Sweet and Salty ~ Carl Grimes

Miles Behind Us - 012

*Based off Volume Two of The Walking Dead comics*

The sun was nearly set as the group came across a gated estate. The words above the gates read 'Wiltshire Estates' in all caps. Rick honked the horn on the mini bus for the RV to stop, which it swiftly dead. Everyone else was quick to park as they all poured out of their vehicles to gather in front of the gates of the estate. "I think we've hit the jackpot." Rick grinned, looking to Shane who still had a stone cold look on his face.

The metal gate was shining and pristine, the letters above it in the same state, glimmering in the setting sun. The fence continued, however on top of beautiful, red bricks, neatly decorated with ivy. The bricks were as red as tomatoes, the cement keeping them together a beautiful shade of grey. The houses were more like mansions than family homes, the planks decorating the bricks of the houses were coloured perfectly in shades of yellow, pink, white and grey. Each house proudly held a chimney on its perfect black roof, of course, no smoke came from those chimneys anymore. The lawns and gardens of each house was still a perfect shade of green, the paths lined with proud, perfect flowers of all different colours.

"We're miles away from the city, we should be safe here." Glenn smiled.

Rick nodded. "We'll be back on the road tomorrow after lunch and should make the CDC by early evening."

Lori kissed Rick's cheek. "It's perfect, Rick."

"And if the CDC doesn't work out, we could always come back here." Cam pointed out.

"The CDC is gonna work out." Rick disagreed, but he nodded, turning to Dale. "You got tools to get this gate open?"

Dale smiled, a glimmer in his eye. "You bet I do."

/----------\

Daryl and Merle had been the ones to use Dale's tools to get open the sturdy gates, but their little sister, Sophia and Cam were the only ones to appreciate them for it. Everybody else couldn't help but think where they picked up those skills. Everybody's thoughts landed on illegal activities... They weren't totally wrong about Merle, but they judged a lot about Daryl that they didn't know for fact.

"Okay, let's all have a look around, but don't spread too far apart. Let's just check out these first few houses for today. We don't know how abandoned this place really is, and it's going to be dark soon. So, stay sharp." Rick instructed.

"I'm going to take the kids back to the RV until you guys give the all clear." Carol said as Carl, Sophia and Chris started walking towards the RV. "Brooks, come on, sweetie."

"I can shoot, I wanna help." Brooks frowned.

"Not today, Bambi. Go on now, don't keep Marge waiting." Merle shook his head.

Cam looked to the older Dixon. "Her name's Carol."

Merle snorted a laugh. "Marge? Marge Simpson? World's most famous housewife?" When nobody laughed Merle scoffed. "Man, did y'all sense of humour die with the world, or somethin'?" 

"Apparently." Rick spoke sarcastically as Brooks went with Carol into the RV, Jacqui and Lori were quick to follow after them. Rick looked to Glenn. "I'd like there to be some muscle in there with them."

Glenn groaned. "Why me? Brooks scares me."

"She's a ten year old girl who can't read straight without glasses, you'll be fine." Daryl said, grabbing the scruff of Glenn's shirt and pushing him in the direction of the RV.

"I never get to do anything fun." Glenn grumbled before heading into the RV. He pursed his lips together when he realised the only available seat was next to Brooks on the sofa. He took a deep breath before he walked over and sat next to her, putting as much distance between them as possible.