Out of the Woods (The Walking Dead) PART 2

Chapter 5

Out of the Woods (The Walking Dead)

Done:

The walk back to the camp was dead silent. They weren't given any towels, so they had to redress in their old clothes completely soaked, soaking the clothes in the process. The truck was spotless when they returned. Suzy took notice of the men who stayed behind to clean it were now relaxing at the circle of chairs around a fire. She saw her bag on the ground sitting up against one of the chairs. Gary put his gun to her head to make her turn around back to the truck. One by one, all the girls were put back inside into darkness.

Hours passed in more silence. Should she go back to trying to break out of the duct tape? She knew it wouldn't get her anywhere, but at least it kept her occupied. Sitting there doing absolutely nothing was boring. She didn't think boredom existed in this world anymore.

Suzy noticed Danielle sitting next to her against the wall of the truck, exactly where they were before being forced out to the River. Should she thank her? Tell her to go away?

"I was in a community before," Suzy said. It was almost a whisper. Danielle looked at her surprised that she was speaking to her without it being forced out. She listened to every word Suzy said, wanting to understand. Suzy remembered what Martinez said about Woodbury. She got so mad. Perhaps it's because she knew it to be true, at least to a small extent. She just didn't want to believe it.

"It was a good place. For a while. We were on our way to having a hundred people with us," Suzy continued, "But the Governor...He was sick. He was evil...I was a prisoner there for so long. I thought about almost nothing but escaping every single day until it finally happened. The night he was going to kill me."

Suzy turned to face Danielle. She said to her sternly, "I did not survive all of that shit just to end up here."

"And-" Danielle asked, "What happened to that place?"

Suzy shrugged, "I found it burnt down and overrun. I cried when I saw it. I don't know why I did...I just cried."

Danielle didn't say anything, allowing for Suzy to continue.

"I didn't escape on my own," Suzy said, "I needed help. So I need to get out of here. You need to get out of here. There's a drop tomorrow. We can put together a plan, but don't think for one second I will stop for you if you fall behind. I will not be responsible for any of you. Once we get the opportunity to run, you're all on your own, as am I. Deal?"

"Deal," Danielle nodded, "So what do we do?"

Suzy sighed, "I'm still thinking about that part."

"If-" Danielle hesitated then corrected herself, "When they come to pick us off tonight, We can get one of their guns and shoot them."

"No," Suzy shook her head, "We're too outnumbered. We should keep it as quiet as possible. How many come here at a time?"

"Usually two," Danielle replied, "Sometimes three. The rest just wait in the main building."

"Okay," Suzy thought, "If we can get both to come into the truck we can take them out quietly and get their guns. After that, you can help sneak everyone out into the woods."

"And what will you do?" Danielle asked.

"I'll trail behind and shut the truck door so the rest will have no idea we're gone," Suzy replied, "As long as most of the men are inside that building, we'll be able to sneak out undetected."

For the first time since Suzy met her weeks ago, she finally saw Danielle form her first smile behind her lighter.

"Sounds like a plan," Danielle said softly, trying to contain her excitement. Suzy noticed her holding out her other hand. Did she want her to shake on it? She didn't think she wanted to. Not because she didn't trust Danielle, but because she knew it would make Danielle think they were friends. She wasn't sure if she was ready to have friends again. She only gave Danielle an awkward look and turned away from her, sending the message for her to take her hand away.