Allison (rewritten)

Growing and Falling

When we left the hospital, I didn't know if I should hold Maggie or let her have space. Sasha would understand more, she did lose bob. But sooner or later, they'd have to snap out of it.

"You ok now?" Rick whispered.

"No, but it's a start." I frowned.

"We need to stop and rest and try to find some food and water." Abraham yelled.

"We can go to my home town in Virginia. We have a community." Noah motioned.

"We need food and water first kid." Abraham nodded. "Otherwise we won't make it."

"And we need to find suitable vehicles." Rick said.

"I can do that now." I volunteered. "I think he has a good idea."

"I can help her." Carl said raising his hand.

"You need to stay with your dad." I shook my head. "I can do it alone."

"But I want to help." Carl argued.

"Carl, I know. But you can't jump through trees." I chuckled. "I'm just going up to have a look."

"I never got to climb a tree, can I please go too?" He pleaded.

"Ok, fine." I turned around. "Jump on my back and hold on."

He jumped and I caught him while he gripped his hands around my neck and tightened his legs around my waist. I jumped from the ground and landed on a branch way up in the tree tops. I gently sat him down on a thicker branch and made sure he wouldn't fall.

"I don't see anything." He whispered. "Do you?"

"A few miles up, theres cars...but I don't know if they'll run. Could be worth a look." I nodded. "You ok back there?"

"Yea, just...really high up." He chukled nervously.

"It helps to not look down." I shook my head. "I see a small area over there too that has water."

"Ok, I think I wanna get down now." Carl whimpered.

"Yea. I've seen enough." I agreed.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and held on tight to him and jumped down landing on my feet. Carl seemed winded and nervous still and had his eyes closed until he felt his feet touch solid ground.

"You good kid?" I laughed letting him go.

"That. Was. AWESOME!" He shouted.

"Before or after?" I laughed.

"Both." He shrugged walking over to Rick.

"What'd you find?" Abraham asked kneeling in front of me.

"A couple cars up the road and that way, water." I said pointing to both directions.

"We can split up. Some of us go for the water, and some go for the cars." Rick nodded.

"Or, we can find a bridge and cross it. There's water from that source." Sasha spoke up.

"I like her idea better." I shrugged. "I'll go back up." I jumped back up into the tree and looked in different directions. Spotting the bridge with water underneath and more cars a little further out. I jumped back down. "Ok, bridge that way. Also cars that way."

"That's the plan." Rick nodded. "Let's move."

We started walking towards the bridge I found to get some water and hopefully get the vehicles to start.

"Hoard!" Abraham shouted from the back.

"Line up on both sides of the bridge." Rick said. "We take turns."

"I can deal with them. You guys need water." I suggested. "You're too weak to deal with this."

"We can handle it." Abraham intervened "just stand back princess."

"Watch it carrot top." I snapped.

I moved to the back of the bridge with Zeb and the kids. They didn't want me to handle it so I'll sit here and allow them to do it.

"Clear." Abraham through his arms up in triumph. "Now let's get some water."

Everyone pulled out their bottles and jugs and made their way down to the water to fill up.

"Someone start a small fire so we can boil this." Rosita chimed.

"Uh, guys?" Noah whispered. "There's dogs who look really hungry."

"Good." Daryl muttered shooting the dogs. "Dinner."

*******

"Here, eat something." I whispered taking some meat to Noah.

"I uh, don't think I can eat a dog." Noah sighed.

"You need to eat something." I insisted.

"Yea." He sighed grabbing a plate from Rick.

I felt kinda bad for the kid. He was a long way from home and even he knew he was. He just wanted to get back, Beth wanted to get him there. So we had to honor that.

"Guys." Rosita stood up grabbing a gun.

A horde was making its way down the road. "Line up along the bridge, both sides." Rick said getting up.

"What?" I questioned.

"We are weak. We can't take on a horde. We need to line up, take turns taking them out."

"Or me and Zeb could take em." I shrugged.

"I think that's better." Abraham snickered. "I haven't had a chance to see this."

"No, we all need to stay focused." Rick rejected. "We can't have you constantly fighting battles for us." 

"Fine." I stepped to the very back of the bridge where Zeb had went to with Judith, the priest and Harley. I slouched onto the cold hard ground watching as everyone made two lines on each side of the bridge, taking turns stabbing and throwing walkers from the bridge. If they didn't want my help, that was fine. I'd sit here and just watch. 

When they were cleared they all walked to where I was and sat down for a breather. Maggie was looking miserable, but there wasn't much I could do for her. Same with Sasha, but she still had her brother. 

A few of the group walked down to the river and filled jugs and bottles with cold water. Daryl attempted to go hunting for later. He managed to snag a few squirrels and rabbits. Rick took Carol towards the cars to see what all we could do to squeeze in. 

They brought back two cars, each had three row seating. That should be good enough to fit everyone. If not, Me and Zeb could keep up easily by running through trees or sitting on the roof of each vehicle. 

Which is what we had to do. Zeb rode on top of the car that had Daryl, Carol, Maggie, Glenn, Sasha, Ty, Rosita, and Tara, plus the two babies. I was on the truck that had Rick, Carol, Michonne, Carl, Abraham, Rosita, Gabriel and Eugene all piled inside. 

Some of the time I was running in front or behind a car taking down walkers before a horde took out the cars. Zeb did the same a few times too, making sure he stayed close to the car with the babies. 

I caught Abraham's eyes a few times widening then shutting at how fast I was running. The car was moving about 60 miles per hours. I was either way ahead or behind. This was the first time I got the chance to test out my speed, and I was not disappointed. 

We had to stop atleast every 5 hours to find fuel and take a break. But when we made into Virginia finally, we had to find a good spot to stop and camp. Wasn't hard to find one where me and Zeb had both sides covered. We would be here a while.