Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 16 Secrets Revealed

When the group got back to the farm, Lori went looking for Hershel, “Afternoon.”

“I take it; your boy did well?”

“Not, bad, actually.”

“Be grateful you don't have a daughter. If only things were as simple as wanting to shoot.”

“Carl's getting that chance, thanks to you. And I'm eternally grateful for what you did and your hospitality. We'll earn our keep.”

“I didn't do much; Kagome did all the work. You should be thanking her.”

“Yes, but if it weren't for your farm, we wouldn't have anywhere to go.”

“I appreciate that, but with Carl getting better, I imagine you'll be moving on soon, Fort Benning, I hear.”

Lori didn't say anything; she only stared at Hershel then walked back to camp. She found Rick talking to Carl and pulled him aside, “Hershel expects us to leave? Does anybody else know?”

“Not yet.”

“Were you going to tell me?”

“Of course.”

“When? How long have you known?”

“How can you expect me not to worry? We have shelter here and food and water and medical care.”

“We've always had medical care; Kagome has taken good care of us when it comes to that. I've been talking with Hershel. It's not carved in stone.”

Lori bristled at Rick's comment about Kagome.

“Hershel thinks it is. We have to fix this. People are settling in here. They'll be devastated.”

“I know I'm working on it.”

“Maybe I can talk to him too and plead our case.”

“No, things are uneasy. The best thing right now Is to give Hershel some space. Don't look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you're scared. Like you don't trust me. I can take it from everyone else, but not from you.”

“I don't understand how you could keep something like this from me. Carl's barely on his feet. And T-Dog is hurt, and I-.”

“And you what?”

Lori caught herself before she told Rick that she was pregnant, “And I can't don't want them getting worse. How can we leave?”

“It's not what I want either, but if we have to go, I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you and Carl are okay. We'll get by. We will.”

“Okay.”

Rick cupped Lori's face and walked away. He needed to talk to someone about what was going on. The burden of leadership was beginning to get to him. Rick thought at first of talking to Shane, but he instantly dismissed it. Shane had been questioning all of his decisions from the beginning, and it was starting to get on his nerves. No, the only person that would understand him was Kagome.

He found Kagome with Sophia, Amy, and Carol washing preparing the afternoon meal. Rick smiled at the girls and asked if he could speak to Kagome, “Sure, Rick,” Kagome said and stood up.

“Is there something wrong with Carl,” Kagome asked as they began to walk away from the group.

“No, I only needed someone to talk to.”

“What about?”

Rick began to tell Kagome everything that was going on and how he was starting to feel overwhelmed with being the leader. Kagome silently listened to everything that Rick was telling her. Then Rick told her about Hershel and how he wanted them to leave as soon as Carl was well enough to travel. Kagome nodded; she had a feeling that eventually, Hershel would like them gone. Kagome didn't blame him. They were strangers on his land, and they were using his resources.