In the morning, the whole group prepares to search for Sophia with the exception of Dale and T-dog. T is still weak, and after checking his bandage, I can see that the cut is getting infected. Dale needs to stay behind and look after everything while we're gone.
Rick rolls out the pack of knives Carl found the previous day.
"Everyone takes a weapon. No questions asked," he orders.
"We can't go into the woods with knives only. We need guns!" Andrea argues.
"Rick, Daryl, and I have got one, but that's it," Shane says. "Gunshots attract walkers, and we can't risk getting attacked."
Andrea rolls her eyes. She looks pissed. I'm guessing she's thinking about her gun, which is being held by Dale. She's gonna put up a fight to get it back, I know it.
I can tell that everyone in the group is worried and jittery. I keep trying to look at things like the glass is half full, but in truth, I believe that the chance that Sophia is still alive is minimal at best.
"Alright. Let's go," Rick says. "Daryl, lead the way."
"Just a second," Daryl pauses. He turns to me. "Hope, you said that T-dog needs medicine?"
"Yeah. Why?" I ask curiously.
Daryl moves to his motorcycle, swiftly pulling a ziploc bag from the bag on the back. He turns, handing it to me.
"Those were Merle's. There's painkillers, antibiotics...good stuff. Use 'em to help T-dog."
"Thank you!" I exclaim.
I throw my arms around him in a hug. He looks startled. I, or anyone for that matter, had never hugged him in front of the group. I hear a low whistle from behind us as I release him.
"Yeah...no problem," he says quietly.
I move to T-dog, pulling out two of the bottles. I shake some pills into my hand and give them to him. He swallows them with the help of a bottle of water.
"Thanks Nurse," he says.
"No problem." I smile, relieved. With the help of that medicine he can survive long enough to get help.
Daryl nods to the group and we head into the forest.
We search for a while. Daryl leads the group with Rick following closely behind him. Shane is bringing up the rear. We have our weapons out and ready for anything that comes at us.
After searching for a while, Daryl holds his hand up, stopping us. Silently, he points to the trees. A tent is sitting among them.
"She could be in there," Rick suggests.
"Could be a whole lot a thin's in there," Daryl mumbles.
Some of us move forward, silently. Daryl lowers his crossbow to the ground and takes out his hunting knife as he approaches the tent. We stand nearby. He creeps closer, knife held ready. He listens closely, checking it out. He looks back at Rick, shrugging.
"Carol," Rick whispers. She moves to him. "If she's in there, your voice is the first thing she need to hear."
Carol nods. "Sophia? Sweetie? Are you in there? It's mommy..." She leans towards the tent, speaking softly.
Daryl opens the flap. The smell of rotting flesh fills the air and I cover my nose, as does he. He steps into the tent. He comes out a minute or so later.
"She ain't in there," he tells us.
Carol's face falls and she turns back to the group.
"What is then?" she asks.
YOU ARE READING
Daryl's Angel (Book One in the Apocalypse Angel Trilogy)
Fanfiction"Why're you bein' so nice to me?" "I would want the same if I were you." Hope Starling was alone when the dead started rising. She had always been alone, with parents that had disowned her and no friends to help her. Inside the department store in...
