Life Goes On (The Walking Dead)

Chapter Seven

We were about thirty minutes into the drive and Daryl still hadn't said a word to me. I knew he didn't seem the type for small talk but I thought he might've said something.

I crossed my arms and looked out the window, not knowing what else to do.

I remembered taking leisurely rides with my dad in our truck. Summer time, the air was warm and we had rolled down the windows allowing for a cool breeze. I remember happily leaning out the window watching the trees fly past in a blur. I soaked in the grass, the birds, the overall life and vitality of the world and my spirit rose. I had felt on top of the world as we rolled down the road, we were going places.

But now...now as I looked out the windows it was a mockery of that memory. The grass was trampled along the highway, dead and gray. Cars were overturned and their insides spilled onto the pavement. There was no warm feelings this time.

I started to roll down my window somewhat desperately. I wanted that moment, that feeling, back. Instead of a cool breeze I was greeted with the humid air rank with the stench of rotting flesh and death. I gagged and began rolling the window back up in disappointment. I faced forward seeing Daryl looking at me in my peripheral vision. I ignored his gaze and stared forward blankly.

We were no longer moving I realized.

"Whats wrong?"

He shrugged and hopped out of the truck. I watched wistfully as he walked to the RV. I wished he would talk to me but I knew I was nothing special, a burden to him at the most. My spirits sunk as

I realized how alone I was.

Hoping to rid myself of my depressing mood I jumped out of the truck and walked to the RV.

"The road is blocked, we need Merle to scout ahead and find a way through" I heard Rick say to the others who had wandered out of their cars.

Merle swung his leg onto the bike as the group went back to their vehicles.

"Hey Merle, can I ride with you?"

I really needed the closeness at the moment and I knew I couldn't face being back into the truck, it was starting to feel like a cage.

"Changed ya mind have ya sugar tits?"

Not wanting to argue I just muttered a sure before settling myself on the motorcycle behind him. The bike roared to life as I wrapped my arms around him snugly, leaning my face against his back tiredly, just in time to see Daryl's outraged face before he spun around heading back to his truck alone.

Merle wove in between the overturned cars before slowing to a stop. I unclasped my hands and stepped off the motorcycle unsteadily, my legs stiff from the position. I felt Merle's hands on my hips, balancing me. I looked up into his face gratefully. It was then I noticed how close we were and butterflies swarmed my stomach in unease. I backed up and to my suprise he dropped his arms to his side, letting me.

"We need te scout ahead a bit, no use wastin' the gas"

"What'd you have in mind?"

He grinned, walked over to a semi that had flipped onto its side and stuck out his hand.

"C'mon, I'll give ye a boost"

I nervously brought my leg up and he boosted me onto the semi. I stumbled a bit and my leg slid over the metal sharply, slicing my skin.

I gasped at the sting before standing up and looking onto the distance. There was a couple cars in the middle of the road but after that the vehicles were all towards the side of the road, enough space for the RV to get through.

"Theres only a couple cars after this then its clear. If they drive in the ditch until then we should be good."

He nodded and held out his arms. I jumped and his arms absorbed the impact and encircled me tightly before setting me on my feet.

"Daaaaaaamn" Merle let out a low whistle, looking at my leg.

There was a cut from just below my knee that went down my shin, ending just before my ankle and it was gushing blood. I frowned, it had barely hurt at all.

Merle picked me up and put me on the bike. His arms encased me as he grabbed hold of the handle bars and revved the engine. As he sped in the direction we came I relaxed against his chest, twisting slightly so I could grab onto his shirt.

I felt myself growing faint. I knew I must be losing blood at an alarming rate because I'd never had a problem with blood or bleeding before, it'd never phased me.

I felt the bike roll to a stop and I opened my eyes as Merle picked my up again and trotted to the RV.

"Eh y'all do sumthin', she looks like she's 'bout ta pass out and I don' do medical shit"

I smiled. Merle actually sounded concerned in his own weird way. Carol ran over to us, a look of horror on her face. Merle put me on the couch gently and I could hear Carol giving directions and calling for everybody else. I groaned, last thing I needed was to be the center of attention and needing everybody's help.

I felt Carol wiping away the blood with a damp cloth before applying a steady pressure.

"Daaaaale! Shes going to need stitches, you got anything?"

I saw Dale's worried face as he handed over a needle and some dental floss.

"Its the best I've got, thread won't be strong enough"

Carol nodded before looking at me sadly.

"Catherine, this is going to sting a bit"

I nodded numbly and heard her call out.

I felt a calloused hand on my knee and another on my ankle gripping tightly and I started to panic.

I felt the sharp tip of the needle pierce my skin and I involuntarily lashed out, my leg spasming. I heard a grunt as my foot connected roughly with something before being pinned down again tighter.

I felt the needle pierce through my skin, the floss tugging at my flesh, before my eyes fluttered shut and I went limp.