(1) Wolf in Me (D. Dixon)

Chapter Eighteen

Note: There are only two episodes left after this chapter so I am going to power through them over the next few days (I don't have anything on my update schedule until the 10th of July anyway).

.....

Diana lets out a breath, wiping the dog hair from her trousers and her shirt as she, along with Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and T-Dog walk away from the nursing home. Despite the fact that they started as adversaries, Diana feels bad about leaving this place. It is a good, defensible place, and they could have just brought everyone from the quarry here and added to the manpower to defend the residents and have that own security.

"I'm going to miss them" Diana voices as she looks back at the doors that have just closed behind them.

"Yeah, they were good people," Rick agrees. Diana gives Rick a look and he frowns back at her.

"She means the dogs," Daryl points out with a soft chuckle as he passes them. Rick turns to look at Diana.

"I see people every day" She reminds Rick and shrugs. "I haven't seen a dog in months" Rick stares after her as she quickens her steps to catch up with Glenn. Rick then laughs a little under his breath. That was such a human thing to think about. Being so excited about seeing a dog of all things. Glenn glances back at Rick as he adjusts his sheriff's hat.

"Admit it, you only came back to Atlanta for the hat" Glenn tells Rick who gives him a small smile. It is amazing how one good interaction can lighten the mood. Even when the world is falling apart around them. One group of good people has reminded them of hope and humanity.

"Don't tell anybody" Rick warns Glenn teasingly and the two of them share a look as Glenn smiles brightly. Daryl rocks up to Rick's side and gives him a look.

"You've given away half our guns and ammo" He points out.

"Not nearly half" Rick assures him.
"For what? Bunch of old farts who are gonna die off momentarily anyhow? Seriously, how long you think they got?" Daryl argues with him.

"How long do any of us?" Rick counters him. That sobers them up, completely. Any good feelings that they gained from a good interaction have been dropped out of their asses with that one statement. Diana snorts a little, folding her arms over her chest as they both turn to look at her.

"You are both such buzzkills" Diana complains giving them both a look. "We're leaving with more than we arrived with....can we at least enjoy that? For a little bit..." Rick sighs a little but nods in agreement. They have come here to do at least one thing that they wanted. They have the guns. And not returning with Merle is not a huge loss. He's an ass. But this is a win. Their bar is pretty low if this is all it takes. They duck through the fence to get back on the railroad tracks where they parked the van. The city is still really quiet, even the sounds of the walkers is muted out here. It's the same at the quarry, which does make it easy to forget about the dangers. They are all starting to feel the day. Tiredness sinking in. but they can't relax yet. Or at all. Because their truck is gone. Daryl gives Diana a look.

"You were saying?" Daryl asks her and Diana lets out an annoyed breath. "Where the hell's our van?" Daryl demands as they all stare at the empty space.

"We left it right there," Glenn points out. "Who would take it?" Diana snorts and gives him a look.

"You know who" Diana points out as she adjusts her bag strap.

"Merle" Rick agrees as they stare at the empty place where the van was parked.

"He's gonna be taking some vengeance back to camp" Daryl comments and there is a sliver of actual concern there. Because he knows what his brother is. He knows what his brother is capable of. He knows that he could easily kill everyone in camp and not think twice about it especially if he blames them for the loss of his hand.

.......

It's dark. The sun had set when they entered the forest which isn't ideal for them. Walking through a forest, in the dark, is dangerous. But they have no choice when their vehicle has been stolen. The quarry camp is at least a three hour walk from the city. Diana is fine but she can tell that Rick, T-Dog, and Glenn are tired. Rick is still technically recovering from his coma. Suddenly, Diana perks up at the same time that Daryl does when the sounds of screaming reach them. Their enhanced hearing catches it before the others. Rick, T-Dog, and Glenn are confused by their sudden rush forward, both Diana and Daryl breaking out into a proper run. A very fast run. Gunshots shortly follow, alarming the rest of the group into running after them.