Impregnable {A Walking Dead Fanfiction}

Thirty

   "She was right here," Rick said, looking into the small hollowed-out hole on the bank of the ankle-deep river we stood in. "I told her to go that way, and keep the sun on her left shoulder," Rick said, pointing in the direction that we'd come from. "We found tracks leading that way, but they taper off," Daryl said, walking to where Rick had pointed while we followed close behind. "Here," He said, following the trail. "...and then nothing," He said, stopping a few feet away. "She went off-trail into the leaves," I said, searching the ground. "There has to be a sign of her somewhere..." 

    Two days of searching had proven useless. We wandered uselessly through the woods, covering mile after mile. We spent our nights on edge, knowing we were open to being attacked lying in the middle of a highway. Knowing that the horde could decide to turn around at any time. Only a few vehicles and some flimsy tents shielded us from the walkers who would gladly rip us to shreds. On both days, Rick would wake Shane and I at the first sight of the sun, and we would reluctantly stumble out into the woods. Rick, Shane, Daryl, Merle, Andrea, and I spent most of the day walking in aimless circles. Daryl finally found a faint trail that we followed on the second day, leading to another dead end. There was nothing. I had a deep sinking feeling inside of me that Sophia was dead, and we wouldn't find anything. I knew the others were beginning to feel the same way. No one wanted to explain to Carol that her daughter was probably dead and there was no point in looking, so we kept going. We walked out of the woods, Carol running up to Daryl. He said the same thing he said the night before, and the night before that. "We're going to find her, I was on her trail all day." He said unconvincingly, and like always, she began to sob.

    Shane woke me up, it was still the middle of the night. So dark I couldn't see him, even though I could feel his face only a couple of inches away from me. "What?" I groaned. "Is everything okay? You were crying in your sleep," He said. I was suddenly aware of the tears welling up in my eyes. I brought my hand up to my face, wiping them away. "It's just from the stress. I'm okay, I promise," I said, rolling back over to him, and pressing my forehead to his. "Everything's gonna be alright," He said, pulling me tightly into him. He kissed me suddenly, placing his strong hand on my waist. "Mabel's right here," I breathed. He laughed, "Can I not just kiss you?" I pulled him close, our lips meeting once more.

    "Hollie! Hollie! Wake up!" Carl said, shaking me awake again. "Yes?" I groaned, rubbing sleep from my eyes. "Dad says that I get to help y'all today, come on! Get up!" He said, running off and leaving the door open. "You're perky this morning," Shane said, leaning over and closing the door while he was dressing Mable. "I know, right?" I said sarcastically, sitting up and stretching. We joined the others for breakfast before we geared up and readied ourselves for the search. "Carl, you stay close to the grownups. You do not go off on your own." Lori said, straightening out Carl's shirt before kissing him on the forehead. 

    "We're gonna find her today, I know it!" Carl said, fixing his hat and beaming with excitement as we entered the woods. "I'm sure we will with your help," Rick said, patting his back. "Maybe we should try headin' east today," Daryl said, stepping over a fallen tree. I heard the faint sound of a stick breaking in the distance. I turned in its direction, seeing a small doe walking through the woods. Rick had noticed it took, stopping suddenly to pull on Carl's shirt and point in the deer's direction.  He stared in wonder, walking forward to try and get a better look. The doe turned and looked right at Carl, he beamed with excitement. A gun went off. I stood frozen as both the doe and Carl Grimes fell to the ground.