Solitary: The Walking Dead

Chapter One.

'HEY BUD... WE'RE STILL HERE.'

I slowly creep up behind the car, making as little noise as possible, once I'm close enough I smack my hands down on the trunk, the two jump out of the car and turn to look at me “Iris, don't scare us like that again” Rick says catching his breath, “yeah not funny” Shane says “then why am I laughing?” I say trying to catch my breath from laughing at their reaction. “How's the newbie doing?” Rick asks “he's alright still nervous though” I explain.

We all stop and go back into work mode when the radio goes, “all available units, high speed pursuit in progress Lincoln county units request local assistance. Highway 18 south GTAAD W217 243. Proceed with extreme caution.”

I run towards my cruiser “Nathan hurry up now!” I shout to the newbie, I open the driver door and jump in, starting the car as Nathan gets in. I follow Rick and Shane's car, “make sure your ready okay? Keep your eyes open. Don't let your guard down” I say.

The caller comes through again “Suspects are two male Caucasians. Be advised, they have fired on police officers. One Lindon county officer is wounded.”

We pull up next to another cop car and I get out and head to the trunk, I open a duffel bag and grab out one of the guns, handing it to Nathan and grab one out for myself. “Hey, we'll get them on one of those video shows, you know, like World's craziest police chases, what do you think?” Leon says as we all get to our places.

“What I think Leon is that you need to stay focused. Make sure you got a round in your chamber and your safety is off” Rick says, I stop listening to the conversation and I get into my zone, I lift the gun up and look through the scopes.

I breathe in and out. I watch the car speeding towards us two cop cars close behind it. The car drives over the spikes that Rick and Shane put on the road, the cars wheels blow, the driver swerves before flipping and rolling.

It comes to a stop and I start to walk towards it, my gun still raised, I watch the car through my scope as I get closer, the car door starts to open and armed men jump out. They start to shoot at us, I shoot one of the men in the chest, he drops down and then his friends drop too, I look to my left and see Rick on the floor.

I lower my gun and run over to him “ are you okay?” I ask checking him over “I'm fine, it hit me in the vest” Rick says standing “don't tell lori. Either of you, she can not find out” Rick says, I turn back around looking at the car while Rick begs Shane to not tell Lori about what just happened.

I start to walk over to check the guys and see if they're still breathing, all of a sudden another man appears with a raised gun. I raise my gun and shoot, im so focused that I don't hear the second gun shot.

The man falls to the ground and In the corner of my eye I watch Rick go down as well. “Rick!” I shout running over to him, I drop down to the floor next to him pressing my hand down on his wound.

“Get the ambulance!” I shout back to Nathan, “hold on Rick. I'm not telling your wife and kid I let you get shot. Open your eyes” I say but he doesnt.

I get into the drivers seat of the cruiser and start the engine while Nathan sits in the passenger seat, I turn on the lights and sirens and lead the ambulance to the hospital.

How could I let him get shot? I'm better then that.

…

“Lori” Shane says as he walks towards the women whos waiting outside of the school for her son, “whats wrong?” she questions, concern and fear covering her features, “we got a call… there were more people involved then we thought…” Shane says looking down at his feet then back up to the scared women in front of him “Rick got shot… hes in hospital right now, they took him straight into surgery” he explains, “im so sorry lori” he adds.

She looks over to me but i say nothing, i just stare at her, she turns around and the sound of the school bell, i walk back to my patrol car and drive back to the hospital. 

…

I sit down in the hospital waiting room and stare at my feet, every time i look up someone either gives me a smile that says ‘im so sorry about your friend’.

I should’ve seen the fourth guy. I should have shot him before he shot Rick. I should be the one on the operating table not Rick. 

…

Third person pov:

“Iris… you need to eat something” Shane says, standing in front of Iris. he watches in concern as the girl sits in the same seat she has been in for a week, in the same clothes, staring at the same spot on the floor.

“Come on. Just eat something. It wasnt your fault Iris.  move!” Shane demands, getting angrier with every passing second, he reaches down and grabs both of her arms pulling her up from the seat, Iris grabs onto his arm and twists it behind his back, she then kicks him in the back of his knee, making him fall to the floor.

The hospital security rushes over to the pair, “dont bother… im leavin’” the girl says, her southern accent coming out, and she walks to her car and drives home.

Shane's pov:

“Hey bud… we're still here. We're still hangin in… well almost, Iris is blocking everyone out. She was here for a week, wouldnt move, wouldnt eat. She blames herself. You know how she gets if she isn't perfect she punishes herself, especially when someone she loves gets hurt… I've been trying to speak to her but she hasn't even looked at me. No one can get through to her not even Lori and Carl.”

…

“Iris you have to talk to someone! At least let me make sure you've eaten something! I need to know your alive! Come on its been three weeks” I shout through the front door of her house. I hear movement from her dog, Bear, but not her. “It wasn't your fault!” I say trying to get through to her.

But nothing.

…

“Hey man, I'm back, I went to Iris's house this morning but nothing. I know why but I thought she got past that, her dad's gone now she doesn't need to be scared about what he will do to her if she makes a mistake. I know what your gonna say, ‘it's the trauma, she was abused for all her life so this is going to happen’ but she told us she was better”

I say looking down, “I don't know how to help her, I've been keeping an eye on her, she takes Bear on his walks still but its like she's not there. She's been punishing herself, I can see it.”

…

Iris's pov:

I can hear it. His voice. Telling me I'm a failure. Telling me I've failed our family. He's not here but I can feel every hit and every burn.

He's not here but he's everywhere.

He's the scars on my skin.

He's the scars in my mind.