Angel With A Shotgun (Walking Dead Fanfic)

Chapter 25: What next....or rather who next?

Hey guys, 
Thank you to all of you who have been reading, voting, following me and commenting (especially) ;) Not much of an update to be honest, nearly reached 100 fans/followers (Am the only one who realised that it's followers now, when did this even happen like for real?) which is awesome; Thank you. Just so you know, my friend inboxed me and said that they want to interview me on myself as a human being and the story (probably after its done with) so if you have any questions feel free to ask below. ;)
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love Tasha xox 
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Chapter Twenty Five


What next....or rather.....who next?


▬ Third Person- No one’s P.O.V ▬ 


     “Hey!” Glenn objected after Electra had stolen his baseball cap off of his head. “Give that back!” he demanded whilst Electra coolly fitted it on her own head, making no sign of conforming to his wishes. “You don’t even want to know how sweaty that cap is…” Glenn told her, intending to gross her out so she would have to pass back his hat but all she did was shrug her shoulders.

     Along with the rest of her group (minus Shane, Rick and Carl) Electra was making her way back to the highway where they had broken down. Believe it or not, Electra could wait much longer than anticipated by the others to get back to the highway.

     She hated it.

     Sure, the whole world was a graveyard but she didn’t feel like sleeping in the middle of an actual one and she doubted the kids did either. Tough were they, but not even she could lift the feeling of uneasiness off of her shoulders. Maybe it was Sophia, maybe it was T-Dog, maybe it was the R.V…..maybe even Stacie.

     Raising her eye line, she had realised she had quickened her pace and was now only a few feet behind of Daryl who was leading. Much to her surprise, Stacie was skipping by Daryl’s side. Weird. She knew that Stacie had always liked Daryl but Electra was surprised by the fact that she wasn’t crying yet.

     Daryl wasn’t exactly one of those guys who liked children.

     Then again, Electra had never thought Daryl would be one to lead these ‘bunch of idiots’ on a search brigade to find a little girl. To be honest, Electra didn’t really know anything about Daryl. She didn’t really know anything about anybody at camp apart from Shane and Rick, she began to mentally list what she knew.

     Glenn was a twenty two year old Korean guy who used to be a pizza delivery boy. Mentioned that he had at least one sister, a father who cheated on his mom and that his surname was Rhee.

     T-Dog’s name was really Theodore Douglas but he would kill anyone if they called him Theodore. He was very religious and even drove a Church van, later rescuing Glenn, herself and Thea.

     Thea was a widowed ex English teacher who had previously studied to be a pathologist.
   
     Stacie was an eight year old with a heart of gold, though she would probably prefer her heart to be the colour of ruby red seeing as it was her favourite colour. Anastacia Benoit was her full name, she was French and her parents (Elena Benoit and Victor Benoit) were working in France before the outbreak.

     Carl Grimes was the product of Rick and Lori Grimes. Electra believed him to be twelve years old and attended the same school her, Rick and Shane had went to.

     Sophia Peletier was Carol’s twelve year old daughter that feared spiders amongst most things. Like herself, Sophia was a victim of domestic abuse from her father.

     Carol Peletier lived in the south where she met Ed who was initially charming enough for her to date and eventually marry before his true nature shone through. She had been verbally and physically abused by Ed.

     Dale was a widower, had complications when trying for a child and fell into depression when his wife Irma died. He found both Amy and Andrea.

     Daryl was a hunter, definitely a Georgia boy.

     Andrea was a civil rights attorney whose sister had just died.

     Lori was a bitch.

     Electra found it almost funny, how she considered these people to be her group, her friends, yet knew so little about them. She supposed it didn’t matter much now. It was all in the old world, there was no reason to know anything anymore. But just because there was no reason didn’t mean she was curious.

      “Hey Stacie,” Electra smiled as she caught up with her and Daryl, now walking on Stacie’s right hand side. “Daryl.” She addressed him with a small nod which Daryl returned before facing back forwards on Stacie’s left land side. “What were you two talking about?” she interrogated them curiously.

