Shattered Wings

Chapter Five: Face the World

"You won't make it on your own. With the damage your brain took." Dr. Edwards was watching Beth stuff some food into a backpack. "Beth please, you don't even know if your people are around here. Don't risk your life for a memory. It's been years."

Beth gripped the bag in her hands, she looked across the counter at the man and nodded, "I know that." Looking down she trailed over her wrists, seeing the scars from so long ago, "But I have to try."

"I wish there was more I could do." He crossed his arms, "I can't stop you. I won't."

Beth paused from shoving more things into the bag and looked back up at the man, "You've done more than enough. If there was something I could do to repay you for your kindness and time..."

"We owed it to you. Dawn was a plague of her own, you freed us from that." Dr. Edwards smiled, "What else can I get you?" He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple water bottles, tossing them to her. Together they gathered what Beth would need, Edwards even offered her one of the truck they used for supply runs, the smaller of the three. One of the residents, Scarlett, offered Beth some of her clothes. Something better suited for the outside world than a hospital gown. A pair of dark wash jeans, lace up boots, a white tank top, and a brown leather jacket. Standing in the mirror she couldn't help but think she looked like Maggie, it made her smiled.

It wasn't until Beth was sitting in the front seat that it hit her, how she was going back out into the world. How she had no idea where to start looking for her people. If they would even be out there for her to find. "A couple years back, a man took shelter here for the night. We offered food and water, then he went on about his way." Edwards smiled at Beth, "He said he was staying near Washington D.C with a group of survivors who originated from Atlanta...I know that's far, but it's the only lead I can think of. "

Beth looked out the open window and smiled, "Thank you, it's better than nothing." Beth started the truck engine, "Did he mention his name?"

Edwards nodded, "Morgan I believe, he was nice."

Beth shook her head, "I don't remember a Morgan." Looking out at the road she took a deep breath and licked her lips, she gripped the steering wheel, "Thank you again."

"Don't forget the meds I gave you, also the glasses could be a huge help. I put them in the center console. May we meet in the future, I wish you the best of luck." Edwards smiled.

Beth only nodded, because she didn't plan on seeing him again. If something brought her back to Grady, she considered it taking a step back from progress. As she pulled away the sinking feeling in her gut hit, she prayed for good fortune, for luck, and hope.

The worry spread as she hoped she could find her way, having only an old map given to her by Scarlett. Working out the time, she wondered if going all to way to D.C would be worth it. Would Rick have taken them that far? What was there that they would think was safer? As she drove past a couple walkers she noticed how thin they looked, how frail and small they really seemed. Beth remembered a time when she was scared of them, how the attack on the farm seemed like a lifetime ago. Ten years. A whole decade. How did the farm fair? Part of her was so curious she almost turned around to head toward her home, but she talked herself out of it. Convinced it could only be hurtful regardless of the farm's current state. With it all worked out Beth and Scarlett calculated she could get to Richmond, VA on what gas was in the truck. After that she would have to chance it on foot, only two days of walking. That would be the perfect scenario, and Beth prayed for that outcome. If Virginia was useless, she would head back toward Georgia and try her luck there.

Driving without music or anything other than your own thoughts brought Beth to sleepiness and a headache pooled in the back of her head, a side effect from her injuries. So she pulled off into an old gas station, parking behind the building in the shade. When she turned off the engine she felt fear bubble up in her gut. Alone...nothin but the sound of the wind to keep me company. The truck had a small back seat, Beth had taken her supplies and shoved them back there in order to keep them out of sight from the front windows as the back windows had been blacked out. Crawling into the back she pulled out a couple tin cans and some wire, tying the cans to the line and stringing it from the passenger door to the driver door, tight around the handle. This would rattle and make noise should someone try to open the door, so as Beth curled up in the back seat she pulled the gun Edwards had given her close, making sure it was in a position she could quickly draw it for defense. Before falling asleep, Beth remembered the medication Edwards had supplied her with, opening the bag she grabbed some pain relief and took a few with a swig of water. As she laid back down, her head against a rolled up blanket, she rubbed her scar under her chin with her thumb, thinking about Maggie, Glenn, Rick, Carl, Judith...Beth tried naming everyone. Carol, Michonne...The more she thought about their names, the closer she got to trailing off to sleep.