Contagion

Chapter Three

Contagion Chapter Three

Zac who had been walking in the woods with the others paused in his steps when he heard a gunshot in the distance. It was only one gunshot but it was still a gunshot. Looking around at the others who had also stopped he knew they too had also heard it. Not saying anything though the group started walking on for a bit longer until Zac saw Andrea who was beside him turn around. Turning too he saw Lori looking behind them.

"Are you still worrying about it?" Andrea asked as she saw Lori look behind them.

Lori kept her back turned to Andrea, "That was a gunshot."

"We all heard it," Daryl told the woman who was stopped in her tracks.

"Why one?" Lori asked as she turned to face the group her expression serious. "Why just one gunshot?"

Daryl shrugged at the woman's question, "Maybe they took down a walker."

"Please don't patronize me. You know Rick wouldn't risk a gunshot to put down one walker or Shane. They'd do it quietly," Lori said before turning to look behind her again.

"Shouldn't they have caught up with us by now?" Carol added in as she looked at Glenn and Jessica who were standing closest to her.

Daryl sighed, "There's nothing we can do about it anyway. Can't run around these woods chasing echos."

"So what do we do?" Lori asked him as she kept her face serious once she turned back to look at him.

"Same we've been. Beat the bush for Sophia, work our way back to the highway," Daryl answered simply as if it should have been apparent to Lori.

Jessica nodded, "I'm sure they'll hook up with us back at the RV," she spoke and the moment she watched Lori walk towards the rest of the group she smiled. Hearing the others in front of her head off she turned to face Carol. "I'm sorry for what you're going through. I know how you feel."

"I suppose you do," Carol agreed as she looked at the younger girl. "Thank you," she smiled before feeling like she was going to get chocked up again. "The thought of her out here by herself. It's the not knowing that's killing me. I just keep hoping and praying she doesn't wind up like Zoe," Carol spoke and the moment she saw Jessica's face change slightly she instantly regretted what she had said.

Walking closer she reached out for Jessica's hand, "Oh god that's the worst thing I ever said," Carol sighed.

Jessica shook her head trying to keep her emotions in check, "We're all hoping and praying with you for what it's worth."

"I'll tell you what's it worth," Daryl said as he walked down to where the two women were stopped. "Not a damn thing. It's a waste of time all this hopin and prayin. We're gonna locate that little girl. She's gonna be just fine. Am I the only one zen around here?" he asked before walking off. "Good lord."

As the group started moving again Zac picked up his pace and walked to where Taylor was, "I'm sorry," he whispered under his breath.

"For what?" Taylor asked not even looking at Zac.

"I know you were standing there when I went off on Kate the other day," Zac shrugged as he ran a hand through his hair. "I shouldn't have said it."

Taylor laughed slightly, "But you meant it," he said looking over at his brother finally. He could tell from his brother's face that he was correct. "Don't ever apologize for things you mean," he told him before walking faster and going ahead of Zac.

Watching Taylor leave Zac just frowned. He was hoping the conversation would have went better than that.

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