The Walsh boy

Catching Frogs

We are sitting around the campfire Carl head is in his dads lap with his mom leading against his dad shoulder I'm leaning on dad's chest and he had a arm wrapped around me. I like being held by him it makes me feel safe. Carl is says something to uncle Rick who responds and kisses him on the forehead. I wonder how he survived for weeks in the hospital even in a coma it must be a miracle. I think of the hero character from the movies I would watch with dad how the main guy can survive anything maybe my uncle Rick like the guy in the movies dad and I would watch. " -you cold champ?" Dad voice breaks my thoughts up "what?" I ask " I asked if you were cold" he repeats tucking my hair behind my ear. " no I'm ok dad" it's cold but I'm alright we can't put any more wood on the fire or it would attract the walkers as uncle Rick called the geeks. I stare deeply in to the fire a kid at school said some people can see the future in fire but I only see burning no shapes of anything just burning. Burning if that's my future I refuse it I won't give up hope I still have blood beating in my heart and dad's and I have a family, Carl and his parents and friends in the other kids no that would not be my future.
Dale's voice breaks up my thoughts "have you given and thought to Daryl Dixon?" That made me sit up "what happened to Merle no one told me" I'm looking at uncle Rick. He won't lie to me he won't keep stuff from me or anyone. " I handcuffed him to a pipe on the roof he had a gun he was going to hurt someone." My eyes widened " you left him there what if the walkers get him" I'm trying not to shout I don't like Merle he was a jerk but he didn't deserve that " how could you? That's not human. He is human he doesn't deserve to be left out like that" I ask there is so much more to say but I don't know how to make it into words "I dropped the key down the drain it wasn't intentional to leave him but your right it was wrong" T-Dog states his eyes are completely but honest "we have to get him back" I say " you are not going into that death trap of a city son" dad says " he needs to be saved dad" " he may already be dead and even if he isn't your not going period." I huff a sit straight up shaking his arm off. "Jacob makes a good point but what are we going to tell Daryl ?" Dale asks. " I'll tell him I handcuffed Merle to the roof it's on me" uncle Rick stands up putting his hands on his hip as he speaks.
"No it's on me I'll tell him I dropped the key It's on me I'm going to face him I'm not going to hide." T-Dog speaks up. He has a determined look in his eye. Glenn voice grabs my attention " it not a competition guys, not to bring race into this but it might be better coming from a white guy" I know Daryl not like that but they won't believe me it's no secret I'm the only one who likes them every one thinks it's because they saved Lady and that's most of the reason but also they are the only reason we get fresh meat and food not out of a can. I can't stand the fact that no one is taking about getting Merle back rubs me the wrong way. " We could lie" Amy states is she a idiot? How would she like to be lied to about Andrea. "Or we can tell the truth." Andrea says giving Amy a look so both sister aren't stupid she continues " Merle was out of control it's nobody fault but Merle's he got left behind" we that was harsh. Dale speaks next " that's how we tell Daryl a rational discussion I don't see how a will come from that do you? We are going to have our hand full when Daryl gets back" T-Dog voice has everyone to pause "I was scared and I ran I'm not ashamed of it" Andrea speaks up " we were all scared we all ran what do you mean." TDog explains " I stopped to chain up the door to the roof the geeks can push on it but not enough to break it down. What I'm saying is Dixon is alive still chained to that roof that's on us." He gets up going to this tent.
The sound is what grabs my attention the sons of a heavy log hitting the fire. Dad talks over his shoulder "Ed you mind rethinking that log buddy?" Why do people call others buddy when they are mad Ed is not his friend I know dad is not his friend so why dose he call him that? Ed is being a jerk "it's cold" like that justifies it every one is cold. Dad get up to fix it. Ed and dad argue Carol reaches for the log in the fire dad stops her and uses a sick to get it out. Dad bends down to Carol and Sophia I can hear him now Carol speaks up " sorry about the log" dad stops her " nothing to be sorry for y'all have a good night now" he gets up and walks back to us.We go to sleep soon after that I have been trouble sleeping the walkers are terrifying those things are all I dream about. The nights when I don't dream are blessing I've only had one of those.
Tonight I see my dad as one he has blood dripping from his mouth. There is a hole in his chest I can see him in the moon light his eyes are the worst there is nothing there he is soulless now. I wake up while it's still dark cold sweat covers me. Fear paralyzes me I feel my heart pounding against my rib cage I feel it everywhere in my ears crawling up my skin. Is dad dead? he dead he's a walker I lost the last of my blood now he will bite me and I'll turn in to one then I'll eat the others killing them some one will shoot me and leave me rotting in the sun forgotten. I don't want to hurt people dad rolls over here it comes death. Wait he is breathing he's not dead it was just a nightmare. I want to hug him but the dream still has me messed up so s scoot away in stead I know he is not a walker and it was just a nightmare but I can't shake the idea of him being a walker. I don't get back to sleep I stare at the ceiling of the tent I not allowed out of the tent until dad wakes up so I wait.
