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𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑺𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴𝑺
chapter two

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( 𝘎𝘶𝘵𝘴 / 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 )

My hands moved in the ground. I could see the dirt slowly crawling into my fingernails and cover the palms of my hands. I never minded getting dirty. But the process was slowly making me miss the lifestyle I had so taken for granted. My hands eventually found some roots which I pulled with little force.

My head turned to where Amy was stood holding a small metal dish filled with the sorts of mushrooms and roots we had found. I stood up on my feet, brushing the dirt from my empty hand on my pants, and placed the roots in the dish. Amy gave a grin at the newest addition and placed what I'm assuming to be some small size mushrooms in.

We had some foods. Mostly just cans that people either already had with them or we had gotten on the runs. But in order to save as much as possible and make it stretch we had to go back to the ways of hunting and gathering. That was one of my jobs. I would sometimes go into the nearby bushes looking for anything that may look edible. Amy and I would mostly find either small size mushrooms or wild roots. One time we found a small berry patch that made for a nice treat. They were red and juicy and the first sweet thing I had in weeks.

"Well looks like we got ourselves a nice bounty." Amy's positive voice said smiling at the dish. I had to resist the urge to point out that there was barely anything in there but I just settled for a nod. It wasn't bad, it just could have been better.

My eyes drifted into the wooden forest in front of us. If we were just allowed to go more further in then maybe I could pick some decent stuff. Maybe even find another berry bush. But mom had strictly forbid me from going anywhere outside of camp. Expect to the quarry but only if the other women were going to be there.

We walked back towards the middle of our camp to where mom was sat by the fireplace on a pair of tires stacked on top of each other. I gave Dale, who sat on top of his white RV holding a pair of binoculars, a small wave in which he returned. Dale placed his binoculars in his lap and did a waving motion seemingly gesturing me over to him.

I found myself confused on why the old man would want me in his presences. We hardly ever spoke since I mostly always kept to myself. I've been told I'm not an overly friendly person. But I found that I liked him. He wasn't overly friendly either. I didn't know much about him but I heard from a few of the survivors here that he was a retired man who had planned to take his wife travelling across the country with the RV that he had just brought. The one we now sat upon.

Unfortunately his wife had passed away before that could happen. After this he found himself not caring about anyone anymore and decided to take his RV and do the trip alone. Travelling like that and not caring sounded lonely but in a way I found myself relating. I had my people I cared about but that was pretty much it.

Of course I wasn't a monster and helped those who needed it but I never really went too much out of the way to help a complete stranger. Especially if it risked my loved ones lives. Does that make me a horrible person? Maybe.

I found my footing on the ladder and pulled myself up the few steps until I made it to the top of the roof. I remained on the ladder look up at Dale who now had his full attention on me. He looked at me as if expecting me to say something but when I didn't he simply sighed and reached for something that sat at his side.

"I noticed that little book that your always drawing it seems to be running out of pages. Figured you could use some more." Dale said holding out a small size black sketchbook. It was not much bigger than the one I already had and was about the size of a novel. It looked untouched and new. My eyes widen and mouth sat agape as I slit myself on top of the RV and grabbed hold of the book with two hands.

My thumb run across the fabric cover and I found myself smiling up at the man.

"Thank you Dale." I said in a soft spoken tone giving a nervous smile. I didn't know what his motivations were for this but I was grateful. I was worried what would happen when my pages would run out. Now I don't anymore. Dale gave a nodded smile and gestured to the book.

"I found it in the van and thought it had a better use than collecting dust." He joked half heartedly letting out a breathy chuckle and I found myself doing the same. I used my sketchbook so much it never would have time to collect dust.

"Dale! I'm heading out!" I heard mom's voice call up and I turned to see her looking up at him. Her eyes then locked on to me and she gave a warm smile.

