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Kyle restrained a frown as he listened in to the situation. Dale stood atop the RV, talking into the CB to T-Dog, who sounded urgent.
T-Dog: 
"We're trapped in the department store...geeks are everywhere...need..."
Dale: T-Dog repeat that last, repeat.He got no answer and lost the connection.Lori: He said the department store.Dale: I heard it too.Amy stepped up, looking a bit frantic but there was determination there.Amy: We have to help them.Shane: We can't.Kyle just rolled his eyes. Glenn was their supply runner, and Merle helped get them food by hunting with Daryl. He's basically condemning two core members of the group to death.He didn't care for Walsh honestly, the man seemed to think that just because he was a cop that it automatically meant he was in charge.Most people here didn't care for him particularly really.Amy: (Shakes her head). My sister is there, Raven's brother in law is there. Multiple people who contribute to-She is rudely interrupted by Walsh, who sounded disinterested and condescending.Shane: They knew the risks, we can't save 'em.
*Amy will remember that Shane disregarded others, especially Andrea*

*Amy now dislikes Shane*
Amy: (Scowls). She's my sister, you son of a bitch.She storms off. Lori shakes her head at Shane and follows her, calling her, but Amy was clearly ignoring her.Raven had been watching silently off to the side, but simply walked off, presumably to go find her husband and hunt in the woods with him.Kyle walked away. He was approached by Mitch in the process, who didn't like that Walsh disregarded other group members.
*Mitch will remember that Shane disregarded other group members*

*Mitch now dislikes Shane*
Mitch: You good?Kyle: Yes. Tired, but fine.Mitch: Asshole right?Kyle: One way to put it.A little girl, Meghan, comes over, looking somewhat excited.Meghan: Mr. Shepherd-Kyle: Just Mr. Kyle, Meghan. Mr. Shepherd makes me sound old.Meghan: Oh, okay. Carl, Sophia and I were gonna play monopoly, Glenn found the board and everything on his last run. Will you play with us?Kyle: (Smiles warmly). Sure.He nods to Mitch.Mitch: (Nods back). Hang out later?Kyle: of course.
*Kyle noticed Mitch appears interested in him*
  Lori finally got Amy to stop.Amy: What?Lori: Honey I get what you're going through, but you have got to have faith.Amy: (Frowns). I don't need you to lecture me.Lori: I'm not-Amy: Look Lori, don't patronize me. You know most people are currently either avoiding me, or they treat me like a patient at a psycho ward that needs to be sedated. Besides you can't say that, because no, you don't understand. My sister is stuck in a walker infested city, and Shane's all too happy to cut his losses there.Lori: (Sighs). Sweetie-Amy: (Scoffs). See? You're doing it again. I may be pissed that some people are all too fine with my sister and the others left trapped in Atlanta, but I'm not someone who needs a psychiatrist, Lori, I'm not insane, so leave me alone and stop coddling me, please.
*Lori will remember that Amy expressed dislike and distrust towards Shane*

*Amy expressed that she feels alone*
With that, Amy stormed off back to her tent.Lori may have been somewhat taken aback, but she honestly couldn't blame her. Shane honestly could show more care for others, instead he just decides to say 'screw them' once it's convenient.Truthfully it makes her a bit worried, because will Shane do that to her and Carl in the future?...She hopes not, but she can only hope.
*Lori is sympathetic to Amy*

*Lori is starting to feel wary about Shane*
  A couple hours later, Kyle had finished the monopoly game with the kids, well, a game.It had been a draw between Sophia and Meghan actually, meanwhile poor Carl was just unlucky as he kept getting cards that said "go to jail", or landing on the space that would send him there.Sophia just kept laughing at that to the point of tears, with Meghan joining in.Kyle was just happy to see the children were finding some joy in this messed up new world, where they could. He was worried though, chances are they'll be forced to grow up fast.But anyways.He left Lilly and Lucille to watch the kids from that point.He decided he'd go check on Caesar, who was one of the few people he could actually stand to talk to, and who he actually liked to talk to.The latino man was in the RV, sitting at the table and reading a book of some sort.He did look up when Kyle entered.They had spoken at length before, Kyle would consider them friends, not close exactly but friends nonetheless.
*Kyle is friends with Caesar*
Caesar: Oh, hey Kyle.Kyle: Hey. Just checking in. What are you reading?Caesar: eh, Harry Potter, the fourth book. (Sighs). My kids used to love them.
*Kyle learned that Caesar had children*
Kyle: Which was their favorite?Caesar: (Thinks for a moment). They liked the Philosopher's Stone the most. Makes sense, they always liked the start of a series.Kyle: That's nice. Sorry if this is too personal, but, you were married before?Caesar: You're fine. (Shakes his head). Nah. I mean I was, but she and I divorced. We only married each other to hide the fact we were both gay, our families never exactly tolerated things like that. But I don't regret our kids.
*Kyle learned that Caesar is gay*

*Kyle learned that Caesar had a wife*

*Kyle learned that Caesar's family wasn't accepting*
Kyle: What were their names?Caesar: (Smiles, though it's sad). My kids were Rosalita and Jose, my wife...sorry, ex-wife, was Sherise. Jose loved golfing, don't know why but hey, who am I to judge. He wanted to be a pro golfer when he grew up. Then Rosalita, bless her heart, she loved animals, mainly cats, so she wanted to be a caretaker at a shelter. Sherise meanwhile was employed at a barbershop in downtown Atlanta. She was a bit full of herself a lot of the time, but good where it counted. We were never attracted to each other for obvious reasons, but she was a damn good friend.
*Kyle noticed Caesar speak of his family in past tense*

*Kyle has deciphered that Caesar's family is dead*
Kyle: I...take it...(inclined his head knowingly)...Caesar: (Nods). Yeah. I...we were right outside the city but our car broke down. We had no choice, so we got out and ran. We didn't make it very far. A group of 'em came from around a stranded bus, and...Rosalita was the first to...Kyle: ...Caesar: (Voice shaky). Next thing I know, my daughter is screaming, then suddenly they've got Sherise. She...she screamed to me, told me to grab Jose and run. But...then Jose...a walker crawled out from under the bus, tore into his ankle. I...(tear slips from his eye)...still remember him especially. He didn't even scream, just...just stared at me with those wide, fearful eyes, and...he said "papi, please, I don't wanna die", then what? (Laughs coldly and bitterly). He died, a couple piled onto him next. Then me? I stood frozen like a coward. At that point I just...I wanted to be next, just wanted to be with them. Kyle: That's how the Dixons came across you.Caesar: ...yes. Didn't even bother sticking around or letting me stick around. I...I was catatonic. Merle and Daryl dragged me to the car, threw me into the backseat, and Raven drove us all out like a bat outta hell. That's how I got here.There was a moment of silence, Kyle didn't know what to say, so just gave him a sympathetic look. He could kind of understand. Last he knew, Amanda had gotten stuck at Grady Memorial with her partner Licari.That was before the bombs though, so chances are, his sister was dead.Kyle nearly startled when he turned to see Dale standing beside him with a similar look but didn't. Dale looked somber.Dale: Sorry, I was coming in to check up on you, but looks like Kyle beat me to it. I... nevermind. Words just can't describe all this.Caesar: (Snorts humorlessly). No shit.Kyle: I sorta get what you're going through, to an extent. Obviously I never had kids, but I do...or did, have an older sister, Amanda. She was in Atlanta, at Grady, when the bombs hit. I...I honestly don't know if she's still alive but, the chances are almost zero.Caesar: (Shakes his head). Thanks for listening, and sorry for your loss. This world it's...it's just fucked up, isn't it.Not a question clearly.Dale gave Kyle a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before walking over to Caesar and putting a hand on his shoulder.Dale: That's one way to put it son. Look. There is...you'll never get over losses like that, you just find ways of coping with knowing that they're gone and you'll never see 'em again. But...as horrible as this world is, it's not lost. The world, civilization, and humanity as we know it isn't lost. I never knew them, but, I think your family would want you to keep going for as long as you possibly can.Caesar: (raises his hand and places it on Dale's forearm). Dale: Otherwise Sherise might just come back to resurrect you just to kill you for being an idiot.Caesar: (Chuckles). Yeah, Sherise would do that, just to try and piss me off if all else fails.Dale: (Rolls his eyes, amused). Just don't give up son, fight, fight for them. One day you'll see them again, but for now, fight like hell.
*Kyle learned more about Caesar and his family*

*Kyle and Caesar have become good friends*

*Dale and Kyle have become good friends*

*Dale and Caesar have become good friends*
  The next day, Raven was just sharpening her knife outside her and Daryl's tent. Merle and the others had returned with Rick Grimes being with them, and Merle and Daryl already left to go hunting.She frowned in thought.So Lori's husband was alive, and she seemed to have discarded Walsh since yesterday evenin'.Now it was no secret that Lori and Walsh were sneaking off into the woods together often. Poor Carl had been utterly confused by it, and Lucille was often watching over him, something his own mother failed at miserably.But it was hypocritical of Lori, she wasn't innocent, she slept with another man not even a month after she'd 'lost' her husband.Plus she tried to be the boss lady, but she ain't no queen bee.So when Rick walked over, she plastered a grin across her face.Raven: Gotta say, thanks for helpin' my dumbass brother in law. Raven Dixon.Rick: Rick Grimes, and it wasn't any trouble.Raven: (Raises a brow). Was he?Rick: (Shrugs). Aside from calling Glenn "chinaman" and T-Dog "Cocoa Puff", no.Raven: (Cackles). Yeah, us Dixons have a way with words, but Merle especially. He ain't no racist or homophobic bigot or nothin' so no harm no foul. We got out own dictionary, the "Dixonary".Rick: (Laughs). Maybe you can read it to me sometime. I can take it.Raven: oh, be lucky Merle ain't here right now, he woulda squeezed your back out.She decided to let him know about his wife's infidelity.She wasn't a snitch, but she hated cheaters and liars, and she didn't particularly like Lori.So she turns serious within seconds, which takes Rick by surprise.Rick: erm...did I do something?Raven: No. Look Grimes, I can tell you're a good guy, and I like ya, so far, so I think you need to be aware of something that you really should know.Rick: Okay...Raven: Your wife and Walsh were always sneaking off into the woods till you got here yesterday. They thought they were subtle, but them two were about as subtle as a tail above a dog's ass. The implication was clear.Rick thankfully seemed to catch on. His eyes widened, and he was clearly about to say something in denial.Raven: Ask anybody else here, they'll tell ya the truth too. I know you just found them, but all I'm saying is keep an eye on them two, cause I don't trust 'em, and I doubt anybody else does.She let him walk off, he just nodded back mutely as he did so.Even if he didn't believe her, she knew the thought was already in his head, so he'd at least keep a closer eye on Walsh from now on.That's all that mattered.
*Raven told Rick about Lori's affair with Shane*

*Raven expressed trust in Rick*

*Rick will remember that Raven expressed some trust in him*
  Rest of the day was tense.A walker found its way up the mountain, but thankfully Merle put it down before it could rip into the deer he and Daryl killed.Though it became clear that the walkers were moving out of the cities.So they'd have to leave soon.Meanwhile Rick was already going back to Atlanta to recover a bag of guns he dropped, and he took Glenn, T-Dog, and Pete.Then as some of the women were doing laundry, Carol's husband, Ed, came to watch over them like the controlling bastard he is, but one look from Caesar had the coward turning tail back to camp. Caesar already warned the man not to put a hand on his wife or daughter, otherwise...the threat was clear. Ed had heeded that warning and didn't do anything, even let Carol and Sophia stay out however late they wanted, which had a very positive affect on them both.Carol was grateful to Caesar because he helped keep her daughter safe from her husband, and also kept her safe.So Ed left, and Carol, Jacqui, Amy, Andrea, and Lucille got to go back to joking around while doing so, and had a fun time without Ed ruining it.Lori had a total falling out with Shane, telling him to stay away from Carl and her family, Shane got angry but just stayed silent, thinking that what Lori was saying was unfair. But she stormed off before he could reply.Unfortunately this was all simply the calm before the storm.

Characters Met:

*I won't formally introduce all characters, quite a few are introduced by them being simply mentioned*

Kyle Shepherd
Dale Horvath
Amy Harrison
Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas 
Shane Walsh
Lori Grimes
Mitch Dolgen
Meghan Chambler
Sophia Peletier
Carl Grimes
Carol Peletier
Lucille Smith
Caesar Martinez
Raven Dixon
Daryl Dixon
Merle Dixon
Glenn Rhee (offscreen)
Andrea Harrison (offscreen)
Jim (offscreen)
Jacqui
Morales (offscreen)
Miranda Morales (offscreen)
Morales' children (offscreen)
Rick Grimes
Ed Peletier 
Lilly Chambler (offscreen)
Tara Chambler (offscreen)
Pete Dolgen
 
Character Deaths:

Sherise Martinez (eaten by walkers)
Jose Martinez (eaten by walkers)
Rosalita Martinez (eaten by walkers)
 
Unconfirmed:

Amanda Shepherd
Officer Licari

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Later the same day.Kyle looks at both Amy and Andrea, impressed, as they had caught a lot of fish several minutes ago.Morales: Ladies, because of you my children will eat tonight.Andrea: (Smirks slightly). Thank Dale, it was his canoe and gear.Carl: Whoa.Lori: Yeah whoa.Carl: Mom look at all the fish.Lori: Where did you learn that?Amy: Oh, our dad taught us.Andrea: The extra lessons from Raven last year were a bonus.
*The group learned that Andrea and Amy knew Raven before the outbreak*
Carl: Can you teach me? (Eager expression).Amy: Sure. I'll teach you all about nail knots and stuff. (Looks to Lori). If that's okay?Lori: (Shakes her head, impressed). You won't catch me arguing.Dale came over, though Kyle noticed he looked like his mind was elsewhere. He looked worried and serious.Andrea: Hey Dale. When's the last time you oiled those line reels? They are a disgrace.Dale: I...don't want to alarm anyone but, we may have a problem.Kyle: What?Dale hands him binoculars and points. When he looks, Kyle sees Jim on top of a hill, digging for some reason.In this heat? He could suffer heat stroke.Kyle: How long has he been up there?Dale: I'm not sure, but probably too long.Shane: (Nods). I'll handle it, y'all can-Kyle: I'll handle it.Shane: Kyle you can't-Kyle: (Frowns). Last I checked I was the doctor here, I'm one of the only ones here he'll listen to. You would just escalate the situation, even if unintentionally, so no. I'll handle it myself.He then walks off to get Jim, annoyed by Shane trying to tell him what to do.  Thankfully he gets there quickly by himself.Jim was digging...graves?Why graves?...Oh well, doesn't matter yet.Kyle: Hey Jim.The man sighs in irritation.Jim: (Looks up). Dale send you?Kyle: No, I'm a doctor, it's my job to keep track of everyone's health.Jim: (Snorts). Aren't you a saint.He continues digging.Kyle is slightly irked, mainly because Jim is kind of unofficially his patient now and he's refusing to cooperate, but he shelves it because it isn't Jim's fault really, the heat was making him irritable.But Kyle was worried the man would work himself to death, literally.He was already looking kind of light headed, very sweaty, and his skin looked somewhat sunburnt.He'd rather Jim not die from heat stroke thank you very much.Kyle: Jim, I know I'm probably annoying you but I'm asking...no, actually I'm telling you to stop.Jim: (Glares). Or what, doc?Kyle: Or you start becoming confused and potentially lose your mind, suffer severe headaches, collapse into unconsciousness, and most likely die.Jim: (Surprised by that reply)Kyle: Again I'm a doctor and the only doctor this group has. So if anything happens to you or anyone else medically, then the fault is mine and mine alone. But I won't let you work yourself to literal death, Jim.Jim: (Hesitates, but drops the shovel after a minute)
*Kyle managed to calm Jim down*

*Kyle is noticeably better at diffusing conflict than most others*
Jim then walks over, wiping sweat from his forehead. Kyle starts guiding him back to camp.Kyle: Now, you need water and shade, and rest. So what I want you to do is drink some water and stay hydrated, and try to stay in the shade as much as possible the rest of the day.Jim: ...alright.Though Jim grabs his shoulder, looking tense.Kyle: uh...Jim?Jim: Doc, you gotta...keep your eyes peeled. And keep...keep Amy close.Kyle almost raises an eyebrow, because what is he talking about?He was confused about that.Kyle: ...what do you mean?Jim: I can't say, all I can tell you is you'll know later tonight. But keep her close.Kyle: Okay...
*Kyle is unsettled by Jim's remarks*

*Kyle is more on guard due to Jim's warning*

*Kyle will keep a close watch on Amy the rest of the day*
  Dale took Jim into the RV, Jim whispered something to him, probably something similar to what he told Kyle earlier.Now though Kyle was sitting beside Amy at the unlit bonfire, subconsciously heeding Jim's earlier warning.He still didn't get it, but Jim had seemed worried for Amy in particular.He didn't mention this to Andrea because she probably wouldn't believe it, but Kyle could tell Jim hadn't been lying about something earlier, the look in his eyes had been one of someone that knew something was coming, something bad.What it was he'd have to wait to find out.Amy: Anything about the old world you miss? Kyle: (Hums). Needles.Amy: (Stares at him like he's insane)Kyle: (Laughs). No I'm not a psychopath. Weird as it is, I miss the look of fear on the faces of other adults when they see a needle.Amy: (Shivers). Needles are freaky.Kyle: Needles are quite a useful tool.Amy: ...you're weird.Kyle: I'm unique.Amy: There's a difference?Kyle: I'm just saying, it made me laugh on days where we'd have a seemingly endless influx of patients, or when I had too much paperwork to file.Amy: Okay, I'll give you that, and only that.Kyle: (Fakes a bow). Yes your majesty.Amy: (Snorts and rolls her eyes)Kyle then recalls something. Oh, tomorrow is Amy's birthday.Well he did have a gift for her, he'd had Glenn find it one time he went scavenging in Atlanta, so technically it was a gift from both of them.He picked up his jacket and reached in one of the pockets for it.Kyle: Oh, and since your birthday is tomorrow, I figured I'd get you something. Well technically it's from me and Glenn because I came up with it and he found it so...Amy: (Raises a brow). It's not a ring, is it?Kyle: You are beautiful, but no. My apologies, but I don't swing that way if you haven't noticed.Amy: (Blinks at him). Hard not to when you're always admiring Mitch's arms and biceps from afar, and staring through his shirt when no one else is looking. Well, no one other than me, but I like having info on people I could potentially use later.Kyle: (Slightly embarrassed look). Am I obvious?Amy: To the others no, to me, Raven, and a select other couple, yeah.Kyle: Not that Raven knowing would surprise anyone. Anyway...He takes it out. A small hair clip in the shape of a marigold, which was light yellow in color so it matched for Amy's clothes.Kyle: (Holds it out to her and shrugs). It's not that great a gift I know, but...Amy: (Accepts it and smiles). No, it's nice. I mean Daffodils are my favorite, but I also love Marigolds. You didn't have to get me anything, I mean having some good friends and still having my sister is enough for me.Kyle: Yes, but I wanted to do something. World may be different, but not everything has to change with it.Amy: It's nice Kyle, thanks.She hugs him for a bit before she takes the clip and puts it in her hair. 
*Kyle and Amy are now good friends*

*Amy appreciated the gesture*

*Amy will remember that*
Amy: Tell you a secret?Kyle: ...go on.Amy: Finally, you give in. Anyways, (looks around a bit before whispering), I know Andrea got me something and is giving it to me tomorrow.Kyle: Really?Amy: Yeah. Don't know what of course, but whatever it is she had to have gotten it at the department store.Kyle: Mm, speculate or leave it be?Amy: No, whatever she found, I want to be surprised.Kyle: Cool.  The conversation continued from there and changed somewhere down the line.At some point when the sun had set, the night set in.Lucille took a seat on the other side of Kyle, and Andrea on the other side of Amy.Then began the fish fry.Lucille: (Smiles). That's a nice hair clip.Amy: (Smiles back). Thank you, it was a gift from Kyle, apparently he and Glenn wanted to surprise me.Andrea gives Kyle a nod in thanks and he nods back.Lori: (Smiles). Well that was very sweet.Shane: (Chuckles). Little competition huh? Amy: (Rolls her eyes). It's not like that.Shane: Kinda seems that way. So uh, who's winning?Andrea: (Groans at him in annoyance)Lori: I think if either of them were interested in Amy, then they would've already expressed it. No use in assuming things or making anything into something it's not. (Briefly glares at him before turning back to the fire).Shane: (Frowns and falls silent)Awkward.Never had Kyle been more grateful to Morales than now.Morales: Dale, I gotta ask you something because it's been driving me crazy.Dale: What? Morales: That watch.Dale: (Grins). What's wrong with my watch?Morales: I see you everyday, every hour, winding that thing, like a village priest saying mass.Andrea: (Smirks and gestures at Dale knowingly)Jacqui: (Smiled). I've wondered this myself.The conversation devolved into something else, Kyle was too busy eating to pay attention there.Though eventually he tunes back in after Dale finishes.Amy: (Stares and shakes her head). You are so weird.Everyone gets a chuckle from that.Dale: (Shrugs). May be my bad paraphrasing)Soon Amy put down her plate and rose.Andrea: Where you going?Amy: I have to pee. (Fakes a sneer). Geez, you try to be discreet around here.That garners some laughs, while Andrea hums and shakes her head with a fond grin.Amy goes into the RV.Kyle suddenly gets this weird feeling.A bad feeling.Like something horrible is about to happen.Without much thought he rises, putting down his plate. Then looks around.Something feels...eery.Things feel too calm right now.Nothing like usual, it's a feeling of the calm before.And he starts to believe Jim's warning may have been well founded somehow.Lucille: (Looks at him confused). Kyle? What is it?Kyle: I'm getting a bad feeling.His tone of voice is stiff and guarded, which Lucille knows from experience means everything is about to go to hell.Then the RV door opens as Amy steps out.Amy: We're out of toilet paper?From the corner of his eye, Kyle notices something moving around from the side of the RV.Without a second thought, he rushes towards Amy.Kyle: Amy! Get back!Amy for her part just stands there utterly confused.Until she hears a groan, and turns to see a walker reaching for her arm.Kyle is still rushing over, but takes out a knife hidden inside his jacket.He tosses it once in his hand, and then he throws it.Just as the walker grabs her arm and prepares to take a bite into it, the knife impales itself through the walker's skull, and it quickly collapses in a heap.Although it doesn't stop Amy's scream, which further catches everyone's attention. Some, like Shane, Lucille, Raven, Dale, and Andrea are already rising and going for weapons.Amy stares down at the body in shock, she would've died just now if not for Kyle.Andrea: Amy!Kyle: Amy listen, go back in the RV, don't come back out until someone calls out that it's safe.Amy: (Still stares in shock)Kyle: (Grabs her shoulders and shakes her a bit). Amy, come on, get back inside, now.
*Kyle saved Amy from being bitten*

*Amy will remember that Kyle saved her*

*Andrea will remember that Kyle saved Amy*
Amy finally snaps out of her shock and rushes back into the RV just as more moans and groans and screams could be heard.Sophia: Mommy!Carol: They're coming from everywhere!Carl: Mom! Mom!Lori: Carl?!Shane: Lori you get him down!There was the sound of two shotguns being armed, one being Shane's, the other being Raven's.Raven: Damn it, they're comin' through.And two shots went off around the same time, as two walkers fell.Then the gunfire increased, as did the number of walkers, screaming, and the number of deaths in camp.One survivor, Elisa, ran right into two walkers, resulting in her screaming as her neck was torn into, and she was soon silenced as the other tore into her head.Jim was killing walkers using a shovel, Caesar with a bat, Jacqui utilized an axe surprisingly well, Andrea has her gun, Dale had his rifle, and Shane and Raven both had shotguns.Most others were using melee weapons which varied.Shane however was noticeably only protecting Lori and Carl, and everyone else was mostly fending for themselves but trying to stick close together.Kyle contained his satisfaction as he saw Ed running from a group of walkers before he tripped. They then piled onto him and wasted no time ripping him apart.Bastard had that coming.But then he heard a child scream, and whirled around to see Meghan with a walker biting into her shoulder, she'd clearly already been bitten before though.He ran over, stabbing the walker and grabbed Meghan in a bridal style carry.Lilly: Meg...MEGHAN! NO!!Lilly rushed over, shooting a walker in the process. Kyle swiftly handed her off to her mother.Sadly he knew the child was already lost.He searched around, noticing Mitch killing a walker that nearly bit Jim on his lower stomach, but thankfully it was prevented.And...Oh no...Miranda was on the ground dead, one walker tearing into the side of her face, and another ripping off and eating her right arm.Her children both lay not far from her, both not having much of their bodies remaining intact seeing as the walkers were devouring them more quickly.Then Morales himself put down a couple more walkers before a group pounced on him from behind and dragged him to the ground, tearing into his flesh.This was a bloodbath.Just moments ago they were all sitting and eating around a bonfire.Laughing.Joking.Sharing stories.Now...now it was as if none of that had happened.This new world truly had no mercy, not even on children.Soon there was yelling and more gunfire as the walkers all started dropping.Rick and the others were back, with the guns clearly.Andrea ducked as Kyle took out another knife and threw it at a walker that was sneaking up behind her. It went right through its eye, and then the corpse fell.Andrea: Damn, good throw.She fired off a shot which hit a walker that snuck up on him and grabbed his arm, and it fell back, his arm being released.Kyle: Practiced Spear throwing believe it or not. Nice shot.Andrea: Practiced on a few ranges with Raven.
*Kyle learned that Andrea practiced how to shoot before the outbreak*

*Andrea learned that Kyle is good at throwing weapons*

*Andrea will remember that Kyle saved her*

*Kyle will remember that Andrea saved him*
Andrea: Just when you think you won't need it.Kyle: Yeah.With Rick and the others back, the rest of the walkers were swiftly put down.Following that, everyone still alive was checked over, thankfully no one was bitten or scratched.Sadly Meghan succumbed to blood loss, leaving a devastated Lilly and Tara.Lilly shook her daughter's body as she cried.Lilly: No... Meghan! Meghan! Meghan...She broke down into sobs.Tara sobbed too, though hers were silent.Otherwise she was catatonic at the moment.Jim: I remember my dream now. Why I dug the holes.Kyle opted to stare at him in silent shock.How...had he known this was coming?Granted their earlier conversation gave away that he knew but, Kyle was so dumbfounded.Unless Jim had far better senses when it came to getting the feeling of impending danger.Not that it mattered.All that mattered was many were lost.And it was clear they couldn't stay here any longer.They had to leave.  
Character Deaths:

Multiple camp survivors (eaten by walkers)
Elisa (eaten by walkers)
Ed Peletier (ripped apart by walkers)
Miranda Morales (eaten by walkers)
Morales' children (eaten by walkers)
Morales (ripped apart by walkers)
Meghan Chambler (bitten) (died from blood loss)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The next day was one of mourning.Their dead were rounded up, and the dead walkers piled up to be burned.The Morales family, what was left of them, being only Morales and his wife, were put down before they could turn.Meghan had turned, but was put down by Lilly.Daryl had been adamant on putting the child down before then, but was clearly irked when Rick, Shane, and Lori told him not to.Raven told them that child or not, she had to be put down before she came back.They of course didn't listen.Not that it mattered, Meghan turned anyway, though Lilly put her down before she could do anything.Glenn did yell at Daryl and Pete when they were dragging someone from the group who'd died to a burn pile. Though Kyle intervened and told Glenn that while his heart was in the right place, it was better they burn all the bodies so they didn't contaminate the land should this ever come to an end (which Kyle honestly knew it wouldn't). Glenn reluctantly backed off afterwards, though not looking happy about it.But then Merle confronted Shane over something.Merle: Hey, puppet bitch! Shane: (Restrains a scowl). What Dixon?Merle: You mean 'what'? Tha fuck happened to our warning system round camp? Why didn't it go off last night?Rick: (Looks between the two). Let's all just calm down. Now, what warning system?Raven: Merle, Daryl, and I put up tin cans on wires surrounding the whole camp so we'd be alerted if anything came in. Merle's right, shoulda went off last night but it didn't.Merle: Yeah! So who tha fuck tampered with it?!Shane: (Look of guilty realization). I...I took it down four days back...Merle: ...ya what?His tone was low, dangerous.He wasn't just angry, he was pissed.Shane: I'm sorry I just didn't see a reason for it...Raven: ...you dumb, meddling son of a bitch.Lori frowns as she interjects.Lori: There's no need for that, he helped keep us safe last night.Raven: Kept you safe.Merle: Exactly. So shut it tramp, we coulda had warnin' and saved more people last night if your little boy toy didn't decide that he knows better than a bunch of 'redneck hickies'.Lori falls silent and looks away when Rick gives her an undecipherable look.Shane sneers at Merle and clearly wanted to punch him, but he knew Merle alone could take him, Raven and Daryl joining in would be overkill.Andrea: (Scoffs). Not that she was paying enough attention to care.Lori: (Turns to stare at her)
*The group learned that Shane's meddling cost them many of their people*

*The group learned that Merle, Raven, and Daryl's precaution would have saved more of them*

*Shane is now distrusted by the group*

*Rick is more suspicious of Lori and Shane*

*The Dixons are now trusted by the whole group*

*Merle now resents Shane*

*Raven now resents Shane*

*Andrea now hates Shane*

*Andrea now dislikes Lori*
Andrea pulled Kyle aside to speak privately.Though he was surprised when she threw her arms around him and hugged him.Andrea: Thank you.He knows what she is referring to.Kyle: I did what anyone would've done.Andrea: No, they mean well, but most of them wouldn't have paid any attention to Amy over their own safety. Besides you were the only one close enough and who acted. If not for you, Amy would've...She didn't finish that, but didn't need to.She pulled away, smiling with both hands on her hips.Andrea: Not to mention you saved my ass last night with that throw.He shrugged.Andrea: (Smirks). Didn't know doctors were capable of that.Kyle: They're not, usually. I...it was an old hobby of mine, hadn't done it in almost a year.Andrea: (Nods approvingly). Well it certainly helped us last night. A minute of silence passes between them.Andrea: But again, thanks. If you ever need anything or just wanna talk or hang out...She trailed off.Kyle: I know. (Smiles). And thank you for that.
*Kyle and Andrea are now close friends*
Afterwards, he got met with a hug from Amy, which lasted longer and he got a look from Shane a ways off, but he ignored it, he didn't care what the man thought.Amy expressed similar words and thoughts to him, although took it a bit further by saying she owed him her life for having saved hers last night.She then grinned and whispered in his ear, apparently making it her mission now to get him a future husband....Damn Amy and her meddling.Though he was happy, he'd rather she be here doing that than her not being here at all.He sort of looked at her as a younger sister, especially after last night.
*Kyle and Amy are now close friends*

