Back when the world was first going to shit and Shane had left Winona at the hospital with Rick, he was focused on just getting Lori and Carl to safety. Being on the road for hours, a majority of that time spent stuck in traffic, made people restless. Many made makeshift camps outside of their cars to at least stretch their legs while they waited for any broadcasts. Shane scanned through countless radio stations, his efforts were proven fruitless as the radio just hissed with static. He stops paying attention when he hears a helicopter fly overhead. Carl plays checkers with the daughter of a family they made friends with, Ed, Carol, and Sophia. They all pause and watch the helicopter fly above, Sophia being the first to speak, "Are we gonna go soon?"
Carol looks back at the young girl, "I don't know, baby. I sure hope so."
"I'm hungry," Carl says pouting at Lori, "I wish Nona was here, she always kept snacks on her."
"I know, Carl. We all are," Lori responds.
Carol turns her attention towards Lori, "Why don't I get him something to eat? Ed's into all this survival stuff. We've got enough M.R.E.s to feed a small army."
Lori moves to get off the hood of the car, "I'd sure appreciate it."
The older woman walks around the other SUV passing Ed, "No trouble."
However, as she opens the door to grab the prepackaged meals, Ed stops her, "What in the hell did you tell her that for? We don't even know these damn people."
She looks at him in confusion, "That boy is hungry. We can spare one box."
"It's called operational security. How long do you think this stuff is gonna last if you keep running your damn mouth off to everybody we meet?"
Carol begins to apologize, "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
Lori walks back over to the open door of the car, leaning in through the window to talk to Shane, "You getting anything?"
Shane shakes his head, "There's nothing."
"Big surprise there."
"No, I mean there's nothing. Emergency broadcast system stopped, and that recording about the refugee center. Hell, I even tried calling Win, just nothing, not even a dial tone. It's all gone," he gets out of the car shutting the door, "I'm gonna go up the road, see what I can see."
Lori starts to tag behind, "I'll come with you."
As Lori is about to pass Carol, the older woman speaks to her, "Ed must have forgot to pack those M.R.E.s I found these in my purse," she lies holding some small snacks in her hands.
"It's alright," Lori reassures, "Listen, do you mind keeping an eye on Carl for a minute?"
"No," Carol answers.
Lori nods turning to her son, "Shane and I are gonna go scout up ahead a little bit and see if we can find someone that know what's going on."
"I want to come with you," Carl begs.
"Nuh-uh," Lori disagrees, leaning down to kiss him on his head.
Shane walks over, "Hey, we'll be back before you know it. Okay, little man, huh?"
Once the pair walk away, Lori whispers to Shane, "Why would they stop broadcasting about the refugee center?"
"I don't know," Shane replies.
"Think they're turning people away?"
"They're gonna have a riot on their hands if they try."
"And what about the med-evac? Do you think Winona and Rick made it?"
"Probably. They would've been the first in the city since it was medical," Shane says trying to think of a lie.
Lori nods accepting it.
——
At this Suburban, Sophia looks at Carl, "Your dad's nice."
"Shane's not my dad," Carl tells the girl, "My dad's being taken to the city with Shane's girlfriend since he's in a coma."
Just then, an explosion goes off in the distance, Carol grabs onto the kids.
——
A fight starts to break out as Lori and Shane continue walking, "What do we do?" Lori asks.
Shane pulls her along, "Come here. We're gonna do what Rick and Winona would have wanted us to do, get you and Carl out of here." Hearing more aircraft, they look up to see three more helicopters heading towards the direction of the city.
"That's not lightning," Lori realizes.
Shane, eyes wide with shock, directs, "You stay with me now. Come on." He begins to weave behind cars, heading into the woods. They pass terrified families in cars sobbing at the uncertainty surrounding them.
Shane helps Lori down a hill that overlooks the city. The sight makes Lori stop, "Oh my God." What was once a bustling city was now a war zone. Helicopters flying in, explosions being the only thing lighting up the buildings.
Shane looks in disbelief, "They're dropping Napalm in the streets."
Lori's voice breaks, "Shane... what about Winona and Rick?"
Shane pulls her in for a hug, "Come here." Lori begins to sob, she comes to the conclusion her husband and best friend are officially gone.
——
Winona wakes up in the shared tent with a groan, "God I don't think I'll ever get used to sleeping on the ground."
