Highway To Hell

Chapter 9

   I am. About. To die. Of boredom. 

   I've been stuck in this bed for what seems like a year, but in reality has only been a day or two. I can't go to the bathroom without someone going with me. It's embarrassing! I'm a bad ass hunter. I do not need help going to the bathroom! 

   I toss the book I've been reading to the side and let out a huff. A gun shot goes off and my head jerks to the door. I push myself out of bed and make my way to the door. Hershel and the others are already in the front yard, running towards the RV. 

   "Rick!" Maggie screams. I grunt and fall to the ground. Carol glances back and her eyes go wide. She runs back to me and helps me up.

   "Are you okay? What are you doing out of bed?" She helps me walk to the RV.

   "I'm fine. Heard the gunshot. What happened? And who was the dumb ass that took the shot?" There was only one gunshot and it was probably meant for a walker, so why use a gun? It wastes ammo and draws other walkers in the neighborhood. 

   "What on Earth's going on out here?" Hershel shouts. No one answers. Andrea and Dale are running through the field towards few of the guys. Rick and Shane seem to be supporting someone. My eyes go wide when they get closer. 

   "Is that Daryl?!" I look at Andrea. "Did you seriously shoot Daryl?!"

   "It was an accident," she exclaims. I roll my eyes. 

   "You accidentally pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger?" I ask, raising a brow.

   "Get him inside and you," Hershel turns to me, "back to bed." I groan. "Now."

   "Yeah, yeah. I'm going. Geesh." I pull away from Carol and follow them inside. They drag Daryl up the stairs while I turn off to go to my cell, I mean room.

   I lay down on my side and sigh. Things just keep getting better and better. First, Sophia goes missing, then I get shot now Daryl's been shot and looks like he went through Hell and back before that even happened. After a while there's a knock on the door and I look up. 

   "Hey," I say as Rick walks in. "What's up?"

   "I was hoping we could talk," he says. I turn to lay on my back and prob myself up against the pillows.

   "Hit me," I say. He sits down next to my bed.

   "You're young," he says. "Still a kid, but I trust and respect you. You've got a head on your shoulders, are quick on your feat and can take care of yourself and others. Hell, I don't know if Carl would still be alive if it wasn't for you. Thank you for that."

   "You don't have to thank me, Rick. I'd do it again in a heart beat."

   "I know you would, Ivy."

   "That all?" I ask.

   "No," he says. "No, I want to talk to you about Sophia." I nod. "Daryl found her doll today. It cuts the grid practically in half, but he almost died bringing it back. Shane wants to call off the search and I can't help but think he's right, but what if she's still out there? What if she's alive and we just give up on her?" I think about it for a moment.

   "Do you think she's alive?" I ask.

   "I do," he says.

   "And if it was Carl out there would you even consider calling off the search? Would Shane?"

   "No," he says.

   "There you go," I say. "But no more going out alone." He nods and smiles at me.