Contagion Chapter Four
Kate smiled as she looked at Zac. They sat in the backseat of one of the cars as the moonlight from the night sky filtered in. "I know you said you were against this pregnancy still but I think once we find Sophia and Carl gets better your attitude will change," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder. She was glad he had made it back today and she was glad that he seemed to no longer be holding a grudge against her for the CDC stuff.
"You really think Carl will get better and we will find Sophia?" Zac asked as he raised an eyebrow. Laying his head on top of Kate's he hated to admit he was pessimistic on the survival of either child.
Nodding her head Kate shrugged, "It's better than having no faith at all," she said as she reached for his hand and let her fingers link with his. "I mean we need faith to keep going."
"I think I lost all faith in stuff the night the camp was overrun," Zac admitted as he shrugged his shoulders. "I may have gotten it back slightly at the CDC but then we lost that too and I lost even more of my faith. This world is fucked and we're all doomed. We'll never find shelter and eventually we'll die."
"I wish you'd be positive," Kate spoke as she raised her head off his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "I miss my positive Zac. I miss the man who wasn't so cold or dead inside."
At her words Zac didn't say anything he just leaned against the backseat of the car they would be sleeping in for the night. He wasn't sure if he missed the man he used to be. He wasn't even sure if that man would ever come back.
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Jessica sat at the table in the RV. Andrea was across from her working on putting a gun back together while Daryl lay in the floor. Jessica knew though that the man wasn't sleeping. No one in the RV could sleep with the way Carol kept crying in the back. Carol's crying was starting to wear Jessica's nerves thin.
Hearing Daryl sit up and then walk to the table where his crossbow laid Jessica looked up watching as he put the crossbow around his chest.
"I'm going to need my clip now," Daryl said as he looked at Andrea who had been messing with it all night. When Andrea handed it back to him he looked from her to Jessica, "I'm gonna walk the road. Look for the girl," he said as he heard Carol calm some after he spoke. Turning to look back at her, he saw her looking at him and he gave her a nod.
Sitting there as Daryl left Jessica grabbed a flashlight and followed him off the RV wanting to go with him. It'd be better than listening to Carol cry if she cried anymore. "I'm coming too," she told Daryl once she stepped off the RV and he had turned to look at her.
Daryl just nodded before looking up at Dale who was on watch on top of the RV, "I'm gonna go for a walk. Shine some light in the forest. If she's out there give her something to look at."
"Do you think that's a good idea right now?" Dale asked as he bent down some.
Jessica just rolled her eyes at Dale and shook her head. Sometimes she could see why Andrea got pissed at the man. Turning away from him she just walked off hearing Daryl following behind her.
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Sometime later Zac looked over at Kate. Her head was leaning against a window and he smiled as he listened to her snore. She looked peaceful as she slept and he almost wished he could sleep as well but he couldn't. He had too much on his mind. Worrying about his baby and then also Carl and Sophia.
He also couldn't help but worry about Taylor too. He may have meant what he said and Taylor may have told him not to apologize but that didn't mean he wasn't truly sorry and he didn't want his brother mad at him forever but he feared Taylor would be mad at him forever.
Getting out of the car he closed the door slowly as not to wake Kate and he made his way to the car where Mac was sleeping. Seeing his brother sitting in the driver's side with a flashlight on Zac smiled again and walked to the passenger door. Opening it he climbed inside laughing some when Mac jumped.
"You scared the shit out of me," Mac muttered as he dropped the book he had been reading. It had been some war book Dale had let him borrow.
"Sorry," Zac apologized. "Kate fell asleep on me and I guess I just wanted some company until I got sleepy."
Rolling his eyes Mac eyed his older brother, "And so you decided to bug me?" he asked before laughing some. Zac didn't really bug him. He had always looked up to Zac.
"Something like that," Zac said as he looked over at Mac. "It's fun to be a pain in your ass."
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Taylor who was sitting in the back of the Cherokee with Avery as Glenn drove it down a driveway to what looked like a farmhouse nudged Avery some in the side. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
Feeling someone nudge her Avery groaned and lifted her head to look at Taylor. She was pissed that he had woken her up but then again she was pissed he had volunteered her for this anyway. He should have just volunteered Jessica. At least then Glenn could have the Hanson sister he liked.
"We're here," Taylor spoke ignoring his sister's glare as the car came to a stop. Getting out he opened the door and let Avery climb out his way as well before shutting the door. Following behind Glenn and T-Dog he looked up at the farm house as they walked closer. It was huge and it was almost out in the middle of nowhere. It almost could be the perfect place to stay.
"So do we ring the bell?" Taylor asked once they made it to the stairs and he turned to look at Avery,Glenn, and T-Dog. "Looks like people live here," he said from the lights that were on inside.
T-Dog shook his head, "We're past this kind of stuff aren't we?" he asked as he climbed up the stairs of the porch. "Having to be considerate."
Maggie who had been sitting in a chair on the porch looked at the group coming up onto the porch, "Close the gate up the road when you drove in?" she asked announcing her presence to them.
Taylor who had been surprised by the woman turned to look at her as he came to a stop at the doors beside Glenn. He was still just as mesmerized as he had been in the woods. "Uh..hi," he said feeling at a loss for words. "Yes," he said realizing he hadn't answered her question. "We closed it. Did the latch and everything."
When the woman just moved forward in the chair he gave her a smile, "Hello nice to see you again. We uh met before briefly."
"Look we came to help," T-Dog spoke up knowing at this rate Taylor would just keep rambling. "Is there anything we can do?" Watching as the woman stood from the chair and walked closer he groaned out as he felt a pain from his wound. Seeing the woman look down at his bandage he sighed, "It's not a bite. I umm I cut myself pretty bad though."
"We'll have it looked at," Maggie told the man as she walked closer to the group. "I'll tell them you're here."
Glenn reached for the backpack on his back, "We have some painkillers and antibiotics," he said as he got them out. "I already gave him some in the car."
"Come inside I'll make you something to eat," Maggie told them as she reached for the door handle and stepped inside giving the group behind her a smile.
