Protector (TWD fanfiction)

Chapter 11

"It's been half 'n hour already! Are we ever gon' hunt?" Sam huffs and grabs the worn out cap lying on the dashboard.

"Geeze kiddo, what's with the whinin'?" Merle teases.

"We're about there." Daryl informs her and Sam puts on the cap.
"See." Daryl ads after a minute and points to a dirt track that cuts into the tree line a bit farther down the road.

Sam's mood lightens up instantly and she straightens in her seat.

They get there and get off the truck.

"Still know the rules?" Merle asks her.

"Be quiet. Listen and be alert." Sam lists.

"Good to go." Merle concludes and switches the cap on Sam's head to the back. The latter slaps his hand away and walks ahead.

"Ain't got all day." Daryl says over his shoulder as he follows Sam further into the woods.

Merle grumbles and follows the two.

They walk for a while when Daryl stops and crouches down.

"Looks like a deer. Can't be that big." He whispers.

"From now on no talking." He ads.

With slow and stealthy steps they follow the tracks of the animal.

Daryl focuses on the tracking while the other two look out for the deer or walkers that are stumbling through the woods.

After a while Sam spots a lone walker headed into their path. She lifts up her gun but before she can make the shot, Merle pushes her hand down and walks towards the walker. Sam frowns as she watches the older man stab it in the head.

Merle slowly lets the walker slump to the ground and walks back to the others. When he sees the frown on the girls face he taps his ear two times, signaling that it would make to much noice if the walker fell.

Sam nods, understanding the mistake she nearly had made.

A few yards further, Daryl lifts up his closed fist to signal the others to stop. He points ahead and when Sam looks to were he is showing, she sees a deer grazing.

Daryl sets for a shot and hits its hind leg. The deer jumps up from the pain and takes off with a limp.

"Come on Daryl. I know damn well you could'a got it in the Hart. Why play around like tha'?" Merle grumbles in annoyance.

"wha'? I only prepared it so that the kid can get in some shots." Daryl says.

"I can?" Sam asks exited.

"What d'ya mean 'can I?'. What d'ya think I brought you along for?" Daryl fake frowns.

"Fuck yeah!" Sam pumps her fist in celebration.

"Come on." Daryl chuckles and gives he a little push by the back of her neck.

Merle rolls his eyes at them and follows with a smirk.

~~~~ with Rick

As soon as the man hits the ground, the three of them rush to him. Carl sweeps the area with his gun to make sure no one else is there.

Rick looks at Carl in shock. After a while he manages to say "are you Okey?".

"Yea." Carl answers shortly.

"I told you to run to the car. I didn't want you to have to do that." Rick continues.

"But I had to!" Carl Stands his ground.