The Anti Hero ⥤ Rick Grimes

[18] The Pity Party

"No."

I clenched my jaw, pushing towards the front of the group and staring at the gnarly walkers as they seethed in response to the humans in their vision. The food.

"NO." I growled louder this time, taking out my knife from its holster and stepping forward. Daryl took out his crossbow- and I watched the bolt burrow into the closest walker to us. I turned back and looked at Rick- he had already pushed Carl and Judith to the back of the group and grabbed his machete. Abraham was looking doh eyed and bewildered, but he was readying to fight too. Michonne took out her katana and held it horizontally in front of her. Ready to kickass, I would say.

Everyone was.

I caught Carol's eye and I gave her a small smile and a nod, before stepping forward.

Fifteen walkers.

Leaving footprints in the mud, I stepped forward. The first walker reached out with dull grey arms, torn skin and blood. He grabbed me and I grabbed it, taking my knife and stabbing it in the head. It took effort to yank it out- and when I did, it wasn't long before the next one stumbled towards me. I spun, stepping back and putting space between it and myself. I took another step, bumping into what I hoped was a human. I was wrong. The walker took me by the shoulders from the behind, as the other came and lurched at me. I skidded to the side, slipping on the mud and falling. The two bent down to meet me- and I crawled through one of their legs. Pulling one of their legs out with me. As a result, one of the walkers came crashing down into the mud, letting out a series of yaps as it did so. I took my knife and lunged it though a blonde haired head. I then rose to my feet and put my blade through the other.

For a split second, I could see everyone in action. Glenn was firing a gun- shots not loud enough to overpower the thunder. Maggie was stabbing a walker. Rick was slicing heads with his machete, as was Michonne with her katana. Bolts were piercing through the air on behalf of Daryl and the rest of the gang were killing walkers like it was no big deal.

More walkers were coming out of the manor- but my group was going strong. We were pushing through.

I snapped my head to the door of the manor, which was sealed shut. They were big brown wooden doors, which looked uninviting to say the least. I took one last look at the fighters who I was proud to call my friends and I made a run for the door. The two walkers standing by it turned their heads and faced me.

I put a bullet in them.

When I reached the door, I shoved it open- and when they opened the smell of must and mould filled my nose. I let out a series of coughs before shouting at everyone to come in. To enter.
Rick grabbed Judith from Carl with one arm and led Carl through the walkers with the other. The rest of the gang threaded through the walkers and pushed past me into the manor. When everyone was inside- I shut the door. Daryl, Rick and Abraham were quick to push up against the door, attempting to keep it shut against the walkers pushing against it. I pressed my body against the door- watching from the side as Glenn and father Gabriel pushed a table towards us. When it got close enough, I moved, and they securely sealed the door shut.

A sigh escaped my lips as Maggie lit the fireplace in the large living room of the manor. Only now could I see how terrible I looked in the large mirror above it. Mud everywhere. Blood. I was an even bigger mess than I could have ever thought.

"The place is clear." Rick breathed out, alerting us all. I nodded, looking around at the wooden interior.

"Could this place be any creepier?" Tara hissed, running her fingers along the wall. I chuckled- although I felt no emotion but tire on the inside. I took off my muddy jacket and left it against the couch. Rosita approached me, wearing a new set of clothes.
"There's clean clothes in the bedroom above." Rosita announced. "Saved some for you."
I gave her my warmest smile, then darted up the creaky stairs.

The rain pelted against the roof and the thunder bellowed. The storm had come- and it seemed it was going to be a long night.

"This place was a good call." Rosita called at me from down the stairs.
I looked down at her, leaning against the banister and furrowing my brows.
"You made it. I just led em' here." Sheepishly I answered, smoothing my hair back. Rosita shrugged, placing arms across her chest. Her hair fell perfectly in her face.
"Maybe- but if you weren't here...and if you didn't tell us about this place, then we'd have ended up in some old barn pushing against a door to shield off walkers. Then slept on dirt for a night. I made the call...but I sure as hell wouldn't have made it without you."
I creased my brows, squeezing the banister and moving to leave.
"JJ?" Rosita called. When I froze, she climbed the steps and met me. Rosita now wore a burgundy sweater- but still wore her khaki shorts.
I stared at her blankly and waited for her to speak.
"You did miss something...when you left. We don't know where you went. I get it. Some old shit from another group or something. But we wiped out the people of Terminus when they came back for us. Some with our bare hands and some with a machete. It was fucked up. Some bullshit that I guess you were lucky you didn't have to see. But it's obvious that there's somethin' going on with you and Rick. Maybe the others don't see it but I do." Rosita had the tendency for every word to reveal underlining sass. I felt like I was in high school being scolded or something. However, I really did like Rosita. It would be a shame if she didn't like me.
"I don't know him well. Abraham and Eugene are the only people I really know. So for now I'm just going by the shit I see. The things I feel. I'm gonna give you my best advice, and you decide whether you take it as advice from a friend or some crazy Spanish bitch. Sort out your shit before you get started in someone else's. Rick seems a good guy- but he has a lot going on. In there," she motioned towards his head. "And he ain't the type a guy to not put up a fight. I like you- but in this kinda world, you can't let brains get trumped by feelings. You got a good head on you, leadership is something you have. Grow first, fall in love later."
Rosita tilted her head, took her cap out from her back pocket and shook it. The cap was ringing wet from the rain. My face softened as hers did.

"I-I don't know what's going on with Rick and I. Nothing, for now. I get what you're saying. I do." Flustered and embarrassed, I jumped the stairs and entered the first door I could find. I came in just as Sasha pulled a shirt over her body.
"Sorry-" I hissed, shutting my eyes.
"I'm decent." Sasha told me. I opened them, and she tossed me a black shirt.
"It's for you. There are some jeans on the bed for you."
"Has everyone else got dry clothes?" I questioned, peeling off my wet and muddy shirt. I pulled the dry one off.
"No...these were found in some old bag by the furnace. Only a couple of items are wearable. Saved them for us. Considering we're the ones covered in mud."
"Right." I acknowledged gleefully, pulling on the dry clothes, too tired to care about Sasha's company. When I changed, I made my way back downstairs, to the fireplace.
Glenn and Maggie sat down on the lounge, covered by a blanket. Tara slouched on a nearby lounge chair. I slid down beside Carl and Judith, covering Carl with a blanket as I did so.

"Hey kiddo." I whispered, leaning against the couch.
"Hey JJ." Carl whispered back, fixated with the fire.
"Can...Can I hold her?"
Carl was shocked by the question- but nodded as he placed Judith on my lap. She gurgled and reached up to touch my face.

I fell asleep with Judith on my lap. The storm raged on for hours and hours on end. Some couldn't get to sleep...but after the day I had had, there wasn't a trouble in the world with that department.

When I woke, it wasn't exactly pleasant. Basically, it was the yelling that really woke me up.
"Rick!" "Rick!" Maggie shouted, pacing through the house. I straightened my back and looked over my shoulder. Rick was on the floor next to me- and he straightened his back to address Maggie.

"There's a man outside. Says he wants to talk to you."

Oh uh.

"Who...what?" Rick shot up, standing up. Suddenly a silhouette wandered into the room, followed by Sasha, who held a gun to his head.