Apocalypse Now

Chapter 2: Shot in the dark

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It had been a few days since I last went hunting and I really needed some meat to keep myself going. Soup and crackers only get you so far.

I left my bags up in the big oak tree I had been sleeping in the last few nights and covered it so it wasn't visible. The horse was out in the field grazing. It looked happy and content for the moment. I grabbed my small backpack with a few essential items, my bow and quiver slung over my shoulder, hand gun strapped to my thigh and machete in hand. I imagined I looked somewhat like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, my dark blonde hair even in a braid. I was just the messier, dirty version of her. At least I had a decent rack like she did, I laughed to myself. I had been a bit more curvy before all this but being constantly on the run, and little to eat, I had lost a little bit of them.

I never thought all the hunting I did for fun with my father would ever become key to my survival. I was probably the reason why I was still alive today.

I had been tracking a doe through the woods and I was salivating at the thought of some fresh venison. I had been stalking it for about half a mile or so, only having to take down one walker in the process. I spotted it finally up ahead in a clearing. I took a bolt out and slowly and quietly took a few steps forward. I lined it up in my sights, pulling the bolt back on the string, taking a steady breath. Something rustled in a nearby tree and sent a few birds flying, it spooked the doe. I silently cursed to myself.

I opened my eyes confused. I was looking up at the trees. What the hell? I bought my hand up in front of my face and it was covered with blood. Where did the blood come from? Searing pain then registered in my brain, bringing me back to reality. My head hurt, my side hurt. I still didn't understand how I was hurt. I looked down to see the end of a bolt sticking out of my side. With every breath it hurt and so did my head. Confusion still weighed on my mind. Did I somehow manage to shoot myself? I couldn't have.

“Fuck” I heard someone mutter in the distance. I painfully reached for my gun on my thigh. I had my fingers touching the grip when I heard the person right next to me.

“Wouldn't do that if I were ya” a man with a thick menacing southern accent spoke. I froze. He knelt down, disarming me of my gun, a crossbow pointed at my head. It was hard to make him out properly as the sun was shining through the trees and my vision was getting more blurry by the minute.

“You missed the fucking doe” I grumbled through the pain. I heard him scoff. “I guess you're wanting your bolt back” I breathed, I could now see him behind his crossbow, still pointing it at me, his face hardened. I could feel my head getting woozy again. I scrunched my eyes closed and held my breath. This was going to hurt. I reached to grab the bolt, a strong pair of hands stopped me. My eyes flew open, surprised. He was kneeling next to me, his crossbow no longer pointed at me.

“Leave it in” he said gruffly “I can get that fixed for ya”. I kept quiet, unsure of him. “I'm with a camp not too far from 'ere, on a farm. We got a doc who can fix ya up.”

“And you're just willing to help a stranger?” I ask, biting through the pain that was slowly ebbing throughout my body.

“Do ya want ma help or not?” he sighed frustrated.

He didn't give off the same vibe as the other men I had encountered a few weeks back. Yes he was a little hostile but I think it was towards the situation and not me.

As I felt the pain once again rock through me, at this rate I wasn't going to stay conscious for long. I swallowed, then nodded my consent.

“Can ya walk?” he asked, I nodded. No matter how injured I was, I wasn't about to be carried out of the woods. I was too stubborn that way. He slung his crossbow onto his back. “This is going to hurt” he said reaching for my hand. I just about fell over but he grabbed me just in time, catching my injured side. I hissed in pain and muttered curses.

“I think I hit my head” I croaked.

He backed me up to a nearby tree while he looked at the back of my head.

“Yeah there's a gash, not too bad.” he grunted in his accent. I blinked several times, the pain and the blood loss screwing with my balance. He grabbed my arm putting it round his shoulder and held onto my injured side just below the wound. It hurt like a bitch, I clenched my jaw avoiding any sounds of my pain to be heard. And we slowly started walking towards his camp.

“Shit, my bow” I rasped.

“Got it” he grunted, his grip tightening on my hip. I hadn't even noticed him pick it up.”What were ya doin' out 'ere anyway? Do ya have a group?” he asked almost sounding annoyed.

“Trying to catch dinner before you scared it off, had it in my sights too” I said chuckling, then regretted that, the pain soaring through me again. I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye. “No group” I sighed “been alone for about two months, some fucking road-trip this turned out to be.” I huffed.

“Y'all did alright to last this long” he said

“Because I'm a woman?” I grunted.

“Na cos you were alone” he said quietly and I was pretty sure I saw him roll his eyes. It stayed silent for a few minutes. “Daryl, by the way”

“Camille” I croaked in return. “Thank y...” I slurred before blackness swallowed me.

Pain consumed me. I heard voices not far from me. I blacked out again.

In my dream someone in the darkness spoke “She could be a threat”, “She ain't a threat” a familiar voice said. The voices faded. I tried to hold on but once again I was swallowed by the darkness.

I woke suddenly, the pain spiking, burning like fire. I screamed in agony as I realised the bolt was being pulled out. Hands held me down as I struggled against them. I couldn't hear anything over my screams, nor could I open my eyes and when I tried it was like a big bright light, I couldn't focus. I passed out again.