"Sweetheart, I want you to stay here with Dale ok? Don't wander off!" She called out. I found myself cringing at the statement but gave a small nod. Before this, mom was never really too concerned about people watching me given my age. But now with the chance death could be around the corner, she made sure I was never really alone. Hence why I sometimes staged my midnight escapees.

"You too. Don't wander too far. Stay within shouting distance. And if you see anything, holler. I'll come running!" Dale called out. I found myself chuckling at the statement which sounded like something my mom would say to me. 

"Yes mom!" Moms tone rang of playful annoyance and I found myself feeling a sort of déjà vu at the many times mom would tell me the typically stuff a mother would usually tell her child and me rolling my eyes answering in an annoyed "yes mom!" I saw my mother say something to Carl before walking off into the forest holding a bright red bucket. She must of had the same idea as me in going in deeper into the woods to find more food.

I gave Dale a final look, nodding in thanks, before climbing back down the RV over towards my brother who sat playing in the dirt by one of the cars.

"Where's mom going?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders looking at the little toy car he held.

"I don't know she just said to stay here. I think she went to find Shane and get some more food." Carl answered. I hadn't even realised Shane wasn't here. In fact I haven't seen him all day. And mom was carrying a bucket. Guess out of the two of us Carl got the perceptive gene.

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"Attaboy!" Shanes enthusiastic tone said to my brother who had a piece of rope in his hand. Shane and Carl were sat on carts while I sat nearby leaning on the surface of a worn out couch. Shane was teaching my brother how to tie what appeared to be different types of knots.

I sat looking down at the first blank page of the sketchbook Dale had given me. I decided I wanted to try it out. I wanted to draw something for Dale. As a sort of thanks for the book. I was never really good at the whole saying thanks or taking things from others so in a way doing a drawing for him would be like paying him back. I was trying to decide what to draw him though.

"And three, two, one... pull it." I was brought out of my thoughts by Shanes count down. I watched my brother's hopeful grin disappear the rope knot failed.

"Aw!" My brother pouted at his unsuccessful knot. I caught sight of my mother who was just a few feet behind them hanging Landry. She gave them a smile that I didn't quite know the meaning of.

"Start it over. Make your "p" the other way... around your finger." Shane instructed Carl and I watch the rope move around his fingers. Feeling I couldn't decide I placed the sketchbook on the couchs surface before pulling myself up onto my feet and moving towards my mother.

"Need any help?" I asked gesturing to the laundry. She smiled and handed me what looked to be one of Carls shirts. I stood at my mother's side and grabbed a peg pinning the shirt to the wire string that had been set up. I could hear Shane and Carl's talking and laughing in the background as I picked up one of mom's singlets.

"Did you find anymore food out there?" I asked my mother whose gaze was on Shane and my brother. She snapped out of her trance and looked at me with a surprised look.

"You went into the woods. Did you find anything?" I asked seeing she was trying to piece together what I had said. She stared for a moment before shaking her head.

"Oh ahh... no, no I didn't." She nervously answered looking heavily down at the shirt she was pegging on. I raised a silent brow at my mother's sheepish and nervous answer. She was gone for almost an hour and found nothing? I was surprised but maybe there is nothing out there.

"Hello, base camp! Can anybody out there hear me? Base camp, this is T-Dog. Anybody hear me?"

I watched Dale run from a car back to his RV and climb the roof. He took hold of the radio and press down the button. I stood next to mom and Carl, who along with Shane had gotten up, and a few others who crowed around the front of the RV looking up at Dale.

"Hello? Hello? Reception's bad on this end. Repeat. Repeat." Dale spoke into the radio in a loud tone. I heard some static and felt mom grip on shoulder and give a squeeze of comfort.

"Shane, is that you?"

"Is that them?" Mom asked reading my mind.

My heart dropped at the familiar tone. It sounded like one of the runners. And they only ever radio if...

"We're in some deep shit. We're trapped in the department store."

"He said they're trapped?" I heard Shane ask, hands on hips looking at Dale.

"There are geeks all over the place. Hundreds of 'em. We're surrounded."