Glenn chuckles while slipping on his shoes, "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I was beginning to think you'd sleep through the whole day."
"Shut up. Not everyone likes waking up early, my internal clock is still getting adjusted," she responds running her hands through her untamed bed head.
"Well, I'll let you get ready. See you out there," Glenn shoots her a smile and heads out of the tent.
Winona rubs her head and goes over to her bag of clothes. She stares at the same options that she always chooses from and decides on her worn jeans, an old tank top, and some durable combat boots. Not knowing what the weather will be like for the whole day she grabs a beaten-up flannel and ties it around her waist. Glenn had found a hunting knife with a leg holster for her on one of his last runs so she puts that on as a layer of precaution. Then grabbing the small pocket mirror out of her bag, she takes down her hair that was up in a bun. Raking her fingers through her dark brown hair as best as she could to untangle any knots from the previous day, she sighs, "Jesus, this shit is getting long." Slowly, she begins to braid it back and out of her face. Once she was done, the hair laid just below her shoulder blades, "This'll do," she groans rubbing her eyes to adjust to the bright sun. She stands up, grabs a green bandana to tie around her wrist, and heads out of the tent. Seeing Dale, she grins, "Morning Pops."
"Good morning, Winona. Sleep well?"
"As best as I can with rocks digging into my ass every five minutes," she laughs, heading over to help Carol with laundry.
"I can imagine," Dale chuckles, walking past Lori, "Morning,"
Lori responds as she puts on her boots, "Good morning." Getting up, she walks over to the other women, "I can't believe I slept in."
Winona says nothing and continues helping Carol. The older woman, unknowing, replies, "It's okay, Winona pretty much sleeps in a majority of the days. You must have needed it. Feeling alright?"
Lori glances towards Winona with a hint of paranoia, "Next time wake me, alright? Especially on laundry day."
"I can manage," Carol answers, "I had an idea I wanted to run by you."
"What's that?" Lori asks, beginning to hang clothes.
"That big kitchen of theirs got me thinking. I wouldn't mind cooking in a real kitchen again. Maybe we all pitch in and cook dinner for Hershel and his family tonight. Kind of looking for things to keep my mind occupied," Carol states.
"After everything they've done for us, seems like the least we could do," Winona agrees.
Carol smiles and turns back to Lori, "You mind extending the invitation?" Lori looks confused and Carol continues, "Would just feel more right coming from you."
"How so?"
"Your Rick's wife," Carol says, "It sort of makes you our unofficial first lady."
Upon hearing this, a wave of sadness runs over Winona, but she quickly shakes her head, "I agree with Carol, it should be from you," she glances to see Rick waking towards the group, "Speak of the devil."
"Morning, guys. Let's get going. We've got a lot of ground to cover." Winona walks over towards the group, Rick smiles in greeting but quickly starts talking, "Alright, everyone's getting new search grids today. If she made it as far as the farmhouse Daryl found, she might've gone further east than we've been so far."
One of Hershel's group, Jimmy, came up, "I'd like to help. I know the area pretty well and stuff."
"Hershel's okay with this?" Rick questions.
"Yeah yeah. He said I should ask you," the teen replies.
"Alright then. Thanks."
Shane starts to debate, "Nothing about what Daryl found screams Sophia to me. Anyone could have been holed up in that farmhouse."
Andrea glances over to Shane, "Anybody includes her, right?"
Daryl speaks up, "Whoever slept in that cupboard was no bigger than yay-high," he raises his hand to measure the height."
"It's a good lead," Winona reassures with a smile.
"No maybe about it. I'm gonna borrow a horse, head up this ridge right here, take a bird's eye view of the whole grid. If she's up there, I'll spot her," Daryl plans.
"Good idea," T-Dog says, "Maybe you'll see your chupacabra up there too."
Rick and Winona raise their eyebrows, the man speaks, "Chupacabra?"
Dale walks over, placing the bag of guns on the hood, "You never heard of this? Our first night in camp, Daryl tells us that the whole thing reminds him of a time when he went squirrel hunting and he saw a chupacabra."
Jimmy chuckles and Winona begins cackling. Daryl glares, "What are you braying at, jackass?"
Winona answers while hunched over still laughing, "I'm just imagining you scared shitless over seeing a chupacabra sucking on one of your squirrels."
Jimmy adds on, "You believe in a blood-sucking dog?
