Rowan James had been prepared for the end since the beginning.
Her life was molded around survival. She was taught to fight, be smart, and never give up.
So when the apocalypse hits, not only is she ready to fight.
She's going to survive....
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THE PEOPLE THAT TRAVELED back to Atlanta made quite the group. T-Dog, Daryl, Rick, Rowan and Glenn all rode in the van they had taken from the city in their original escape. Rowan didn't think she'd be returning this soon, but alas, here she was, heading back into that godforsaken city.
"You know, I could've handled this myself. I could've gotten the guns and walkies, and you could've stayed with your family" she said to Rick as they rode in the front two seats.
Rick sighed before answering, "You're just as responsible for what happened as I am. Why should you have to do all the heavy lifting?" He asked.
She considered him for a moment, "You're just that kinda guy, aren't you, Sheriff? The one who saves everyone before himself" she muttered.
"If I'm correct... I believe you've benefitted from me bein' that kind of guy" he said back.
Rowan chuckled slightly, "I have. And I'm sure I will again... guess I shouldn't question it, should I?" She shrugged.
"No you shouldn't" he sassed back teasingly.
Could he explain it? This insistent need to clear the score? Merle was on his conscious, the walkies for Morgan as well, that was all tallying against him and he needed to make it right. He had to.
They rode in silence after that, until they arrived to the outskirts of the city. They parked the truck under a bridge and quickly but quietly made their way through the streets. The superstore the original group had holed up in was left in shambles. The doors were smashed through, black footprints littered the floor along with trampled clothing and merchandise. Daryl didn't pay it any mind, his focus being on hurrying up the stairs towards his brother.
With Daryl leading they hurried towards the stairs, only to find the door to the roof was still padlocked. Seemed like a good sign. Rick used the pliers to cut the chain, the door swinging open immediately. Call it some foolish, naive hope, but all this time Rowan believed he would still be up there.
But the only thing that remained on that roof, was the chopped off hand of Merle Dixon.
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Rowan looked at the last remnants of Merle Dixon, or at least, the hand he left behind in his escape. Daryl, in his anger and despair, immediately turned to T-Dog and Rowan, eyeing them in complete hatred and pointed his crossbow at the man responsible.
