You Are The Wilderness

Chapter 3 - Farewells And Chances

Rick's POV

            The sun was rising over the horizon when I finished my watch and went away to talk to Morgan as usual. I had to let him know we were moving out from the quarry to CDC. I left a map along with a note taped to the Challenger. It was all I could do for him at that moment. I just hoped he was right about that place. A lot was at stakes at that moment. Jim's condition was getting worse with every passing hour and Kiara's wound was also in need of medical care. After I finished my little talk I walked back to the camp to wake her up and make sure everybody was ready to leave.

            I was unzipping the tent when I saw Kiara putting on black tank top, her wild hair in a high ponytail and her gear already packed up and ready. I coughed lightly to alert her to my presence and she turned around slightly startled but then smiled.

“Hey, can you help me out? Carol left some bandages to redress the cut, but I can't reach the damned spot properly.” frustration taking over her pretty features. I walked in and she handed me clean bandage. I peeled the cover off and lifted her tank top up a bit to get rid of the soiled one. I took it off and examined the cut. It looked irritated around the edges and I could see it was inflamed badly. I set out to clean it a little. As I was doing so I subconsciously brushed my fingers across her skin causing the goose-bumps to rise on the nape of her neck. She looked at me over her shoulder, blush evident on her face and my breath hitched in my throat. I quickly collected myself and put a fresh bandage on the wound and pulled her tank top back down. I turned her around to feel her forehead and I was right. She was running a fever.

“Ehm ... so ... how're you feelin' today?”

“Peachy” she smiled and dropped her gaze to the ground but I could see her face was strained from the pain.

“Yeah right, don't try to play the hero. I can see you're in pain. I'm gonna ask around and see if there are any painkillers or antibiotics. You're going to need them. And you're riding with me, Carl, Carol and Sophia. I need to keep my eye on you.” I took her backpack with me to put it inside the car.

“But what about Lori? Wouldn't she want to ride along with Carl?” she asked sheepishly.

“Nope. She's goin' to be ridin' in the RV and help Jacqui take care of Jim. You're ridin' with us, end of discussion.”

“Alright, bossy-pants.” I turned around to see a crooked smile plastered on her face. I rolled my eyes at her and walked away towards the car.

Half hour later we were all gathered next to the cars. Shane was giving instructions for the road when Morales said they were leaving us. We were all a bit shocked by their decision to leave the safety of a group, but there was nothing we could do to make them reconsider so it was time to say our farewells. It got very emotional. We decided to give them one of the handguns and half box of ammo, Shane questioning whether our chances are any better than theirs. I really didn't need to hear that, I had enough on my mind already. We finally set out on the road – Dale leading the way in RV with Glenn, Jim, Lori and Jacqui, then me with Kiara, Carol and the kids in Cherokee, T-dog and Andrea in van followed by Darryl in his truck and Shane in his Jeep at the tail of our caravan. I felt hopeful and nervous at the same time not knowing what lied ahead of us but praying for the best.

After few hours of driving through the Georgia countryside, RV's radiator hose broke down again. Shane was just looking through his binoculars hoping for a gas station nearby when Jacqui jumped out of the RV telling us that Jim had taken turn for the worse. I stepped into the RV to talk to him while Shane and T-dog rode away to find something that could be used to fix the damned hose. I reassured Jim that we'd be back on the road soon and to my surprise the look on his face turned from one of pain into one of sheer horror.