Following behind the woman and T-Dog and Glenn, Taylor chewed his lip as she lead them to the room where Carl was. Getting there he frowned seeing Carl on the bed and Rick and Lori just sitting there helpless in chairs. Just the sight of Carl reminded him of how he had found Ezra dead and he felt his heartbreak for Carl's parents and he hoped they had a better outcome than he had.
"Hey," Glenn said his voice coming out somber as he slipped off his hat.
Rick who was sitting beside Lori and holding her hand looked up at Glenn, "Hey," he replied back to the group at the door.
"Umm we're here okay," Glenn told Rick wanting the man to know he was there if he needed them. Turning towards the bed where Carl lay he saw an older man with a stethoscope who he assumed was a doctor. The one trying to save Carl.
"Thank you," Lori nodded as she gave Glenn a grateful smile.
T-Dog who had been silent looked over at the Grimes's, "Whatever you need," he said before turning to leave the room and being followed by Glenn,Avery,Taylor and the brunette woman from the horse.
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"So do you really think we're gonna find Sophia?" Jessica asked Daryl as they walked through the woods.
Shining his flashlight on Jessica, Daryl shook his head as he saw her expression, "You've got that look on your face. Same as everybody else," he said after moving his flashlight back down and using it to look around as he walked. "What the hell is wrong with you people? We just started looking."
"Do you?" Jessica asked again as she turned to look at the man beside her.
"It ain't the mountains of Tibet. It's Georgia" Daryl replied sarcastically as Jessica asked her question again. "She could be holed off at a farmhouse somewhere. People get lost and they survive, it happens all the time."
Jessica shook her head at Daryl's words, "She's only twelve."
"Hell I was younger than her and I got lost," Daryl admitted to Jessica. "Nine days in the woods eatin berries and wipin my ass with poison oak."
"They found you?" Jessica asked as she shrugged before looking over at Daryl again.
"My old man was off on a bender with some waitress," Daryl told her as he looked away. "Merle was doing another stint in Juvie. Didn't even know I was gone. I made my way back though. Went straight to the kitchen and made myself a sandwich," he sighed as he continued to use his flashlight to look at the surroundings as he passed them. "No worse for wear except my ass itched somethin awful."
Jessica couldn't help but laugh at the itchy ass comment. It was too funny not too. Feeling Daryl look at her she tried to control her laughter, "Sorry," she apologized trying to keep a straight face. "Sorry there that's a terrible story," she told him before she laughed again hearing him laugh slightly as well now.
"The only difference is Sophia's got people looking for her. I call that an advantage," Daryl nodded knowing she had at least one up on what he had as a child.
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Going back to the car where Kate was Zac yawned as he got inside. Sitting beside Kate again he slipped the jacket he had on off and put it over his sleeping wife.
Moving some Kate opened her eyes as she felt something brush against her arms. Seeing Zac she yawned before giving him a smile, "You left the car?"
"I went to visit Mac," Zac nodded as he looked back at her. "You fell asleep and I was bored," he defended as he moved closer to her and leaned against the seat to get comfortable. "Sorry if I woke you."
Kate shook her head, "It's fine I probably would have woke up anyway," she said honestly. "It's hard to sleep in a car."
"That it is," Zac agreed as he leaned over to peck her lips. "What are you going to do if we don't find Sophia and Carl doesn't get better?" he asked as he closed his eyes. "I mean I'm just curious if that will change your opinion on things. On this baby."
"I don't think it will," Kate answered honestly knowing she was committed to her opinion now. This baby was going to be okay in this world. It had Zac as it's dad after all.
Hearing Zac snore instead of answering her she let out a tiny laugh but closed her eyes as well hoping to get some more sleep.
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Mac who couldn't sleep even after Zac left his car soon got out of the car he had claimed as his own for the night. Seeing Dale on top of the RV he climbed up, "You want some company?" he asked as he walked over to the older man. He really hadn't talked much to him but he was thankful that Dale had saved Kate,Avery and Zoe the first day in Atlanta.
Turning to look at the now youngest Hanson Dale nodded his head, "Figured you'd be asleep," he said giving the boy a smile.
"I tried but sleep wouldn't come," Mac said as he ran a hand through his curls. "I guess I just have too much on my mind."
Dale arched an eyebrow, "Like what?" he asked as he walked a bit closer to the boy. He hated that it seemed someone so young was worrying already but with the world like it was he guessed it was unavoidable.
"Just the fact that I think my brother is being too hard about stuff. It's like he is losing his positive nature. Zac's always been positive but ever since the camp invasion he's been different," Mac sighed not sure if he liked this new Zac but if it seemed to get Zac through everything and kept Zac alive he wouldn't complain to his brother.
"I think this world is changing everyone," Dale offered the boy as he reached out and patted him on the back. As he did his own thoughts went to Andrea who had been willing to die at the CDC. She would have too if she hadn't chose to save him as she liked to remind him. "I'm sure it's changing you as well."
Mac went silent at Dale's last words because they were true. This world was changing him as well. He no longer could be as care free with his life. Even if he could stay positive he found it hard to have fun or even relax for just a few moments. He always felt sooner or later the bottom would drop and it felt like since leaving the CDC the bottom kept dropping on them.
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Walking in the woods with Daryl still Jessica chewed on her lip as she heard a rustling in the woods and the moment she heard it the man beside her turned to see what it was, she turned as well feeling on high alert. They were out in the woods after dark and of course the rustling made her more scared now than it would if it was during the day.
As Daryl went closer to where the sound came from Jessica followed close behind him not wanting to be alone or by herself for too long. When they finally came upon what looked like a campsite with a tent and a fold out chair outside of the tent she made a face at the sight in the trees.
"What the hell?" Daryl asked as he looked up at the tree to see a walker hanging by a rope. As he walked closer he saw a note taped to the tree where the walker was. "Got bit. Fever hit. World gone to shit. Might as well quit," he spoke out loud reading what had been written on the paper. "Dumbass didn't know enough to shot himself in the head," he mused out loud. "Turned himself into a huge swinging piece of bait," he said honestly hearing Jessica make some noise behind him.
Bending down Jessica closed her eyes as she felt the need to get sick. The smell and the sight was enough to make her stomach turn and Daryl's words weren't helping anything either. "Trying not to puke," she told him honestly as she looked up seeing him turning to look at her.
