Apocalypse Now

Chapter 9: Stroll through the woods

Most of the group had come back and were standing around the fire, looking nervously towards the barn. Rick and Andrea were standing by the car looking over a map. I think putting together a plan for today search for Sophia. I saw Hershel and Jimmy walking towards them. They had a brief conversation before Rick went of with Hershel and Jimmy. Andrea started to walk towards the barn. I hoped this barn situation would be sorted soon. It has potential to go very bad, very quick.

The tension around camp was thick. Everyone was on edge. I honestly wanted to stay out of the way. I was uncomfortable. I went back to the tent and grabbed my bow, quiver, machete and tucked a pocket knife into my boot. I slung my bow and quiver over my shoulder. I'd go hunt for an hour or two, mostly I just wanted to shoot something, relieve some tension and frustration. I knew someone would yell at me when I got back but I needed it.

“Where you off to?' Dale called out from the top of the RV.

“To hunt” I said still walking.

“You think that's a wise idea” he called.

I stopped and turned back to face him, “Am I a prisoner?” I asked.

“No but...”

I cut him off, “No one will get the jump on me. I just need to go shoot something. Blow off some steam. Maybe get some dinner while I'm out. If anyone asks tell them I went hunting. I'll be fine. I promise Dale.”

He looked conflicted, then nodded. I waved and carried on walking.

As I approached the trees I took the bow off my shoulder and took out a bolt and stopped listening to the sounds of the woods. No shuffling feet or moans, good sign. I felt more at ease already. I looked for tracks and kept my eyes on the surrounding woods. I came across a walker, whistling to get its attention before taking it down. I retrieved the bolt and carried on tracking. It was pretty quiet on the walker front after that. I did however manage to get six rabbits. Quite lucky with that find.

Was about lunchtime now and I hadn't found much in the last while, so decided to head back. I grabbed three bolts out and clipped them into the rack. When I clicked the last one into place I heard twigs snapping up ahead. I took my bolt and pulled it against the string. It slowly emerged from behind a tree, I lined up the shot, it stumbled at I let the arrow fly, just missing its head. I took another bolt and shot it through the head. As it fell to the ground another corpse appeared behind it. I sighed. It had noticed me.

“Damnit” I cursed. It started charging towards me. I grabbed another bolt and took it down just a few feet away from me. I breathed out, that was close.

I was just retrieving my last arrow when I heard a gun shot, then another, until it was a flurry. It was in the direction of the farm. Fuck, the barn. I started briskly jogging back towards the farm being careful not to trip and cause more trouble. I had come a fair way from the farm, a mile or so. It shouldn't have taken too long to get back but the gunshots attracted attention. I took down a few stray walkers on their own, then they were starting to clump together in groups of twos or threes.

I was walking lightly through the woods now. Trying not to stir up attention and sneaking up on the walkers and taking them by surprise. It definitely slowed my progress back to the farm. At one point I had to jump up a tree and shoot them down one by one. I had came across a group of six and I knew I wouldn't have enough time to shot them down on the ground, they were too close. So up the tree I went. I didn't need to get their attention as they already spotted me and were shuffling faster towards me. I stayed in the tree for a few minutes, making sure the coast was clear before I carried on.