I felt my palms begin the sweat and my heart beat against my chest. If they were sick and surrounded by geeks, there was little to no chance of getting out... and everybody knew it.

"T-Dog, repeat that last. Repeat." Dale screamed into the radio but only hearing the static and then nothing. Everyone looked at each other and I felt mom's grip tighten on my shoulder.

"He said the department store." Mom asked looking up at Dale who gave a grim nod. I felt her hand leave my shoulder as she walked up to stand by Shane.

"I heard it too."

"Shane?" Mom said giving him a knowing look. I felt my hand reach out and grip the bottom of my brothers shirt. I looked at mom and watched Shane shake his head.

"No way. We do not go after them. We do not risk the rest of the group. Y'all know that." Shane spoke as if he was telling us he was telling us there were clouds in the sky. I watched a few faces form in disbelief and I myself felt a little taken aback by the lack of sympathy. I understood I need to survive but those people were apart of our group. Not some strangers we didn't know.

"So we're just gonna leave her there?" Amy, who stood off to the side, said, her tone full of pure anger and disbelief.

"Look, Amy, I know that this is not easy..." Amy stormed up to Shane.

"She volunteered to go to help the rest of us." Amy enraged. It was true. The members that had gone on the run all were volunteers that had gone before. They were the bravest of us who risked their lives just to see us feed and looked after. I wanted to go at first wanting to help but mom had completely flipped out screaming about how she wasn't losing me too. So I shut my mouth and let others volunteer.

"I know, and she knew the risks, right? See, if she's trapped, she's gone. So we just have to deal with that. There's nothing we can do." Shane said in a compassionless manner. I may not be too fond of Amy but that merrier no right for Shane to speak to her like that. I understood Shane's line of thinking being in this new word where everyday someone died. But if I was Amy and Carl was the one out there, I would shout, kick and scream at anyone who tried to stop me going after him.

My grip unconsciously tighten on Carls shirt and my thumb run up and down the fabric.

"She's my sister, you son of a bitch." Amy stormed off. Mom looked at Shane shaking her head before she turned around and made her way after the upset woman. I heard the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance and looked at Shane, who's eyes where already on me.

"I get it... but you didn't need to say it like that." I simply said still gripping onto my brothers shirt. He hadn't made a move to leave my side and I was grateful. All I could think about was being Amy and losing Carl. I couldn't even bare the thought.

"It had to be said. If we went out there, it puts both yours and your brother's lives at risk and I can't take that." He said. That had somewhat won me over. Not the part about my life but my brothers. I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. That seemed to be my go to response.

I felt Shane's hand lightly touch my cheek before he walked off to where I assume to be either my mother or to be alone. Apart of me couldn't shake his tone of voice. It was just so... heartless. Maybe that's how we all had to start speaking if we were to survive this new world.

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"Baby, the more you fidget, the longer it takes. So don't, okay?" Mom said to my grumbling brother that sat between her knees on the ground.

"I'm trying." Carl complained fidgeting as mom attempted to cut the ends of his hair. She insisted Carl didn't a haircut and given that going to a barber was no longer an option, the task fell to her.

"Well, try harder." Mom nagged. I felt Shane nudge me from my spot beside him on a crate.

"He thinks this is bad, wait till you start shaving. That stings. When that day comes, he'll be wishing for one of your mama's haircuts." Shane said and I heard a huff come out of Carl. I gave a light chuckle at that. My hair now sat in a high raised ponytail and the jacket I previously wore placed carefully in the tent. The heat the afternoon sun proved us was enough to give some a heat stroke.

"I'll believe that when I see it." My brother muttered and I heard a laugh draw out of mom and Shane.

"I'll tell you what... you just get through this with some manly dignity and tomorrow I'll teach you something special. I will teach you to catch frogs." Shane spoke at my brother as he cleaned out his rifle. Carl tilted his head and gave Shane a funny look.