"Go ahead if you gotta," Daryl said as he turned to look back at the walker in the tree.
"No. Let's just talk about something else for a moment," Jessica sighed as she went to looking back down at the ground after bending over again. She hoped a change of subject would help her now upset stomach. "How'd you learn to shoot?"
Daryl shrugged at her question, "Got to eat. It's one thing these walkers and us have in common," he told her as he watched the hanging walker reaching out for him. "This is probably the closest he has been to food since he turned. Look at him hanging up there like a big pinata," he said before pointing at the walkers legs. "The other geeks came and ate the flesh off his legs."
Hearing Daryl's last comment Jessica felt her stomach turn and soon she lost the contents on it, puking in the grass. After she got sick she coughed some and wiped her mouth off with her hand, "I thought we were changing the subject," she muttered as she shook her head.
"Call that payback for laughing about my itchy ass," Daryl smirked as he looked over at her.
"It wasn't a lot that came up," Jessica told him hoping that he didn't do anything else to try to make her get sick.
Shrugging Daryl turned his back on the walker and headed towards Jessica, "Let's head back."
"Aren't you going too...?" she started as she looked at him and made a face hoping he knew what she meant. She wanted to know if he was going to kill the walker.
Daryl shook his head, "Naw," he answered honestly. "He ain't hurtin nobody. He ain't wastin air either. He made his choice, opted out. Let him hang."
At Daryl's words Jessica moved closer to the walker. She wasn't sure why but she felt sorry for him. Maybe because at one point she had thought of opting out after Joe had died. Before she had met Merle.
"Does your sister like Shane?" Daryl asked out of nowhere as he stepped closer to Jessica who was standing closer to the walker. It wasn't the question he wanted to ask her. No he wanted to ask her if she wanted to live now. He had known or well guessed that she had probably been close to suicidal thoughts when she met Merle. There had just been something about her those first few days that screamed broken.
When Jessica turned too look at him he ran a hand through his hair and looked down blushing, "It's just a question," he told her not wanting her to get the wrong idea and think that he liked her sister. He didn't like Avery. He couldn't allow that to happen especially if she liked Shane.
Jessica kept eying Daryl even after he had looked away from her. Eventually she turned back to look at the walker in the tree, "An answer for an arrow," she stated figuring that was the only way she'd get him to put the walker out of his misery. "Fair?" she asked him as they locked eyes and he nodded his head agreeing that it was indeed fair.
Looking away from him she shrugged, "I don't know if she likes Shane. I don't think she does but then again she has been with him twice now."
"Not much of an answer," Daryl sighed not sure why her words just made him feel worse than he had before asking her his question. Raising his crossbow he shot an arrow into the skull of the walker. "It's a waste of an arrow," he told her before turning and heading back towards the way they had came.
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Avery crossed her legs as she sat on the couch next to Glenn. T-Dog was in the kitchen getting his wound stitched up and she had no clue where Taylor had snuck off too but he had went somewhere.
"Things have just seemed to go to shit since we left the CDC," she sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. She hated the fact that Sophia was missing and now Carl was laying in the next room fighting for his life though hopefully this old man who owned the house who she now knew was named Hershel could save Carl. Though for now he couldn't do anything until Shane and some man named Otis got back from a run to a local high school. Maggie had said they had went to go get stuff Hershel needed.
Glenn looked at Avery a sarcastic laugh coming out, "You could say that's an understatement," he told her as he looked over at her.
At Glenn's words Avery felt her cheeks turn red, "I'm sorry you got stuck with the wrong Hanson sister again. I'm sure you'd much rather Jessica be here."
"After the almost mess I created at the CDC with her I'd much rather be stuck with anyone but her," Glenn admitted honestly. He knew he shouldn't but he just wanted to run from his feelings for Jessica. He'd always just be her friend in the end anyway.
"Almost mess?" Avery asked as she raised an eyebrow.
Glenn felt himself blush now as she questioned him, "I almost told her how I felt. She questioned me about it in the church today."
"And?" Avery asked again figuring that Glenn still hadn't told her sister the truth.
"She's still clueless," Glenn shrugged as he gave a half smile. "It's best she not know. I'll always just be a friend to her anyway."
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Sitting in the chair on the porch Taylor looked out around him at the blackness. He had came out here to pray though he wasn't sure where to begin or even if he could remember how to pray. It had been so long. Too long since he had prayed. The last time was probably before he had married Natalie.
"You praying?" Maggie asked as she came outside and leaned against one of the porch's rail posts. She could see the blonde man who had been staring at her funny sitting in one of the chairs and he almost looked like he had been praying to her. That was why she had asked him that question.
Taylor sighed and ran a hand down his face, "Why do you sneak up on people so much?" he mused not even looking at the brunette.
Maggie smirked and moved to sit down on the porch railing, "You're easy to sneak up on," she admitted to him being honest.
"I was praying," Taylor confessed as he finally looked at Maggie. He wasn't as mesmerized by her anymore but he knew she still made him feel like he did when he saw Natalie the first time. He felt like a boy with a crush. "I was trying too."
"You religious? You pray a lot?" Maggie asked him after he looked at her. For once he wasn't acting like he was a schoolboy with a crush.
Taylor laughed some as he looked down, "Actually I haven't prayed in ages," he shrugged. "Haven't prayed in over eight years."
Hearing his answer Maggie made a face, "Sorry for ruining your first time in eight years."
Laughing again Taylor looked over at her as he scrunched up his nose, "God probably got the gist," he nodded.
"Praying for what?" Maggie asked another question not caring if she was being nosy right now. It didn't hurt to get to know someone.
"Friends. Looks like they could all use a little help right now," Taylor answered his voice going soft as he spoke. "You think..you think God exists?" he asked hesitating at first but then looking over at Maggie as he finished his question.
"I always took it on faith," Maggie told him honestly. "Lately I've wondered. Everything that has happened there must have been a lot of praying going on and seems quite a few went unanswered."
Taylor nodded not sure if her answer comforted him any. "Thanks," he muttered under his breath. "It's really helping."
