The Battles End (#wattys2016)

Chapter 8

      Chapter 8: The Way Home

My heart still pounded in my ears when I realized the shuffling I still heard wasn't actually happening. The herd finally passed. I was still under the two walkers. The sun was setting.
And I was completely, alone.

Pushing myself up, my hand hit the metal of my crossbow. I had forgotten I brought it with me. Moving the twice dead bodies, I stood, and picked up my weapon. As far as I knew I had three weapons. A gun, crossbow, and a knife. My memory came back to me as the adrenaline in my veins faded. Jesus had given me more bolts. That's why I brought it. With the sun hardly peaking over the horizon, I was reminded my greatest concern now, was getting into a tree. Walking up to the closest one, I got up to the strongest looking branch and watched the stars come out....
 
    I was just about to say something to Carl, when a sudden pain ripped through my shoulder, jolting me awake. My head spun as I quickly figured out I was on the ground. Looking up as the swirling tree, I pushed myself up.
     "Son of a bitch." I muttered, rubbing my shoulder. I must have fallen asleep and tossed, resulting in my current position on the ground.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I stood, taking in my surroundings, before heading up the hill.
I made my way to the top of a car. Looking at everything from the slight vantage point. EastHaven was the direction I was facing, with my back toward the tree where I had spent the night. I thought of CJ and Angel as I let out a sigh. I needed to get back, for them. Jumping off the car, I started my walk to get back to........ home.

I didn't see many, but I killed almost every walker I came across. Eventually I came to a warehouse, right before the sun set. Crossing my fingers, and reloading my crossbow, I pushed through the door, ready for anything. I was relieved and surprised all in one to find the small two story building empty. Claiming the stairs to the second floor, I peered over the railing that overlooked some of the first floor. It was a loft, of sorts. Digging through a closet, I found the one thing no one would have thought to take, a mat. Laying it down close to one of the corners in the loft, I was reminded of the days, way back when, when River and I lived in the treehouse. A smile formed on my lips as I lay down, letting myself rest a little after not having gotten very much sleep last night, and walking all day. I wasn't about to allow myself sleep now either, but slowly, the clutches of slumber were taking their hold... I couldn't let myself, I couldn't. It was too dangerous....

I had a big smile on my face as I woke up, watching the fading dream in my mind. Damn it, I had fallen asleep. So I didn't feel as guilty, I waved it off. I deserved some, I needed the energy to get back home.. Keeping my eyes closed for a few seconds more, I felt that I wasn't alone. Before I could reach back to grab my crossbow, a hand grabbed my shoulder, shaking me, before jerking me to my feet. My eyes flew open, as my fist connected with their jaw.
     "Where did you get the crossbow?" They roared, shaking me by the collar of my shirt.
     "I found it." I growled, throwing another punch, as the man did the same. Neither of us realized we were stepping closer to the stairs. When my foot hit the first step, throwing me off balance, I gripped onto the stranger's shoulders, taking him down with me. We both grunted and hissed in pain as we slammed into the steps, before the concrete of the bottom floor. I shot to my feet, my crossbow in hand, but the man had taken the quiver off of it. He stood too, but the moment he did, I slammed the stock of the crossbow into his head. The man collapsed, no longer conscious. Breathing heavily I felt a warm liquid start to stream from my nose and busted lip. Bringing a hand up to my face, it came back Crimson. Checking myself over, I looked a t all my cuts, and already forming bruises. Now I smelled like shit, and covered in dirt and blood. With a huff, I looked at the stranger. His blond hair was short, and greasy. Tag hung around his neck. Narrowing my eyes I took in his features. Realization slapped me in the face when I remembered looking into his eyes. His green eyes.
     "Oh shit, Preston!" I kneeled down, shaking him to no avail. "Shit Res." I sighed, quickly going upstairs to grab my other weapons. I had to get him home. Placing Preston's arm over my shoulder, I lifted him up, and started to drag him toward EastHaven.

A/N
Oooooooooooooooooooooooo! Preston!
-gonna skip to the questions-

What will happen when the duo get back to EastHaven?
Could Preston help lead Sunny back to Alexandria?
What will happen when good ol' Res wakes up?

Please remember to vote and comment aaaaaaannnnnnnnd............... Until the next chapter!