Dead Man Walking || RICK GRIMES POV -SLOW UPDATES-

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Refer to chapters 4, 5, & 6 of the first book for this part

Rick stared down the barrel of his python, watching closely as June tried to calm the rugged man, Daryl Dixon. They had made it into Atlanta and were on the roof where Merle was left behind. However, much to their surprise, Merle was no longer chained to the pipe, but his hand remained. Blood trails coated the roof's gravel, blotching and clotting everywhere under the sun's intensity. June rubbed Daryl's back slowly, her voice low and soothing as she spoke.

"Listen to the man, Daryl," She whispered, her free hand reaching upward to lower his crossbow. Much to Rick's surprise, Daryl nodded and obeyed, his head dropping as he wiped his eyes again. Rick couldn't blame the man. If one of his brothers had been left behind like this, he would also be emotional – anger and sadness only felt like the appropriate emotions to feel at the moment.

"You got a do-rag or something?" Daryl asked, pointing at June's pack. June rummaged around her pack, producing a blue bandana and handing it to him. Rick couldn't help but stare at June as he holstered his weapon. Her eyes were glued to Daryl as he walked over to the hand to wrap it up.

While Daryl wrapped his brother's hand in the bandana and shoved it into Glenn's pack, June squatted by the blood trails and examined them. Rick felt his eyes drop down to the trails, but he didn't understand what he looked at besides bodily fluids. He was only sure that Merle Dixon didn't have much time left until he lost all consciousness from blood loss.

"Your brother is one tough son of a bitch," June muttered, her eyes lifting to follow a separate trail of blood, "He used the belt as a tourniquet."

"Be much more blood if he didn't." Daryl joined her, and together, the pair walked around the roof, their eyes never leaving the blood on the ground. It was like they were moving in an orchestrated symphony. From what Rick knew, Daryl was a tracker and hunter. Does this mean June is as well, since she seems to know what she's doing? If that's the case, he got lucky by having two trackers with him. She's a bag full of surprises.

On the drive to the city, they had all learned that she had taken fighting classes – MMA, to be exact. A woman who could defend herself, be a leader, and, as far as he could tell, was an alright person is someone he wanted on his side as the world ended. Each moment that passed, he felt comfortable with her. He felt his guard slowly lowering. But he didn't want to act rashly without fully knowing the woman. It's easy to fool someone, and Rick Grimes didn't want to be fooled.

Behind the pair, Rick, Glenn, and T-Dog slowly followed with their hands on their weapons. A doorway opened once they rounded the corner, and Daryl took the opportunity to shout:

"Merle! You in here?" Rick flinched, hissing at the sudden noise. This should be a quick and easy mission! They didn't need to attract any walkers. June turned with a fire in her eyes, her finger immediately pressing against her lips in a shushing motion. Daryl simply pushed past her and started down the steps, not paying much mind to the group behind him.

He watched as June lightly rubbed her shoulder, seemingly unaware she was doing it. Rick felt his hand reach out on instinct, his palm landing on her warm shoulder. He wanted to ask her if she was okay but didn't open his mouth. Seemingly understanding his silence, June shrugged her shoulder and smiled at him, her right eye winking as she quickly followed Daryl down the steps.

Rick could feel his cheeks heat up slightly, warmth creeping up his neck. Silently, he berated himself for acting like a schoolboy. She simply smiled and winked at him. That was no cause to react the way he did. Clearing his throat, he shook his head and descended the stairs, his feet stopping when Daryl whistled and pointed forward. In front of them was a door, the handle dripping with the bright red crimson blood. June grabbed the handle and twisted it without fear or disgust, immediately wiping her hand on her jeans. A soft growl came from inside the room, and a lone walker appeared. June, her knife firmly in her hand, started walking forward to take care of the dead being, but Rick shot his hand out to stop her. He didn't see why she had to risk herself by getting up close and personal with a walker when Daryl had a crossbow. He didn't want anyone to get hurt under his watch.