"Sorry," Maggie apologized as she looked away from Taylor and down at the jeans she had on. "Go ahead," she said referring to him finishing praying. "Really."
At Maggie's words he just remained silent and when she looked up at him again he raised an eyebrow as she made no effort to move, "You gonna watch?"
When Taylor asked her if she was going to watch Maggie moved down from the railing and picked up an empty glass next to the chair he was sitting in. "I'll get you a refill instead," she told him as she bent down and grabbed the glass. Once she had the glass she stood up and headed towards the door stopping before she went inside. Instead she turned to face him.
"I know it's not my business and feel free to believe in God but the thing is you've got to make it okay somehow," she nodded at him. "No matter what happens."
Taylor sighed but remained silent as he watched Maggie walk inside after she said what she had. He knew she was right. He did have to make it okay somehow no matter what happened. That was what he had to do now since losing everyone he cared for.
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Avery who had stayed sitting on the couch in the main room even as Glenn had decided to go to bed in a room upstairs stood up when she heard what sounded like a car coming towards the house. She hoped to god it was Shane and Otis coming back with what Hershel needed for the surgery.
Seeing Rick, Lori and Hershel heading outside Avery followed behind them and the moment she did she was relieved to see Shane taking stuff out of a truck though he seemed to be minus the person she had been told he left with.
"Carl?" Shane asked Rick breathlessly as he limped over to where Lori and Rick had came to a stop.
"There's still a chance," Rick told Shane feeling relieved to see that his friend had made it back.
Hershel who had taken some of the stuff from Shane looked around for Otis, "Otis?" he asked wondering where his longtime friend and neighbor was. It was Shane's silence that answered his question though. Turning to the people behind him he sighed, "We say nothing to Patrica," he said knowing now wasn't the best time to tell her that her husband was gone. He did need her help with the surgery on Carl. "Not til after. I need her."
Standing there as Shane described what had happened to Otis, Avery closed her eyes. They apparently hadn't had enough ammunition and Otis had sacrificed himself telling Shane to keep going. Something about Shane's story didn't sit well with her but she remained silent as she opened her eyes and turned her head to see Lori comforting Maggie who she hadn't even realized had came outside as well.
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Mac walked back to the car he was sleeping in after talking with Dale some more. Hearing a noise behind him he turned seeing Jessica and Daryl coming back from somewhere they had obviously been. Stopping at his car door he grabbed his sister's arm which only made her make a face.
"What the hell Mac?" Jessica asked as Mac grabbed her arm making her come to a stop.
"Where did you go?" Mac asked her as he raised an eyebrow.
Jessica shrugged, "To look for Sophia. Carol was crying and I just needed out of the RV. Daryl opted to go look for her and I decided to go with him. Obviously we still didn't find her," she said as she frowned slightly.
Mac just rolled his eyes, "You need to stop associating with those damn Dixon brothers," he told her as he opened the driver's side so he could get in the car soon. "One was enough."
Laughing at his words Jessica just shook her head, "Trust me Mac I'm not the one whose got the hots for Daryl. That sister is Avery," she smiled as she removed his arm from his grasp and walked back to the RV.
Watching as his sister walked away Mac rolled his eyes and got in the car. He swore his sisters were both going crazy. They had to be to find anything likeable about either Dixon brother.
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"I've known Otis since I was a kid," Maggie chocked out as she sat inside of her house now. It had been awhile since finding out about his death and she was still reeling. Still trying to come to terms. "He was running this farm since before my mother died.
Taylor who leaned against the counter in the kitchen uncrossed his arms as he listened to Maggie talk to him. Walking over to the fridge he looked at the pictures on it. Pictures of people he guessed where relatives of hers. "Who else? Who'd you lose?" he asked as he turned to look at her. When Maggie looked at him but kept crying he sighed, "You told me I had to make it okay somehow. That's what you've been trying to do right?" he asked as he kept his eyes on her. "Which ones?"
Standing from the table Maggie walked over to where Taylor stood at the fridge. Through her tears she looked at the pictures on it, "Step-mother," she answered pointing to a picture of Anette who was her sister Beth's mom. "Step-brother," she spoke again as she then pointed to a picture of Shawn. They were the others she had lost since the world went to hell.
It was after she had finished that she heard the door to the room where her father had been working on Carl open. Wiping at her eyes she turned to leave the kitchen.
Taylor watched Maggie leave and he sighed. Her losses though not the same amount as his obviously still hurt her and yet here she was surviving. It made his own choice at the CDC seem dumb now. Shaking his head he followed her out of the room eventually going outside where he heard Hershel telling Lori and Rick that Carl had stabilized.
Lori who had tears in her eyes watched as her husband hugged Hershel, "I don't have words," she said when Rick pulled away from the hug.
"I don't either," Hershel said in response to Lori. "I wish I did. How do I tell Patricia about Otis?"
Rick who had went silent at Hershel asking how he told Patricia about Otis turned to look at Lori, "You go to Carl. I'll go with Hershel," he said as he turned to look at Hershel again.
Running a hand through his hair Taylor waited until Rick and Hershel had both went in before going inside. Hearing crying coming from the kitchen Taylor just closed his eyes and sat down knowing that Patricia had more than likely learned the news now. News that made his heartbreak for her because he knew what it was like to lose a spouse.
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Avery who had came inside finally watched as Shane left the room where Carl was. She was glad that he was okay but something still felt off about the story Shane had given on how Otis died. Staying quite as she watched Maggie give Shane clothes to wear she bit her lip hearing the woman say they wouldn't fit well because the clothes had once belonged to Otis.
When Maggie turned to leave Avery caught Shane's eyes and she sighed. The guilt was written all over his face.
"Join me in the shower," Shane told Avery not even asking. He needed something to help him forget what he had done and being with Avery helped him forget. It made him feel like he was with Lori even if he knew he wasn't.
Avery shook her head at Shane's words, "Not this time," she said as she thought of Daryl catching them at the CDC and his bitterness towards her on the highway. "I think what we did should just be in the past," she nodded as she turned her back to him and headed into the room where Taylor was. She was done allowing Shane to use her. It wasn't like it was Shane she wanted anyway. She wanted Daryl though she still wasn't ready to admit that out loud.