     “Noth-”

     “What Daryl was before the outbreak.” Stacie cut Daryl off when he was obviously going to refuse to inform Electra of their conversation.

     “Oh.” Electra arched an elegant, dark eyebrow at Daryl as he sent Stacie a small scowl. “And what were you before the outbreak of the infection, Mr Daryl Dixon?” she questioned him, crossing her arms across her chest whilst she slowed down to their pace.

     “None of your damn business,” Daryl told her causing her to unintentionally smirk at him. “Which is exactly what I told the kiddo.” He added on causing Electra to roll her eyes which resulted in Stacie stifling a giggle. “You’re both kiddos.” He commented.

     “Pffft.” Electra spat. “What are you, three years older than me?” she enquired. “Last time I checked in my book, that did not give you the right to call me a kiddo.” She ranted at him.

     “I think I’m a lot more older than you are, Mismatch.”

     “Oh really?”

     “Yup.”

     “You wanna bet?”

     “Sure, if I win you have to whittle me twice the amount of arrows you owe me. If you win you can whittle me half the amount of arrows you owe me.” Daryl proposed the conditions. “That and the winner gets the satisfaction of being right.” He added. “I’m thirty four.” He revealed.

     “Thirty two.” Electra grinned at Daryl.

     “Fuck me.” Daryl mumbled under his breath loudly enough for Stacie to hear, gasp and cover her ears straight away at the fear of the swear word and shrinking back until she was walking with Carol at the back.

     “I don’t think now is the right time for sexual activity, Daryl.” Glenn commented, obviously overhearing their conversation.

     “Too right,” Electra agreed with Glenn with a nod of her head. “God Daryl, it’s all sex, sex, sex with you isn’t it?” Electra mocked him with a disappointed shake of her head. “Never mind the fact that we are with child!” Electra added on, pointing vaguely in the direction of Stacie.

     “Shut up, woman.”

     “Well…..” Glenn trailed off. “Last time I checked I wasn’t ‘with-child’.” Glenn stated causing Electra to blush sheepishly at her un-wise choice of words. “I doubt Daryl is either.” He continued. “Unless there’s something you’d like to tell us, El?” Glenn teased causing Electra’s face to automatically drop.

     Oh God.


▬ First Person- Electra’s P.O.V ▬ 


     It had never crossed my mind.

     It had….

     I had been so stupid.

     How could have I been so stupid?

     For all I knew, I could be with child. I could be with Daryl’s child. Oh God. I’m pretty sure we were too drunk to even think of using protection. Oh God. I could be with child. I might be with child. I’m with child.

     No.

     I had been throwing up for hours on end throughout the morning…..

     No, that was because I was hung over…..wasn’t it?  

     Oh God. Please no….

     “El?” Glenn questioned, dragging me from within my inner turmoil. “I was only joking, it was a joke. I didn’t mean to infer-”

     “I know Glenn,” I cut him short. “I know, I just….” remembered that I could be with child, Daryl’s child. Yeah, we had sex when we were shit faced drunk. No biggie. “I thought I saw something but it was nothing, must be a little tired.” I lied skilfully.  

      “We should check it out.” Daryl stated. “You don’t usually think you see something…..you see something, Mismatch.” He reminded me. “It’s worth checking out.” He nodded, I wasn’t sure whether he was thinking what I was thinking and wanted a chance to talk privately about it or whether he was being genuine. “Y’all stay here, for a second. Lead the way, woman.” Daryl ordered.  

     Quickly, Daryl and I treaded forward, slipping away from the crowd of people. When we had reached a distance which was far away not to be overheard I stopped, pivoting on my heel and glancing him as I crossed my arms across my chest awkwardly.  

     “Is this where you saw something?”

     Ah. I guess he was being genuine.

     “Daryl……” I started off hesitantly, uncrossing and folding my arms again, unsure of what to do with myself. “I didn’t see anything…..” I was honest causing Daryl to squint at me. “Icouldmightpossiblymaybepregnant.” I mumbled the name low, fast and incoherently.

     “Wanna speak up, Mismatch?” Daryl suggested.