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I can see light coming through the tent by the time dad wakes up. I watch him sit up a stretch his arm out as his fist rum against the top of the tent. " is this life now dad sleeping in tents for the rest of our lives how short it may be? " I can tell my speech bothered him. His arms drop to his side "that's hard on me son you think I want to wake up and that's the first thing I hear Jacob?!" I made him made his eyes flashed when he hissed that. " i-I'm s-" he doesn't let me finish before interrupting me "no don't apologize I should not have snapped at you. It's just I've been under a-lot of stress recently that doesn't justify it but I hope you understand." He sighs and runs his hands through his hair " I don't know my plan right now is Fort Benning but that is a long way I want you to have a life the military will take care of us" he looks at me we lock eyes the eyes of my father that I don't share with him the one thing I got from my egg donor his are dark brown but mine are bright green eyes I wish I was more like him. "What else is eating you?" I look away he won't understand he speaks again "Don't bottle this up please champ" I take a breath in " Merle was left there in the cold of the night and that's because of us he is part of our group we have to save him he is one of us" dad looks at me I refuse to look away I know this is right I continue " we slept in a safe tent he slept out in the open it rained last night dad" I keep eye contact with him "ok" he says " what ?" I'm speak before I realize it " I said ok I understand your point but I can't risk anymore people going after him could mean death for all of us. I hope you will understand if not now one day love you champ." He's rubs my hair puts on a shirt , pants, belt with his gun and walks out the tent grabbing his hat as he goes.
I knew he wouldn't understand I don't think I will ever understand his logic scratch that I know will never understand. I pet Lady to wake her up she licks my hand. Unwrapping her wound shows it all healed up I put some more ointment from one of Glenn's runs on it and rewrap it. I want to be safe so one more day will make sure it is really healed completely. I get dressed Lady gets up following me out.
The sun feels warm on my skin it's a hot day. I walk up to where the other kids are "morning" I greet everyone " your the last up besides Carl's dad" Ben states I figured out how to tell them apart because there ears are different Ben's are a bit rounder than Billy's whose are a bit pointed both pair of ears look normal it's the only difference I can see. " oh now that Carl's dad is here your the only one missing a parent Jacob! Maybe your mom will show up" Louis smiles genuinely as he talks. I don't blame him it's hard to understand how someone would not want both parents when they got good ones. I shake my head "she died before all this." I have no idea if she is dead or not I don't really care. Carl knows I'm lying but says nothing. I'm grateful for that I hope he understand that he can understand the small nod I give him. " oh sorry bout that" Louis voice is laced with awkwardness. It's a awkwardness that spreads like ice across all of us Sophia voice breaks it " let's do something else uh hide and seek? I'll be it first ok?" The agreement is unanimous she closes her eyes to count. I need to think of a place to hide a tent is no good by the water would be too obvious. I look around the camp is trees wait trees that's it I'll climb a tree. I know lady will sit at the base of the I climb at tree so I have her sit at another one a climb a tree just past the border. The bark feels rough on my hands I climb. It makes my hands red but doesn't hurt so I keep going up. Until I reach branches that would break up with my weight on them. I stop and look down I'm so high up I can see far probably for miles.
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I don't now long it takes for the game but I'm able to count to 500 before getting bored and watching birds. I see a bird nest I have been here long enough for my the dad bird to come back a cover the his babies protecting them from me I won't hurt them of course but he doesn't know that. I hear the flapping of wings another bird landed next to the nest it surprises me when it starts squawking at me. It bigger than the other bird that means it's male probably so it was momma bird protecting the nest first huh I never really thought of moms in that way I knew they were Aunt Lori was protective of Carl but the birds surprises me. I hear yelling below the bird must have given away my hiding spot.
Looking down has the universe prove me wrong. It's a walker it's growing shakes my soul I feel the fear paralyze me going from my heart creeping to my arms freezing my fingers to the branch. Blood is running down its mouth I can't stop staring at it I barely hear it's head hitting the ground it doesn't die it's still still growling I still can't move. The arrow going though it's head is what snaps me back. Daryl is yelling for Merle this is not good.
