22 (TWD Fanfiction)

Chapter 17 - Glee Club

"Hey! Hey you!"

I'm tempted to tell the voice to be quiet. This is the first real nap I've had in a long time.

"Crap. Can you hear me?"

A branch snaps to my left and my eyes fly open, it's dark. Turning my head even slightly causes the world to start spinning again. Despite that I sit up and use my hands to steady myself. When the spinning slows I see the figure of someone standing a few feet away. At the sight of him I scramble backwards into a tree and wince when my back hits it harsher than I meant it too. My foot twinges with pain at the movement, I can't believe it finally gave out after all this. Shane would be so upset right now if he knew I twisted it because I ran into a tree branch.

The figure moves a few steps closer, the moonlight illuminating his features. He seems to notice my fear and gives me a shaky smile. He's wearing a striped shirt under a jean jacket, and a trucker cap over dark brown hair. He's young, early twenties I'd guess.

I eye the rifle slung over his shoulder.

With a few tentative steps forward he crouches down. "Don't worry, this old thing ain't meant for you. Was out hunting, saw you laying in the leaves." He looks over his shoulder then back at me. "You good? You ain't one of those sick ones are you?"

Sick ones? Is he talking about walkers?

He cautiously approaches my side and bends down. From here I can see a small knife attatched to his belt. When he reaches out I flinch back causing another jolt of pain in my back.

"I ain't here to hurt you. My pop's got a farm near here. It's safe." After seeing my apprehension he adds, "You got a mighty big gash on your head. He's a doctor, he can help you."

Working up the courage I suck in a breath and say, "N-no, my group-"

His eyes widen and he starts laughing.

Great he's crazy. Just what I needed to deal with.

"You must be Sophia! Or is it Charlotte?"

Now it's my turn to widen my eyes.

"It's Charlotte." I tilt my head slightly. "H-how do you know that?"

Pushing off the ground he stands up and adjusts his cap. "You're group...ran into ours yesterday. One of 'em got hurt and pops is helping out. Told me to be on the lookout for two little girls while out huntin'." He wipes his brow with the back of his hand, leaving a smudge of dirt across it. "Completely forgot until I ran into you, I get pretty focused when trackin' something big."

There's still a chance he could be lying, but I can't stay out here alone any longer. I'm barely surviving as it is. I should probably ask for his name but it seems too insignificant a question.

"You're out hunting? At night?" I question.

"Odd, I know. But my buddy Otis didn't get a single thing while out hunting." He pauses. "Well he got something, nothing we could eat though." The boy starts looking around. "There's supposed to be two of you, ain't there?"

I take in a long breath and hold it, keeping my eyes wide. I've had enough of crying these past few days. Releasing the breath slowly I explain, "She was with me, but we got separated. I..I don't know where she is."

He hums in response. "Well, I better get you back to our house. Looks like you could use a bath and a homecooked meal."

The thought of a homecooked meal puts a smile on my face. My mom would cook every single dinner, no matter how busy she was. She told us that it just didn't feel right not to cook when we have every ability to do so.