Protection (Rick Grimes)

Chapter Twenty One

---416 reads?! Wow guys. I love y'all so much. Keep being great and beautiful and don't forget to vote. Love y'all.---

I wake up and feel Rick's arm wrapped around my waist. Smiling to myself, I get up from the floor without waking him. Looking around, I see that everyone is still asleep.

We stayed in an old skating rink that was across from the gas station. Chelsea and I felt the need to attempt to skate since we were in a skating rink. That's something I never learned how to do. So I was falling every five seconds. We ignored Rick's orders of being quiet since we were laughing pretty loudly. I know for a fact that I had annoyed the shit out if him, but I was having fun. Even in this world, it's possible.

I lean against the counter and smile. I may not have planned on living my life like this, but if I hadn't then...I wouldn't have this amazing family that I have now. Except Austin.

I look through the windows and see that it's still dark. I wish I knew what time it was. I rummage through the things we have and get a flashlight. I make sure to get my crossbow before leaving the skating rink and running across the street to the gas station. I sling my crossbow over my shoulders and begin looking through everything in the gas station. I search for water, food, anything we can use.

I find a couple water bottles are are still sealed and place them on the counter. All the food that I found was expired and I wasn't going to eat expired food. I sigh and place my flashlight on the counter by the water bottles. I look over to where the light of my flashlight is shining and stare at the words.

'A home away from home' was written on a poster that was hanging on the wall. I grab my flashlight and walk to the poster. I shine my flashlight on the poster and see a picture of a resort. I let my eyes scan over all the pictures that are on the poster and see that it's a really nice place. I rip the poster off the wall and fold it before putting it in my back pocket. I grab the water bottles and push the door open to walk back to the skating rink.

When I walk into the skating rink, I am met by a worried and angry looking Rick.

"Where did you go?" He asks.

"Across the street. I found a few water bottles full of water and I also found this." I say and pull out the poster, holding it up. Rick just looks at me. I sigh and let my hand fall to my side, the poster hitting my leg making a small noise.

"Look," I start. "I'm sorry for running off and not telling you where I was going. I know it was dangerous and I could have gotten hurt but I didn't want to wake you. I'm sorry." I apologize. Rick nods and grabs my free hand.

"It's okay. I was just worried. Now what is that?" He asks an points to the poster. I smile and hand it to him. He drops my hand and unfolds the poster before looking it over.

"This is in Nashville, Tennessee. It's a long walk, but...it's worth a try if everyone is up for it." He says and looks down at me. I nod with a smile.

~•~

After a while, everyone begins to wake up. They all move around the skating rink, some looking for anything useful.

"I'm going to go look around town." I tell Rick and Daryl.

"Do you want me to come?" Daryl asks.

"I'm good. I'll be back in a few minutes or so." I say with a smile. They both nod and tell me to be careful. I sling my crossbow over my shoulders and begin walking down the sidewalk.

I'm ready to start heading for the resort. That is if everyone thinks it's a good idea. I'm sure they will. I mean, it's just like the lodge. If there are too many walkers, we shut the gates and move on. If there are enough that we can take, it'll be just like the lodge. We'll have a place to stay. A safe place to stay.