*Kyle sees Amy like a sister*
Then after that, he spoke to Mitch, who was in turn talking to Pete.He only caught the tail end of their conversation.Pete: ...glad you're alright.Mitch: (Shrugs awkwardly). Take more than walkers to do me in. Don't worry so much bro.Kyle could tell Mitch wasn't exactly great at talking to his brother in contrast to others. And seemed almost grateful when he joined them.Mitch: Hey Ky, you good? No-Kyle: No injuries, I'm fine. Bit shaken up but fine.Mitch: (Nods)Pete: (Looks between the two). Mitch, something you want to tell me? (Innocent looking smile).Mitch: No, and shut it Pete.Pete: A brunette guy, that's a first for you. (Whistles).Mitch: (Stares at him). As if you aren't pining for the blonde chick. (Inclines his head in Andrea's direction).Pete: (Raised hands in defeat). Alright, you got me. Silence.Pete sighed tiredly.Pete: Mitch I'm just saying, ask him, he's literally right here.Mitch: (Pouts a bit). I'm the older sibling, I'm supposed to be giving you advice.Pete: Don't kid yourself dear brother, we both know how much you suck at socialization.Mitch: ...no I don't.Pete: You suck at initiating the conversation, you're fine at keeping one going, just not great at starting it.Kyle: Ask me what? (Looks at Mitch).Mitch turns and stares at him for a moment, looking a bit nervous despite his more impassive expression.Though he finally shakes his head.Mitch: Nothing important.Kyle: O...kay...  Soon Kyle goes around the whole group.Carol and Sophia are fine, Carol seemed pretty relieved to know Ed was dead now, no surprise, she'd bashed a pickaxe through his skull earlier to prevent his reanimation.T-Dog and Glenn are too, along with Caesar, though Caesar was less shaken up than the other two.He noticeably checked Shane over more quickly and left just as fast, not wanting to spend more time around him than was necessary.Lilly was fine but despondent, and Tara was deeply heartbroken but she did speak. Then Jim and Jacqui.Jacqui: Hey.Kyle: Hey. Either of you...He trailed off and Jacqui shook her head.Jacqui: No, we're fine, I was worried Jim got bit earlier, but he was fine too.Jim: (Nods, barely acknowledging the conversation)Kyle: (Looks to him). Jim?Jim: That's all that awaits us ain't it?Both are caught off guard by that.Jacqui: Jim Sweetie, what do you mean?Jim: (Stares at burning body). Death. Not even kids get mercy. I can't do it anymore, I just can't keep on going while watching people get ripped apart left and right, in the end that's what will happen to all of us. Either we get eaten, or we die and we become one of 'em. But death is death, so ain't no difference, one's just worse than the other.Both of them mull over that, and Jacqui seemed to understand far more than Kyle did.There was no light left in Jim's eyes though, and little left in Jacqui's.He worried for the two of them the most.Judging from Jim's remarks, he may likely be suicidal.He'd let everyone know about that just in case.  Later there was a debate.Rick on one side, Shane on the other.Oh great, let the dick measuring contest between the two good old policemen begin.Kyle: Well we can't stay here, last night proved that.Rick: What about the CDC? I heard they were working on a cure.Kyle noticed Shane about to comment, but he shut it down by replying himself.Kyle: Well, good point.Dale: How so?Kyle: (Hm). Well being one of the highest ranked at Harrison, I was aware that medical officials in France had been studying this outbreak, heard they were close to a cure but, then all contact with those scientists was lost.T-Dog: Yeah...that don't sit right with me.Shane: Besides we heard a lot of things when the world went to shit.Oh great, here we go.Rick: So? If they're still up and running, then not only would it be shelter and supplies, but a possible way out of this.Shane: I get it, man, I want those things too. If they exist then they're at the army base, Ft. Benning.Lori: That's a hundred miles in the opposite direction.Her tone was mostly disapproving.Not that Kyle blamed her there, no way was Ft. Benning still up and running, too many people would've headed there when the nearby towns and cities all fell.Chances are it was long overrun.Mitch: Aside from that, I doubt that they're still operational. Shane: You know that how? (Stares at him, irritated).Mitch: Pete and I were in the army, Pete was a captain and I was a major, so we knew more than most. From what we last heard from command before comms went down, whole lot of people had the same idea as you, everyone was trying to get to Ft. Benning. Problem is too many people. There's just too many unknowns, and too many variables in general.Lori: (Nods in agreement). He's right. People could've been Let in, people who were bitten, sick and infected.Dale: People likely died and turned within the place.Merle: Not ta mention tha people themselves. Desperate people.Kyle: (Sighs). Meaning there would also be riots within the compound, which most likely led to...Even Shane looks down in realization, he might want it to go his way, but even he can't deny any of those facts.Raven: The military trying and failing to maintain order within the compound, and throw in infected people and any who turned, and you've got a total shitstorm.Shane: (Nods slowly and mumbles). They would've been firing into the crowd, shooting to kill....Oh good, maybe not today then.At least Walsh has some common sense.Shane: CDC it is.Rick nods gratefully to him, as well as those who made all those points.T-Dog: Not to be a pessimist but uh, can we be sure it's still up and runnin'?Kyle & Mitch: Yes.Kyle: The military may have had plans, but all theirs went to hell. The CDC has failsafes, which would be activated during a crisis such as this. They'd have emergency fuel too, probably not much now though since there's no one left to refuel everything and manage the infrastructure.Rick: So it's still there but not for long.Kyle: Basically.Things were simple afterwards.Everyone decided Ft. Benning was a lost cause and decided on the CDC.The next morning they left, Kyle in the RV with others.  They got there by the time the sun was setting and the daylight was fading into nighttime.Rick banged on the shutters as everyone grouped up behind him.Rick: Come on damn it.Shane: (Shakes his head). Nobody here man.T-Dog: Nah.Rick: Then why are these shutters down?Kyle: No he's right. The shutters wouldn't be down if no one was here. These shutters only close down if the building goes on total lockdown, but someone has to still be alive in order for that to be possible.Dale: Then who-Daryl: Walkers.He promptly shoots a crossbow arrow through its brain. Daryl then heads towards Rick.Daryl: You led us into a graveyard!Dale: He made a call. (Stares at the shutters).Daryl: It was the wrong damn call!Raven: Babe, I get it but calm down, that's not gonna help us.He reluctantly does so.Carol: Where are we gonna go? We can't stay here. (Holds Sophia closer).Lori: She's right, we can't be this close to the city after dark!Shane: Ft. Benning, Rick, still an option, we can go from there.Kyle scoffs.But Andrea thankfully beats him to a reply, keeping Amy close to her.Andrea: On what? No food, no fuel, that's a hundred miles.Glenn: One hundred twenty five, I checked the map.Lori: To hell with Ft. Benning, we need answers tonight, now! Rick: We'll think...of something.This results in panic from most of the group.Everyone starts going back towards the vehicles, but Rick is persistent, he rushes forward and bangs on the shutters, Kyle doesn't pay much attention to what he's saying until the man is practically screaming.Rick: You're killing us! YOU'RE KILLING US!And suddenly, as if he struck a nerve under someone's skin, the shutters open and the lights from the interior of the CDC shine out.  Turns out Dr. Edwin Jenner is the only one left. Kyle has already figured out what happened to the rest.They later submit to a blood test.Andrea is weakened and stumbles, though Amy catches her.Jenner: She okay?Amy: (Shakes her head). She hasn't eaten anything in days, none of us have.And just like that, they're all soon having a feast.Rick convinces a reluctant Lori to let Carl have a taste of wine, which he grimaces at and says 'Ew'. Everyone (minus two), laugh at that. Sadly Shane decided to be a buzzkill by asking Jenner what happened to everyone else here.And Jenner explained it all. Some abandoned their posts to go to their families, but most killed themselves within these very walls. Too afraid to face the outside world now.That had Glenn remarking he was indeed a buzzkill, and everyone lost their appetite after that.Then they all took showers, hot showers, and while everyone else went to their rooms, Kyle went right to Jenner.He approached the man in the massive room, which Kyle assumed was the control room, what else could it be?Kyle: Dr. Jenner.Jenner: Dr. Shepherd. (Forced smile). Nice to see another doctor after so long.Kyle: The feeling is mutual, but I do have a question.Jenner: That is?Kyle: I see the look in your eyes, you've given up. Also I can't help but notice that clock over there counting down, and I do know that it means we have roughly sixteen hours until decontamination.Jenner: (Smile disappears). So you did get that far.Kyle: I was one of the highest ranked at Harrison, I was one of the only ones there who knew of those protocols.Jenner: Your question?Kyle: We're all infected already, aren't we?Jenner: (Stares in surprise). How did you know?Kyle: (Snorts bitterly). I stayed until a day before Harrison fell. I saw those who were bitten showing symptoms and all, some later attacking the other staff. But I was in the hospital cafeteria the day I left, eating breakfast that morning. One of the nurses, Farah, who wasn't bitten or scratched by the way, had died at some point before I got there, and when she turned in the middle of the breakfast hour she attacked one of the security officers who passed through, bit him on the hand. I hadn't actually figured it out until a while after I left, but I came to realize that if she didn't get bitten or scratched, then the most likely conclusion was that she already had the virus in her system.Jenner: ...correct. Everyone already has it, it seems. However when we...ran some tests, we determined that it wasn't a bite or scratch that kills you, rather it activates the dormant virus within your system, and after some time the fever and other symptoms set in, and eventually it kills you. After a certain time period, which we found varied greatly, the virus would then restart the brain stem, basically just get you up and moving again.Kyle: Which is how you'd turn. But only the brain stem restarts, meaning everything that made you...well, you, would be forever lost.Jenner: Yes. (Sad expression). At that point you're nothing more than a walking corpse driven by mindless instinct, and a craving to eat, mainly human flesh.But he notices something.Kyle: (Narrows his eyes). You lost...her. You're wife.Jenner didn't seem surprised that he knew.Jenner: ...I did.Kyle: and...she turned, didn't she?Jenner: (Flinches but sighs sadly). She was out in the field, and she got too close to a soldier, who'd died and reanimated. Took a chunk from her arm before he got put down.He shakes his head.Jenner: When she came back in, I...she volunteered to be a test subject, asked that we document and record the whole process, how could I say no?Kyle nods, giving him a sympathetic look.Jenner: ...we studied how long it took one to turn after being bitten or scratched. The longest we've heard was eight hours.He stared at Kyle as he finished.Jenner: In her case it was...two hours, one minute, and seven seconds.Kyle: You put her down.Not a question.Jenner: (tight voice). Yes.Kyle: But...(Shakes his head)...why give up? The kind of woman she was, she'd want you to keep going.Jenner: I TRIED!!Kyle didn't even jump at that.Jenner took a calming breath.Jenner: I tried. But truth is, I had nowhere near the level of knowledge that she did. I'm one man, but she...was a loss to the world. She was an Einstein. She could've done something about this. Me? (Chuckles humorlessly). I'm just Edwin Jenner.Kyle: So then don't give up, keep going, be more than just.Jenner just shakes his head with a sad smile, almost looking proud for some reason.Not that Kyle knew it, but Jenner listened to him and noted how Kyle's spirit was so similar to Candace's, she would have loved him.The two of them would've ended up being the best of friends....And Jenner decided in that moment that he couldn't go through with his original plan.No.Kyle's spirit was like Candace's had been.So he had to survive.Jenner: It's too late for me. But it's not too late for you.Maybe he will be ending his own misery later.But if he goes out, it's by gathering up any crucial or vital information he's got, and storing it all away in as many hard drives and USBs as he requires, and sending them off with Kyle Shepherd and his group.For the day that this all may begin coming to an end.For the day a vaccine, even a cure, may be found.  The next day was tense.Overnight Kyle had told Raven, Daryl, Merle, Andrea, Amy, Mitch, Lucille, and Dale everything he'd found out. None seemed surprised, except Andrea and Amy, mainly at the 'we all have it' part.
*Kyle told some of the group what he'd learned*

*Kyle established more trust in the group of those that he told*

*Kyle and Mitch are now close friends*

*Kyle and Daryl are now best friends*

*Kyle and Merle are now close friends*

*Kyle and Dale are now close friends*
Though all were sympathetic about Jenner's loss.Getting to the rest of the group.Shane had scratches on his neck, and Kyle paid it no mind, it clearly wasn't done by a walker so it was none of his business otherwise.Pete: Dr. I don't mean to slam you with questions first thing...Jenner: But you will anyway.Lilly: (Blank tone). We didn't come here for the eggs.Then Jenner showed them essentially what he told Kyle. A playback of Candace's death, then reanimation, until he put a bullet in her brain.But then something unexpected happened.Jenner then looked at Kyle, then walked over to him, a bag in hand, which he hands off to Kyle, who takes it but with confusion.Jenner: All the data you'll need for later if you want to save whatever's left of the world.Smiled but turned to everyone else.Jenner: The generators are nearly out of fuel, you only have half an hour before facility wide decontamination occurs.Pete seemed to blanch at that.Pete: Why...why the hell didn't you mention this before.Jenner: The truth? I was going to keep you here with me until it happened. But...I had a conversation with one of your group last night and decided that perhaps it better to keep hope alive.Rick: Jenner, what happens at zero?Jenner: In the event of a catastrophic power failure, HITs are deployed. A failsafe to prevent any of the viruses and bacteria stored here from ever getting out and becoming airborne.Rick: HITs?Mitch: An explosive countermeasure, one that is far more powerful than any other explosive, except nuclear and hydrogen.Everyone comes to the realization.Lori: ...you're going to...blow us up?Jenner: 'Was' being the operative word. But I decided against it. For one you have a highly intelligent doctor, one who I think could potentially end up finding a solution to all this. Secondly, it would be wrong of me, because it should be of your own choice. My...Candace wouldn't want that.Lilly stared as she put it all together, mainly the playback they all watched earlier.Lilly: Test subject nineteen was your wife.He only nodded in reply.Rick: ...I'm sorry.Jenner: Don't be. She died in the name of both science and humanity, but...her spirit lives on.Lilly: (Shakes her head). You have no idea what it is, do you?Jenner shrugs, clearly that was a no.Jenner: Wasn't able to study it long enough to determine that. It could be viral, microbial, parasitic...Jacqui: Or the wrath of God?Jenner: (Nods). Or that.Most people didn't seem to want to accept that.Carol: Someone must know something, somewhere.Jenner stared for a moment then pointed to nowhere in particular. Jenner: It was the French.Andrea: What do you mean?Jenner: They were the last to hold out as far as I know. While our people were committing suicide in the hallways, they stayed in their labs until the end. Granted Paris fell very early and quickly, but their laboratories lasted until after half the major cities in our country fell. They thought they were close to a solution.Rick looked very hopeful at that.Rick: So what happened?Jenner: Same thing that's happening here, they ran out of fuel. (Chuckles). I mean, the world as we knew it ran on fossil fuel, how utterly stupid is that?He then sighed as he looked at the exit door, which he then opened by pressing several buttons on a panel.Jenner: Keep going as long as you possibly can, maybe all that data I left Kyle with will amount to the end of the end.He then frowned.Jenner: Anyone have a grenade?Carol looked in her bag and pulled one out, to many of the group's surprise.Carol: Rick the day you came to camp and I did your laundry, I found this in your pocket.Rick reaches out and takes it. He looks at Jenner confused, but Jenner explains.Jenner: Topside's locked down, I can't open those. Rick nods in understanding before turning back to everyone else.Rick: We have half an hour. Gather up whatever supplies you can, and let's go.  It was a mad rush to get out.Kyle unsurprisingly picked up any medical supplies he could possibly find, thankfully the CDC still had quite the amount, although a good portion of it was gone.Lori, Carol, Amy, and Tara grabbed up any food they could take that would last.The rest of the men gathered up the few weapons they found laying around or put away, along with any ammo.And the kids and Lucille and Caesar grabbed books and other stuff which would keep them occupied and entertained even if for a short time, every little bit counts.Once done everyone got dressed quickly and came back through the control room. But Jacqui stopped, causing T-Dog to stop with her.Jacqui: No, I'm stayin'.T-Dog: What?Jacqui: I'm stayin' sweetie.T-Dog: (Shocked). That's insane!Jacqui: No it's completely sane! (Pulls away). For the first time in a long time. I'm not winding up like Jenner's wife, or Meghan.She shakes her head with teary eyes as she pushes him away.Jacqui: Just get out. Don't worry about me, go on with your life, keep living', and get out.T-Dog stares shocked, but reluctantly runs out as Pete is pulling him with them.Jim: I got nothin' left to live for, and I just...wanna see my wife and my babies again.Shane: (Shocked that someone else was staying). Jim...Jenner looks at them both with some surprise, but looks accepting.Kyle doesn't like it but...there's no changing their minds.At least Jenner won't be alone when the counter reaches zero.Jim: No. Please, it's my choice. Shane looks like he wants to argue against that, but wisely says nothing, nods, and follows most of the others.Lilly: I'm staying too....What the hell?Kyle's already exiting but doesn't turn around. Though he does hear it.Tara: Lilly...Dale: Lilly, no.Kyle and the others turn to look back, but Dale waves them all off while Tara looks like she's about to collapse into tears.Dale: Just go! Go!They don't spare it another thought, and they all rush to get out. 
 
Getting to the exit doors was easy.Getting out was quick enough.Rick pulled the pin from the grenade, dropped it near a window, and everyone took cover.The explosion following that destroyed the window, and allowed for them all to escape.Kyle got into his SUV, with Lucille joining him in the front passenger's seat, and Andrea, Amy, and Caesar in the back.They do see Dale and Tara exiting, with Lilly, who looked reluctant about it.Though the time was almost...Up.The RV's horn honked, as if in warning, and Dale took the sisters and ducked behind cover.And everyone in the SUV ducked down.As the CDC exploded, setting the air around it on fire.Once it was over, they all rose.The place where the CDC once stood was now smoking, smouldering ruins.Kyle exchanged a glance with Lucille, then with the three in the back.The same thought clearly on everyone's mind.What lies ahead?

Character Deaths:

Farah (died from infection) (reanimated) (put down by military personnel) (put down offscreen)
Unnamed Security Officer (bitten by Farah) (killed by military personnel) (killed offscreen)
Candace Jenner (bitten) (reanimated) (put down by Edwin Jenner)
Edwin Jenner (died in the CDC explosion)
Jacqui (died in the CDC explosion)
Jim (died in the CDC explosion)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The ride was silent.Eventually though the group stopped on a heavily congested highway, mainly because the RV broke down again, much to Dale's frustration.Unfortunately Rick and the others he'd took with him to Atlanta had lost the cube van, meaning they lost their replacement hose for the RV.Dale: (Frowns). I said if, didn't I say it? Thousand times, dead in the water.Mitch: (Shrugged). More duct tape?Dale: (Shakes his head). No. This thing's more duct tape than hose now, and I'm out of duct tape.Shane: Problem Dale?Really?As if the smoking RV wasn't right there in front of his face.Dale: Just that we're stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no hope of-He cuts himself off when Daryl looks through the back of a car.Dale: Okay that was dumb.Daryl: (Shrugs). Hope of findin' some supplies.T-Dog: (Nods). Can siphon some fuel from these cars for a start.Lori however doesn't agree.Lori: This place is a graveyard.Everyone looks at her, some were wearing annoyed expressions.Lori looked around uneasily.Lori: (Shakes her head). I don't know how I feel about this.Raven snorts.Raven: Then hang back, don't go scavenging.Merle: Besides this ain't no graveyard, woman. A graveyard is where ya go ta pay respect to the dead.Andrea nods in agreement and corrects Lori.Andrea: It's a junkyard. Not like these people need any supplies we'll find anyway, not alive to use them anymore.That may have sounded rude, but it was just the hard truth.Lori frowns a bit at her but says nothing.The tension between these two was going to reach a boiling point later, Kyle knew it.Rick: (Clears throat awkwardly). Everybody pair up, let's get to searchin'.Everyone nods and does so.Kyle decides to split off with Tara.Tara searches the front of a couple of cars, he looks through the back, both finding nothing of use.Lovely.He notices Tara's mind is elsewhere clearly, because she goes over to the failing at the edge of the highway and leans over it a bit like she's thinking.Kyle goes over to check on her, leaning forward on the railing a bit.He sighs.Kyle: How are you?Tara: (Shrugs). Kinda pissed.Kyle: (Nods). So...you wanted to stay at the CDC?He knows the answer already, but asks anyway.Tara stiffens a bit and her reply is tight.Tara: No.A moment of silence.Tara: My sister wanted to.Kyle: But why? I mean I know because of...but... she still has you.Tara chuckles bitterly.Tara: I honestly don't know. She said she wanted to decide for herself while she still could. It pissed me off. I mean, I get it, she watched Meghan die and then reanimate, but, we both lost Meghan, like we both lost dad. I just...I don't know what the hell is going on with her anymore. When I threatened to stay with her it's like she didn't even care if I did or not, like I didn't exist. When Dale did, suddenly she's rejecting of it. I mean she barely knows Dale, and I'm her sister. (Voice cracks a bit). But...it felt like I was in the presence of a stranger. Not sure I know who that woman is anymore...She trails off.Kyle hums.The Lilly Chambler he'd barely known had been kind, caring, loved and doted on her sister and daughter.Now Meghan was gone, and Lilly had been uncaring if her sister lived or died.The woman should be grateful she still has her sister, Kyle assumed his is long gone.Probably died during the bombings.It wasn't his business, but, he can't help but feel angry for Tara.But he puts that away for now.Kyle: She should feel grateful.Tara: (Silently acknowledging the conversation)Kyle: She still has her sister, you. It isn't my business really, but...why would she be so uncaring? Doesn't seem like her.Tara: Like I said, it's like I don't even know her anymore. She didn't even acknowledge me afterwards either. It's like I...never even had a sister.Kyle: (Scoffs). She should be grateful.Tara: ...sounds like you've been there.Kyle: In a sense.He sighs again, except it's a very tired one.Kyle: Officer Amanda Lynn Shepherd. She is...was, my older sister. She was a no nonsense woman but, oh, her sass and Sense of humor would surprise you. Probably rival Obi-Wan Kenobi's from Star Wars.Tara: (Snickers). Sounds like someone I'd love to meet, probably be best friends with her within a day.Kyle: (Nods and laughs fondly). Yeah. She mostly directed that sass towards Licari, he was her partner on the job, they'd been partners on the job for about twelve years actually. He seemed like a big brute and an asshole due to his size and his normal facial expression, but he was a big teddy bear when you got to know him, but very protective of those he called his friends, especially my sister. (Chuckles). The feelings he had for my sister were obvious to practically everyone, other than himself. Amanda once smashed an entire cake into her face because she was annoyed that he failed to notice her many attempts to get him to express himself.Tara: Oh. (Half smirk). Men be like that.Kyle: (Raises a brow at her)Tara: (Rolls her eyes). You're an honorary woman, you don't count.Kyle: Thank you. But yeah, those two together were like a duo from a sitcom.Another moment of silence.Tara: So...with how you refer to them in past tense, I'm guessing that...He shrugs but his expression falls.Kyle: I don't know what became of Licari, I assume he'd been in downtown Atlanta when everything went to hell, so he's most likely dead. As for Amanda...her being dead is kinda guaranteed, she was stuck at Grady when the bombs hit, don't know if Licari was with her or not then. Not like it matters, if they're not dead then they're...He doesn't say it outright because, he doesn't want it to be true.He wants to hope his sister and Licari are still alive somehow, but, the chances of that were highly unlikely.Tara: Sorry.Kyle: Don't be.He stares out at the woods.Kyle: My sister would've liked you.He can feel Tara place a hand on his arm and squeeze it, trying to be comforting, a gesture he appreciate.Though the moment is ruined when he turns around to see Rick run and duck under a car, and that's when he sees it out the corner of his eyes, a herd.He inclines his head in the direction of the herd, and Tara steals a brief glance that way.Tara: Oh shit!Kyle: Under the car.Thankfully a car is right there and they haven't been seen yet.So they quickly duck and get under the car.Hoping the rest of the group were also taking cover.Soon the herd was coming by, groans and moans could be heard.One walker clearly sounded newly turned, and sounded like a child, looked like it too given the length of their legs and size of the clothes they both could see.Poor child, the new world really had no mercy, did it?Soon the herd passed, thankfully.Kyle: Whoa...Tara: Dude...what the hell was that? That many together in one group...Kyle: If I had to guess, they're grouping up and migrating out of the cities due to lack of a food source. Walkers are kind of like animals in that regard. When one place runs out of food or runs low on it, they migrate to somewhere else where a food source could be found.They exit from their hiding place and stand.
*Kyle and Tara are now good friends*
Then they quickly weave through the cars, until they stumble upon other members of the group.Kyle notices Carol holding Sophia close, and Lucille seems to be keeping a crying and frantic Lori from bolting.Kyle: What's wrong?Carol: I...Carl ran off into the woods, a couple of walkers saw him and they chased him....Shit.Not again.Merle: Officer friendly ran after 'em. Ma brother, Raven, and Walsh followed....Okay...It's fine...Surely with those group members it would be.Daryl and Raven being involved reassured him.It would be fine...  Never mind.Not fine.The four in question returned, but not with Carl.Lori was inconsolable.She was near the railing, Carol on her other side trying to comfort her to the best of her ability.Lori: Rick?? Carl?? Where's he? Where's our son?Rick: (Looks down guiltily). I...I led them away I...I had to. There were two and I couldn't take them both, so I hid him and led them away. He was...was gone when I got back.Lori: Rick...(looks dejected)...he's a child.Rick: I gave him directions, I said keep the sun on his left shoulder so he'd make it back here.Shane scoffed at that.Shane: He's a child, man. A lost, scared, child. Gotta wonder how much of what you said stuck.Andrea: (Rolls her eyes). Oh shut up. Get the stick out of your ass, he did more for Carl than you ever did.Lori: (Stares at Daryl as she sits on the railing). Is that blood?Raven: We took down a walker.Lori started hyperventilating.Lori: A walker...oh God...Rick: It was never near Carl.Carol: How can you be sure?Daryl: We cut the son of a bitch open, made sure.Most looked disgusted about that, but some seemed reassured, but others, not so much.Rick: Lori I didn't...there wasn't time for-Lori: (Shakes her head). How could you Rick? It's our son. He's just a child, he's just a child.Truthfully Kyle found it hypocritical that she suddenly cared so much.She didn't pay him much mind back at camp while she and Shane were going at it like rabbits in the woods.Rick tried. He clearly did.Never seemed to be enough for the woman though.Kyle can see a couple of the other women looking as if they were having the same thought.
*
Kyle now dislikes Lori*

*Tara now dislikes Lori*

*Raven now hates Lori*

*Andrea now hates Lori*
Raven glares at Lori.Raven: If this is anyone's fault, it's yours....Okay.Lori: (Stares at her shocked)Shane: Now hold on Dixon, you can't say-The look Raven gives him is enough to make him shut up mid-sentence.Raven: You see back at camp, Merle and I offered to give the kids training so they'd know how to defend themselves in a situation like this one. But you, (points at Lori), decided that as queen bitch, that you knew better. Then you, (points at Shane), decided that your opinion overruled anyone else's simply because the self proclaimed queen bee was involved. Her hinting at their affair was not subtle.Not that Kyle disagreed, actually he'd give Raven a standing ovation if it had been appropriate.Raven: So yes, I can put the blame on you two because it is your faults. You refused to allow the kids to learn self defense, mainly because queen bitch thought that the children should focus on school work, the women focus on the 'womanly' things, and the men do everything else. Your refusal to open your eyes and adapt to the new world may end up costing you everything. Well wake up bitch! This ain't the old world, it never will be anymore. There is no school, no time to be dutiful housewife or damsel in distress in need of rescuing from a man, nothin' will ever be as it was.Merle: Had ya been keepin' an eye on your boy instead of sneaking off w-Caesar: (Warning glare). Merle.Kyle got what Caesar was doing.He also saw the unspoken message that passed between them.'Let Rick figure it out' was the clear message there.Truthfully he didn't get how the man hadn't figured it out yet.Unless he did and wasn't saying anything yet, or more likely he was in denial and refused to accept it.The man is good, but Kyle knows he's also naive.Merle backs off, not at all intimidated by Shane's glare.Kyle honestly isn't either, he and Raven once wiped the floor with a guy who was almost 6 ft 12, granted Raven was helping and she could whoop anyone's ass, but still.Lori: (Shakes her head and starts to cry). My little boy got left in the woods by his father.Rick meanwhile just recoils more, then quickly walks away, probably so no one would see him breakdown.Shane followed him but clearly his heart wasn't in any of his actions.Andrea scowled at Lori, before she made an annoyed sound and walked back to the RV. Apparently Amy had a close call earlier and barely managed to kill the walker which had stumbled into the RV when that herd passed through.Kyle checked her over earlier, no injuries or bites, just blood on her shirt and a bit on her face, and she was shaken up, but she'd be fine, plus she was starting to learn how to fight.So one good thing from today, he supposed.
*Amy has started learning how to fight*
  The next morning they all rose and they planned to go out and search for Carl.Lilly approached Dale and then...well...Dale sighed at her.Dale: Lilly, I'm begging you, don't put me in this position.Lilly: (Smiles coldly). I'm not going out there without my gun. I'll even say please.Dale: No.Lilly: (Frowns). It was a gift from my uncle, you have no right to keep it from me. What, you think I'm gonna stick it in my mouth and pull the trigger the moment you hand it to me?Dale: I know you're angry with me, that much is clear. But if I hadn't done what I did, you and Tara would be dead now.Lilly: Jenner gave us an option, I chose to stay.Dale: You chose suicide.Lilly: (Scowls slightly). So what's it to you? You barely know me.By this point everyone was watching the exchange, Tara especially.Dale: I know Meghan's death devastated you-Lilly: Don't bring her into this. (Cold and impassive expression). This isn't about Meghan, it's about you forcing my hand.Dale: (Coolly). No, it's about you trying to take the easy way out.Lilly: Well Dale, I wanted to die my way. Not torn apart by undead freaks, that was my own choice. You took that from me Dale.She shook her head.Lilly: And how fucking dare you. Who even are you? To force my hand like that?! But let me guess, you know better? What the hell did you expect?Dale: I would think gratitude.Lilly: (Appalled). Really? Let me tell you something Dale, I didn't want your blood on my hands and that is the one and only reason I left that building.Tara audibly gasped, clearly hurt that she was practically non-existent to her sister at this point.
*Tara is deeply hurt by Lilly's admission*

*Dale noticed how Lilly disregarded Tara*

*Dale and Lilly are no longer friends*
Lilly: (Shakes her head). And you expect...gratitude?Dale's expression suddenly hardened at that.Dale: Yes, yes I did. I would think you'd be-Lilly: Well guess what Dale? I don't fucking care what else you have to say to me.Dale: (Expression turns a bit cold). And guess what, Lilly? See you don't get to do that. To...to come into someone's life, make them care about you, even if they don't know you very well, and then just up and decide to...check out. I'd thought you'd be grateful to stay with your sister, alive.He then scoffs uncharacteristically as he takes out her gun and practically shoves it into her hand, Lilly also seemed taken aback by this, as well as his words.She stared at the ground, clearly guilty.Dale: (Shakes his head with a sad sigh). Clearly I was wrong.With that he goes back into the RV and shuts the door, leaving Lilly to ponder on everything.  The group found a tent, but it didn't have Carl inside, just a dead guy who'd put a bullet through his own skull.'Opted out' as Jenner referred to it as.Then they found a church, and cleared it out.Still no Carl.Raven stared at the crucifix.Raven: You take requests?...To be honest, Raven wasn't sure if she really ever believed in God. Sure she believed that someone was up there watching over them, but, if so, where was he now when the world had gone to hell and children were dying and vanishing left and right?Daryl came over, sneering a bit at the thing before his attention went back to her.Daryl: The hell's prayin' gonna do?...True.Granted Daryl and Merle had always been atheists, neither believed in God, though given how they grew up, she didn't blame them.She had a similar childhood, except it was her mother, her father was a good man who always shielded her from her mother, even in those instances where it didn't work.But she knew Will Dixon had been the absolute worst.She knew of the scars on her husband's back, Merle still didn't surprisingly, mainly because Daryl just didn't want to tell anyone else.Though Will Dixon was dead now, murdered a few years back, under mysterious circumstances.She honestly thinks Merle may have had something to do with that, wouldn't be surprising if he'd found out somehow and then went to their father and got revenge.But that was off topic.Daryl: Tell you somethin' babe, we're gonna find that little boy, (nods), and he's gonna be just fine. Do or don't, ain't no try.Raven: (Manages a smirk). What are you, human redneck Yoda?He doesn't comment, and notices some of the others staring at him weirdly, a few amused.Daryl: What? Am I the only one zen around here? Jesus...He gives her a quick peck in the cheek as he goes.She snorts.Her husband is many things, zen is not one of them.No Dixon is zen.Merle snickers, clearly thinking the same.Merle: Wonder what's got Darleena's panties twisted up his ass.Suddenly Tara was leveling him with a smirk of her own.Tara: Now Merleena, was that really necessary?He stares at her, dumbfounded.This causes some to try (and fail) to hide their chuckles by coughing.Merle: The fuck did you just call me rugmuncher?Raven: Technically carpet. Rugs are rougher, and therefore masculine....To hell with it.Raven threw her head back and cackled, catching Merle staring at her with something akin to wariness and horror.Though he finally shakes his head and snorts.Merle: Damn woman, ya got spunk, I'll give ya that.Tara: Ew, masculine terms.
*Merle and Tara have become good friends*
  Then the group regathers outside the church. Apparently Shane and Rick would stay and keep searching.Kyle was going with them.Sophia: I want to stay too.Everyone is noticeably a bit tense, no one wanted to lose another child if things went wrong.Or worse.Sophia: Carl's my friend, I won't leave him.Despite sounding nervous, there was a certain determination there that surprised everyone, mainly Carol, who reluctantly allowed it, hugging her daughter.Carol: You stay close to them at all times, okay sweetie?Sophia: Yes momma.Daryl: (Looks to Rick). This splits us up. You sure?Rick: Yes. Here.He offers his gun, holding it out to Carol, but she shakes her head.Carol: I'm fine Rick. Besides I'm not taking that and leavin' you unarmed.Daryl takes out his spare pistol and gives it to her, then gestures to his crossbow.Daryl: There ya go. Don't need it, got my old faithful here.Lilly shakes her head and scoffs before she starts walking off.Kyle frowned her way.Really, what was her problem? There was no reason for her to be a bitch all of a sudden.Okay, yes, she'd lost her daughter, but so what? Kyle's almost certain his sister is dead, Rick and Lori were missing their son, T-Dog lost Jacqui, most of the group had lost someone, it wasn't all about her, contrary to what she seemed to believe all of a sudden.
*Kyle now dislikes Lilly* 
  The part of the group heading back to the highway stopped to take a breather.Lucille: We've been looking around everywhere, even up in the trees, not a damn thing.Glenn: In some bushes maybe? Under a log? Inside a log?Lucille: (Sighs). I doubt it.Glenn looked at the machete in his hand.Glenn: And weapons?Andrea: Well, they aren't gonna do much, admittedly.Lilly nodded.Lilly: Carrying knives and pointy sticks.She levels an undecipherable look at Carol.Lilly: I see you have a gun.Carol promptly stood up from the log she'd been sitting on beside Lori. A pleasant expression on her face which didn't reach her eyes.Carol: (Coolly). Why you want it? Here, take it.She then frowns at the brunette.Carol: I'm sick of the looks you keep giving people.Lilly looks appalled but noticeably takes the gun anyway.Carol sits back down, turning to Lori now.Carol: Lori, I get that you are scared and worried about your boy, but you have got to stop blamin' your husband, it's in your eyes anytime you look at him. And the comment you made earlier this mornin', saying he shouldn't have made it back, that was unnecessary and just plain cruel.Lori looked shocked, but then looked away with guilt.Carol: Yes, I heard.Carol shook her head.Carol: some of you look at Rick and you judge him like he's supposed to be this perfect leader. And whatever problem, big or small, pops up, you immediately pin the blame on him simply because it's convenient to. I don't think...Her tone was slightly cold now.Carol: ...that any of us would've gone after Carl like he did in that moment. (Chuckled bitterly). I won't lie, I wouldn't have, I had my own daughter to keep an eye on, it's only a miracle that those walkers didn't see her too.Her glare turns to Lilly, who flinches at it.Carol: And you. I can't believe what a selfish bitch you are.Lilly: (Sputters). Carol that-Carol: Shut it, I'm not done with you yet.That quickly made Lilly fall silent in further surprise....Damn, who was this badass woman? And what had she done with Carol?...Raven was honestly kind of enjoying this.Carol: I can't believe that you would ignore your own sister's existence because you're suicidal. It took Dale, who you barely know, threatenin' to stay for you to get your head halfway out of your own ass and leave. Yet you had no issue with the thought of losing the only family you have left. You know back at camp I used to like you, to think highly of you, but now? Now I look at you and all I can think is...where did it all go wrong?Holy shit.Looks like Carol Peletier was evolving.Lilly looked down, properly ridiculed, and ashamed.But Carol steamrolled on.Carol: But go on, go. If you think you can make it out here on your own, then leave. No one's stoppin' you.She took a sip from a water bottle.Lilly held the gun back out to her, still looking down in shame. Those words from Carol certainly hurt and hit close to home, but she couldn't refute any of them, Carol had been spot on.Daryl was watching it all impassively, Merle was wearing an almost smug smirk on his face, Tara was just staring at a tree like it was the most interesting thing there, Glenn was too, and Caesar and Pete just stared at the two women with something akin to disappointment after Carol had ripped into both of them.Lilly: We should keep moving.Carol rose, carrying a bag of supplies at her side as she took back the gun and they continued on.
*Carol called out Lori and Lilly*

