Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

40

TOO MUCH POWER, NOT ENOUGH CONTROL

    "Hey, June," Maggie called.
    I was walking down the street to go hunting. After my little spiel with Daryl, I've been feeling a bit antsy. I turned towards her.
    "Oh, perfect," Glenn grinned, "you wanna come with?"
    "Where," I monotoned.
    It's not that I don't love the two, or Tara and Noah. It's the fact that I don't particularly like Eugene...or the other two Alexandrians.
    "Gotta go on a run to get some things. Could use your expertise, y'know. Like old time sake?"
    I rolled my eyes as I walked closer. Old times sake...pff.
    "Which time? The time we got kidnapped or the time one of us got killed?"
    Glenn gave me a ridicule look about our past runs before rolling his eyes at me.
    "Come on, before all that shit. When you used to be good at your job."
    I scowled at him before shoving him lightly. How dare he say that, he knows I'm good.
    "Hey, I am good at my damn job. Fine, let's go dipshit."
    I climbed into the back with Eugene, Noah, and Tara—flicking off my crossbow so I could mess with it.
    "Seriously though," Tara commented, "what's her story?"
    Terrible music came on and it was kinda loud. I rubbed my ears before Glenn handed me ear plugs. I chuckled before inserting them into my ears and easing the noise.
"Thank you."
    "Anytime," Glenn stated.
    "Wait," Tara acknowledged, "how do you know what she said?"
    "She gave us sign language class once. Easier to communicate when being quiet. Also when she decides to stop talking."
    Tara turned to me. Obviously shocked and confused. I'm not normally categorized as a teacher.
    "You can teach?"
    I looked at her blankly. She acted like I was heartless. All I did was nod. It was left at that as we started off down the road.