     “Daryl, what……” I took in a deep breath, aware that I was beginning to hyperventilate and that I was on the brink of tears. “What if I’m pregnant?” My voice broke as I failed to rake my hair out of my face, traitor tears now beginning to run down my face.

     I was terrified.

     Absolutely terrified.

     Ridiculous though it sounds, the fear was the most real thing I have ever experienced in my life….or at least in the top five. I never wanted to have children before the outbreak, never mind now. How could something so joyous in the old world be so upsetting now?

     Because it was a death sentence, that’s why. 

     It’s not like I could have an abortion, even if I could….I doubt I would be able to. A pregnant woman during this hell was dead. Dead.

     I was a dead woman walking.

     “Mismatch….”

     I was the walking dead.

     “Yer not pregnant.” Daryl told me calmly causing my sadness to turn into straight up, pure as can be, uncontrollable rage.

     “How can you know that?” I hissed at him, ripping my hand out of my hair angrily. “It’s easy for you to just assume things isn’t it, Daryl?” I snapped. “Well it’s not so fucking easy for me. You’re not the one who would be pregnant. Nowadays that’s a death sentence!” I spat.

     “Yer not pregnant you, dumb-ass woman.” Daryl growled at me causing me to open my mouth, more than ready to unleash the Electra Walsh rage. “Not scientifically possible.” Daryl stated causing my breathing to begin to calm down. “I had a vasectomy.” He revealed.

     “Oh.”

     “Yeah.”

     Suddenly, I could not help but to break out into giggles from which I needed to wipe my eyes, because now the tears were from laugher from which I could not control. I don’t know why exactly I was laughing but it felt good. Oh, I made the realisation: I was a lot more like Shane than I thought. I guess breaking out of laughter when in relief was our thing as siblings.   

     “Oh my God.” I exclaimed. “You were right, I am a dumb-ass woman.” I agreed with him as I ran my hand straight through my hair this time out of embarrassment. “Oh God….” I mumbled shaking my head at myself before gazing back up at Daryl. “I am so…..so sorry, oh God...you seriously have no idea….oh good Lord.” I apologized, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks.

     “Let’s just get back to the group….” Daryl proposed, practically telling me that he was going to forget about it and he forgave me. “….before you get all hysterical again.” He added causing me to barge into his side in fake annoyance. “Too late.” He muttered causing me to roll my eyes and glare at him as we prowled forwards.

     “You see anything?”

     “Was she there?”

     “Did you find her?”

     As soon as we were in talking distance of the group, questions were fired at us from everywhere and from everyone, literally.  I couldn’t speak, all I did was sent them a look of empathy and disappointment.

     “Come on….let’s get goin’.”


►►►


     “So…” Carol began in a snappy tone which surprised me immensely. Well, I suppose she had more than earned the right to be rude and pissed off recently. After all, she was a mother who had lost her child to the woods. “This is it?” she enquired, aiming her question towards Daryl and I. “What did she mean ‘Is this is?’” I thought to myself. “This is the whole plan?” she questioned, obviously not impressed with what was happening in regards to the search for Sophia as she took a seat on a nearby log.

     “I guess the plan is to whittle us down into smaller and smaller groups.” I hypothesized, not knowing the complete plan myself. I had been left in the dark with this one. “Then we’ll be more efficient as a team,” I stated defending whatever plan Rick and Shane were cooking up. Though a little disappointed I had been keep out of it, they were still my brothers who I loved to pieces and I would protect them no matter what. “We’d be able to cover more land at a much quicker pace than we have been covering it.” I explained, logically.

     “Yes.” Andrea agreed, folding her arms across her chest slowly. “Carrying knives and pointy sticks.” she remarked, obviously pissed off too. God, I wished she would stop being so difficult about the situation. “I see you have a gun.” She voiced, turning to Lori. This had to stop. Sure, Lori was a bitch but at the moment Andrea was being one too and I didn’t like it one bit. Before hand, I had intercepted her glancing at Lori, awaiting an opportunity to attack Lori ever since Daryl had given her the gun back at the church.

