Broken LadyBug ~ A walking dead story

Chapter 5

The next morning dawned with a heavy weight in the air, the aftermath of the walker attack still lingering like a dark cloud over the group. I lay curled up inside the cramped confines of the RV, my exhaustion palpable as I fought against the urge to close my eyes. Sleep had eluded me throughout the night, every creak and shuffle outside the thin walls sending shivers down my spine. Rick's decision to barricade ourselves inside the RV and cars had been a prudent one, but it left me with nothing but the sound of labored breathing to keep me company.

As the adults busied themselves with the grim task of disposing of the walkers' bodies, I found myself lost in a haze of fatigue and sorrow. Glenn's insistence on burying the dead tugged at my heartstrings, a reminder of the humanity we clung to in this bleak new world. Andrea's grief was a tangible thing, her anguish echoing through the makeshift funeral as she cradled Amy's lifeless body, unwilling to let go. Dale's words of consolation carried the weight of his loss, a bond forged in shared sorrow.

After the somber ceremony, as the last echoes of mourning faded into the distance, I wandered back towards my tent, seeking peace in the routine of changing clothes and the idea of making Carl and Sohpia happy with their gifts. It was then that I stumbled upon Jim, his pale face contorted in pain as he leaned against a tree, sweat beading on his brow. Concern pricked at my senses as I approached him, "Jim are you okay," I asked with anxiety creeping up my back. He turned to face me "Lottie, honey you can't tell anyone "He said with unease in his voice doing little to ease my growing apprehension. Just as I thought of what he could me it hit me like a bus. He was bit. 

"Lottie, are you okay?" Glenn's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention away from Jim's distress. He appeared beside me, his worry mirroring my own as his took in Jim's condition.

"He's bit" I murmured, my words barely above a whisper as Glenn's gaze shifted towards Jim, her eyes widening in alarm. Before I could react, he was calling for Rick, his urgency slicing through the air like a knife.

Rick's arrival was swift, followed closely by the rest of the group as they converged on Jim, their questions swirling in a chorus of concern. T-dog went behind Jim holding his arm back As the severity of Jim's injury became apparent, Rick wasted no time in making a decision. The CDC was our best hope for help, a beacon of civilization in the chaos that surrounded us.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the dense forest, Rick and Shane geared up for their sweep through the woods. Their faces were grim, hardened by the constant struggle for survival in this world.

Rick's call brought me over, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Hey Bug, wanna come with us? You can show me what you got," he said, a small nod of encouragement accompanying his words. I nodded eagerly, eager to prove myself in the eyes of the group's leader.

Once we ventured into the woods, the silence was erry , broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant groan of a roamer. Shane took advantage of the moment to voice his concerns about their next move. He argued passionately for Fort Benning, citing its distance from the chaos and the potential safety it offered. But Rick's resolve was firm, grounded in his unwavering commitment to his family's well-being.

"I've gotta do what's best for my family," Rick asserted, his voice tinged with frustration. "If it was your family, you'd feel differently." With those words, he stormed off, leaving Shane simmering with anger.

I hesitated, torn between following Rick and staying to reason with Shane. In the end, I chose to stay, hoping to calm Shane's fury and find a compromise. But my attempts were in vain; Shane was consumed by his own convictions, his desperation driving him to the brink.