𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒.
chapter seven; Sniper Shooting
" Didn't know they let girls into the SEALs. "

  ZEPPELIN WILLIAMS WAS thrilled that Carl Grimes was finally up and out of bed. Lori and Rick were not complaining about the girl that stuck to their son's side; she was bright and cheerful and had better manners than most people the couple had met.

  Vex was not as thrilled.

  "She's gonna get attached. She already is."

  "Vex, it's the first kid she's been around in a year."

  The woman sighed, taking another sip of water as she watched Zeppelin show Carl how to play Jacks.

  "It's only gonna hurt her more when they leave," Vex mumbled.

  Dean sighed, crossing his arms.

  "They're nice people-- and they've survived this long. It might not be so bad--"

  "I've put the faith in the wrong people enough for one life, Dean."

  He fell silent at this, refusing to argue this point over with his sister any more than they already had.

  Zeppelin cheered loudly when Carl managed to collect all the jacks, the boy grinning before passing the ball back to her. They continued on for a while until Rick approached the two. They talked for a moment, Zeppelin nodding her head quickly, before taking off toward her mother.

  "Hi, Momma," Zeppelin smiled, out of breath, accepting the water glass her mother offered, "They're doing a shooting class further out."

  "Yeah, you know how to shoot, Zep," Vex said, cocking her head.

  "Well," Zeppelin drawled out, "I know that. But, I was thinkin' if we went. . . you might show me how to shoot your gun."

  "Zep--"

  "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Zep," Dean said, standing quickly, "How about we all go, huh? Make it a family outing."

  "Yeah, no," Vex laughed, "If I'm going either way, then you're picking up my chores here."

  ". . . Sounds fair," Dean smiled, patting his sister's shoulder, "Make some friends."

  Vex frowned as her brother entered the house, jumping when her daughter's voice yelled out.

  "She said yes!"

  Carl threw two thumbs up in the air.

🗡

  "Where'd you learn how to shoot?"

  Vex was helping set up the makeshift range alongside Rick and Shane, while the learners accepted guns from T-Dog.

  "Navy," Vex said shortly, in response to Rick.

  "Really?" Shane questioned, eyeing the gun on her shoulder, "Not your standard issue military weapon."

  "That's 'cause my mom wasn't in the typical military," Zeppelin smiled, approaching the trio quickly.

  "Oh yeah?" Rick laughed.

  "She was a-- what's it called, Mom?"

  She hesitated, propping another bottle up on the fence.

  "SEAL."

  "No shit," Shane laughed, "You were a fuckin' sniper."

  "Yep."

  Vex was clearly uncomfortable with the revelation, and while Rick couldn't fully understand why, he wanted to respect this.

  After all, Vex had brought medical supplies to save his son, went out daily in search of a child she didn't know and saved perhaps the most disagreeable member of his group.

  If anything, Rick figured his group was indebted to her.

  "Didn't know they let girls into the SEALs," Shane laughed.

  "I can show you why they did if you want," Vex said fully turning to the man.

  Shane saw very quickly that Vex was not the kind of person that would back down. 

  Vex saw very quickly that Shane was exactly the kind of man she wanted dead.

  "That's alright," Rick said, "You earned your place, ain't that right?"

  "Yeah," Vex mumbled, "Come on, Zep, hang close."

  Zeppelin asked no questions as she tailed after her mother to the furthest end of the makeshift range. Everyone else held pistols, aiming for bottles and cans, but Vex was taking a different route.

  "I don't see a target," Zeppelin whispered as Vex propped her rifle up on a lone fence.

  "Look through here," Vex responded, tapping the scope, "Find a red can."

  Zeppelin looked hesitant but did as her mother said. Vex placed the girl's hands on the gun, showing her how to handle a weapon larger than the 22 calibers she'd shot before.

  "Just calm down, no one is rushing one," Vex said calmly, "When you're using a gun like this, you have time, you can take a minute to find what you need."

  Zeppelin nodded, looking through the scope.

  She didn't see anything red. Just trees and brush and a few birds- Zeppelin started to lose faith in herself. 

  There was no way she'd find that can, even if she did, there was no way she'd be able to hit it.

  "Clear your head of everything except that red can," Vex said quietly, "You can do it."

  After another moment of searching, Zeppelin Williams felt a rise of pride.

  "I found it," She grinned, "Right there, behind the branches."

  Vex smiled.

  "Trust your crosshairs," She nodded, "Squeeze the trigger, don't pull it. And don't let the gun jerk you-- you found the target, no make that bullet hit it."

  Zeppelin let out a breath, squeezing the trigger just as she lined up the can in the crosshairs.

  She kept to the scope long enough to see her bullet hit the side of it, knocking the can off the fence.

  "Did you see that?!"

  Vex only smiled, ruffling her daughter's hair, and promising she could take three more shots.

  Rick wandered over, holding up binoculars behind Vex and Zeppelin in search of their target.

  "Nice shot," He complimented Zeppelin with a smile, "You got a good teacher."

  "Sure do," Zeppelin beamed, "How's Carl doin'?"

  Rick smiled, telling Zeppelin that Carl was handling it well-- hitting his target after a couple of tries. 

  He laughed when Zeppelin promised she'd help if Carl needed it.

  "Alright, baby, we're headin' back," Vex said after removing the bullets from her gun and ensuring none were still in the chamber, "Put this in the bed- you're cleanin' it when we get back."

  Zeppelin did not seem disappointed.

  "She gets along with Carl real well."

  Vex eyed Rick as she collected the remainder of her gear.

  "She does," Vex replied, "Zep's never met a stranger."

  Rick laughed nodding.

  "I think she'll be a good influence on him," He said.

  Vex hesitated, scanning the faces around her, and the not-so-subtle watching eyes of Shane.

  "Listen, Rick. . ." Vex sighed, shaking her head, "I have no sway over if Hershel keeps you here--"

  "--I know, I'm not--"

  "But Dean, and Zep, and I," She continued calmly, "We won't stay here forever. We have a home. We have a routine. We have a life that works, something that keeps my daughter happy and healthy. I'm not giving that up."

  Rick nodded slowly at first, looking out to the range.

  "I can't ask you to. I know I wouldn't."

  "Then don't ask."

  Rick turned back to her, and for perhaps the first time, saw her as she truly was.

  Yes, Vex had rode in like a white knight with her family and saved his son. She'd gone out to search for Sophia without question, or promise of anything in return. She saved Daryl's ass, even though she clearly didn't like him that much. She was a Navy SEAL for God's sake, and Rick had almost let his greed get the better of him.

  But now, he saw it.

  Before anything else, Vex was a mother. A parent, just like him, who would do anything for her kid.

  He nodded, patting her shoulder once.

  "Thank you."

  "Don't mention it."

WORD COUNT : 1280