Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

35

STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE

I was out scoping the woods, trying to find us something to eat. Or even a stream for water. This summer was being particularly unforgiving. I would eventually find the others once I was done, I always did. I knew they were worried, but knew better than to tell me no. Though, I will admit, Abraham did try.
I was lagging probably farther behind than the others, but I'd catch up. I always did. I noticed the secret message left by Rick before continuing down the road. Fuck, I hate this summer.
I panted as I reached dead walkers before continuing across the bridge. I hated walking, but I knew the others were struggling too. I swerved out onto the road from out of the woods and continued following the road. I played with the dog tags before noticing the group seating on the side of the road. I let out a long high-pitched whistle. They all turned towards me as I sauntered up tiredly.
"Hey," I tiredly greeted.
"Anything," Rick questioned.
I shook my head as I dropped into a sitting position next to Daryl—who handed me some meat. I looked at it confused.
"Do I wanna know?"
Daryl shook his head. I nodded in understanding before chowing down on my share. I had already run out of water, but no one needed to know that. After we finished our share of mystery meat we continued walking.
"Alright Dixie. What was the meat."
Daryl turned to face me slightly.
"You sure you wanna know Red," he grunted.
"Can't be worse than human flesh, so fess up."
Daryl huffed at my comment, knowing I was right. He knew I'd eat anything if it meant we'd survive—just as long as it wasn't human flesh or walker meat.
"Dog...it was dog."
I let out a sad sigh. We were silent as we kept walking. Until Glenn came up. I nodded at the two before walking a bit faster to walk next to Maggie, giving the two bro-time. It was silent until Glenn returned to Maggie, and I went to walk slower before Glenn grabbed my arm and held out the water.
"I don't need it."
"June," Glenn commented, "I know you. You're out, but you don't wanna say anything. Drink."
I huffed before complying to one of my best friends. I knew better than to argue with him. I took a small sip and handed the water back, swishing the water around in my mouth to make it last longer. I turned around to continue walking next to Daryl but only noticed Abraham and Sasha. I sighed before turning back around to face the group's direction and continued sauntering on by myself in the mix of the group.

We came to a stop at 10 water bottles and 4 gallons of water in the middle of the road. I stood rigidly when Daryl came out. Rick handed the note to him.
"What else are we gonna do," Tara questioned.
"Not this," Rick commented, "we don't know who left it."
"If that's a trap," Eugene started, "we already happen to be in it. But I, for one, would like to think it is indeed from a friend."
"What if it isn't," Carol questioned, "they put something in it?"
Eugene rushed forward and grabbed one.
"Eugene," Rosita commented, "what are you doing?"
"Quality assurance."
Before Eugene could take a sip, Abraham knocked it out of his hand, quite aggressively.
"We can't," Rick stated, "June."
I turned towards Rick curiously.
"Think you can take a whiff?"
I walked forward and opened one of the bottles before breathing in, wafting from the bottle. It didn't smell like poison, and usually poison had a precise smell to me. I turned towards Rick and gave a shrug.
"It doesn't smell like it, but they coulda found a way to mask the smell."
Rick nodded as I twisted the cap back on and set it back down. Rumble followed through the sky after I did so.
"Is that-?"
We all looked up before it started raining on us. We all slightly cheered before basking in the rain.
"Everybody get the bags. Anything you can find."
When no one moved Rick coaxed so we'd get fresh water. That was until we noticed the dark thunderstorm clouds.
"Let's keep moving."
"There's a barn," Daryl commented.
"Where?"
We all packed up and followed Daryl to the barn. When we reached the barn, Rick went first followed by me then a few others. I listened but I didn't hear anything but that could've been because of the rain. Maggie found one walker before it was clear.
That night Carl had his head in my lap as he slept soundlessly, Judith sleeping on his arm. I leaned against the barn and tried to sleep, but the rain was too loud for me—even in a building. Not only that, it screwed up most of my senses so I could warn them about any walkers. Meaning, we were practically in the open. So I just listened to my boys talk with Glenn, Carol, and Michonne. Later that night I heard thudding and I turned to see Daryl struggling with the door. I lifted Carl's head lightly before placing it back down and rushing to aid Daryl. Maggie soon came running too. Followed by Sasha, Rick, and everyone else. The thunderstorm was relentless and so were the walkers. It seemed like the building was shaking under the storm.