*Carol is already evolving into a true survivor*

*Carol now dislikes Lilly*

*Carol and Lori are no longer good friends*
   As they continued, Lilly spoke to Lori.Lilly: I'm sorry for what you're going through, I get how it feels.Lori: (Nods slowly). I...suppose you do. I'm...not really angry at Rick or anything, I just...that's my baby...Lilly gives her a pat on the back.Lilly: I know. No matter what, they always are.Lori: Yes. I just...I keep hoping and praying that he doesn't end up like Meg...han.Everyone stops to look at her, as she ends her own sentence, turning to Lilly looking appalled at her own words, and also apologetic.Lilly grimaced but she didn't comment on that.Lori: Oh God...I...that's the cruelest thing I've ever said! (Shakes her head). I'm so sorry...Lilly: (Smiles sadly). No, you're fine. Besides, I...hope he doesn't either, I wouldn't want that for anyone. But, Carl's a smart boy, and he's good at running and evasion, his chances are far better than most.The tension in Lori's shoulders lifted, she breathed out deeply, managing a weak smile.Lori: You're right, of course you're right. Thank you.With that everyone continued on, clearly feeling somewhat better after Lilly somehow managed to calm the frightened and worried mother.Perhaps the first useful thing she's done so far, Raven could only hope that it continued that way.She would rather like Lilly than hate her.But that was for Lilly herself to determine.
*lilly managed to calm Lori*

*lilly and Lori are now good friends*

*Raven and Lilly are now neutral*

*Carol and Lilly are now neutral*

*Caesar and Lilly are now neutral*

*Daryl and Lilly are now neutral*

*Merle and Lilly are now neutral*

*Carol and Lori are now neutral*

*Raven now only dislikes Lori*

*Merle now only dislikes Lori*

*Daryl and Lori are now Neutral*
  Unfortunately that moment of peace wouldn't last.Because a ways off, Rick, Shane, and Kyle watched as Sophia approached a deer and slowly reached out.Only for a gunshot to be heard.The deer fell to the ground with a bullet hole going right through it.And Sophia collapsed to the Earth with a bullet wound through her stomach, and blood slowly seeping out of her wound and staining her blue shirt with a rainbow on it.They'd just lost one child...Only to be in danger of potentially losing another.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Everyone stops for a minute, by this point the sun is about to set soon. Lori looks around, having been a bit disturbed by that gunshot. It gave her a bad feeling...Mitch: What's wrong?Lori: It was a gunshot.Andrea: (Gives her a deadpan look). That much was obvious.Lori: But why just one?Glenn: Maybe they took down a walker?Lori: Don't patronize me, you know Rick or Shane wouldn't risk one bullet for one walker, or Kyle, they'd do it quietly.Glenn turns away, silently questioning what he'd done to deserve her attitude.Carol: No point in standing here and waiting for anything, let's keep moving.The group continues on.Lilly inquires as to how much farther they've got to go, and Daryl replies with 'as the crow flies'. To which she replies with 'too bad we're not crows'.Lilly falls behind a bit, pushing away a cobweb.Lilly: (Scoffs). As the crow flies my ass.She hears a groan and turns to see a walker coming right at her, and screams as she backs away.She tries to stab it, but only gets its chest.She then trips back over a log and onto the ground, kicking and screaming, trying to keep it away from her.Then the sound of...galloping?She turns her head to see a woman on a horse holding a baseball bat, she hits the walker with it, sending it flying back and onto the ground.???: Carol? Carol Peletier? Woah.The others finally returned, looking between Lilly and the other woman in confusion.Carol: I'm Carol.???: I'm Maggie. Listen, Rick sent me, you gotta come now!Carol: What-Maggie: There's been an accident, Sophia's been shot. She's still alive, but you gotta come now.Carol dropped her bag without a second of hesitation and hopped on the horse.Despite Daryl's protests.Maggie: Rick said you had others on the highway? That big traffic snarl?Glenn: Uh huh...Raven snorted as she saw Glenn staring at Maggie like she was the most beautiful thing ever.Maggie: Backtrack to Fairburn road. Two miles down you'll find the farm, you'll see the mailbox, name's Greene, hee-yah!And with that she rode away with Carol.The walker meanwhile tried to get up, but Daryl almost snarled at it in annoyance.Daryl: Shut up.And he put a crossbow arrow through its brain.  Dale: Shot?! What do you mean shot?They just arrived back at the highway, and the others met them there.Glenn: I don't know Dale. All we know is some chick rode in like zorro on a horse and took Carol.Dale: (Turns to Daryl). And you let her?Daryl rolled his eyes.Daryl: Climb down outta my ass, old man.The tone lacked any real bite, but the message of 'leave me alone' was obvious.Daryl: Ain't nothin' to worry 'bout there. She knew Rick and Carol's names, and Sophia's.Then Lilly walked past them and to the RV.Dale: I heard screaming, was that you?Glenn: She got attacked by a walker, it was a close call.Dale: Lilly, are you alright?They may not be friends anymore exactly, but he stilled cared for her.Lilly just turned back to him, glared, and entered the RV while slamming the door.  During this time, Kyle helped Hershel in getting out the bullet fragments from Sophia's wound, Kyle helped a lot since he was an actual doctor and had done such surgeries before.They only got two though, the other four were deeper, and required Sophia being asleep under anesthesia, and also more blood and the proper equipment.Kyle knew Sophia's blood type was B, and luckily Jimmy's blood type was also B, and Jimmy volunteered.Shane and Otis left to the school to retrieve those supplies while Carol and Maggie arrived, Carol immediately rushing to her daughter's side.The supplies were successfully retrieved from the school.But only one of the two were making it back.  Back at the highway, the group discussed their next move.Lori: We can't leave, not yet.Dale: (Sighs). Lori the group is split, we're scattered and weak.Lori: But what if...what if my baby comes back here?That point was valid.Andrea: If Carl found his way back while we were gone, that would be horrible.Daryl: Okay. (Nods). We gotta plan for this. Half of y'all go. I'll hold here tonight, stay with the RV.Merle: Be right here with ya little brother.Dale: (Nods in agreement). If the RV is stayin', then I will too.Andrea: Count me in.Amy: Us.Andrea: Right. (Blinks in surprise but smiled). Us.Lori nodded gratefully.Lori: Thank you.Raven hummed.Raven: Okay. Then I'll head to the farm, check it out, come back and get you once it seems safe enough.Daryl: Better take my motorcycle then.Merle: Lot of trust you givin'...Raven: Unlike you, I can drive one without scraping the side of someone else's vehicle.Merle: (Huffs dramatically but concedes). Now I know why Darleena married ya.Raven: Yeah, he married me so I could whoop your ass and set you straight.Tara: Gay...Lilly: (Grins). Correction, bi.Tara seemed surprised that her sister even acknowledged her, but she accepted it with happiness in her eyes.Okay, so maybe Lilly was improving.Merle: Damn women, always gangin' up on me...The conversation goes back to topic.Glenn: (Looks to Dale). Well if you're staying, then...Dale shakes his head though.Dale: Not you Glenn, you're goin', along with Pete, T-Dog, and Lucille. Take Kyle's SUV.Glenn looked a bit appalled and exasperated.Glenn: Why is it always me?Dale: You're the fastest in the group. Not to mention we need to reconnect with our people, and, you need to get T-Dog there, that's not an option.He points to the man, who had a bandaged cut across his arm, he looked very ill.Raven: (Gives Daryl and inquiring look). What happened?Daryl: Herd came through, he barely caught 'em in time. Got his arm cut bad on a door.He frowned, but it was Merle who finished.Merle: Gave him some of my stuff earlier. Ain't done much, wasn't worth a damn clearly.Dale: That's because he already has a very serious blood infection.Dale paced a bit before stopping.Dale: If Kyle were still here with those meds he carries, we could treat him here. But since he isn't, we need to get T-Dog to where Kyle is at that farm so he can be treated and in time. Cause if not T-Dog will die, no joke.Clearly no one wanted that outcome.They'd already lost many.Morales and his family, Meghan, Jim, Jacqui, Carl was now missing, Sophia got shot somehow, and Carol left on horseback with Maggie. They were split and not sure what was going on with the others.No one wanted to lose another member of the group.Glenn: (Nods after a moment). Okay, I'll do it.Raven then turned to Lori.Raven: Mrs. Grimes, if you want to come with me I can take you. If not, you can stay here and wait to see if Carl comes back.Lori seemed to think on that very briefly, biting her lip nervously, but her reply was swift.Lori: I'll...I'll stay, just in case.She nodded in understanding.She might not like Lori, but regardless of her parenting skills, she was a mother, one who was very worried for her child.Didn't matter if she wasn't a good parent, a parent is a parent....Most of them anyway.  Nighttime at the Greene house...Annette sat outside on the front porch, rocking back and forth in her chair slowly.She pondered on things.When the virus started running rampant, she hadn't been sure what to think. She saw the riots on TV, police shooting who appeared to be people.While she'd been pissed at the police at the time, she'd been a fool.The day Mr. Fischer wandered onto their land from the nearby farm, that's when she saw how wrong she'd been in the thought that those people were sick and needed help.No.Those...'people', needed to be eliminated, they were a plague, one from the very depths of hell, risen by the devil himself.She'd been standing on the front porch then, watching it all.The whole family had been.Maggie however had been the only one with common sense. 
Shawn frowned.

Shawn:

(Stares at her, appalled). Maggie, what's gotten into you?

Maggie:

Nothin'! Can't you see from here that that is not a livin' person?! He was Mr. Fischer at one point, now he's just a stumblin', rottin' old-

Annette: Enough, Maggie Olivia Greene! I can't believe you'd be so cold towards the same man who used to babysit you whenever your daddy and I weren't home.

Maggie looks at her like she's insane.

Maggie:

Momma...

Her stepmother's glare is enough to silence her.

Annette:

Shawn, go get Mr. Fischer, see what he needs. If he needs any medicine or somethin', I can get it for him.

Shawn nods, being the dutiful and compassionate young man he is.

Shawn:

Okay.

He walks off the porch.

Huh, she hadn't noticed when Fischer had gotten closer, weird.

...

Oh my goodness, he looked very ill! The blood from the corner of his mouth was a dead giveaway, and the pale skin, too pale. And he was limping it seemed.

And the sounds he made, like he was having trouble breathing.

She gestured with her hands at Beth.

Annette:

Bethie, go to the kitchen and get one of the med kits, should be in the drawer that's third to last on the left.

Beth:

(Nods quickly). Yes momma.

Beth goes back in to get the med kit.

Shawn meanwhile approached Fischer with Otis in tow, the man is staring at them oddly, she notes, maybe he's highly disoriented, seemed to be the case here.

Only increased her worry for the man.

Shawn:

(Smiles but weakly when he sees how the man looks up close). Uh...howdy Mr. Fischer. You alright there? You're lookin' pale, and are you having any problems with your-

That's when Fischer seems to suddenly lunge forward with a scary snarl.

And suddenly everything she thought she knew crashes down around her.

And from the front porch, she watches with wide and shocked eyes as Fischer grabs her son and sinks his teeth into Shawn's neck, at the same time Shawn screams in both surprise and pain.

Fischer brings his head up for a minute, and...is he...eating her son's...

No...

No...no...no...

This can't...be happening...

Shawn:

AAAAHHH!!!!!

Patricia: (Gasps and brings her hand up to cover her mouth)

Maggie:

NOOO!!

Shawn:

(Starts choking on his own blood). G-GET IT...OFF M-ME!!!!

At that moment Hershel comes out, his expression a similar one to Annette's own as Fischer takes another bite from Shawn's neck while dragging him to the ground.

Beth exits at that same moment with Jimmy following behind her.

Beth:

Momma I got the-

She drops the med kit and she screams at what she sees.

Otis rushes over as quickly as he can and grabs Fischer as he'd taken a bite out of Shawn's arm then.

Otis restrains both hands behind Fischer's back while holding him forcefully on the ground.

Annette grips the railing, knuckles turning white.

Hershel rushes off the porch with Patricia and Beth, along with Jimmy.

They go over to Shawn, who seemed to let loose a gurgling sound before he falls still and silent.

Beth wails as she falls over him.

Beth:

NOOO!! SHAWN NO!! NO! COME BACK!!

She looks to Fischer, who snarls and seems to thrash around, but he can't move since Otis has him pinned.

Beth:

YOU...MONSTER!! WHY?! HE WAS ONLY TRYIN' TO HELP YOU!! YOU HEAR ME?!! I'LL-

Beth falls silent when her gaze falls upon her mother.

Maggie:

(Sobbing). M-m-momma?

At that moment, Annette can no longer maintain herself.

Her strength gives out in her arms and legs.

Her hands release the railing, and she collapses in a heap on the porch.

Maggie:

(Rushes down to her). Momma?!

That's the last thing she hears, along with footsteps coming up the porch quickly, before she slipped in unconsciousness.
 
 
That's the day she most regrets.Because she'd been a total idiot and it got her son killed.She'd seen just how wrong she'd been.That thing, that...demon, was not Gilbert Fischer, that was...something else.A monster.Then she had a thought.That would have been her.Had Beth come out with the med kit earlier, she'd have died along with Shawn.Not that it matters.He's dead now, and she hates herself for it.And then Hershel, her husband decides to bury his head in the sand, even after that he maintained they were just sick people.Denial was the first step.Annette didn't share his viewpoint though.Maggie already didn't, and Patricia had witnessed the thing who'd once been Fischer eating flesh from Shawn's neck and arm, she definitely didn't either. Though Otis shared that view, and Beth, bless her sweet but naive soul, just like Hershel, denial.Annette already accepted that Shawn was dead.That wasn't her son in the-Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a couple of car doors shut and a motorcycle come to a stop.???: This is the right place, right????: Yes.Three people ascended the steps to the house.So she spoke finally.Annette: Close the gate when you came in????: Uh...(nervously points)...yeah, Raven did.She nods and rises from her seat, slowly coming over to them.???: Erm sorry, I'm Glenn, this is T-Dog, and that's Raven.Annette nods to them each.Annette: Nice to meet y'all.She looks down, at the black man's arm, a bandage covered it and it was bloody.Her voice tightens, because God help her if he's bitten...Annette: Were you bitten?T-Dog shakes his head but looks rather embarrassed.T-Dog: No ma'am. We were hiding from a herd, and I cut my arm on a car door. Stupid really...She lets out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding in.She then smiles warmly, a slight twinge of humor in her eyes.Annette: That ain't the dumbest thing I've ever heard son. All my years of livin', trust me, I've heard some pretty stupid crap.The woman, Raven, snorts in amusement, while T-Dog looks more sheepish even if intrigued in his current state.Glenn: Do you have medical supplies?She nods.Annette: Yep. We do have more, thanks to who I'm assuming is your group's doctor.She opens the front door and gestures in.Annette: Come on in, my daughter, Maggie, and I will fix you somethin' to eat.She mostly ignores Glenn's look of interest when she tells them Maggie is her daughter.And quickly they all enter the house.  Overnight, things went both smoothly and not so smoothly.Shane returned with all the necessary equipment, but without Otis.This immediately set off alarm bells in the heads of Annette, Maggie, Raven, and T-Dog (the latter pretended not to acknowledge it).Kyle and Hershel performed the surgery, successfully removing the four remaining bullet fragments.Sophia slept easier.Carol was extremely grateful to Kyle and Hershel, though the latter insisted that it was mainly thanks to Kyle, expressing he was only a vet, and he learned how to perform that surgery a lot better because Kyle had instructed him step by step through Sophia's surgery. Carol paid it no mind, promising to pay them both back one day.
*Kyle and Carol are now close friends*

*Carol is eternally grateful to Kyle and Hershel for saving Sophia*

*Carol and Hershel are now friends*

*Kyle and Hershel are now friends*
The rest of the group came in the next morning. Dale: How's she doin'?Carol: (Nods and smiles). She'll be just fine. Thanks to Kyle, and Hershel and his people.Her smiled vanished with what Rick adds though.Rick: And Shane. We'd have lost Sophia if not for him.Carol refrained from scoffing at that.She'd never particularly liked Shane. He was too stuck up in her view, too full of himself, thought his view was the only right one, and just kind of a flat out jackass.But without that equipment, Sophia would be dead, so that's the only reason she said nothing, out of nothing but some respect.She noticeably didn't thank Shane though, unlike Rick, which was noticed by the group, minus Shane, but they made no comment of it.Dale walked up to Rick and hugged him.Lori approached Carol with a relieved smile.Lori: Oh thank God.Lori hugs her. Relieved for the other woman. Her baby was still missing but, after yesterday, she had a lot more hope.She'd rather Carol not lose her daughter, Carol didn't need to feel the pain of her child being missing or dead, she definitely didn't deserve it.  Otis' funeral was somber.Maggie refrained from scowling at Shane Walsh as he told the story.That story was too simple, too easy to spin, and too easy to believe.Walsh had not been at all specific.Just said Otis shoved the bag at him and told him to 'go, save the girl'.Yeah no.She knows that ain't the truth of what happened.Judging from her stepmother's frown as she listened to the story, she thought the same thing.It was clear neither of them bought it.Patricia was too torn up over Otis' death to pay much attention, daddy was unreadable, and Beth and Jimmy were still young, naive.Though Maggie saw some of the expressions coming from people in Rick's group, the Dixons being most prominent, exchanging glances, and then staring at Walsh with impassive faces.Dale shared a look with Andrea, and Andrea shook her head.Kyle stared up at the sky, but the look in his eyes said he didn't buy it either.And some others.Rick though, seemed to believe every word coming from Walsh's mouth....Was he naive or just an idiot?Walsh finished by saying that if not for Otis, he wouldn't have made it back.Yeah...another red flag.Rick nodded along and just accepted it without question....Idiot it is.  Now the group gathered around a car, Maggie came over with a map and laid it out.Hershel: How long has your boy been missin'?Rick: This'll be day three.Rick looked absolutely exhausted.Maggie: County survey map. Shows terrain and elevation.They then discussed it, sharing different ideas of where the boy could be.Hershel objected to Shane going anywhere with his ankle in its current state.Hershel: Push that now, you'll be laid up a week.Mitch: (Nods). I'll go then. I can take this route, (points to the spot on the map), and go a little north, see if he wandered out there.Rick: (Nods in approval). I'll go with you. I think it's probably best we go in pairs from now on, safer that way.Shane frowns a bit but doesn't say a word.Until.Shane: Hate to say it, God knows I hate even thinkin' it but...what happens if we find him and he's bit? (Flinches at the thought).Rick glares, but Caesar steps in before he can say anythingCaesar: It's a valid point. (Shakes his head). If that happens, then everyone needs to be clear on what to do.Andrea: (Steels herself). If that happens, we deal with it like any other walker. Child or not, once someone's bitten and die then come back, they aren't people anymore.Maggie looks saddened by that, while Hershel appears displeased at the term 'walkers' and the fact Andrea said the walkers weren't people.Maggie: And his mother? What would you tell her?Andrea sighs and her lips are set in a thin line as she looks between Rick and Shane.Andrea: The truth.Of course, they know if that scenario plays out, Rick will have a breakdown, Lori too. Which would be horrible.But...if it does happen, that's all they can do, tell the truth.  Rest of the day passes by.There was a situation at a well. The walker inside was killed, Kyle took a gun and shot its brains out from above. A couple had disapproved of this, being Shane and Lilly, though Kyle explained that the water in that well had already long been contaminated, so it didn't matter.Everyone else agreed to seal off the well.Glenn and Maggie went on a pharmacy run, having sex in the process before returning.Annette already knew the moment they got back, but decided it was Maggie's business so she pretended she didn't know, while Hershel kind of noticed, and only glanced between the two before going back to doing whatever he was doing.The rest of the day saw Kyle spend most of it with Mitch, who was flirting a bit more now.Amy just smirked and watched from a distance, giving Kyle a thumbs up when he looked her way.Merle just spent the day reminiscing with Daryl and Caesar, and Daryl hid a cringe at Merle given his rather poor attempts at flirtation with the Hispanic man, who for whatever reason happily flirted back. He fake gagged as the jokes between the two got dirty.He didn't need to hear about his older brother's explicit love life.That was not on the itinerary.  The night wasn't so peaceful.As out in a field, Lori Grimes had no idea what she was going to do, as she held up a pregnancy test and cried in the moonlight.  
Character Deaths:

Gilbert Fischer (succumbed to the infection at some point) (reanimated) (unconfirmed if put down or not)
Shawn Greene (bitten by Mr. Fischer, died from blood loss) (unconfirmed if reanimated or put down)
Otis (ripped apart by walkers) (implied to have been left to die by Shane)
 
Unconfirmed:

Carl Grimes (missing)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A couple days had passed.Lori woke up, and quickly looked at a watch.She'd slept in until 12:00.Okay...She'd never slept in that late.Two nights ago she'd found out she was pregnant and...she knew it wasn't Rick's. But she didn't want it to be Shane's. Definitely not, he was becoming more of an asshole by the day.In any case, she got up, got dressed, and walked outside.Dale: Mornin'.Lori: Morning.She approached Carol and Lucille at a clothes line they'd set up, they were hanging clothes out to dry.Lori: (Groans in annoyance). Can't believe I slept in.Carol: You must have needed it.Lori: Yeah, well, next time wake me alright? Especially on laundry day.Because she wanted to feel useful, not sit around and do nothing all the time.Lucille: We can manage.Lori nodded as she started helping them hang out clothes.Lori: I had an idea I wanted to run by you both actually.Lucille: (Raises a brow in curiosity). Oh?Lori: I was thinkin'-Carol: Uh oh.She playfully swatted at Carol with a shirt before returning to topic, not hiding a chuckle though.
*Lori and Carol are now friends again*

*Lori and Lucille are now friends again*
Lori: ...that maybe, we all pitch in, and cook dinner for Hershel and his family tonight.The two other women give her a look.She gives a small shrug.Lori: Trying to find things to keep my worries eased and my mind occupied.They both nod in understanding.Lori: (Looks to Lucille). Think you can speak to Annette about it?Lucille: uh, sure. Why?Lori: You're better at talking to people than I am, I think it would come out better if you were the one to ask.Lucille stares for a minute but she nods in the end, for which Lori is grateful. A voice in the back of her mind criticizes her for keeping secrets from her husband and that she doesn't deserve him.For now she shelves those thoughts.  Mitch frowns and has to refrain from outright growling like a feral animal at Lilly Chambler.Before, back at camp, she was good, nice, tolerable.They had even been friendly with each other.But now here she was, trying to rub his arms in a way he did not like, from her or any woman.And subtlety asking him to have sex with her....No.Just...no.And she knew he only had eyes for Kyle, she'd caught a few of the glances he'd given the doctor back at camp, even teased him about it.Now though Lilly annoyed and disgusted him.He shrugged her off and found himself thinking the same thing Carol said a few days ago.Where had it all gone wrong?Well Meghan's death clearly, but, she still has Tara so, what the hell was with that?Lilly: I'm not asking for anything permanent, at least if you're not comfortable, just...casual. Every now and then at least....Okay, now she was starting to sound like a whore.He didn't bother hiding a groan.Mitch: Lilly look, I'm flattered, but I only got eyes for men and only one man at that.Lilly: Then...at least just once?He stared at her, annoyance at her very presence now starting to show on his face.Mitch: No.Lilly: Okay. Then just...use your fingers, or-Was this weird bitch serious? What part of him being homo was she not getting?And it was at this point his patience with Lilly wore out.Mitch: You really have lost your damn mind if you think anything is gonna happen between us. I'm barely toleratin' you as it is, and you're making that nearly impossible at the moment. Look...His expression was a mix of anger, annoyance, disappointment, and pity as he looked at her. She seemed surprised, about what he doesn't understand, or really care to.Mitch: I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but you've changed Lilly, and not for the better. You've become so desperate for love and affection that you would try and convince a homosexual man to have sex with you. What happened to the you that shined through a few days back when you and Tara joked around again? Where is that Lilly Chambler?Lilly blinked and trembled a bit, before her face contorted into a dark smile.Lilly: (Laughs bitterly). She died with her daughter.Then she stormed off.Mitch just watched her go and scoffed in irritation and disgust.Though shook his head and quickly walked off to find Kyle.Seemed luck was on his side, he found Kyle just as he was exiting the RV.Kyle gave a half smile.Kyle: Mitch, can I help-Mitch decides 'to hell with it'.And he pulls the doctor to him, and pushes his lips against the other's.Kyle stills in surprise at the action, but thankfully he reciprocates it.When they pull apart, Mitch is breathing in and out of his nose heavily.Pete and Amy were both in the RV, and were coming out, but stopped when they saw the kiss. Pete whistled and Amy smirked as if all her plans had finally come to fruition.Pete turns serious though, when his brother is breathing like that, it's an easy indicator that someone or something just pissed him off.Pete: ...who is it this time?Mitch just twitches a bit and rolls his eyes.Mitch: Lilly tried to get me to fuck her.Okay, maybe too blunt, but true.Amy's expression suddenly became very dark, highly odd for her.Amy: That bitch!'How dare that whore try and ruin my ship' she thought darkly.Then began fantasizing about how she'd confront Lilly about it later.Pete frowns, his older brother has never made it a secret that he's not straight at all, though he never broadcasted it either, he only told anyone if asked about his dating life.And he knows Lilly knows that, but why was she suddenly trying to get Mitch to sleep with her?Honestly, he doesn't think he wants to know.Kyle finally shakes his head and speaks.Kyle: Oh...Mitch: (Grins). What? Kiss too good for ya?Kyle: Uh huh......Kyle: My sister probably would've shot your testicles off if she'd seen that.Mitch grimaces, while Amy cackles.Raven: No, she's the other nice one. I'll decide if he gets to keep 'em.Mitch turns to see Raven behind them, giving him this 'you hurt him you die' look, to which he silently gulps but nods.Raven: ...he hasn't given you some cheesy, corny one liner, so he can stay...for now.Kyle chuckles nervously at his sister in all but blood. Out of them all, Lucille and Amanda were the nice ones, though would display their dark sides if the right buttons are pushed, and Raven...well, she was the gremlin, albeit always a well meaning one. He's pretty sure she's literally cut off a man's testicles before and hung them up as decor in her house, said they were quote unquote "a reminder as much as a souvenir".She was crazy, though then again that's just Raven.Kyle: So Mitch...what are we now?Mitch took one of Kyle's hands, rubbing over it with his thumb a bit, like he was thinking.Before he shrugged.Mitch: Uh...wanna be boyfriends?Pete facepalmed at his brother's awkwardness.Kyle blinked a few times.Kyle: Are you questioning?Mitch: Ah haha, jokes on you, I stopped questioning myself when I was 13.Kyle: Twenty two years ago? Mm, you're getting old.Mitch: You're literally only a year younger than me but whatever...Raven walked away while rolling her eyes.He wasn't like Kyle's old manipulative bastard of a ex-boyfriend, Ivan.She didn't need to remove his jewels.It was fine. 
*Mitch and Kyle are now boyfriends*

*Mitch now dislikes Lilly*

*Pete and Lilly are no longer friends*

*Pete now dislikes Lilly*

*Amy now hates Lilly*
  T-Dog gently pushed Lilly away.He'd just been checking on the group's supplies when she'd walked over and tried to kiss him.He doesn't know where that even came from, but he definitely wasn't interested.Sure he liked her as a friend and she was pretty, but no.She wasn't his type anyway.T-Dog: Whoa now. Look if you have some kind of feelings for me or somethin', I'm very flattered, but I don't feel that way 'bout you. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.Lilly huffs dramatically before she storms off.T-Dog just stared for a moment.What the hell was going on around here lately??...He shrugs.None of his business.Lori: Hey.He looks up to see Lori coming over, looking as if she wanted to help.T-Dog: Hey.Lori: What are you looking for?T-Dog: Going through the bags of food we packed from the CDC, sorting out which ones we can refrigerate and which ones need to go ahead and be eaten.She nodded and starting going through one of the other bags to help him get it all sorted out, which was nice of her he thought, she seemed to want to be more involved.Andrea walked over, or well, more like jogged.Andrea: Hey, um, have either of you seen Lilly? We were supposed to leave thirty minutes ago to go searching for Carl.T-Dog frowned.T-Dog: Didn't know anything 'bout that, but she came by a minute ago, tried to kiss me for some reason or another.He noticed Andrea and Lori both staring at him.Andrea: Wait-Lori: Tried...to kiss you? Just out of the blue?He nodded.T-Dog: Yeah. (Shakes his head). Like I said, don't know where it came from.Andrea frowned, but nodded to this and left to find Lilly, presumably anyway. She was most likely gonna go off on the other woman for delaying their search.Meanwhile he just gave Lori a reassuring smile, which didn't exactly reach his eyes, and they went back to sorting out their food supplies and at times reminiscing.
*T-Dog was weirded out by Lilly's behavior*

*T-Dog and Lori are now good friends*

*Andrea is disgusted by Lilly's actions*

*Lori is concerned about Lilly*

*T-Dog is concerned about Lilly*
  Later while Daryl had gone off with one of Hershel's horses to look for Carl (with Annette's permission to take the horse), Amy confronted Lilly while she'd been speaking to Rick and Shane.Rick: ...mean pushed you?Lilly: He shoved me. I was just trying to help him.Amy scoffed, causing all three to turn to see her, a thunderous expression on her face as she stared at Lilly.Amy: And...did you tell them about how you tried to get Mitch to have sex with you before that? Or about how you tried to kiss T-Dog when you approached him?Lilly suddenly looked like a child who'd been caught out after curfew.Rick and Shane both looked between them in confusion.Rick: Excuse me? Doing what?Amy snorted.Amy: Of fucking course you didn't. You know I never knew you to try and stir up anything Lilly, you're truly a selfish bitch.Lilly: (Scoffs). As if you're not trying to get into Kyle's pants, especially since the night of-There was a loud smack, and Lilly's head twisted to the side, cheek visibly turning red from the strike.Rick looked utterly surprised by the fact Amy, of all the women in their group, had physically struck someone.Amy: (Coldly). Kyle is openly gay for one, and don't you dare twist the events of the night of the fish fry and try and use it against me. If it weren't for Kyle, I'd be dead, and I'd have reanimated just like Meghan, because I know Andrea wouldn't have been able to put me down in that scenario. She laughs coldly, which almost makes both of the cops shiver because it's so unlike her.Amy: You know what I think? I think you're bitter. I think you're bitter that it was your daughter and not me. You're so mad at whatever is left of the world, and by extension us, because she is no longer alive in it. Yet I can't figure out what changed you so suddenly from a compassionate and caring woman, to a cold, selfish, and now lying and manipulative, bitch. You still have Tara, yet you don't even acknowledge her, and she's your sister and the only family you've got left. Now here you are, trying to get into every man's pants, or trying to convince any of them to fuck you because you're so desperate for the attention that you aren't against lying to achieve it. At one point I actually admired you, but now all I can feel for you is repulsion and never ending disappointment.With that she storms off, to find Andrea and try to calm down from her current fury.Leaving a very embarrassed and guilty Lilly, and bewildered and slightly terrified sheriff deputies.Meanwhile Glenn had been walking over, and he could only stop in place and watch it all in surprise before walking back off. 
*Amy now despises Lilly*
  Soon Lilly took up watch duty on top of the RV, rifle in hand.Dale kinda frowned up at her.Dale: What's with the Annie Oakley routine?Lilly: I don't wanna wash dishes Dale, I wanna help keep camp safe. Is that okay with you?Dale raised his hands and concedes before going inside the RV.T-Dog and Lori were still sorting through the food, but were close to being done by now.Lori frowned.Lilly shouldn't be holding a gun, sure a handgun she could handle, but not a rifle, Lori knew that.Something was gonna go wrong, she could feel it.Lori: Maybe you could let Mitch or Merle take watch?Lilly stared down at her, or well, more like glared.Lilly: Maybe I'm sick of playing housewife, unlike some people.Lori rolls her eyes but presses on.Lori: We're providing stability, Lilly. Maintaining some sense of normalcy even.Lori doesn't know what happened between her and Lilly.This wasn't the Lilly who comforted her days ago.This woman was someone completely different.T-Dog just stays silent and listens, looking progressively uncomfortable.Lilly: Oh please, grow up. Like Raven said, you adapt or you die. You're an idiot for staying in the past.Lori: You're one for holding a rifle that you don't even know how to use.Lilly shakes her head, looking more and more angry by the second.Lilly: You know Lori, I'm so sick of your whole 'dutiful wife' bullshit. You're such a stuck up bitch that I'm surprised you ever kept a husband.Lori: (Shocked by that)Lilly: Can't believe Carl had you as his mother....T-Dog coughs awkwardly, very uncomfortable now as he's finished sorting everything on his side.Lori's eyes narrowed.Lori: Excuse me?Lilly: I bet you didn't even tell him about the long hours spent in the woods with Shane back at camp, did you?Lori: (Stiffens, expression turns neutral). That was none of your business.Lilly: (Laughs). Are you kidding me? It is when said individuals come back, and ones belt buckle is conveniently undone and the other has grass and twigs in their hair.Lori: (Scowls). I was told my husband was dead.Lilly: Yet he was only gone for a month and suddenly you're all over his best friend's dick.Lori grimaces at that word, but her expression hardens.Lori: What the hell would you have me do? Rick was gone, and I felt like a lot of me died with him. Then suddenly he's-Lilly rolls her eyes.Lilly: Don't give me that load of shit. Lori: What is wrong with you?Lilly stared as if unimpressed.Lilly: You are what the hell is wrong with me. The lying, the cheating, the housewife act, the hypocrisy, the horrible parenting-Lori: You know nothing about that.Lilly: I know you barely kept an eye on your son. Maybe if you'd kept a closer eye on him, he wouldn't be missing out there.T-Dog winced and made a small gasping sound.And Lori turned fully to her with anger not at all concealed.That was just cruel to say, and she clearly hadn't been sorry to say it.Lori doesn't know who this woman is, but it's decidedly not Lilly Chambler.Lori: How dare you! You know I actually thought of you as one of my only friends, I confided in you-Lilly: Quite the mistake on your part.Lori: Clearly. But now you just disgust me. You say that to me, but that's a two way street.Okay, now maybe she was being cruel, but she was so angry at this woman that she really didn't care right now.Lilly clenched her one open fist.Lilly: What are you trying to say?Lori: I'm saying that perhaps if you kept-Lilly's head snapped to the side suddenly, ignoring Lori at that point.Lilly: Walker! Walker!Well, a figure was slowly walking out of the woods and their way.Rick, Shane, and Glenn ran over, T-Dog rose.Rick: Just the one?Lilly: (Nods). Yeah.Shane: Let's go then, come on.Rick: Shane hold up, Hershel wants to deal with walkers.Shane gives him a confused glance.Shane: What for man? We got it covered.Rick swears but follows after him and the other three as Dale exits the RV.Lilly starts getting into a position to shoot.Lilly: I bet I can nail it from here.Dale: Lilly no, let Rick and Shane handle it.Lilly: Shut up Dale, I've got it.She lays flat on the RV, looking through the scope, finger on the trigger for a few moments.Then she pulls it, the sound of a gunshot fills the atmosphere, a bullet flying through the air strikes its target, the 'walker' falls, Lilly wears a prideful smile.But it falls when Rick yells.Rick: NO!! NO! STOP!! 
*Lori and Lilly are no longer friends*

