Shock

Chapter 18

Out of a habit and daily routine, I headed straight to the barn after grabbing a granola bar from the pantry for breakfast.

Munching on the granola bar, I fed the horses their morning portions of hay and grain to get them to quiet down.

I sat on the grass, leaning against the barn, finishing my breakfast and just watching the sky slowly change color as the sun rose.

When I left the cell, Carl was still sleeping as usual, and I only passed by Rick, Daryl and Michonne in the cafeteria. I believe I've been here for about a month, maybe a month and a half, so I know just about everyone by now.

In the corner of my eyes, I caught a movement up by the gate. Squinting to get a better look, I realized it was Daryl.
From what I could tell, he was scanning the yard until it seemed like his gaze settled on me.

"Wanna go hunting?" He yelled down to me.

Immediately I jumped up, "yeah! Just let me go grab my bow," I yelled back to him.

Lately I've just been leaving my bow and arrows in my cell, I haven't had to use them most days. Now that I think about it, the only time I've used them lately are the times I would practice shooting from horseback.

I ran past Daryl who was smirking and shaking his head at my excitement to go, and through the cafeteria where I'm sure I got a few weird looks, before finally bursting into my cell.

"Oh look who's finally up," I said noticing that Carl was sitting upright on his bunk, squinting from the sun while I fastened on my belt for my hip quiver.

As I was shoving my good arrows into my quiver, I heard Carl's feet hit the floor behind me.

"Where are you rushing off too?" Carl asked in his sleepy voice.

I picked up my bow, "Daryl asked me if I wanted to go hunting with him," I explained while turning around to face him.

"Okay, well stay safe."

"I will," I said laughing at how groggy he still was before kissing him on the cheek and going to meet up with Daryl.
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"Why did ya wanna go huntin so badly?" Daryl asked from behind me.

The two of us had been walking for about an hour now, just me leading through the woods. So far only a few squirrels have crossed our path, and of course Daryl was quick to shoot them, never giving me the chance to even draw back my bow.

"Before all of this started, I had always wanted to go hunting, but we could never find an available hunter's safety course," I said remembering how much I begged my mom to get me into one of those classes, and how much I would practice so when I did get to go hunting I would show up my brother.

For the most part, I was never really a competitive person, but my brother seemed to be the exception. As long as I could help it, he would never outdo me.

"Well why didn't ya go huntin once the world went to shit?"

"Never had to," was all I said, not wanting to talk about my group-my family- any more.

The woods started to thin out, until there were no trees, just a small meadow with a quiet, little creek running through the middle of it.
Scanning it over, my eyes landed on the antlers of deer. Immediately I drew my bow back, trying to judge the yardage.

"Oh hell naw, that ones mine," I heard Daryl mutter beside me.

Settling my aim, I squeezed my release, and let the arrow fly across the meadow. As I started lowering my bow, I heard the ping of Daryl's crossbow.

Lowering my bow to my side, I glanced over at Daryl, before sprinting towards the fallen deer.

As I it came into sight, I could see the two arrows sticking up and out of the deer side by side each other.

"My arrow hit it first!" I yelled back to Daryl as I was staring down at the deer.

"Yeah, but mine killed it," Daryl said nudging my shoulder with his elbow as he stood next to me.

"Our arrows are in the same spot!" I exclaimed laughing.

"Alright, but I get to tell the group I got the deer."

"Fine, but only because I don't want you being embarrassed that a little girl out shot you," I said teasingly, which resulted in Daryl scoffing, while I pulled my arrow out from the deer.
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The atmosphere of the prison lightened when Daryl and I returned with the deer on our shoulders.

Lately the walkers have been getting worse, the numbers of the walkers gathering along the fences have been steadily increasing each day. This alone caused the group to tense up, some of the comfort and safety of the prison was lost. But for the most part, we have it controlled, for now at least.