You Are The Wilderness

Chapter 16 - Walker Cops

Kiara' POV

Over the next few days Rick hovered over me like I was going to break or something. It was both sweet and a little annoying. Hershel had a look on my shoulder and reassured me it was just a flesh wound and wouldn't require stitches.

"See, I told you," I smiled at Rick trying to cheer him up. I could see something was wrong but I didn't press the issue knowing that he'll talk to me when he's ready.

I was walking around the property gathering more firewood when I heard someone approaching. I turned around and saw it was him.

"Hey, need a hand?" he motioned towards the pile of twigs in my hands.

"Sure, make yourself useful," I teased making him glare at me playfully. I handed him the pile and we started walking towards the camp. I settled at the table and started to clean my gun, and Rick soon joined me.

"I need to talk to you about Shane," Rick started looking at me intently. "I know what happened that day when Hershel's family was... you know," he muttered making me raise my eyes at him.

"How did you find out?" I asked lowering my eyes again and pushing the lever out.

"Lori told me," he said. That surprised me. I didn't expect her to say anything that might put Shane in the bad light despite the fact they weren't together anymore.

"She told me some other things too," he continued.

"Did she say anything 'bout Otis?" I asked making him look at me with surprise. "Yeah, I thought 'bout it Rick and Shane's story 'bout what happened that night doesn't make any sense. Think 'bout it babe. He said they were down to pistols and you said yourself you lent Otis your Python because he only had his rifle but Shane brought your Python back so what other pistol did Otis use?" I asked watching various emotions cross his face.

"Rick I know he's your best friend, I know he's like brother to you but he has changed. He's not the same person anymore. I know this world changes people and none of us is the same as we were before all this, but this kind of change? The way Shane changed? It has always been within him... dormant, just waiting for the opportunity to break free," I argued cautiously judging his reaction. He just sighed not wanting to hear what I was saying but he knew it was true.

"That's what I thought. You're not the only one who thinks he killed Otis, Lori and Dale think so too. I'll have a word with him," he said solemnly and I grabbed his hand running my thumb across it soothingly. He pulled me into him, running his hand gently across the fabric of my T-shirt on my shoulder where my newest scar was.

The whole week passed since we brought Randal back with us and his leg was healed enough to cut him loose. I was in our tent getting ready to head out when Rick walked in.

"Kiara, I need you to stay put this time," he said making me look at him incredulously.

"What?" I asked. "You can't be serious Rick, you want to go alone with Shane?"

"Yeah, we have some things we need to work out Shane and I, some things to discuss and we need to do it alone," he cupped my face making me look into his brilliant orbs. "Just trust me on this one. He's not that far gone."

"Ok, but I still don't like it," I muttered unable to argue with him when he was looking at me like that. I kissed him lightly and then he left. I decided to help Maggie in the kitchen trying to keep my mind occupied. I was chopping up the chicken when she asked.

"Did Rick say anything 'bout Glenn when you guys got back from town?"

"Not really, we were all quite preoccupied with the whole Randal thing," I said looking up at her. "Why? Somethin' happened between you two?"