"I've caught a frog before." He stated as if it was no big deal.

"I said frogs... plural. And it is an art, my friend. It is not to be taken lightly. There are ways and means. Few people know about it. I'm willing to share my secrets." Shane's exaggerated voice said. It was a voice many adults would use on children to try and get them to do something they didn't want too. I watch Carl look at mom, unsure of what to say.

"Oh, I'm a girl. You talk to him." Mom said. I watch in amusement as my brother looks at me and I give him the same teasing look my mother did. He then turned back to Shane who had his brows raised.

"it's a one-time offer, bud... not to be repeated." Shane stated in a serious joking manner. I watched him look at Uncle Shane a moment thinking this offer over.

"Why do we need frogs, plural?" He asked very seriously. Shane placed his rifle off to the slide and bent his back forward to look my brother in the eyes.

"You ever eat frog legs?" He asked. I could feel a gag coming on. My brother hadn't but I sure had. It was an early summer morning when dad had taken me down to the nearby lake. My seven year old self had insisted I go swimming in the new bathing suit mom had brought for me a few days before. It was white with red stripes and I was in love. While I was swimming dad had somehow managed to catch a frog and insisted that I try frog legs. My naive seven year old self had nodded eagerly at him. But once that first taste hit my mouth, I threw the leg away and cry out. I could still hear dads bright big laughter at my face and the way I pouted about him lying it tasted like chicken.

"Eww!" I found myself saying alongside my brother. Shane gave us both a cheeky grin.

"No, yum!" He insisted clearly enjoying our reactions.

"No, there right. Eww." Mom agreed. Shane wore a grin as he sat back up and took hold of the rifle again.

"When you get down to that last can of beans, you're gonna be loving those frog legs, lady. I can see it now... "Shane, do you think I could have a second helping, please? Please? Just one?" Shane mimicked. Both Carl and I began to laugh as mom gave Shane a playful serious look.

"Yeah, I doubt that." She denied looking back down and resuming the hair cut on the brothers hair. Shane looked down at Carl.

"Don't listen to her, man. You and me, we'll be heroes. We'll feed these folks cajun-style Kermit legs." He said spinning the rifle while grinning. I found my eye brows raised at the statement and mom shook her head.

"I would rather eat miss piggy." She paused for a moment. "Yes, that came out wrong." Mom quickly said seeing the look on Shane's face.

"Heroes, son, spoken of in song and legend. You and me, Shane and Carl." Shane stated with a sorted pride. I grinned at my brothers wide smile who looked quite pleased with the idea of being a hero. I could see my brother being a hero. He always had the neck for being one. While he was the cute, bright and likeable child I was the moody, quite one that always kept to herself. In actuality, in some cases he was probably the braver of the two of us.

The loud siren of a car suddenly pierced through my ears. All at once everyone around the camp immediately jumped to their feet and rushed to gather in the middle.

"Talk to me, Dale!" Shane yelled up at Dale who now stood on his feet, binoculars on his eyes looking out towards the source of the noise.

"I can't tell yet." Dale strained looking further with his binoculars. I could feel mom take my arm and saw her to the same with Carl as she kept us both to her side.

"Is it them? Are they back?" Amy hopeful voice said off to my left. I found myself suddenly rooting for that wanting Amy to have her sister back.

"I'll be damned." We heard Dale say removing the binoculars from his eyes.

"What is it?" Amy yelled up in concern.

"A stolen car is my guess." Dale replied looking at us all. I frowned. Stolen car? Who the hell would steal a car and drive it all the way up here? Maybe it was the others? I hope it was.

We all stood around the base entrance to our little camp as what I could tell to be a fancy red sports car pulled up. I felt mom's grip on me tighten as a man emerged from the blasting vehicle. I instantly relaxed upon seeing it was just Glenn, a young man around Amy's age, walk up to the hood of the car. He was one of the main people that always went on the runs. He was fast and quick on his feet and knew all the knicks and tricks in getting around the city. When asked why he was so good at this he simply answered "I use to deliver pizzas for a living."