     “Andrea.” I scorned her; more than ready to tell her how it was….I too had been awaiting an opportunity to remind her that she wasn’t the only one without a gun and that there was a reason behind that. Along with Thea, she didn’t have a gun because she was inexperienced with one, not whatever conspiracy theory she had been cooking up in her mind since it had been taken away from her. Sure, I couldn’t speak on the behalf of Dale but I could speak on behalf of myself and Daryl seeing as we along with Shane and Rick had made the decision.  

     “Why, you want it?” Lori asked Andrea, cutting me off before I could get started. “Here, take it.” She offered, taking the gun out and holding it out to Andrea. “I’m sick of the looks you’re giving me.” she snarled before Andrea took the gun from her. “All of you.” She added, glancing around at us all whilst she took a seat to rest on the same tree log as Carol. “Honey,” she pivoted so that she was facing Carol whilst addressing her. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through and I would do anything to stop it.” She sympathised.

     “We all would.” I agreed solemnly. “But you have to stop blaming Rick.” I finished before gazing around at the others. “That includes all of y’all.” I added on for them, calmly lecturing them, more advising them than telling them. “It’s in your face every single time you look at him.” I told Carol as she raised her eye line to connect with my own in shock of my words. “And now y’all have got him doubting himself.” I informed them all as I broke the eye contact. “That’s dangerous.” I said sternly. “I hope y’all are happy.” I articulated as I rested my wait against a tree.

     “When….” Lori drew everyone’s attention away from me and back to her after I had clearly finished my mini rant. I was pissed, we all were. “When Sophia ran he didn’t hesitate, did he? Not for one second.” Lori reminded everyone. “I don’t know that any of us would have gone after her the way he did, or make the hard decisions that he had to make, or if anybody could have done it any differently.” She stressed. “Anybody?” she quizzed, her eyes darting around but everyone failed to give her an answer. “Y’all look to him and then you blame him when he’s not perfect,” she breathed with a shake of her head as she undid the cap off of her water bottle. “If you think you can do this without him, for eight ahead. Nobody is stopping you.” She told it how it was before she took a sip of the water, screwed the cap back on and stuffed it back into her backpack.

     This was probably the only time I’d ever feel or think it, but I held a great load of respect for that bitch in that moment in time. Simply, Andrea held her gun out Lori who took it whilst getting on her feet once more causing Carol to copy her action whilst everyone shuffled around.

     “We should keep moving.” Andrea stated.

     BANG.

     Everyone stopped dead in their tracks and whatever they were doing and stood absolutely still. Stiffening up, my heart continued to beat wildly against my chest as the noise continued to ring out throughout the whole forest surrounding the group and myself. No one even bothered to ask or point out what the noise was, it was blindingly obvious as it was a sound which we all had the misfortune of being deadly familiar with. The sound of a gunshot.

     Oh God.

     Shane.

     Rick.

     Carl.

     Oh Christ, no.

     “Come on, y’all.” Daryl drawled, his command induced with authority. Despite that, nobody moved an inch. “I said: Come on!” he hollered, charging forwards ushering us all to move and follow him one more. All of us complied to his demand, well, all of us besides myself. I found myself frozen and unable to move out of curiosity, concern and most of all pure fear.

     Suddenly, I felt an unknown presence beside me. “Come on, Electra.” It’s voice pressed, belonging to Andrea who had obviously turned back to ‘collect’ me. Silently, she grabbed hold of my hand and I became unfrozen and walked alongside her, not letting go of her hand.  


►►►


     Silently, we treaded through the stupid forest, still meant to be looking for Sophia but this time, I found myself unable too. What if…..? Nobody had even given any thought, no one had even said to try and find the source of the gunshot, nobody even cared.

     “You still worrying about it?”
 
     “It was a gun shot.”

     “We all heard it.”
    
     My eye line rose up from examining my dirty shoes to gaze at Daryl who sounded sort of bored with the whole idea of me and Lori being worried. Clearly, judging by the looks on the majority of the groups faces they were too. I just couldn’t understand how they refused to put any thought to it. After all, that’s all I had been doing whilst trailing behind them all, no doubt Lori the same.

