The Road Ahead of Us - TWD Season 2

NICOLETTE

After what happened at the CDC, they had been traveling for hours, trying to get as far away from the city as possible. As the landscape changed in front of her, Nicolette couldn't help but think about Jenner—the desperation in his eyes, a desperation born from losing his wife and from the crushing realization that he couldn't make a difference. It struck her that they might have to live like that forever, weighed down by grief and helplessness.

She noticed a walker as Daryl kept driving, just wandering aimlessly in search of something to kill. It was a stark reminder that this was no longer a safe world. If there was one thing she had learned that day, it was that she didn't want to die afraid, consumed by misery. She simply didn't want to die.

Jacqui's image flickered in her mind. She said she didn't want to end up like Jim and Amy. She had given up. Nicolette clenched her jaw, remembering all of them and how fast they had been taken away from them. Her gaze fell on Sarah, who had fallen asleep a few moments before as Daryl drove silently. They could all die any minute, but it was that thought that made her realize how much Nicki wanted to keep living. She didn't want to end up like Jacqui or Jenner.

"We should stop." Rick's voice made Nicki lean over to listen closely as Sarah woke up, a bit startled.

"What is it?" she asked, looking around.

"Just Rick talking," Nicki answered calmly, then glanced at the radio.

"We need to find some food. Copy."

He was right. They were lucky they still had weapons. Soon, they would be hungry, and searching for food in the dark wouldn't be easy. They were still far from the woods, so Daryl couldn't hunt.

"Where? Copy?" Shane's voice crackled through the radio.

"About two miles," Glenn replied, surely studying the map as he had been doing since they left the quarry. "There are smaller roads there, some shops—maybe some food." After a moment of silence, he added, "Oh yeah... copy." His uncertainty made Nicki smile a little.

"Hope we find some food," Sarah said after taking a breath.

"We ain't doing anything," Daryl almost growled. "You stay in the car."

Sarah scoffed, raising her brows.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my sister," she argued. Nicki noticed Daryl glance at Sarah for a moment before turning back to the road.

"Whatever." Daryl's tone was dismissive, and Sarah's expression shifted to one of pure disbelief.

Nicki frowned slightly, observing the escalating tension. Sarah wasn't someone who lost her temper easily.

"Are you saying that I can't?" Sarah insisted, turning her body fully to face him. "Daryl," she pressed when he didn't respond.

"Am sayin' don't be stupid" he spat.

Nicki's mouth fell open as Sarah's face paled, her eyes widening with anger.

"I want to get out," Sarah said, stiffening her posture.

"What?" he asked, frowning.

"Stop this car! I want to get out of here," she declared, reaching for the microphone of the radio. When Daryl moved to stop her, grabbing her wrist, Sarah pushed his hand away.

"Don't touch me!" she shouted.

"Stop acting crazy, girl!" he shot back.

"Stupid and crazy?"

As they continued to argue, Nicki's frown deepened, glancing between them. She had never seen her sister lose her temper like this; Sarah was usually calm, funny, and understanding.