4. Out Of Breath

I'm seated at the table along with Rick and Carl, we ate in silence. Beans and spam, I would of complained before, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. Hearing small thuds against the house as the walkers stumble past. It's dark and quiet inside the house. Only making small noise that the walkers won't pick up on. The dull pain in my head lingered but I pushed it down and slowly stood, taking quiet steps up the stairs and into the bedrooms, grabbing three blankets and pillows for us. We had decided to sleep down stairs, together so it was safer and easier to get out if something went wrong.

"Need a hand" Rick asked walking into the room.

"No, I got em" I said softly glancing over to him, my hands full.

"You alright Isabelle?" He asked taking some of the pillow off me.

I gave a small nod "Yeah.. I'm not used to being around people anymore. Or talking to them" I let out a chuckle.

Rick nodded along with me "It's alright. You'll get the hang of it again"

"Ah, yeah. Hopefully" My lips tugged into a light smile as I walked toward the door.

"Isabelle, try not to worry about it to much" He half smiled walking out and down the stairs.

"You can call me Bella, or Bell. My friends used too" My voice came out quiet almost like a whisper. But Rick still heard me and he nodded.

"Bella than" Rick placed the pillows down and I followed behind placing the blankets down. There was a loud thud at the door, my gaze shifted toward it as I reached for my knife, placed in it's pocket. "Shh" Rick raised his hand slightly.

I nodded not moving, hearing another thud against the window. And before we knew it the house was surrounded by walkers trying to break in. Panic takes over me as I glance to Rick. He nods his head toward the back door and starts moving slowly toward it. I'm close behind, Carl beside me as we walk. I stand on my tippy toes glancing out the window.

"How many?" Carl whispered. 

"Just under a dozen" I stand back flat on my feet and start pushing the dyer "We run for it and we just might make it"

"Just might?" Carl questions. 

"It's the best chance we have!" I say slightly raising my voice. 

"Or we could move up stairs? Lock the door and wait for everything to pass" Rick suggested.

"You gonna take your chances with that. I'll take my chances running for it" I shrugged lightly, my hand held the door handle as I took a deep breath and with my free hand held my knife tighter.

"Ready Carl" Rick looked to him as Carl nodded.

"Let's do this" I gave a small reassuring smile as I pulled open the door and starting running, stopping once and kicking a walker to the ground. My knife sliced through walkers as I ran, just enough to slow them down. The back gate was opened. We ran through that it leading us onto another street.

"Stay close" Rick said loudly as he ran in front of me, we ran faster Carl beside me. I stumbled a few times but always seemed to catch myself, we finally stop running a few blocks up. I fell to my knees catching my breath, my head started to throb again but I shook it off as much as I could and pushed myself off the ground.

"What now" I said between a deep breath, still panting.

"Now" Rick took one last deep breath "We find a car and keep moving"

"I don't know how much further I can go, I'm so tired" Carl shook his head lightly, panting.

"Alright. We need to find a safer place for the night" Rick looked around the street we had stumbled into.

"Pick a house. I've been through all these" I said finally getting my breath back.

"The closest one" Carl chuckled and starting walking toward it.

"Seems like a good idea to me" I said tiredly, walking off behind Carl. Rick just nodded walking beside me

The door was already opened as we walked up the three small steps "The locks broken" I said glancing at the door. "People must have past by after me" My thoughts found themselves thinking of those guys from earlier.

"It's alright. It'll do for the night" Carl shrugged, pushing a couch in front of the door once Rick stepped inside.

"I'll sleep down here. On the couch, yous two can sleep up stairs if ya want" Rick said sitting down on the couch.

I nodded and started to walk up the stairs. I stopped halfway and turned around "Night, Rick" I smiled before taking off, making my way into a bedroom

"Night Bella" Rick half smile watching me walk off.

I took a deep breath, laying down on the soft bed. Instantly my eyes fluttered shut and I slowly drifted into a heavy sleep.