Kate smiled as she looked at Zac. They sat in the backseat of one of the cars as the moonlight from the night sky filtered in. "I know you said you were against this pregnancy still but I think once we find Sophia and Carl gets better your attitude will change," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder. She was glad he had made it back today and she was glad that he seemed to no longer be holding a grudge against her for the CDC stuff.
"You really think Carl will get better and we will find Sophia?" Zac asked as he raised an eyebrow. Laying his head on top of Kate's he hated to admit he was pessimistic on the survival of either child.
Nodding her head Kate shrugged, "It's better than having no faith at all," she said as she reached for his hand and let her fingers link with his. "I mean we need faith to keep going."
"I think I lost all faith in stuff the night the camp was overrun," Zac admitted as he shrugged his shoulders. "I may have gotten it back slightly at the CDC but then we lost that too and I lost even more of my faith. This world is fucked and we're all doomed. We'll never find shelter and eventually we'll die."
"I wish you'd be positive," Kate spoke as she raised her head off his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "I miss my positive Zac. I miss the man who wasn't so cold or dead inside."
At her words Zac didn't say anything he just leaned against the backseat of the car they would be sleeping in for the night. He wasn't sure if he missed the man he used to be. He wasn't even sure if that man would ever come back.
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Jessica sat at the table in the RV. Andrea was across from her working on putting a gun back together while Daryl lay in the floor. Jessica knew though that the man wasn't sleeping. No one in the RV could sleep with the way Carol kept crying in the back. Carol's crying was starting to wear Jessica's nerves thin.
Hearing Daryl sit up and then walk to the table where his crossbow laid Jessica looked up watching as he put the crossbow around his chest.
"I'm going to need my clip now," Daryl said as he looked at Andrea who had been messing with it all night. When Andrea handed it back to him he looked from her to Jessica, "I'm gonna walk the road. Look for the girl," he said as he heard Carol calm some after he spoke. Turning to look back at her, he saw her looking at him and he gave her a nod.
Sitting there as Daryl left Jessica grabbed a flashlight and followed him off the RV wanting to go with him. It'd be better than listening to Carol cry if she cried anymore. "I'm coming too," she told Daryl once she stepped off the RV and he had turned to look at her.
Daryl just nodded before looking up at Dale who was on watch on top of the RV, "I'm gonna go for a walk. Shine some light in the forest. If she's out there give her something to look at."
"Do you think that's a good idea right now?" Dale asked as he bent down some.
Jessica just rolled her eyes at Dale and shook her head. Sometimes she could see why Andrea got pissed at the man. Turning away from him she just walked off hearing Daryl following behind her.
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Sometime later Zac looked over at Kate. Her head was leaning against a window and he smiled as he listened to her snore. She looked peaceful as she slept and he almost wished he could sleep as well but he couldn't. He had too much on his mind. Worrying about his baby and then also Carl and Sophia.
He also couldn't help but worry about Taylor too. He may have meant what he said and Taylor may have told him not to apologize but that didn't mean he wasn't truly sorry and he didn't want his brother mad at him forever but he feared Taylor would be mad at him forever.
Getting out of the car he closed the door slowly as not to wake Kate and he made his way to the car where Mac was sleeping. Seeing his brother sitting in the driver's side with a flashlight on Zac smiled again and walked to the passenger door. Opening it he climbed inside laughing some when Mac jumped.
"You scared the shit out of me," Mac muttered as he dropped the book he had been reading. It had been some war book Dale had let him borrow.
"Sorry," Zac apologized. "Kate fell asleep on me and I guess I just wanted some company until I got sleepy."
Rolling his eyes Mac eyed his older brother, "And so you decided to bug me?" he asked before laughing some. Zac didn't really bug him. He had always looked up to Zac.
"Something like that," Zac said as he looked over at Mac. "It's fun to be a pain in your ass."
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Taylor who was sitting in the back of the Cherokee with Avery as Glenn drove it down a driveway to what looked like a farmhouse nudged Avery some in the side. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
Feeling someone nudge her Avery groaned and lifted her head to look at Taylor. She was pissed that he had woken her up but then again she was pissed he had volunteered her for this anyway. He should have just volunteered Jessica. At least then Glenn could have the Hanson sister he liked.
"We're here," Taylor spoke ignoring his sister's glare as the car came to a stop. Getting out he opened the door and let Avery climb out his way as well before shutting the door. Following behind Glenn and T-Dog he looked up at the farm house as they walked closer. It was huge and it was almost out in the middle of nowhere. It almost could be the perfect place to stay.
"So do we ring the bell?" Taylor asked once they made it to the stairs and he turned to look at Avery,Glenn, and T-Dog. "Looks like people live here," he said from the lights that were on inside.
T-Dog shook his head, "We're past this kind of stuff aren't we?" he asked as he climbed up the stairs of the porch. "Having to be considerate."
Maggie who had been sitting in a chair on the porch looked at the group coming up onto the porch, "Close the gate up the road when you drove in?" she asked announcing her presence to them.
Taylor who had been surprised by the woman turned to look at her as he came to a stop at the doors beside Glenn. He was still just as mesmerized as he had been in the woods. "Uh..hi," he said feeling at a loss for words. "Yes," he said realizing he hadn't answered her question. "We closed it. Did the latch and everything."
When the woman just moved forward in the chair he gave her a smile, "Hello nice to see you again. We uh met before briefly."
"Look we came to help," T-Dog spoke up knowing at this rate Taylor would just keep rambling. "Is there anything we can do?" Watching as the woman stood from the chair and walked closer he groaned out as he felt a pain from his wound. Seeing the woman look down at his bandage he sighed, "It's not a bite. I umm I cut myself pretty bad though."
"We'll have it looked at," Maggie told the man as she walked closer to the group. "I'll tell them you're here."
Glenn reached for the backpack on his back, "We have some painkillers and antibiotics," he said as he got them out. "I already gave him some in the car."
"Come inside I'll make you something to eat," Maggie told them as she reached for the door handle and stepped inside giving the group behind her a smile.