     “I’m aware.” I said calmly, refusing to get hysterical again like earlier, resulting to keeping my composure instead. “But I have a simple question, answer it if you will….” I declared. “Why one?” I put the question out there causing them to seem confused. “Why just one gunshot?” I elaborated with an arched eyebrow.

     “Maybe they took down a walker.” Daryl suggested.

     “Please.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Please don’t try to patronise me.” I pleaded with Daryl. “I’m not stupid.” I assured him calmly. “You know Rick wouldn’t risk a gunshot to put down one walker, or Shane for that matter. They’d do it quietly.” I stated. “I apologize on behalf of Lori and myself, but it’s a little hard to be rational when your family are the ones out there.” I apologized indifferently. “So if I happen to do anything that don’t conform to your standards, y’all don’t judge me.”

     “Shouldn’t they have caught up with us by now?” Stacie enquired, agreeing with me. Pointing to her, I gestured that she had a point…which she did. This only added to my worry.

     “There’s nothing we can do about it, anyway.” Daryl commented in an attempt to calm us all down, brandishing his crossbow. “Can’t run around these woods chasing echoes.” He put forward. He had a point, that would be insane and even more dangerous.

     “So, what do we do?” Lori asked.

     “Same as we’ve been.” Daryl declared. “Beat the bush for Sophia,” he listed. “….work our way back to the highway.” He added on.

     “I’m sure they’ll hook up with us back at the R.V.” Andrea stated. Agreeing, most of them advanced forwards whilst I stayed a little behind with Carol and Andrea who hadn’t made their move yet. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through.” She apologised to Carol. “I know how you feel.” She frowned.

     “I suppose you do.” Carol agreed. “Thank you.” She thanked Andrea. “The thought of her, out here by herself….” She trailed off gloomily. “It’s the not knowing that’s killing me.” she explained. “I just keep hoping and praying she doesn’t wind up like Amy.” She admitted causing Andrea to stiffen up immensely and me to hide the surprise in my eyes. “Oh God!” Carol exclaimed, immediately backpedals...but I could see it in Andrea’s eyes she’s already missing Amy all over again. “That’s the worst thing I ever said.” She apologized profusely.

     “No….” Andrea shook her head, smiling through it. “We’re all hoping and praying with you,” Andrea assured Carol placing a hand on her arm. “For what it’s worth.” She added.

     There they go with their beliefs and hopes again. But, I suppose if that’s what keeps them strong, if that’s what keeps them strong….who am I to judge? Just because ‘God’ had abandoned me all those years ago didn’t mean that he had abandoned them.

     “Damn straight.” I breathed, supporting a smile.

     “I’ll tell you what it’s worth.” Daryl stepped in. “Not a damn thing.” Immediately, I shook my head at him out of disbelief-that is what separates us the most, his disrespect…I was just unable to be like that. “It’s a waste of time, all this hopin’ and prayin’.” He informed us all. “We’re gonna locate that little girls: She’s gonna be just fine.” He spat, before turning on his heal. “Am I the only one Zen around here?” he questioned, looking back. “Good Lord.” He exclaimed continuing forwards, I couldn’t help but smile at the fact he chose the words ‘Good Lord’ to end his lecture about how praying wasn’t going to help.

     “He’s hella determined,” I assured Carol, placing my hand on her frail arm in a supportive manner when Daryl was out of hindsight. “Daryl’s a dog,” I made the comparison, not intending to cause offence. “Once he’s after his bone, he won’t stop until he gets it.” I stated. Admittedly, I was not one of my best metaphors. I don’t think comparing Sophia to a bone made it any better.

     “When was the last time you had sex with a dog?” It was a mere murmur which luckily escaped Carol’s hearing but caught my own attention the instant the question was out. Whirling around, I came face to face with Andrea who had her arms crossed around her chest and a blank expression plastered upon her delicate features.

     “Excuse me for a second Carol,” I pivoted around and smiled apologetically at Carol before spinning around back to Andrea and dragging her a far enough distance so that not eavesdropper could hear our conversation. “How the hell do you know?!” I demanded, making sure my determination was written all over my face.

