Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

2

SECRETS DON'T ALWAYS STAY SECRET

At dawn, I was in the tall grass watching over the group, and watched a horse come running back. I sniffed the air gingerly, but continued to sit where I was and watched. Until I was hauled up by the shaved headed guy from yesterday. I didn't fight. I knew he was coming, thought I'd make his job easier. He hauled me towards the guy with the python and some kid.
"You gonna answer our question from yesterday," python asked.
I stared at him with a blank look. I then proceeded to look down at where baldie still clutched my arm, then back up at python.
"Let her go," python ordered.
Baldie did as told, reluctantly though. I shifted, laying my guns out for him, putting my baseball bat leaning against the car, and handed over my backpack and proceeded to cross my arms.
"Well," baldie growled.
"Juniper," I stated, "you?"
"Who else is with you," python rushed.
"No one, just me."
Python took a long hard look at me then nodded.
"I'm Rick, that's Shane," Rick pointed out, "and this is Jimmy."
I nodded. I then craned my neck towards a tent with Daryl in it.
"You're guy okay," I questioned.
"Daryl's fine," Rick informed, proceeding to glance at my poorly wrapped wound, "how are you holding up."
I slowly looked down at my arm then flicked my eyes back up at Rick and gave a small shrug.
"I've been dealt worse."
We got cut off by the Asian from earlier bringing by peaches. Shane and Rick grabbed one. The Asian held out the basket to me but I shook my head. Rick cocked his eyebrow, obviously interested on how I knew where my place was.
"Groups don't trust straight away," I stated, "thought you knew that by now Rick?"
Rick nodded and then pointed at the basket towards me. I nodded and took a pear. I ate it slowly, trying to savor the flavor of food before I didn't have any again.
"Welcome to the group," Rick stated, "we'll hold on to your guns and pack.You can have your baseball bat."
I nodded, picking up the aluminum baseball bat that I cherished. I twirled it and went to go introduce myself. First, to the Asian who's name was Glenn. All of a sudden, there was a commotion between Rick,Shane, an elderly man, a boy, and I'm guessing Rick's wife. I walked over curiously.
"How the hell did this happen," the woman asked.
"It's my fault," the elderly stated, "I let him into the RV. He said he wanted a walkie, that you sent him for one."
"So on top of everything else, he lied," the woman stated.
I rolled my eyes and went and sat next to the kid and patted his shoulder.
"Hi, names Juniper. You?"
"Carl..."
"Well Carl," I smiled, "why'd you want a gun?"
He looked at me confused. I just smiled and chuckled.
"Come on, you can trust me," I commented, "I don't spill easily."
He smiled slightly and turned towards me.
"Well, I wanted to learn how to care for myself, to protect others. The only way I could do that is with a gun," Carl explained.
I listened intently and nodded along as he continued. It was only for a short while but I turned towards him with a small smile.
"Everything you're saying, makes complete sense, I want you to know that. Except there is one flaw son, you can't have a piece on you without your parent's okay. You can't lie either to someone for one. It'll only get you into more trouble, okay?"
He nodded solemnly. I sighed and rubbed the top of his head.
"He's not mature enough to handle a gun," the woman called out.
I felt myself tick. I closed my eyes as Carl walked over. I counted down and breathed out and re-opened my eyes.
"You comin' to gun training," Rick asked.
"Do I need to," I questioned.
"We'd like to see what you know," Shane advised.
"Then I'll come," I stated.

We loaded up and started heading out for gun training. I had both my guns in my holsters as I sat in the bed of the blue truck. Beth, Jimmy, and Patricia in the front. Everyone was either missing, coming close, or hitting it. I didn't wanna waste my bullets entirely, so I changed the clips out for my wooden bullets I've made. I clipped them in and started shooting both my guns, sometimes doing a few tricks. Except I was soon out of the bullets. I sighed and changed the clips back to the regular bullets. Those wooden bullets only last once, since they crack right after I shoot. Carl smiled at me.
"You're good at this," he stated.
"I've had my practice," I stated.

We returned back to camp, and I handed over my guns. I lifted my bat and twirled it as I walked off. I stopped and glanced at Daryl's tent. Might as well. Considering I saved his life. I walked towards the tent and stepped in.
"Hey,"I stated, "how ya doin'?"
He glanced at me confused.
"Ah, right," I chuckled, "sorry. I'm Juniper. I'm the crazy lady that saved you from a bullet graze."
Daryl nodded, "so you're the chick everyone's talkin' about."
"That'd be me I guess. Well, I should get goin'."
I turned to leave but he did a quick whistle. I stopped abruptly and turned towards him curiously.
"Thanks."
I did a one nod and left.

I watched as Lori ran off to puke up her abortion pills. I stayed sat in my tree with my bat in my lap boredly. My ears then perked at the commotion between Shane and Dale. I watched keenly and quietly, and listened intently as Shane practically threatened Dale, since Dale wanted him to leave, and to be completely honest, I'd fully support that. Shane's dangerous, I mean so am I, but I know how to calm myself down when I start ticking. He doesn't.
I started humming an old tune of mine that I used to listen to all the time called Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynrd. Gave me a false sense of comfort.