Lone Survivors

Things were hectic. People were running off looking for Randall, and Rick was suspicious about Shane; it was making us all anxious. I was concerned for Daryl, even though I knew he could protect himself better than anyone in the group, but I just had a bad feeling. The whole group was trying to stick together, but I could sense it falling apart.

And then they came. The huge herd of Walkers heading straight for our safe house. We had to leave. I was in the farmhouse when I noticed, but there were things in my tent that I needed, which included my backpack with the first aid kit and my gun in it. That was the only thing I needed. That one bag was so important! Of course I ran out of the house and threw myself into my tent, throwing Andrea’s gear aside as I tried to search for it. The adrenalin pumping in my veins was making me more nervous than I should be, and keeping calm right now was crucial. I cried out when I eventually found it and pulled my gun out. It was loaded, so I was good to go.

I then started to make my way back to the house. Others were already in cars, ready to leave as I ran towards them, zombies hot on my trail. I noticed the barn was on fire, and I hoped that whoever did that was okay. There was a loud growl from behind me and I turned around. The Walkers were coming quickly from every angle! With a terrified cry, I aimed and shot at them, wasting precious ammo in my frightened state. Once I was good to start running again, I turned around only to see cars leaving without me. No matter how loud I screamed, none of them seemed to notice. Desperate to leave with them, I ran on the road after them, hoping someone would look in their rear-view mirror and recognise me.

Panting, I came to a stop on the road and looked behind me. In the light of the fire I could see undead silhouettes. They were all pretty far behind me, so maybe I did have a chance. But how would I know where the rest of the group was going? The chances were that I’d never find them again. And then I heard a motor. A loud rumbling motor coming from the farm. A motorbike came into view and I recognised it as Daryl’s. Oh thank God… I could get a ride out of here and catch up with the others after all! He slowed down as he neared, and then came to a stop next to me. My face dropped when I saw Carol on the back, her arms tightly around Daryl’s waist and a face distraught with fear.

“Mandy! Why aren’t you with the others?” Daryl shouted.

“They left without me!” I replied angrily as it sunk in that I wasn’t going to get a ride. “I clearly can’t fit on, so just go without me. I’ll run for as long as I can.”

“I can’t leave you!” he said.

“I’ll get off,” Carol offered, but I shook my head.

“This is how I’ve survived so far. I’ve just kept on running,” I told them. “Just get out of here. I have a gun. I’ll be fine!” I looked back at the farm, seeing that the shadows were getting closer. They had to leave. I couldn’t possibly be responsible for us all dying.

“I’m coming back for you!” Daryl told me strongly. I smiled at his kindness, then walked up to him. Not caring for Carol’s presence, I leaned forward to hug Daryl.

“Thanks for everything,” I said in his ear, truly grateful for all the times he had cared for me. When we pulled away, I grabbed onto the sides of his head and brought him into a brief kiss. “Get outta here!” Daryl stared at me, revving his engine before taking off down the road. I noticed there was a Walker coming out of the bush by the road so I shot it, then started running after Daryl, holding on to some hope that I’d live to see another day.