Tryin'

Charlie took a deep breath and checked the map again. He adjusted the compass and turned the map around until he knew exactly what his bearings were. He looked down to his left, where Kat had dropped to the forest floor. She lay on her back with her bony knees poking through her jeans, her arms spread-eagled.

            "It's really not that much further. Come on," he told her. There was no reply. "Seriously, come on! Get up!" He stuffed the map in his back pocket, compass swinging around his grimy neck, and grabbed hold of Kat by the wrist, hauling her up onto her feet. Tall for his fourteen years, he still had some growing to do to catch up with Kat. He drew what strength he had left to take her weight against him, then wrapping her arm over his thin shoulders, took a tight hold of her waist band. He marched them through the forest as he had done the last day and a half, with Kat leaning on him and dragging each step to get them where they need to be. Another hour and the trees began to thin out. He saw the glint of the steel metal wall up ahead and he finally thought that they might actually make it. They stumbled through the edge of the tree line, and rounded a burnt out church, weaving in between an odd assortment of vehicles left at odd angles to the road.

            "Freeze right where you're at!"

            Charlie turned and looked up at the guards, rifles aimed straight back at him. He let Kat slide back to the floor as gently as he could. The large sign beneath their post read - ALEXANDRIA SAFE ZONE - they'd made it.

            "This Alexandria? We were told we could find help here," he shouted up. The two guards, a lanky, dark haired man and a woman wearing a baseball cap exchanged looks.

Then the female shouted back: "Oh yeah? Who told you that?"

            "These two guys, awhile back now. They'd been following us, wanted us to come back here with them. We couldn't do it, but my sister is real sick and she needs help. Can you please help us?" Charlie watched, his eyes flicking from one guard to the other as they exchanged a quick discussion. Then the man disappeared down from their perch behind the fence. The woman looked back down at him lowering her rifle slightly.

            "What's wrong with her? Is she bit?"

            "No, no nothing like that," Charlie said, desperate that they would believe him. "She's just real sick, she's been like this for days now. She can't barely stand, and she won't keep her eyes open. We were told you guys had a doctor, people to help. Please can you help us?"

            "Who told you? How'd I know you ain't just faking?"

            "It was two guys, one of them was real tall and the other had, like, real long hair. They said they had this place that was a good place to go. We ain't faking… She… She's barely spoken today, she hasn't eaten in days, and she won't open her eyes. Please!" Charlie begged. His tone had turn desperate and he knew it. He didn't care though, just as long as he got some help for Kat.

             Charlie heard voices behind the tarpaulin gate and the female guard repeated back to them what he had told her. There was more debate, then finally he heard the sound of a metal bolt drawing back and the wheels squeak as the gates opened. He knelt down beside Kat and tried to sit her up getting her ready to stand. A blonde woman with glasses came up to him, followed by two others. One was the tall man who had originally invited them to Alexandria.

            "Hi, you say this woman is sick?"

            Charlie nodded.

            "Okay. I'm Denise. I'm going to look at her, and check she's all right. I want to make sure she's not bit."

            Charlie ran his hand through his scruffy hair. "She's not! She's not… I don't know what's wrong with her. She's just getting worse." He finally said the words he'd been trying not to think for days. "I just don't know what to do,"

            "What's your name?" He told her. "Okay, Charlie I'm going to do what I can to help her, okay? What's her name?" Whilst Denise said this, she ran her eyes over Kat and checked her trousers for signs of bites. She gently opened Kat’s eyes and flicked a small torch over them. She looked up at the other two men and nodded.

            "We’ll get a stretcher to carry her inside," she told Charlie. "Are you okay?"

He stared back at her, a mixture of relief and disbelief. He sat back on his haunches, hands running through his hair. He nodded, his throat too tight to speak.

Denise watched his face closely, and then looked him over. "Okay Charlie, come on. Let's get you in and get some food inside you."

 Kat came to slowly, noises that jarred causing her to wake up further. Where were they? She heard clinking sounds, and low voices. There was no sound of cicadas and the buzzing of night insects. There was no breeze, no night chill. Slowly, head feeling full of wool, she opened her eyes. It was dark at the windows and an oil lamp was lit dimly in one corner. She was lying on a bed. Panic gathered in her stomach, clenching it into knots and she tried to sit up. She felt a tug at her wrist and looked down. There was an IV line stuck in the back of her hand and tubing hanging behind her on the wall. What the hell?

