Robin Hood (Sequel To Hiraeth- TWD)

Chapter 4

Rick had a map of Georgia lied out on the table, Daryl and Cailey on each side of him. "There's another police station down there. I can head down there with Michonne, maybe take Carl if we decide it's safe. You two should head down South, they used to have a lot of gun shows and rodeos down in the outskirts of Perry. There should be plenty of weapons if you can find any, an' you two can travel faster on your own together."

"Few hours trip by bike," Daryl muttered. "Gonna need to fill up the tank."

"And take plenty of supplies with you," Rick nodded. "Food, water, ammo, whatever you need for a few days' trip."

"Can travel lighter if we don't," Cailey declared. "We can take a day's of food, fill up the water for emergencies, and find what we need outside."

"All righ'," the sheriff nodded back, tracking down the road to the city. "Make sure to try and avoid these backroads. May have some houses with supplies, but it isn't worth it if you run into too many walkers. Take the Interstate."

"We run outta gas, we gonna have to hit one of them houses to find some," Daryl pointed out, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Only as a last resort. Try an' find any cars on the highways first that you can pull gas from."

Daryl chewed on his lip, nodding. "Aight, let's get goin'."

Daryl and Cailey met back up at the cell block perch, emptying their bags of what they wouldn't need. They each only left the boiled potato Carol had given them, a flask of water, and a roll of white bandages. Cailey slung the messenger bag across her chest, threw her soft poncho on over, and hooked her quiver over her chest. Daryl did the same, adjusting the side-cut of his decorative poncho as he swung his crossbow. "Bike's already filled up," he declared. "Le's get goin'. Gonna be a long ride."

The two hunters swung their weapons as they sauntered back outside the prison, Friar close behind. Carol and Carl were waiting for them by the main gates, and Daryl revved up his engine. He motioned for Cailey to sit behind him, then ordered the dog to sit between them. He let Cailey adjust Friar's position before he began slowly driving off down the field path. The grey-haired woman slid the gates open, waving goodbye. 

There was only the sound of Daryl's bike and the occasional bird as they drove through the forest. They hit the road in a matter of minutes, and Daryl drove straight towards the highway. The man could feel Cailey just barely leaning against his back, arms around his torso to keep her steady as she remained silent. Friar smushed his nose against Daryl's back every once in a while, licking his poncho.

The ride continued for hours. Daryl took ramps and and highways and backroads until he had hit the Interstate, his engine echoing loudly in the lifeless streets. Every once in a while, a walker would crawl up to them, but Daryl was speeding too fast to care at all. He rode over dead bodies and roadkill and branches as he sped down the Interstate, only caring about getting to Perry. 

Daryl finally slowed his bike when he saw an old road sign reading Welcome to Perry, Georgia. It was covered in dirt and spray painted designs, but still legible enough to read.  He could see buildings starting to come into view less than a mile away. That would mean food, mean weapons, and whatever else they could get their hands on. He could still feel Cailey and Friar limp against his back.

Daryl pulled his bike to a stop near an old florist's shop. It had a massive hole in the wall, and there didn't appear to have anything inside. As he climbed off with Cailey, Friar hopped down and stretched, and the hunter addressed the girl. "Keep a lookout for weapons an' food, we need 'em both."

"Yeah," the girl mumbled, unclipping her bow from her back. "Pro'lly a sports or huntin' store somewhere near, should look at that."

Daryl held his crossbow in both hands, twisting around to look at the streets. They weren't in the major city yet, the buildings were too small, but he could see the massive towers of the main Perry city only a few miles off. "We check here first for anythin'. Then to them big buildin's over there."