"Where do ya think ya going, Nora!" Maggie called behind me, but I paid no attention all I could seem to focus on was getting my ring back.
Maggie trailed behind me trying to get me to stop and just think, but I couldn't. I grabbed the bat from before that lie abandoned by the stairs and walked out of the house. Maggie's calls falling upon deaf ears. I knew I didn't have enough time to let everyone know where I was going. It was already dark out here and If i even mentioned that I was going off alone into the woods -they wouldn't let me leave.
When I approached the stables, Nelly seemed to know immediately that I was there for her. She moved out of the way and let me in. I didn’t have enough time to saddle her up so I grabbed a hold of her mane and swung myself up hastily.
Maggie and Daddy’s voices echoed across the field, calling out to me, but I couldn’t waste time. I needed this ring. I was all I had left from him. I promised him I’d never lose it and that’s exactly what I had done. I had to find it, now.
I kicked Nelly’s side and she took off. The voice of my panicked family fading out in the background as the tree consumed me.
I was dark and I wasn’t quite sure what way I was heading in but I had to end up where I was earlier at some point…Right?
Nelly navigated through and around the tree’s easily and I was grateful for all the times that I had taken Nelly on little nightly runs through the woods before all of this happened.
I knew that I wasn't going to have been followed. Daddy wouldn't dare let anymore of us out here, and when I make it back i'm probably gonna be under house arrest. Never to leave anyones sight...again.
I wasn't sure how long I had been out here for, everything seemed to just blur together. Time and everything surrounding me. I know these woods like the back of my hand during the day, but at night it was a completely different story. Normally I was able to take a flashlight with me but I didn't want to risk it now. If even one infected managed to see it, i don't know how long I could last without accidentally killing it. and if i did, i wouldn't be able to face Daddy again. What would he think of me? Would he think any less? Hopefully not.
Voices sounded from somewhere up ahead. “But they found you, right?”
I steered Nelly towards the voices, they sounded oddly familiar.
“Nah, I found ma own way back. First thing I did was walk to the kitchen and make ma-self a sandwich.” A rough voice replied.
The voices grew closer and I was surprised that they haven’t been able to hear Nelly’s hooves yet.
“Shhh, Stop.” The male voice said again and I pulled Nelly to a stop so I didn’t catch up with them.
The sound of material being moved echoed though the woods and a groaning started.
“Oh, god. That’s disgusting.”
“Dumb son-of-a-bitch, dint know how ta kill ‘im self properly.”
Someone started gagging and I pushed Nelly to a slow walk.
Nelly walked into the clearing standing beside a tent. I looked over and notice two people standing with their backs to us staring up at an infected dangling from a rope around his neck.
“That is nasty.’ I commented.
My voice shocked the other people and the guy spun around on his heels with his crossbow posed to shoot, the tip of the arrow point directly at my head. I looked to the person holding the weapon and narrowed my eyes at he familiar redneck.
“That’s twice you’ve aimed that thing at me.” I said.
The woman, Andrea, relaxed slightly but the redneck remained tense. “It’s twice ya snuck up on us.”
I cocked my head to the side. “I didn’t sneak up on ya the first time. I literally came galloping in with a baseball bat.”
“Daryl put the crossbow down.” Andrea said.
I nodded in her direction and flashed Daryl a triumphant grin. At first I didn’t think he was going to listen and instead shoot me but after a moment of scrutinising me, he lowered it to his side. Although his eye never strayed from Nelly and I.
“How’s carl?” Andrea asked curiously.
I swung my leg over Nelly and slid to the ground. Daryl’s fingers twitched for the trigger but he was able to refrain from aiming it at me once again.
“Alive.” I said. “For now.”
I glanced around the woods before back at the two. “What are you two doing out in the woods all alone in the dark?” I wiggled a suggestive eyebrow at them both and they literally recoiled from each other. The moved apart as if they had been set alight. And I chuckled.
“I could ask ya the same thang.” Daryl snipped, the embarrassment from my previous question evident in his voice.
The ring flashed to mind. “I’m looking for summink.”
“Would dat happen to be death? Only someone with a death wish would wonder the woods alone, weapon-less.” Daryl said. He shifted on his feet and finally swung his crossbow on to his back.
I felt myself completely relax after it was fixed away. Knowing that I didn’t have to limit my movements in fear of being shot.
I reached around Nelly and pulled my baseball bat from her side. I swung it teasingly in my hands. “Who said I was weapon-less?”
