Surviving the Apocalypse

Episode 5

A.N. I purposely skipped the scene with Daryl and Andrea, just because, to be completely honest, I don't like Andrea. Also, I don't think Elodie would have let him leave that late, seeing as he is in fact only 15 in this story, and also he slept in the Tahoe, instead of the RV. And I don't see the point of a 'bonding experience' between the two, when they never really get close anyways.

      As soon as the sun came out the group got ready to leave, desperate to reconnect with their people. The night before Daryl found about ten jars of paint in a van that definitely belonged to some art obsessed person, who packs paint for the apocalypse? They used some of the white paint to write a sign for Sophia, and left a few supplies with it as well.

Dale and Carol were in the RV, Andrea was driving Jim's truck, and Elodie was in the Tahoe with Daryl and Oliver. They all had split a few crackers and water as a makeshift breakfast, and then they were on their way. Dale was leading the caravan, he had marked the farm on the map as soon as Glenn recited what the brunette horse lady told them.

Daryl was filled with a mixture of feelings, he was nervous because they didn't know these people. He was somewhat excited because he felt like he was about to be in a scene from one of those Clint Eastwood movies. He still felt hopeful about finding Sophia, and stressed out about the fact that somehow Carl got shot.

They were quiet on the way there, everyone too deep in their own thoughts to make conversation. None of them got any sleep last night, Mrs. Elodie tried her hardest to ease the boys' minds, but they were too worried about their two friends. One lost, one hurt, and not a damn thing they could do.

       Daryl sits up straighter once they're driving through the gate, noticing the big house up ahead. There are some people moving around a tree, but Daryl can't see exactly what they're doing. Once they get a little closer, he can recognize Glenn and T-Dog, and it looks like they're picking up rocks.

"Ready?" Elodie asks, shutting the engine off once the car is parked. The uneasy feeling she once had dissipated when she sees part of their group milling around with the strangers.

Everyone gets out of their vehicles and meets up in the middle, just as Rick and Mrs. Lori step out of the house, followed by an older man and a blonde woman. Daryl takes note that the horse lady is standing next to a blonde girl and two boys who look to be only a little older than himself.

"How is he?" Dale asks, breaking the awkward silence that was slowly filling the air. He looks directly as Rick, noting how pale and tired he looks.

"He'll pull through, thanks to Hershel and his people." Mrs. Lori answers while nodding, turning around briefly towards the older, white-haired man.

"And Shane." Rick adds, looking over at his best friend as he explains. "We'd have lost Carl if not for him." Daryl looks over at the man, realizing that he had not only shaved his head, but he was wearing clothes that clearly didn't belong to him.

Dale, Carol, Elodie, and Andrea start passing out hugs, trying to convey their relief to the couple. Daryl and Oliver stay towards the back, only nodding to Rick when he gives them each a pat on the shoulder. Dale asked how it happened, causing Rick to take a noticeable deep breath.

"Hunting accident." Rick explains, shaking his head momentarily. "That's all- Just a stupid accident." No one needs further explanation, sensing his frustration on the topic.

Daryl can see that the blonde woman standing next to Hershel, and one of the guys next to the horse lady, are clearly not happy at the discussion. They both look around uneasily, sharing a couple sad glances with some of their family. He wonders if it has anything to do with the fact that Shane can barely make eye contact with anyone, or his sudden farmer look.