     “What…about you having sex with a dog?” Andrea retorted, the corners of her mouth turning up into an amused smirk, but I did not seem to share Andrea’s amusement. “Back in the CDC I went out to go get myself a little snack,” she started, now serious. “Then, much to my surprise, I found you with your tongue buried deep inside Dixon’s mouth…” Andrea explained oh-matter-of-factly.

     “Oh God.” I grimaced out of disgust, nearly having forgotten that stupid ghost of a memory before I looked to Andrea once more, now with accusing eyes. “And: Why. The. Hell. Did. You. Not. Stop. Me.” I demanded aggressively, cutting my words apart.

     “I was going to but then….” Andrea trailed off before looking back to me and the fierce expression I most definitely had on my face. “Things appeared to be getting pretty heated…shirts began to fly off….I guess then pants began to fly off too……” To that, she gained another glare off of me. “I wasn’t going to become a party pooper, you two seemed to be getting into it…” Andrea stated. “Pretty into it actually.” She added on.

     “Yes.” I agreed sternly much to Andrea’s surprise. “Due to the fact that we were shitfaced drunk,” I hissed at Andrea with malice in my tone, still disgusted. “How would you just let that happen?!” I demanded. “With Daryl!” I shrieked furiously at Andrea.

     “But you’re into him…” Andrea stated before catching my shocked and my look of pure disgust. “And he’s into you….” She trailed off but I made sure my expression did not leave my face knowing it masked my reaction to her words well. “Right….?” Andrea arched her elegant and light eyebrow at me.

     “Andrea…..really?” I arched a dark eyebrow back at her. “Of all people? Daryl? Daryl Dixon?” I questioned her mind, the more times the better. “Of course we’re not ‘into’ each other, are you insane?!” I began to raise her voice again, causing turning of heads amongst the group in the distance. “This is it, the apocalypse, Andrea.” I reminded Andrea as she began to drag her along for a little ‘walk’. “Last thing on my mind is romance.” I hissed at her.

     “Was it good?” Andrea enquired before I shot her a look as if to say ‘Really, Andrea? Are you freakin’ serious right now?’ which was exactly what I was thinking. “Just because you’re not into each other doesn’t mean it wasn’t good…..good sex isn’t connected to romance….Electra”

     “I was drunk, Andrea. D-R-U-N-K.”

     “But at the time?”

     “No, Andrea, No!” I couldn’t help but snap at Andrea, not really frustrated with Andrea but more with myself for letting that whole ordeal happen. “I’m sorry,” I apologized, reading Andrea’s shocked expression. “Like I said….I was shitfaced drunk…I can’t remember it.” I said calmly, adding on a mental ‘Thank God.’

     “No, I’m sorry.” Andrea apologized. “It’s really none of my business anyway.” Andrea shrugged it off casually. “You were drunk, I know how it is, I’ve made the mistake many times before, I know that you don’t think straight or remember anything.” Andrea identified. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it to myself.”

     “That would be appreciated, thanks.”

     Quickly, we returned to the group, joining on the right side. Seemed like our little private conversation had earned us curious and expectant looks which I pretended not to intercept. Christ, these people were nosey. Wasn’t anyone allowed any privacy anymore?

     “We’ll lose the light before too long.” Daryl informed us all. Apparently, he was the only one who couldn’t care less about mine and Andrea’s conversation. Note to self: When having private conversations, find a way to escape with a reason or motive. “I think we should call it.” Daryl proposed, turning to me for affirmation.

     “Let’s head back.” I agreed with him.

     “We’ll pick it up again tomorrow?” Carol questioned, obviously not wanting Sophia to have to spend another night out in the woods all alone.

     “Yeah,” Lori nodded, assuring her with a small smile. “We’ll find her tomorrow.” She stated confidently in order to reassure Carol who looked doubtful before Daryl whistled.  