Daryl stop when Dad starts talking to him. They are in each circling one another. " he either is or he ain't!" Daryl yells. A fight is going to happen I can see the anger and worry radiating off Daryl in waves it's hard to watch. Uncle Rick talks to him " Rick Grimes got something ya want to say to me?!" He is spitting I can hear my uncle "your brother was a danger to us all I cuff him I a metal pipe on the roof" Daryl tuns his back to the other before turning around screaming " you cuffed my brother to the roof and left him there?!" Uncle Rick nods. Daryl looks like he is going to turn around then throws the squirrels at uncle Rick going to attack him. Dad tackles him knocking him to the ground. I hear some yell "watch the knife" Daryl goes after Rick with a knife. I can see my uncle grab his arm while dad grabs his other one then getting his arm around his neck. I hear Daryl yell " you best let me go" but dad won't let go he responds " nah I don't think that's the best idea" dad Daryl says something else but I can't hear it. Dad brings him to a sitting position. Uncle Rick kneels down in front of Daryl they talk for a bit before dad lets him go.Daryl is supporting himself with his hands as the continued to speak. T-Dog voice hits my ears " it my fault not Ricks I dropped the key" " you couldn't pick it up?!" Daryl voice is hoarse from being choked " I dropped it down the drain" T-Dog says Daryl stands up "if that's meant to make me feel better it don't" the continue to talk to each other "the hell with all of you" Daryl voice is laced with sadness " just tell me where he is so I can go get him" uncle Rick says something and I can hear more discussion I see my uncle go into his tent before coming out dressed. Dad and him speak. He then looks at Glenn whose body language shows he is not happy. Uncle Rick and aunt Lori talk. My Uncle bends do in front of Carl putting his hand on his head. There is an agreement going on.
Sophia stands up from sitting next to Carl "We never found Jacob" every one looks at her "dear what do you mean" Dad ask he is trying to keep his cool Carl speaks next " we were playing hide and seek but we never found him Lady is over there but he not in that tree" I hear Daryl yell "can't you keep track of your own kid Walsh we have to find him how long have you been looking for him." Sophia shakes her her head I know I need to move but I am to scared of the walker I know it dead but it still terrifies me Dale speaks up "I think been less than a half an hour" " HEY LADY FIND JACOB" Dad yells Lady jumps up happily and runs to my tree the adults soon follow her. Dad looks up at me "game over champ come down" I can't move Daryl looks " it's dead kid don't be a wuss" he kicks the walker head and it rolls away. I climb down it takes longer to get down than up. When I get down dad squats down he put a hand on my shoulder before speaking " could you hear us looking for you did you hear or see what happen?" I nod here is when he'll call me a coward I'll deserve it but I still don't want to hear it. Dad sighs " remember what I told you I know your scared but you should have come out earlier" he just gets up and walks away. " come on you got some stuff to do" he speaks over his shoulder. I look at Daryl "thank y-" he interrupts me before I can finish " I ain't done nothing worth thanked wuss" I nod and follow dad with Lady behind me. " you need to clean the tent then come to me when your done no lollygagging " dad states I nod and go to the tent to clean it.
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Once I'm done I go to dad to see what the rest of my punishment is. "Ok I'm ready dad what's next" I say as I walk up to him " what do you mean champ?" He asks " what's my next punishment?" "Why would I - oh" the realization dawns on him he keeps speaking " your not being punished champ the tent just needed to be clean I wanted you to come to me because I'm going to show you how to catch frogs" he smiles as he says it " come on let's get Carl."
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At the lake we aren't having and luck. Dad jumps in the water " ok boys I'm going to drive the your way and you get them. Show me your mean face" we both show our teeth and growl dad makes a lot of splashing and starts " Catch them frogs" over and over again I'm laughing so hard I can barely reach I the water to get the frogs. Dads yelling completely soaked. Aunt Lori comes down " Carl I told you to stay at camp" Carl responds " but Shane said we could catch frogs" "it doesn't matter what he said it matters what I say go back to camp I'm right behind you" Carl walks back to camp. Dad nods a motions for me to follow so I start to walk beck to camp. " wait I forgot Lady I have to go get her" I say to Carl " but mom said" he starts but I stop him "your mom said to go back to camp my dad just pointed"
I'm almost back at the spot when I hear " yo stay away from me. You stay away from my son you don't look at him you don't talk to him. You don't tell your son to talk to him for you. From now on my family is off limits to you" it aunt Lori why is she mad at dad? "What about Jacob? Him and Carl have been friends their whole lives you can't just cut them off from one another Jacob loves you he see you and Rick as his aunt and uncle don't cut him out that's not fair " dad is pleading Lori. She walks up to him a slaps him "my husband is back he is alive it's not my fault that your boy doesn't have a mother I'm not mother and I don't care to be his" that breaks my heart I thought aunt Lori no just Lori cared about me. I didn't no she hated me it I'll stay away. Tears are in my eye but I won't let them fall. I just need to find Lady and get back to Carl I see her by the women washing I don't care that Lori is still talking to dad or if she sees me I walk over to my dog. I make eye contact with Lori "Jacob I didn't mean oh my I'm sorry I-" she continues but I walk by her my dad didn't see me because I walked behind some of the rocks I know he loves me and I don't want him to be hurt by what I know. Hear Lori calling me but I don't care. I push it out of my mind.
