Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

32

THE GREAT CHASE...I THINK
NEW YEARS EVE RELEASE

    Carol and Daryl were discussing about what happened after the whole prison ordeal. I was looking at the darkness of the world.
    "They're heading north. I-85," Carol commented.
    I shot up and glanced between the two.
    "Why head towards Atlanta," I questioned.
    "We're about to find out," Daryl commented.

    We continued to follow the car until they came to a stop.
    "What the hell's he waiting for?"
    Daryl shut off the car we watched as one came out of the passenger seat. He went out of view and we watched carefully until a walker hit the car. Then the cop returned and either saw or heard the walker banging on the car. He cautiously climbed back into his car, before they continued going. Daryl tried to start the car back up. It only sputtered.
    "Aw shit. Tank's tapped. They'd have taken the bypass and they didn't. They must be holed up in the city somewhere."
    We looked around before Daryl came to a decision.
    "We gotta move, find some place to hole up till sunlight."
    "I know a place just a couple of blocks from here, we can make it," Carol commented.
    I glanced around before noticing we were close to a certain home I knew. I tensed slightly.

    We made it to our destination, closer to the home. I knew exactly where to go from here—after all, Callus and I would pass here sometimes. Daryl managed to get the door open while Carol and I watched as walkers flooded the streets. We rushed in and surveyed the area.
    "Hey," I whispered to the two.
    They turned towards me as I motioned to a different corridor.
    "I'm gonna head this way, 'kay?"
    "Don't get lost," Carol commented, "or killed."
    I chuckled, "I know."
    I sauntered down the hallway like I knew where I was going. I could feel Daryl's gaze on me as I split from the two. I reached the specific room and checked to make sure it was clear. I locked the door behind me before opening the window, climbed out and jumped easily to the roof next door which was only about half a foot below. I rolled it out.
    I held my flashlight in front of me as I sauntered towards the other side of the building before sticking the flashlight in my mouth; expertly climbing down the fire escape before finding the correct apartment. I climbed into the window casually. Figuring it never got locked or closed since this all started.
    I flicked my flashlight around the room to see the locks done up tightly but no sign of anyone. Must of left through the fire escape. Just to make sure though, I checked each room. I let out a light sigh before walking up to an edited picture of my friend and I.
    I clutched the picture tightly as I stared at Ashley's face. Ashley was an old friend of mine. She was always repeatedly beaten by her mother and since she lived so close to the shelter building—without her mom ever really knowing. She would climb through the window of their apartment, climb the fire escape and go to her designated room.
    They always have that room marked for her during the night. By morning she was gone, only to return that night. It was a system, and I'd always use the shelter window to come see her if I knew her mom was out. She didn't particularly like Callus and I, but that was because I was protective of Ash.
    I let out a sigh before placing the picture back down and returning back to the living room. I glanced around one last time before climbing back out the window. I sauntered up the fire escape, casually walked across the roof before taking a simple leap to the window of the shelter. I unlocked the door and made sure the coast was clear before making my way to the area the two were in.
    I let out that familiar whistle that I used that winter before the prison. High-pitched and long. I waited a second before making my way in.
    "Find whatever you were lookin' for," Daryl questioned.
    "Not really," I shrugged, "but I figured I wouldn't find much anyway."