▬ Third Person- No one’s P.O.V ▬ 
    

     The forest surrounding the majority of the group was now dimly illuminated by the stars in the night sky. By this point they were all freezing, Electra largely regretting her choice of wearing shorts…but then again, she never expected to still be roaming the forest at this time of day. She assumed Sophia would have been found by now. All she knew was that she was glad Stacie was wearing a pink hoodie.

     Shivering beside her was Glenn, clad in his jeans and white and blue long sleeved baseball shirt. Despite the fact she had stolen his baseball cap earlier on, he still would have offered her his sweatshirt if he had brought it. That’s what friends were for.

     Leading, Daryl had gritted his teeth together in fear of chattering. He too was absolutely freezing but unlike the others had managed to keep his shivering almost unnoticeable as he held his crossbow steady. Shivering was stupid, he needed to keep steady in case he needed to fire quickly.

     “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

     And this might be that time.

     A blood curdling scream which pierced everyone’s  ear drums echoed through the woodland. Immediately, everyone perked up and glanced around nervously, trying to narrow down the source of the screaming. A gunshot fine, but screaming…..not so much.

     “ANDREA?!” Electra screamed out for the blonde at the top of her lungs, the first to react to this madness. She had lost sight of the woman earlier, expecting her to be trailing behind them all but actually she had fallen quite a bit behind and was now lost in her sight as she span around.

     Sprinting as fast as she could possibly manage, Electra started off in the direction that the screaming’s were coming from. Trusting her completely, the group began to rush as well, trailing a little behind her all at different rates. The one barely managing to keep up was Stacie, but fortunately Glenn had found her hand and was pulling her along with him in fear of losing her to the forest like Sophia.

     Andrea was kicking at the walker, scrambling backwards in order to get away from the damn bastard who had gotten the jump on her. ‘Oh God, come on!’ she thought to herself as she let out yet another scream as the walker clawed at her clothing. ‘Somebody, anybody, come on!’

     Now, the walker had complete control having pinned her down to the floor. Desperately, Andrea screamed and attempted to fight it off but it was no use.

     ‘Is this it?!’

     ‘It can’t be it.’

     ‘Please, Lord, no’

     Daryl’s earlier words swam around her mind as she screamed and thought.

     “It's a waste of time, all this hopin' and prayin'.”

     And maybe it was.

     Just then, Electra along with the rest of the group somewhere close broke through the tree’s to see Andrea rolling around on the floor with a walker on top of her as the sound of hoofs echoed eerily around the forest. ‘Oh God!” thought Electra to herself at the sight of Andrea.

     Suddenly, the noise of hooves began to echo around the forest just before a horse galloped in to plain sight from behind the bushes with a women riding upon it, her brown hair was flowing in the wind as she brandished a baseball bat which she used to knock the walker off of Andrea before any damage could be done to her. It was then the rest of the group joined, startled by the women on horse-back.

     “Lori?!” the women questioned without a minuet to spare, her eyes darting wildly around the Atlanta survivors who could do nothing but stare back at the wild woman. “Lori Grimes?” she quizzed, still unaware of who she should be addressing, now focusing on all the possible ‘Lori Grimes’s- the blonde who was currently scrambling to her feet having just been saved by her, the short-haired woman, the dangerously beautiful brunette with the mismatched eyes and the brown-eyed brunette who was gasping a little. “Woah.” She let out, pulling on the reins before her horse could ever try to rear up fully and thrust her off of it.

     “I’m Lori.” The brunette with brown eyes stated as she stepped forwards, answering the woman’s enquiry, still a little dazzled by the whole situation. ‘Who was this woman?’ was the question swimming around all the Atlanta survivor’s minds. ‘And how does she know my name?’ was Lori’s personal mental enquiry.

     “Rick sent me.” the green eyed woman revealed, barely managing to control her horse as she spoke to Lori. Involuntarily, the Atlanta survivors stiffened up. ‘Why would Rick send this women? Why didn’t he come himself?’ Everyone exchanged nervous glances. “You got to come now!” the woman insisted. ‘Come where? Come why? What was she talking about?’ Suddenly, it dawned on Electra and a sense of fear stayed with her.

