Saved

VIII

Hershel, Carol and I cleared our floor in about twenty minutes and there were maybe two walkers roaming around, so we started on the next one, and at the thirty-minute time limit, we went back outside. Almost everyone was already there, Axel and Maggie were the only ones still not back. Glenn looked kind of panicked about it, but I'm sure she'd be fine. 

It took me a minute to notice that the panic wasn't just on Glenn's face. It was on all of their faces. Especially Rick, Merle and Carl. 

"What's going on? Mags okay?" I asked, coming to a stop next to Lori, and I tried not to flinch away when Carol moved up next to me and put her hand on my back. 

"Yeah, I'm here. What's going on?" Maggie's voice rang out behind me, and when their faces didn't change I knew she wasn't what they were worried about. 

"Riley's gone." Merle blurted out, and my eyes snapped over to meet his. He was glaring at me, and when I glanced around, I noticed that everyone was glaring at me. 

"What do you mean, she's gone?" I asked, trying not to let the emotion into my voice. 

"She asked me what was going on between you and Carol. I told her. She asked for a moment alone, and so I left her alone. I went back to check on her like five minutes ago, and she and Dale were gone. No signs of struggle. She left. Of her own free will. Because you are a stupid fuck who couldn't see what was in front of you. I mean fuck man! What the hell is wrong with you?" Merle screamed at me from across the group. I stared at him for a long moment, watching as he puffed in air, imagining that he would blow fire if he were a dragon. 

I turned, sparing a glance at Carol, allowing a glare to momentarily settle on my face, and then I walked away. 

"Where did you leave her?" I asked, sparing one glance back at Merle while I adjusted my crossbow so I was holding it instead of it resting on my back. 

"Why the fuck do you care?" Merle growled, and I turned to face him, a glare firmly planted on my face. 

"Merle. Tell me where the fuck you left her!" I roared, stepping closer to the group, and I watched as they all flinched back except for Merle and Rick. 

"Over there. Near that light post, by the corner." Merle pointed over to where he was talking about, and I stormed over to where that fucker left her. I'd find her, if it was the last thing I did. 

Also, what the fuck right did Merle have to tell her about Carol and I? That was none of his business. And frankly, it's not her's either. 

A/N: Yes, I know. He's a fucking douche. Please don't get mad at me for writing him this way! I have a plan, I promise!

I was walking, I don't really know where I was going, but I was sticking to asphalt for as long as possible, so they wouldn't be able to track us. I did know that I was still in King's County, and I think I was getting close to the center of town.

Dale, thankfully hadn't cried yet, which was a blessing. Even though this town seems deserted, I know that herds can sneak up on you and a crying baby wouldn't be any type of help. 

I turned a corner, leading into the main strip where I knew there were probably some guns and supplies hidden, and I froze. 

In front of me, was a crazy mousetrap for walkers. There were all kinds of traps that could catch walkers, including some with live animals. Once I finally understood what this crazy monstrosity was, I crouched down, shielding Dale with my arms, I took stock of what was in the street. 

It didn't seem to be much besides traps, but whoever set this up had cars, spikes, strings all woven together to trap walkers. There weren't any in there, which was either a good sign (that there weren't walkers in the town) or a bad sign (the person is here often). The person though... the might be crazy. Written across the crosswalk was 'Turn Around and Live' and there was a large white sign with 'Just Listen' painted on it. And when I think back to the buildings I passed on my way here... there were a lot of words painted on the sides. I didn't think much of them when I was walking, assumed they were from people looking for their families. But now... 

Something hard pressed against the back of my head, and I heard a click. 

"Get up."