"Holy crap. Turn that damn thing off!" Dale screamed over the top of the still wailing siren. Glenn threw up his hands looking panicked by the noise.

"I don't know how!" He yelled back gripping through edge of his cap. I tensed at the loud noise. The siren was beginning to give me a headache but my anxiety was worst. Loud noises drew attention. Those geeks were attracted to noise.

"Pop the hood, please! Pop the damn hood, please!" Shane roared to the boy next to the hood.

"My sister Andrea!!" I heard Amy voice all out over the siren.

"Pop the damn hood!" Shane angrily yelled louder.

"What? Okay okay. Yeah yeah yeah. Yeah yeah!" Glenn said beginning to look overwhelmed with the amount of people yelling at him. I watch him jog over to the open door of the car and reach in. The hood of the car is popped.

"Is she okay? Is she all right?" Amy asks Glenn as Shane ran over to the hood and began to disconnect the battery to turn the alarm off. My ears are suddenly relieved as the piercing noise stops.

"She's okay! She's okay!" Glenn said to the frantic woman who breathed a sigh of relief. I took felt myself do the same at knowing the remaining members of the group would make it back to camp ok.

"Is she coming back?" Amy asked. I could see Glenn start to become annoyed as he huffed and nodded his head.

"Yes!" He stressed and I could tell the man was exhausted.

"Why isn't she with you? Where is she? She's okay?" Amy's questions spilled out.

"Yes! Yeah, fine. Everybody is. Well, Merle not so much." Glenn said in a sheepish voice. I didn't feel anything at that. Merle was a scary man who often gave me the creeps. But he was still a human being. Just not one I particularly liked. Shane suddenly began ranting, scolding Glenn like a school boy on how idiotic it was to drive up here with this "wailing bastard". Eventually Dale jumped in acting as peace keeper talking Shane down saying everything was ok and there was no need to freak out.

Glenn looked sheepishly at us all and shrugged in a half heartedly.

"Sorry. Got a cool car." He grinned and I found myself suppressing a smile. It's true the car looked pretty cool. How he got it I had no idea but I couldn't help but wonder where everyone else was.

My question was answered when what looked to be a decent size moving truck drove up the path and parked directly behind the sports car. I watched as Andrea emerged from the back and Amy throw her arms around her shoulders calling her name and holding her tight. I lightly smiled at the scene happy the sisters reunited.

"Papi! Daddy!" Two small children ran up to Morales, a middle aged tanned skin man with black curls. She watched the man take the two children in his arms and kiss his wife who had just approached. A full family finally reunited. It was a sweet scene. One I would never get to experience I selfishly thought.

I felt mom's grip on my arm vanish and I turned to watch her bend down and take my brother in her arms. He looked upset and I knew why. He felt the same way I always did when I heard the other kids in the camp call out to their fathers. He's thinking about dad too.

"New guy... he got us out." I heard Glenn say to none in particular. A new guy? Must have run into someone in the city. I suddenly thought back to that strange radio call we'd gotten earlier. The strange man who's tried to reach us. Maybe this was him.

"New guy?" Shane asks placing both hands on hips raising an eye brow to the group of runners. Morales nodded still holding onto his family.

"Yeah, crazy Vato just got into town." Morales turned his head towards the now open passenger side door of the truck.

"Hey, helicopter boy! Come say hello." Morales called out. I raised my head to see a man in a dishevelled button down sheriffs uniform step his two feet onto the ground.

"The guy's a cop like you." He told us. My eyes raise to see his face and that was when my world stopped. My eyes became saucers as my lips became agape and muttered a word I never thought I'd ever say again.

"Dad?"

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.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
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𝑨𝑼𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑹 𝑵𝑶𝑻𝑬!!!

Ahhh cliffhanger hehe!!

Rick is back yay! I love my man so much and can't wait to write him and Rory again