A Survivor's Diary of the Apocalypse (TWD/Daryl Dixon)

S1Pt3 - The City

I found a working car and decided it was the quickest way I was going to get to Atlanta. Luckily for me, it ran out of gas just outside the city. I put Bud on his leash, grabbed all my supplies, and began making my way into the city. I kept to the alleyways to remain hidden from any dead that might be wandering around. I killed a few with my knife that I found in the alleys and avoided groups I saw of about ten or so walkers. From my experiences, I learned that noise attracts them, and that they are deadlier in groups. It's easy to take down one at a time, but it can get dangerous with several of them coming at you at once.
I stopped the alley when the area was clear and gave myself and Bud some water. We waited a minute to rest up but then I heard something.
It was loud.
It sounded familiar.
It was a helicopter.
"Oh shit." I said and quickly packed up everything and grabbed Bud's leash.
Without thinking about it I followed the noise right into the middle of the city streets and it was a stupid mistake. I forgot all about the helicopter when I came face to face with a herd of the dead. Literally there was no clear path around them, they flooded the streets, and they all locked eyes on me.
Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!
Bud began barking and positioned like he was ready to attack but I turned us around quickly. The dead started chasing after us, moaning with hunger, and we had no choice to run for it. We were running in the middle of the street and more walkers were popping out of nowhere and joining in on the chase. We turned the corner of one street only to be confronted by another large group of walkers.
"God damn it!" I yelled, running in the opposite direction.
I saw we were about to get closed in and I had to think quickly. I looked around and saw an alley and took my chance. It was separated by a chainlink fence but the gate was locked. I turned around the the walkers were getting closer. Acting quickly, I threw my bag over and put Bud on my shoulders. I began climbing the fence and had to continuously push Bud back onto my shoulders. I was clearly struggling but there was no way in hell I was leaving my dog behind. I reached the top and began ascending down the opposite side of the fence when the walkers caught up and ran into it. I got knocked off the fence and landed right on my bag and then Bud stood protectively by my side. The dead moaned and stuck their arms through the fence trying to reach me but they couldn't. At least not yet. I put my bag back on my back and grabbed Bud's leash, and began looking for a way out of the alley. I saw a ladder that led all the way up to the roof of the building, the entire several story building. It looked like possibly twenty stories high, but as of right now I have no other choice. I put Bud back on my shoulders and began making my way up the ladder. This time it wasn't as difficult because I got used to Bud's weight, but it took me longer to climb. Once I reached the top of the ladder I threw my bag onto the roof and let Bud jump up before me. I stepped onto the roof and rested to catch my breath.
Ruff! Ruff!
Automatically I grabbed my gun and turned around in the direction Bud was barking. I saw a young Asian man with binoculars walking towards me.
"Drop any weapons you have and put your hands in the air where I can see them." I commanded.
"Okay. No problem." He said. "I saw you running down there. You were impressive, even with that burden on your back."
"He is not a burden. You better watch your mouth." I threatened, raising my voice.
He nodded apologetically and raised his hands. I walked up to him and frisked him, finding no weapons, and searched his bag, only finding a few items like laundry soap and toilet paper.
"No weapons?" I questioned.
"I don't need them." He said. "I don't get close enough to them to need any."
"Why do you have all this useless crap in here?" I said holding up the soap. "Why not something that will keep you alive?"
"We have a camp just outside the city. At the old rock quarry. You are welcomed to come back with me and join us. We could use someone like you. If seems like you've been out there longer than most of us." He said.
I gave his bag back but kept my gun aimed at him.
"Do you have people in the city with you now?" I asked.
He nodded. "Four more. Andrea, T-Dog, Merle, and a new guy I found in the city just like you, his name is Rick. Five, if you include me. I'm Glenn." He said and held out his hand.
Bud growled at him but I signaled to him to quiet down. I looked at Glenn and nodded but didn't shake his hand.
"Okay. Let's go then." I said.
Glenn nodded. "Okay, cool. Just give me your bag so you can carry your dog."
I looked at him confused and refused to give him my bag.
"Look, we have to jump from roof to roof to reach my group and it would be easier for you to without the extra weight of your bag." He reasoned. "If I was going to steal from you I would've already."
I nodded my head because that was a fair point and so I gave him my bag.
"Just don't do anything stupid." I warned. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Don't worry. I don't want you to either." He said with a smirk.
I smirked back as I picked up Bud and watched him jump onto the other roof. There was a decent gap between the buildings but he landed perfectly. I slowly backed up and played out in my mind this jump. I held Bud tight, ran full speed, and jumped onto the other rooftop. I landed on my knees but at least we made it over.
"Not too bad." Glenn said. "Now we just have to do that a few more times."
I dusted off my pants and picked up Bud again.
"Let's go." I said.
We kept roof jumping a couple more times, and finally on the fifth roof Glenn opened a trap door that led into the building. We climbed down the stairs and were met by a group of three people.
"Hey guys." He said.
Everyone was staring, skeptical of me and my dog.
"This is..." Glenn said but paused. "Umm actually, what is your name?"
I had Bud heel and casually rested my hand on my pistol. I looked up and watched each one of their faces as they anticipated to know who I was.
"Kelley." I said hesitantly.
I just realized how long it's been since I've said my name or even had someone ask me my name.
"My name is Kelley Jones."