    Next morning, after Daryl and I dealt with two bodies that apparently Daryl and Carol found, we decided to get moving.
    "That car was headed downtown," Daryl explained, "I say we get up in one of the tall ones, get ourselves a view, see what we see."
    "We can stay close to the buildings and keep quiet," Carol added, "but sooner or later, we're gonna be drawing 'em."
    "And we'll do what we can," I nodded.
    I followed the two out, taking up the rear. It felt weird being back in Atlanta. So far after the shit hit the fan. It felt weird for me.
    "Alright, we can get up there," Daryl informed, "there's a bridge."
    I picked up the discarded pack Daryl left on the ground as he threw the burning paper. I followed willingly after Carol, Daryl leading. We jogged quietly up the driving pave until we found the floor with the sky bridge. Slipping in with ease.
    It seemed like a grave yard. I stepped shortly before the two who looked back at me. Daryl took two steps towards me.
    "What ya know Red?"
    "Walkers," I whispered, "I think people held up in here for awhile..."
    Daryl and Carol nodded in acknowledgment as we continued moving. We turned a corner and came face to walkers trapped in sleeping bags. Proving my point right. We continued moving after taking a few out in the sleeping bags.
    Daryl held the door open and Carol motioned for me to go first.
    "Yeah, make the red-head go first. Feelin' the love guys."
    They chuckled as I lightly tossed the bag in before shimming my way in. I helped Carol with her bag and the gun before guiding her in. Carol moved off to the side as I then helped Daryl through. I took his crossbow before he struggled his way through.
    "Good thing we skipped breakfast," Daryl commented.
    "Well if you weren't mostly muscle and bone, I don't think you'd have a problem."
    Daryl shot me a small glare that I just gave an innocent grin at. I picked up the bag before we continued walking.
    Daryl found an interesting room before Carol sauntered up to a window. I sauntered up to a different one to look at, but we were essentially looking at the same thing. The bombing. Daryl soon smacked his hand against the glass, scaring the shit outta me.
    Daryl glanced at me with a smirk, "what the hell was that Red?"
    "Shut up, I wasn't expecting you to smack your hand against the glass."
    "Now, now you two," Carol smiled, "behave."
    "He started it. What'd you see anyway Dixie?"
    "I don't know," Daryl stated, "hand me that rifle."
    Daryl tossed me blindly his crossbow. I easily caught it as I took a few steps towards them;Carol handed him the rifle.
    "There," Daryl pointed, handing the rifle to Carol.
    Carol peaked through the scope.
    "It's been there awhile," Carol commented.
    She handed me the rifle, so I gave Daryl his crossbow back; I glanced through the scope to see what they were talking about. A van with two crosses on the windows. The hell?
    "It's definitely one of 'em," I commented.
    "It's definitely some kind of lead," Daryl added.
    "We should fill up," Carol commented.
    "Right away," I mumbled.
    Daryl moved away from the window, I pushed the laptop aside and sat on the desk. I glanced over and noticed how he was staring at the painting that looked quite ridiculous. Carol filling the water with water from before.
    "What," Carol questioned, noticing Daryl's stare.
    "I bet this cost some rich prick a lot of money," Daryl commented.
    Carol handed Daryl the water.
    "Looks like a dog sat in paint, wiped its ass all over the place."
    Daryl gave the hand motions causing me to snort before grinning at the visual.
    "Really? I kinda like it."
    "Stop."
    "I'm serious. You don't know me."
    Daryl tossed me to the canteen so I could take a sip as Carol turned to walk away. I chuckled into the canteen before taking a sip.
    ""Yep, you keep tellin' yourself that."
    "Well," I piped in, "I think Daryl's visual was correct."
    Daryl gave me a smirk before we continued. I climbed over the desk with ease before following after Carol—taking end once more. Once back at the door they both turned towards me.
    "Again?"
    "We love you," Carol smiled.
    I grunted before chucking the bag over and crawling angrily over. Followed by helping Carol. Then I went to help Daryl when I felt the presence.
    "Daryl don't," Carol warned, "June-"
    "Get up," the child ordered, pointing the gun, "hands up, all of you."
    I finished helping Daryl through before spinning and putting up my hands.
    "Lay down your crossbow."
    I tensed before glaring at the kid. That was Daryl's prize possession.
    "You got some sack on you," Daryl grumbled.
    "Look, no body has to get hurt, I just need weapons, that's it. So, please, lay down your crossbow."
    Daryl did as told.
    "Back up."
    We did as told. The kid picked up the crossbow as he backed up.
    "Sorry about this. You look tough. You'll be alright."
    The kid soon cut open the tents. Daryl knifed one and Carol shot the other. She went to shoot the kid before Daryl redirected her shot.
    "Red," Daryl commented.
    I turned to look him in the eye, waiting the next command.
    "Let loose."
    I broke out into a dead sprint after the kid, leaving the two in the dust. Before the kid could even finish closing the latch, I had slipped through, it finished closing—blocking the two from chasing us. The kid looked at me like I was crazy.
    "Holy hell woman," he gasped, running away from me.