*Lori now dislikes Lilly*

*Lilly now dislikes Lori*
  Raven had anticipated many things.Her husband being shot was not one of them.Rick and Shane were supporting him, Daryl had a wound in the side of his head, clearly just grazed, thank whatever Gods above.Daryl: ...I was kiddin'.He falls unconscious.Rick actually shivers when he sees the blank expression on Raven's face, which then morphs into an all too pleasant smile.Oh shit, someone was probably dying today, chances were it would be Lilly.Raven: Someone better tell me who the hell shot my husband.Glenn actually kind of hid behind Shane, as if to avoid her wrath.Then Dale, Lilly, and Lori rushed over.Lilly: Oh my God! Oh my God, is he dead?!Apparently Shane wanted to be on Raven's good side today.Shane: Didn't we tell you we got it covered?There was a crunch as Raven's fist flew into Lilly's face, breaking her nose and knocking her unconscious as she fell to the ground.T-Dog made an 'ouch' sound and grimaced, but otherwise he looked away.Though it was clear no one here wanted to be in Lilly's current position.Dale, funnily enough, just stared down at Lilly's unconscious body with a 'disappointed dad' look and shook his head.Merle: And...that right there is why nobody fucks with ma sister in law.Merle just bellows out a laugh, the only one currently amused, only because he knew Daryl would be fine.Raven: Grimes, Walsh, you better keep her the fuck away from me.'Or I'll kill her' remained unspoken.Shane blinked but didn't hide a look of pity when he looked down towards Lilly.Oh, she was screwed now.Glenn gulped.Glenn: God, you're scary as hell. Erm...(points to Daryl)...anyway, what happened to him? He's wearing ears?Rick takes them off Daryl and hides them in his shirt.Rick: Let's keep that to ourselves.No one disagreed.Which is when Hershel's voice boomed out.Hershel: WHAT ON EARTH'S GOING ON OUT HERE?!Raven: Sorry about that, wasn't anything, just Lilly Chambler and her stupidity.Meanwhile Tara was just so utterly confused.Andrea had gone over, and dragged Lilly back to the RV, muttering something along the lines of 'I told you so'.Tara just looked between that scene and everyone else, gesturing confusedly with her hands.Tara: What the hell did I miss? 
*Raven now resents Lilly*

*Merle now hates Lilly*

*Rick now dislikes Lilly*
  As it turns out Daryl found a lead.He'd found Carl's jacket washed up near a creek.Raven had looked it over, and noticed the tiniest spot of blood on it, but she put that off as nothing.But it certainly raised people's spirits, except Shane, who seemed to not even think the boy was still alive.Pissed her off, seeing as he had once treated the boy like he was his own son.Guess now it was just convenient for him to label the boy a lost cause.After talking to Daryl, they gathered outside in the hall.Lori seemed happier than Raven had seen her in a while.She supposed that was good.Lori: (Smiles and nods). It's a good sign Rick, it is.Rick: If he made it that far, chances are he's hiding out somewhere, alive.That moment is, as predicted, ruined by Walsh.Shane: (Scoffs). Way I see it, Daryl almost died for a jacket.Rick gave him this glare that she'd never seen him give anyone before, one she'd give him a medal for if she could.Rick: Yeah, I know how you see it.Then he walks off.Lori sighs, clearly angry that Walsh had taken that hope and turned it into something completely negative.Raven didn't blame her there.Shane: Not tryin' to be a hard ass, just sayin'.Raven snorts.Raven: Nah, you're just being an asshole per usual. You know this world we live in now is just perfect for men like you. She doesn't elaborate, and walks out. She vaguely hears Lori start talking, no doubt what she was saying wasn't nice.For now she needed to take some time to calm down.Then she'd come back and stay with her husband.She'd rather not have to murder somebody today.  Not long after, an hour later maybe.Lilly left with Shane to search for Carl, Andrea was up on the RV keeping watch, and Glenn and Maggie went on another supply run.Lori was outside her and Rick's tent, not really doing much right now, mostly thinking.Though she heard a gate creak and turned to see Glenn and Maggie, Maggie storming towards her looking oddly furious about something.Maggie: Hey! We got your stuff.Glenn: Maggie wait...Lori gestured to the tent.Lori: Come on, in here.Maggie: Why? Nothin' to hide. We got your special delivery right here! We got your lotion, we got your conditioner...She takes out said items and throws them on the ground as she does. Surprising Lori with her fury.Maggie: Your soap opera digest!Lori: Maggie-Maggie: Next time you want somethin' get it your damn self, we're not your errand boys.Lori: Honey, I-Then Maggie takes out some pills and throws them at her. The pills hitting her a bit before hitting the ground.Maggie: And here's your abortion pills.And then she storms off with a final glare in Lori's direction.Glenn just looks at her and shakes his head nervously before going after Maggie.Lori just stands there.Wait...blood on Maggie's shirt...Oh God....She...she almost got her killed didn't she?Now that she actually thinks, none of those things were important anyway, except maybe the pills.But even so, she sat in her guilt, knowing she may very well have almost been the death of Maggie.Glenn later spoke to her, explaining that they'd been attacked by a walker, and he'd barely killed it before it could get Maggie.Lori apologized and repeatedly said she should never have asked them to go on that run because, she shouldn't have.Glenn insisted it was no big deal, or well, it was to Maggie anyway.He then told her that perhaps she shouldn't make the decision about her pregnancy alone.Lori pondered on his words, and ultimately decided it best to tell Rick now.  Lilly and Shane returned at some point, with no Carl, and it was clear the two had slept with each other on the way back.Dale looked between them disapprovingly, but didn't comment and simply walked away.Lori couldn't help but frown at them both.Honestly, Shane couldn't keep it in his pants even now? Not even for Carl's sake? And Lilly? Mm, looks like she finally got what she wanted.Lori said nothing of how Lilly wasn't going to get everything she was clearly desperate for.And now as the sun set, she stood near a fence.And turned to see Rick walk over, expression impassive.Rick: Is there somethin' you need to tell me?She steeled herself.Lori: We can't leave, I'm pregnant.Rick: Are you?He waved the pills in her face, the ones she didn't use.Lori: I threw them up.He started pacing as if about to lose his temper.Lori: You can yell. Scream if you want, just talk to me.She'd probably regret saying that later.Only one way to find out.Rick: How long have you been keepin' this from me? Were you ever gonna tell me?Lori: I panicked, I...you tell me we have no roof, no walls-Rick: DO NOT PUT THIS ON ME!His yelling honestly surprised her, he'd never lost his temper like this, but...she supposed she more than deserved it.Rick: You expect me to trust you, and get on me for keeping' secrets when you're...when you're holdin' onto this?!Lori: You want me to bring a baby into this?! To live a short, cruel life?Rick: You can't not try!Lori: (Voice cracks). Rick, we couldn't protect our own son!He briefly stopped when she pointed that out but continued on.Rick: You-Lori: Rick, I threw them up.For a moment they stood in silence, tense silence.Rick: We can...we can make it work.She frowned slightly.Lori: How?Rick: I spoke to Carol a few days ago, the night of Sophia's surgery. She made a comment that maybe it would've been better of Sophia died. She didn't mean it, but...it's like she saw a point in her words on it, hell Sophia wouldn't have had to grow up in all this, but...she also said somethin' else. Said she was thinking about somethin' and turned to talk to Jacqui about it, only to remember that she's not here anymore. You always...you always used to preach about taking the easy way out of things, about how it was the wrong thing to do. Then Jenner told us, he told us to keep going for as long as we can.There it is.Some of her past words thrown back in her face.She honestly felt like this was just karma....But...he was right.Of course he was.She swore once they found Carl she would be a better mother.She sighed but nodded.That conversation ended there.But Rick asked something else.Rick: Anything else I need to know?He was looking at her as if already anticipating her answer.Lori resigned herself to however karma would get her now.Lori: Shane and I...Clearly she didn't need to finish. Rick laughed humorlessly.Rick: Oh I know, of course I know.Silence.Rick: We're gonna work it out, make it work.She stared.Lori: And Shane?He briefly tensed.But shook his head.Rick: I don't know. I just don't know.It all ended there.After that neither said a word, they both just leaned over the fence and stared out into the fields, wondering how they were going to fix this.Secretly Lori could hear the one nagging question in the back of her mind.One she was trying to erase from her mind, but, there was no erasing what was already long there.How do you fix something that's already been shattered?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Even after her fight with Rick yesterday over her pregnancy, things somehow turned out okay, not good, but okay.She had somewhat made amends with Rick.And wanted to do the same with Shane, but he was acting so erratic lately that she didn't feel safe going near him.Lilly it turns out did have sex with him yesterday during their run to look for Carl.Lori could barely restrain a scoff at the thought.He couldn't even keep it in his pants for Carl's sake?...She should have taken what Amy expressed before to heart more.Another regret she had.Tara hadn't been happy, which resulted in a fight. That ended when Lilly outright said she wished they weren't sisters, which hurt Tara deeply and she ran off crying. Carol went after her, not before throwing a scathing glare at Lilly, who wilted in as a result.Lori isn't sure when Carol started becoming such a survivor but...truthfully she admired it.After all, it meant she was working even harder to become stronger for Sophia's sake.Present time though.She sat beside Rick at the makeshift fire pit, Sophia was on her other side, with Carol sitting right behind her.Daryl sat to the other side of Rick, and everyone else were either sitting or standing.She noticed Glenn looking towards the farmhouse at Maggie who stood on the front porch, shaking her head.Then he looked at Dale, who nodded.What was going on there?No secret Glenn and Maggie were...something, but that wasn't their business, what Glenn did in his private time was his own business.Glenn: Uh...guys?Everyone looked to him with curiosity, though a couple with not so concealed suspicion.Lilly however just rolled her eyes silently and made an annoyed sound.Lori was about to speak up on her unjustified attitude, but Glenn's next words almost seemed to freeze time.Glenn: The barn is full of walkers.And like that, Shane was already bolting over to the barn, with everyone else following.  Kyle stopped as he saw Patricia coming around from the side of the barn, looking lost in thought and disturbed.But she stopped in shock when she saw the group.Patricia: ...What are y'all doin' over here?Rick: Why are there walkers in there?She stared.Patricia: How...Kyle: Glenn.She frowned at said man, who shrunk at her slight glare.Patricia: You promised Maggie you wouldn't.Kyle however noticed her holding an empty bag.With chicken feathers in it.Kyle: Are you feeding them?Her silence was all the answer anyone needed.Lilly: Are you insane?! Why the hell are you feeding them?!Patricia: I wouldn't expect you to understand.Shane: This whole time you knew, you put us all in danger! Patricia laughed, but it was bitter and humorless. Then leveled him with a glare. If looks could kill, they wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of resurrection.Patricia: Very rich comin' from the man who murdered my husband.Everyone went still.Kyle wasn't surprised, he hadn't believed Walsh's story anyway, but that Patricia herself openly stated as such...Shane meanwhile was clearly trying to save face at the accusation, but no one, save probably Rick, was buying it.Shane: ...I didn't murder him, he stayed. He pushed me forward, he sacrificed himself for-Patricia: That's a load of crap and everybody here knows it. I saw that spot on your head, hair was ripped out, and clearly before you shaved it. Maggie and Annette saw it too. He fought back, so you left him for dead to save your own skin.Rick was the only one who seemed appalled by her statement.Everyone else though, including Lori, didn't seem to disagree.Even Lilly didn't try and contradict her statement, which really said something.Dale: As sudden as this is...perhaps we should turn our attention back to the original topic.That seemed more than enough for Shane.Shane: You can't tell me you're alright with this Rick.Rick: I'm not, but we can't do anything without Hershel's consent.Shane: Man fuck him and his family!Patricia: Right back at ya.Lori: Lower your voice!Andrea looked to her sister, clearly worried for her safety now.Andrea: We can't just sweep this under the rug.Merle: Blondie's got a point. It ain't right, not remotely.Shane: Look we just gotta clear it out, or go.Rick: My son is still out there, we're not leavin'.Shane: We both know that by now he's-
Rick: 
Shane.
...Ah, so Rick did have a backbone somewhere.Good to know.Shane seemed to rethink his next words, wisely, for once.But simply groaned in annoyance like a child who couldn't get his way.Dale spoke back up at that.Dale: Hershel sees them as people. Sick people.Patricia nodded along, more somber, though clearly ignoring Shane now.Patricia: His oldest son, Arnold, is in there. Along with his stepson, Shawn, and daughter in law, Lacey.Rick: You knew?He looked at Dale accusingly, which did him no favors with Andrea and Amy.Dale: Yesterday, I talked to Hershel.Shane: And you waited the night?!Dale: I thought we could survive one more night! We did.No one could argue that, because it was true.Dale: I was waiting until this morning to say something but Glenn wanted to be the one.Shane: The man's crazy Rick, if Hershel thinks those things are alive them no!His yelling garnered the attention of the walkers, who pushed at the barn door.But the chain and lock kept them inside and secured.Rick sighed.Rick: I'll talk to Hershel.  Later, Kyle was walking around in Hershel's house, only to find Patricia crying in the kitchen.He quickly moved to sit beside her and hug her, trying to comfort her.Kyle: Mm mm, no tears. What you did earlier, that took courage.After pulling away, she sniffled.Patricia: I just...I don't want that bastard to get away with what I know he did.Kyle: I understand.Patricia: I'm miffed that your friend Grimes didn't believe me.Kyle: (Snorts). He and I aren't friends, we barely know each other. He came in and elected himself leader of the group after he'd been in a coma for a month.She looked at him with some surprise.Patricia: Are you serious?Kyle: Sadly. Besides he just refuses to believe his best friend could do anything like that.Patricia: Some best friend he is.Kyle nodded.Kyle: Dale told some of us he saw Shane aiming his shotgun at Rick's back, only days ago, before we got here.Patricia didn't look surprised by that.Patricia: ...he's gonna open up that barn.She said it as a statement, not a question.But...He knew she was right.Walsh was going off his rocker.No doubt he'd do exactly that, regardless of what anyone said.Patricia: Funny thing is, even though I resent that man and wish him dead, I can't disagree with it exactly.He stays silent, letting her continue.Patricia: I don't agree with his method, but...those things, they need to die. I've seen what they really are. I saw it the day the Greenes' neighbor, Gilbert Fischer, wandered onto the farm. He'd turned of course, but Shawn bein' how he was went to help. In the end he got his neck ripped into, and part of his arm. Annette fainted from shock after that, and for a while I had to take care of Bethie, while she got progressively better. I know Hershel was in denial, said they were just sick and needed help. I tried to speak up and tell him otherwise, but Otis took his side in denial. Him and Shawn were good friends, so I wasn't surprised, but disappointed. A little annoyed they still believed them alive, after Shawn.She turned to look at him.Patricia: Next thing I know, I'm taking a chicken or two to the barn, and dumping 'em in there, feedin' a couple of rottin' corpses, which turned into about a couple dozen. I just...I can't stand lookin' at 'em, but I got no choice, especially with Otis not being here anymore. I'm a close family friend but, it's either feed those things, or I go. And I...I can't leave Bethie, or Jimmy. Annette and Maggie can handle themselves but, Beth and Jimmy are so young, and a little too naive. Plus Annette can't always keep an eye on 'em.Kyle offers her a warm smile.She was honestly such a nice woman. Clearly she saw Beth like a daughter, despite her being Annette's daughter.Kyle: Don't feel sorry about any of it, you were doing it for good reasons, justified reasons. I'm curious though...Patricia: About what?Kyle: Did you have any family before this? Other than your husband?She nodded, a sad smile forming on her face.Patricia: I had a brother and sister, Duncan and Brenda, and two nieces, Susie and Rachel. My sister and nieces died in a car crash a couple years ago, and Duncan...The way her expression slightly darkened gave him an answer there.'Is in the barn' was left unsaid.Jeez, what is it with Hershel and locking up undead relatives and family friends? It's understandable that he'd be in denial, but now it's just annoying and highly dangerous.He kept that to himself though.Patricia: What about you? Family? Wife?Kyle: It'd be an insult for a gay man to have a wife.Patricia hummed but then laughed, sounding happier than she'd appeared since her husband's more recent demise, or rather murder.Patricia: Fair enough.Kyle: I only had a sister, Amanda. My parents died about eight years ago.Patricia: What is...was...Amanda like?Clearly she picked up on the fact Amanda was dead, given how he mentioned her in past tense.Kyle: Humorous, sassy, highly dedicated, but also brave and selfless. Probably why she was a cop.Patricia nodded and then sighed.Patricia: Did you see...it?Kyle: ...no. Didn't need to, she and her partner, Licari, were in Atlanta when the bombs hit. If that didn't kill them, all the walkers still roaming the city did.She nodded again, slowly this time.Patricia: I'm sorry. Kyle: (Waves her apology off). Don't be. At least I take comfort in knowing that she died while still doing the job she loved.From there the conversation eventually switched topics, mostly with Kyle recalling the multiple times Amanda showed her annoyance at Licari's obliviousness.Patricia almost cackled, and then shared stories of some of the times Otis somewhat shamed himself at public events, mostly given he once saw a woman in a shiny dress and then asked her if it had an off switch.Kyle meanwhile did cackle at this.Meanwhile, Hershel eventually came by and watched from behind the doorway, and couldn't help but smile.He was just happy that Patricia could find a new friend, and one that could bring her back to some semblance of happiness.Truthfully, Hershel didn't really want Rick or the group staying on his farm but...there were certain members he actually would have no issue with if they wanted to stay.He decided he'd ask some of them about it tomorrow. 
*Kyle and Patricia learned some things about each other*

*Kyle and Patricia are now friends*

*Hershel is happy that one of his close friends is finding some happiness again* 
  Hershel was somewhat relieved to get away from Maggie.He couldn't believe she still saw them as 'walkers', and not the sick people that they are.So he was a little happy to find Kyle Shepherd still talking to Patricia.But was intrigued by the new topic of their conversation as the two were slowly washing some dishes.Patricia: Would ya stay? Here at the farm I mean.Kyle shrugged.Kyle: Only if Hershel wouldn't mind it. That and some of the other group members staying would make me feel inclined to.Patricia clearly bit her lip a bit nervously.Patricia: Would ya? Please. I mean I know we're still just gettin' to know each other better but...you're the first person since the start of this that I can call a friend. Maybe that sounds a bit childish of me, but I'm honestly just not sure where I'd be otherwise.Kyle stared at her for a moment, before he sighed a bit tiredly.Kyle: I'll think about it, and talk to those certain group members.Hershel saw Patricia's shoulders sag a bit in relief.Patricia: Thank you.Hershel somehow didn't startle when Jimmy came up from behind calling for him.Jimmy: Hershel!He stepped out and into the hall, pretending that he didn't hear the recent conversation.Jimmy came up to him after a moment, looking a bit frantic.Jimmy: It happened again.He nodded.He saw Patricia frown a bit and turn away out the corner of his vision, and Kyle simply glanced at Jimmy before going back to helping with the dishes.Hershel: How many?Jimmy: Man and a woman. I'm not sure who the man is, but the woman is Mrs. Louise, I'd recognize her yellow dress anywhere.Hershel rolled up his sleeves a bit.This was the tricky part, and would require an extra set of hands.Hershel: Go get a couple of snare poles son, I'll go find Rick.  A couple hours later.Nothing much happened.Kyle did speak to Raven, Lucille, Daryl, Merle, Caesar, Andrea, Amy, Mitch, Pete, and Dale.All of them seemed perfectly fine with apparently being welcomed to stay, albeit privately, by Hershel.He did also speak to Carol, T-Dog, Glenn, Tara, and even Lori.Lori didn't want to stay if Rick wasn't allowed to, T-Dog was mostly on the fence and undecided, but Carol and Glenn were perfectly happy about it. Carol felt Sophia would be safer here, and Glenn would be happy to because it would mean staying with Maggie.He didn't talk to Rick, Shane, or Lilly about it though, he was neutral about Rick, but Shane and Lilly were bound to get on Hershel's bad side. Well Lilly already kinda was, with her having fired a gun on his land and almost killing Daryl.At some point it was clear that Rick told Shane about Lori apparently being pregnant, which Kyle already suspected.Made obvious given some heated words from Lori to Shane.Frankly he didn't care though.Not his circus, not his elephants.At some point he was watching Sophia play chess with Patricia, while Maggie sat beside Glenn on the steps, after they'd made up.She had put an egg into his hat then slammed it into his head after all, which despite her obvious anger at him, was a pretty funny sight.Maggie: Better?Glenn: (Smiles). Yeah.She grinned as she stared at him wearing Dale's hat, not a particularly great fit for him.Maggie: You look like you should be in line for the early bird special.She snorted and took the hat.Maggie: Go get your cap, I'll wash it for you.He promptly left to do so.Then Daryl came over, Carol at his side, who looked over at Sophia before her eyes softened.Well, no need to worry about her losing her child.Daryl: Merle? The hell you still doin' here?Carol: Yeah, Rick told us y'all were goin' out.Merle frowned.Merle: First I heard of it.T-Dog: Well ain't that a bitch.T-Dog came over walking alongside Andrea, both clearly confused.Andrea: Rick was supposed to be back an hour ago, he said you two were going out to look for Carl.Amy: (Shakes her head). What's taking him so long?Merle: Hell if I know.Daryl: (Scoffs). The hell is he so flip for? We got us a damn trail. Ah, here we go.Shane marched over with the bag of guns and handed one to Daryl.Yep, Patricia was right.Patricia for her part didn't even look angry, just resigned to the massacre that was about to take place. Maybe she took some comfort in knowing those in the barn she cared about would get their final rest.Shane: You carryin'?Andrea frowned and glared at him for that question.Andrea: Yeah, where's Dale?Shane: Nah, he's fine. Now look we know this place ain't safe so long as that barn is full of those things. You gonna protect what's yours?Glenn reluctantly took a gun offered.Maggie frowned.Maggie: Can you stop?Annette: Mr. Walsh, while I might understand your feelings on this, if you do this I will make you leave.Sophia: No! We have to stay for Carl! We can't leave him!Carol quickly moved onto the porch to comfort her daughter.Carol: Of course we won't sweetie.At some point he tried offering a gun to Sophia, but Carol blocked him and scowled.Carol: She may have gotten gun trainin' like everybody else, but she's my daughter. Besides this isn't your call or decision to make.Annette: (Sighs). Could everybody just-T-Dog: What the hell is that?And everybody saw Rick and Hershel with walkers on snare poles, and Jimmy assisting.Kyle heard Annette mutter 'damn your timing honey' before Shane was, once again, bolting, with everyone following.Shane: Man what the hell are you doin'?!Rick: Not now Shane!Hershel: Why do your people have guns?Shane: Are you kiddin'? Do you see what they're holdin' on to?!Hershel: I see who I'm holdin' on to.Shane: No man, you don't. These things, know what they do? They kill! These things right here! They almost killed Amy! They killed Meghan! Morales and his wife and kids! They killed Otis! They're gonna kill all of us!Andrea looked pretty pissed that Shane was using her sister's near death experience as leverage here, and Tara was infuriated that he even mentioned her niece.Lilly nodded along in agreement, but everyone else was on edge, and looked at Shane like he was their biggest threat.Which he was truthfully.Shane proceeded to take out his gun and shoot the female walker multiple times, leaving Hershel standing in total shock.Rick yelled at him, and Shane promptly shot the walker in the head.Shane: ENOUGH! Risking our lives for a little boy who's gone!!Lori recoiled at that, as if she were physically struck and as if a realization just hit her.Shane: Rick it ain't like it was before! If y'all wanna live, if y'all wanna survive, you gotta fight for it! I'm talkin' about fightin'! Right here! Right now!Afterwards the chain was removed, the lock broken, and the walkers were stumbling out of the barn.  Annette stood in shock at the scene before her.A few walkers were shot down.What had Walsh just done?The Dolgen brothers went to assist, though a walker slipped through, falling to the ground before taking a bite out of the younger brother's left leg, who screamed in surprise and pain.The older brother yelled, before crushing the walker's skull with his boot, while the younger was pulled back by Merle Dixon.Andrea Harrison and Amy Harrison joined in, along with Daryl Dixon and T-Dog, shooting down the walkers who kept coming out.She was surprised when Jimmy joined in to help.She saw Lacey, who stumbled towards Amy before getting a bullet through her skull.Then Shawn, who got shot in the jaw by Daryl's shotgun.Then she saw it.Jimmy had his gun raised at the undead Arnold.His hands shook.He was hesitatin'.She knew Jimmy had really liked Arnold a lot, saw him as a father figure in a way, a close mentor.But the closer Arnold got, Jimmy still didn't pull the trigger.And then it went to shit even more.Suddenly Arnold snarled and lunged, knocking Jimmy to the ground before taking a bite right out of his throat, the boy couldn't even scream.Beth however did.Beth: NO!!! J-JIMMY!!She ran forward as if to get to him, but Annette was grateful that Lori grabbed her and held her back.Lori: Beth, no! Don't!Beth: NO!!! LET ME GO!! HE NEEDS ME!! JIMMY!Annette didn't know when it happened but it happened fast.Patricia was suddenly by Martinez's side and grabbed the gun from his holster.There was a click, then a gunshot.As Arnold rose with a chunk of human flesh between his teeth, he collapsed beside Jimmy.The gunshots continued.She saw Duncan near the end, he was actually the second to last walker to come out, taking a couple bullets piercing through his torn green shirt and upper body, before taking one to the brain.Once the last walker dropped, everything was still.Then she had Beth running past her, Patricia right behind her there.Beth: JIMMY!!!Annette watched her youngest kneel by him, touching at his face.But it was obvious he was gone, her broken sobs and Patricia patting her on the back a clear sign.Annette glanced to her husband, who stared at that scene.But she looked towards Walsh, the fury must have been showing on her face because a few were backing away.Annette: You.But before she could continue, there was another snarl.  Daryl stared at the barn door.As one final walker exited, before removing its hands from its face.A child.Not just any child.No.It was...It was him.Carl.Daryl didn't believe it.All that time searching.All that effort.His comforting Lori, along with Raven, and them giving her a Cherokee rose to give her hope, because they themselves had believed.It was all...all for nothing.He'd been in there the whole time.He was already dead.And only now did they know it.Rick collapsed to his knees, tears rolling down his face as he stared at his boy.Or what used to be his boy.But that didn't compare to the mother herself.Lori.Who started running forward.Lori: ...oh God. No...Carl! CARL!He grabbed her before she could run over to her now undead son and get bitten.They fell to the ground, tears falling from her own eyes.Lori: Carl...baby...The boy......The walker...Snarled and kept shambling forward.Lori broke down into hysterical sobs.Which didn't subside even when Raven walked forward and put a bullet through the boy's skull.  Patricia was shocked beyond belief.She'd known of the walkers in the barn of course, but...she hadn't known about this.Hershel didn't either, if him covering his mouth with both hands, the look of shock and his eyes looking watery, were of any indication.No one knew.Lori wrenched herself from Daryl, and promptly rushed off, still sobbing hysterically.Poor woman, she'd just lost her child. Judging from what she'd learned of Lori from Kyle, Lori wasn't a particularly good mother, but she did care for her child.Walsh meanwhile stared at the boy's corpse, eyes suspiciously watery.So the bastard had a heart huh? That's new......Even so, she had to sympathize in this moment, clearly he had cared about the boy, so for once she wasn't angry.But she was pissed off that his opening up the barn led to someone getting bit and Jimmy getting killed.She heard raspy breathing suddenly....Wait...Beth: J-Jimmy?She turned to look to Beth in time to see Jimmy suddenly snarl and grab at her.Beth screamed.Patricia grabbed her and tried to pull her away.Clearly some others came to help.Kyle: Pull her away!Kyle, Andrea, and Glenn came to help, along with T-Dog, Maggie, Hershel, and Merle.Jimmy still snarled as Beth was pulled away and into her father's arms.T-Dog kicked Jimmy in the head, which did nothing.Then Annette came over, scythe in hand and ready to swing.Annette: Get your hands off my daughter.With that, Jimmy was impaled through the skull and put out of his misery.Unfortunately it didn't end there.As they walked up to the farmhouse, Walsh came after them, Rick and Glenn behind him.Shane: We've been out combing these woods for him and he was in there all along?!He narrowed his eyes.Shane: You knew.Glenn: Hey Shane, just stop man.Shane: You knew and you kept it from us!Hershel: I...I didn't know.Patricia hated how broken Hershel sounded.She hated Walsh even more for being the cause of it.Shane: Bullshit! I think you all knew!Maggie: WE DIDN'T KNOW!Shane: Why was he there then?!Hershel: You're...They turned around to confront him.Hershel: Otis...put those people in the barn. Maybe he found the boy, and put him in there before he was murdered.Patricia couldn't help the satisfaction that she felt at that declaration.Shane: Now who'd buy that? Do I look like an idiot to you?Annette: Frankly, after you got one of your own bitten and one of our own killed because of your recklessness, we don't give a damn what you believe.Patricia doesn't think she's ever heard Annette's tone so cold.Hershel: I mean it Rick. We've done the Christian thing, give you shelter, and you just destroyed it all! Get him off my land, now.Rick: ...I...Hershel we...I just...we...I can't...Hershel didn't wait for a reply though, nor did the rest of them.Annette was helping Hershel, and Patricia and Maggie were helping Beth into the house.The girl was in shock.Well, she had to watch her boyfriend die and then come back and try to kill her right after.Patricia rubbed her back.Patricia: Come on sweetie.Beth: ...he...died...he tried...he came back...and...Patricia shushed her softly.Patricia: I know honey, I know. We're here, we ain't goin' nowhere.She hugged the poor girl.Whispering comforting words even though she kind of knew they were falling in deaf ears at the moment.This was Walsh.This was his doing.It was all his fault.Because he did what he did in opening up that barn, one of the Dolgen brother's got bit.Then Jimmy lost his life because he couldn't put down Arnold.But it was Shane's doing.If he hadn't opened the barn, this wouldn't have happened.He'd been the cause of loosing another of her family.The cause of the potential death of another. No.That man was dangerous.He had to be stopped.Had to be...Had to be killed.And God as her witness.Patricia was gonna be the one to see that through.First opportunity she gets.How ironic.He'd killed her husband.Now here she was, plotting out his death.What a twist.But Shane Walsh was a dead man walking.And she took some odd pleasure in the fact that he wouldn't know it until it was too late.

