3. The Herd

Rick turns a corner and my eyes widen as I see a large herd blocking the road, Rick slams on the breaks sending my body jolting forward.

"Shit" Rick mutters reversing back and spinning the car around, taking off fast back in the direction we had come from.

"We'll have to take the back streets" Carl said looking toward his dad.

I held the seatbelt tight "I've been around here long enough to know you ain't getting anywhere through those back streets. You'll end up back here" I said staring forward out the front window, swallowing hard. Rick slams on the break again and I'm sent jolting forward once more. The seatbelt than flinging me back against the seat.

"We're trapped" Carl looked around the area.

"That building to the left, on the count of three we run, get inside and kill anything that gets in ya way" Rick looked from Carl toward me. I nodded "Alright. One. Two. Three! Go"

I threw off my seatbelt and flung the door open rushing out and holding my knife up, the herd was getting closer, a few walkers only inches away. My knife drives easily through the skull of two before one grabs at my ankle almost pulling me down. But Carl covers me and shoots it straight in the head. I glance over to him wasting no time running again. Ricks behind me and Carl's in front. He kicks open the door and stumbles in. I feel a hand pressing against my back, pushing me to go faster. I don't bother to look because I know it's Rick. We run into the house and I trip over a box on the floor.

"You alright" Carl asked standing slightly over me out of breath.

I offer a small smile, panting "Yeah" I pull myself up "Just fine"

"We'll have to stay here the night" Rick said pushing the door closed as Carl pushed a bookshelf against it "Take of early in the morning. The herd should be mostly past by then"

I nod lightly throwing my back pack on the ground and shoving my knife into it's pocket "I'll get the back door"

"Hold up, I'll help" Carl jogs to catch up to me

"Thanks for back there." I pressed my lips together softly, locking the back door and pushing the dryer. Carl pulled as I pushed and together we got it sitting in front of the door.

"Don't mention it" He shrugged walking back toward his dad.

I took a deep breath, the dull throb in my head making itself known again. I lightly rubbed my forehead walking up stairs and taking out my knife, I walked into a bedroom. The walls were pink and everything seemed untouched in months. I walked around the bed, looking around the room as I heard a small thud from a door covered by a bookshelf. I slowly walk over to it and push the bookshelf over. I hold onto the handle of the door for a moment before opening it and stepping back. Holding my knife higher.

"Grrr" A small walker groans, walking toward me. I stare at it with a blank expression. It's only a child.

"I'm sorry" I kneel down and gently place my hand on the side of it's head as I push my knife into it's skull. Slowly lowering the lifeless body to the ground. A single tear escapes my eye, I just let it fall staring at the girl.

I heard foot steps and my head turns fast, I wipe away the tear seeing Rick standing at the door. He walks in, picks up the lifeless body, and carries it out not saying a word to me. I take a deep breath standing up and sitting down on the bed. I run my fingers through my oily hair, pushing it out of my face. This world was a cruel place, and it was only growing clearer to me now. Maybe it was because before I was alone? Each day was a blur. Always starting and finishing the same. But today? Today was different! Today I met people and now I was with them, going back to some place that was safe? Of course I had my doubt. But what did I have to live for? If I died who would miss me? Everyone I knew was already dead. My family, my friends. I don't even know why I was trying?! Why I hadn't already given up. I let out a loud sigh as I lay back on the bed, my hands softly rubbing the sides of my forehead as the throbbing grew. I closed my eyes letting my mind wander, slowly drifting off to sleep. As always I have that same dream, The one where, I'm laying down on a bed as my eyes flutter half open and I glance up seeing a person standing over me. I could never make out who this person was. But this time I saw it was a man, he had broad shoulders and was fairly tall, he spoke and I heard his voice clearly. My eyes opened wide and my breathing was heavy. I looked around the room but I was alone.