Shoot Or Run

Chapter 4

  I woke up to someone shaking my shoulder softly. I looked at Carl who was also still asleep. He looked calmer and peaceful like the world hadn't fallen apart around him. I looked up and see Lori stood above us and began waking up Carl too. "We're leaving," She whispered pulling me up.

I stood up and stumbled towards T-Dog's car and crawled inside. I rested my chin in my hands as I almost began to fall asleep again. After a few minutes, the doors opened and slammed closed again. I looked up and see T-Dog and mom inside the car with me.

Car engines coming to life filled my ears and we all slowly began moving forward. I took one last glimpse at the now empty camp. This place was no longer safe and I wondered if any place was truly safe.

I pulled my knees to my chest watching the trees fly by in silence. Suddenly, I can see the RV slowing down and smoke coming out of the front. T-Dog, Mom and I got out of the car as Everyone got out of their cars and went over to the RV.

"I told you we'd never get far on that hose. I said I needed the one from the cube van," Dale told Rick. "Can you jury-rig it?" Rick asked. "That's all it's been so far. It's more duct tape than hose. And I'm out of duct tape," Dale said. "I see something up ahead. A gas station if we're lucky," Shane said.

Jacqui came running out of the RV, with a panic look on her face. "Y'all, Jim... It's bad. I don't think he can take anymore," Jacqui said and then get back in. "Hey, Rick, you want to hold down the fort? I'll drive ahead, see what I can bring back," Shane said. "Yeah, I'll come along too and I'll back you up," T-Dog said. "Y'all keep your eyes open now. We'll be right back," Shane said. While Shane and T-Dog drive ahead to find a replacement, Rick checks on Jim.

After a few minutes, "He says he wants us to leave him here," Rick said. "And he's lucid?" Carol asked him. "He seems to be. I would say yes," Rick said. "We just leave him here? We take off? Man, I'm not sure I could live with that," Shane said. "It's not your call, either one of you," Lori said. Rick and Shane looked at each other and nod. They went inside the RV.

Rick and Shane careful carry Jim up the hill and place him under a tree. The rest of us followed. "Hey, another damn tree," Jim chuckled. "Hey, Jim ... I mean, you know it doesn't need to be this," Shane said, trying to reason with him. "No. It's good. The breeze feels nice," Jim said. Shane nod and backs away. Jacqui walked up to Jim. "Just close your eyes, sweetie. Don't fight," She said, before kissing his cheek.

It was Rick's turn now, he pulls out a little hand gun, like he give me. "Jim, do you want this?" Rick asked him. "No. You'll need it. I'm okay. I'm okay," Jim replied. "Thanks for, uh, for fighting for us," Dale said to Jim and he nod. Then Jim looked at me with a smile. I gave him a little smile.

Everyone soon went down the hill. I looked back out the window and see Jim's body getting smaller and smaller as we drove. Tears filled my eyes and I didn't know why. I was safe for now within the car and I needed more sleep. Within seconds of closing my eyes I was asleep again.

"Elena, wake up," Mom said, shaking my shoulder. I woke up and up ahead I could see what must have been the CDC. I climbed outside and slipped my bag onto my shoulders holding my gun tightly. Everyone else was exiting their cars and we started walking towards the large building.

"All right, everybody. Keep moving. Go on. Stay quiet. Let's go," Shane ordered in a hush tone. "Keep moving. Stay together. Keep moving. Come on," Rick ordered for us to stay close together, as we move closer to the CDC, walking around the dead bodies. My mom and Lori walked with me and Carl. I felt someone's hand enclose mine and I looked over to see Carl. I gave him a small smile.

We got closer and the door were blocked by shutters. Rick and Shane tried to look for something to lift the shutters. "There's nobody here," T-Dog said. "Then why are these shutters down?" Rick asked. "Walkers!" I heard Daryl screamed. I looked behind me and see a walker dressed in military uniform, slowly making it's way over to us. Daryl shoots an arrow in the walker's head. "You led us into a grave!" Daryl shouted at Rick as he marched over to him.

"He made a call," Dale said to Daryl. "It was the wrong damn call!" Daryl shouted. Shane pushes Daryl back. "Just shut up. You hear? Shut up. Shut up! Rick, this is a dead end," Shane said. "We can't be here, this close to the city after dark," Lori said. "Fort Benning, Rick- Still an option," Shane said.

"On what? No food, no fuel. That's 100 miles," Mom said. "125. I checked the map," Glenn corrected. "Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight, now," Lori said. "We'll think of something," Rick said. Everyone was screaming at one another to go back to the cars.

"The camera ... it moved," Rick said. "Rick, you imagine it, let's go, we have to leave!" Lori told him and grabbed his arm but he was quick pulled away and walked to the camera. Shane comes to him and they exchanged words before Shane tried to get Rick back.

Rick moves and knocking the door, "Rick! Stop! You attract more walkers!" Lori shouted. "I know you're in there. I know you can hear me!" Rick yelled to the camera. Mom hugged me and Carl. Lori wanted to Rick drag him away with Shane, Rick still keeps shouting at the camera. Suddenly the big door open for us.