Can you See me up here, in the Trees?

Chapter 14

You got up at first light the next day. Everyone was quiet as you ate your breakfast before leaving camp. The walk was quiet, partly because no one wanted to talk, but also because the walkers were everywhere.

Once you reached the area you put on your gas mask, making sure the charcoal filters were new. As quietly as you could you slid down the rope to the top of the bunker.

You focused on opening the vent as the others watched the walkers. Once you got the vent open you slid inside, great filters you had been given a light.

You crawled through the vents, looking into each opening to see where they were led. One room looked like a storage room, had cans of food and everything. Another was a bathroom, including showers. Another was a filing room, but it looked like it was locked on the inside, and wood nailed to the outside.

You managed to get to the hallway, making sure no walkers were present before opening a vent. After the creak it gave off you stopped and waited. You listened for anything that may be noise, but the bunker was warily quiet.

You check for the last time before dropping down, landing softly on your feet. You checked around before going up the stairs. Once in sight of the door you rushed forward, getting behind the door so no walkers would see you.

You slowly closed it, taking care and precautions that it wouldn't make too much noise. You managed to shut it, locking it so the walkers wouldn't be able to just turn the handle and get.

Once that was finished you crept back down the stairway, dimming your flashlight so it wouldn't arouse suspicion.

It took a few minutes but soon you heard the rest of the party coming through the vents. You helped each one down, before noticing an arrow.

Without the sound of the walkers groaning, you could hear one other sound. A crunching sound. You shivered at the realization that the husband was eating. You readied your bow next to Daryl as you got closer to the sound. The group stopped just short of the door, getting the flashlight ready. Everyone still had their mask on, deciding it was safer that way.

Rick held up his hand. He stuck one finger up and you watched. Another finger went up and you pulled the string back. Once the third finger went up, you and Daryl turned on the doorway. Michonne and Rick illuminated the monstrosity that was there, and without a second thought you and Daryl let loose your strings.

The creature had only a moment to see what was happening before slumping over. Two arrows straight to the brain was something that no one could come back from.

Rick nodded for everyone to continue and you did so, notching another arrow in preparation. You all walked to the biohazard door, the blue and red light emanating from within showed the wife pacing, then stopped.

She turned to the door as everyone got there. She slowly walked over. She looked way worse in person. She had boils and abscesses all over her skin, and for a walker she looked like she was in pain.

It clicked. Her body hadn't just absorbed the viruses and contagions, they were constantly attacking her, making her feel the pain of each virus day in and day out.

She looked at the group before placing her hand on the window. You looked to see it was her left hand, her wedding ring still on. You looked back at her as everyone looked at you confused.

She gently moved her hand back and then placed it on the window again. You shook your head, telling her no. No to putting your hand up, and no to her husband. You expected her to scream, bring the walkers to the group but she didn't.

She left her hand up but pointed at the middle of her forehead. You took an arrow out of your quiver before kneeling down. Your eyes stayed connected to hers and you pushed the arrow under the door. The fletching's were ripped off because of the wood but it still made it under.

As you stood up she kneeled down and picked up the arrow. When she stood back up, her white eyes connected to yours again. She pointed at her forehead before stepping away from the door.

Everyone raised their weapons, excluding you, as she sailed the arrow. But instead of trying to break the glass, she started to stab herself. You watched as she made wounds on her body, over and over again.

She slowly stopped, looking at you. You nodded once to her, that's all it took. With everything she had left she jammed the arrow into her forehead. Your eyes never left hers as the wood splintered but drove through her skull.

She seemed to shudder before collapsing onto the floor.

—————-

You climbed out of the vents, one at a time, and were soon safely back up in the trees. It was then that everyone took off their masks, looking at you.

"How did you do that?" Michonne asked.

"I dunno."

Carl gave everyone a look and his father quickly explained.

"How did you know to do that Kasa?" Rick asked, not letting up.

"It's what I would want to happen if I was her. Everything taken away, death would be better."

—————-

The winter came and went, as did the number of walkers. After you killed the husband and wife, the horde of walkers disbursed almost overnight.

When spring came you had gotten used to living with everyone. But you knew you had to ask.

"Are you going to be leaving? Now that spring is here?"

Rick looked at the group before shaking his head.

"Nah, you've got a good set up here. And we've become accustomed to living here. We'd like to stay, if that's okay with you?"

You smiled and rested your head on Carl's shoulder.

"More than okay."