When I get there Andrea smiles at me " Hey Walsh boy come to help with the washing?" I laugh " I'll try but I'm afraid I won't be as much help as Lady Walsh" Said Walsh was chewing on a rock. "Ha come learn your the trade of your name" Andrea pats the spot beside her I sit down and begin washing a shirt. The up and down motions distract my mind it gives my hands something to do. Ed keeps making comments I'm trying to ignore him Andrea stands up a face Ed " if you don't like how we do laundry then do it yourself" Ed pull a drag of his cigarette " not my job" Andrea snaps " then what is your job sitting around smoking cigarettes?" Ed pull another drag " it not listening to some uppity smart mouth bitch. Come on let's go" he motions for Carol to leave with him. She gets up " she doesn't need to go anywhere with you" Andrea says " come now or you will regret it later" Ed threatens Jacqui speaks up" so she can come back with fresh bruises? Yeah we've seen them" Ed just laughs likes it funny. I get up I see a big stick. Andrea try's to stop Ed when he slaps Carol I strike I swing with both hand from Ed's side and hit Ed with the stick in the back so hard the stick break he turns to me "that was a mistake you little shit" he punches me so hard I fall to the ground " I'll show you" he kicks me in the stomach it hurts so much I curl up. Ed stops kicking me I look up to see dad throwing him on the ground before punching him over and over again. Andrea is by my side " hey hey try to breathe are you ok Jacob?" She I stroking my hair it's comforting I lay my head against her chest " I'm sorry I tried to-" she stops me putting both her hands on my cheeks "it's not your fault you did your best" I try to laugh but end up coughing " I should have used a better stick" she snorts I look over to dad he is beating Ed so hard his face I puffed up and he I hear someone yelling "Shane stop" dad gets in Ed's face he is saying something but I can't hear it my head hurts so much I feel dizzy. Dad kicks Ed a starts walking to me " champ ? Son? Jacob?!" He is getting louder but I'm getting dizzier I feel darkness over take me I try to speak try to get to dad but I can't.
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My boy passes out I'm right by his side I dimly hear Carol crying over her husband but I don't care. Andrea is right by me " we need to get him back to camp you carry him in case he wakes up." I nod and scoop my boy up.
We are walking back to the camp I want to get him there faster but when we ran he started spitting up. I start speaking I really don't know why " when I found out I was a dad was when I met him. He was so small and helpless the original plan was to give him up for adoption his mother already signed off her rights but then I saw him and I loved him from that moment. I hadn't thought of him as a person until then just a little issue. I still feel guilty for that. I'm trying my best but my father was no good and I barely remember my mother. I have no idea how to be a dad Rick is the only person I know who is actually a good dad. I don't want to fuck my kid up Andrea. He is so much like me sometimes then so much himself another. I can't lose him I got him hurt if I would have intervened sooner he wouldn't have I'm sorry Jacob I'm sorry Andrea. I don't even know why I'm telling you all this you got your own problem you don't need my life story" I don't know why I'm saying all this Andrea not my friend she practically a stranger she doesn't need all this dropped on her.
She puts a hand on my arms " Shane you are a good dad Jacob loves you. I can see it on his face every time you too look at each other. Your a good man too there are many who would have done nothing but get their kid out and some who wouldn't even do that. Now let's get your boy all patched up." She smiles Lady gets in between us shoving her away from me " jealous" we say at the same time.
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AN
I don't hate Lori Jacob misunderstood that Lori didn't want Shane to play house with him. She got angry and misspoke in the worst way. She dose not hate Jacob she just wanted to keep Shane away from her family she still see Jacob as family but Jacob doesn't understand that.
I do hate Ed but who doesn't.
This is the longest chapter by far it took several day to write I started last year is over 4k words.
Their are parts where I got tired but I like it.
What did you think of Shane's pov I tried to make it clear that there was a pov change and who it was in the first sentence because I didn't want to write pov x
Yep Shane loved Jacob from the moment he saw him I plan on including a line where he called Rick and Lori a lot for help down the line.
Jacob is a bit of a space cadet if you hadn't noticed.
Andrea is going to be good I'm trying to make her more like her comic counterpart but I haven't read all of the comics she likes Jacob Shane and her may have a thing. She is going to live for longer than the show definitely.
Jacob is scared of walkers and freezing up is one of the worst reactions you can have to them.
Daryl used wuss because he doesn't hate kids no matter what he says and doesn't want to curse in front of them.
Jacob is trying his best. But he's like 9 and only had a stick so he wasn't going to be able to take down Ed.
Right now my plan is to release all of season 1 at once then it will be a long time before the next post.
Have a great day or night if it is a time you should be asleep go to sleep
Image https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green_Tree_Frog_(Litoria_caerulea).jpg
1/3/21
22:08