traded my life [TWD]

『121』

I saw the tip of a gun peering from the watch tower and had enough time to shout something along the lines of 'Sasha, get Rick because it's an emergency'.

Not long after, we heard a gunshot.

As Daniel and I trudged through the dark woods, I cursed our ability and the situation.

Would be easier if we had flashlights. Would be easier if Daryl were here to track. Would be easier if we had time to prepare.

Then I cursed myself.

Carl was concerned about us getting weak- as was Carol. I felt it. It's been awhile since I've been outside (other than the few meetings with Daryl, Rick, and Carol). It's been awhile since I've seen a walker.

I hated that I felt nervous being out here. I hated how I flinched at my own footsteps. I felt weak. So stupidly weak.

I was whining to myself over not having enough help. Meanwhile, I was still the same woman who saved Jacqui and Carl at the beginning of all this. I was still the woman who walked away from the group with nothing but the clothes on my back and a bottle of water to search for Rick after the prison fell.

I still had those skill. I just had to wake up from the daydream of Alexandria.

"Stop right there!"

My arm shoots out to the side to stop Daniel from walking further as Nicholas leaps from behind a tree, pointing a gun at us.

"Where's Glenn?" I demand, the words flying out before my mind registers.

Nicholas breathes shakily, his hand trembling.

"Where the fuck is my brother!" I snap, sick of this coward and his bullshit.

I feel chills rising up my arm as I recall the gunshot. Anxiety creeps into my insides and leaves my blood cold yet bubbling in anger.

"You.. you ruined everything. You come here and.. you just take over.." Nicholas stammers. "My brother is dead!"

"And if you don't straighten your shit out-"

"Look, man, just chill out," Daniel cuts me off, sensing my patience running dry. "We're trying to help you here."

"Like you helped my brother?" Nicholas asks, chuckling darkly.

"They were trying until your stupid ass ran like a bitch," I hiss.

Nicholas' grip tightens and he takes a step forward. I feel even more anger rising. Was Glenn dead? Where the hell was he? What was the gunshot?

"What?" I ask, bowing up. "Do something about it! You kill my brother? Fucking try me, pussy!"

Daniel grabs my arm that was previously keeping him at bay, our positions switching as the rage takes over with the thought of Glenn being dead.

"Then, what? I kill you two and then your dad kills me?" Nicholas asks.

"Exactly, you'll just start something. So, calm your tits and put the gun down, man!" Daniel negotiates.

"Nicholas?" A voice calls, stepping through the trees.

It's a soft tone, yet Nicholas turns and shoots. But he had already turned the gun when the leaves crunched.

I leap from Daniel's side and punch Nicholas in the face.

The gun falls to the ground and mixes in the leaves. I follow Nicholas to the ground until I'm straddling him and punch him once again.

I ruffle through the leaves and pick the gun up, cocking it and setting it on his forehead.

"Shit!" Daniel curses.