I heard the pierce before I felt it. A vicious sting and aching throb exploded in my side.
I laid at the foot of the slope, struggling to catch my breath. Every intake hurt and exhaled as a grunt.
"Son of a bitch! Ah!" I tried to sit up but ended up laying back again.
The pain in my side flared so intense it drowned out everything else but the throb in my head.
I grit my teeth and tried to look down again, turning despite how much it hurt to get a look at my side where the 4 inch tip of a bolt stuck outta my side.
-
I laid there for longer than I should have before I could turn myself over and crawl through the water.
It's easier to move in the 5 foot(at least) deep water but submerging my side hurt more than getting out.
I held my side as I got to the shore, the water went from 3 feet to no feet real quick and I stumbled out of the water, almost face planting into the dirt on the bank.
Every small move pulled at the bolt, or made it move and once I was knelt at the edge of the water, I took my knife, cut the sleeves off my shirt and tied the ends together before tying it around the bolt as close to my skin as I could get it, to stop every little thing from moving it.
I don't think it hit anything important, or I'd probably be dead already.
I panted, looking up for my way out. First time around climbing outta here was easy but from down here— right now, that ridge looks a lot steeper.
I held my side as it throbbed, looking back at the dirt beneath me. That climb was intimdatin' the first time round.
I tried to push it out of my head as I struggled to get up. My side pulled but once I was on my feet again I went to what was probably a fallen tree at some point and found a large stick, testing it's strength out in the mud, to give me something to lean on before I make this climb.
A branch snapped and I froze, looking at the bushes so fast my head spun for a second.
Cautiously, I leaned and moved my head to try and see through the thick edge of the woods but it's no use. I can't see anything.
I took a wary step back, reaching around for my crossbow and my blood ran cold.
Where is—
I looked over and under my shoulder, on some level hoping I was just missing. I just had it—
My eyes darted towards the water.
The rustling continued and I backpedalled, almost tripping over my own two feet as I got back in the water, trying to be as quiet as I could. No splashing.
~
Eve's POV
I've been out here for hours.
I've searched almost my entire range, hours on my feet and trudging through the bushes— tracking down a trail that's not even here— with nothing to show for it.
I scratched my neck and pulled a strand of stuck hair from my lips; wiping the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand.
I haven't seen any walkers really, aside from one that was already dead. It would have concerned me except it died because there was a tree on it's head. A tree that looked like it'd been struck by lightning. It probably happened a long time ago. There was hardly anything left of the body.
So there are two ways to see this. It could be a good thing that I haven't found anything, she might not have gotten all the way out here, which means we are searching in the right places; Or it could mean her trail is colder than we thought.
Oh I've never been religious but, God, I really hope the others are having more luck.
I glanced at the sky, listening to the bird song for a moment.
I hope Daryl's bird's eye view has panned out. I can't really see the ridge from here, not under the canopy, but it was a good idea.
Now if only one of these ideas or searches would produce some results.
~
Daryl's POV
I searched the water with the stick, pushing it along the bottom until it hit something that didn't feel natural and I reached my arm under.
My fingers grazed over something smooth and I found a grip, trying to raise it out of the water, I knew it was my crossbow. I know it ain't that heavy but pulling it out of the sticky mud on the bottom, and up through 4 feet of water, it felt like it weighed 60 pounds.
No wonder Eve was such a mess. I'm surprised she managed to pull 'erself as far outta that mud as she did; Stuff's like glue.
I made my way back to where I was before, my crossbow in hand this time.
It's gonna be dark in a couple hours. I don't have a horse anymore, means I gotta make it back on foot.
The first step up what might as well be a mountain side, was excruciating.
The ache felt like a white-hot rod's been shoved through my side.
My chest heaved. Every step, climb, jump, pull up, every move made me grit my teeth so hard my jaw hurt.
Heh, and I told Eve to be careful.
Never thought I'd be the one who needed savin' with 'er clumsy ass around.
I grabbed hold of a thin tree, throwing my stick up onto the next ledge. I took a quick breath, making sure my crossbow strap was secured around my arm and pulled.
JE LEEST
Sneaky
Fanfictie"That's Evelyn, but she prefers Eve." Dale spoke from behind us. "She doesn't say much. Maybe you'll get to hear her voice someday." Evelyn Rider's light step and silent disposition have served her well during these dangerous times, but the dead are...
Chapter 37
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