Losing Hope *EDITING*

Chapter 12; Glenn Rhee

Rick checked Tony's dead body, grabbing his shot gun and the few shells he had left. I stepped over him, my shoes making a squishing noise as Tony's blood clung to it. I went over by Dave, grabbing his gun as Claire walked to the door. It was night and we weren't safe here.

"Car! Car,get down," Rick whispered sharply as a car could be heard approaching.

I slid to the floor, my back pressing against the wall next to Claire and Hershel. My breathing picked up as the car sped past the bar, car doors opening as the engine stopped.

Is this day ever going to end?

I looked towards Claire, a tightening in my chest as I heard approaching footsteps. I only agreed to come back to town when I found out Claire left, it's only a plus that we found Hershel so quick too. I was beyond livid when no one could find her in the house. I was going to head into town to find her myself since everyone else had to take care of other things. I mean, they offered to come help, but I didn't need them slowing me down. Now that I've found her again, we're stuck here in a life or death situation.

I don't know what it is about her, but I felt I needed to protect her with every bone in my body. I've known her no longer than almost 2 weeks and yet I can't stand to see her hurt or upset. Jesus, I can't even stand it when she's around others without me there. I don't quite know what my feelings are for this kid. That's another thing, she's just a kid. Beth's age. I want to stay away from her, but I can't.

I grabbed a hold of Claire's hand protectively -my other hand clutching onto the shotgun in my other hand.

"Dave? Tony? They said over here?" a mans voice whispered outside.

"Yeah."

"I'm telling you man I heard shots," another man said. Claire stiffened next to me, her hand gripping onto mine tightly as she stared at the bar doors wide eyed.

"I saw roamers two streets over. There might be more around"

"It's hot. We gotta get out of here."

"Dave! Tony!" a man shouted. How many were out there?

"Shut up you idiot! You wanna attract 'em? Just stick close, we're gonna find them."

Rick looked towards us, putting his finger to his mouth to indicate to be quiet. Claire's hand shook in mine. Did she know the people outside like she knew Dave and Tony? How dangerous were these people? How dangerous was she really?

Rick nodded to Claire to move. She crawled across the floor to behind the bar counter, peeking her head a little out to watch us. Rick checked the window by him while I peeked out the one behind me. Rick moved over to me and Hershel quietly, trying to not make the floor creak so much.

"Why won't they leave?" Rick whispered in panic.

"Would you?" Hershel countered back quietly.

"We can't sit here any longer. Let's head out the back, make a run to the car."

Hershel nodded, Rick turning around to Claire to point to the back door. She didn't waste no time as she rushed to the back exit door, disappearing out of my sight as gun fire went off outside. Shit. Claire is going out there. We rushed back to stay against the wall, Rick looking out the window in panic. I have to get to Claire. Before she gets hurt by these people.

"What happened?"

"Roamers. I got 'em."

"They disappeared, but their car's still there..."

I gulped as footsteps approached the bar, the wood creaking outside -Rick loading his gun back up. We are so screwed. The door opened. I thought fast as I rushed to the door, slamming it shut and pushing against it.

"Yo, somewhere in there? Yo if someone's in there, we don't want no trouble," one of the men shouted. "We're just looking for our friends."

My blood seemed to swoosh around in my ears, my breathing heavy. The man whispered outside -turning my head so I could see their shadows in the glass. A scream pierced the air -my heart sinking as I knew who it was. Claire.

-
Claire Curvel;

I screamed, a walker having a tight grip of my hair. I shook at it, kicking my injured foot behind me to hear a sickening crack as I snapped its leg in half. I tripped as it grabbed my foot -stumbling back to my feet and down the alleyway. I froze seeing one of Dave's men coming around the alley. I dropped to my stomach, rolling under the dumpster and covering my mouth with my hand.

The mans boots passed by me, stopping above the walker I had to deal with mere seconds ago and shooting it. I looked straight ahead of me, seeing the car. If I could get to it and get to the front of the bar, I could get Rick and them out of here. The only problem is if I get up, Dave's men are bound to shoot me if they don't recongize me. I jumped, bumping my head on the dumpster as shots rang through the air. Fuck.

"Jesus Christ," I hissed as I rubbed the back of my head, wincing as it stung.

I slowly climbed from under the dumpster onto the other side, hearing a grunt as gun shots went off again. I clasped my hand over my mouth to stop my scream as Glenn slide to the ground next to me. I grabbed him by his arm, pulling him to cover.

I stared at him wide eyed, shaking his shoulders. "Glenn," I whispered sharply. "Glenn, what the hell is wrong with you?!" He seemed to be in a state of shock as he stared straight ahead, clutching tightly onto the gun. I shook him again. "Glenn!" I whispered harshly.

"You hit?" I heard Rick ask.

Stupid Asian man. I pressed my forehead against his, making him look at me.

"Glenn, you gotta snap out of it," I pressed on. He nodded his head -pulling me to his chest and wrapping his arms around me tightly. I stiffened up, my hands pushing softly at his chest. We didn't have time for this. We needed to get out of here. "Glenn..."

He let me go as Rick came over. "Are you hit?" He asked again.

"No. No."

Rick took a spot next to us, his gun raised in caution. "You all right Claire? I heard you scream." I nodded, my eyes trailing to Glenn in worry. He was freaking out. This is definitely bad. "It's all right. The car is right there."

"Okay."

"We're almost home."

"You good?"

"I'm good," Glenn confirmed.

The man on the ground continued to groan in pain. He must be shot. "Let's go," Rick ordered, standing up and moving from the cover of the dumpster to only be shot at. I was pushed back harshly, my back scrapping against the brick wall. I kept my mouth shut, knowing Glenn didn't mean to push so hard, he was just scared out of his mind. "Get back."

I peeked over Glenn's shoulder, seeing a white truck speed into view. "Let's get out of here! Roamers are everywhere! Hurry up!"

"What about Sean?!" someone yelled up from the rooftop.

"They shot him. We gotta go. Roamers are everywhere."

"We're leaving!"

"Jump! Hurry up, jump already!"

A figure jumped across the building onto the next. Sliding down and screams filling the air mere moments later.

"Dude didn't make it," Glenn whispered.

I know those screams. I mean I feel like I do. My heart seemed to drop into my stomach as the screams only became louder.

"Help! Help!"

Rick turned to Glenn. "Go get Hershel. Claire follow me."