Spider Monkey

Chapter One Hundred - The Cave

There was no horde.

They crossed the border for nothing.

It was Carol, Daryl, Carl, Hedley, Connie, Kelly, Magna, Jerry and Aaron.

They were on their way back when Carol saw Alpha in the treeline and decided to run at her. Alpha ran off but Carol gave chase making everyone run after her.

They ended up in a cave, no Alpha in sight but...

They found the horde after all. In the cave with them. They were on a higher rock while the dead were just below, their hands clawing up in desperation.

They couldn't climb the walls, it being too steep and the only way across was the jump from boulder to boulder.

It was terrifying, jumping across. It was like stepping stones from hell.

The dead clawed at them from each step and once they were across, Daryl used one of the Walkers arms as a torch, using the matches he brought with him to light it up. He gave the torch to Connie.

"I need you to stay here, all right? Keep everyone together." He said and signed to her. She nodded.

The noise of the Walkers was haunting so Hedley fished out his earbuds and put them in. Carl by his side, rubbing his arm in support.

"Should I even ask how we're doing on food?" Aaron asked Jerry.

"Not great." Jerry answered.

Kelly gaped at them, "Food? How long do you think we gonna be here?"

"Hey, no worries." Jerry said, "Walkers got in here somehow. We'll get out."

"I think we know exactly how they got here." Aaron muttered, "Alpha put them here. These are theirs. We have to assume we're not alone."

Connie saw Carol panting and asked if she was okay.

"I'm fine." She said, "Just a little winded."

"She's claustrophobic." Daryl explained from his place across the room. He was using a match and flame to see if he could find a draft.

Magna snarled, "Why didn't you think of that before you got us all trapped down here?"

"It's not the time for this." Carl said.

"Why not?" Magna pushed, "Seems like we have plenty of it." She got in Carol's face, "What the hell were you thinking, huh? Running off like that by yourself."

Daryl came through, "Hey! We ain't got time for this shit. We got in this mess together. We're gonna get out of it together. Now follow me. I think I found a way out."

They followed Daryl but soon found themselves stuck again. So they decided to rest, built a fire and tried to get their energy back up. Carl was in Hedley's lap, head resting on his shoulder as the two twirled their hands together.

Connie and Kelly sat opposite them while Daryl and Carol were to their left. Magna, Jerry and Aaron to their right.

"I never told you I was claustrophobic." Carol said.

"If I only knew what you told me, I wouldn't know shit." Daryl muttered.

"Look who's talking."

"It's like I can't even turn my back on you anymore. It's bad enough I got Aaron running around with that skin freak. Now I gotta worry about you all half-cocked every time you go outside."

"I'm sorry."

"I begged you to talk to me. I wanna be there for you. I do. I don't know what to do anymore."