Daryl laughed, he actually laughed. “You expect that to protect you. You think you can kill one of these things-“ he gestured to the hanging infected. “with that?”
I lost all humour, my jaw clenched together and my eyes narrowed. “I don’t kill them.” I informed coldly.
Voices sounded from somewhere up ahead. “But they found you, right?”
I steered Nelly towards the voices, they sounded oddly familiar.
“Nah, I found ma own way back. First thing I did was walk to the kitchen and make ma-self a sandwich.” A rough voice replied.
The voices grew closer and I was surprised that they haven’t been able to hear Nelly’s hooves yet.
“Shhh, Stop.” The male voice said again and I pulled Nelly to a stop so I didn’t catch up with them.
The sound of material being moved echoed though the woods and a groaning started.
“Oh, god. That’s disgusting.”
“Dumb son-of-a-bitch, dint know how ta kill ‘im self properly.”
Someone started gagging and I pushed Nelly to a slow walk.
Nelly walked into the clearing standing beside a tent. I looked over and notice two people standing with their backs to us staring up at an infected dangling from a rope around his neck.
“That is nasty.’ I commented.
My voice shocked the other people and the guy spun around on his heels with his crossbow posed to shoot, the tip of the arrow point directly at my head. I looked to the person holding the weapon and narrowed my eyes at he familiar redneck.
“That’s twice you’ve aimed that thing at me.” I said.
The woman, Andrea, relaxed slightly but the redneck remained tense. “It’s twice ya snuck up on us.”
I cocked my head to the side. “I didn’t sneak up on ya the first time. I literally came galloping in with a baseball bat.”
“Daryl put the crossbow down.” Andrea said.
I nodded in her direction and flashed Daryl a triumphant grin. At first I didn’t think he was going to listen and instead shoot me but after a moment of scrutinising me, he lowered it to his side. Although his eye never strayed from Nelly and I.
“How’s carl?” Andrea asked curiously.
I swung my leg over Nelly and slid to the ground. Daryl’s fingers twitched for the trigger but he was able to refrain from aiming it at me once again.
“Alive.” I said. “For now.”
I glanced around the woods before back at the two. “What are you two doing out in the woods all alone in the dark?” I wiggled a suggestive eyebrow at them both and they literally recoiled from each other. The moved apart as if they had been set alight. And I chuckled.
“I could ask ya the same thang.” Daryl snipped, the embarrassment from my previous question evident in his voice.
The ring flashed to mind. “I’m looking for summink.”
“Would dat happen to be death? Only someone with a death wish would wonder the woods alone, weapon-less.” Daryl said. He shifted on his feet and finally swung his crossbow on to his back.
I felt myself completely relax after it was fixed away. Knowing that I didn’t have to limit my movements in fear of being shot.
I reached around Nelly and pulled my baseball bat from her side. I swung it teasingly in my hands. “Who said I was weapon-less?”
Daryl laughed, he actually laughed. “You expect that to protect you. You think you can kill one of these things-“ he gestured to the hanging infected. “with that?”
I lost all humour, my jaw clenched together and my eyes narrowed. “I don’t kill them.” I informed coldly.
"Y-you don't kill them?" Andrea asked disbelievingly.
I shook my head. "No. They're just people that are sick, that's all."
Daryl scoffed. "You're delusional."
I shrugged. "Maybe."
Nelly whined beside me and I reached out and stroked her neck soothingly. "Shhh, it's okay." I cooed. Nelly freaked out easily so this was a usual occurrence with her.
Daryl shone his torch over the tree furthest away from us and circled around. "We should be getting back now. She ain't 'ere."
"Who?" I asked curiously.
Daryl shone the torch at me, the light blinding me and I lifted my hand to shield my eyes. "Who askin'?"
I gave him a look. "Me, you dumbass."
"Why?"
"Curious."
Daryl stared at me, completely untrusting and unwilling to answer me. His eyes were hard and determined and I didn't like the way he was glaring at me with his finger twitching at his side as if he longed for his crossbow to be in his hands just so he could shoot me.
I glared back at him, under my hand refusing to back down.
"A little girl. A herd went through and two chased her into the woods yesterday." Andrea piped up, glanced between the two of us anxiously. I didn't blame her, he didn't seem like he was the best tempered and she didn't even know me.
I broke my gaze away from Daryls at the mention of the little girl, my thoughts trailing off to Janelle and guilt tugged at me for not informing her before I left.
"How old?" I asked quietly.
Daryl seemed to notice the change in my behavior and back down as well. Moving the light ray out of my face and to the ground between us.
