Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 43 Those That Were Left Behind

Rick was devastated when he found out that they lost Bob. Bob was a good man, and Rick knew Sasha loved him. Kagome would be distraught that she couldn't help him. So, Rick decided to wait until Kagome recovered more to tell her what had happened to Bob. But Kagome wasn't fooled; she knew something was wrong. She noticed that Sasha would visit her less and less.

Finally, Kagome couldn't take it anymore and asked her son, Carl, to bring Sasha to her. Carl did precisely as his mother said and fetched Sasha for her. Sasha followed Carl to his mother's hospital room, where Kagome just finished feeding Caleb. Sasha's eyes tear up, realizing she would never have that with Bob.

Kagome could not only see the sadness in Sasha's eyes, but she felt it in her aura. Kagome motioned Carl to take his baby brother and burp him, then take him to Rick. Carl took Caleb, and Kagome put the towel on Carl's shoulder. He walked out with his brother, patting him on the back.

Sasha and Kagome stared at each other, and then Sasha's eyes filled with tears, as did Kagome's. Kagome was correct; something happened to Bob. Kagome opened her arms, and Sasha rushed into them, crying, “I'm sorry Sasha,” Kagome whispered, “I wish I had been there to help him,” Kagome confessed.

Sasha pulled away from Kagome and looked into her eyes, “No, Kagome, you just gave birth. Bob wouldn't have wanted you to spend all your powers healing him.”

Tears ran down Kagome's cheek, “I would have done it anyway,” Kagome explained.

“I know, Kagome, that's why Rick thought it was better not to tell you yet. Bob knew that the police wouldn't let him into the hospital since he was bitten. So, Bob distracted the Walkers so we could escape.” Sasha informed Kagome with her eyes watering. Kagome motioned for Sasha to lie down with her so that Kagome could offer her support. The young woman did as Kagome asked and wept into Kagome's shoulder until she fell asleep.

When Kagome was sure Sasha was asleep, Kagome pushed a little of her healing powers into Sasha's sad aura to not cure her pain but to make it more bearable. When Sasha woke up an hour later, she felt slightly better. The thought of joining Bob was gone. She knew Kagome helped her and gratefully smiled at the sleeping woman.

The group spent two weeks in the hospital, scavenging food and supplies as they prepared to leave when Kagome was well enough to travel. As the group was out scavenging, they noticed mini tremors throughout Atlanta. Little by little, the seismic activity increased in strength, with some tremors worse than others. Rick and the others realized that So'unga's powers were growing, and Kagome told them that she could feel the darkness of the Sword of Hell's evil spreading. The people at the hospital were slightly worried, but they decided it was only the changing environment, and they weren't concerned.

Rick was conflicted about leaving these people to their fate; he pulled Shippou aside to talk to him privately, “Is there any way we can take these people with us? Will Lord Sesshomaru allow them to enter the Youkai World?”

Shippou sighed and looked into Rick's blue eyes, “No. They are not part of his pack; from what I can tell, they're too sheltered and have nothing to contribute. This group is weak, so Sesshomaru cannot stand and will not allow it in his pack.”

Rick nodded and thanked Shippou. He appreciated Shippou's honesty, even if it wasn't good news for these people. Rick's priority was his family, and nothing would get in his way of getting him and his people to Japan. His family was the most important to Rick.

By that time, Kagome was allowed to leave her hospital room. Rick and Michonne helped Kagome pack everything her son and daughter would need while Carl held his baby brother and Judith was with Tyrese. Daryl, Abraham, Glenn, and T-Dog made one final run to gather as much gas as possible. They wanted to make sure they had enough for their journey.

The men broke up into two groups: Abraham and Glenn went one way, while Daryl and T-Dog went the other way. Daryl and Glenn had walkie-talkies to keep in contact. As Abraham and Glenn gathered gas cans and carefully siphoned the gas from the car, Abraham noticed a car dealership. He and Glenn decided to look there to see if there was any gas in the vehicles.

Cautiously and carefully, Abraham walked through the car dealership. Suddenly, Abraham stopped and grinned, “Holy Shit,” Abraham exclaimed.

“What?” Glenn asked.

“I believe I found us a new ride,” Abraham commented.

Glenn saw two medium-sized RVs parked in the middle of the lot, untouched. The two men cautiously snuck towards the RVs, ensuring no Walkers were around. Quickly, Abraham checked the RVs, making sure they were clear. Once they were sure they were, the men found the keys, and Abraham radioed the others and told them what he and Glenn had found

Abraham and Glenn met T-Dog and Daryl, “Where did you find these?” Daryl asked.

“In an abandoned parking lot, it's fully stocked. I guess whoever got these ready didn't make it,” Glenn speculated.

“Well, their loss is our gain. We need to radio Rick and tell him we're ready whenever Kagome is,” Daryl told the others. Abraham and Glenn nodded, and Glenn radioed Rick.

Rick answered his walkie-talkie. “10-4; I'll have Shippou and Sasha meet you outside to load our supplies. Tell T-Dog to head up and help.” Rick told the men.

“10-4,” Glenn answered.

The men pulled up to the hospital; Sasha and Shippou were waiting for them outside. They loaded their supplies and made sure as much of the clothes and supplies of the two babies were packed into one of the RVs. They left enough for the two children in Rick and Kagome's room.

While this happened, Kagome was feeding Caleb, and suddenly Kagome stiffened. Her son started fussing, and she realized he could also feel it. Darkness was getting closer, and Kagome knew the aura; Sō'unga had found them. They needed to get away as quickly as possible.

“Rick!” Kagome called out, and Rick rushed into the room, “What's wrong, Kagome?” Rick asked when he saw the terrified look on Kagome's face and his son was wailing.

“Rick, we must go; Sō'unga and his demons are almost here. There's no time to waste.”

Rick nodded and quietly told his people that it was time to leave. He told Michonne that the guys were waiting for them outside, “I need you to lead everyone out; we need to get out of here,” Rick explained.

“What about the people here?” Michonne asked.

Rick shook his head, “We can do nothing for them. I hate to say this, but maybe they can buy us time to escape. Kagome said that the Walkers that Sō'unga controls will be harder to destroy.”

Michonne nodded and led the others outside, using the back stairs. Meanwhile, Rick asked Beth to take Judith while he helped Kagome dress and bundled Caleb. As soon as Kagome was ready, Rick handed Caleb to Shippou, and he and Carl left. Even though Kagome was nearly healed, Rick wouldn't take any chances. He picked Kagome up and headed down to the others.

Once he got into the RV that Daryl was in, they left. As soon as they exited the parking garage, they were surprised to see the entire hospital surrounded by Walkers. These Walkers were using tools to break their way into the hospital. They drove out of Atlanta as quickly as they could. Rick looked back and saw the once beautiful city covered by a malevolent cloud that could only be Sō'unga.