Following behind the woman and T-Dog and Glenn, Taylor chewed his lip as she lead them to the room where Carl was. Getting there he frowned seeing Carl on the bed and Rick and Lori just sitting there helpless in chairs. Just the sight of Carl reminded him of how he had found Ezra dead and he felt his heartbreak for Carl's parents and he hoped they had a better outcome than he had.
"Hey," Glenn said his voice coming out somber as he slipped off his hat.
Rick who was sitting beside Lori and holding her hand looked up at Glenn, "Hey," he replied back to the group at the door.
"Umm we're here okay," Glenn told Rick wanting the man to know he was there if he needed them. Turning towards the bed where Carl lay he saw an older man with a stethoscope who he assumed was a doctor. The one trying to save Carl.
"Thank you," Lori nodded as she gave Glenn a grateful smile.
T-Dog who had been silent looked over at the Grimes's, "Whatever you need," he said before turning to leave the room and being followed by Glenn,Avery,Taylor and the brunette woman from the horse.
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"So do you really think we're gonna find Sophia?" Jessica asked Daryl as they walked through the woods.
Shining his flashlight on Jessica, Daryl shook his head as he saw her expression, "You've got that look on your face. Same as everybody else," he said after moving his flashlight back down and using it to look around as he walked. "What the hell is wrong with you people? We just started looking."
"Do you?" Jessica asked again as she turned to look at the man beside her.
"It ain't the mountains of Tibet. It's Georgia" Daryl replied sarcastically as Jessica asked her question again. "She could be holed off at a farmhouse somewhere. People get lost and they survive, it happens all the time."
Jessica shook her head at Daryl's words, "She's only twelve."
"Hell I was younger than her and I got lost," Daryl admitted to Jessica. "Nine days in the woods eatin berries and wipin my ass with poison oak."
"They found you?" Jessica asked as she shrugged before looking over at Daryl again.
"My old man was off on a bender with some waitress," Daryl told her as he looked away. "Merle was doing another stint in Juvie. Didn't even know I was gone. I made my way back though. Went straight to the kitchen and made myself a sandwich," he sighed as he continued to use his flashlight to look at the surroundings as he passed them. "No worse for wear except my ass itched somethin awful."
Jessica couldn't help but laugh at the itchy ass comment. It was too funny not too. Feeling Daryl look at her she tried to control her laughter, "Sorry," she apologized trying to keep a straight face. "Sorry there that's a terrible story," she told him before she laughed again hearing him laugh slightly as well now.
"The only difference is Sophia's got people looking for her. I call that an advantage," Daryl nodded knowing she had at least one up on what he had as a child.
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Going back to the car where Kate was Zac yawned as he got inside. Sitting beside Kate again he slipped the jacket he had on off and put it over his sleeping wife.
Moving some Kate opened her eyes as she felt something brush against her arms. Seeing Zac she yawned before giving him a smile, "You left the car?"
"I went to visit Mac," Zac nodded as he looked back at her. "You fell asleep and I was bored," he defended as he moved closer to her and leaned against the seat to get comfortable. "Sorry if I woke you."
Kate shook her head, "It's fine I probably would have woke up anyway," she said honestly. "It's hard to sleep in a car."
"That it is," Zac agreed as he leaned over to peck her lips. "What are you going to do if we don't find Sophia and Carl doesn't get better?" he asked as he closed his eyes. "I mean I'm just curious if that will change your opinion on things. On this baby."
"I don't think it will," Kate answered honestly knowing she was committed to her opinion now. This baby was going to be okay in this world. It had Zac as it's dad after all.
Hearing Zac snore instead of answering her she let out a tiny laugh but closed her eyes as well hoping to get some more sleep.
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Mac who couldn't sleep even after Zac left his car soon got out of the car he had claimed as his own for the night. Seeing Dale on top of the RV he climbed up, "You want some company?" he asked as he walked over to the older man. He really hadn't talked much to him but he was thankful that Dale had saved Kate,Avery and Zoe the first day in Atlanta.
Turning to look at the now youngest Hanson Dale nodded his head, "Figured you'd be asleep," he said giving the boy a smile.
"I tried but sleep wouldn't come," Mac said as he ran a hand through his curls. "I guess I just have too much on my mind."
Dale arched an eyebrow, "Like what?" he asked as he walked a bit closer to the boy. He hated that it seemed someone so young was worrying already but with the world like it was he guessed it was unavoidable.
"Just the fact that I think my brother is being too hard about stuff. It's like he is losing his positive nature. Zac's always been positive but ever since the camp invasion he's been different," Mac sighed not sure if he liked this new Zac but if it seemed to get Zac through everything and kept Zac alive he wouldn't complain to his brother.
"I think this world is changing everyone," Dale offered the boy as he reached out and patted him on the back. As he did his own thoughts went to Andrea who had been willing to die at the CDC. She would have too if she hadn't chose to save him as she liked to remind him. "I'm sure it's changing you as well."
Mac went silent at Dale's last words because they were true. This world was changing him as well. He no longer could be as care free with his life. Even if he could stay positive he found it hard to have fun or even relax for just a few moments. He always felt sooner or later the bottom would drop and it felt like since leaving the CDC the bottom kept dropping on them.
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Walking in the woods with Daryl still Jessica chewed on her lip as she heard a rustling in the woods and the moment she heard it the man beside her turned to see what it was, she turned as well feeling on high alert. They were out in the woods after dark and of course the rustling made her more scared now than it would if it was during the day.
As Daryl went closer to where the sound came from Jessica followed close behind him not wanting to be alone or by herself for too long. When they finally came upon what looked like a campsite with a tent and a fold out chair outside of the tent she made a face at the sight in the trees.
"What the hell?" Daryl asked as he looked up at the tree to see a walker hanging by a rope. As he walked closer he saw a note taped to the tree where the walker was. "Got bit. Fever hit. World gone to shit. Might as well quit," he spoke out loud reading what had been written on the paper. "Dumbass didn't know enough to shot himself in the head," he mused out loud. "Turned himself into a huge swinging piece of bait," he said honestly hearing Jessica make some noise behind him.
Bending down Jessica closed her eyes as she felt the need to get sick. The smell and the sight was enough to make her stomach turn and Daryl's words weren't helping anything either. "Trying not to puke," she told him honestly as she looked up seeing him turning to look at her.
