New Sheriff in Town | Rick Grimes x Female OC

7 | The Attack

Natalie's POV.

Somehow, someway, the group managed to calm me down; kept me from freaking out and lashing on the next person that came close to me. It's scary how the mind acts when you can't accept the fact that somebody you love like family is just... Gone. We're now all gathered by the campfire lit by a man named Dale; the same man who was the first to acknowledge me here. I stare longingly into the flames, staying completely silent as I just let myself slip further into some sort of internal hell—like Alice in wonderland when she fell down that never ending rabbit hole, everything just creating a new path which leads her to one thing to another—an internal hell.

The muffled sounds of people subtly talking just drains me out more. I just feel empty. I fought so hard to get everyone here, thinking I'll get what I've been looking for in return; yet I'm sitting her, wallowing in self pity. I don't regret saving those people or Rick. They deserve to have their people, even if I don't. I can't look anybody around me in the eyes because they all look at me the same—a rabid animal that's a ticking time bomb. I know they all wonder why  Shane insisted on me staying, along with Rick and Glenn having my back, but I also wonder the same thing. I may have helped them out of there, but Rick could've done the same without me. I'm nothing special to these people, to Shane, so why the hell am I still here? Why am I not out there looking for Brynn. I push myself to my feet without hesitation, determination seeping through my blood.

"Natalie. I know what you're thinking, sit down." Shane stands up just as quick as soon as he noticed me up, my eyes locked onto the red Challenger.

I glance over at Shane, giving him a look before turning to my right, walking away with purpose. At this point, Shane's words have travelled across the camp and everyone's watching as he jogs after me; it even has Rick up on his feet, but still beside his wife and son. Shane lightly grabs my arm, stopping my steps.

"Let me go." The words sound rough leaving my throat. Earlier I cried harder than I ever did out in the middle of these woods. Nobody heard of course, but it was evident when I came back and my eyes were red, along with a watery look within them.

"Natalie, just think here. You won't find her out there in the dark, and she won't find you either if you're dead because you decided to act irrationally and leaving in the middle of the night." Shane stares into my eyes, trying to get me to catch onto his words. "Waiting an extra 7 hours won't make her any further from you than she is now. She's probably settin' up camp for the night, sleeping, like you should be doing."

"I'm not a fucking baby Shane." I snarl at him, my voice hushed so none of the kids can hear me. "I don't belong here. You don't think I see the way they all look at me?!" My whisper rising slightly as I stare at him with wide eyes, the look on my face making him shake his head disapprovingly.

"They'll always be like that to new comers. They did exactly that to me, yet they got used to it, you'll make  them get used to it, Natalie." All I can do is shake my head at his words, resting my hands on my hips. Everyone has settled down again, realizing there wont be any drama to go and talk about later tonight or tomorrow morning. I never missed that aspect about people. "Just sleep on it tonight; stay here and don't be stupid. You're smarter than that and I can tell."

I let out a sigh, my voice wavering as I try and speak again. "You don't understand." I move past him, making my way to that red car once again.

"Don't make me do this Natt." Shane's voice runs through my body, making me still for a moment. I turn my head to the side, not looking into his eyes as my back is still turned. His words got everyone perked up again, listening closely.

"You're going to have to kill me before you can even attempt to stop me from leaving." I pause, facing forwards once more before striding over to the car. Before I can lay my hand on the door handle of the drivers side, I hear Shane's footsteps quicken. My heart sinks. Is he being fuckin' for real?