My Secrets In The Apocalypse

Chapter 5

Everyone was busy packing up their belongings preparing to head for the CDC. Riley had put all her clothes into the duffle bag already and had rolled up her sleeping bag. She sat on the floor of her tent reloading the clip for her gun, that she had found still lying on the ground near her tent. Once the gun was loaded she slipped into the back of her jeans and carried her things outside setting them on the ground and taking her tent down. Slinging her duffle bag over her shoulder and carrying her tent, she made her way over to Shane and Rick who were organizing everyone into vehicles for the trip.
"Riley, your riding with Daryl." Rick pointed to the old blue truck with Merle's motorcycle in the back. "You can put your stuff in the back of Carols car," he threw in.
"Thanks." She headed over to pack her things in the back of the already crowded vehicle. When she was sure that her things were secure she made her way over to the old blue truck, climbing in and getting comfortable for the long trip ahead. Everyone was getting into their respective vehicles when the driver side door opened and Daryl slid into the seat starting the truck, not acknowledging her presence once. Shrugging Riley turned to stare out the window watching the scenery as they followed the line of cars being lead by the RV down the highway.

They had been riding in silence for a few hours when she heard Daryl curse under his breath slowing the truck to a stop. She looked up noticing the line of vehicles had pulled over and people getting out to see what was going on. Daryl got out of the truck following everyone over to see what the hold up was, Riley stayed back for a minute before finally making her way over to them. By the time she got there Rick and Shane were helping Jim out of the RV sitting him down against a tree on the side of the road. He was sweating profusely and looked like he might pass out any minute.

"You're sure this is what you want?" Rick asked him. Jim didn't answer but instead locked eyes with Riley.
"I want you to do it." He held her gaze with pleading eyes.
"What?" Her voice tiny. She had a feeling she knew what he was asking and silently prayed it wasn't true.
"Don't do that. You know what. Please. Just like anyone else, please?" he asked again. Riley was slightly shocked, after telling him how she had left that part of herself in the past, that he would want her to drag it all back up like this.
"How can you ask that of me?" she raised her voice a little. She knew if she did this, it would only open a can of worms that she wasn't ready to deal with yet.
"You're the only one who can," he said simply and Riley knew he was right. She doubted any of these people, including Jim himself, had it in them to do what needed to be done. "Please, I just want to be with my family again," he pleaded.
By this point everyone was staring at them thoroughly confused, trying to understand what exactly was happening between Jim and Riley.

"This is really what you want?" Riley sighed.
"Yea. Just like anyone else, ok."
Riley moved a little closer to Jim standing directly in front of him. She couldn't believe what she was doing, after working so hard to lock away that chapter of her life, here it came slapping her in the face again. She took a deep breath and locked gazes with Jim once more deciding she at least owed him this much for keeping her secret for so long. She would do what he asked of her, she would honor his last request.
In one quick motion she whipped the gun out from the back of her pants and shot him in the head. The group members stood in stunned silence as Riley slid the gun back into her pants as if nothing had ever happened.

Then, like a dam bursting, everyone was yelling at her all at once.
"The fuck was that?" Shane grabbed her by the shoulder.
"What the hell kid?" Daryl growled at her.
"Oh, God!" Carol looked sick.
"Riley, why did you shoot him?" Lori's voice was shaky.
"I think we deserve some kind of explanation." Ricks calm voice broke through everyone's questions.
"He asked me to," Riley stated simply. She shrugged her arm from Shane's grip and made her way back to the truck leaving the confused people behind.

Riley climbed into the passenger seat of the truck watching as the group had a quick frantic conversation, probably trying to understand what just happened and what they should do now. How ironic that she was so worried about Jim keeping her secrets from them, and by granting his last wish, she had managed to open the door for all to see. She had tried so hard not to be that person anymore, but here it was, like nothing had changed after all these years. She sighed, frustrated with the whole situation and watched everyone going back to their vehicles. Daryl climbed back in the truck without a word, started the engine and pulled back onto the road behind the others.