Side-by-Side

Chapter 1

Nothing. Nothing was inside. No animals, no humans, no walkers, there wasn't even the scent of the dead. We raised our weapons, slowly walking in, one-by-one. My swords were up, my eyes peeled, and my ears strained.  I listen closely, as I walk up and down isles. The hairs at the back of my neck stood up as a small can was kicked to the side, and I wiped around to see what caused it. Nothing was there.

My heart was pounding hard against my rib cage, and I heard footsteps. I strained my ears more, listening carefully. I turned a corner, only to be met with Dad. I let out a breath, and walked around some more, dad right behind me. There was nothing. We met up with everybody at the front.

"Despite the fact we didn't see anything, I want everyone to keep a close watch. I need everyone to have their eyes and ears at the ready. Make sure to leave your guard up, and always have your weapon where you can reach it. On that note, grab a cart and start shopping." I commanded, luckily everyone knew their jobs.

Merle and Daryl were in charge of getting weapons. Dad and I were in charge of food. Glenn and T-dog are in charge of getting clothes for the guys. Maggie and Carol are in charge for getting clothes, and personal needs for the lady's. We all split up.

"Everything okay?" Dad asked. I nodded my head, looking through the shelves.

"Yeah." I whispered.

In all honesty, I wasn't. I had so much stress, not only for runs and things, but for the group itself. Carl, Beth, Hershel, Michonne, and Judith are at least a 5 mile walk from where we are. I assured everyone safety, and we have yet to find it. This was suppose to be a two day trip, its been about two days already, and we were no where near King's County. I wondered if we were ever going to make it. We lost so many people in the past, and I was scared to lose more. I wasn't ready to lose more. Only this time, the guilt will effect me much more, because everyone follows my command.

I became the leader shortly after we left the prison. T-dog nearly got himself killed with a stupid assumption, but luckily, with me around, I noticed the off sided hill, and threw a rock. I hit the walker in the head, and shot it with a throwing knife of mine. I was put in charge afterwards. Some of the group was hesitant about me being the leader, and I had no problems with that. What was I suppose to expect? That after Rick's leading for so long, they were going to listen to me? I knew I had to prove myself, and I did so. Even though I have already, I still do so.

"Carly, watch out." Dad whispered yelled. I snapped out of my trance just in time. I stopped walking quickly. My breathing was rapid, and unsteady. Did I nearly just run into the shelf? This has been a lot of stress lately, I can barely keep track.

After shopping was done, we gathered as much as we could in our duffel bags. The hairs on my neck were standing up, and I knew that something was going to happen. A glass shattered, and I turned around to see Glenn. He held his hands up in a surrender and I looked around.

"It's okay, it was an acc--" my sentence was cut short with the fall of the ceiling. A walker with its guts hanging, is trying to reach down at us and the roof was beginning to fall through. That didn't make sense.

More walkers were falling through, in a directions. I looked to the exit, and ushered everyone out. I was once again last. Daryl pushed me in front of him and I turned around, running in the opposite direction of the store, just like everyone else. With our bags full, it made it hard for us to run, but we managed. I saw some of the walkers gaining on us and I stopped dead in my tracks. I assured myself that everyone else was running before I took out my silenced gun and pulled the trigger. Many close walkers fell, some kept running.

I steadied my aim, trying my best to save bullets. Walker's were coming at me in all directions, and I knew that one wrong move, and I would be bit. One wrong move, and everyone would be at risk of death. One wrong move, and Daryl will hate me forever. One wrong move, and I was dead.