Wake the Dead

chapter 12

We had been walking for a while, everyone just following Daryl and I. You could tell everyone was getting a little impatient and the heat was starting to get to them. I always loved going out in the woods in the morning, so I was doin just fine, almost enjoying the quiet walk, and I looked back to see a peaceful look on Syd's face, too. 

We were walking along, when out of the corner of my eye I spotted something, a tent. I put my hand on Daryl's arm and pointed over to the tent, then crouched down, ready to sneak up on it. Daryl showed Rick what we saw and they signaled for everyone to get down and stay there. Daryl and I slowly and quietly made our way over, Shane and Rick following behind with louder footsteps. 

As we got closer I saw there was nothing around the tent or in the trees next to it so I pressed on, with my new machete ready. I signaled for Rick and Shane to stay, they were too loud, and then Daryl to come with. I pointed at him to check the other side of the tent to see if we could see in, while I checked the front. There were was no way to see inside the tent with everything closed. 

I looked over to Daryl and shook my head, he then looked over to Rick and shrugged his shoulders, signaling that we didn't know what was inside. 

Rick called Carol over and told her that if Sophia was in there, hers was the first voice she should here. Carol cried out for Sophia and I stood ready by the doorway, but nothing even moved inside. 

Daryl slowly unzipped the tent, trying to make as little noise as possible. He pulled back the flap just enough so I could step inside, but before I could the disgusting smell hit me. I looked away and covered my mouth, coughing a little, man I will never get used to that smell.

Nothing moved inside, so I held my breath quietly stepped in with my weapon raised. I saw someone, a man sitting in a lawn chair. I walked in front of him to see he had a small pistol in his hand, he must have stuck the gun in his mouth and blew his brains out. I stepped closer to see maggots crawling all over his face, and that was too much for me. 

I practically ran out of there and let go of the breath I was holding. I saw every ones eyes on me as I put my hands on my knees and tried my best not to throw up. I coughed a little, but then looked up, meeting Carol's desperate, sad eyes. 

I couldn't stand looking at them anymore, the sadness was contagious, so I just looked back down at the ground. I heard someone else come out of the tent, and looked up seeing Daryl let out a breath, "ain't her. Some guy, did what Jenner said; opted out. Ain't that what he called it?"

Carol just turned around and started to walk away, crying. I stood up, regaining my composure to see Glenn standing next to me, handing me some water. I took it graciously and drank some, my throat was very dry. I gave it back to him and mumbled thanks, earning a weak smile from him, but then it faded when in the distance we heard church bells ringing. 

We all looked at each other, but then took off running to the sound of the noise. We stopped and tried to decide what way to go. "If we can hear them, than maybe Sophia can to." "Maybe someone found her and is calling out." "Hell, she could be ringing them herself."  Everyone was nervous, but hopeful.

We ran out into a little opening with a church in it but no steeple. We all stopped and looked at it. "That can't be it, it's got no steeple, no bell." Shane said reading every ones minds, but Rick just took off running to it, and we all followed.

We ran up to the doors, and pushed them open, revealing four walkers, sitting down like they were just ready for another morning at church. It must be a Sunday.

They heard us and slowly turned their heads around. They must of been in here the whole time, because they still resembled the people that they used to be, and looked damn hungry. Glenn handed Daryl some type of ax like thing and Lori handed Rick her large knife.