"Eleven." Andrea answered.
Just eleven years old and lost in the woods that are roaming with infected...That wasn't good and I felt my heart crack a little for her family.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled, giving them a small apologetic smile.
"Stop actin' all girly, it ain't ya fault." Daryl said gruffly. "But we really should be gettin' back 'bout now."
Andrea shouldered her bag higher on her back and moved to Daryls side. I nodded and gripped Nelly's reins to pull myself back up. "You guys coming by to the farm tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yeah, some of us have already gone, but we wanted to stay behind for one more night for Sophia." Andrea said.
"I'll see ya tomorrow then." I replied.
I hooked my leg over Nelly and heaved my self upright. Nelly neighed quietly and jolted forwards. My hands went to her neck. "Easy." I cooed. She stabled and I looked over at Daryl and Andrea.
Andrea's face was twisted slightly as she seemed to be in through and he face lifted to face me. "You said you were looking for something. It wouldn't happen to be a ring, would it?"
My heart skipped a beat and I nodded frantically. "Yes! Have you seen it?"
A soft smile appeared on Andrea's face. "I found it on the ground after you left with Lori. I took it back the highway, planning on giving it back to you tomorrow. If you want you can come back to the highway with us."
A sound escaped Daryl. "No, no, no. What is it wid ya women and strangers? We don't know this gal!"
Andrea turned to him and shrugged. "She don't seem that bad to me. I mean, Rick must trust her somewhat to send her out for Lori, and she's invited us back to her home-"
"My daddy's home." I inturrupted which went by unnoticed.
Daryl gave a exasperated sigh and threw his hands in the air before letting them fall limp at his side. "Fine. But if she kills ya all i'll put an arrow straight threw 'er skull." He threatened.
I hopped back off of Nelly and lean her over to stand beside Andrea. I peered around her to grin smugly at Daryl. "I suppose I'd kill you first then." I joked.
Andrea seemed to get it and chuckled whilst nudging me in the ribs telling me to be quite but instantly Daryl had his crossbow in his hands aimed perfectly at me.
The smile slipped from my lips but i'm sure my eyes were still laughing. I lifted my hands beside my head in surrender. "Jokin'."
Something flashed through he eyes too quickly to catch but he lowered the crossbow again and grumbled unintellegent words under his breath as he stormed past Andrea and I, making sure to bump my shoulder.
The walk to the highway didn't take very long, but with ever step my heart pounded. I was forever going to be grateful to Andrea for finding and keeping my ring safe. Words just couldn't fall into place to explain just how much appreciated it.
Daryl stayed in the front, pretty much just ignoring my presence and keeping a look out. Nelly was being well behaved beside me as she walked along without needed incouragement.
Andrea was quite as well, although I assume that was mainly because she was afraid too much noise would draw out some of the infected. She kept glancing around the woods although I'd be surprised if she could see anything without her flashlight.
We came out of an opening in the woods that lead out onto the side of the highway and I followed them both down the middle of the road towards a slightly beat-up RV. As we came closer a flashlight was shone on all of us before the sound of a gun being cocked was heard.
"Dale, it's okay. It't just us!" Andrea called.
The light was drawn away from us and the gun was put down.
We came to a stop beside the RV and an older man with white hair covered with a fishing hat came climbing down the ladder. Once he was on the ground Daryl stormed into the RV without a word, the door slamming behind him and I jumped at the sudden sound as did Nelly.
I held her face in one hand and ran my other gently down her nose. "It's okay, girl." I did that a couple of times and she finally calmed down.
"Who's this?" Dale asked, gesturing to me.
I stepped forwards and held my hand out. "I'm Nora Greene. I live at the farm."
Dale gave me a welcoming smile. "Dale." He said, shaking my hand. "What are you doing here? If it's not too rude to ask."
"I was in the woods searching for something when I bumped into Andrea, she knows what I'm looking for and has it. She said it was alright for me to tag along back here."
Dale turned to Andrea. "Wasn't Daryl with you?"
Andrea nodded, her lips twitched. "Yeah, but they don't seem to get along very well."
Dale hummed knowingly. "Well, it was nice to meet you Nora."
I grinned. "You too, Dale."
He nodded to Andrea and climbed back up the ladder to resume his previous activity. My eyes followed him, curious.
"He keeps watch." Andrea informed, following my eyes. "To give us a warning if any more herds decide to come through."
"Sounds like a good idea." I commented.