    He ran into a building, that I quickly followed him into after dealing with a walker quick. From there, he had a lead so I jogged, figuring he couldn't go far here. I soon sauntered into a walk as I ran into Carol and Daryl.
    "He here," Daryl questioned.
    "Must be, because I don't think he could've slipped away from me," I commented.
    Daryl nodded and I followed after the two as we came upon a walker with one of Daryl's bolts.Then we continued when we heard gunfire. The kid noticed us—me especially when he shoved the walker and Carol couldn't take care of it. I stopped short with Daryl.
    "Keep goin'," Daryl ordered.
    I nodded and jogged after the kid. I whistled as I went, twisting my knife in my hand around with ease. I soon stopped and started humming as I walked. I already knew where he was, he wasn't as quiet as he thought he was. I stopped short and let out a loud sigh, letting him know he was found—except letting him think he wasn't. I turned back around and walked back and ran into Daryl.
    "You lost him?"
    "Don't think so poorly of me Dixie."
    Daryl grunted before I spun back around and guided him quietly to the little asshole. I moved out of the way and presented Daryl with his opportunity as he ran past me. I turned and watched as he tacklingly shoved the kid into the bookshelf before moving out of the way and letting it land on him. Followed by a walker on the other side of the glass to appear. Carol joined up next to me to witness part of it.
    I stayed put, but leaned against the wall, my back to it with one foot in a bent formation as I stared down the line of my knife, waiting for Carol and Daryl.
    "Plea—please. I had to protect myself," the child pleaded.
    "Why you followin' us,"Daryl yelled.
    "I-I didn't, I swear! I thought you followed me."
    "Bullshit."
    Daryl picked up a pack of cigarettes. I scoffed.
    "Those will kill you," I commented.
    "Yeah, I know."
    The walker continued to growl and move aggressively.
    "Come on, man. Plea—please," the kid proclaimed.
    "Nah, I already helped you once. It ain't happenin' again."
    Daryl lit the cigarette.
    "Have fun with Hoss over there."
    The kid repeatedly pleaded with us as Daryl turned to leave. I went to follow until Carol called.
    "Daryl. Daryl. Stop," Carol called.
    "You almost died 'cause of him!"
    "But I didn't."
    "Nah, let him be."
    I watched the slight silent conversation between the two before Daryl kept walking. I turned to watch Daryl walk before turning back to the kid. I reached into my pocket and squeezed the dog tags. The walker fell and before I could move to stop the walker from biting the kid, Daryl took out the walker.
    I rushed forward, waving Carol off as I easily pulled off the corpse from the bookcase. Daryl walked over and easily lifted the bookcase up as I grabbed him by his shirt collar and literally tore him out from it as Daryl dropped it as soon as the kid was good.
    "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
    Soon the kid was making a big deal about some group of people. Then Daryl questioned about who, then they spoke of the hospital people we were goin' after, blah blah blah. I was beyond bored.
    "They're coming," Carol informed.
    "We gotta go now," the kid commented, "we gotta go. We gotta go."
    We were quickly rushing to the next building. Until the kid fell.
    "Go, I got him," Daryl ordered, "Red, I want you runnin' point."
    "On it," I stated, rushing out before Carol.
    Unlike her who waited, I was already in the middle of the way when I stopped and turned. The car came rushing towards me. I turned to Carol.
    "Stay with Daryl," I ordered quickly, "go!"
    Carol turned back inside confused as I turned to stare at Daryl—who looked confused at me as the car hit me dead on. My eyesight dotted as my mind clouded over.

    -Daryl's POV-
    I watched as June got hit, head on. Carol rushed back to the boy and I as we hid. The kid had to stop me from going out there—explaining they could patch her up.
    "What's it gonna take," Carol questioned.
    "A lot. They got guns, people."
    "Yeah, so do we," I commented, walking off.
    I wasn't having June be taken from me again. Not all over again. Not today, not ever again. Carol and I decided to take the kid back to base and figure out how to save June. I rubbed my face as I stared down the road. We're gonna get you back. I promise June...

Happy new year everyone!