    We reached our destination and I was already whistling. They were discussing other matters, but Glenn sighed in relief.
    "Would you stop whistling," Nick retaliated.
    "Actually," Glenn piped up, "when she goes quiet is when you need to be alert."
    "Why?"
    Glenn shrugged.
    "Walkers."
    Nick and Aiden looked at me.
    "What," Aiden commented, "you some sort of Walker sensee?"
    I shrugged carelessly.
    "In a way," I replied, "more so a badass with exceptional accuracy to murder."
    I grunted when I heard a walker walking around from the side.
    "Heads up."
    Glenn was the first to turn just as the walker turned the corner. Everyone else did as well. The five were shocked.
    "Noah," Tara offered.
    "I got it," he stated.
    "Told you," Glenn smirked.
    "Glenn's right," Aiden stated, picking up the conversation from earlier, "we should do a perimeter check. Know our exits just in case."
    "I'm gonna go to the roof," I commented, looking up.
    "What? No. You stay with the group."
    "All right," Glenn commented, walking away with Noah and Nick.
    I went to go forward, but Aiden grabbed my wrist.
    "I said no."
    I gave him a hard glare before ripping my arm out of his hold.
    "You don't control me. Best learn that boy. You're lucky I'm even playing nice without being told."
    I whipped around and started for the building, trying to find a way up to the roof—finally having Aiden, Tara, and Noah walk off.
    I somehow managed to swing my way up to the roof with a few minor details and a few cuts. I grunted as I walked along the roof quietly. I could hear the snarling getting closer as I walked. I peered over the front of the building. It was fenced off, but it was infested. Well so much for the front entrance...
    I sat down, setting down my crossbow next to me as I enjoyed the little amount of freedom I currently had. I so missed this. The freedom of just doing what I wanted without a care in the world—besides about Walkers. In Alexandria, it left like a prison. Or confinement. Not something I longed for really.
    I let out a sigh, stood up and hauled up my crossbow. Reluctant to return to the others, but knowing I had to regardless. I casually walked across the roof until I looked down at the group, Glenn turning his head up to face me.
    "Took you long enough," he commented, "c'mon, we're heading in."
    I cocked an eyebrow at him, even if he couldn't see it from where I stood. I crossed my arms.
    "You're kidding right," I stated.
    "Nope," Tara called, "come on."
    I turned from facing Tara to Glenn with worry.
    "Glenn-"
    "Don't got time to argue," Glenn interrupted, knowing I'd be cautious, "c'mon."
    I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to win. I reluctantly climbed down by using one of the power generators, dangling before I dropped down and rolled it out—easing some of the ankle pain. I followed after Glenn, Tara, Noah, and Eugene—Nick and Aiden following after me. Glenn and I were near the front as he opened the door.
    "June?"
    I listened intently before shrugging. Glenn then banged on the side of the door and we waited.
    "It's a big place," I commented, looking around, "there could be some inside."
    "Let's say there are some. Let's move," Aiden offered.
    Glenn and I looked between each other before I motioned at him. He rolled his eyes at me.
    "Okay, let's move," Glenn agreed, "fold up."
    I whipped out my crossbow and followed after Glenn. Eventually we ran into aisles.
    "Tara?"
    "Yeah," she responded.
    "You got it?"
    "I got this aisle."
    We walked down a couple aisles and we were slowly creeping towards the end. I heard metal clanking and rattling so I tapped Glenn's shoulder. He stopped and nodded at me—handing me the flashlight. He stopped the caravan behind us as I swapped my crossbow for my bat.
    I cautiously made my way to the end of the aisle and took a left and slowly made my way as I got closer to the walkers. Walkers rushed against the chain link fence once they got my whiff. I turned towards them, ready to swing—but I relaxed only slightly at the sight.
    I started back to the others and walked up to Glenn—handing him back his flashlight.
    "They're stuck," I informed, "we're good for now."
    "You sure," Aiden asked.
    I gave him a look, basically asking if he was stupid.
    "Why do you think I'm here dude? Glenn is only our best runner because of me. C'mon, I'll lead."
    I slipped my bat back into it's holster and whipped out my crossbow, leading the way. We came across the walkers and everyone stared at it.
    "You know your stuff," Aiden stated.
    "We've been out there along time," Tara commented.
    "God they're loud," I complained, surveying our surroundings, "they could attract more inhere. We gotta hustle."
    "Let's get to work," Aiden complied.
    Everyone split up in twos, so I was by myself. Which was easier for me since I could handle myself. I was scaling one of the heavier shelves to see how big this place really was and to see any spooks.
    I had reached the top when I heard Glenn calling for Aiden to stop—considering he was shooting off a few rounds. Probably at a walker or somethin'. Then there was this big explosion, that shook my shelf.
    "Whoa," I muttered, trying to regain my balance.
    But everything was shaking which caused me to fall off the shelf as it started tilting.
    "Shit, shit, shit, shit!!"
    I fell to the ground in a heap. I groaned in pain, rolling to the side and off my crossbow.
    "Noah? Tara? Eugene? June," Glenn called.
    "Here," Eugene called.
    I grunted in pain as I laid withered on the floor.
    "Over here."
    "Where's June," Glenn asked.
    "I-I don't know. I haven't seen her."
    "Bark for me June!"
    I mustered what I could before barking, but it was soft...way to soft.
    "C'mon, bark!"
    I let out a cough. I held my breath before exhaling and let out a loud bark.
    "Over there," Nick called, "she's too far from us. We won't be able to reach her."
    "We can't just leave her," Noah retaliated.
    "June," Glenn called.
    I could hear the worry and panic in his voice, even if it was masked.
    "Go," I called, wincing as I sat up, "I'll be fine—I'll meet you there."
    "What do I tell Daryl?"
    I blanked. What could he tell Daryl? "Hey, sorry, I left your girlfriend—my best friend—behind to die!" He'd beat the shit outta him or somethin'. Somethin' he'll remember...somethin' he knows that I'll come back by.
    "Bang, not whimper."
    "See you there!"
    I stood up and tested my back. It hurt, but I'll be okay for now. Damn, it's gonna be sore tomorrow...fuck. I picked up my crossbow and slipped it back over—wincing as it brushed my back. Suck it up, June. I examined the area before finding a small little exit to climb out of my little hell hole before entering the bigger area. I went to move when pain erupted through my ankle. Great.
    I looked around me before noticing I was closer to the backdoor than anyone else. How in the hell? I started for it as quietly as I could with the boxes everywhere.
    I had finally reached the back entrance after climbing and slipping through cracks of fallen boxes. I exited the door and stumbled out. I did a small victory at the day light I had left to get back to Alexandria.
    "Alright June," I told myself, "find a car and deck it."
    I limped my way away from the building and headed in the general direction of Alexandria. Grunting as I went. I swear to god, if I'm not greeted with open arms I'm gonna be pissed.
    I limped down the road at a slow pace, losing daylight as I went. A frustrated scowl, present on my face. It was dusk by the time I found a car.
    "Hallelujah!"
    I opened the driver door, popping the hood to check the engine. Rusty, but good enough. I closed the hood and climbed into the car, carefully throwing my crossbow in the passenger seat. I quickly hot-wired the car and checked the gas tank. The right amount of mileage until empty. I could get a half mile from Alexandria before I needed to walk.
    I closed the door and locked the doors, shutting off the car to save gas—and went to sleep. I knew I'd wake by 4 if I slept now, maybe even 5.