            "Charlie?" She hissed as loud as she dared. Apparently too loud, as it brought the other people into the room.

            "You're awake finally," Denise said, smiling down at her. "It's good to meet you. Do you know where you are?"

Kat looked about her, first at the blonde woman and then at the other. There was no sign of Charlie. She tried to think, but everything was a blur. The last thing she really remembered was being in the forest and feeling sick as hell. She shook her head.

            "You're in Alexandria. Your brother brought you here. He's in the next room sleeping. You can relax for now, we’ll take care of you. I'm Denise, and this is Tara."

            "What happened?" Kat eventually muttered.

            "You are sick. Not exactly sure with what but by the looks of you it's exhaustion. The IV is just to give you fluids, help you get yourself back on your feet. Don't be worrying about any of that now, just rest."

            "I want to see Charlie."

            "You'll see him in the morning. He's sleeping now, he's almost as knackered as you are."

Kat pulled the bed clothes back, and swung her legs out. "I want to see him. I want to see is okay." She tried to stand up, wobbled and sat back down again. Tara grabbed the IV bag off the wall, and held out an arm.

            "All right then, he's through here. It's just a couple of steps, but once you've seen him promise you come back to bed?"

Kat nodded, and gratefully took the arm. Tara slowly led her across to the doorway opening into the small bedroom off the main room. Charlie was curled up and gently snoring.

            "Thank you." Kat could barely speak; when was the last time she'd seen him lying in a bed? She couldn't remember. Her brain felt so foggy. She was taken back to bed and lay down, and giving into the overwhelming need to close her eyes, let her brain switch off and fell back into a deep sleep.

 The next morning warm sunshine shone through the windows into the makeshift infirmary. Kat felt dopey but rested, and she eased her sore muscles into a luxurious stretch. Charlie had woken up at some point during the night and padded into her room, curling up in the chair next to her. Staring at the ceiling she couldn't quite believe they were indoors. They didn't need to be on guard. Neither one of them was taking watch. It was very odd and made her feel on edge. She became restless and legs twitched under the covers. Sitting up, she looked around and noticed for the first time that the infirmary was in fact a living room of someone's house. Deftly converted, cabinets full of medical kit, three beds and screens. These people are… They have things. They could have more, Kat thought to herself. She was lost in thought over what else these people could have, what they might be capable of, when a door opened over to her right and Tara appeared carrying a tray with two bowls of oatmeal, and 2 cups. Was that coffee!?

            "Good morning," Tara said smiling, and placing the tray down on a small table near Kat's bed. "Breakfast? Guess you guys are hungry?"

Kat stared wide-eyed, looking from the bowls of food to Tara and back. Chuckling, Tara said “It’s okay, go ahead."

Kat grabbed a bowl and shovelled the food in, barely taking the time chew it. Once the first bowl was finished, she picked up the second and demolished that one too.

            "Wow, I guess I'll be making Charlie another bowl," she said, scooping up the dishes and carried them out. Kat smiled shyly, trying to look apologetic. It was pathetic, she was just too damn hungry. Tara disappeared, and Kat looked over at Charlie. His knees were dragged up under his chin, arms wrapped around his legs. The Kid had done good. He'd brought them there, despite her arguments and disapproval. He'd managed to drag her there, semiconscious and unable to fight, even with all the growlers and nasty things moving around in the night. A wave of pride washed over her, and then she was crying. They came out of nowhere welling up and spilling over, sob after sob. She had food in her stomach, she had slept longer and better that she had in months, for some reason these people were giving her medicine and being friendly, she was in a bed inside a house, she’d woken up warm, Charlie was safe, at least she thought he was - these people being so friendly… Her thoughts took a sudden change of direction - What would the price be? What will this cost her? She owed him, now she owed them. She pulled the bed clothes up tight around her, and let the tears flow.

The front door to the infirmary swung open, and a slim man with bright blue eyes and a drawling Georgia accident entered followed by a petite woman, older than him, but with eyes that were razor-sharp.

            “Good Morning,” the woman said, “It’s good to see you awake. I’m Deanna and this is Rick. We lead this place, and we need to have a talk.”

