Born A Hunter

Chapter 18: Walkers

With Buck at her side, Addison's small smile only grew. Being outside the wall felt like a heavy had been lifted from her shoulders, as though she was given a slice of freedom back. but with the option of knowing she now had a home to go back to, a new portion of people who care and trust her. 

At her best guess, Addison only believe that an hour had pasted since she had parted ways with Daryl. Shaking her head slightly, Addison focused on the white rabbit up ahead. Ignoring her crowded thoughts, the girl delicately pulled the bow from her shoulder. Her fingers grip a single arrow, knocking into place as she crouched low. Despite staying low, she straightened her posture, string taut. Holding her breath, she took aim. With a slow release of air from deep in her lungs, the string slipped from her fingertips. The red feathered arrow cuts through the air, slicing into the small habits skull. 

Buck was quick to run forwards, his teeth sinking into the fluffy tail. He raised his head carrying the lifeless white bunny back to his owner, the once snow coloured head darkened with mud as it dragged across the ground. Dropping the recent kill at Addison's feet, his thick bushy tail wagged proudly. The movement wafting a flock of dust raising, sticks and twigs getting caught in his long strands of fur. Reaching out her hand wrapped around the wooden shaft, yanking the arrow from its place. Wiping the blood on her jean's leg, leaving behind a red smudge upon the light blue material. Slipping the arrow back into her quiver, she took ahold of the dead animal, clipping it to her belt as if it were a medal on show, as she stood.

Instinctively Addison felt her heartbeat increase, the echo of an all too familiar groan breaking the natural silence. Sliding her bow over her shoulder, the brunette tugged her pocket knife from her left boot. Two of the undead stumbled out of the overgrown bushes, her right hand instantly tightening its grip on the small hand held blade.

One reached out towards her, its pissed yellow eyes filled with nothing but hunger. Backing away slowly, she noticed the other was occupied with Buck. The Leonberger dogs ears pulled backwards, tail cowering between his legs. Although Addison's attention was dragged back to the larger walker, its weight pushing her back onto the ground. Hitting the solid floor hard, the blade slips from her grasp. Using her left hand to keep the decaying teeth from biting into her own flesh, the other hurriedly searching in the midst of dying leaves for the weapon.

In concentration her teeth sunk into her bottom lip, the taste of bitter blood flooding her mouth. When her fingertips graze the cold blade, the tips of her lips turn upwards, despite the blade cutting into the skin on her palm. Adjusting her grip so that she now gripped the handle, she swung her now armed hand. The sharp end dives into the temple of its skull, dark red blood spewing out all over her once clean outfit. Lifeless body falling still on top of her, knocking air from her lungs.

Gagging the brunette shoved the body away, the awful stench churning the contents of her stomach. Staggering to her feet, Addison's eyes darted around for her furry companion. Jaw tensing when Buck remained out of sight. Her hazel eyes drifted to the ground, instantly catching a glimpse of paw prints followed closely by uneven footprints. In a silent panic, Addison rushed through the woods, keeping an eyes on the tracks. A sliver of hope burned in her chest, hearing the familiar bark of her dog. Rounding the last tree, Addison instinctively armed her bow. Ignoring the pain that stung through her palm, and the blood which spilled from the gash staining the light wood. Addison didn't allow herself to think, the arrow already gliding through the air. A sigh of relief escaped her cracked lips, the arrow piercing itself perfectly into the brains of the last walker's head.

Buck barked happily, stuck under a largely overgrown thorn bush. The lifeless walker body spread out across the only entrance, trapping the large dog. Rushing forwards, Addison slide her bow back over her shoulder. Using what little strength she had left to drag the body away, allowing Buck out of the small gap.

"Addie?" A deep rough voice questions, disbelief clear in his tone. Addison didn't need to turn around to recognise the voice in which it belonged too, the sound drilled into her brain since she was a baby. Each limb freezing still, breath getting caught in her throat. Spinning slowly, her hands retracting slowly from the unmoving corpse. Eyes widening with glistening tears to see her oldest brother, the one who raised her the best he could.

Each breath felt heavy, a tightness forming around her lungs. Taking ever step slow, it was as if she were seeing a ghost, not wanting to get hurt like she did with her father. His forest green eyes, looed dull under the light. Scratches and blood splattered across his dirt covered face, with pieces of leaves and twigs sticking out of his still short and messy light hair. Clear dark bags had formed under his eyes, it made her wonder if he ever got the chance to sleep. The brown leather jacket, she bought him years ago hugged his body now worn and tinted red. A sudden wave of energy rushed through Addison's veins, rushing forward towards her brother. Tears clouded her vision of him, but she couldn't make herself stop. Dean had finally found his little sister and she had found him. His strong arms wrapped around her tightly, as if he were frightened to let her go. Her small fingers gripped at his clothes, wanting to keep him close.

"I thought I lost you forever..." his gruff voice croaked out, sounding an octave deeper than usual. Taking a step back, Addison couldn't hide the smile that began to grow even if she tried. Shaking her head at his statement, soft fur brushed against her leg indicating that Buck was now at her side.

"Oh come on I'm a Winchester, let's go!" Addison spoke confidently, following behind Buck as she led them in the direction of Alexandria. His features dipped into a confused frown, despite his relief, he still remained wary and Addison couldn't blame him for that. Actually it only gained him more respect, after all the years out in the apocalypse and the world in which they both grew up in, Addison would be surprised if he wasn't cautious for the rest of his life.

Hey Readers,

Yay, Addie has finally been reunited with Dean. From the show I don't know why, but Dean has always been my favourite. It might be because we have similar interests with food, cars and music or how he just acts like a child. Either way he's such a great character as he's always willing to protect others first which I admire so much, but I feel so bad about how he cares so little about himself it physically hurts me to watch those scenes. Does anyone else feel the same? xxx

Ann_Dixon69