    I shot my eyes open when something thumped against the car. I looked over, staring back at a walker. I rolled my eyes before readjusting the seat and starting up the car. I flicked on the headlights and started off. I passed plenty of boring trees and plenty of side roads. I love my family, I love my family, I love my family, I love my family.
    "Ugh! Just die already," I ordered annoyed, smacking my hand on the wheel.
    And just like that, it started sputtering. I blinked then did a quick cheer of victory. I pulled over to the side and let it putter to death. I grabbed my crossbow and climbed out. Luckily, it was dusk so I would arrive back around noon.
    I had just limped in through the gate, thanks to Eugene. That's when I heard the fighting. I rushed towards the crowd—the first one I saw was Rick. Pete on top of him. I looked on in confusion as Jessie rushed forward, trying to pull Pete off until he smacked her like it was nothing. I felt the oncoming feeling. The moment I won't come back. TICK.
    No one saw it coming. I dropped my crossbow as I rushed forward and tackled Pete without effort, holding him down like an animal on steroids.
    "Shit," Glenn yelled, "June, don't! June!"
    "Ember, stop," Carl yelled.
    "Where's Daryl," Maggie yelled.
    "Still out with Aaron," Carol panicked, "we gotta pull her off!"
    I was snarling like a feral animal as I held Pete down and was trying to strangle him to death. I had a calculated look in my way of trying to kill him—like I was an expert. I had him at my disposal.
    "Ember," Carl hollered, rushing forward.
    He came into my view, but I looked away from him and back down at Pete. Rick wasn't in his own state of mind to stop me—Daryl was nowhere in town. Everyone was royally screwed unless someone managed to control me.
    "Ember...this isn't you. Ember, look at me."
    I kept blinking, holding my gaze on Pete.
    "June..."
    I looked at Carl, my eyes scanning his face.
    "Let him go...he's not a target. Let him go."
    I blinked repeatedly at him before looking back down at Pete. He was obviously struggling to breathe, but his attacks were getting weaker and he was slowly turning shades of blue.
    "He—he," I mustered, trying to gain reason.
    "He isn't them Ember...they're gone. Everyone's alright...he's not a threat."
    Everything clicked back into place. My instincts resided and I felt panicky. I loosened my hold on Pete—he shoved me off and gasped for air. Looking at me like I was crazy. Carol rushed to my side and held me like a child, cooing calming words into my ear. I casted my gaze to the ground—regaining what had happened. I looked over at Rick, seeing him knocked out on the ground—Michonne close behind. Staring at me with calculating eyes, waiting for me to strike once more.
    "You're crazy," Pete hollered at me, "you tried to kill me!"
    He took a step forward towards Carol and I aggressively; I felt like a child again—back in that basement. I turned and buried my head into Carol's shoulder in fear. Usually, I'm this badass that can't be touched—but I am sensitive after a bad episode. Carol wrapped her arms protectively around me. Carl, Glenn, and Maggie rushed to stand in front of me.
    "Wha—are you seriously gonna protect someone who's an animal!"
    "Her name is June," Maggie retaliated angrily, "she's not an animal."
    "How can you people not see that she needs to leave—or better yet, die?!"
    "Because she's saved our lives too many times for us to count," Carl piped up, "you don't understand because we haven't explained and neither has she. She's insanely protective. She cares for all of us. She doesn't do things on a whim!"
    "We all would've died on that run if she didn't sacrifice herself to stay behind," Glenn explained, "hell, our group would've all been dead if it wasn't for her. She's an asset. Sure, she can be dangerous, but she can be controlled."
    "That's what you meant," Deana realized, "you're skills...they're deadly, but they can be useful. Why everyone spoke so highly of you during their interviews..."
    She was talking about the interviews when we first got here. I slowly moved my head to look at her, a child-like look present on my face. I could tell she must of registered something about my past. Her face retorted to sorrow.
    Glenn and Maggie both turned towards Carol and I. They held out their hands towards me, which I gladly took as they comforted and guided me to the house—Carl following close behind. I knew the three wouldn't be leaving my side anytime soon.