Kat stifled her sobs as quietly as she could and looked from one to the other. She didn’t say anything, instead burrowed deeper under her covers. She slid one hand down her thigh. Her knife was gone. She quickly glanced at Charlie, who was now awake and blinking at the two newcomers.

            “We should get properly introduced,” Deanna held out her hand. Kat stared at it, then after a beat figured she wanted her to shake it.

Deanna chuckled, but Rick spoke up looking quite serious “I guess it’s been awhile. How long have you been out there?”

            “Long enough,” Kat muttered.

            “We spoke with Denise. She said that you, both of you, are showing signs of being half starved. You in particular,” Rick said looking at Kat with a piercing gaze. “Without any aid, without our help you could have been dead within another few weeks.”

Kat didn’t know how to respond to that - what could she say? She wasn’t about to tell them why. They didn’t need to know.

            “How did you know how to find us? Apparently you just walked right up to our gates and asked for help. That’s a pretty bold thing to do, given that you don’t even know who we are,” Rick asked.

Charlie stood up. “We were told to come here. We were invited, by your men. It was a while ago now, what’s it got to be…?” He glanced at Kat “Hell, months ago now. They gave us this map; said if we ever needed help to come here. We needed help.” He looked at Kat, then squeezed her hand.

           “What Map?” Rick asked, Kat could hear the fury under his voice.

           “Here,” Charlie took a battered OS map out of his combat jeans, and handed it over. “It ain’t marked on or nothing, but the guy said we should try here.” Charlie pointed on the map in the general area where Alexandria lay. Rick bristled, and shot Deanna a loaded look.

          “God damn it, Daryl,” he growled, then turned on his heel and walked out.

~

Daryl made his way through the woods, his crossbow loaded and ready in his hands, as he headed back towards Alexandria. Not far behind him Glenn and Sasha were tracing his steps, though they may as well have sounded foghorns for every walker in a 5 mile radius, they were so damn loud.

            It's been one hell of a day, he thought.

He grabbed the rag from his back pocket and wiped the sweat off his face and neck then stuffed it back where he got it. No chance of catching dinner either with them two crunching up every twig they stepped on. He stopped and lowered his bow, taking out his water bottle from the satchel that hung at his side. Glenn and Sasha caught up to him and my God, they were still arguing. He shot them a dirty look but neither paid attention.

            "I'm telling you that was a sick thing we saw. People capable of that are capable of anything," Sasha was saying.

            "We don't know the circumstances," Glenn shot back. "There could have been any number of reasons why someone would do that,"

            "We need to find them and we need to get rid of them, before they get rid of us,"

            "We should find out what's really going on before we do anything,"

            Daryl gritted his teeth and growled "When y'all are finished arguing, maybe we could actually get back today?"

            "Those walkers were not an accident! There was just way too many of them…"

            "It was a herd…"

            "It wasn't, that was deliberate - those walkers were deliberately put together like that…"

He couldn’t take any more. "Jesus! Would you two shut the hell up? If that was just a herd, then they ain't that far away and they could still come back this way -" he turned to Sasha, "There were too many of 'em with those marks this time. Someone is doing it to 'em which means we've got problems. Which means shut the fuck up so we can get the hell out of here," he shoved his water bottle back in his bag, and picked up his crossbow and stalked off. Glenn and Sasha stood gobsmacked, mouth hanging open before swapping looks.

            “Bear with a sore head much?” Sasha mumbled under her breath, before following, each keeping their thoughts to themselves.

By the time the three of them made it back to Alexandria the sun had well set and the coolness of the night was a welcome relief. The three of them parted ways, and not before time. He trusted Glenn and Sasha, but he was gonna have to swap out of that patrol group if he didn’t want to end up shooting a bolt in someone’s ass. He drew out a smoke and paused briefly to light it up. He climbed up the steps onto the front porch and perched up against the railing, taking a deep pull, sucking the smoke deep into his lungs. Three days ago they found themselves in the middle of a herd, several of which had W's carved into their foreheads. They'd fought like hell to make it out, and they'd been lucky; with enough rounds on them they'd managed to shoot their way out. More and more patrols were coming back with reports of large groups of walkers passing through - it was just a matter of time before they got a mega-herd headed their way.