"Go ahead if you gotta," Daryl said as he turned to look back at the walker in the tree.
"No. Let's just talk about something else for a moment," Jessica sighed as she went to looking back down at the ground after bending over again. She hoped a change of subject would help her now upset stomach. "How'd you learn to shoot?"
Daryl shrugged at her question, "Got to eat. It's one thing these walkers and us have in common," he told her as he watched the hanging walker reaching out for him. "This is probably the closest he has been to food since he turned. Look at him hanging up there like a big pinata," he said before pointing at the walkers legs. "The other geeks came and ate the flesh off his legs."
Hearing Daryl's last comment Jessica felt her stomach turn and soon she lost the contents on it, puking in the grass. After she got sick she coughed some and wiped her mouth off with her hand, "I thought we were changing the subject," she muttered as she shook her head.
"Call that payback for laughing about my itchy ass," Daryl smirked as he looked over at her.
"It wasn't a lot that came up," Jessica told him hoping that he didn't do anything else to try to make her get sick.
Shrugging Daryl turned his back on the walker and headed towards Jessica, "Let's head back."
"Aren't you going too...?" she started as she looked at him and made a face hoping he knew what she meant. She wanted to know if he was going to kill the walker.
Daryl shook his head, "Naw," he answered honestly. "He ain't hurtin nobody. He ain't wastin air either. He made his choice, opted out. Let him hang."
At Daryl's words Jessica moved closer to the walker. She wasn't sure why but she felt sorry for him. Maybe because at one point she had thought of opting out after Joe had died. Before she had met Merle.
"Does your sister like Shane?" Daryl asked out of nowhere as he stepped closer to Jessica who was standing closer to the walker. It wasn't the question he wanted to ask her. No he wanted to ask her if she wanted to live now. He had known or well guessed that she had probably been close to suicidal thoughts when she met Merle. There had just been something about her those first few days that screamed broken.
When Jessica turned too look at him he ran a hand through his hair and looked down blushing, "It's just a question," he told her not wanting her to get the wrong idea and think that he liked her sister. He didn't like Avery. He couldn't allow that to happen especially if she liked Shane.
Jessica kept eying Daryl even after he had looked away from her. Eventually she turned back to look at the walker in the tree, "An answer for an arrow," she stated figuring that was the only way she'd get him to put the walker out of his misery. "Fair?" she asked him as they locked eyes and he nodded his head agreeing that it was indeed fair.
Looking away from him she shrugged, "I don't know if she likes Shane. I don't think she does but then again she has been with him twice now."
"Not much of an answer," Daryl sighed not sure why her words just made him feel worse than he had before asking her his question. Raising his crossbow he shot an arrow into the skull of the walker. "It's a waste of an arrow," he told her before turning and heading back towards the way they had came.
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Avery crossed her legs as she sat on the couch next to Glenn. T-Dog was in the kitchen getting his wound stitched up and she had no clue where Taylor had snuck off too but he had went somewhere.
"Things have just seemed to go to shit since we left the CDC," she sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. She hated the fact that Sophia was missing and now Carl was laying in the next room fighting for his life though hopefully this old man who owned the house who she now knew was named Hershel could save Carl. Though for now he couldn't do anything until Shane and some man named Otis got back from a run to a local high school. Maggie had said they had went to go get stuff Hershel needed.
Glenn looked at Avery a sarcastic laugh coming out, "You could say that's an understatement," he told her as he looked over at her.
At Glenn's words Avery felt her cheeks turn red, "I'm sorry you got stuck with the wrong Hanson sister again. I'm sure you'd much rather Jessica be here."
"After the almost mess I created at the CDC with her I'd much rather be stuck with anyone but her," Glenn admitted honestly. He knew he shouldn't but he just wanted to run from his feelings for Jessica. He'd always just be her friend in the end anyway.
"Almost mess?" Avery asked as she raised an eyebrow.
Glenn felt himself blush now as she questioned him, "I almost told her how I felt. She questioned me about it in the church today."
"And?" Avery asked again figuring that Glenn still hadn't told her sister the truth.
"She's still clueless," Glenn shrugged as he gave a half smile. "It's best she not know. I'll always just be a friend to her anyway."
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Sitting in the chair on the porch Taylor looked out around him at the blackness. He had came out here to pray though he wasn't sure where to begin or even if he could remember how to pray. It had been so long. Too long since he had prayed. The last time was probably before he had married Natalie.
"You praying?" Maggie asked as she came outside and leaned against one of the porch's rail posts. She could see the blonde man who had been staring at her funny sitting in one of the chairs and he almost looked like he had been praying to her. That was why she had asked him that question.
Taylor sighed and ran a hand down his face, "Why do you sneak up on people so much?" he mused not even looking at the brunette.
Maggie smirked and moved to sit down on the porch railing, "You're easy to sneak up on," she admitted to him being honest.
"I was praying," Taylor confessed as he finally looked at Maggie. He wasn't as mesmerized by her anymore but he knew she still made him feel like he did when he saw Natalie the first time. He felt like a boy with a crush. "I was trying too."
"You religious? You pray a lot?" Maggie asked him after he looked at her. For once he wasn't acting like he was a schoolboy with a crush.
Taylor laughed some as he looked down, "Actually I haven't prayed in ages," he shrugged. "Haven't prayed in over eight years."
Hearing his answer Maggie made a face, "Sorry for ruining your first time in eight years."
Laughing again Taylor looked over at her as he scrunched up his nose, "God probably got the gist," he nodded.
"Praying for what?" Maggie asked another question not caring if she was being nosy right now. It didn't hurt to get to know someone.
"Friends. Looks like they could all use a little help right now," Taylor answered his voice going soft as he spoke. "You think..you think God exists?" he asked hesitating at first but then looking over at Maggie as he finished his question.
"I always took it on faith," Maggie told him honestly. "Lately I've wondered. Everything that has happened there must have been a lot of praying going on and seems quite a few went unanswered."
Taylor nodded not sure if her answer comforted him any. "Thanks," he muttered under his breath. "It's really helping."
