Apocalypse Now

Chapter 4: Judgement

I bit my lip. I understood where Rick was coming from and I really should be resting. I hoped my injuries wouldn't muck up me being able to use my bow. I had to be careful. I didn't want a bodyguard. I knew I still had to earn these peoples trust but having someone in my way just annoyed me. I reluctantly nodded.

“I'm trusting you” he said as he pointed me in the direction of Daryl's tent. I slung the bow and quiver on one shoulder and slipped the machete into its holder around my waist.

I stood in front of his tent and looked in, empty, crossbow was gone too. I looked back at the camp, and wondered if I should go back to find him. I then looked at the trees, I would only be gone a few hours. Hopefully this wouldn't burn my bridges with these people. I sighed as moved towards the tree-line.

As I neared the edge of the woods I took the bow off my shoulder, I slung the quiver properly over my shoulder and took a bold out ready as I made my way in. I scanned the woods for “wildlife”, nothing but a few birds. I pushed in deeper.

I wasn't more than ten minutes into the woods when I felt a presence behind me, following me. Walker? It couldn't be, I would have heard or at least smelt it. I instantly thought Shane. Fuck. So Rick sent another bodyguard after me. I walked forward placing the bolt in the string in case of a sneak attack. I pushed back thoughts of being beaten or worse, raped. He was probably about twenty feet behind me now. I spun quickly, bolt ready, arm pulled back, my side hot with pain but pushed that aside. I was surprised to see Daryl standing there, crossbow raised.

“Come to finish me off?” I ask raising an eyebrow. I lower my bow.

“Do ya even know where yer goin'?” he asked, his tone sounding kind of pissed.

“I said to Rick I can handle myself...”

He cut me off “Fine!” he growled loudly and turned his back walking away.

“Daryl” I called after him, he ignored me and carried on walking.

I sighed. I surveyed the surrounding woods. No walkers. Maybe getting on Daryl's bad-side wasn't a good move. I didn't expect him to have such a temper though.

I carried on walking. Luckily I came across Daryl's trail from yesterday. I was sure because the impressions were deeper, this must have been where he was carrying me. I still kept my bow ready. The impressions became lighter further on and I could see my trail beside his. I followed it knowing it was near where I was injured. Then I heard sounds further up the trail, I scanned around me before proceeding. One walker was kneeling on the ground, moaning and pawing at something. I took aim, breathed, whistled to gets its attention. Its head snapped up at the sound and looked in my direction. I released the bolt.

Smack!

The bolt piercing its right eye. It slumped to the ground with a thud. I walked over to the rotting corpse, pulled the bolt over and bought my heel down on its skull, crushing it to an oozing mess. Double tap, always a good rule I smiled to myself. I wiped the bolt of the grass. I looked to where the walker had been crouched over. I noticed the dried out pool of blood. A lot of it. No wonder I had passed out or why Rick was concerned about me coming out here.

I found my trail easily after that, recognizing my markers.

I finally came upon the lone oak tree in the field as I stood at the edge of the woods. No walkers in the field.

I froze as I heard the soft crunch of leaves behind me. Clutching the bolt, I spun to see two walkers approaching me. “Fuck” I muttered to myself. The first bolt hit its target easily, the now twice dead body hit the ground with a thud. The second walker moved closer, picking up a little speed, as it moaned and drooled. I grabbed another bolt and placed it in the string ready to shoot. I was about to release when another bolt pierced its skull, it moaned slumping tot he ground. Daryl coming into view.