Standing on two shaky legs, I watched the sisters walking away together, and eventually disappear. Glenn came up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder, consoling me. I walked away from his touch, and towards my truck. Grabbing my jacket, I put it on and looked at the sleeve, the prominent blood stain from Andrea's bite still there. A tear fell from my eye and onto the blood stain, making part of the stain darker, then eventually it turned back to its original color. Walking back to the group, who were all watching me carefully, I said to them "I'm going on a run. We need more artillery."
Daryl walked up to me and said, "I'll go with you." Shane and Rick walked up behind him, nodding and agreeing with him.
I sighed and said, "Thanks guys. But I need to do this by myself. I'm just going down the block. I'll come right back if I get in trouble."
Glenn looked up at me and said, "You're either going with backup, or not at all. We can't afford to lose you as well."
I stared at Glenn, he hadn't spoken against me like this in the past. Were all of the deaths finally getting to him, making him the tough fighter I wanted him to be? I really hoped so. He needed to toughen up or he would die. But yet I shook my head saying, "Alright. But I'm taking Carol."
She looked up, incredibly surprised to hear her name. "Me?" She walked over to me and asked carefully, "Why me? Why not Daryl or Rick? Or Shane?" I saw a look in her eyes that was almost scared. And I wondered what for. She lowered her voice so only I could hear and whispered, "I'm scared to disappoint you. Mess up and get you killed."
Laughing slightly, I hugged her and whispered, "I believe in you. All of these guys have gotten a chance to prove themselves." Pulling away, placing my hands on the sides of her shoulders, I told her louder, "Now it's your turn. I believe in you, Carol. I always have." I smiled and muttered to her, "time to show these guys what you're made of. Huh?"
She smiled and said, "Hell yeah."
Laughing I said, "That's my girl!"
Walking over to the truck again, I grabbed my Springfield, letting her use it. She took it and put it in the waistband of her pants. I slammed the door, and pulled out my pistol, making sure it was fully loaded. Turning to address the group I said, "We shouldn't be gone longer than nightfall. It's still early morning, so we have time to get there, get what we need, and get home without running into the night. If I am mistaken, none of you are to come after us. We will be fine." I looked over at Carol and nodded, and she smiled at me in return. "I'm not sure how successful this run will be," I said addressing the group again. "Honestly, I'm just acting on a feeling. A gut feeling. And I hope, as your leader, you will respect my instincts." They all nodded, and Daryl even smiled. "Thank you." Turning to leave, I paused then said, "See you soon, guys." Then walked away with Carol following me.
*3 hours later*
My heart was racing as I ran, my feet slamming against the cement. Carol was in front of me, running faster than I was. We moved quickly, then ducked behind the truck. "Did you get bit?" I said in between short breaths.
She shook her head, "No, but you nicked me with your axe a few times on accident, so I'm bleeding a tiny bit." She looked at her arm, and I looked at it, seeing a blood-soaked jacket sleeve.
I nodded. "I'm sorry."
She smiled, "That's okay. It happens."
We waited for Walkers to cross our path, but nothing happened. So we stood up and walked back into the warehouse, breathing heavy. The door slammed shut and our group jumped up and ran to us. Daryl hugged Carol and didn't let her go for at least two minutes. She removed her jacket and went into the back of the warehouse, and Daryl followed her. He washed her arm and bandaged her up, placed his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. I saw her smile, and in that moment I realized how alone I was without someone. Rick had Lori, Daryl had Carol. Carl was too young for love right now. So Shane and Glenn were the only ones left, and Glenn was mourning. Shane was in his late thirties, so that would be weird.
Sighing, I sat down on an empty crate. Thinking about my life before the apocalypse.
