Lottie Grimes in the Apocalypse

Chapter 15

{~Back at the R.V. ~}

Lottie's POV
We managed to make it back to the highway and once there I situate myself in the doorway and sip on some water as we discuss the situation.

"Shot? What do ya mean shot?" Dale asks "I don't know, Dale. I wasn't there. All I know is this chick rode out of nowhere like Zorro on a horse and took Lori" Glenn explains "You let her?" Dale asks Daryl "Climb down out of my asshоlе, man. Rick sent her. She knew Lottie and Lori's name and Carl's" Daryl explains before he walked over to me "and besides, I was more concerned about Lottie since Lori pushed her away in order to get on the horse" Daryl looked at me and I nodded in assurance.

Dale's eyes nearly popped out of his head "She did what?!" I waved it off "I'm fine, I didn't hit the ground and Lori didn't touch my stomach" Daryl practically snarled "It's not fine! Lori needs to be yanked off her high horse and put in her place!" "I hate to say it, but I agree with Daryl. Lori is getting way too comfortable with abusing you" Dale says making the others murmur their agreement.

I sighed and said "I know. I'm gonna talk to dad about separating us or something. If she's like this now, I don't wanna know how she'll be with the babies" I stroked my stomach in thought. Daryl then sat next to me and pulled me into his chest where I snuggled into him. Everyone frowned at this but it seems that Dale still had more questions.

"I heard screams-- Was that you?" Dale asked me and Daryl answered "That was actually Andrea" Glenn added "She got attacked by a walker. It was a close call" "Andrea, are you all right?" Dale asked but Andrea brushed him off.

I go inside the RV to change out of my sweaty clothes.

When I exit I stumble upon a heated whispered argument, that I know I wasn't supposed to hear.

"I won't do it. We can't just leave" Carol argues "Carol, the group is split. We're scattered and weak" Dale says trying to sway her "What if she comes back and we're not here? It could happen" Daryl states "If Sophia found her way back and we were gone, that would be awful...." Glenn says thoughtfully.

I step out fully and says "We're not going anywhere tonight" making everyone jump and look at me "Lottie-" Daryl starts but I cut him off by asking "Who started this?" Everyone grows quiet which agitates me as I'm already tired and sore and now that wanna treat me like a fragile porcelain doll? Uh-uh, hell no.

"My back feels like it's about to snap in two, my breasts feel like sand bags have replaced them. I'm tired, cranky, sore, hungry and nauseous at the same time. If one of y'all doesn't open your mouths in the next three seconds I'm gonna take my gun out and put a bullet in each one of your asses. And I'm a great fucking shot. So answer my question. Who. Started. The. Argument?" I asked one last time.

Seeing that I was being serious, Daryl stepped forward and said "Glenn was just asking what the plan was, and things got heated" I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. Daryl's hand instinctively reached out for me but hesitated before touching me. I grasped his hand, reassuringly before speaking again in a calmer tone.

"We're not leaving tonight, but first thing tomorrow morning. We'll put up a sign for Sophia, and leave her some supplies. Everyday we'll come back to check on things then report back" I tell them making everyone nod in agreement with that "But T-Dog needs to go to this farm" Dale says making me look up and ask "Why? Is it his arm?" I ask referring to when his arm got sliced open during the herd's migration.

Dale nods and says "This is not an option. That cut has gone from bad to worse. He has a very serious blood infection. Get him to that farm. See if they have any antibiotics. Because if not, t-dog will die, no joke" I nodded "Glenn, you take my dad's jeep to the farm and take T with you" "Me? Why is it always me?" Glenn asks making me give him a withering look "I mean, yes ma'am! I'm on it!" He says quickly.

I then feel Daryl leave my side and go towards the motorcycle "Why'd you wait till now to say anything? Got my brother's stash. Crystal, x-- Don't need that. Got some kick ass painkillers. Doxycycline. Not the generic stuff neither. It's first class. Merle got the clap on occasion" Daryl explains and tosses a couple of pill bottles at Dale.

I give Daryl a soft smile "Thank you....but the plan still stands. Glenn and T will go to the farm tonight and the rest of us will regroup in the morning. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Confessions?" I ask when no one says anything "No? Then let's carry on" I then head back into the R.V. and sit on the couch and rub my belly.

They haven't kicked yet. It's a little concerning since they're supposed to start doing that at 4 months, and I'm 5 months pregnant, but the latest they'll start is six months and sometimes they never kick at all and they're perfectly fine.

I sighed and leaned my head back "You okay?" A familiar voice asks and I look over to see Daryl. I smile and say "Yeah...I scared myself a little bit there" Daryl chuckles and says "You're like your dad, a natural born leader. We needed a firm hand to stop the argument, though you were scary when you threatened to shoot us" I winced at that and said "Sorry..." he shrugged and said "It worked, didn't it?"

I shrugged and nodded "I suppose...." Daryl walks over and sits next to me and runs his fingers through my hair. I relax and curl up into him. My hand reaches up to cup the side of his neck while he tests his cheek on my temple.