To Kill A Corpse

10- "You've got to stay who you are not who you were." - Beth Greene

▌│█║▌║▌║ Ten ║▌║▌║█│▌

"I think we should move on," Rick begins, "move to another shelter."

All of the members of the group sit in a circle. Merle is swaying back and forth from being drunk and Carl is falling asleep.

"Why?" Dale asks, "Just because you're bored of the place? It's kept us alive for quite some time now, way longer than before you got here."

Rick is taken aback by Dale's words and begins to explain, "I heard the walkers banging on the door last night."

"So did I," I interrupt. Erik glaces at me and looks away sadly.

"Well, they damaged the barricades," Rick says, "and we're very low on supplies for fixing it."

"So?" Carol replies, "we could go get more."

"Not if it's as dangerous as it was yesterday," Daryl says, "we can't risk it."

"Have they done this before?" Rick asks. Dale nods.

"Once. But it wasn't for long."

"Then perhaps they're figuring out where we're sheltered," Rick says, "we need to keep moving or they'll just pile up at the door."

After a few more minutes of discussion, everyone agrees that we will hit the road in search of better shelter; perhaps a subway station. I don't see anything wrong with the idea, what walkers are smart enough to get into the subway?

We decide we'll be packed and on the move in an hour so we have the light, so I begin to pack up my few things.

As I zip up my backpack I hear a knock on the door.

"Yeah?"

Erik walks in, his hands held behind his back. I stand still as he approaches me.

"I forgive you," he says, a small smile playing on his lips, "here."

He removes his hands from behind his back and reveals a bouquet of red, pink, and white roses. I smile and laugh as I take the flowers and smell them.

"Where did you find these?" I ask. I would think all of the plants would be dead.

"They were one of the few bouquets left that haven't died, surprisingly," Erik explains, "and I picked them up as a gift."

I wrap one arm around his neck and kiss him. Somehow, this kiss feels more real than it did before.

"I'm sorry I didn't go to you," I apologize for the thousandth time, "I really am."

He waves it off and kisses me again.

"I love you," Erik tells me, "I won't let one mistake come between us."

"Thanks," I reply.

"And I can see why you'd feel safer with Daryl," he says. I raise an eyebrow, "he's the one with the bow. Maybe I should get myself one of those."

I laugh and we hug. It's more sincere than it's ever been.

We get all of our stuff together and meet by the front door. Rick is carrying Carl's things, Merle is carrying Daryl's so he can lead, and Carol, Dale, and Erik all carry their own luggage.

"In daylight the city seems to be more packed," Dale explains to Daryl, "some streets are filled with them, so look around every corner."

Daryl already said he would lead with the motorcycle, Erik would take the other, Carol, Dale and Rick would take one of the trucks and Carl, Merle and I would take the car. Daryl counts to three on his fingers and whips the door open, pointing his cross bow ahead of him. The hallways are clear as we race down each flight of stairs.