Rotting Hearts

Chapter 6

"Annabelle!" Carl ran up to me and gave me a hug.

I hugged him back. "Hey kiddo."

Everyone turned their heads and looked at us. Rick, Shane, and Lori ran towards us. Rick pulled me into a hug and gave me a small kiss on the forehead.

"We thought we lost you." Lori gave me a hug.

"Where's Carol?" I didn't see her outside with everyone else.

"She's in the RV. We covered as much ground as we could yesterday but we didn't find anything. What happened to you guys?" Shane asked.

"Got held up." Daryl cut in.

"By who? What happened?" Rick asked.

"Nothing. All that matters is that we're ok now."

I greeted everyone. Daryl stayed behind talking to Rick and Shane. T-dog had a huge gash in his arm. I helped him clean it and re-bandage it. When I was done I walked onto the RV hoping to comfort Carol. She was laying on the small couch, her back turned to me.

"Hey." I whispered.

She rolled over and faced me. "Hey."

"Sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No. I haven't been able to sleep since she disappeared. Did you guys find anything?" She asked hopefully.

I shook my head. "Im so sorry."

She rolled back over. I felt terrible. But I didnt say anything else, I just walked off. I walked over to Rick, Daryl, and Shane who looked like they were in a heated discussion.

"We have to leave. We can't stay on the highway forever." I cant believe Shane would say that. Sophia has only been gone for a couple days.

"Where are we going to go Shane?" Rick asked.

"I ain't leaving until we find her!" Daryl was starting to get mad.

"Daryl's right. Sophia only went missing a few days ago. We cant just leave. What if she comes back to the highway and we're not here?" I cut in.

"I'm not saying we should stop looking for her. I'm saying we can't stay here forever. It's not safe."

"Walking around in the woods ain't safe either." Daryl had a point.

"We leave tomorrow." Rick said then walked off.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Whatever."

I walked off towards the woods. I needed to let off some steam.

Dale yelled down to me from atop the RV. "Where you going?"

"To wash off!"

"Alright! Be careful!"

"Yeah." I mumbled.

There was a small river not too far from here. Before the world went to shit, my old boyfriend, Will, and I would go swimming in there. I loved him and I though he loved me until I caught him and my best friend screwing around.

I finally made it to the river. I stripped my clothes off leaving only my bra and underwear on. I put my hunting knife on the edge of the water just in case and jumped in. The water was cold but it felt refreshing. I hadn't had a proper shower or bath since the CDC.

I was so relaxed but that quickly went away. It felt like someone was watching me. I tried pushing the feeling back but it wouldn't go away. I quickly got out of the water and grabbed my knife before pulling my shirt over my head. I bent over to pick up my pants but stopped when I heard something snap. Someone walked up behind me and pulled me towards them.

"I didnt like that back there." I recognized the voice. Shane. He started moving his hands down my body until he reached my butt.

"What are you talking about? Let go of me."

"You disagreeing with me. I dont like when you do that."

"Let. Go. Of. Me." I said through clenched teeth.

"I dont think so. I've wanted to be with you ever since we met."

"I know about you and Lori. If you do anything to me I can tell everyone and Rick will kick you out of our group." I had no idea what to say.

"You wouldn't tell anyone." He started to take off my shirt with one hand and with the other he held my arms behind my back leaving me defenseless.

I remember the first night at the CDC when Lori told me that he basically tried to rape her. I never thought he would do something like that again, especially to me.

"Stop. Please stop." I tried to stay strong but I couldn't handle it anymore tears were rolling down my face. 

"Aww now don't cry. I dont like seeing you like this." He had taken off my shirt and was trying to pull my bra off but I wouldn't let him.

I had to do something. "Help! Help!" I yelled. The river wasnt too far from the highway so someone had to hear me.

Shane put his hand over my mouth. I heard people calling my name. Rick and Daryl. Shane quickly let go of me and ran back to the highway. I pulled my shirt off the ground and pulled it over my head.

Daryl ran up to me and when he saw me his eyes went wide. I ran to him and started crying into his chest. He put his arms around me tightly.

"What happened? Are you ok?"

"Shane." I could barely make the words out.

"Rick!" Daryl yelled for him.

Finally Rick showed up. "What happened?"

"Shane." Daryl answered him. Venom laced his voice.

"Annabelle. What happened." He asked me.

I explained what happened in full detail to both of them. Daryl had a scowl on his face the whole time. I thought about telling Rick about Lori and Shane but that was none of my business.

"He cant be with us any longer." Daryl said when I was done

"He wont just leave. I know him, he's stubborn."

"We cant trust him! He tried to rape Annabelle!" Daryl yelled.

"I know. I'll talk to him." Rick left.

Daryl pulled me into him again. "Don't ever leave my side. Ok?"

"Ok."

I stepped up on my toes and kissed him. "I really like you Daryl."

"I like you too." He smirked.