Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

6

18 SUCKY MILES OUT

    I have been stationed in front of that shed for an entire week. Daryl, Rick, Carl, sometimes Carol, Maggie, or Hershel would come give me food and a re-fill of water. Andrea, Shane, T-dog, and even Glenn tried to release me plenty of times but I stood my ground.
    I only was relieved once and that was by Rick's order and in place stood T-dog. That was only one day so I could get myself back up from not being too exhausted. I took naps during the night, but they were usually short lived.
    Randall knew I was out there when he woke up, tried to get me to move but I never looked back or replied. I think he finally gave up when I hit the bottom of my bat against the shed and let out an animalistic growl. That shut him up for good.
    When Rick and Shane came to get him, that was when I got up and left that shed for the second time. I walked up towards the group, sat next to Carl and Lori and snarfed down my share of food.
    "Welcome back to the living Ember," Carl smiled.
    "Ember," I questioned.
    "Yeah! I think it suits you, don't you think? Amber eyes, and Ember's a good name for a pet."
    I knew he didn't mean any offense by it, even when Lori scolded him about it. I just chuckled and flicked his hat over his eyes.
    "Whatever you say pipsqueak."

    I was sat in my tree, bat in lap as I slept the morning and little bit of afternoon away. After my week, I need it. Even if I had one day to strengthen up. I could go two weeks without strength. It felt good to sleep a bit longer than a short-lived nap.
    I woke up to a loud screaming argument from the house, causing me to slightly fall from the tree. I caught myself with one arm as I dangled and stared at the house in frustration, but sighed in the end. I dropped down and rolled to lessen the pain and made my way to the outskirts of the farm. I climbed and sat in the tree and took a longer sleep, since the screaming at the house was about a whisper.
    "Thank god," I grumbled, shifting slightly to get comfortable.
    The arguing got quiet, but by then I was already awake and ready to rock and roll. I hopped down and swung my bat in my hand as I waltzed back to camp. I walked into the house to hear Maggie and Lori struggling to get the bathroom door open—where Beth was.
    "Don't do this. Open up, please," Maggie begged.
    "What happened," I questioned.
    "God, I left her with Andrea."
    I furrowed my brows as Lori busted the door open with a fire poker. There stood Beth, glass shattered around her, crying, and her arm slit. My eyes seemed to zone in on the cut and blood.
    "I'm sorry," Beth apologized.
    I walked out and stood guard. My bat was gripped tightly in my hand. How could Andrea let Beth do that?

    Andrea came running up. I stood up, getting ready to pounce when Maggie came out. I could feel the anger radiating off of her in waves.
    "Where were you," Maggie calmly questioned.
    "I heard. Is she all right," Andrea panted.
    "She would be if you had stayed with her. Where were you?"
    "How bad is she?"
    "It wasn't deep," Lori sighed.
    "You shouldn't even be allowed that information," I lowly growled, "not after the stunt you pulled today."
    "She wants to live. She made her decision," Andrea informed.
    "She tried to kill herself," Maggie objectified.
    "No, she didn't."
    "My father is stitching her wrist right now."
    "She'll live."
    I walked between Maggie and Andrea. Maggie glared at me for it, but I just turned towards Andrea and got up in her face.
    "She tried. To kill herself, Andrea. It wasn't a decision. It wasn't a fact that she didn't as you so proclaim. She did. How could you just leave her in there like that with the thought process she has right now? Do you know how many people used to go to prison for even putting the thought of suicide in someone's mind?! You stay away from her. From both of them," I growled out, low and dangerous.
    "Don't you dare step foot inside this house again," Maggie added angrily.
    Andrea just nodded and turned away. I let out a small animalistic sound, making her walk away faster. Maggie and Lori had a quiet discussion I ignored as they both walked inside. I took perch on the stairs once more.
    Shane and Rick returned from their trip, bloody and still with Randall. Rick nodded at me. I huffed as I stood up and followed them to the shed. I plopped down in front of it and stared boredly in front of me as they walked off.
    "Mother dick," I whispered.