Saving Grace

No Return

Rick wasn't exaggerating when he said the town was overwhelmed with walkers. She snuck around as much as she could but with no luck of finding a tent. Tired, she walked back to the farm. It felt like years before she finally saw the farm, but what she saw made her stomach fall. The barn was on fire, and walkers stormed the farm. Thousands. She could barely make out a few figures of the group. Without thinking she ran forward, she began slicing walkers apart with her machete, a single figure in her sights, one that was getting surrounded.

"Sophia!" She yelled, continuing the slice heads apart. Seeing a walker grab Sophia's arm she screamed, grabbing one of her knives and throwing it as hard as she could. Before the walker could bite down the knife flew into his head.

Scooping Sophia up she began to run into the woods, heading towards the highway. She saw cars make it out, different directions. But, she knew that could be a main meet up spot, and that was her last hope.

Sophia cried into her shoulder, Ivy now at a walking pace once it was quiet. Ivy ran a hand through her hair, hushing her.

"I'm sorry Sophia, you shouldn't have to go through this... But I know you'll be strong. You'll survive. You'll outlive most of us, you and Carl, and his little sibling when they are born. You are the next generation, and you will continue on for us." She began, hearing her crying subside.

"We will all teach you to survive, you'll be strong. You'll know how to hunt, fix wounds, kill walkers." She thought of her nieces, how they should also be here. But, right now, they are gone and Sophia needs her.

"Did my mommy get out?" She whimpered, Ivy faltered, swallowing. She wasn't sure, but she had to keep hope for the little girl.

"I think so, we are going to the highway, it's their best bet. They might be there." Nodding, Sophia hid her face in Ivy's shoulder again. Walking up the hill, she began to hear talking. Screams about Sophia being left behind, Daryl angrily insisting he go back and find Sophia, then go search for Ivy. Rolling her eyes, she stepped over the guard rail.

"Can y'all lower your damn voices? Me and the kid are tired." The two were instantly swarmed, Carol taking Sophia and hugging her tightly, Carl hugging Ivy.

"How did you get her? When did you get back?" Rick asked, a hand on her shoulder. Ivy rubbed her side, Sophia's bony hips having dug into it.

"When I got back the barn was on fire and cars were pulling out. Had to play wack-a-mole to get Sophia out of a hell zone. Lost a good knife saving her but I'll find another." Rick let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head.

"You've saved my baby twice now, thank you so much." Carol cried out, hugging the woman. Ivy grumbled, sick of affection.

"What are we gonna do now?" Lori asked, her arms wrapped around herself, worry lacing her face.

"Do what I was doing before I found y'all; Hunt for your food, sleep where you can, shitty cold river showers." The group grimaced at her words, but they knew she was right. It was going to be hell before they could find another place.

"We need to get farther out, settle for the night." Rick rubbed his head, everyone agreeing.

After getting away to the point of no gas, the group settled the best they could. Everyone was paranoid, and they had the right to be. Their home was ripped from them in an instant by this cruel world. They were looking at Rick as a leader, and for some reason as to blame. The man was doing the best he could, but they were pushing his abilities to the max.

"I killed my best friend for you people!" The man bellowed, snapping and on his last end. The faces of the group showed shock, Ivy tried to will herself to be full of emotion but she was slightly glad. Shane would of gotten people killed, he was insane. According to Dale, Shane was sleeping with Lori, so it made sense to her why Lori looked disgusted.

Rick told the group it wasn't a democracy anymore, and that whoever wanted to leave could. She could tell the man was strong, and it wasn't like she had anywhere better to be.

"It's going to be a long road ahead. And I don't feel like dying alone, doubt any of y'all do either. We will find another home, we just have to look and be patient with each other." Ivy calmly stated. The group took in her words before people began to settle.

The long road behead was going to begin, and the group was as ready as they could be.