Silence fell upon us for a few moments as we both just serveyed the woods and road. It was completely abandoned, and terrifying to look at . Never once inmy life did I expect anything like this to ever happend. I don't think any of us did, but life can take some unexpected turns, for better or for worse, who knows?
"I'll just get you your ring." Andrea finally said, breaking the silence.
I smiled. "Okay."
And she dissapeared inside the RV leaving me alone with Nelly.
It didn't take long until the RV door slammed open and out came Daryl, a scowl present on his face. He shuffled over to me, his crossbow once again in his hands.
"I ain't done anything!" I exclaimed quickly.
Dispite his previously serious expression, at my words a smile tugged at his lips. "I know ya ain't. Andrea said ta give ya this." He held out his closed fist and I would be lying if I said I wasn't hesitant to except it.
I didn't trust Daryl at all. "What is it?" I asked slowly.
Daryl seemed to like my caution around him as his eyes glowed and his lips twisted into a smirk. "Put ya 'and out and ya'll find out."
I eyed him critically and then his hands. "It better not be a spider." I mumbled, holding my flat palm before him.
He dropped something cold on my palm and my first reaction was to drop it and flick it away but i held in that urg. I glanced down and a relieved smile appeared on my face. It was my ring. Perfectly fine in once piece just how I had it last.
I looked up at Daryl who was already watching me. "Thank you." I said sincerly.
Shock passed across Daryl's face before he quickly covered it. "Ya ain't gotta thank me. It was Andrea." And he turned on his heels walking away from me before I could get in another word.
But he paused at the RV door for a moment. His back remained facing me and the he turned to look at me. "Ya can crash 'ere tonigh' an' we'll take ya back in the mornin'." He seemed like that was something he had trouble saying to me but I was pleasently surprised and I grinned at him.
"Really? You ain't gonna shoot me whilst I sleep, right?"
Daryl lifted his crossbow at me. "I can shoot ya now if you'd prefer?" I would have thought he was serious if his grip on the weapon wasn't so slacked and he wasn't grinning.
I shook my head. "Asleep's good for me."
His arm holding up his crossbow fell limply to his side and his tilted his head towards the door.
"What should I do with Nelly?" I asked, petty her as I spoke.
Daryl shrugged. "Tie 'er up somewhere."
"Thank you, that was so helpful." I replied sarcastically.
"Tie her up on the Mirror of the RV." Dale called down. I glanced up at him.
"Thank you." I paused. "Another question," He nodded. "Do you have any rope?"
Dale laughed whilst Daryl let out an irritated sigh.
"Daryl there should be some hanging off of the back ladder." Dale informed.
Daryl didn't look like he was about to move and get it for me so I did it my self.
Once I had gotten the rope I loosely hooked it around Nelly's neck and tied her to the Mirror on the passenger side door. I gave her a soothing pat before jogging over to Daryl waiting impatiently by the door. Once he saw me he opened the door and dissapeared inside. I guess that meant I should follow him. So I did, making sure the door was tightly closed behind me.
The inside of teh RV was surprisingly clean, I don't know what I was expecting but i know this wasn't it. Andrea was asleep or trying to sleep on the short sofa on one side of the table. The door to the backroom bedroom was closed and muffled sobbed was heard.
I tapped Daryl on the shoulder and pointed to the door. "Little girls family?"
"'er mom." He said and shook out a blanket on the floor. I watched his as he moved and as if sensing my gaze looked over his shoulder. At being caught my cheeks flared and I coughed awkwardly and looked away.
"Ya can 'ave that one." He said, breaking the awkwardness that was beginging to seep in. I looked over to him pointing to the small sofa on the other side of the table. Opposite Andrea.
"Are you sure? I can take the floor."
As if to ignore me he laid down on the make-sift bed on his back, hand behind his head, staring aimlessly up at the ceiling.
"I'll take that as a 'shut up and go to sleep.'" I muttered to mysel as I stepped over his carefully.
I couldn't deny the small though that passed my mind telling me to stand on him, but supressed it and make it passed him with no incidents. I don't think he would take very kindly to being trampled on.
I sat back against the wall, legs stretched out infront of me and leant my head back against the wall.
I didn't realise how tiring today had been but not that I had time to relax it was starting to catch up on me. My eye lids drooped and I let them shut.
My thoughts swirling around Janelle and how she was.
I shuffled and got comfortable and let myself drift off.
"Goodnight, Daryl."
And I was just conscious enough to hear a grunt from his general direction before falling completely asleep.
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