Character Deaths:

Arnold Greene (bitten at some point during the initial outbreak) (reanimated) (put down by Patricia)
Shawn Greene (bitten by Gilbert Fischer) (reanimated) (put down by Daryl Dixon)
Lacey Greene (bitten at some point during the initial outbreak) (reanimated) (put down by Amy Harrison)
Duncan (bitten at some point during the initial outbreak) (reanimated) (put down by Daryl Dixon, Andrea Harrison, Amy Harrison, or T-Dog)
Brenda (died in a car wreck two years prior to the outbreak) (unknown if reanimated or not)
Rachel (died in a car wreck two years prior to the outbreak) (unknown if reanimated or not)
Susie (died in a car wreck two years prior to the outbreak) (unknown if reanimated or not)
Carl Grimes (bitten at some point while on the run in the woods) (reanimated) (put down by Raven Dixon)
Jimmy (bitten in the throat by Arnold Greene) (reanimated) (put down by Annette Greene)

Unconfirmed:

Pete Dolgen (bitten on the lower left leg)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Kyle watched sadly as Andrea covered Carl's corpse with a blanket.Everyone, or almost everyone, had been hopeful that he'd be found.And then this happened.He knew the Greenes and Patricia didn't know, clearly. Their reactions said as much.He had ignored Shane's reaction, the man had only tried to insert himself as a father figure to Carl while Rick was out of commission, so he honestly didn't care about the man or his reaction, especially since he's just gotten Pete bitten and Jimmy killed.He noticed Sophia talking to her mother, looking very distraught.Poor girl, she'd seen Meghan back at camp, and now this, now Carl.He hated that this would be the new reality for any child.Carol: Dale.Said man turned to her, looking more tired than ever at the moment.Dale: Yes?Carol: Could you take Sophia up to the house, please?Dale: Of course.It was only after that when the conversation changed to be more grim.Rick came back over, still clearly destroyed, but it looked like he was steeling himself and pushing on somehow, for their sake.Which was surprising, but admirable. Even if his grief still clearly showed.Amy: What did they say?Rick: Hershel wants us off the farm. Or Shane, at least.Carol: No surprise there. He just endangered all of us and got someone bitten and another killed.Kyle: Not to mention all the gunfire, no doubt more walkers heard it.Rick nodded in acknowledgement.Rick: I know. But...back to Shane. I told him no, I told him I had it covered. But nah, he couldn't just sit back, shut up, and take the blow to his oversized ego for once.At that, Lilly interjected.Lilly: Hershel will get over it in time. See we had no choice. Look I shot too, this wasn't all Shane.Rick frowned at her but didn't say anything.T-Dog nodded.T-Dog: Look I ain't sayin' I agree with how it was handled cause it was handled poorly, but walkers in my backyard? Mm mm.Amy scoffed before she added...Amy: He got Jimmy killed, and Pete got bitten. This wasn't right at all.Lilly: That wasn't really Shane's fault.Amy: You're only saying that cause you fucked him yesterday.No one commented on that, but it was clear they all silently agreed. Lilly for her part flinched slightly but otherwise ignored that.Lilly: They're the ones who ran forward to help, knowing the danger it would potentially put them in. One way or another those walkers had to be killed.Amy scowled.Amy: I'm not saying we shouldn't have dealt with the problem, but creating a panic to-Carol sighed.Carol: There's no point in arguin'. What's done is done.Annette arriving back was a surprise, but no one said anything of it.Carol: For now, let's just focus on buryin' our dead, we need time to mourn.Andrea: Let's um...dig graves for Arnold, Shawn, Lacey, Duncan, Jimmy, and Carl. Over by those trees.Annette looked around sadly.Annette: And all of them? That's a whole lotta diggin'.Andrea: We bury the ones we love, and burn the rest.This led to the process of Andrea and T-Dog piling up many corpses onto the back of a truck and driving them off to an area to burn, while the others got shovels and dug the graves.The funerals were held later that evening, and only lasted for like thirty seconds, maybe.No one was surprised when Shane left after only ten seconds.Frankly no one really cared.  Later.Annette was pissed off, because turns out that Hershel disappeared.And to the bar in town, no doubt.Why it infuriated her was anyone's guess.Beth had collapsed from shock while doing dishes in the kitchen, and Maggie and Glenn had to carry her to a bed.Rick volunteered to go after Hershel, along with Mitch and Glenn, although Maggie protested against the latter going.Mitch had been hysterical earlier, but after Pete was bitten, he'd acted immediately after getting him back to their tent.He'd taken a hatchet, and promptly chopped off Pete's lower leg.Pete had gone unconscious afterwards, but would be fine according to Kyle. Kyle didn't know if chopping off an infected limb prevented the infection from spreading everywhere else in the body, but apparently his best guess was yes.But they were both hopeful.On the ride into town, Glenn spoke about how Maggie said she loved him. Which he was adamant that she couldn't have. Explaining that they barely knew each other.Though Rick said Maggie was a smart woman who knew what she wanted, and that he shouldn't have second thoughts because relationships like that are difficult to come by nowadays, given barely anyone was alive.At some point Mitch chimed in, explaining to Glenn that he was in a similar place with Kyle. Given he'd told Kyle he loved him, but Kyle hadn't said it back yet. Though he understood the differences, Kyle was almost in his mid thirties and Glenn was only in his early twenties, so no one would judge him, but he reiterated what Rick said.When they arrived and exited, Glenn admitted to Rick that he'd gotten the abortion pills for Lori. And while Rick wasn't happy about it, Mitch explained that Glenn only picked up supplies for others, wasn't his business what they chose to do with said supplies.Glenn apologized for not telling Rick, who told him that he just thought he was doing the right thing, but that it just so happened that it wasn't.Prompting Mitch to scoff at Rick in annoyance and restate his previous point that it hadn't been Glenn's business to get into.In any case they found Hershel, drinking. Not fully drunk, though he was starting to get there.Rick: How many have you had? Hershel: Not enough.Rick: Look, Beth collapsed. Is in some sort of shock. Kyle's too busy watching Pete right now to shift his focus, and Lucille's doing what she can, but she can only do so much.Hershel: Annette's with her? And Maggie?Rick: Yeah, but she needs you. Hershel: No. She needs her brothers, or rather to mourn. I robbed her of that.He poured another drink.Rick: I promised them I'd get you home safe.And Hershel chuckled humorlessly.Hershel: Like ya promised your little boy?If Rick was angered by that he barely showed it.Rick: This your plan? Drink yourself to death? To rot here? Leave your family at home to suffer?Hershel: Stop tellin' me how to care for my family, my farm. You people are like a plague. I did the Christian thing, give you shelter. Then your friend destroyed it all! And you take no responsibility, you're supposed to be their leader!Rick: Well I'm here now! Aren't I?Hershel nods and concedes.Hershel: Yes. Yes. Yes you are.Rick: The world is...it's not the same anymore. Those people as you called 'em, they're not who they once were, they're dead. Nothing is how it seems now.Hershel: I didn't want to believe you. Your other friend, Dale, he tried to tell me. My wife, and Maggie, and Patricia tried to tell me too, how things really were, that these people were dead, not sick. I chose not to believe that. He grimaced and Mitch knew where this was going.Hershel: But when Shane shot Lou in the chest, and she just kept comin'...that's when I knew what an ass I'd been. That Arnold, and Shawn, and Lacey, and Duncan had been dead, long ago, and I was feedin' their rotten corpses! That's when I knew...there was no hope. And when...when your little boy came outta the barn, the look on your face, I knew you knew it too. Didn't ya?Hershel stared at Rick for a moment, making him shift a bit uncomfortably. Before turning away.Hershel: There is no hope for any of us.Rick shook his head.Rick: Death. That's what it is, death. I mean death has always been the end destination regardless of the how. Be it a car wreck, cancer, or hell, even a walker bite, what's the difference? But you know what? This...this isn't about what we believe anymore, it's about them. And we have to keep goin' for them, for their sake, cause when we give up is when hope dies.Hershel's head was turned slightly which made it clear he was listening.And after another moment, he nodded, took one last shot, and put away the glass, Rick's words thankfully seemed to reach him.But that was short lived.???: Son of a bitch. They're alive.  Well, not how he expected this to go.Dave and Tony had been part of another group, clearly not one that could be trusted, the two of them alone were shifty as hell.Some whole conversation, a long ass one at that, played out until Dave tried pulling a gun, but Rick shot him and Tony and put them down in a flash.But eventually they got stuck when other members of the group came, and they got forced into a firefight.At some point, Hershel shot some guy who almost hit Glenn, and then the walkers came.Though they found two kids.Well, or rather one, since the other was clearly in his early twenties.The young Hispanic kid was only a teenager, and didn't even have a gun, and it was clear both had been left by the rest of the group, or so it seemed at least.Mitch: Rick, you know this kid?Rick did indeed know him.Rick: Miguel. Part of a group we met in Atlanta, the Vatos.Mitch: He barely looks like a teenager. Kid, how old are you?Miguel: I...I turned fifteen a few months back.Well shit.He really was just a kid.Screw the other one though, he'd been shooting at them, unlike this kid.Rick: What happened to the rest of your group?Miguel: ...the group I'm with now came through, at first they were lookin' for some girls to...but when they didn't have that option, they...they just killed everyone. Felipe...they just slit his throat in front of me. They only took me because the guy, Dave, said I 'had potential'. Then Guillermo...I don't know where he is. I know when everyone else was massacred that he managed to take a couple of 'em down and get away.Rick nodded, with a sympathetic look, though he turned to the other one, whose leg was impaled on a fence.Rick: Help me here....Was he serious??Mitch: What?Glenn: Rick, he was just shooting at us!Miguel: (Scowls at the other). Besides you don't wanna help him, he's a liar, a manipulator, plays the victim when he's just as bad as the rest.???: Please don't leave me!Hershel: I'm sorry son, we have to go.Hershel didn't sound at all apologetic though.This led to a series of events where they were reluctantly buying time for Hershel to help the other, with Miguel trying to intervene and prevent the other's life from being saved.He'd only just met the kid, but Mitch didn't blame him. The other guy was sketchy as hell, he could already tell.When the walkers became too many, Rick ultimately yanked the guy's leg off the fence.Mitch honestly just wanted to put a bullet through his skull for his screaming, as harsh as that may sound.But he really didn't like this, not one bit.  Everyone was scrambling at the Greene farm, and Shane was off searching.Why?Because Lori Grimes decided, in all her infinite wisdom, that she'd go after Rick and the others on her own, after having taken Maggie's car.Patricia honestly would've slapped the woman for that.What the hell was she thinking?...Scratch that, she wasn't thinking.Right now she was searching around the side of the barn, along with Maggie, who was worried about Glenn, but also pissed that Lori took her car without her knowledge.Patricia: Well you're havin' quite a day, ain't ya?Maggie snorted.Maggie: Yeah. I tell a man I love him before he goes, and I get nothin', nothin'. Oh, and let's not forget first lady Lori decidin' to leave and take my car out for a spin....Yep, Lori was definitely gonna get it later, and not from Patricia herself.Patricia: He said nothin' back?Maggie sighed in irritation.Maggie: I think that he thinks that I don't know what I want, but I know damn well what I'm feelin'. He's the idiot who ain't sure. Adorable idiot, but idiot nonetheless.Patricia laughed.Patricia: I'm sure he feels the same way, it's fairly obvious. But he's probably afraid.Maggie: Of what?Patricia: This world we live in now, nothin' is a guarantee, everythin' is a maybe. Lot of times were just gonna have to take what we can get.Maggie nodded silently.But they heard a rustle, and the sound of running.???: ...come on! ???: Jamie, they're right behind us!Maggie already grabbed a nearby pickaxe, and Patricia armed herself with a shovel.Suddenly two kids, an older girl and younger boy came outta the woods, with three walkers behind them.It was obvious that any longer and the children wouldn't have made it.Patricia: Watch out kids!Patricia and Maggie surged forward.Maggie swung the pickaxe, and killed one walker, while Patricia swung the shovel at the other two walkers, beheading them simultaneously.After which, Patricia went over to them.Patricia: Hey. What are your names????: I'm Jamie, this is my brother Billy. Patricia: How'd you get here sweetie?Jamie: Well...we were with our parents. Dad went to go find some keys but he never came back, so, mom grabbed us and we left. But when we came across a car...she didn't see one in the backseat and it bit her. She gave me this gun and told me to get us to the concession stand. I...we know she's dead, we heard her scream and those things...Billy: (Sniffles). Then we...we got to the concession stand, but...those things were everywhere and everyone was dead.Patricia nodded before reaching out and wiping away a tear from his eye.Patricia: I'm sorry about your momma. I'm Patricia, and this is Maggie. Jamie: Oh, this is the farm?Maggie: You know where you are?Jamie: (Nods vigorously). We were directed here by a military man. I don't remember his name, but while we were getting away from the Concession stand, we ran into him, and he said that there were people down Fairburn road who might still be alive and untouched. He said he was the nephew of a man named Mr. Fischer. He...he didn't make it very far with us, they trapped us on a bus, and he got us out through the back but...he didn't get to the door in time.Patricia: Well honey you're safe now.Well, as safe as they could be, but they'd make it work.Patricia: Why don't we go on inside, get you two cleaned up, fed, and get ya some new clothes. And the two women breathed a sigh of relief that they'd somehow managed to save two children.  Shane brought Lori back that same night.Though Lori was infuriated when Shane revealed he'd lied to get her back. She slapped him before storming off.Not before being confronted by a pissed off Maggie and walking away looking quite ashamed and embarrassed.Jamie and Billy weren't introduced to everyone else until the next morning.They were well received by everyone, except Shane of course, who tried to berate Patricia and Maggie for 'bringing in strays', but Maggie promptly gave him a reminder of whose land this was.Meanwhile Rick and the others returned.Maggie immediately ran over to hug Glenn.And Annette stared at her husband, arms crossed over her chest, looking both relieved and pissed off. Hershel meanwhile had never appeared more fearful of anything in his life.Annette: That was a damn fool thing to do. Runnin' off like that, when your daughter needed you most? Hershel...He nodded and sighed.Hershel: I know honey. Rick talked sense back into me. I'm sorry. And I shoulda listened to ya before, then we wouldn't be in this situation.Annette sighed before walking forward and hugging him.Annette: God help me, you ever do that again, I will come after you myself and drag you back by your toenails, clawin' and screamin'.Hershel: (Chuckled lightheartedly). How well I know.Though when all that was said and done, things changed topic when Rick saw Lori.Rick: My God, what happened to you?Shane: Went out on her own, I brought her back.Andrea: Like you deserve a damn medal...Rick: Are you crazy? You could've been killed!Lori: That's a two way street, Rick.Rick: Oh no, don't try and-T-Dog: Wait a damn minute...Miguel?Miguel: (Waves and shuffles awkwardly). S'up? Uh, it's a long story...Shane scoffs about this but everyone ignores it.T-Dog: Good to see you kid, but uh, who the hell is that?Glenn: That's Randall.Hershel walks up the porch.Hershel: Patricia, prepare the shed for surgery.Everyone looks to Rick.Who shakes his head.Rick: We couldn't leave him, he'd have bled out.Mitch: damn well should've, bastard was shootin' at us, Rick. Common sense.Dale looks surprised.Dale: Shooting at you?Andrea: And you brought him back here?Rick: He's just a kid.Glenn: No. Miguel is just a kid, this guy's a full grown ass man.Some were surprised by Glenn speaking up like that, but otherwise.Shane: So you brought back a straggler, and a guy who was tryin' to kill you?Rick: Miguel wasn't with them voluntarily, he was forced to join after his people were massacred in front of him. We got rid of three of them.Shane: So you killed three of their men, took one into our group, then took the other one hostage, and now you're sayin' they just ain't gonna come lookin' for em?No one would admit it, but for once, people actually agreed with Shane on something.Rick: They left them for dead, no one is looking.Hershel: After surgery, he'll be out cold for hours.Shane: Know what? I'll go get him some flowers and candy as a welcome gift. Look at this folks, we're back in fantasy land.Hershel: You know we haven't even dealt with what you did at my barn yet, or what happened with Jimmy. So let me make this perfectly clear. I wanted you gone or dead, either way didn't matter to me. Rick talked me out of it on the way back, but that doesn't mean I like it. So at the very least do everybody a favor, keep your mouth shut.Patricia looked between all three, some fury pretty clear, before shaking her head and storming off towards the shed.Annette didn't look pleased either, or Maggie, but they didn't say anything.  Mitch walked into his tent, finding Kyle still watching over Pete.Mitch: Hey. So, how's he doin'?Kyle gave a half smile, although it didn't reach his eyes.Kyle: He woke up while you were gone, asked for you, then went back to sleep. He'll be just fine, have to get used to only having one leg now though.Mitch nodded.After that a somewhat tense silence followed.Broken when Mitch sighed.Mitch: About before, I...it's okay if you're not...Kyle grabbed his hand and squeezed before smiling up at him.Kyle: I love you too. Sorry I left you hanging there, it's not that I don't because I do, you just caught me off guard at the time, especially given the circumstances around here lately.Mitch nodded, leaning down and giving him a brief kiss before sitting down, looking to his younger brother.Who surprised them both by suddenly looking up and over at them with an eyeroll.Pete: Have you...two...no shame?Kyle promptly groaned before shaking his head.Kyle: Go back to sleep....This was fine.Okay.They'd be alright.Everything would be alright, somehow.  A couple days later.Rick and Shane left with Randall, Rick was apparently intent on just leaving him out there somewhere, alive.Meanwhile back at the farm.Maggie had a conversation with Lori about Glenn, it was mostly Lori reassuring her that everything would be fine. Lori then took Beth some food, who barely accepted it. Though Lori soon found the knife on the tray was missing, and after taking it back from Beth, she left to inform Annette, who wasted no time in rushing inside to confront her youngest.A yelling match ensued, although judging from how progressively quieter Beth got, it was obvious that Annette was winning that argument.All while Andrea and Lori were in the kitchen, listening.Andrea: Well, this is...something.Lori snorted.Lori: Yeah. It's between them, let them work it out.Andrea: That's working it out?Lori: In Greene family fashion, I assume.Though Andrea couldn't help but frown slightly.Andrea: This could've been handled better.Lori: How so?Andrea: You shouldn't have taken the knife away.Lori put away a dish and stared at her before continuing.Andrea: Like Dale with Lilly's gun, that wasn't your decision to make.Because while she had agreed with Dale, the fact was that was Lilly's gun, not Dale's.Lori: What? Want me to tie a noose for her?Andrea: If she's serious, she'll figure out a way.Lori: Doesn't mean I can't stop her, or let her know that I care.Andrea: That has nothing to do with it Lori. She only has so many options in front of her, and she believes that the best one is suicide.Lori: That's not an option.Andrea: Of course it is. Lori: You're referring to Lilly?Andrea: To her credit, she did come through it.And now seemed already attached to Jamie and Billy. And that seemed to give Lilly a newfound purpose, surprisingly. Lori: (Sarcastically). And became such a productive member of the group.'Far more than you' Andrea thought with annoyance.Andrea: Look, I don't think Beth should go that route either, but that decision should be hers, not yours or anyone else's. She's sixteen, she doesn't need to be yelled at and treated like a toddler.Lori: She needs a loaded gun right? Then you'll understand if I don't send you in there. Last thing she needs is a freeloadin' drifter givin' her those kinds of ideas....Freeloading drifter??Was she serious?Very rich coming from the queen bitch herself.  Amy was just walking into the house when she heard voices.She immediately made out her sister as one of them.Andrea: I contribute, I help keep this place safe....Why did her sister feel the need to defend her place in this group? She'd more than proved her worth, everyone knew that.Then she heard the other voice reply.Lori: The men can handle this on their own, they don't need your help.Oh.That's why.Really, the woman lost her son just a couple days ago, and now here she was, acting like the perfect housewife again.She could hear her sister, who sounded both appalled and pissed, though the tension between her and Lori was bound to burst at some point, and it seemed that point was now.Andrea: I'm sorry, what would you have me do?Lori: Oh there is plenty to go around.Andrea: Are you kidding me? Everything falls apart and you're in my face over skipping laundry?Amy nodded, honestly they had more important things to worry about.Being the perfect little housewife was not one of them.Lori: Puts a burden on the rest of us. On me, Carol, Lucille, Patricia, and Beth, and you...you don't care about anyone but yourself. You sit up on that RV nowadays getting a tan with a shotgun in your lap.At that statement, Amy couldn't conceal herself any longer.Coming into the kitchen to stand beside Andrea and coming to her older sister's defence.The audacity of this bitch to say that to her sister! Amy put up with a few things, but she wasn't gonna let that shit slide.Lori looked at her in some surprise but Amy spoke before she could.Amy: No, Andrea is on watch against walkers, keeping this group safe, and that's what matters, Lori. Not fresh mint leaves in the lemonade.Lori: And we are maintaining stability, we are trying to create a life worth living.Amy scoffed.Honestly the last of her patience with Lori has worn out.Amy: Are you serious?Lori chuckled humorlessly.Lori: Look, I went after Rick, I took down two walkers, and-And Andrea chimed back into the conversation, with a look of false thought.Andrea: After crashing Maggie's car...ever apologize for that?Lori: (Looks at her, appalled). Crashing her...you're insane.Andrea: No, you are. And you're the one that's self centered, the way you take it all for granted.Ooh, good one Andrea.Judging from Lori's look of anger, she'd struck a chord pretty deep there.Lori: My husband is out there for the hundredth time, my son is dead, don't you dare tell me I take anything for granted!Andrea shook her head.Andrea: You don't get it do you? Yes, you lost your son, no argument there. But your husband came back from the dead, and now you've got a baby on the way. Even now you're managing to bounce back. The rest of us have piled up on our losses, me and Amy, Kyle, Patricia, Caesar, Beth, but you just keep on keepin' on.Lori glared at her and her tone was tighter than Amy ever heard it, but that didn't deter Andrea at all.Lori: We have all suffered...Andrea: Playing house, acting like the queen bee, laying down rules for everybody but yourself. You know what? Go ahead. Go in there and tell that girl that everything's sunshine and rainbows, and that everything will be okay. She'll get a husband, son, baby...boyfriend.They both glared at Lori knowingly, who looked at them both with a bit of shock, though there was some shame showing.But neither were in the mood now to care about that.Andrea gave a shrug and sarcastic parting statement.Andrea: She just has to look on the bright side.And with that, Andrea stormed out of the house, with Amy following closely behind.Andrea: You know you didn't have to defend me in there.Amy looked at her sister, who was giving her a thankful expression despite her words.Amy: I sure as hell did. Honestly the woman just lost her son, and here she is, already back at playing queen bitch again. It's not just you who's pissed about that, I've been wanting to say something to her for a while now. But if there's one thing she won't do, is question your contributions to the group. You've done far beyond more than her or most of the others here, and if she doesn't wise up, shut up, and accept that, then she'll be forced to deal with both of us.Andrea gave her a glare, though it was playful.Andrea: Language.Amy: (Dramatic eye roll). Ma, I'm 24, not 14.Andrea: I know. I guess it's just an old habit of mine.Her sister sighed, but pulled her in for a side hug as they approached the RV.Andrea: But thanks. Amy: You're my big sister, not to mention that no one can shit talk you but me.Andrea cackled.Dale raised an eyebrow at them when he came out to greet them per usual, though his eyes shimmered with humor and curiosity.Dale: Dare I even ask what caused that?Amy snickered.Amy: Probably not.Dale hummed.Dale: I think Pete was askin' for you Andrea, or so Mitch told me.Amy didn't bother to hide the smirk at her sister.Who scoffed playfully and swatted her shoulder.Andrea: Shush you.Amy: No. Andrea: We're not dating...Amy could read between the lines easily enough though.Unfortunately for Andrea.Amy: ...wait a minute.Andrea: What...shit...Amy: So you mean you two have...ooh....Andrea: There is no 'ooh'.Amy: But there was an 'aah'.Andrea: (Sputters). AMY!!Amy: Dont blame me, you stepped into that one.Dale: (Overdramatic sigh). To be fair, you did.Andrea: Dale! You're supposed to be on my side here.Amy: Thought that was Pete's job...Andrea: Dear God...Though Dale could only smile.Briefly his mind wandered back to the fish fry many nights back now.How close Amy had come to certain death.And part of him thinks that she realistically should've died to that walker that night, but thankfully Kyle was there and acted when he couldn't react quickly enough.He might not have ever known Andrea or her sister until this whole apocalypse happened, but they had quickly become the closest things he had to daughters.It really made him grateful she was still alive right now.And he thought about other things of course.Primarily the whole Randall situation.Well, initially he'd been all for giving Randall a chance, but then Miguel had come to him in apparent confidence.And told him the kind of things that the other group did.Particularly about something that this Dave figure bragged a lot about.They had raped two little girls in front of their father, made the man watch it all, and once they were done they killed the girls, then they killed him.They forced the man to die with that being the last thing he saw.For a while he'd forgotten, but, that information reminded him.Very horrible people existed before the world ended.And now many were running rampant with no one to stop them.Miguel had also explained that he'd only ever heard about it, but he knew Randall joined in because Randall himself bragged about it to him multiple times.It was clear Dale was the only one aware of all this, along with Miguel, though Dale would be having words about this with Raven later.He knew that despite his initial views, he couldn't give everyone the benefit of the doubt.He couldn't be that naive, he'd just get himself and other people killed, and he couldn't let that happen.Wouldn't let it happen.So his mind on one Randall Culver was now made up, and as bad as it sounds, he doesn't regret how he feels about it.And while he likes Rick a lot, and he is a good man, Dale isn't blind, Rick's good and all but...he's still holding onto too much of the old world ideals right now, and that wasn't gonna help them in the world they now live in.Weird as it sounds, Dale actually trusts Raven Dixon and the Dixon brothers more than he trusts Rick, now isn't that saying something.But one thing is for sure.Everything was about to go to hell.He could feel it in his bones.  And as Rick and Shane returned, noticeably beaten, battered, bloody, and bruised...With Randall still with them...Dale knew that he was right.And that things were now set right back on track for, as Andrea and Amy would probably put it, a total shitstorm.

New Characters Met:

Dave
Tony
Unnamed members of Dave and Tony's group
Miguel 
Randall Culver
Jamie 
Billy

Character Deaths:

Dave (shot in the head by Rick Grimes)
Tony (shot in the head by Rick Grimes)
Unnamed member of Dave and Tony's group (shot in the upper body by Hershel Greene) (eaten by walkers) (unknown if reanimated or not)
The Vatos (massacred by Dave and Tony's group) (offscreen) (some likely reanimated)
Felipe (throat slit by a member of Dave and Tony's group) (offscreen) (unknown if reanimated or not)

Unconfirmed:

Guillermo (escaped during the massacre of The Vatos) (offscreen) (his fate beyond that is currently unknown)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lori: So what are you gonna do?That was the question that started off the next morning.Everyone was looking for an answer on what to do with Randall Culver, and half made up their minds already.Especially when it was revealed that Culver had gone to school with Maggie before, which meant he knew where the farm was.So half, if not most, had already made their decision on it.Rick nodded towards Daryl and Merle, who were coming back from interrogating Randall.Rick: We're about to find out.Merle shook his head and stopped, crossing his arms in front of his chest, not looking pleased.Merle: Boy in there's got a gang, 'bout thirty men. Heavily armed, and they ain't friendly.Daryl nodded along with this.Daryl: They roll through here, our boys are dead. And our women, they're gonna... well they're gonna wish they were.Most got the idea.Lori looked at all the other women present. She didn't have a positive relationship with some but, she cared about them, she truly did. And the thought of that happening to any of them...that was just horrific.Andrea unconsciously stepped closer to her sister in a protective way, Dale subconsciously moving in front of them both.Carol hugged Sophia close to her.Lilly had Jamie and Billy huddled close to her on either side.Well, almost everyone else made up their minds.Lori: Rick? Hell even Shane was looking to him for an answer.Rick steeled himself. It was clear that Randall couldn't be trusted.Mitch was right, they should've left him to die in town.Rick: He's a threat. We have to eliminate the threat.Shane he noticed, for once, actually looked pretty at ease and happy about it.Lilly stared, an undecipherable look in her eyes.Lilly: So you're gonna kill him?Rick nodded.Rick: It's settled, I'll do it today.Kyle audibly groaned, annoyed.Kyle: Great, so you just wasted quite a bit of my medical supplies.Which was true. Half of Kyle's medical supplies were used up for Randall, and now here Rick was, going to kill him anyway.A waste of supplies, important supplies.Rick walked off, Lilly handing the kids off to Lori as she went after him.In the background, Dale couldn't hide a frown at Lilly and her naivety.Granted she didn't know what he knew of Randall, but he was dangerous.Dale wouldn't hesitate to kill him, which was really saying something.But he wouldn't let Culver anywhere near Andrea, Amy, or any of the women or children here.Merle and Daryl just exchanged looks and shook their heads when it became clear that Rick had backtracked on his declaration.A good leader wouldn't go back on their word.And so the divide widened.  Lilly spent most of her day trying to convince people against killing Culver, from what Patricia knew.Maggie said she'd tried talking to Hershel and Annette, but the former said it was for Rick to deal with, and the latter made it clear she wanted Culver gone.Lilly then failed to convince any of the Dixons, then failed to convince most of everyone else.Hell she couldn't even get Dale on her side, and that spoke volumes to everybody.Seeing as Dale was apparently their group's moral compass, which would mean that he knew something more about this situation than most if even he was for killing Culver.And as Patricia was reading outside on the front porch, Lilly approached.Patricia gave her a knowing look and sighed.Patricia: Don't even bother Lilly. Lilly: So live or die, you don't care what happens to him?Patricia: I don't know him, you don't know him. Should be an easy decision here.Lilly: Killing someone is never easy.'It was for Walsh' she couldn't help but think.Lilly: You're a smart, caring woman. Help me here, help me save a kid's life.Patricia: Flattery will get ya nowhere. You just don't give up do ya?Lilly: Not when a life is at stake. Look, you have Hershel's ear, and if you try you could have Rick's....What in tarnation made her think that?Patricia snorted.Patricia: Ms. Chambler, I don't know what made you think I could ever have Rick's ear. Grimes will just look to Walsh, let him.Because that's exactly what he did, even now, even despite the clear fight the two had gotten into recently.Honestly she was of the opinion that Rick Grimes was both an utter idiot and a hypocrite.Lilly: You cared about what happened to Carl, and what he meant to our group despite having only just met us.Wow.Emotional blackmail.New low even for her.Lilly: Condoning murder? Execution? That isn't you. You're a decent human being.She frowned and shook her head.Lilly: Shane? He's different....Oh.So she was finally coming back to her senses then?Well wasn't that a miracle in the making.Still didn't change how she felt about any of it though.Patricia: Why? Cause he killed my husband?Lilly stared.Lilly: Did he...tell you that?She actually sounded hopeful that it wasn't true.Patricia didn't care, she had no time for Lilly's naivety.Especially now.Patricia: The bastard told a story. Spoke 'bout how Otis saved his ass, 'bout how he shoved his gun in his hands and told him to 'save the girl'. That lyin' son of a bitch came back with my husband's gun, I never said anything at that time but I ain't an idiot, neither is Grimes. If Grimes hasn't figured it out yet it's because he just refuses to see it.She scoffed and turned back to reading her book.Patricia: Honestly, your group's broken.  Jamie wasn't sure what to think.One minute she was holding her brother's hand and running for their lives.The next, they were saved.She missed mom a lot of course, but she knew mom was dead.Mrs. Judy had been okay. Mom didn't really like her because of her divorce with dad and Mrs. Judy was dad's new wife. Mrs. Judy had been nice though, of course she was dead too. She remembers seeing her after she'd turned into one of those things, that had been a horrible experience.Dad was dead too, no way he was still alive given he never came back.Truthfully she only kept going for Billy.She was his sister, his older sister, it was her job to watch out for him after mom died.Now they were here at the Greene farm.Ms. Maggie had let them move into her room, and Mr. Hershel had been nice.Mrs. Annette had fixed them breakfast the day after they got here, she was a sweet older woman.Billy really liked Ms. Lilly, and she was nice too, but Jamie didn't like something about her. Billy was more naive so he didn't see it.Ms. Lilly just looked like she was trying to replace something, or something like that.Jamie liked Ms. Patricia the most, she actually reminded her a lot of mom, and she was always checking in on them now. Normally if Ms. Lilly wasn't watching them then Ms. Patricia was.Mrs. Lori was okay, not her favorite, but okay.Most of the others were too, Jamie really liked Amy, she was funny, and how she could be like that even now was kind of weird but she preferred laughing over fighting for her and Billy's life everyday.The one she really didn't like was Mr. Walsh. That man was cold, rude, and a perv and stalker if some of the looks he gave Mrs. Lori were of any indication.He'd tried to convince the Greenes to get rid of her and Billy, but apparently he was barely allowed in their house and only for important meetings.And it was clear that Mr. Hershel and his family weren't going to send them away.Jamie mostly hoped for her brother's safety.She wanted him to keep going, live a long life, do things.She just hoped they both lived that long.She hadn't seen Randall, the guy everyone was talking about, but Mr. Dale had told her that he was a very bad man, so Jamie had no intentions of going near him.She only hoped Billy would do the same.  Carol shook her head.The boy, Billy, somehow snuck into the shed and had been talking to Culver.Shane meanwhile held Culver at gunpoint against the wall, clearly infuriated.And Andrea was frowning as she put a hand on her gun.Carol walked over to the boy and grabbed him, shielding his eyes just as Shane put the barrel of his gun into Culver's mouth.Andrea: Shane! Back off!Shane: What? Like 'em young huh?! Andrea: Shane! Not in front of Billy!Carol just led the boy out with a sigh.Carol: Come on sweetie, let's go find your sister.After walking away from the shed, she uncovered his eyes.Billy turned and looked to her.Billy: He...he's not like them. They have other kids there, he can help us.Carol shook her head, poor boy, too naive and kindhearted for his own good.If that didn't get fixed, it would get him killed.Carol: Honey you need to know, he was just sayin' that to get you to let your guard down, to get you to trust him. Billy: So, he was lying?Carol: (Nods). He was, and he was manipulatin' you, trickin' you into helpin' him. We don't know much about him, except that he tried to kill a few of the people in our group, and that the people he was with were terrible men, men who went around doin' everything they pleased, even killin' little children like you and your sister, or my Sophia. You understand? Don't trust him, don't go near him, because if you do then he'll hurt you. Billy hugged himself, looking nervous and guilty but nodded.Billy: Yes ma'am.Jamie: Billy!Carol turned to see Jamie run over, Patricia not far behind.Jamie: You went in there?! What were you thinking?!Billy stared down.Billy: I'm sorry. Jamie looked like she wanted to keep goin', but she didn't. Opting to walk over and pull him into a hug.Jamie: Don't ever do that again.Billy: I won't.Patricia cleared her throat.Patricia: Jamie sweetie, why don't ya take your brother and go find Sophia. Mr. Dale should have a couple games y'all can play.Jamie seemed more than happy for that distraction.Plus Sophia was around her age, and it'd be good for them to bond.Jamie: Does he have monopoly?Carol: Well lord, what's so special 'bout monopoly?Jamie: It's only the best board game ever created!Patricia chuckled.Patricia: Well better get goin', otherwise you'll give yourself bad luck.Jamie nodded and left with Billy.Patricia then looked to Carol and frowned.Patricia: That bastard didn't touch him, did he?Carol: (Shakes her head). Thankfully no. But it's obvious he was tryin' to trick the boy into lettin' him go.Patricia: ...did you talk to him?Carol: Of course, wasn't gonna let him succeed in manipulatin' a child, I'd kill him myself before I let that happen.Clearly the other woman didn't doubt that.Soon Shane came storming over, no doubt getting ready to go into some rant about watching Billy.But Patricia beat him to it, looking at him with an indifferent expression.Patricia: I've got Billy and his sister, so don't try that crap with me. Randall is your responsibility, so I'll watch over mine, you watch over yours.And she promptly walked off.Hm.Carol couldn't shake this feeling.It was the feeling of a pot about to boil over.And Patricia had something to do with it, and Carol got the feeling that the other widow was up to something.What that was is yet to be determined.  Later, Patricia walked through the woods, not doing anything really, just walking.Eventually she came across a walker who'd gotten stuck in mud.She scoffed audibly, causing it to rouse and snarl as it reached out, as if trying to grab her.She picked up a rock and threw it at the walker.Then a stick and threw it.Then a larger rock and threw it.Which hit one of its legs, which helped it get one leg free of the mud.It was closer to escaping and coming after her....But this gave her an idea.Stupid, insane, one that could severely backfire if she wasn't careful, but it could work.As she turned around, she gave the walker a final glance before she headed back to the farm.Okay, it's official, she had a crazy side.But somehow she wasn't displeased.Tonight was the night after all.  As the sun set, everyone gathered back at the house, in the living room.The topic? Randall Culver.The kids were upstairs with Beth, and Miguel was only allowed to attend this meeting due to having been around Randall and his group.Rick: Okay, we're all here. Let's start.Kyle shuffled a bit on one of the couches.Kyle: So how do we do this?Andrea: (Nods). Does it have to be unanimous?Lori: How about majority rules?Rick: Let's all just take our votes. Majority rules.Most nodded.Shane sighed as if this were a redundant process, which in truth it was.Shane: Way I see it, only one option.Lilly: Killing him, right? Well then why bother taking votes when it's obvious where everyone stands already.Rick: If people want to spare him, I want to know.Caesar: Really? We've already established what kind of threat he is.Rick: The principle stands.Caesar noticeably frowns at that but doesn't reply afterwards.Lilly looked between them all.Lilly: Well I can tell you it's a small group. Maybe just me...and Glenn and Dale.Glenn gave her a guilty look, causing her to look at him in betrayal.Glenn: Look I think you have a point about this, but-Lilly: They've got you scared.Andrea scoffed.Andrea: This isn't preschool, Glenn's a grown man, he can make his own choices.Glenn had no issue defending himself though.Glenn: He's not one of us. And we've...we've lost too many people already.Lilly: And I get that. But give him a chance, that's all I'm asking.Lucille: I fail to see why.Hershel chimed in, trying to find common ground.Hershel: It may be a lean winter.Lori: We could ration better?Tara: Divide up the chores?Lilly looked grateful for her sister's suggestion, even if Tara wasn't exactly agreeing with her.Lilly: Exactly. He could be an asset, give him a chance to prove himself.Andrea shook her head.Andrea: We can't exactly put chains around his ankles and sentence him to hard labor.T-Dog: Could we post a guard on him?Shane snorts.Shane: Who wants to volunteer for that duty?Lilly: I will.Rick: Out of the question. We're not lettin' this guy just walk around.Lori nodded in agreement.Lori: They're right. I wouldn't feel safe, unless he was tied up.Daryl: Besides, just another mouth to feed.Merle: And we'd be wastin' more of doc's medical supplies.Kyle was still clearly unhappy about that.Rick: Besides it's obvious we can't trust him, earlier with Billy proved that. What we need to do isn't a-Andrea interjected, sounding annoyed with all this.Andrea: So what's the other solution?Lori: Let Rick finish.Andrea just glared briefly at her, still not happy about Lori's declaration to her about her 'selfishness', but continued on.Andrea: We haven't come up with a single, viable option yet. I wish we could...Truthfully she'd simply had it with Rick being indecisive all the time, it was annoying. He was a good man, but a horrible leader in her opinion.She was heavily considering grabbing Amy and Dale (and a few others if possible) and getting the hell out of here, but decided against it.Lilly: So let's work on it!Rick: Y'all-Carol: Stop it!Everyone turned to Carol, some in surprise.Carol: I'm so sick of everyone arguing and fighting all the time. (Looks at Rick). You can't ask us to decide somethin' like this, especially when you can't make up your own mind on it. (Looks between him and Shane). Please decide, either of you, both of you, but leave me out.Lilly pointed to her.Lilly: Not speaking out, or killing him yourself. There's no difference.Carol glares at her indifferently but says nothing.Dale looks at Lilly, appalled.Okay, he really should've told them by now, but he figured Miguel should be the one to do it.Dale: Lilly! Everyone has their own opinion, be it aligned with your own, against your own, or neutral.Lilly: (Looks at him, shocked). Dale...of all people, you would support this?Dale steels his expression, and nods.Surprising even Shane by doing so.For once, he and Dale were actually on the same side.Dale: In this case, yes.He turned to Miguel.Dale: Miguel knows how Randall is. He's essentially a character witness, for all intents and purposes. He knows how Randall and his people operated. Tell 'em son.Miguel hummed nervously, but eventually spoke.Miguel: ...ist.Rick: Could you say that louder please? So everyone can hear?Miguel: Randall's a pedophile, and a rapist.And so dropped that bombshell that wasn't so much of a bombshell.Miguel: I only even know because he came to me at least six times and bragged 'bout it. Bragged about 'gettin' a taste' of a couple little girls. 'Bout how their daddy had to...watch.That information did cause a reaction.Raven looked down at him.Raven: How old were they?The venom that seeped into his tone proved he wasn't lying about any of it.Miguel: From what he told me, one was twelve, and the other was...only...only seven.At that, Annette stood up quickly, glaring at Rick.Annette: You decided that a pedophile and rapist was worth savin'? Hell no, get that bastard outta here.Lilly meanwhile looked like she was going to throw up on the spot.Lilly: ...my God...Tara walked over to her to help her sit down.Lilly: Twelve...twelve, M-Meghan's age...Tara I...God I'm horrible, I just tried to defend...Tara shook her head and patted her hand.Tara: You didn't know Lilly, it's not your fault.Rick meanwhile looked very guilty and disgusted.Rick: I...I thought he was a kid, just a stupid kid...Miguel: (Snorts). Randall uses his physical appearance to trick people into thinkin' that, he was just trickin' you too.Rick: ...I should've known, shit...Annette: Get rid of him.Rick sighed.Rick: But... how?Patricia chimed in.Patricia: If we're gonna kill him, how are we gonna do it?Carol seemed to give her a look of suspicion for how the question was carefully phrased but no one else paid it much attention.Shane hummed.Shane: Could hang him, right? Snap his neck.Kyle groaned.Kyle: I'd give him a lethal injection that would slowly kill him over the course of several days, unfortunately I don't have the things I need for that.Rick: I...I've considered both of those. Shooting may be more humane...but after hearing this, I think we should abandon the humane route in his case.Annette nodded.Annette: Hell feed him to the walkers, just get him away from my family and the children.Lilly nodded, no longer trying to save Randall, she wouldn't want him near Meghan if she were still here, she should've considered that thought before.Lilly: So it's decided? We're killing the bastard?Shane looked even more pleased about this outcome.Carol meanwhile glanced at Patricia again, who was...oddly guarded in her expression, keeping it carefully blank.Rick: (Nods). Yeah, it's settled now, he dies, no more questions asked.Lilly: None whatsoever. Just make sure he suffers for what he did. Lori walked up behind Rick, rubbing his back.Lori: So how are you going to do it?Rick stares for a moment.But exchanges a look with Shane and inclines his head.Rick: I'll take him out, head a ways out. Open up that injury on his leg, maybe stab him through his testicles, then I'll throw him to some walkers.A couple were surprised by how dark that was, but no one objected.Not even Lori or Dale.Lori: As horrible as he is, it's not gonna be easy to go through with it, to kill him.Rick: I know. But if there's something I've learned, it's that when it comes to certain people, when that times comes...and it will, you can't hesitate, can't show mercy. Once you've planned it out in your mind...you got to go through with it.Most people were grim at that.And Carol was the only one who noticed Patricia staring at Shane while everyone else, including Shane himself, were looking at Rick.  As night came, so did the time to get rid of Randall.Rick took a car on his own, and stuffed Randall in the trunk before driving off.Apparently he wanted to feed Randall to a large group of walkers to make sure nothing was left of him.But the tension that has been built up for so long finally broke.Patricia dropped a shovel she'd been carrying, the end a bloody mess, as she'd just used it to cut open a cow, its organs going everywhere.She hid the shovel almost under the cow on the other side.She made sure no blood was on her, otherwise this would be too suspicious.She had her knife hidden under her sleeve, ready to pull out at any time.And when she looked off at the woods, she could barely see that walker from earlier coming this way.And it was being silent, mm, strange.But as she turned around to see Walsh coming her way, she couldn't help but cheer internally.Her plan was going perfectly.Shane: Okay now, the hell do ya want?Patricia sighed, and put on her best guilty and apologetic voice.Patricia: I...wanted to apologize. Um...I know you didn't kill my husband, he sacrificed himself to save that girl, I see that now.
'Yeah right' 
Patricia: I'm sorry I took my grief out on ya, I shouldn't have...Thankfully he seemed more than happy about this, and bought her act. Waving her off, looking relieved.Shane: Nah, you're good. Sorry 'bout my attitude towards y'all, nothin' personal, I was just worried.She plastered a fake smile on her face, before letting it fall into a serious expression.Patricia: The other reason I called ya out here was cause...well, I don't really trust Rick or his leadership, and I know you'll actually handle things the way they need to be handled. Because I think we have a problem.Shane frowned.Shane: What's wrong?Patricia stepped to the side, gesturing to the cow, which was still somehow barely alive.He came over, expression even tighter, and crouched down to look.Shane: You just found this?She nodded.Patricia: Right after I came out here. Pretty sure we've got a walker around here somewhere.He nodded along, rising to his feet and turning to her.Shane: Yeah, think you're right.Then he actually walked over to her.Hm, not part of the plan, but oh well.Plans change.She could adapt easily enough.He put a hand on her back, trying to guide her away and back to the house.Then gave her what she assumed was supposed to be a reassuring grin.Shane: Whaddya say we head back to the house, get you something to eat?...Again not planned...But honestly...This was too perfect to pass up on.Patricia smiled, though he was oblivious to it being one of a predator about to strike at her prey.Patricia: You're such a gentleman ain't ya? Well, I'd say...And she struck.Before he knew it, she moved in close, one hand holding his back, and the other hovering over his upper body, before the knife dropped from her sleeve and she plunged it deep into his chest.He gasped in surprise.Patricia leaned forward and whispered in his ear.Patricia: Go rot in hell, you backstabbin', lyin', manipulative murderer.She twisted the knife, and he let out a pained noise, and she let him drop to the ground as she pulled the knife out.He touched his chest with his hand, feeling the blood gushing from his wound.Patricia turned to see the walker was close now.But before she could move to deal with it, a gunshot rang out and the walker collapsed.She turned in surprise to see Carol holding a gun.And Shane had taken his last gurgles of life, and it was clear he'd passed from the injury she just delivered.Good riddance.Patricia stared at Carol, Carol stared back, lowering the gun.She laughed coldly and shook her head.Patricia: I ain't gonna apologize, cause I ain't sorry 'bout this. It had to be done, that bastard had to die after everythin' he did.Carol took several steps forward.Carol: I'd call you an idiot if you did....Huh?That was unexpected.Patricia: You're...not angry 'bout this?Carol's gaze hardened as she stopped in front of Patricia.Carol: No. Shane has jeopardized the group's safety quite a few times. Back when we had a camp at the quarry outside Atlanta, he took down some lines of tin cans that the Dixons put up to alert us to walkers. Because of that, we almost lost Amy, we did lose Lilly's daughter, and many others. More recently, he disregarded the life of a child, opened up the barn, which got Pete bitten and Jimmy killed, and in any other scenario my daughter would've lost her life during that time. Not to mention the trauma he caused Beth by gettin' Jimmy killed and then him comin' back and tryin' to kill her.Carol sighed, reaching out and grabbing Patricia's wrist.Carol: Rick might've been blind to it, but most of everybody else wasn't. Shane was a danger to us all, any longer and he'd have gotten someone else killed. So honestly, you just did us a favor.Patricia: Rick ain't gonna see it that way, Lori might not either.Carol scoffed.Carol: Please, Lori would be a hypocrite if she took this very badly, especially with how unfaithful she was to Rick while he was gone.Then she smiled darkly herself.Carol: And Rick doesn't need to know. At least, not this version of the story....Damn.This woman had her own conniving side.Patricia: Then what is the story?Carol hummed, but patted her forearm.Carol: He took advantage of you and your forgivin' nature to lure you out here just to kill you to keep you quiet. He did kill your husband, and if you're goin' around alertin' others to it, well, he's not gonna take it well.Patricia: ...you're the perfect accomplice ya know.At that the other woman actually cackled for a moment before quieting herself down.They could hear people shouting, well the gunshot would've alerted them.Duh.Patricia sighed.Patricia: We better go back now.Carol was about to reply but her attention turned to something behind Patricia, her eyes widened in surprise and some horror.Carol: Look out!Patricia turned around and was met with the sight of...Shane, who was a walker, snarling and coming at her....How the hell did he...he wasn't even bitten! This shouldn't be possible.He grabbed her, but she barely managed to keep him at bay.Carol came forward to help pull him off, but he snarled and knocked her off, knocking her off her feet.He was already physically a big threat alive, but now dead, or rather undead, just made it worse, because walkers don't tire.She struggled trying to hold him back.As his face and teeth inched closer to the side of her neck, he was suddenly knocked off.Merle tackled the undead Shane off her and to the ground, Daryl coming over right behind.Merle grabbed Shane and held him upright and held his face up, and Daryl stabbed him in the head, ending him a second time.After that, Merle threw the body off him and rose, with both brothers looking between the two women.Daryl: Y'all bit? Scratched?Carol verbally replied for them both as Patricia helped her up.Carol: No.The brothers nodded.Though Merle looked at them both, eyes narrowed and it was clear he knew they were up to something.Not that he'd be wrong.Merle: Good. Now, tha hell's goin' on?And she heard the footsteps and worried tones of everyone else, as they all arrived one after the other, minus the children.Well...Time to smile for the cameras.Or rather...cry for them.And so, thinking up any and every sad memory she could possibly think of, and even make up in her mind, all to make it believable enough...She covers her face with both hands and promptly burst into tears.  
*Multiple group members are disillusioned from Rick and his leadership*

*Multiple group members are considering leaving*

*Patricia and Carol are now good friends*

*Most of everyone is now neutral towards Lilly*

*Dale and Miguel are now friends*

*Rick and Miguel are now friends*

*Patricia has become more cunning*

*Carol has become more cunning*

*Shane was killed by Patricia*

*Patricia has become a major supporting character*

Character Deaths:

Shane Walsh (stabbed in the chest by Patricia) (reanimated) (put down by Merle and Daryl Dixon)
Randall Culver (brutally tortured by Rick Grimes) (fed to walkers by Rick Grimes) (offscreen)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

As it turns out, the act played by Patricia and Carol worked.Not on the Dixons, Dale, Kyle, or Hershel, but it worked on everyone else.Everyone else bought it.The Dixon brothers, knowing this was all an act, thankfully said nothing and went along with it.Annette and Maggie escorted a sobbing Patricia into the house along with Carol.The Dixon brothers took Walsh's body and dragged it off, then T-Dog and Andrea took the body of the walker and disposed of it.There was nothing much Hershel could do about the corpse of the cow, so he just left it where it was for now.Lori hadn't wanted to believe Patricia when she said all of it, but...she herself had seen how deranged and insane Shane was becoming. So as much as she didn't want to believe it, she ultimately did.After all, Shane wasn't how he used to be before all this.When Rick returned later that night, he was informed of these events by Lori. He was highly surprised, and apparently didn't believe it, unlike Lori, he still seemed to cling to the old world and its ideals, even when everyone else in the group, even Lori and Dale, did not.But given a walker had wandered onto the farm, it was clear to the group that they had to move closer to the house or into it.Because many knew that another herd coming through was inevitable.  And two weeks passed by with little going on.Patricia clearly got fed up with some of the looks Rick kept giving her. Granted she had made up the story of what really happened with Shane, but hell not even the Dixons made anything out of it, that was partly because they didn't care for Shane anyway.Eventually she blew up on him for it, resulting in him accusing her of lying about it (which she was but he didn't need to know that). This then prompted an argument between him and Lori, who called him an insensitive bastard for his accusations.Everyone else just tried to ignore it and stay out of it.Meanwhile the group moved into Hershel's house.Or well, most of them.Many however still remained outside, in tents or Dale's RV.The Dixons, Kyle, Lucille, the Dolgen brothers, Caesar, the Harrisons, Dale, Carol and Sophia, and Miguel (who apparently didn't really trust Rick to maintain a level head), didn't move into the house, noticed by everyone else in the group.It only made the divide blatantly obvious.Rick tried talking them into moving in with everyone else, but it fell on deaf ears since they didn't trust him or his leadership, despite knowing he is a good man with the best of intentions.But relationships were repaired over those couple of weeks.Lilly by this point was no longer acting like a bitch, having apologized to everyone for her behavior, especially her sister.Lori apologized to Andrea for what she'd said to her before about her being selfish, which Andrea was sceptical of at first, but accepted her apology.Tension within the group was noticeably significantly lower without Shane being around anymore, which everybody noticed.The only one unhappy about him being gone was Rick, everyone else was either happy he was gone, or just didn't really care.Beth was doing significantly better, having gotten over her suicidal thoughts.Hershel told Patricia that he was sorry for having her feed the walkers in the barn before, and that he should have seen the truth of it all when Shawn died.She accepted his apology, even if still a little sour about it.Meanwhile...Everyone had noticed that the relationship between Rick and Lori had become far more strained, mostly after Shane died recently, and what surprised many was that it wasn't Lori's fault, rather it was Rick, who was of course in denial.Hell at some point Lori moved out of the house and asked Raven if she could join her portion of the group outside, which was allowed.Rick did ask Glenn if he would talk to Lori and get her to come back, though that resulted in Glenn, surprisingly, losing his temper and telling Rick that if he wanted his wife to come back, man up and apologize for the mistakes he himself made.He also told Rick as much as he appreciated their friendship, he was done being the messenger boy.That had the Dixons in particular very smug, it showed Glenn was really growing a backbone and standing up for himself a lot more.On the flip side.Miguel had taken a noticeable interest in Beth, but understood she had just lost her boyfriend, so he was more than willing to wait forever if need be, clearly he didn't want to push her to move on.Mitch and Kyle were openly official, if them holding hands was of any indication.Pete was up and moving, slower but getting better and getting used to one leg. Andrea was the one who helped mostly, much to her sister's smugness.Merle and Caesar were certainly together even if unofficially, given they once came back from a 'walk' in the woods, and while Caesar had looked particularly happy, Merle had a noticeable limp.Which unfortunately for them, Amy had noticed, and she teased them about it endlessly now.Jamie and Billy visited their group outside often, which made Lucille in particular happy since she'd never had any children of her own.Even Merle liked being around all the kids, though he'd never admit it. The fact he referred to himself as 'uncle Merle' easily gave him away.Dale pretty much established himself as everyone's dad, while consistently keeping a close eye on Andrea for her being around Pete so much, much to her exasperation and Amy's amusement.Carol mostly did the cooking, with the Dixons going out and hunting, bringing back squirrels, possums, even a deer once. So they always ate well.But there was tension in the way that everyone was preparing the farm.Raven and her portion of the group knew it was only a matter of time before another herd came through.Good thing is they were already packed and ready to go whenever that happened. 
*Patricia now dislikes Rick*

*Everyone in the group sided with Patricia*

*Rick now dislikes Patricia*

*Lori is appalled by Rick's behavior*

*Lori didn't mourn Shane*

*Several members of the group have distanced themselves from the rest*

*Raven has become an unofficial leader*

*Lori and Rick are having marital problems*

*Miguel has a crush on Beth*

*Beth is no longer suicidal*

*Lilly has apologized to everyone*

*Everyone is now neutral towards Lilly, some are now friends with her again*

*Lori apologized to Andrea*

*Andrea is now neutral towards Lori*

*Mitch and Kyle are now boyfriends*

*Caesar and Merle are now romantically involved*

*Kyle and Pete are now close friends*

*Several group members are now close friends with Dale*

*Glenn has started standing up for himself*

*Patricia is getting away with killing Shane*

*Rick has become more paranoid*

*The group has unofficially divided into two parts*
  Hershel and Rick were walking back to the house, after having picked up some supplies from Andrea.They were having a conversation.Rick: Can I ask you somethin'?Hershel: That depends on the question, but ask.Rick: That story Patricia told about Shane, do you believe it?Hershel stopped and looked at him tiredly. Truthfully no, but why would he give up Patricia like that?Hershel: Why do ya ask?Rick: Well do you?He sighed.Hershel: I believe that if Patricia says she was lured out by Shane so he could try and kill her, then that's what happened. Rick...even you can't deny how simple and easy Shane's explanation of Otis' death was. It was too easily told with not enough details. I didn't say anythin' 'bout it because Patricia was busy grievin', I didn't want to upset anymore than she already was.He shook his head.Hershel: Besides Rick, you yourself told me that it doesn't matter what we believe anymore. That it matters what the others believe. And they believe Shane did exactly what Patricia said he did, and given that, it's undeniable.Rick stared, displeased and embarrassed about having his own words thrown back at him.But the man needed a wake up call.Hershel may think he's a good man, but he's not a great leader, if the fact Raven is unofficially leading another part of the group is saying anything.That and Rick's attitude and questions were getting annoying even to him.Hershel: Now look, I understand that he was your friend, but Rick...we live in a new world with new rules. This isn't the old world anymore, and it never will be again. People change, Shane changed, whether you choose to believe that or not, it doesn't change what's true. And just know, your attitude towards Patricia, I've got little patience left where that's concerned.Rick tensed briefly at the warning, but nodded and they continued on.Coming across Carol as they headed back towards the house and camp respectively.Rick: Carol, if you don't mind, I need a favor.Carol looked at him with a neutral smile.Carol: What is it?Rick: I'm goin' out later with T, I need someone else to watch over here, help keep things calm like they are.Carol nodded.Carol: You want me to babysit everyone?Her tone was pleasant but the question definitely wasn't.Hershel got the feeling this woman was one to both respect and fear.Rick: After Shane and that walker, things are tense right now.Carol: I think everybody's kinda tense at this point.Hershel: I'm tryin' to help keep an eye on everythin', but that's hard. I've got my own family to keep track of, and Beth especially, even though she's not thinkin' dark thoughts now, in not willin' to take that risk.Carol nodded, seemingly more receptive to Hershel than Rick now, something noticed by both men.Rick looked around then back to her.Rick: I need to know that things won't get out of hand again while I'm gone.At that, her smile turned into a frown.Carol: Then maybe you should stop leavin'.
*Carol and Rick are no longer friends*

*Carol is now neutral towards Rick*
She starts to walk away.Rick: Will you keep an eye on things?She sighs in irritation and exasperation, annoyed that he didn't seem to have much faith in her, given his time of voice at that.Carol: Of course.  Lori entered Beth's room in the house.Thankful Rick had left on a run with T-Dog moments ago.She had been spending a lot of time with Beth lately. The girl had been sad, understandably so, but she was also naive, mostly. Though the incident with Jimmy may likely have changed that. 
*Lori and Beth are good friends*
Lori: Beth? How're you doin'?The girl in question looks up from where she was, sitting on the floor, playing a game of checkers with Sophia.Beth gives her a smile, though a genuine one this time.Beth: A lot better. I think I've gotten over the nightmares of...it, now. But I try not to mention 'em by name.Otherwise she'd probably have another nightmare.Understandable.Then again, she'd lost Carl over two weeks ago now, and while she was slowly getting through it, not having her son around anymore still hurt a lot.Even though the baby uplifted her just a little.Lori: I know what you mean. Still haven't gotten over mine, but I'm getting there.Beth: ...it was bad with Jimmy, but it's worse when it's...a child.Lori nodded.That proved true.Too true.Meghan had been the first, and seeing her briefly back at camp after she'd reanimated, that really didn't help anyone's mental state, especially Lilly's.But Lilly somehow was soldiering through it, mainly with Jamie and Billy.It was like Lilly saw them as a second chance, a chance to do better.Admirable even if sad.Now Carl more recently, that was worse because it had been her own child.Definitely did Rick no favors. He was colder now, towards her anyway, more close minded, far more in denial, and less receptive to any advice anyone tried to give him. At this point Lori was convinced her marriage was officially over.Carl had been the glue holding it all together.But when she did what she did with Shane, Rick later found out, then Carl came out of the barn, it shattered.It all fell to pieces.But especially after Shane's death.Lori had been sad but, she knew Shane was growing more and more unstable, and eventually he would have tried killing Rick to take over, she knows that.But Rick had been infuriated and devastated, despite how much Shane expressed resentment towards him lately.So much so that he took it out on Patricia.The poor woman didn't need Rick's anger directed at her, not for what Shane tried to do. Lori had yelled at Rick for it, then slapped him when he claimed it was cold blooded murder on Patricia's part.Lori didn't believe it.Patricia was such a kind woman, she'd never do something like that.Shane was becoming a threat to them all, the fact he tried to kill Patricia before his death because she called him out about Otis' death (she knows now that it was murder) proved it.But back to the present.Lori: Yes, it is.She cleared her throat.Lori: How about you and Sophia come with me? Sophia can take a gun. We'll just go on a walk around the farm.Beth seemed to think on that momentarily before nodding.Beth: I haven't been outside in two weeks, it would be nice to get some fresh air again.Lori had already discussed it with Annette, who approved. Then she asked Carol if Sophia could come, and Carol was fine with it as long as Sophia took a weapon just in case of any surprises.Lori herself already had one, but better to have more than one person armed just in case.You never know nowadays.  Patricia stood outside on the front porch, and Merle came up the steps to lean on the railing and stare at her.She frowned.Patricia: What?Merle: So...two weeks ago. That revenge for ya husband that he murdered?Patricia: So what if it was?Merle: (Raises his hands in a placating gesture). Ain't no problem. Hell I don't blame ya, Walsh was like a rabid dog 'bout ta bite somebody again, somebody had ta to put tha poor bastard outta his misery, and if ya didn't, my sister in law would've....Hm, nice to know.Patricia: I do have a question.Merle: Ask away.Patricia: Why corroborate my whole story if ya knew I was lyin'?Merle shrugged.Merle: Ain't no reason why a lady should be doin' all tha heavy liftin' 'round here.His time was devoid of his usual...well, things that made him him.His voice was sincere.She didn't know what to say in reply, so just gave him him grateful smile.
*Patricia and Merle are now friends*
Though the moment ended when Andrea was seen coming up to the porch.When she got there, she took out a gun and held it out to Merle.Who frowned.Merle: Tha hell ya got ma brother's gun for blondie?Andrea: I didn't, Billy did. He snuck into Daryl and Raven's tent and took it. Jamie caught him with it and told me.Merle takes the gun.Merle: What's he doin' goin' through people's stuff?Andrea: Apparently he wants to learn how to use one. He's tired of relying on his sister to keep him safe all the time.Merle nodded in understanding and hummed.Merle: I'll go talk ta tha boy.With that he left to find Billy.Andrea then looked up to her.Andrea: You alright? After Shane...plus I know Rick hasn't been leaving you be.Patricia groaned but nodded.Patricia: I'm doin' alright. But was Rick always so damn annoyin' and insufferable? Not to mention insensitive.Andrea sighed and shook her head.Andrea: No. He used to be good, tolerable. Now though, well, let's just say I wouldn't trust him if we went out on a run and it was either he save me or leave me and get out while he still could.Patricia: That's puttin' it mildly.She looked to Andrea and inclined her head.Patricia: Thanks for askin'.Andrea: (Nods). Anytime. 
*Andrea and Patricia are now friends*
  Lori was out walking around the barn now, with Beth and Sophia.For the most part they were just enjoying the outdoors.Then she saw Billy sitting in front of the graves, mainly Carl's.She'd already explained to the boy what happened and who all had been buried.She walked over to him.Lori: Hey sweetie, what you doin'?Billy: Oh, just looking.Silence hung heavy for a few minutes.Lori looked at her son's grave with a sad smile.She was sad he was gone, but, happy that he no longer had to live like this anymore.That he wouldn't have to grow up in all this.Lori: You know we'll see him again some day.She nodded.Lori: He's in a better place.Billy turned to her with a blank expression.Billy: No he's not. He rose to his feet, scowling.Billy: Heaven is just another lie. And if you believe it, you're an idiot.He stormed off.Lori just stared, both shocked and appalled by that.What just happened?Why would he say that?She turned to see Merle coming over.She glanced back towards Billy, before shaking her head and making her way to Merle, anger taking over.Lori: You need to get that boy under control.Merle frowned but noticed that she was upset about something.Merle: Wha? He say somethin'?Lori: He's disrespectful. He said something cruel about Carl.Merle audibly groaned, but nodded.Merle: Yeah. Sorry 'bout that, I'mma talk to tha boy.He left.Beth and Sophia caught up.Beth: Mrs. Lori, is everythin' okay?Lori took a deep breath, she didn't want to risk losing her temper on the two girls who did nothing to Garner it.And calmed herself.Then turning to them.Lori: yeah, everything's fine.   Merle quickly found Billy, still walking away from the scene.Merle: Hey boy! Billy stopped and turned around, already looking caught in the act.Merle: Ya say somethin' mean ta Lori?Billy: No.Merle: Really? Well she says ya did.Billy scoffed.Billy: I told her it was stupid to believe in heaven, cause it is.Merle: Ta you maybe. Look here, just cause you don't believe in somethin' don't mean you go around ruinin' it for everybody who does. Got it?Billy looked down, properly ashamed.And he knew better than to try his luck with Merle.Merle: So later you're gonna apologize for what ya told her.Billy: What?! But...she...Merle: Nuh uh uh. Don't speak, think, use them braincells ya got.Merle sighed and crouched down to be more level with him.Merle: Listen. Things don't get no better from here, if anythin' they'll get worse. And blondie told me 'bout the gun ya stole, so onto that. I get why ya want ta learn, and ya should, but right now we ain't got time cause we don't even know how much longer we'll be safe here. But look, when we find tha time, I'll teach ya, but ya need ta understand somethin'. Things are gonna get bad for all of us at some point, and at some point, people are gonna start dyin' off. Miss Patricia, Miss Lilly, me, hell even your sister, and when that happens there ain't no way you'll be ready for it. But...when it does ya need ta be ready as ya can be. That starts with attitude control and maturity, ya listenin' boy?Billy seemed to shuffle and bite his lip nervously at the mention of death and his sister in particular, but nodded.Clearly Merle's words all registered.Billy: Yes uncle Merle. I'm sorry.Merle reached out and patted his shoulder.Merle: Ain't me ya got ta apologize to.  Later, Billy apologized for what he said to Lori, who accepted it and just wanted to let it go at this point.Jamie was somewhat furious after hearing about what her brother said, but she let it go when he apologized to Lori.Meanwhile, off the farm and back in town with Rick and T-Dog.They found the town in further disarray.Already they'd killed off thirteen walkers, and it seemed a couple of buildings had been caved in, walkers must've done it by packing through them. The buildings had been amongst the oldest ones in town.They had no luck in finding anything of value.Rick: T, be honest, what do you think of me?T-Dog was kinda caught off guard by that sudden question.T-Dog: I don't see us exchangin' haymakers and clotheslines on the side of the road, if that's what you're askin'.Rick snorted at that.Rick: Oh I know, but otherwise.T-Dog looked at him with an impassive expression.He liked Rick, but his views on him lately, like many, were mixed.T-Dog: Well uh...you're a great guy.Rick gives him a deadpan stare.Rick: Please, just say it, the truth, in your eyes.Okay...T-Dog: But your leadership skills, they...need some work.He mumbles 'quite a bit' but Rick either ignores it or doesn't hear it.Rick: (Sighs). It kinda hurts that few of you actually trust me.T-Dog: I mean I do trust you man, but to be fair, you were in a coma and somehow survived for a month before makin' your way to us. Then you started takin' up a leadership role and sort of undermined Shane when you did it. You were in a coma, and suddenly you came to our camp, then started callin' the shots when you weren't fully recovered yet, and probably still ain't.That was it, that was how he felt about Rick.He trusted him, yes, but even he had to admit the man was flawed.Good, but flawed.Rick blinked, clearly he had never considered that thought before.Ultimately he looked away, clearly to hide guilt and some shame.Rick: I hadn't thought about it that way...T-Dog: It's cool man, we all got mistakes under our belts. Mine is not doin' anythin' to stop Jacqui from endin' her own life.Rick: Stop. That wasn't you. She stayed at the CDC of her own free will, so did Jim and Jenner. T-Dog: In some way...it don't feel like that...Rick was about to respond, however they heard someone telling for help, then it changed to Spanish.The voice was familiar to them both, but they rushed out of a looted grocery store and around the back.When they got there, they saw a familiar face, struggling to hold back a large walker.Rick raised his colt python and fired, killing the walker.T-Dog meanwhile walked over to greet the man and check him for any bites of scratches.T-Dog: G? Shit man, never thought we'd see you again.Guillermo: Feelin's mutual. Can't say I'm disappointed.T-Dog: You bit?Guillermo: Nah. Almost got bit twice yesterday though, narrowly slipped away from a large group of 'em.Rick nodded.Rick: We know about what happened. That kid, Miguel, made it away from that other group, told us everything. We're sorry about that, but glad you're alright.Guillermo looks down for a moment before his head snaps up.Guillermo: Wait, you got Miguelito? T-Dog: Other group abandoned him and another, Randall. Randall's dead though, Rick killed him.Guillermo's expression turned dark, a dark grin on his face.Guillermo: buen viaje. Bastard had it comin'.T-Dog decided not to question that, given it was clear Culver more than deserved his fate.Rick: Was it only you that got out?Guillermo shook his head.Guillermo: No. Jorge made it out with me, initially. But we ran into some walkers gettin' out of the city, and he didn't turn around in time.He shook himself.Guillermo: But you said you got Miguelito? Rick: We do. Back at a farm not far from here.Guillermo: ...I want to go back with you, if you'll have me there.Rick: Of course. Besides I'm sure Miguel will be happy to see a familiar face.Unfortunately they heard a lot of snarling.When T ran to check around the corner of the store, he saw a whole lot of walkers heading this way.A herd was coming.He rushed back to them.T-Dog: We better go man. We're gonna have to go on foot, ain't no gettin' back to the car.Rick swore something under his breath but nodded.Rick: Alright. Guillermo, follow us. We better get back to the farm and warn everybody.T-Dog: We might have to leave.Rick: That's what I'm afraid of.With that grim statement, the three promptly ran past multiple abandoned vehicles, and several stray walkers which they picked off with melee weapons, Rick and T with knives, and G apparently had brass knuckles to utilize.But they soon rushed out of town and into the forests as the sun set.Rick and T were not comfortable with the knowledge that their seemingly newfound peace at the farm would likely be shattered.They just hoped that herd went around.But they could only hope.And they knew their hope was highly unrealistic.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