"Do you believe dead people walking around?" Daryl shoots back.
Jimmy doesn't answer and goes to grab a gun. Rick stops him, "Hey hey. Ever fire one before?"
"Well, if I'm going out, I want one," Jimmy declares.
Daryl slings his crossbow over his shoulder, "Yeah, and people in hell want slurpees."
"I'll join you, two pairs of eyes are better than one," Winona states, gearing up to follow Daryl.
"No way, missy. I work better alone."
Winona crosses her arms, "Quit that, I'm coming with."
Rick speaks, concern ridden in his voice, "Graves, why don't you stay back and help in the house?"
Winona chuckles, "And do what, Grimes? I'm sure Hershel can manage a few hours with Carl."
"You'll just be mucking up the trail. Best you just stay with the others for today," Daryl counters.
Winona sighs, "No point of arguing, I guess. As long as the next time you go out, I come with, and you make no complaints. Just come back in one piece please."
"Yes ma'am," Daryl huffs.
Shane turns to Jimmy, "Why don't you come train tomorrow? If you're serious, I'm a certified instructor."
Andrea looks at the teen, "For now he can come with us."
"He's yours to babysit then," Shane replies.
Andrea starts to gear up, Rick starts to give them instructions, Winona not hearing the rest as she heads towards the camp, "Alright, Andrea, T-Dog, I want you guys..."
——
Glenn stares out to rest of the farm, lightly strumming the guitar that was gifted to him. Upon seeing Winona making her way through the camp, he gives her a small wave that she returns with a smile. Maggie opens the door and stops when she sees him. Glenn immediately gets up and walks over to her. "Nice guitar," she compliments.
"Dale found it on the highway," Glenn tells the woman. He then glances back seeing if anyone was around, spotting Winona going into the tent, he continues, "You know, we still have eleven condoms."
"You see eleven condoms, I see eleven minutes of my life I'm never getting back," Maggie fires back with a smirk.
Glenn chuckle but his smile quickly falls, "It wasn't that bad, was it?"
"Look, I don't even know if I like you," she replies honestly.
"But you're thinking about it," Glenn speaks, putting an arm on the wall to get closer, "You should."
Maggie just smiles and rolls her eyes, walking away from the man and away from the house. Winona emerges from the tent and greets Maggie, as she passes by to head towards the house. She walks up the stairs to see a dejected Glenn, "Why the long face, Glenn? Trouble in paradise?"
His face reddens, "Drop it, Wi. Go check on Carl."
"Jeez, I see how it is," she responds, mumbling under breath as she goes inside, "Touchy subject."
——
Nailing a thin piece of red cloth to a tree, Rick passes Shane. They continue their trek through the woods, Rick decided to go down memory lane, "You remember the name of that waitress at the dairy queen when we were in high school? I know you, Shane, well enough to know that there is only one sure-fire way of engaging you in conversation, and that is to start asking about girls you did in high school. I don't want to, but I'm willing to do it if that's what it takes," Rick states turning to face the man.
Shane smirks, "Maryanne. I told you about her?"
"In excruciating detail," Rick answers.
"Excruciating, my ass," he says, "You used to live for those details back in the day."
He laughs, "I was impressionable. And I may have been living vicariously through you."
"Why wouldn't you, with my impressive list of accomplishments? I was an artist in his prime. A protege."
"You mean prodigy."
"Maybe. Is prodigy what you call a young high school stud that bangs 30-year-olds on the regular?"
"What 30-year-old were you banging in high school?" Rick laughs, in disbelief.
Shane takes his hat off, "The p.e. teacher."
"Mr. Daniels?" Rick jokes.
"Mrs. Kelly."
"The girls volleyball coach? Wasn't she married?"
"C'mon."
"You know what I just remembered? Why I never ask you about this stuff."
"Why don't we talk about your high school love life then, huh?"
"Well, that's a short conversation," Rick states, "It may even already be over."
"Is that so?" Shane asks. "There was Holly, right? Nope, that was me too," they laugh, "Then there was Sheila. That's the one you lied to me about."
Rick turns around defensive, "I never lied about Sheila. I just got mixed up about what the bases meant."
"Just so you know, a home run, that usually means a sexual act. That's intercourse," Shane chuckles.
"Yeah, I realize that now."
"I think what you did was more like a ground rule double or something."
