One Bullet....Two Lives... (A Walking Dead Fanfic)

Louisiana..

"Watch your mouth, Sunshine."

Chapter Thirty-Five

~Daryl's POV~

This sun is hotter than shit, I thought as I felt the blistering heat shimmer the sweat on my arms. I could feel the burn of my skin and it wasn't pleasant. The group was silent, the only sounds being our footsteps as we crunched over the dry dirt. Judith was squirming in Rick's arms, his attempts at cooing her failing. Maggie and Glenn intertwined their hands and quietly talked to themselves as we reached the end of a road.

I looked around, seeing only trees and rotting corpses of the Walkers. The more Walkers I noticed, the more suspicious I became. I wiped the sweat running down my face and halted everyone. They waited for me to explain as I bent down and touched the tips of my fingers to the pavement. Even though the sun had already baked the concrete, the slight smell of burnt rubber was still in the air. I inhaled deeply and smirked.

"The little bitches that took Angel and Carl, they ain't very far. Yer could catch em if we hurry. I have a feeling they ain't goin' down without a fight." I had a good feeling they wouldn't just give in, especially after the shit we have been through over and over now. Rick handed Judith off to Maggie and nodded to me, landing a hand on my shoulder.

"We are changing the rules. We aren't letting ourselves get joined with another community, with another clan or group. We have learned from experience what this world has done to the rest of them. We do not split up anymore, we are all family and I expect us to act as one. If anyone has a problem with this, you sure as hell better speak up now." I couldn't agree with him more as I gave hi a curt nod and started walking down the road. Everybody was on high alert, looking for any signs of the Angel or Carl.

We have been walking for a day in a half. The baby girl was starting to get a little agitated with the lack of sleep and food. We needed to find shelter if we find Angel and Carl. No, we are going to find them. I shielded my eyes away from the sun as I heard twigs breaking a few feet into the bushes. The thick branches and leafs gave me no visibility to see what it could be. I hoped it was a deer or even a squirrel, now that would be some good eating.

"Be smart, everyone do not shoot until I say so. This could an animal, a human, or a Walker." Rick whispered loud enough for only us to hear as we muttered agreements and waited patiently. Silence quickly spread through the group, crickets and chirps of birds broke through the air. I could hear voices, too quiet for me to distinguish as it got closer and closer. We all seemed to be holding our breath as it finally emerged from the bush. Clicks and revolvers were stuck in the two strangers faces as soon as their foot stepped out of the grass.

"Is that how you welcome people now?" A sarcastic draw came from a familiar pair of lips. I started chuckling and shook my head as I lowered my gun down. A sigh of relief and happiness trickled through everyone as we reunited AGAIN with Carl and Angel. Hershel looked at them both, shaking his head and patting their heads. We could finally be put at ease as the sun sank down below the trees and were back to normal again. Well, as normal as we could manage at this point.

"I found an old map back at the Haven, and I think I have a location we can try. Up towards Louisiana maybe, we have nothing left here. This place isn't overrun just yet, but you have seen what happened back there. This place can't be trusted, we need something a little bit better for Judith. What do you guys think?" Rick exclaimed, breaking the eerie silence. We all quickly liked the idea and began to discuss more about it.

With luck on my side, I managed to grab a few squirrels for dinner as we set up camp. As usual, Angel, me, and Carl took watch first. Rick worked on getting Judith to sleep in his arms as he settled down as well. The moon shone brightly in the midnight sky, sending a ray of pale light over us. I could hear in the distance a couple moans, making me edgy and raise my arrow. I looked over at Angel and saw her staring off into space.

Her eyes were half-open, her pistol held firmly in her hands and having herself rested against a tree. Carl was yawning as he rubbed his eyes and checked the area for the hundredth time. The fire flickered dimly now in the air, bright orange embers started to float to the ground. I started thinking about Louisiana, would it be any better? I shrugged to myself and sighed, rubbing my aching head.

"Do you think there will be water-logged zombies in Louisiana?" Angel whispered quietly to me. I sent her a smile and chuckled under my breath. It was so random and unexpected, I couldn't help but laugh. You never know, It could be a possibility. She grinned at me and looked away, watching shooting stars stream across the sky.

"What do you miss most?" Her question caught me off guard as I turned to stare at the back of her head. I scratched my head and racked my brain for answers. What did I miss most before shit hit the fan? She didn't mind the silence as she turned and sat down in the dirt. I joined her shortly, Carl catching on and sitting beside Angel. Carl had a thoughtful look on his face as he also thought about the question.

"Toilet paper...I miss that a bunch of times." I blurted out, receiving a burst of laughter from both of them. Carl shook his head and gave out another laugh before wrapping an arm around Angel's shoulders.

"I miss TV, I even miss school. As crazy as it sounds, I want to hear my English teach yell at me." Carl said while laughing, memories in his eyes as he thought back before this darkness over ruled the earth. I watched Angel's face drop, but then a split second later she picked it back up. I knew that look, I had it too. She missed her family, as did I. What I would do to see Merle again. Yes, he was a major asshole who deserves to burn in hell but...he was my brother.

I could almost feel the stings on my back from my father and his belt. It's not easy to forget your own father splitting your back open. I shook my head of these thoughts and focused on Angel as she opened her mouth to speak. Her eyes were glistening, but she stopped herself from saying what she wanted to. She gave us a tight smile and chuckled.

"I miss chocolate. I miss food alot, like a double cheeseburger or a steak dipped in sauce. I also miss the sounds of people. Like cars or children or just the simple sounds of a summer day. Now, its full of fear and gunshots and murder around every corner." Angel sighed as Carl rubbed her back soothingly. I had to admit, it was nice to be able to go outside without worrying about a geek ripping your face off. Now, it is kill or be killed.

"Never know, Louisiana might just be what we need. A change of scenery, bloated Walkers, fresh air!" Carl said, flashing an innocent smile. Angel shoved Carl playfully and fixed her ponytail. I noticed a few rays of sun just streaking out into the morning. I was shocked to see how much time had passed. I woke Rick up who gladly agreed to take my shift as I got settled into a nap. I noticed Angel wincing as she laid beside Carl. I shrugged it off and let my eyes droop into a restless sleep as Rick walked around the camp. My mind was filled with thoughts about our new location.

How did we make it this far?