As night set in, things at the farm were somehow more tense. Merle had gone out to scout the woods, she'd protested but he pointed out one person could move more quickly and quietly, and she'd relented.Her portion of the group were still in their tents, Dale, Andrea, and Amy in the RV.She couldn't explain it but, she was getting a bad feeling about tonight.Something was looming.Like an invisible knife at all their throats, and the question morphed into whose throat would be slit.Her feeling of growing dread only worsened when she heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot.Suddenly she rushed out of her tent and headed into the house.  Merle watched the walker he'd failed to see before drop before turning to see his savior.Damn it, what was Billy doing out here?!Not that he wasn't thankful, but shit.Merle: Kid, what are ya doin'?Billy: I got worried, I didn't see you come back after a while.Merle walked over to him.Instead of scolding him for being out here, he opted to just rub his head fondly.Merle: ...damn good shot kid. Now come on, let's head back, yer sis is lookin' for ya, no doubt.Billy gave a prideful smile but let Merle guide him back.But when they got to a field, they swirled around at the sound of running.Merle was surprised to see officer friendly and T-Dog, along with some Hispanic guy he didn't recognize.Merle: Officer friendly? Tha hell y'all doin' without a car?T-Dog: Had to leave it, herd was comin' through, it blocked our way to it.A herd?Well shit.Hopefully they weren't close enough to hear that shot.Rick: What are you doin' out here?Merle: Was scoutin' the perimeter. Missed a walker, Billy here put it down.Billy: I killed it. I saved uncle Merle, I did good didn't I?Rick seemed to give the boy a warm smile.Rick: That you did.Merle suddenly stiffened.Something ain't right...And when he turned to look in the direction the other three came from, he saw it.The herd was comin' right for them.Fuck his life.Merle: Oh shit...Rick noticed him looking behind them, and when he looked, he quickly turned back around.Rick: Damn! Come on, hurry, move! Back to the house! Go!And they promptly rushed back towards the house.  Everyone in the house was worried about that gunshot.Raven: Y'all heard it too right? I ain't dreamin'?Glenn: No, we heard it.Maggie: Maybe Rick's back and he found a walker?Andrea shook her head.Andrea: I don't know. Wouldn't he use a knife?Hershel: depends on how many there are.Lori rose, nervously walking over to Raven.Lori: Could you please get out there and find out what the hell is going on?Raven nodded, given it was a very valid request.Raven: I can do that.Lori: Thank you.Raven exited.But when she did, she found Dale on top of the RV, looking out of his binoculars.Raven: Dale? What do you see?Dale put them away, looking down towards her.Dale: We've got a problem.Raven looked in the direction towards the barn and she almost gasped in surprise.Walkers, a herd.They were coming through.The gunshot must have drawn them.Dale was rushing down from the top of the RV, and Raven opened the door to the house and peeked in.Raven: Everybody out here now! We got big trouble comin' our way.Everyone wasted no time in following her outside, only to be shocked at seeing all the walkers coming their way.Amy: Holy shit...Hershel: Patricia, Kill the lights.Said woman rushed back in to do that.Glenn: Maybe they'll go around. Like the herd from the highway.Raven shook her head.Raven: No. No doubt a couple have already spotted me and Dale.Amy: What do we do?Glenn: Hide out inside till they pass?Daryl snorted and shook his head, responding with what she was thinking.Daryl: Unless there's some underground shelter we don't know 'bout. Herd that size will rip the house down.She turned to see Hershel arming a shotgun. Maggie started arming a shotgun too, and Annette a rifle.Hershel: Y'all can go if ya want.Glenn: Maggie?Maggie: You grow up country, ya pick up a thing or two.Daryl: You gonna take 'em all on?Hershel: This is our farm. We'll did here.Daryl seemed to resist sighing at that, instead he nodded along.Though Jamie came running out of the house before he could reply. She looked highly frantic.Jamie: Billy's gone.Raven: What?Jamie: I...he was just upstairs, now I can't find him.Mitch: We got all those things comin'.Jamie: I'm not leaving without Billy!Lilly walked over to her.Lilly: We're not honey, we're gonna go look again and we're gonna find him.They promptly went back inside just as Patricia came back out. Lori went back in with Beth.Tara went back in to help her sister search for a missing child.Raven sighed.Raven: This gets better and better.Kyle: Let's get the cars, and the RV.Raven: Why?Andrea caught onto his thinking, nodding.Andrea: Drive around, and take out as many as we can. Then use the cars to lure the rest off the farm.Daryl nodded in agreement.Daryl: Alright. It's as good a night as any.  Rick, Merle, T-Dog, Guillermo, and Billy stopped behind a tree.Getting to the house right now wasn't possible with many walkers having already moved past them.So they diverted to the barn.They made it, thankfully, and Rick shit the doors.He then gave Billy a lighter, telling him to light it and drop it when he said so.They sent Billy up the ladder as the poured gasoline all around in the barn.Once they used it all up, T-Dog, Merle, and Guillermo went up the ladder.Then Rick opened the doors, luring many walkers inside.He quickly got to the ladder and climbed up, telling Billy to drop the lighter now.And soon the lighter dropped, and ignited an inferno.  Back at the house.Beth: The barn's on fire.Lori looked out the window.Lori: They're headed for it. Maybe Rick set it to drawn them in.Meanwhile Lilly, Tara, and Jamie failed to find Billy.Tara: He's not downstairs.Lilly: Not in the attic.Jamie: (Starts crying). What do we do?!Patricia had just come back in, and immediately moved over to comfort and reassure her.She got the feeling the boy was with Merle.Patricia: Calm down sweetie. He probably just went to find Merle, he was lookin' for him after he left.Lori: Maybe he set the fire.They were confused, but Beth explained that someone set the barn on fire.Yep, the adults all believed Billy was there with Merle.Jamie wasn't so sure.  The group spread out.Kyle drove his car, Mitch in the front passenger's seat, firing out at walkers. With Lucille, Pete, and Miguel in the back. Dale drove the RV, Andrea on top shooting down walkers with a rifle, and Amy, Carol, and Sophia were inside watching with worry.Glenn was with Maggie, and doing the same thing.And Daryl and Raven were on his bike, both shooting at walkers. But it became clear it wasn't working.At this point the walkers were far too many.Amy had the same idea in the RV.Amy: It's not working. We'll run out of ammo before we even make a dent.Dale nodded, somehow staying calm and collected despite the situation.Dale: We need a new strategy.That's when Daryl pulled up by the window.Daryl: Yo! Must've been Merle who started that fire, why don't y'all circle round, see what you can see?Dale: Got it. If they're there, we'll pick 'em up.He then drove the RV through one of the gates, towards the side of the barn.And they then saw Rick, Merle, T-Dog, Billy, and a guy they didn't know, but if Merle and T-Dog let him stay with them, he was trustworthy.Rick: Here! Park it right there!Dale drove up beside the barn.Seeing the walkers getting up close to the RV made him and Amy uneasy, but at least they'd checked and made sure the door was locked.After hearing that they all jumped on top of the RV, Dale called out of the window.Dale: Hold on tight up there!And he drove away from the barn, turning around towards the house.That felt too close.  As the effort continued.Everyone quickly knew it was for nothing.The walkers were too many now, the farm was going to fall.Everyone in Raven's portion of the group already had everything packed and ready to go, so they didn't need to go back to the tents or house for anything.Hershel was still shooting down walkers left and right, Annette right by his side helping.Till death do them part, right?And soon, back with Lilly, Tara, Patricia, Lori, Beth, and Jamie...They exited, prepared to go.Jamie didn't want to go, but saw the RV in the distance and her brother on top of it.Jamie: BILLY! Patricia kept her close.Patricia: He's with them, he'll be fine sweetie. Lilly looked between them all, bag slung over her shoulders.Lilly: Everyone ready to go?They all nodded, Lori holding Beth close.Their attention turned to Hershel and Annette.Lilly walked to the end of the porch and called for them, but it did nothing.The two were too busy killing off walkers to hear it.Lilly gave up after the fourth try, rushing back over to the group.Jamie: Where's Carol? And Sophia?Lilly: In the RV, they're fine. Come on!They rushed to move.Getting to the steps, they could see Lilly and Tara's van just right there.Now to get there.They got to the steps.Lori holding onto Beth's hand from behind.Patricia: Jamie, stay behind me.Tara: Shit they're coming already. Move!Lilly: Come on!Patricia: Stay behind me.Lilly and Tara rushed off the porch, killing walkers as they headed towards their van, thankfully they were gonna make it.The Patricia rushed off with Jamie right next to her. Patricia turned and fired her gun, killing a couple walkers who got too close.She looked back at Beth and Lori, who were right behind them.Patricia: Come on y'all. Come on.She turned and kept running with Jamie.Beth held on tight to Lori, who seemed to do the same with her.Lilly and Tara were getting the van started.They were getting close to the car.They were going to make it................Until a walker came out of nowhere and grabbed Lori, causing her to let out a yelp of surprise.It caused them both to stop suddenly as Beth was jerked back.She heard Lori scream, and turned around just to see that walker bite into the side of Lori's neck. Then another came and bit her on the shoulder.Then Beth started screaming hysterically.Patricia came rushing back over, grabbing Beth, and trying to pull her away.Beth held onto Lori even tighter.Patricia pulled and pulled, Beth screamed and still didn't let go.Jamie ran back over, grabbing at her to help.And the two were able to wrench Beth free, and Lori's hand released her.Patricia and Jamie pulled Jamie away and back towards the van.Both looking on sadly as they watched the walkers tearing into Lori.Who screamed as she was dragged to the ground, but she was soon silenced.Jamie ran to the van and opened one of the back doors.Patricia held onto Beth, still pulling her along.Beth: MA!! DAD!!Lilly: Get in!Patricia practically shoved Beth into the backseat, then let's Jamie jump in.Only then does she get in herself.A walker is at the window as soon as she closes the door, she honestly failed to see how close she came to death herself.But she shoves that thought away.And soon Tara hits the gas and they're speeding away.  After stopping the RV for a moment, Rick gets off, saying he was going to get Hershel and Annette.So he does just that.He runs around walkers everywhere, and kills some.Then as he's coming up behind them, he sees a walker going for Hershel from behind.He promptly shoots it.Which garners their attention.Rick: Have y'all seen Lori?Annette: (Shakes her head). No.Hershel: I don't know what it is Rick, but they just keep comin'. It's like a plague, they're everywhere.Rick: We gotta go.Hershel: But it's my farm!Annette looks to her husband sadly.Annette: Not anymore honey. Come on, let's go. We gotta find the girls.That seems to convince Hershel without a problem.The three kill a couple more walkers, making it to another car, and they promptly speed off.Looks like it's back to the highway.  The remaining members soon abandon the effort.Kyle drives himself, Mitch, Lucille, Pete, and Miguel off the farm.Dale has Andrea, Amy, Carol, Sophia, Merle, T-Dog, Billy, and Guillermo, and they quickly depart.Daryl has himself and Raven on his bike and they zoom off.And Glenn convinces Maggie to leave and follow Dale's RV, knowing everyone will head back to the highway.It's their only rallying point right now.  Rick, Hershel, and Annette make it to the highway first.There is a walker there but Annette dispatches of it.Hershel speaks to Rick, trying to convince him to leave, but Rick doesn't budge.Soon they hear a car, and they see the Chambler's van drive up. Lilly, Tara, Patricia, Jamie, and Beth exit.Then Daryl pulls up with Raven on his motorcycle.Followed by Dale's RV, Kyle's SUV, and a green SUV containing Glenn and Maggie.And everyone else exited and had their reunions. Merle went over and have Daryl a noogie (much to the latter's embarrassment), Jamie hugged Billy tightly, so much so she nearly cut off his oxygen supply. Then Beth immediately ran over to her parents, with Maggie and Patricia also going over there.Rick: How'd you find us here?Daryl smirked.Daryl: This guy's taillights zigzaggin' all over the place. (Looks at Glenn). Figured he had to be asian drivin' like that.Most got a good chuckle out of that.Glenn: (Rolls his eyes). Good one.Carol though noticed not everyone was accounted for.Carol: This isn't everyone.And quickly everyone realized the missing person.Lori.Patricia glanced briefly at Maggie and shook her head.Andrea: Lori?Beth sobbed.Beth: They got her. We were runnin' to the van and we almost got there, but they...I'm...I'm sorry...I was holdin' onto her mama, I was.Annette made a sad humming noise but hugged her youngest daughter.Annette: Shh. It's okay sweetie. It's gonna be okay.Well, judging from how Rick walked away, mumbling something in denial and grasping at his head, he wouldn't be.Well, it wasn't only Lori they'd lost, they also lost her unborn child.Guillermo: Who is Lori?T-Dog: She's...was, Rick's wife. She was pregnant at that time.Guillermo looked ready to hurl at that.His reunion with Miguel kind of overshadowed by this.Even though he didn't know her, he'd never wish that fate on a pregnant woman and her unborn child, or any woman or child in general.Tara: ...So then, what now?Andrea: We need to get out of here, away from the highway.Dale: Find someplace to settle for the night.Daryl: Yeah, before we gotta deal with these assholes here. (Points at an approaching walker). I got stumpy there.He shoots the walker with a crossbow bolt.  It took a while, but they managed to get Rick into the RV, Guillermo and Miguel rode with Glenn and Maggie.They continued on until the vehicle Hershel was driving, containing himself, Annette, Beth, and Patricia, ran out of fuel, then they all stopped and exited their vehicles.Raven: You're out?Hershel: Been runnin' on fumes since this mornin'.Rick was still there, walking up to them, but he wasn't mentally there, which they all understood.So they were leaving him be for now, giving him space.Maggie: Now what?Glenn: We don't exactly have space in any other vehicle, not even the RV.Merle: Might have to go on foot later, or drive slow.Sophia: I'm cold.Carol takes a blanket offered by Lucille, thanking her as she turns and wraps it around her daughter.Carol: We'll build a fire, yeah?Daryl: You go out lookin' for firewood, don't go too far.The conversation went from there.T-Dog once inquired if there were any gas stations nearby, and Annette said there may be one a couple miles away, but chances were it would be a bust.Glenn expressed that they needed to go, Maggie suggested she and Glenn go and try to find some gas.Raven objected to this, and so did Rick surprisingly.Rick commented that they'd get stranded without vehicles, but Glenn pointed out that they were stranded now.At some point though, Rick somehow asked Patricia about Shane, to which she gave him the same explanation as she did everyone else. She was sad for him, but she didn't regret killing Shane.Though it reminded her of something.Patricia: But...after I fought back and managed to kill him, by stabbin' him, Carol came to see what was going on and he...he came back.That shocked many in the group.Merle: Yeah. He turned alright, and he sure as hell wasn't bit.Annette: ...how?Lilly: Yeah...Miguel: But I thought you didn't turn into one of them unless you got bit.Glenn: Exactly.Rick: We're all infected.Everyone was surprised by his sudden revelation, though some already knew.Rick then explained that Dr. Jenner had told him before leaving the CDC, that whatever it is, everyone already has it.Kyle had known and told certain people, but he didn't tell everyone because he wasn't the leader, and he'd simply assumed that Rick had told them and that information had already made Its way to everyone in the group.Clearly he was wrong.Carol glared at Rick.Carol: And you never said anything?Rick: I didn't think you'd believe it. You saw how crazy that-Kyle: He wasn't crazy, he let us out. He just lost hope.Glenn: Besides that wasn't your call. Look when I found out about the walkers in the barn, I told for the good of everyone.Rick: Well I thought it best if people didn't know.Maggie: So you didn't think we'd need to know if Sophia hadn't survived that surgery? Cause if she'd died and turned so suddenly, she coulda easily killed my daddy, my stepmother, Kyle, Patricia, or anyone else who was in that house at the time. You put everybody in danger by not tellin' people that.No one could deny her point.Rick walked away, leaving many in the group rather angry with him for not telling them that vital piece of information.And while some knew thanks to Kyle, their trust in Rick shattered when it was revealed that, unlike Kyle, Rick had kept it to himself and told no one.And this is when the group finally fractured.  By night, the group was camping out at some ruins not far from a small waterfall.At some point, Carol questioned Daryl about why they stuck around. She questioned Rick's honor, and Daryl defended him, though seeming unsure if his own words there.Then a twig snapped and people started getting panicky.Which is when Rick took over, after Maggie suggested they leave.Carol promptly lost her cool with Rick then though.Carol: Do something!Rick: I am doin' something! I'm keepin' this group together, alive. You people are so damn ungrateful for it! You take my sacrifices and throw 'em back in my face! Never once have you said 'thank you for all you do'.Raven: (Raised an eyebrow, unimpressed). Which is what? All I've seen you do is take all the power from Walsh and try to utilize it yourself. Rick stared at her coldly.Before scoffing and nodding.Rick: Maybe you people are better off without me. Go on, leave. There's the exit, no one's stoppin' you. Well go, send me a postcard. Any takers?Everyone just stared at him for his outburst.Then he nodded again when no one moved.Rick: No takers? Fine, but get this: you're staying. This isn't a democracy anymore.And at that Raven rose with her things.Raven: Cool. Well, while you do that, we're gonna take a rain check.Daryl rose and stood beside her. He might've respected Rick, but he was too flip, plus his loyalty to his wife overruled any trust he did still have in Rick.Merle stood with them, Caesar right by his side.And Kyle, Lucille, Mitch (who was supporting Pete), and Carol with Sophia.Rick: I just established-Lucille: A dictatorship, which we'll have no part of. Raven: Honestly, we've been plannin' on leavin' for a while now. You just gave us the perfect openin' to do so.The others who hadn't risen watched on, surprised, but saddened and resigned.It was clear the group was splitting in two, had been for a while actually, Rick simply refused to see it.Then Andrea rose along with Amy.Andrea: We're coming too.Dale stared at them.Dale: Andrea...Amy...Amy smiled sadly.Amy: Sorry Dale. We're grateful for you always being there for us, but... we're not going to deal with this. We're going.Dale looked between them, an undecipherable look in his eyes.Before he sighed, and grabbed a bag and rose himself.Dale: Then I'm comin' too. Andrea and Amy didn't say it, but their accepting smiles proved they were glad he was. No one else rose after that.Raven looked between all those standing with her, then to Rick with a frown.Raven: I do hope you enjoy your time in power, however long it last.And they all promptly walked away and to a few vehicles.The group had finally done it.It had split.Raven, Daryl, Merle, Caesar, Kyle, Lucille, Mitch, Pete, Carol, Sophia, Andrea, Amy, and Dale were all leaving the group now.Some others thought of joining but didn't.Glenn would have, but it would mean leaving Maggie, and she'd never leave her dad, stepmom, Beth, or Patricia.T-Dog wasn't sure if he'd be exactly welcome, seeing as he didn't know any of those that were leaving very well, other than Dale and Amy.The remaining Greene's just saw no reason to leave, even if they didn't like Rick propelling himself into the position of being their leader.Lilly and Tara didn't want to leave Jamie and Billy, and neither would leave Patricia.Patricia wouldn't leave if the Greene's didn't.Then Miguel didn't want to leave Guillermo, who didn't know anyone really, other than Rick, Glenn, Pete, and T-Dog, so other than Pete, he just didn't feel comfortable leaving with all those other people he didn't know at all.Daryl would take point on his motorcycle, and Raven decided to lead from the RV.So Daryl started up his motorcycle, waving back at them.Dale looked to Raven from the driver's seat, knowing she was the leader of their new group.Thus why he turned to her.Dale: So...where to?Raven sat in the front passenger's seat beside him, looking to where the other half of the group was.It hurt, no lie, leaving them there.But it had to be done.She wasn't gonna put up with Rick, his hypocrisy, or his ultimatums.So, she looked away and out the front of the RV, steeling herself.Raven: Wherever the road takes us.Soon, Dale started up the RV, and she could hear Kyle start up his SUV behind them.And after a nod from Raven through the window at her husband, they were off.To, as she herself put it, wherever the road takes them. 
*Raven Dixon has left the group*

*Daryl Dixon has left the group*

*Merle Dixon has left the group*

*Caesar Martinez has left the group*

*Kyle Shepherd has left the group*

*Lucille Smith has left the group*

*Mitchell Dolgen has left the group*

*Pete Dolgen has left the group*

*Carol Peletier has left the group*

*Sophia Peletier has left the group*

*Andrea Harrison has left the group*

*Amy Harrison has left the group*

*Dale Horvath has left the group*
  And no one was aware that a decently fortified prison stood not too far from any of them.

Character Deaths:

Jorge (from last chapter) (ripped apart by walkers) (offscreen) (unknown if there was enough left of him to reanimate)
Lori Grimes (ripped apart by walkers while escaping with Beth Greene) (unknown if there was enough left of her to reanimate)
Lori's unborn child
The Living (Randall's group) (wiped out by walkers) (immediately prior to this chapter) (offscreen) (some likely reanimated)

Unconfirmed:

Raven Dixon
Daryl Dixon
Merle Dixon
Caesar Martinez
Kyle Shepherd
Lucille Smith
Mitchell Dolgen
Pete Dolgen
Carol Peletier
Sophia Peletier
Andrea Harrison
Amy Harrison
Dale Horvath