Daryl let out the smoke from his chest and closed his eyes. He felt fucking tired. He supposed they'd have to talk about it. He'd let Rick know, and he knew that would lead to a sodding meeting. Deanna just couldn't help herself with those group meetings. Well he wouldn't bloody go… He’d tell Rick what he knew, and Glenn could fill in gaps.

He hoped Carol has made something good for dinner. He took another long drag on his smoke, letting the fumes curl out between his lips and drift away into the night. He heard sharp footsteps, then the front door swung open.

            "You're back then. We was beginning to think you'd finally gotten yourself lost," Rick said, by way of greeting. Daryl snorted, and finished his cigarette.

            "You need to come into the house. We have to talk," Rick continued. "Aaron's inside. We've been waiting for you."

Daryl looked up, surprised. "Why?"

            "Just come on in," Rick turned and went back inside. Daryl followed him, his bristles rising as he saw it wasn't just Aaron but Deanna, Maggie, and Michonne as well as Rick all sat around the kitchen table.

            "What the hell is this?" Daryl said in his low voice. He walked over to the table and placed his hands on the surface. Everyone looked down, or shuffled in their seat. Rick leaned forward, and pushed a tatty old map towards him.

            "We've been talking about whether or not we should be bringing in new people." Deanna stated, in her calm manner. "I still think it's a good idea, and we need people."

            "So do I," Aaron agreed, "We can't just give up. We shouldn't stop looking."

            "Why would we stop looking?" Daryl asked, confused. Had he missed something? He looked at the map on the table. It was just a tatty old thing of the area. It didn't even have the new housing estate they lived on now marked on it.

            Rick spoke up. "We took this off of a woman and a kid today. They walked right up to our gates. They knew exactly where we were, how to find us. You know how that happened?" His voice was deadly quiet.

            "I dunno," Daryl shrugged.

            "They told us you and Aaron showed them where we lived. That just can't happen - we know there's people out there, you know they want to hurt us. If they know how to find us..."

            "You're blaming us? Y’all are the ones who wanted us out there - it was your idea," Daryl argued looking straight at Deanna. "So some woman and a kid turn up, and you're calling a God damn war-meeting over it? They that much of a threat? You reckon it was them goin' around carving up people's heads? You think it was them tying people to trees, drawing walkers in to eat off them? Jesus…" Daryl had really had enough.

            "We met them months ago, before all this started," Aaron's calm voice interrupted, trying to smooth over the outbursts. "And they really didn't want to come here. Or at least, the woman didn't. She was really against it. To be honest I'm surprised they're even here now. That they made it even this far - we met them at least three days drive from here."

There was a short lull as people gathered their thoughts.

Daryl’s ears were ringing. He remembered those two, it wasn’t like they met so many people out there you could forget anyone anyway, the scrawny kid and his big sister - the one with the long chestnut hair and green eyes. He'd wanted her to come back with them, but she'd been adamant. He recognised the map now; it used to be his. He'd handed it over, showing them both exactly where Alexandria was though it just looked like forests and farmland on the old map.

            "They here now?" Daryl eventually asked.

            "Infirmary," Maggie told him. He looked at her, eyebrows raised in question. "The girl, name's Kat, she ain't well. She pretty much collapsed. Denise is looking after her. And Charlie, the brother, ain’t left her side."

            "We don't know anything about these two people. We don't know where they are from, if they're with anyone, we don't know if they're are threats or not. All we do know is that you told them how to find us, and now they are here." Rick argued, barely keeping control of his temper.

            Michonne finally spoke up, after staring at the table listening to all of this. "Then we keep an eye on them. Keep them close. The house opposite is empty, so we'll have them move in there. Better than sending them back out where we can't see what's going on."

Deanna nodded, and Maggie murmured her agreement.

            "All right then. That's settled. As soon as she's fit to move out of the infirmary, they move in over the road. Let's try and find out if she told anyone else where we live. And no more inviting people back for now. Not while we've got this problem with all the walkers."

            "Okay then," Aaron agreed, and everyone else around the table also seemed to think the likewise.

Daryl huffed in disbelief, and stood up from the table. "Y'all do what you think is best. I'm going for a smoke," and he stalked out, slamming the front door behind him.