"I'm aware of the judge's ruling. I believe that's the end of my high school love life."
"Are you so sure about that?" Shane smirks.
"What do you mean by that?" Rick stops with a chuckle.
"If my memory doesn't mistake me, I remember you had your eyes set on my fiancée way before I did," Shane laughs.
"If my memory doesn't mistake me, she's not your fiancée anymore," he repeats back and then sighs, "But, God, that was so long ago, how'd you even remember that?"
"God, man, she was all you ever talked about back then," Shane reminisces, acting like love struck teen, "'Oh, Shane, Winona did this today.' or 'Do you think Winona would like this?'" he laughs, "God, man, it was constant. I'm surprised you were even okay with me dating her when she and I connected after I got out of the police academy."
Rick smiles fondly at the memories, "Yeah, I guess I did, but I don't think she ever knew about that. We never really talked back then. She really hasn't changed, she's still the girl that would do anything for anyone, which made me fall for her back then. I ended up never telling her and eventually moved on before I met Lori, so it never bothered me, you dating her and all. But it has been nice catching up with her."
Shane looks at him, skeptical, "Uh-huh... I just remember you being so dorky back then that barely any girl paid mind to you, Winona included. She can be oblivious at times and I assume she was even worse back then. Anyways, how'd you even bag Lori with no game?"
"Ha ha that's very funny," Rick says brushing it off.
Shane pauses, "Shouldn't be talking about this stuff. That life, it's gone and everyone in it. Shelia. Maryanne. Mrs. Kelly. It's like we're old folk. All the people in our stories are all dead. Winona too, man, I've lost her."
"We can't just forget them," Rick says ignoring the last part.
Shane's grateful as he continues acting like he hadn't said anything, "The hell we can't. It's hard enough accepting what's happened without digging up the past. I'll tell you what it is. It's nostalgia. It's like a drug. Keeps you from seeing things the way they are. That's a danger. You got people depending on you."
"You think I don't know that? Winona always tells me she trusts me a hundred percent, no matter what."
"I don't know. What are we doing? You got every able body at your disposal out scourging these woods for a little girl we both know is likely dead."
"You think we should abandon the search?" Rick asks, getting upset.
"It's not my call, is it?"
"I'm asking," Rick says waking towards the man, "I'm asking."
Shane continues to press on, "Survival, Rick, it means making hard decisions. But you've got this knack. You spread us thinner and thinner. I'm trying to save lives here and you're out saving cats from trees."
Rick gets pissed, "Is that what you think Sophia is, a cat in a tree? Or better yet, Winona? Hard decisions, right? Like how you left your fiancée behind to take care of a practically dead man?"
Shane gets defensive, "Don't do that, man. Don't twist my words. How many times do I gotta explain this with Winona, no one knew what was going on, she offered so I could help your wife and son. That's that. hard decision, but one that needed to be made. And how many times we get called up to look for a missing child, man? You got 72 hours. 72 hours, and after that you're looking for a body. And that was before. I mean you honestly think we're just gonna find Sophia alive?"
"Are you that sure we won't?"
"We being completely honest?"
"I'm counting on you to be."
Shane shrugs, "It's math, man. Love or not, Sophia, she only matters to the degree in which she don't drag the rest of us down," Rick backs up almost with a look of disgust over what his best friend has become, Shane scoffs, "I thought you wanted honest." He walks ahead, hitting a tree out of anger, "If we'd just moved on, man, we'd be halfway to Fort Benning right now and Carl wouldn't have gotten shot. You said so yourself. But we're out here, we're risking lives. Your own son almost died. Otis, he paid that bill. What the hell are we still doing this for?!"
Rick walks up to Shane, trembling, "I had her in my hand, Shane. She looked in my eyes and trusted me. I failed her. If I hadn't she wouldn't be out here. I think she's still alive and I'm not— I'm not gonna write her off."
The man huffs and changed the subject, looking past to a tree with a cloth nailed to it, "It's blue. It's Andrea and T-Dog. Looks like we wandered into their grid," he ends the conversation and keeps walking.
——
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digging graves// rick grimes x OC//
RomanceA nurse with the last name of Graves, ironic isn't it? Winona Graves, Shane Walsh's fiancée, works at the King's County Hospital in the coma ward. Being his fiancée, Winona became close with the Grimes' family. Therefore, when Rick got shot, she ma...