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Raven sighed as she handed off a can of Spaghetti-o's to Sophia, having eaten half while leaving the other half for the girl.The group had come across a trailer park yesterday and had a good find, plenty of canned goods, some snacks and sweets, and water and soda.The food would last them at least a few months, which is why it was a good find.Currently everyone sat outside the RV at a makeshift table, eating a few canned goods and sharing half between everyone . They were out camping near a large pond, thankfully there weren't any walkers around.Sophia: I hope we can find some devil cremes next time, I miss those.Amy: Same. Ooh, and zebra cakes!Kyle: Whatever happened to a good old fashioned oatmeal cookie?Amy: An Oatmeal cookie? Of all possible things...Kyle: What? I don't know, I've always had a taste for them.Dale: Me too son. Although, I do miss rice krispie treats.Andrea: God yes, rice krispies. Now those were good snacks.Merle: Too sweet fer me.Amy: And yet your 'brownie' there isn't?Raven snorted and looked between her brother-in-law and Caesar, before she just rolled her eyes.Merle: (Grins). Now that there is a different kind of sweet.Raven promptly clears her throat.Raven: I think that's the end of that conversation.Merle looked like he wanted to continue, but he knew better than to try that route with his sister-in-law, so held his tongue and nodded.Carol smiled.Carol: We could make this work, this location.Dale nodded in agreement.Dale: Fresh air, a water source right next to us, enough space for crops, nice open area but not too open, not a single walker yet.Raven: I share that sentient, but no. We've been there before, with the farm.She wasn't trying to bring the mood down, rather she was trying to keep anyone from getting at all complacent.Dale stared briefly but nodded to her point.Dale: I have noticed claw marks on a tree nearby. Judging from the size, they belong to a bear.Sophia: There's bears here?Carol: They're not here right now sweetie. Besides we'll be long gone before they come back.A comfortable silence fell over them after that.Until Andrea cleared her throat.Andrea: You feel that?Pete: Feel what?Andrea: Exactly.Raven briefly wondered what she was talking about, but then she caught on.Andrea: The tension, there is none.Lucille hummed before taking a sip of water.Daryl shrugged.Daryl: Nice ta feel relaxed fer once.Raven nodded along with her husband's words there.Honestly it was.Oh, and no Ricktator to tell them what-...Wait, Ricktator??......Well...it was the perfect description.Though she did feel bad for those who either didn't or couldn't leave for multiple reasons.Raven had wanted to grab Maggie and Glenn, personally, but she knew Maggie wouldn't leave her parents or sister, and Glenn wouldn't leave if Maggie didn't.Then there had been Patricia, and yes she is aware of what really went down. Raven knew Patricia had lured Walsh out and killed him, but hell she didn't blame her. The fact that she got away with it while kind of shoving it in Rick's face just made Raven like her more. She hadn't interacted with the older woman much, but she had liked her. The woman was a badass whom Raven would've liked in her group, but Patricia wouldn't leave the Greenes, so Raven had to make do here.She came back out of her thoughts when Andrea let out a deep breath.Andrea: Honestly, I'm glad the group split.Merle nodded in agreement, also looking smug about the fact that Raven had been the one to split it.Merle: Didn't much like tha cocoa puff much, he always thought I hated him cause he's black. Lilly acted like a whore after her daughter died. Queen bitch acted like she ruled over all tha women, ta be honest I ain't sad she's gone. Grimes was a hypocrite without a spine. Tha Chinaman, he was alright in my book, Tara, tha Greenes and Patricia too, and tha little kiddies.Okay.One part was harsh, although Raven couldn't say Lori's death saddened her, well it kinda did in a way, mainly due to the unborn child, but Raven didn't miss Lori, she hadn't liked her to begin with.Andrea made an 'mm hm' sound.Andrea: No queen bitch trying to rule over the land.Amy snorted but said nothing.Everyone was sad about Lori's baby, but no one in the current group had been particularly sad about Lori, except maybe Dale but that was expected.The man might not have exactly liked her either, but he cared for everyone in the group regardless.Lucille: No drama.Caesar: Oh...the endless drama that always seemed to surround Rick, Lori, and Walsh.Amy: Don't even get me started there...Carol: I'm just glad this group is...well, us. I mean if I hadn't left, I don't have confidence that Sophia would've survive for long under Rick's leadership.Daryl: Cause he ain't got anythin' ta lose now. His wife and son are dead, so's his best friend.That made everyone tense a bit.Amy: Okay...now you've got me worried for the others who didn't come with us.Raven nodded in understanding. She'd liked everyone left with the other group, minus Rick and Lilly, although the latter had redeemed herself to be fair. She hadn't even known Guillermo or Miguel but very briefly. Truth be told she did think Rick could be a good leader but...not right now.The man hadn't been stable when she and the others left anyway, so she worried about the safety of those still around him.But she couldn't think of that right now.Right now she had to think of those in her current group.Raven: As much as I sympathize, we can't worry about that now. Sophia: Wouldn't that just be abandoning them?Dale shook his head.Dale: No. Raven's sayin' that we can't worry about something that's out of our realm of control.Sophia nodded slowly as she took that in.Andrea: Well, I know one thing I can control, my urge to use the bathroom.That got a few chuckles.Raven had already known that the kind of person Andrea is, she would never have tolerated Rick's leadership, she would've left at some point, most likely with Amy and Dale.Thank God she got them in her group.But back to other matters.She heard a twig snap and looked to see a walker coming out of the woods approaching them.She sighed as she rose.Raven: Alright everybody, you know the drill. Where there's one there's more, so best we get movin' now.Everyone nodded and rose, throwing away their empty cans.Well, not like they had to worry about pollution anymore.Daryl: 'Ey, I got it.She gave her husband an affirmative nod while he left to go stab the walker through its skull with a crossbow arrow.  And they were on the road again.Raven was pretty glad they still had the RV honestly, given they had a bathroom along with a small shower.Which at this point were luxuries.Dale was pretty insistent that perhaps they could find another RV, so they could have two. Which would be a blessing because it would offer up more space should they come across and let anyone else join the group.The rides were normally quiet, but conversations happened here and there.Raven, Dale, Andrea, Amy, Carol, Sophia, Merle, Caesar, and Lucille were in the RV, Daryl on his motorcycle in front of them, and Kyle, Pete, and Mitch in Kyle's SUV behind them.At the moment Andrea was recalling one of Amy's birthday parties she hadn't missed, the one where she had some kind of falling out with their mother and leaving in the middle of the party. Amy hadn't been happy Andrea left, but she understood why. Their father was a good man, and their mother was good, but could be very overbearing at times. Apparently she'd set extremely high expectations for Amy that Andrea hadn't liked.Amy had just graduated from college about three months before all this and had just started med school, so learning she did have a little medical knowledge would come in handy.Of course everyone in the group had things to offer that made this group function.Raven being their leader, her husband essentially her second in command, albeit he seemed to do so reluctantly like he didn't want the role. She'd ask him about it later, and if not, she'd give it to Merle, and then if he didn't want it, well, most likely between Andrea and Mitch.Dale was pretty much the father figure of the group, always giving some words of guidance and wisdom that had already helped Raven with where the group was going and what they were doing. He and Amy acted like the moral compasses, always keeping the groups morality and humanity in check.Merle, Caesar, and Mitch were the muscle of the group, physically among the best of the groups fighters, and then Lucille and Kyle were both very good strategists, which complemented the other three.Daryl mostly hunted, and was successful, normally always bringing back at least a few squirrels, or a possum, hell even a skunk once, Raven never thought skunk meat could taste so good.Carol and Sophia pretty much kept tabs on their supplies and rations, rationing as much as possible so that they'd have enough food to last them all a while.Andrea meanwhile was, in Raven's opinion, the best damn sniper she'd ever seen. She's already seen her shoot down around twenty walkers, all perfect headshots between the eyes. Boy she's glad she taught Andrea how to use guns before all this, hell she's glad she knew Andrea before all this. Not to mention Raven honestly liked her attitude, the other woman wasn't stuck up, but she damn sure knew what she was doing.Kyle was of course the doctor, so mostly he kept check of everyone's physical and mental well-being.Then Pete, well, having only one leg now, everyone was mostly being overprotective, relegating him to minimal duties. When he did do anything though, it was helping to map out where they'd go next.Which was actually pretty important in reality, since...where the hell would they go?Raven knew they couldn't do this forever, it wasn't sustainable. They needed to find some place long term, just to take a good breather before picking up and moving on to find something permanent.Which led her back to now.Dale slowed to a stop behind Daryl, who'd stopped, looking at a cabin off to the side, through the woods a little.It was big enough to house a larger group like theirs, so Raven decided she would chance it.Raven: Let's get over there. We can rest there for the night.Dale nodded, starting to turn onto a path towards the cabin, Daryl already having done so, clearly he was going to scout it out before giving the all clear.Kyle's SUV following.Andrea: What is it?Dale: Looks like an old cabin. Big enough to fit all of us.Andrea: It's good for a rest stop. Not long term though. I don't quite like the location, too easy for walkers to sneak up from behind.A point everyone seemed to agree with.Though as they pulled up closer to the cabin, the door opened and some older man exited with a rifle, not raised to fire thankfully.A couple other men followed him out onto the porch, followed by a ginger haired woman, a pregnant black woman, an older Hispanic man, and a girl who must've been his daughter who looked at least thirteen.Daryl was already off his bike, crossbow at the ready, but Raven shook her head through the window.Might as well see if these people are friendly enough.Soon they parked, and Raven exited the RV first, followed by Merle, Caesar, Andrea, Amy, Carol, Sophia, Lucille, and Dale. Then Kyle exited his car, with Mitch also coming over while supporting his brother.???: Good evenin', you folks lost?Raven: No sir, just out on the road, lookin' for a place to stop for the night.The man nodded.???: Well you're welcome to stay here for the night. (Offers a friendly smile). I'm Peter.He turned to his group, gesturing to each.Peter: This is my nephew Nick, and his boyfriend Luke. That's Rebecca, Jane, then Carlos and his daughter Sarah. Raven nodded in greeting.Raven: Raven Dixon. That there is my husband Daryl, and that abomination to my right is my dumbass brother-in-law Merle.Merle faked an offended scoff, but she just rolled her eyes and continued on.Raven: Then that's his boyfriend Caesar. And then that's Kyle, Lucille, Mitch and his brother Pete, Andrea and her sister Amy, Carol and her daughter Sophia, and Dale.Peter for his part seemed surprised by there being thirteen people in their group, but quickly shook it off, seemingly happy to have this many other people joining them.Peter: Nice to meet y'all.Dale: Likewise.Pete: Y'all look like you've been through shit.Raven: Really? Huh, no wonder Merle smells worse than usual.Merle: Goddammit woman...Daryl meanwhile was trying not to laugh at his wife's quips.Peter simply chuckled.Peter: I can tell you're quite a hoot.Raven: I get the feelin' that it takes one to know one.Peter: Right you'd be. Although we'd best get inside for now, sun's settin', and it gets more active after dark, even though we've avoided it for the past couple weeks, probably cause it's been warmer.For the most part everyone tuned out his rambling and went inside the cabin for the night.  Well after tonight.Raven could say this group was alright.Peter was a nice old man, even if he tended to ramble on and on at times.Nick was pretty gruff and more quiet but he was nice, he was similar to Daryl sort of.Luke meanwhile was more like Amy, albeit less comical and a bit more down to earth. Also he was much less meddling, though she'd never admit that she loved Amy for that.Rebecca was wary of them but polite, though it was clear she wasn't worried about herself or anything, rather her incoming baby, so Raven understood.Carlos was a bit more like Lucille, he was somewhere in the middle, but kind. Plus he got along with Kyle and they devolved into their own conversation surrounding all types of medical related topics. They also discussed the research Jenner left to Kyle, so Kyle finally got to start on that, and with extra help.Sarah was a very quiet girl, and timid. She was nice too, but Raven honestly didn't think the girl was going to survive much longer, unlike Sophia. Raven could look in Sarah's eyes and see that her will to continue diminished on the daily.Then there was Jane.Who was that one bitch of the group.Well Merle was pretty much the bastard of Raven's group, except with him it was purely funny and loveable, but with Jane...she was just an utter bitch, a two faced one at that.Raven also didn't like how she'd bat eyes at Luke, who was clearly gay and only had eyes for his boyfriend Nick, and Nick seemed oblivious to Jane's behavior there.Raven decided if that wasn't stopped then and there, Jane was going to end up going full crazy bitch mode later.Bottom line, everyone here was on her good side so far, except Jane.
*Raven dislikes Jane*
  Daryl meanwhile was having a conversation (a rather one sided one) with Peter.He only tuned back in at a certain question.Peter: Say I remember your last name from somewhere...Dixon...oh, yeah, I knew a Will Dixon and his brother Jess. They relatives of yours.Daryl: (Evenly). Yeah...Peter: Honestly Will was an asshole, but his brother was alright. Say, whatever happened to 'em?Daryl: ...Dad was murdered years back, uncle Jess was with me and Merle at the start, he got bit. He turned later on, had to put him down.Peter took in that information.Peter: I'm sorry about your uncle.Daryl took a little pleasure in the fact that the man completely disregarded his miserable, lowlife excuse of a father.Uncle Jess had been good though, more of a father figure to him and Merle than dad ever was. Uncle Jess had been kind, of course he had a foul mouth but what Dixon didn't? But he was nice, cared a lot about them, and dad even if dad didn't reciprocate that care. The man had been too kind for his own good, which is probably why he was dead.Amy was like that too, but she was able to actually survive and adapt thanks to Kyle saving her, uncle Jess hadn't had that chance. Plus she had Andrea and Dale, and everyone else including him and Merle.Hell even Dale was more of a father to him and Merle than Will could've ever hoped to be, not that he ever did of course, he tended to use the knife or the whip a lotta the time.He never went as far as to molest him or anything, thank God, but there was a night he came home really hammered and it had been close.But enough about his past suffering and uncle Jess' death.Peter: Ya know I really had an eye for Jess.Daryl: ... makin' it sound like ya wanted ta fuck him.Peter: (Grins). Meanwhile cue Merle walking in on the conversation and looking at Peter with his mouth agape like a pufferfish for a minute.Until he shook himself.Merle: Hold the hell up, ya fucked our uncle? How the hell did Will not know?Peter: Why would he? Besides while I was happy at the thought of somethin' more, Jess was just curious, and I was more than happy to be his first experience.Merle groaned.Merle: ...I need a damn drink. What's the strongest ya got here?Peter: Some kind of Vodka.Merle: Fuck it, I don't care, I'll take it.Okay.That ended this very odd conversation.But really, they didn't need to know that.  Sophia spent time with Sarah.Learning some about her.She did learn that Sarah's mother was the first walker she'd ever seen, which Sophia felt bad about. She couldn't even imagine how she'd react if her mom became one of them.Sarah: Mom worked as a waitress at a restaurant in Savannah. I think she got bit by a customer who looked like he was sleeping at his table. She turned the next morning, I got up for school, and when I saw her coming out of the living room I ran back to my room. I could hear her try and attack dad, but I'm pretty sure he stabbed her with a pair of scissors.Sophia: Oh...I'm sorry. Sarah: It's okay. Oh, hey, your mom seems very nice, but where's your dad?Sophia: dead.Sarah: ...I shouldn't have asked, sorry.Sophia: Don't be, dad was horrible. He always yelled at us to do whatever he wanted. He always hit mom for no reason, and I'm pretty sure he assaulted her sexually a few times. He tried to get me, but mom never let him. She was planning to take me and we were going to leave him, but then this happened.Sarah: That's horrible. I had a cousin who was similar, and he was a murderer, but he was in prison. I think he's dead now. I'm glad that my dad isn't like that.Sophia: thanks, and I am too.
*Sophia and Sarah are now friends*
Sarah: So how did your dad die?Sophia: We were at a quarry at a camp at first. But we got attacked by walkers. Ms. Amy almost died, but Mr. Kyle saved her. My dad was running from a horde of them but he tripped, (smiles darkly), and they ripped into him. I cheered when he died.Sarah looked a bit unnerved at that admission but nodded.Sarah: From what you told me, I don't blame you.Silence.Sarah: Were there any other kids?Sophia: Oh, there was Meghan, she was super nice. She got bit when our camp was attacked though, she came back the next morning. Then there was Carl, he was nice too. But we were hiding under cars on a highway when a herd came through, and he ran into the woods when a couple of walkers saw him. When we were at a farm where these people were keeping walkers in a barn, he was one of the walkers that came out.Sarah gasped and looked both shocked and appalled.Sarah: Why did they keep those...things, in a barn?Sophia: The man who owned the land, Mr. Hershel, he had family who died and turned. His son, stepson, and daughter-in-law were in the barn, and he thought they could be cured.Sarah: Oh...but there's no cure for them.Sophia: True. But Mr. Kyle had that research, and your dad and Ms. Lucille are helping, so maybe there will be a cure someday.Sarah: I hope so.  Then Amy, Andrea, Luke, and Nick talked in the kitchen.Carol was talking to Rebecca in an adjacent room.Amy: So how long have you been together?Luke: (Smiles). Oh, we started dating about seven months ago. Amy: Interesting...Andrea: Amy...no meddling.Amy: Now dear sister, I'd never do such a thing.The sarcasm gave away the lie.Andrea just rolled her eyes at her sister's antics.Andrea: How long have you all been here?Luke hummed in thought.Luke: Well we've been here since the start, mainly because this is one of uncle Peter's places he loved to hunt before all this. Rebecca came with her boyfriend a few weeks later, then Jane, Carlos, and Sarah several days after that. We've had few walkers so far, but I think they're increasing in number now.Andrea: Because their food source in the city is running out, so they're moving to the countryside.Amy: Question of curiosity: what's up with Jane?Luke: (Grimaces). Well uh...she was pretty good initially, but...at some point she started making advances towards me, I told her I wasn't interested in women in general and assumed that problem was over.Andrea raised a brow, while Nick looked to Luke suddenly, looking somewhat angry.Nick: And...does she still make advances towards you?Luke only nods.Nick: Behind my back? And you never told me this?Luke: She was already told I'm gay and in a relationship with you. I assumed it was over when I told her. And why would I tell you that? You know I've only got eyes for you.Nick: Not her?Luke: Do not make me go into some long drawn out talk about how lady parts are revolting.He sighs and gives the two a glance.Luke: Sorry, no offense.Andrea: None taken.Amy: Besides something tells me your eyes will be somewhere else tonight.Andrea: Amy...Amy: Hey, when the opportunity presents itself, I do the smart thing, I don't squander it.Andrea just sighs.This'll be the norm for the rest of their lives.Watching her sister meddle with...well, anything she can possibly meddle with....But it's that or she not have her sister at all.And she'll always choose the former.  The rest of the night was calm and quiet when everyone went to bed.Carol actually got along well with Rebecca, who was mostly glad to see a single mother, which Rebecca knew she'd be later.There were a decent number of walkers outside, but the doors were blocked off along with the windows being shut and covered up, so no worries there.No one was aware of Jane plotting out a last ditch effort to woo Luke.  Everyone rose at seven the next morning, the sun was coming up, the walkers had moved on, aside from a couple of strays.Which were dealt with by Daryl and Nick, who seemed to be getting along good.Hell if Raven didn't know any better, she'd swear they were related, except Nick lacked the vest and the crossbow.Peter made a suggestion that they all go on a run before Raven and her group leave, which Raven agreed to.So the group of Raven, Daryl, Merle, Peter, Luke, Andrea, Carlos, Sophia, and Sarah (who volunteered, wanting to be helpful somehow) gathered up ready to hit up a site nearby where a carnival was set up.They probably had some supplies there.Before they left, Jane walked up to Luke and kissed him, but he pushed her away immediately.Nick was clearly infuriated, but seemed to keep his cool given how Luke hadn't been at all receptive to the kiss.Luke went off on Jane and made it clear he would never have any attraction to her, and that was it.Afterwards the assembled group left on foot.Leaving behind the others at the cabin, which included a deeply saddened and now resigned Jane.  Raven cursed their luck.As soon as they got to the carnival grounds, a horde came from nowhere before they could get to searching.So they rushed inside a smaller building.Raven found a way out through an open hatch on the roof.Eventually everyone climbed out, except Sarah.Sophia went back down inside, talking to Sarah before slapping her hard and telling her that this was the reality now, so suck it up and move on.She forcefully pulled Sarah out with them, thankfully getting out before the door got broken in.They all then jumped off the roof and proceeded on a mad dash out.As they were running, some old strongman game chose the most convenient time to collapse.It wasn't until they were about to round the corner that everyone noticed Sarah wasn't with them.Raven turned around, seeing Sophia rushing back for Sarah, who was trapped under that carnival game.She and the others went back to help too.But it was too late.By the time Sophia got there, Sarah was screaming as a walker took a bite from her neck, another took a bite from one of her arms.Carlos: SARAH!!Andrea sniped the walkers, taking down a few including the ones who bit the little girl.But by the time they got there Sarah already lost too much blood, and she passed away.Before Carlos could break down over his daughter's death, Sophia took out a small axe and brought it down on Sarah's skull, preventing her from coming back.Raven wasn't even surprised.Afterwards, the group continues.Carlos didn't come with them though, and Raven turned to look back as he just stood motionless, staring at his daughter's body, before the horde reached him and started biting into him and ripping him apart.They were forced to keep going, already losing two members.Then they got split up because a large ferris wheel fell in their way.She reunited with Daryl and Luke, but Merle, Andrea, and Peter were still unaccounted for.Eventually they heard shouting, over near one of the rollercoasters, and rushed over.They found Pete on one side, trying to fend off walkers, and Merle and Andrea on the other.Merle was the one who made a decision on what action to take when a walker sank its teeth into Peter's abdomen from behind.He jumped to the other side of the coaster, down to help Peter.As soon as he killed that walker, another came from the side and sunk its teeth into Merle's right hand.He seemed to hold in a cry of pain, then killed the walker.Meanwhile another horde was coming at them from their side, and Peter, knowing he was a dead man anyway, promptly ran right towards and into them.His sacrifice bought enough time for Merle to take out a machete he was carrying, lay his hand across a fallen cart, and chop it off.Andrea tried sniping, but the walkers were too many.Merle just yelled for them to go.Raven didn't want to.Really she didn't.He was one of her brothers, not in blood, but as good as.But...what could they do? He was too far, especially seeing as he started running off in a random direction without glancing back.So there was nothing they could do.Andrea came down, giving her a sad look and shake of the head.Raven didn't want to leave her dumbass brother-in-law God damn it, but she had to for now.She had no idea where he was going anyway.Daryl was clearly hurt though, worried, internally freaking out.Raven: Baby, come on, I don't wanna go either, but we got no choice. We'll find him later, of better yet he'll find us.Daryl looked extremely against it, but nodded, knowing his wife was right.So in the end they rushed out of that hellstorm.Three members dead.Merle not accounted for.And Raven, Daryl, Andrea, Luke, and Sophia escaping back to the cabin.  The return was very somber.The rest of the group, minus Jane, was waiting for them outside the cabin.Caesar looked around, now looking shocked, noticing Merle was missing.Caesar: Rave...That's what they all called her for short.Raven sighed.Raven: Dumbass got himself bit tryin' to save Peter. Chopped his hand off afterwards. Then he ran off. He's alive, but we don't know where.Caesar only slightly relaxed at that, though everyone in Raven's group who hadn't gone with them looked very worried about their missing member.Rebecca: What about Peter? Raven just shook her head.Nick: Carlos and Sarah?Sophia: Sarah hesitated to keep moving. If she hadn't then maybe she'd have seen that falling carnival game and avoided getting trapped under it. She got bit after that, I put her down.Carol: ...Carol just looked mortified that Sophia had to lose yet another friend she'd made. Even worse, she'd put said friend down before they could turn.Raven sympathized.Andrea: Carlos just froze after that, and a horde we were running from got him, Peter was gone not long after that.Luke looked around, taking note of a...certain absence.Luke: Where is Jane?Rebecca: Uh...inside, as far as we know.Which is when Raven decided to go in, getting an odd feeling.She soon entered the living room to find Jane, a rope around her neck, and her body hanging from a ceiling fan.A knocked over stool made it obvious she committed suicide.For what?? Raven damn sure knows it wasn't cause she couldn't handle the new world....Wait...This was because Luke openly rejected her......You gotta be fucking kidding.Jane's eyes snapped open, eyes dull and empty, and she began snarling, having reanimated.Raven scoffed, taking out her gun before putting a bullet between her eyes.She then went back out and looked furious, must've shown given some looked at her warily.Raven: It seems Jane decided to end her miserable excuse of an existence after your public rejection. Bitch hung herself.Luke gaped, looking shocked but not exactly sad. If anything he started looking angry.Luke: She killed herself because I rejected her? Are you freaking kidding me?Raven: Unfortunately no.Everyone then went inside and verified it, Rebecca especially got pissed after finding Jane's apparent suicide note, which basically said it was Luke's fault that she'd chosen this route. The pregnant woman swore up and down that she hoped the woman went straight to hell for that alone, which everyone seemed to agree with, even Dale, though he didn't voice it.Though after that, it prompted a conversation.Rebecca threw the note into the fireplace, then turned to Raven.Rebecca: What do we do now?Raven: We?Rebecca nodded.Rebecca: It's only me, Luke, and Nick now. Without Peter, we just... we're lost here. We need direction, and clearly you can give it. So yes, what do we do?Raven briefly applauded the fact that the woman had good sense, and she cared for Luke and Nick....Well, might as well.Not like the three of them had a reason to stay here anymore.Raven: Get whatever things are your most valuable, that includes any supplies you might have, and let's load up. We'll look for Merle along the way, make several stops.Rebecca nodded in agreement before moving to complete that task.She wasn't sure what was in store for Luke, Nick, or herself.But it was far better than staying here and withering away.  They left an hour later.Luke had his own truck, one with five seats, so a plus. Rebecca joined him and Nick in the truck.And once everyone was packed, they departed.Raven and her group, particularly her, Caesar, and Daryl, were highly worried about Merle.But...there was no chance he was even around there anymore, so no point in staying there and trying to search.Well...this was a whole ass toilet of shit.And Raven knew it was an understatement to say that they'd just sat on it.Now wasn't that a metaphor. 
Character Deaths:

Jess Dixon (prior to this story) (bitten on the left forearm) (reanimated) (put down by Daryl Dixon)
Sarah's mother (prior to this story) (died from infection) (reanimated) (put down by Carlos)
Rebecca's unnamed boyfriend (presumed dead) (unknown if reanimated or not)
Sarah (trapped under fallen debris) (bitten in the neck and arm by walkers) (died from blood loss) (put down by Sophia Peletier before reanimation)
Carlos (ripped apart by walkers) (unknown if there was enough left of him to reanimate)
Peter (ran into a horde of walkers to buy Merle Dixon time to escape) (unknown if there was enough left of him to reanimate)
Jane (committed suicide by hanging herself) (reanimated) (put down by Raven Dixon)
 
Unconfirmed:

Merle Dixon (Bitten on the right hand) (right hand amputated to prevent infection) (ran off in a different direction to escape a horde of walkers) (missing)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Eight months.That's how long they've been on the move now.The group had its ups and downs.Not long after leaving the cabin, the group came across a place that sold RVs and travel trailers. Dale had been excited when one still had gas and was still running, so the group added another vehicle to their midst.Made it easier for Rebecca, given the RV meant dealing with a less bumpy ride at times.Sophia, Raven noticed, hadn't exactly become cold, but she had become colder. Still caring and all, but far more willing than most to go through with things others would view as difficult or impossible. The girl was forced to grow up fast. Which having lost three friends now, it was expected.The group still hadn't found Merle. In all that time, they even went back and searched the carnival once, but...nothing.Not a trace.They had found Peter's remains, and Carlos', though thankfully neither ever reanimated.Though as the group continued, someone was bound to lose their life.Unfortunately it had been Rebecca.It hadn't been but a couple weeks into their journey when the group had stopped to rest at a camp.Nick had been with Rebecca and Amy, the three scavenging one of the main cabins.A walker, a child at that, must've crawled out from under a desk in another room, as it had snuck up on them, and proceeded to take a bite from Rebecca's shoulder.Amy killed it afterwards, but it had been useless.What made it worse was that she hadn't had her child yet.Raven had grown to like Rebecca, the other woman had a certain fire that was starting to come out, she ended up being one of their smartest members in the short time she survived with them.Rebecca had shot herself to prevent her own reanimation.Nick beat himself up over it a lot, blaming himself for not being thorough enough in making sure no walkers had been around.No one blamed him though.Rebecca and her unborn child were subsequently buried at that camp, and the group just kept moving on.Dale had grown fond of Luke, Nick, and Rebecca, so he was one of the members that took it the worst. But bless the man's heart, he somehow soldiered on.When Andrea asked him about it once, Dale simply told them it was something he learned from his time with Jamie.Eventually, everything dies.It's just a matter of when and how.Raven admired that, she had her own thoughts there. Her mindset was essentially 'assume that everyone you know is going to die'. Maybe it seems harsh but, at least she won't be destroyed or surprised if those deaths do happen.Or maybe that's just her.But the group continued, in circles clearly.Luke and Nick did become the supply runners for the group, which worked out since they did at some point bring back quite a few cans of vegetable beef soup, Spaghetti and meatballs, more Spaghetti-o's, green beans, peas, etc. Which upped their food supplies.Oh and another big thing...She swore this would never have happened otherwise but...Goddamit she was pregnant herself.Raven was fourth months along now, and it was really starting to show.It happened while she and Daryl were just checking over a house for walkers (no they weren't gonna be stupid about it), and they didn't have any condoms, so...yeah...Unfortunately that had the effect of everyone, including Daryl, minus Kyle, Lucille, Andrea, and Amy, being overprotective of her.The latter four weren't cause they knew it would piss her off and she'd eventually start snapping at people for it.Dale kinda was too, but only to an extent because he could clearly tell she didn't like it.Though she knew they were mostly only acting this way because of what happened with Rebecca.She'd tried to raise her annoyance over it to her husband, but he just ignored it and agreed with them.Damn it.But...her fault for choosing to have sex with her husband knowing they had no condoms, so she figured she'd made her grave, therefore she'd lie in it.Not literally of course. 
*Raven is pregnant*
 Though while out on the road, they did make a stop outside of Atlanta, bringing back memories for the core group of those they'd lost near the start.But they moved on.To Raven's surprise, they ran into, of all people, Amanda Shepherd, aka Kyle's sister, and her partner Licari.Kyle had been both highly surprised and extremely relieved. Given he'd been under the impression that both Amanda and Licari died during the bombings.And so Amanda, not so surprisingly, elected to stay with their group, and by extension so did Licari, who it seemed went wherever she did.Though Amanda did tell them of a group the two left. There was one at Grady apparently, run by an officer Dawn Lerner, who according to Licari was a very mentally unstable control freak under the delusion that someone would come save them.Licari expressed that the two of them had just had enough of Dawn, so they packed up what little they had and left.Raven wasn't sure of their skill sets, but Licari was physically a big threat, and Amanda seemed to be a very good shot, so their contributions would be welcome. 
*Amanda Shepherd has joined the group*

*Christopher Licari has joined the group*

*The group has learned about the survivors at Grady Memorial*
 Carol had become a very good shot herself. Although she once landed a shot close to Mitch's feet. She of course apologized for that, although only half meaning it since the shot stayed far enough away from Mitch.Raven just cackled about that the day she was told, but otherwise they dropped that incident.  At some point they stopped on a familiar road.Certainly proved they were going in circles.Multiple times over.Which resulted in them gathering out around the front of Kyle's SUV, a map laid out on the hood.Lucille: Could we try west?Amanda: No. The town that was there was destroyed by the military. Christopher and I checked.Caesar: Well we can't head east.Andrea: There's that herd on an interstate bypass to the south. When that one meets up with this one we'll be cut off.Raven: Wonderful, screwed, and not in a good way.Dale shook his head.Dale: So we look through these woods. We just haven't been thorough enough.Raven nodded.Well, it was worth a shot.Raven: Alright. Everybody have your weapons at the ready, let's search. Call out if you find anythin'.Everyone nodded and split up to search the forest.Dale, Lucille, Nick, Pete, and Amanda stayed to watch the vehicles.Andrea went with Amy, Caesar with Luke, Mitch with Kyle, Licari with Carol and Sophia, and Raven with Daryl.  Raven: Sorry we haven't found Merle.That was the start of the conversation as they walked through the woods, searching.Daryl grunted.Daryl: Stop doin' that.Raven: Doin' what?Daryl: You're doin' that thing where you blame yourself for it. Ain't your fault.Raven: I'm the one that agreed to go on that damn supply run. Caesar already blames me. He never says it or acts like it, but I can see it in his eyes every time he looks at me now.Daryl: He don't blame ya, he's just worried 'bout Merle. (Snorts). But Merle's alright, just know. We're Dixons, can't nothin' kill us but us.Raven nodded slowly, although clearly not taking most to heart right now.Had she not agreed on that supply run, Merle wouldn't have been bit, he wouldn't have had to remove his own hand, wouldn't have run off and vanished either. Peter wouldn't have been bitten, Carlos and Sarah wouldn't be dead, Jane would still be dead but to hell with her.Then again, had she and the others just left, Peter and his whole group likely would've died, Luke and Nick wouldn't be here then.People were too valuable nowadays....Most of them.At least, she hopes so.But she knows Daryl had a point.Hell Merle could probably be run over by a tank and come out of it without any injuries, he could tank a damn tank. Okay not really, but the point still stands that Merle is the only one that can kill Merle.She just hopes he's okay, wherever he is.But they will find him, one day.They fell into a semi comfortable silence afterwards.Eventually coming out at a clearing, looking out to see a prison.Daryl stares for a minute and shakes his head.Daryl: A damn shame.But as soon as he turns and sees her face, he knows he's lost this one already.Raven manages a grin.Raven: This'll do damn fine. 
*The group has found the prison*
  Regathering at the vehicles, everyone was informed about the prison, and Amanda remarked it had always been there.Only after that does Raven realize that this area wasn't far from where they left Rick and his half of the group over eight months ago....It was here the whole time??.........Well fuck her life. Why did this always happen?Regardless, everyone drove the cars and RVs to the outside of the fences, before cutting through one portion, and getting in.Mitch sealed it up, and they moved forward.The yard was overrun, and the areas closer to the interior were too, but they could work with this.Raven: Okay, here's the plan: Daryl and Caesar, y'all will run for the gate, get it closed and secured until we keep going further tomorrow. Kyle, Lucille, Luke, Licari, and Sophia, y'all stab 'em through the fences. Andrea, Amanda, Carol, and Nick, snipe 'em from the tower here. Then Amy, stay with Pete. Pete looked a bit sour at being once again left out, but having only one leg meant he couldn't do much. If they can get him a prosthetic or something close then yeah, but for now no.He didn't like it, but he understood.Everyone nodded and left to their positions.Raven opened the gate, letting Daryl and Caesar rush in before closing it. Much of the group stabbed walkers through the fences.Some sniped them from above.Nick did end up almost hitting Caesar's leg, but missed.The latter looked up at him with an annoyed frown, the former remained blank faced but his tone was slightly embarrassed.Nick: Sorry.Raven just snickered and ignored it.Eventually Daryl and Caesar got to the gate and secured it, then Daryl went into the other tower and cleared it.Most of the remaining walkers in the yard were sniped by Andrea, but the others got hits in.The result was the same.One area cleared.Now they could rest for the night before continuing on tomorrow.Seeing as they'd be moving inside the prison tomorrow. Well not her, given Daryl wouldn't let her do that, so she'd have to wait.  The group gathered around a small bonfire that night.It was cool outside, but not too cool.Andrea was leaning on Pete, much to her sister's smugness, and Mitch sat close to Kyle, Luke cuddled with Nick, and Daryl embraced her from behind.Dale was crouched down, looking at everyone in their group.Dale: This place...this can work....Raven nodded, allowing it since it was the perfect place to settle for a little while, at least until she had her baby, before they moved on.But it wasn't permanent.Andrea agreed.Andrea: Yeah. We've got the fences for a first defense, the towers as watchpoints, the yard here for crops, maybe even a couple animals if possible. It's a great setup. For the short term anyway.Nick: What do you mean? We could make this home.That was said more as a question though.Andrea shook her head, giving Raven a glance.Andrea: When their baby is born, would you want him or her to grow up...here? At a prison? New world or not, staying here the rest of our lives isn't really an appealing idea.Nick looks at Raven briefly before he concedes.Nick: Good point. And no, I wouldn't.Amy: We could stay here for months though. Wouldn't have to leave until after the baby's born.Luke: Are you betting on a boy or girl?Raven slightly perks up at that.She and Daryl had discussed it in like one or two sentences, so it'd be nice to hear everyone else's input.Amy: A girl, and a girl it will be.Luke: How do you know?Amy: Call it women's intuition.Nick hums.Nick: I'm bettin' on a girl too, and the name...Adeline, maybe.Lucille: (Rolls her eyes). Nope, Diana.Nick: But that's so simple...Raven: So are you. Besides, I talked about this as a teenager, with Lucille and Kyle many, many years back. If I were to ever have a baby, it would be a girl and I'd name her Diana. I just wanted it sweet and simple.Everyone nods, respecting her wishes there.The conversation reverts back to their original topic.Amy: And... we're pushing in more tomorrow, aren't we?Raven: Yeah. Daryl, Caesar, Mitch, Nick, Andrea, and you will push into the courtyard as a group tomorrow. Just be careful.Amy: We will.Dale hummed.Dale: I suspect this prison is overrun with walkers from outside the prison. I did see one earlier, in civilian clothing, not a jumpsuit.Raven sighed.Raven: Meanin' there's a breach somewhere. Shit. Well, gonna have to wait till tomorrow.Carol: Agreed. For now, let's just rest.  They started again the next morning.The group Raven chose went in to clear the courtyard.They made good progress quickly, and Andrea got a riot shield along the way. Though they stopped suddenly, and encountered walkers in riot gear, which protected their heads.Amy found the weak spot though, stabbing them under the chin, right up under their helmets, and that threat was short lived.Eventually they came back after a discussion.Daryl confirmed there was indeed a breach somewhere, although some walkers were now locked into a small area just past that next tower.Though when they regrouped and went in, Raven decided to risk it.Gotta take risks like this sometimes, they can pay off later in ways you wouldn't expect.They unlocked that closed in area, and the walkers flooded out.Though thankfully due to the group's sheer number, and everyone's own skills and such, including Licari and his height, they made quick work of those walkers, with Daryl taking out most which were meant for her.She had no issue with that, she was pregnant after all, and she'd rather not be bitten while pregnant.Though they proceeded inside the prison.They found one cell block almost cleared out, only a few cells had walkers which were quickly put down.So everyone started moving into the cells, not the best but hey, a bed was a bed.The arrangements were predictable.While Raven took a cell on the upper level, Daryl opted to sleep on the floor outside on the walkway, apparently he didn't like the idea of sleeping in that kind of confined space.Dale and Pete shared a cell, since Andrea was taking one with Amy, and Mitch with Kyle.Then Lucille and Caesar, Luke and Nick, Carol and Sophia, and Amanda and Licari.Everyone rested, though only for a few hours at most, and even then Daryl only slept for thirty minutes before he was back up, keeping an eye out.There were no surprises.Yet.  Sophia: we could use these??Sophia gestured to gloves she was holding, but something from the walkers oozed from them.She didn't hide a grimace.Daryl: Nuh uh.Luke: We could boil them...Though even he looked against that.Daryl scoffed.Daryl: Hell no, I ain't wearin' that shit. We've got this far without 'em.Luke nodded.Luke: True.Daryl looked up to Raven above, who simply shook her head and inclined her head, passing on the message of 'I'm putting you in charge here'.As much as he didn't want to sideline his wife, Daryl knew he had to. She was pregnant now, and couldn't do too much until after the baby was born.After Rebecca...Daryl just really didn't want to risk it.Plus Merle was still missing.Not that he didn't have faith in the others to help look after her, it's just that he and Merle were always kind of the main line of defense for her, except half of that line was gone now, which had Daryl extra alert.But back to their current situation.Daryl looked between the group as he got his crossbow ready.Daryl: 'Ey. Caesar, Mitch, Andrea, Lucille, and Luke, I'm gonna scout out further, try to find the cafeteria. Y'all with me?It was a silent understanding, the group's leadership.If Raven was out of commission for the time being, leadership went to Daryl until she recovered. If he didn't take it or was unavailable, leadership fell to Andrea. 
*Raven has temporarily stepped down from being leader of the group*

*Daryl has become the leader of the group*

*Andrea has become co-leader of the group*
 Andrea: Of course.The rest just nodded.Amy looked at her sister and seemed to take a deep breath out.Amy: Please be careful.Andrea: I will be. Dale: Alright. You all come back safe, okay?Daryl: (Rolls his eyes fondly). We'll be fine old man.With that, the group got ready, and departed to find the cafeteria.  Turns out, going about it like this had been unwise.Walkers surprised them around a corner, and they were forced to go back fast.The halls were complicated.Too easy to get lost.Thankfully they avoided getting split up.Eventually they reached a door, and Caesar managed to knock it open.They all rushed in before Daryl and Mitch forced the doors closed and found a pipe to keep the door blocked from opening.No one got bit or anything either.Another blessing to count.Lucille: We've severely underestimated this.Luke: How many was that?Andrea: I don't really want to find out, do you?Daryl: Gonna have to go back out there. Ain't no tellin' if them walkers will make their way back to our cell block.Most nodded.But Caesar stared over Daryl's shoulder at something, raising his gun.Caesar: Watch it.Daryl got out of his way, while also spinning around, arming his crossbow.Finding several guys looking back from behind a barred window, and judging from a large bag he could make out behind them, they'd found the cafeteria.???: Holy shit.And they were all wearing prison jumpsuits.Great.Just gets better and better.Said men, all seven, eventually came out.A Hispanic man, four black men, and two white men.???: Who the hell are you people?The Hispanic had a gun, causing Andrea to raise hers.Andrea: Drop it.Daryl didn't like how the Hispanic man's eyes looked her up and down, the white guy in glasses did the same, except he was more subtle.???: What's a pretty thing like you doin' in a place like this?Andrea meanwhile wasn't even intimidated or anything, clearly, just utterly annoyed.The groan made it obvious.Andrea: How many times has that line been used?Mitch and Luke meanwhile shielded Lucille from view. ???: Don't look like no rescue team.Daryl: Waitin' on that, may as well off yourself. Today's your lucky day fellas. You've been pardoned by the state of Georgia, you're free to go.???: Bunch of people breakin' into a place you got no business being in...got me thinkin' there ain't no place to go....Okay, he catches on fast, he's smart.But Daryl doesn't like him. 
*The group doesn't trust Tomas*

*The group dislikes Tomas*

*The group doesn't trust Thomas*

*The group dislikes Thomas*
 Andrea: Very astute observation.???: Why don't you and I take it somewhere else for a bit.The white guy with a mustache steps forward, waving his arms in a placating gesture.???: Uh...sorry 'bout him. He's just sore cause there ain't been no women around.???: Unless you count that fag behind Dexter.???: Wow, you can actually insult. How original, Tomas.The guy with the mustache sighs before gesturing to himself and the others in succession.???: Sorry. I'm Axel, that there's Tomas, then Thomas, Oscar, Dexter, Andrew, and Big Tiny.Daryl quickly notices that Axel seems genuine, his eyes don't give away any ulterior motive.He, Dexter, Andrew, Oscar, and Big Tiny weren't eyeing Andrea either, it was just Tomas and Thomas. 
*The group is neutral towards Axel, Dexter, Oscar, Andrew, and Big Tiny*
 Both of whom were already on Daryl's bad side here for that alone.This devolved into a whole conversation between the two groups, which also involved Daryl explaining how the world had gone to hell, explaining the walkers and about how everybody already has it, all that good shit.Tomas then tried to assert himself as the top dog afterwards, but Daryl wasn't having it.So when said man attempted to rush forward after Daryl took his gun, he got a bullet through the skull from Andrea's rifle.Thomas then tried rushing Andrea, but she quickly kneed him in the groin before taking out her knife and stabbing him through the brain. 
*Andrea has killed Tomas and Thomas*
 The other five didn't even try to help the other two, if anything they all seemed relieved about this.Daryl: Ya ain't gonna try avengin' 'em or somethin'?Dexter looked at him and snorted.Dexter: Fuck no. Thomas followed Tomas around like he was the Mesiah or some bullshit, but we couldn't stand either one of 'em. Tomas was just a cub tryin' to act like a lion.Daryl couldn't help but smirk a bit at that remark, but sobered.Daryl: You five seem alright. We're willin' to give y'all a chance, but if ya blow it, we kill ya, got that?Axel: We understand. Besides if what you say about this infection shit is true, then there ain't nothing for us to leave for.Dexter: We'll earn our keep. Just tell us what we gotta do.Okay.They could work with this.Raven would be a better judge of character on them than even Daryl himself, but they'd do that when they got back.Although now the problem became how to get back.  
New Characters Met:

Amanda Shepherd
Christopher Licari
Dawn Lerner (offscreen) (mentioned only)
Tomas
Axel
Andrew
Thomas
Dexter
Oscar
Big Tiny
 
Character Deaths:

Rebecca (bitten on the shoulder by a walker) (shot herself in the head to prevent reanimation)
Rebecca's unborn child
Tomas (shot in the head by Andrea Harrison)
Thomas (stabbed in the head by Andrea Harrison)