing out of the house at the sound of Daryl's bike I assumed. Lori and Maggie came running up, both hugging me as soon as I had stepped off the bike.

“Oh my god! We were so worried about you!” Lori said pulling back, the smile falling a little, “I can't believe you made us leave you..”

“Sorry” I mumbled.

“We're so glad you're alright.” she said, tears brimming in her eyes.

Maggie just hugged me tightly.

T-dog was the next to come over, he held me by the shoulders and held my gaze, “Don't ever make me do that again. We can't leave our people behind!” he said before he pulled me into a tight hug. I knew he was a little angry about it, but at the moment it was overshadowed by my return and that I was safe.

“I'm sorry, I know it was a bit reckless and scared you guys half to death watching me run towards the group of walkers. I needed to give you guys a chance and there wasn't enough room in the Cherokee as it was. And you needed the extra time. Otherwise that gate would have been unlocked and there wouldn't have been any time to leave a message for Rick and the others. Its done now but I'm safe, ok?” I said quickly trying to smile. T-dog still looked conflicted.

Rick smiled and nodded at me, Carol forced a smile before turning back inside. Hershel and the others warmly smiled towards me. Glenn coming over hugging me tightly. Daryl hung back, leaning against his bike, keeping his distance since we got back.

“C'mon we'll get you cleaned up” Lori said pulling me towards the side of the house. I wasn't sure how rough I looked right now. Probably a little worse for wear I imagined. And if looking at my hands was any indication to how I looked, probably looked like I needed a really good wash.

I zoned out as she washed away the filth and blood from me. Both my mind and my body were exhausted. It had been a long two days.

“Are we staying here tonight?” I asked, tuning back into reality.

“I think so, for the night at least...You know I tried to make T-dog go back for you as soon as he started driving away...Rick and the others showed up to us early this morning...and when Daryl heard, he just about lost it, have never seen him like that...As soon as he had calmed down a little he took off saying he was going to find you” she said ending it with a smile.

“It all happened so quickly...As soon as I heard you guys leaving I did a loop around the back of the house through the woods, got back to the house, jumped the fence and started running, once it got dark I knew I had to stop for the night, slept in a tree...I was afraid I would die out there alone...” I said my face dropping.

“Well you're not alone, not any more” Maggie said from beside me, she said squeezing my arm. I kept the fears that they might leave me behind to myself. They had waited and that was all that mattered right now.

I walked back round to the front of the house, feeling fresher. Lori and Maggie both heading inside, they stopped because I wasn't following them any more. I waved them off, heading towards Rick.