Apocalypse Now

Chapter 8: Information

Chapter 8: Information

I woke early in the morning, the sun barely up. And I felt warm, very warm. Not sure how I managed that but I was glad I was warmer. My anger from the night before forgotten for now. I peeked through my lashes seeing faint light coming through the tent. I shifted slightly, feeling stiff, when I felt a weight on my waist. I froze. It gripped me tighter. I looked down to see an warm around me. When the hell did that happen? Well that definitely explains why I was so warm. I felt him stir beside me, I stayed still. Last thing I needed was an awkward moment with Daryl. He hand still gripped me and I could now feel his warm breath against my neck. It was hard to be mad at him when he was like this. I didn't realise how much I had missed human contact till now. Not that I'm about to admit that too him.

Each time I shifted ever so slightly he would pull me closer to him. I felt his hand move and I thought he was awake and was moving away, so I stayed still. I held my breath when I felt his cold hand now under the blanket and resting on my hip below my wound thankfully. I tried again to try get out of his grip, but it only tightened and I was sure I heard him growl as well. It was low so I could have been imagining it.

I closed my eyes, admitting defeat and tried to go back to sleep.

Thirty minutes later I felt him stir again, this time he seemed to be awake. It took him a minute or two to realise the situation. I feigned sleep, closing my eyes and staying absolutely still.

“What the hell” he muttered quietly. I felt him withdraw his hand and then slowly move his body away. I felt the absence from his body heat. I heard him quickly get dressed and then retreated from the tent. Zipping it closed behind him. I finally let out my breath, not realising I had been holding it.

I waited twenty long minutes before I got up and got dressed. My aches weren't as bad today, my body was quite stiff though. Grabbing my bow as I made my way towards the camp-fire. Daryl looked to be already out looking for Sophia, good one less thing to worry about. Shane, Andrea, Rick and T-dog were sitting around the fire. Shane avoided acknowledging my presence. Rick and T-dog smiled at me.

“When are you all going out to search for Sophia?” I asked taking a seat.

“In about an hour” Shane grunted.

I watched as they all started to pair off and head out. I wanted to volunteer but I knew I still had to earn trust with the group. So I stayed back with Carol, Lori and Carl. Doing “women's work”. All I wanted to do was go out and and hunt. Oh how I missed shooting things. So this is how I spent the next two days, cooking, cleaning and washing. It probably was for the best, let my injuries heal.

And now Hershel said we could take the stitches out. It pinched but it felt much better without them. I felt I could move better. I felt today would be a good day to offer to help with the search.

Shane, Andrea and T-dog were sitting round the fire this morning.

“If everyone is fine with it and you need an extra person, I would like to help. I want to.” I said catching Andrea and T-dog's eyes. T-dog nodded at me and Andrea smiled. Shane just glared at me like I just offered to kill a puppy. What was his problem? He was really getting on my nerves.

“Well let me know if you need an extra pair of eyes.” I said getting up. I walked over to the fence, leaning on it, looking out to the woods. I had done this a few times over the last few days. It was my solace. I stood there admiring the view, before my mind started to wander, a certain red-neck clouding my vision. Why did he have to make things complicated. If I left it would make it so much harder. The last few nights I woke up to have arm wrapped round me. I wasn't sure if it was him or me unconsciously or consciously gravitating towards each other. We never said anything to each other about it and one of us always crept out in the morning before the other woke. I walked down the driveway a little, still within eyesight, knowing that I would get an earful if I did. It was beyond frustrating, they may as well chain me to a tree.

I had been sitting out here for an hour or so, maybe two and was quite surprised I hadn't felt eyes glaring in my direction or being yelled at for being out on my own. I sighed heavily knowing I should head back.

When I got there, no one was there. What the hell did I miss? Surely if something had happened I would have heard gunshots or screaming. No one was even on top of the RV, something was going on. I looked to the woods, checking to see there wasn't an incoming herd of walkers. Nothing. Finally I spotted them all standing at the barn. It looked to be a heated discussion. I saw Daryl go off and lunge at Shane. Rick stepping in between them, then Glenn, Andrea and Lori also stepping between them both. They all looked like they were trying to reason with Daryl. He looked like he had had enough and stormed off. Carol following him a few moments later. I didn't know if I was welcome enough to go down there yet. If they wanted to involve me they would have.

I grabbed a couple of peaches from the basket beside the fire and made my way back to Daryl's tent. I sat down under the tree, setting my bow beside me. I grabbed my ipod from my pocket and turned up the volume, drowning out all my thoughts. I quickly ate the peaches. The group still hadn't returned. I needed something to occupy my time. I looked over to my bow. It was could do with another tune-up. Check to see if there was any damage done the other day. Last thing I needed was for it to break on me, probably at the worst time too. I went over to the tent and grabbed my smaller backpack. I sat back down against the tree and got to work. I checked over all the bolts, then went to work on my bow.

I was so consumed I didn't even see Lori standing in front of me, if she wasn't till she bent down and waved her hands in front of me. I pulled out my headphones.

“Morning” I smiled. She had a grim look on her face.

My face sank, “When do I have to be out?” I breathed.

Lori looked confused, “What?”

“I'm surprised they sent you to give me my marching orders” I said turning my attention back to my bow.

“We found out this morning, the barn...it's full of walkers!” she said a little panicked.

“What?” I burst out, looking back up to her.

Lori proceeded to tell me the story. By the end my jaw was on the ground. I was shocked. This was a ticking time bomb.

“So what are we doing about it?” I asked.

“I don't know. Hershel thinks they can be saved. His wife and step-son are in there. Rick's going to talk to him...but Shane...he's all fired up. I don't know what he will do.” Lori said looking quite worried.