Dead Man Walking || RICK GRIMES POV -SLOW UPDATES-

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Refer to Ch 25 & 26

The day was going to be taxing, and Rick knew it as soon as he woke up. Not only did they bury Dale, but they were also moving into the house – a feat Rick was beyond happy with – and he and June planned to go twenty miles out and leave Randell behind. It was a piss poor execution that they had tried to hold, even more of a sign that they weren't meant to act as judges, juries, and executioners.

The one hurdle he encountered was the one he knew was coming his way. Shane. He knew that Shane would have a problem with them going back to their original plan; he wanted to kill the kid so badly that it almost scared Rick. So when Rick shed the news of the plan onto his friend, he wasn't surprised when he got pushback.

"We're back to that now?" Shane asked, obviously irritated. Beside Rick, June let out a groan and placed her hands on her hips, her eyes firmly on Shane.

"It was the right plan the first time around," Rick spoke, feeling prickles of exasperation as he stared at his friend, "Poor execution."

"That's a slight understatement." Shane laughed dryly as he looked toward the barn.

"You don't agree, but this is what's happening," June said with a bite in her tone.

"Dale's death and the prisoner, that's two separate things," Shane muttered lowly, his eyes darting between Rick and June. "You want to take her, have alone time by saying she's your wingman, be my guest."

No matter how much Rick wanted to deflect and say that wasn't what was happening, he decided against it, his eyes landing on his wife, who stood a mere few feet from them. Rick shook his head and stalked away, deciding not to engage with Shane and his attitude for the time being, especially not in front of Lori.

Lori was already feeling down and out about how Rick behaved toward June; he didn't need to add more fuel to the fire. He knew he couldn't keep his distance from June; it was impossible as they all tried to survive, but he sure as hell would start watching his behavior around her. He wanted his marriage to strengthen, but in order to do that, June can't keep getting in the way. But again, all this was easier said than done. He didn't know why he was so drawn to her. He didn't know why he had a hard time putting up a boundary and staying within those lines.

As he stalked away with his and his wife's packs slung over his shoulders, Hershel joined him, engaging him in talk about Shane and how he still wasn't wanted on the farm, not without someone around to rope him in when he got out of control. Rick understood where all this was coming from, and if the roles were switched, he wouldn't want Shane on his land either.

Hopefully, I can find a way to reel him in and make it so we see eye to eye again.

~*~

Rick finished putting his and his family's stuff away in the bedroom Hershel had so graciously given them and decided to help others carry their stuff in. He wanted to be productive before driving out to leave Randell again, but he also didn't want to do anything too strenuous. He needed to preserve his strength and energy in case they were swarmed later.

Unfortunately for him, everyone seemed to be just about done moving, all of them turning him away as he asked. Deciding it was best to patrol the area for a while, he walked around the perimeter of the farm, his mind blissfully blank for once as he searched their surroundings for any more rouge walkers. It wasn't until he was at the furthest point of the farm that he caught June's red hair. She seemed to be struggling with the packs; her upper body slumped forward as she dragged another pack by its straps alongside her. Rick had half a mind to watch her struggle a little longer before jumping to help her.