The Road Ahead of Us - TWD Season 2

NICOLETTE

Nicki waved back at her sister, watching as Sarah turned to follow the others. She felt relieved that Sarah had let her stay with Rick; she really didn't want to go back to the RV. Just wandering around waiting for the sun to set sounded boring, and this way, she could feel useful. Still, she wished Daryl was with them. She had been observing him in the woods, curious about how much time he had spent there and how he learned to track. Maybe she would ask him about it; he seemed more willing to talk lately, at least less gruff than before.

"Give me a minute?" Nicki turned at Rick's voice. He was speaking with Shane, who nodded before Rick headed toward the church.

She noticed Shane's demeanor. He seemed quieter and more distant than usual, and Nicki wondered what was bothering him.

"You okay?" he asked, ruffling Carl's hair. Whatever it was, he seemed to brighten up around the little boy.

"Is Dad okay?" Carl asked, looking up at Shane with concern.

Shane took a deep breath before nodding. "I'm sure he is, little man," he replied, gently nudging Carl. Come on, let's go sit down." Carl nodded, and then Shane turned toward Nicki.

"Come on, Nicolette."

Nicki followed Shane and Carl until they settled on the steps of the church, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken worries. Restlessness tugged at her; she didn't like sitting still. So she started to wander toward a nearby tree.

"Where're you going?" Shane asked, making her halt mid-step.

"Nowhere," she shrugged, glancing back at him. She noticed his legs bouncing anxiously, a telltale sign of his own unease.

"You made a promise to Sarah," he reminded her. "Stay close to us, right?"

Nicki nodded, but her gaze drifted back to the tree she was planning to walk to. "Can you see up to there?" she asked, pointing where she wanted to go. She saw Shane following with his eyes before frowning.

Shane squinted, following her gaze before frowning slightly. "Yeah?"

"I'm close then," she replied, starting to walk again despite his scoff.

Once she reached the tree, she needed to center herself. Taking a deep breath, she pulled out her bow and nocked an arrow, focusing her thoughts. The cool wood felt familiar in her grip. As she looked at the trunk, memories flooded her mind—Carol's tears, Rick's distress, and her own sense of helplessness.

With each thought, she released an arrow into the bark. The first hit solidly, and she thought of Carol's anguish. The second followed swiftly, aimed at Rick's burdened heart.

Then she recalled the moment she had run after Rick, trying to help when she saw that walker following him. Her heart raced at the memory of her legs feeling heavier, the weight of fear pressing down on her.

Choices had been made; now they just had to wait.

She had aimed and hit that walker, but Daryl was right—it had been a stroke of luck. The reality crashed down on her: if she had been with Rick, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe Sophia would have been safe at the highway. As she released another arrow, it flew past the tree and thudded into the ground.

"Fuck," she grunted, frustration boiling inside her.

"Language," Rick's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned, surprised to see him

She hadn't even noticed he was there.

"Oh... sorry," she mumbled, glancing down as she walked toward the arrows embedded in the tree.