infection | D. Dixon

chapter thirty-seven

tracks

I rolled over and pulled my blanket higher around me. The room was only lit by the light of the moon, and was unheated. I heard a thump if a car door and sat up quickly. I grabbed my gun and ran through the halls to the back yard where the sound came from. A truck was in the middle if the field, a silver and black Ford with the doors open. Three people walked around it and I groaned, it's too late for this.

The people noticed me and raised their guns. I sighed and walked down the field. I don't need to raise my weapon. "Who are you?" I called.

"I'm Rick, this is my son Carl, and our friend Michonne." he said.

Later, I opened my eyes and groaned. I don't know if it was the way I slept, or the fact that it was an actual bed, but something threw me off. I wasn't sore, I was well rested, and I wanted to stay in bed.

I sighed and climbed out of the bed and put of some pants before going out to meet Rick and Michonne, who were currently in the main room with Tessa and Dean.

I smiled as I walked into the room, everyone was laughing and eating, I threw on my jacket and grabbed my sword. "Where are you off to?" Rick asked.

I sighed and pulled my hair from my jacket, "to find everyone else." I said simply.

"She goes out on these missions to try to bring everyone home." Tessa said between bites of her powdered eggs.

I nodded, "two days, you remember the plan right Tessa?" I asked.

She held up her thumb as she chewed her eggs. I kissed her head and patted Carl on the shoulder before stepping out. Castiel and Lonnie were on watch, I waved at them as I ran across the field to the wood line.

Today was all about distance, any sign of human activity would be messed up by Rick, so if I could make my way up by Monroe I could start looking around there.

I kept an even pace, hunting my way through the woods and looting my way through the cars and camps in my path. By sunset I had made it three quarters of the way and decided to set up for the night in a car. I slid across the back seat and closed my eyes, taking off on Rick like that wasn't nice, but I had to find everyone else, it was all that mattered for now.

----

I awoke to a voice outside the car. I grabbed my gun and lid on my back, waiting for someone to open the door. They didn't open the door, they left. I groaned and got up, deciding to track them. I followed their tracks a little further east until I found their camp. It was small, consisting of three tents and a fire pit. I climbed the nearest tree and waited for someone to show up.

After a few long minutes a man emerged from the tent. I narrowed my eyes, it was hard to see his face but he looked familiar. I looked through my binoculars towards him; he was tall, and he was wearing ripped jeans and a white shirt. He put wood into the fire and sat on the log across from it, watching the flames with a mournful expression.

The other tent opened and a female stepped out, she was wearing a navy-blue shirt and tan shorts, her long blonde hair was pinned messily and her bright blue eyes bore into the fire with sadness. The man was covered in blood and the woman was covered in scratches.

The third person stepped out of the tent, she had long, curly blonde hair that touched her belt. Her black, see through, blouse was opened too far, she had boots up to her knees, her shorts were too high-- basically she made me want to throw up. I climbed down the tree quietly and crept closer. I holstered my gun and took a deep breath. "don't shoot!" I yelled, "I'm coming out!"

The man and the properly dressed woman were both holding guns at me while the other woman hid behind them.

I smiled and lowered my hands, "nice to see you're still alive." I said.