"Sorry," Maggie apologized as she looked away from Taylor and down at the jeans she had on. "Go ahead," she said referring to him finishing praying. "Really."
At Maggie's words he just remained silent and when she looked up at him again he raised an eyebrow as she made no effort to move, "You gonna watch?"
When Taylor asked her if she was going to watch Maggie moved down from the railing and picked up an empty glass next to the chair he was sitting in. "I'll get you a refill instead," she told him as she bent down and grabbed the glass. Once she had the glass she stood up and headed towards the door stopping before she went inside. Instead she turned to face him.
"I know it's not my business and feel free to believe in God but the thing is you've got to make it okay somehow," she nodded at him. "No matter what happens."
Taylor sighed but remained silent as he watched Maggie walk inside after she said what she had. He knew she was right. He did have to make it okay somehow no matter what happened. That was what he had to do now since losing everyone he cared for.
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Avery who had stayed sitting on the couch in the main room even as Glenn had decided to go to bed in a room upstairs stood up when she heard what sounded like a car coming towards the house. She hoped to god it was Shane and Otis coming back with what Hershel needed for the surgery.
Seeing Rick, Lori and Hershel heading outside Avery followed behind them and the moment she did she was relieved to see Shane taking stuff out of a truck though he seemed to be minus the person she had been told he left with.
"Carl?" Shane asked Rick breathlessly as he limped over to where Lori and Rick had came to a stop.
"There's still a chance," Rick told Shane feeling relieved to see that his friend had made it back.
Hershel who had taken some of the stuff from Shane looked around for Otis, "Otis?" he asked wondering where his longtime friend and neighbor was. It was Shane's silence that answered his question though. Turning to the people behind him he sighed, "We say nothing to Patrica," he said knowing now wasn't the best time to tell her that her husband was gone. He did need her help with the surgery on Carl. "Not til after. I need her."
Standing there as Shane described what had happened to Otis, Avery closed her eyes. They apparently hadn't had enough ammunition and Otis had sacrificed himself telling Shane to keep going. Something about Shane's story didn't sit well with her but she remained silent as she opened her eyes and turned her head to see Lori comforting Maggie who she hadn't even realized had came outside as well.
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Mac walked back to the car he was sleeping in after talking with Dale some more. Hearing a noise behind him he turned seeing Jessica and Daryl coming back from somewhere they had obviously been. Stopping at his car door he grabbed his sister's arm which only made her make a face.
"What the hell Mac?" Jessica asked as Mac grabbed her arm making her come to a stop.
"Where did you go?" Mac asked her as he raised an eyebrow.
Jessica shrugged, "To look for Sophia. Carol was crying and I just needed out of the RV. Daryl opted to go look for her and I decided to go with him. Obviously we still didn't find her," she said as she frowned slightly.
Mac just rolled his eyes, "You need to stop associating with those damn Dixon brothers," he told her as he opened the driver's side so he could get in the car soon. "One was enough."
Laughing at his words Jessica just shook her head, "Trust me Mac I'm not the one whose got the hots for Daryl. That sister is Avery," she smiled as she removed his arm from his grasp and walked back to the RV.
Watching as his sister walked away Mac rolled his eyes and got in the car. He swore his sisters were both going crazy. They had to be to find anything likeable about either Dixon brother.
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"I've known Otis since I was a kid," Maggie chocked out as she sat inside of her house now. It had been awhile since finding out about his death and she was still reeling. Still trying to come to terms. "He was running this farm since before my mother died.
Taylor who leaned against the counter in the kitchen uncrossed his arms as he listened to Maggie talk to him. Walking over to the fridge he looked at the pictures on it. Pictures of people he guessed where relatives of hers. "Who else? Who'd you lose?" he asked as he turned to look at her. When Maggie looked at him but kept crying he sighed, "You told me I had to make it okay somehow. That's what you've been trying to do right?" he asked as he kept his eyes on her. "Which ones?"
Standing from the table Maggie walked over to where Taylor stood at the fridge. Through her tears she looked at the pictures on it, "Step-mother," she answered pointing to a picture of Anette who was her sister Beth's mom. "Step-brother," she spoke again as she then pointed to a picture of Shawn. They were the others she had lost since the world went to hell.
It was after she had finished that she heard the door to the room where her father had been working on Carl open. Wiping at her eyes she turned to leave the kitchen.
Taylor watched Maggie leave and he sighed. Her losses though not the same amount as his obviously still hurt her and yet here she was surviving. It made his own choice at the CDC seem dumb now. Shaking his head he followed her out of the room eventually going outside where he heard Hershel telling Lori and Rick that Carl had stabilized.
Lori who had tears in her eyes watched as her husband hugged Hershel, "I don't have words," she said when Rick pulled away from the hug.
"I don't either," Hershel said in response to Lori. "I wish I did. How do I tell Patricia about Otis?"
Rick who had went silent at Hershel asking how he told Patricia about Otis turned to look at Lori, "You go to Carl. I'll go with Hershel," he said as he turned to look at Hershel again.
Running a hand through his hair Taylor waited until Rick and Hershel had both went in before going inside. Hearing crying coming from the kitchen Taylor just closed his eyes and sat down knowing that Patricia had more than likely learned the news now. News that made his heartbreak for her because he knew what it was like to lose a spouse.
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Avery who had came inside finally watched as Shane left the room where Carl was. She was glad that he was okay but something still felt off about the story Shane had given on how Otis died. Staying quite as she watched Maggie give Shane clothes to wear she bit her lip hearing the woman say they wouldn't fit well because the clothes had once belonged to Otis.
When Maggie turned to leave Avery caught Shane's eyes and she sighed. The guilt was written all over his face.
"Join me in the shower," Shane told Avery not even asking. He needed something to help him forget what he had done and being with Avery helped him forget. It made him feel like he was with Lori even if he knew he wasn't.
Avery shook her head at Shane's words, "Not this time," she said as she thought of Daryl catching them at the CDC and his bitterness towards her on the highway. "I think what we did should just be in the past," she nodded as she turned her back to him and headed into the room where Taylor was. She was done allowing Shane to use her. It wasn't like it was Shane she wanted anyway. She wanted Daryl though she still wasn't ready to admit that out loud.