Regression to the Mean 3: Apocalypse

Wildfire

I am incredibly sorry that this has taken so long, but in the last 2-3 months 8 staff members at my work have left and I have been called in a lot for full day shifts. I've been trying to write this bit by bit but some days I could only write a few chapters because I have been so exhausted

xx

BH

Last night was a massacre, 14 people dead and 22 alive. We... I, I couldn't save them all, they were all too far gone to be able to heal, I was lucky with Amy, although I had Allison watch her all night in case she changed. But come morning, the youngest of the Harrison sisters was a ray of sunshine until she learned of the death count and sent me a questioning look that I shook my head at. We can't save everyone.

Rick still hasn't said anything to me about my little lightshow last night against a walker about to attack him, and honestly, I am thankful that he hasn't straight up come to my face and demand answers in front of everyone, however the fact that he hasn't said anything is making me a little anxious. But my anxiety may also be a side effect of not sleeping last night. Having stayed up all night on top of the RV with Allison, Liam, Merle and a few others who where dotted around the camp, holding for another attack.

After a quick sweep of the camp last night, Liam and I discovered the body of Ed half Eaten as he lay in the family's bloodstained tent. I wasn't happy that he was dead, but I also couldn't find myself shedding a single tear for the fallen man. When hearing the approaching footsteps of Carol, I left Liam in the tent and made my way out to her, my face blank of emotion as we approached each other. Informing her of her husband demise, I offered her and Sophia our tent to rest in, knowing that none of us would be able to sleep. With a swift look over to the tent behind me as Liam stepped out Carol smiled thankfully at us, a smile that never reached her eyes and turned away to retrieve her daughter from the RV before heading to the my tent.

Just as the sun begins to rise, I spot Rick making his way up the bank to a field from where you can see the tall buildings of the dead city of Atlanta, I almost turned away, not wanting to know his reasons for leaving but the second I had chosen to ignore him he stopped in his track and turned towards the camp, his eyes meeting mine and his head jerking for me to follow him. Sighing, I jump from the RV and follow the officer. As I make my way through camp I turn my head to Liam and shake my head to him, telling him not to follow, but I know that he will be listening. Continuing my way to Ricks' direction I stop just inside the Line of trees, I listen to him as he kneels to the grass and speaks into the Radio.

"Morgan, I don't know if you're out there. I don't know if you can hear me. Maybe you're listening right now. I hope so. I found others... my family, if you can believe it. My wife and son, they're alive. I wanted you to know that. There's something else you need to know. Atlanta isn't what we thought. It's not what they promised. The city is... Do not enter the city. It belongs to the dead now. We're camped a few miles northwest, up by a big abandoned rock quarry. You can see it on a map. I hope you come find us. But be careful. Last night walkers came out of the woods. We lost people. Watch yourself, Morgan. Take care of your boy. I'll try you again tomorrow at dawn."

"You didn't say anything, to the others, to Lori... Why?" I ask as he gets up and turn to me. his eyes wide.

"I didn't think it was important" Rick replies hesitantly.

"Not important? I through fire from my hand at a walker and you don't think that it's important?"

"I saw, I saw that girl get bit, I saw the bite mark as you pushed her into the RV and yet the bite is gone and she's alive. Whatever you are, you saved that girl, and you saved me. I haven't said anything to the others because you obviously don't want them to know, not yet at least"