     “Who was shot?” Electra interrogated the woman, connecting eyes with the strange woman, now it was her turn to be dazed. Everyone gasped and again exchanged fearful looks. “We heard gunshots when we were a few miles back.” Electra stated in explanation. “Shane, Rick or-” Electra started, demanding an answer as she prepared for the terrible horrifying news, her voice cracking ever so slightly.

     “Carl.” The woman finished for her whilst providing Electra with the answer to her question. “Carl’s been shot.” She confirmed, the words piercing Lori’s heart as everyone remained motionless.  “He’s still alive,” the woman assured them all. “But you’ve got to come now.” She instructed after turning to Lori. “Rick needs you!” she shouted, still Lori remained still. “Just come!” This order caused Lori to kick start, pulling off her backpack.

     “Woah, woah, woah.” Daryl said in protestation, putting his hands out whilst Lori dropped her backpack to the woodland floor. “We don’t know this girl.” He pointed out, attempting to reason with the irrational Lori who was most certainly not listening to his words. ‘Were all the women where whack jobs?’ he questioned internally. “You can’t get on that horse!” he said in objection but sure enough, Lori had already taken to mounting the horse.

     “Rick said you had others?” the woman questioned whilst her eyes found Glenn’s, though it sounded more like a statement to him and the rest of the group. “On the highway?” she still did not gain a response from anyone. “The big traffic snarl?” she fished for an answer, any answer.

     “Uh-huh.”

     “Backtrack to Fairburn road.” The woman instructed. “Two miles down is our farm.” She directed, everyone mentally taking down notes. “You’ll see the mail box.” she pointed out. “Name’s Greene.” She stated before she urged the horse, turning it as it began to trot before it shortly began to gallop away from the Atlanta survivors who stayed motionless and scared.

     Then began a horrible moaning and the walker that had pinned Andrea to the floor beforehand sat us from its place on the ground, startling both Carol and Glenn who let out gasps.

     “Shut up.” Daryl snapped as he fired an arrow straight through its brain, resulting in it falling back down to the ground. Not bothering to retrieve the arrow, he marched in the direction of the highway- fuming a little at being ignored by Lori, then the rest of the survivors began to follow behind.    

     Finally registering all the information being thrown at her, Stacie began to break out into small sobs. Barely keeping her own composure, Electra simply swooped Stacie up into her arms and carried her so that her legs were wrapped around her lower torso.

     Unsure of how to react to the whole situation, resulted in Electra choosing not to react at all. She just continued to trail behind the Atlanta Survivors, hearing Stacie continuing to sob into her t-shirt. This was the reason she had freaked out when she foolishly thought that she could be pregnant.

     This world was not meant for children….not anymore. Sophia had been lost and Carl had been shot. This is how it was now.

     What next?

     Or rather:

     Who next?

     Sad as it was, Electra couldn’t help but let the depressing idea swim around her mind. So many were suffering, she couldn’t see how anybody would want to bring another one into this hell just to suffer as well. Back there, she had recognised the walker…it was ‘Sarah’….the little girl she had seen in the picture holder.

     Somehow, she must have escaped but then had gotten bitten in her shoulder and judging by where the wound was it had bitten her from behind. No doubt grabbing on her long ginger curls in order to keep her still- not that she would have been able to put up much of a fight in the first place.

     Luckily, Sophia’s hair was cut short along with Stacie’s, that would avoid a situation like that ever happening to her. Unfortunately for Electra, her curls fell down below her waist….Velcro for walkers. Despite her vanity, Electra decided that she would cut it as soon as she got the chance.

     Precautions needed to be taken, not only by her but by the rest of the survivors too. As a group, they were weak and not well defended. Sure, four of their members were already more than capable enough to take care of themselves but they weren’t always going to be around.

     They needed to take a hug risk assessment.

     They all knew it, but mentally the others had decided to do it back in the safety of their vehicles back at the highway. So why had Electra chosen to do it now in her own mind? Because she didn’t wish to think of Carl and the pain he was enduring. She didn’t wish to think of how devastated Lori and Rick must have been or how much pain they were going through.

     She just didn’t want to think at all.