Found Book One

Water

Abraham stops the large white van, we found it a few days after the mini-van broke down.

"Everyone split up we'll see if we can find anymore water," he says. Everyone steps out of the vehicle. "Here," Carl says pulling his hat from his head and placing it on mine.

"We don't need you getting a sunburn," he says tracing my chin with his thumb. "Carl I'm fine," I say setting the hat back on his dark locks.

Sasha, Maggie, and Daryl all take separate paths into the woods. "You stay here with Judith," Rick says to his son. "Okay, dad," he says as he glances back into the van where his sister is sleeping.

"Stay here with Laine and the others," Carol says bending down to kiss Mika's forehead.

"Stay close with them, girly," Carol rubs Mika's cheek as she walks away. "I will mom," the girl says before sitting in the back of the van with her book.

I look in to make sure Judith is still sleeping wrapped in a blanket in a laundry basket. "I'm bored of the book. Can I braid your hair?" Mika asks standing up.

I smile and nod, "Sure," I say, I sit on the edge of the van so she can kneel behind me so braid my hair. 

After a few moments she asks for my hair-tie, "Done," she says with satisfaction. I stand and walk over to the side-view mirror to examine the hairstyle.

My red locks that are normally down to my waist is neatly French braided with some smaller braids intertwined.

I smile and turn back to the girl, "I love it," I say looking back at her. "My sister taught me. Carl, it's your turn," she says.

Carl shakes his head and holds his hands up. "No, I don't really want my hair braided," he says backing away.

The girl nods, "Just one?" she asks giving him the best puppy-dog eyes I've ever seen.  He rolls his eyes and lets out a groan, "Fine," he says sitting in the spot I just left.

Mika braids a chunk of hair next to his ear. She uses a small elastic band to tie it into place. "There," she says with a smile. I smile and find the braid in his dark hair. 

"Oh I see someone got her hands on your hair," Carol laughs as she walks toward us.

"Yeah, Carl's too," I say, he pushes me lightly by my shoulder. I sit on the bumper of the van and flinch as Judith starts crying.

Rick quickly moves to grab her and a bottle, he prepares it for his daughter soon he has her calmed down and almost asleep.

Maggie, Daryl, and Sasha emerge, with grim looks on their faces. "Damn it, they didn't find any," I say standing up.

"How long can a human survive without water," I ask. Rick walks by, "Three maybe, four days," he mumbles rocking Judith from side to side.

"That's just great," Carl mumbles climbing into the back of the van. I sit on the floor behind the front seats so if anything happens Judith has some protection.

Judith giggles while playing a zip tie with bottle caps strung on it.

I wait as the rest of the group climbs in around me and the baby. Michonne is on my right side and Carl is on my across from me. Some people are in the other car with Sasha and Maggie.

"When do you think we're gonna stop and rest?" I ask Michonne. She shrugs and tucks some loose hair behind my ear.

"Whenever Rick thinks we need a rest," she tells me. I nod and lean my head back against the wall of the van.

Carl nudges my foot with his, "We'll be okay," he says with a small smile. I smile back at him, "We will," I say. 

We sleep another night in the van before waking up early and getting back on the road. Maggie's car runs out of gas about two hours into the trip.