The Curl of Your Lips | TWD -Shane |

A fragile line

"Maggie said she loved me." Glenn stated as he opened the tiny window into the cab."But she doesn't mean it."

Rick and I glanced back at him as he ranted about all the reasons she was confused and didn't love him.

"I think she's smart enough to know what she's feeling." I shrugged and he only disagreed. "Its obvious to everyone she loves you."

Adverting his eyes from the road for a second Rick added,"And not just because you're one of the last men standing."

"I didn't say it back.I just stood there like a jerk."

"This is a good thing,something we don't get enough of these days. When we get back : return the favor. Its not like she's going anywhere."

"I know about Lori."Glenn confessed,"I was the one who got her those pills."

Rick sighed stepping out of the truck,"I figured."

Glenn and I followed, guns ready.The bar was abandoned,obviously, but it was in good shape.No sign of any walkers,so far.Hershel sat at the farther end, his back turned to the door.

"Hershel?"Ricked called out.

"Who's with you?" He asked not turning around.

"Glenn and Abigail."

"Maggie sent him?"

"He volunteered. He's good like that."Rick walked over and eyed his shot glass,"How many you had?"

"Not enough."Was the balding man's reply.

"Well, e need to finish this up at home. Beth's in some sort of state of shock.I think you are too.Beth needs you."

"What could I do?She needs her mother.I should have let her mourn weeks ago."

"You thought there was a cure. You can't blame yourself for holding onto hope." I stood by Ricks side speaking up.

"Hope? When I first saw you two running across my field,Rick with your boy in your arms and Abigail this determination...I had a little hope he'd survive.He did. Even though we lost Otis. Your man Shane came back, and we saved Carl's life. That was the miracle that proved to me that they do exist.It was a sham. I was a fool Rick and you people saw that. My daughter's deserve better than that." Hershel poured him another glass after his monologue.

"Rick and I stepped back and lead Glenn away to give the old man some space.

"Do we just wait for him to pass out?" Glenn whispered.

"Just go!"Hershel ordered.

"I promised Maggie I'd bring you back safe."Rick objected.

"Like you promised that little girl?" He spat. Rick looked down and I put a hand on his bicep, squeezing just a little.Hershel had crossed a line with Rick.

"Whats your plan? Drink yourself to death and leave your girls all alone?"

"Stop telling me how to care for my family, my farm!"Hershel stood as Rick crossed over to him,"You people are like a plague! I do the christian thing: give you shelter. You destroyed it all!"

"The world was already in bad shape when we met."Rick got in Hershel's face.

"You take no responsibility! You're supposed to be their leader!"

"He's here now! He's trying to bring you back to your daughter who needs you!" I stepped between them as I defended Rick. Hershel walked back to the bar and poured another shot.

"Come on."Rick beckoned,"Your girls need you now more than ever."

I stood back and listened Hershel rant about how there was no hope left in the world. Was it true? Ilied to myself. There really was no hope left.

"Son of a bitch." I turned in the direction of the unfamiliar voice to see two men standing in the doorway."They're alive."

The men sat down and poured themselves a drink,"My name's Dave and that scrawny fella over there's Tony.

"Eat me,Dave."The fat man replied with a chuckled.

"Hey maybe someday." He muttered.

These men were giving me bad vibes as I stood by the bar.Glenn laughed it off,"I'm Glenn. Nice to meet some new people."

"Rick Grimes."Rick nodded as Dave offered Hershel a drink.

"I just quit."He rejected the bottle.

"Unique sense of timing,old man." Dave laughed.

"His name's Hershel, and she's Abigail." Rick stood next to me, partly between me and the strange men."We've lost people today, a lot of them."

.Dave raised his glass,"I'm truly sorry to here that. To better days and new friend.And to our dead, may they be in a better place."

The group, lacking Hershel and I took a shot.I glanced up at Rick, he was examining the men closely, his eyes landing on a gun in Dave's back pocket."Not bad huh? I got it off a cop."

Rick eyed the gun,"I'm a cop."

"This one was already dead."Dave had a bit of humor in his voice, giving me chills.

"She your broad?" Tony asked eyeing me up and down.Rick pushed me back a little, unnoticeable for everyone else to see. He knew something was off about the men too.

"You are a long way from Philadelphia. What drove you south?"

Dave wiped his face,"Sure as hell not the weather. I must have dropped forty pounds of sweat alone down here.Nah, first it was D.C some rumors of a refugee camp." He shook his head."Every group had a new way of getting out of this mess.The last one was Nebraska."

"Nebraska?" I questioned unintentionally. I regretted it as Tony turned to me."Lost of guns, low population."

"Ever been to Alaska? There's a reason they call 'em flyover states." Dave paused and looked around,"What about you guys?"

"Fort Benning , eventually." Rick answered.

Dave sighed and shook his head,"I hate to piss in your cornflakes, we ran into a grunt stationed there. Said it was overrun."

The last sliver of hope faded from view, there was nowhere now. Having no plan could be potentially dangerous for our larger group. Another thing gone.

Dave decided to start questioning us about where we're from and where we're staying.

"We're with a larger group. Out scouting and thought we could use a drink."

"Well we were thinking about setting up here is it safe?"

"Well it can be." Glenn shrugged."There's just a couple of walkers around here-"

"Walkers?That's what you call them?" Dave laughed"I like that."

"More succinct " Tony agreed.

"Yeah, so where you setting up? The subdivision?"

Tony crossed the room and leaned against one of the beams and unzipped his pants, Rick glared at the overweight man as he moved me fully behind him."Could you not do that in front of women?"

"You set up in one of the farms?" Dave pressed.We all stayed quiet."Is it safe? You got water?"

"You got cooze? I haven't had a piece of ass in weeks."Tony chimed in with a chuckle,"That red head available?"

Dave sighed and rubbed his face,"Pardon my friend. He has no class. No disrespect.Now this far it sounds sweet. How about a little southern hospitality? We've got some boys back at camp,"

"Look I'm sorry, that's not an option."Rick interrupted him.They discussed it a few more minutes before things got heated.Tony threatened to shoot us,'put a bullet through the four of yas heads' .Dave intervened and hopped behind the bar.Tony's gun clicked and Rick reached for his.

Dave laughed it off,"You gotta understand. We can't stay out there."

"The farm is too crowded as is, I'm sorry. You'll have to keep looking.I hear Nebraska's nice."

Dave laughed and as he reached for his gun Rick shot the pair both between the eyes stumbled back, my mouth open.

We just stood there in silence and understanding.