The Dead World/Issue 110

Three days later....

Moving silently through the woods, Will kept his crossbow ready and his eyes peeled as if he was hunting. However he wasn't actually hunting but he was in fact scouting the area, making sure it was safe so their group could move the vehicles through.

When the group had finally left Harris's camp they had decided to stick to the same road that was Route 52 which led them straight to Charleston from Salters which itself had taken them one day to get to from Andrews, the town which Harris's camp had been set up near.

They had also stopped in the city of Salters for one day to gather what supplies they could from the place due to them having literally no food or drink because it got stolen but unfortunately the place didn't have much and now they were being forced to save as much as they could but keep themselves as healthy as possible.

They had also come up with a plan once they had left Salters and entered the forest. The vehicles would move forward a bit at a time before some people like Will now would check things were safe before they all continued moving on for a little while. They had to take every precaution they could to stay safe.

Now on their third day, Will could tell the group's morality was low but they were all also determined to make it to the apparent safe haven Charleston now offered. That's what kept them going now....

"looks like its all clear" Will announced receiving nods from members of the group as they all came out from where ether they had been searching in the forests, while gathering around Will's truck, only Maria and Annie being missing due to them staying in the ambulance.

"so how close do you think we are to Pineville?" Bella asked the group as Angelica got out the map and laid it on the truck's hood before running her finger along the road which they were currently driving on, or supposed to be.

"well I'd say we're about half way, carry on like how we are and I think we should reach there by night fall, although I think it might be best to stay camped outside the city for the night?" Angelica suggested looking round to them all and each of them nodded in agreement.

They all knew going into town which you had no clue of what the current situation in the town was as well as going in it during the dark hours was complete suicide and that was something they couldn't afford to do right now. They're numbers were low enough as it was.

"yeah, might want two people to sit on top of the RV as guard duty as well for the night" Anthony stated, tapping on the hood of the truck as he looked up from the map to Karen, the two of them sharing a look and a nod, them obviously volunteering to do that said guard duty.

"but what if some people sneak up from the woods, top of the RV isn't going to be the best of places to be, is it?" Bella asked already knowing her answer causing them to sigh before Karen came up with a different idea.

"me and Anthony can take guard watch in Will's truck instead, agreed?" Karen suggested looking to all of them but they just nodded except Will who smirked and shouldered his crossbow before speaking to the both of them.

"Just don't be getting up to anything, its my truck remember" Will said pointedly as he pointed to both of them with a certain look making them blush and shift on their feet slightly earning chuckles around the group before Angelica spoke up again.

"so its all settled yeah?" Angelica asked and they all nodded, sharing looks to have conformation but they could all tell that there would be no arguments. They had no other way to reach Charleston unless if they wanted to turn around and go the long way round and they all knew there was no way they would survive a trip like that.

Soon enough they all walked off to their three vehicles and got in them before beginning to drive down the road again, keeping their eyes out for any danger while also inwardly hoping everything went well.

Sitting in the back of the ambulance on some chair they had, Annie watched from a distance as most of the group had gathered around Will's truck to discuss where they were going next. Annie didn't really want to join them, she didn't feel like it....like she didn't feel like doing much anymore.

"hey Annie, do we need to change the plaster?....its starting to come off" Maria told Annie but the woman just sighed as she shook her head, turning to look at the girl softly despite inside just wishing to be left alone.

"sorry honey if it falls off we're going to have to leave it, we haven't got much plasters" Annie said smiling a little and thankfully Maria just nodded silently, understanding what the doctor meant and went back to her drawing leaving Annie to sigh as she leaned back on her chair closing her eyes briefly until she heard the little girl's voice again.

"are you ok?" Maria asked quietly observing Annie's actions carefully which Annie herself noticed when she opened her eyes and turned to look at Maria but instead of answering she gave yet another small smile and remained silent as she got up and began sorting through her medicines making Maria confused.

She was confused because Annie was usually nice and very out going but now she was all silent and sad. Maria knew that Ricky had died and understood why Annie would be this upset but it was still surprising to see Annie in such a state.

"looks like we're leaving" Annie stated finally, gesturing to the group that had all walked away from Will's truck and went to each of their vehicles causing Maria to smile as Jamie came over which caused Jamie to smile back before he turned to Annie as he entered the back of the ambulance.

"h-how are y-you feeling?" Jamie asked with his usual stutter but he was totally taken back like Maria was when Annie suddenly slammed a box of bandages to the floor and turned to glare at him with a very bad glare.

"why do you guys keep asking if I'm ok!! WHY.CANT.YOU.JUST.LEAVE.ME.ALONE?!!" Annie shouted at him directly making him wince as he took a couple of steps back, protectively standing in front of Maria while everyone else had stopped what they were doing and looked to what was currently going on, as surprised as the kids.

Seeing this, Annie bit her lip resisting the urge to cry as she stormed out of the ambulance and walked over to the RV, entering it before she slammed the door shut behind her leaving everyone to stare at said door in shock for a little while before they soon shrugged it off and continued to get ready to move on.

Annie had been through a lot....she just needed some time.

Sitting in the driving seat of the RV, Karen smiled to herself as out of the corner of her eye she could see Anthony laying his head against the window while snoring loudly, obviously catching some sleep before the two of them had their guard duty tonight.

However which each little bump on the road, Anthony jolted out of his sleep a little causing her to stifle a laugh as he looked around confused before shrugging and going back to sleep. He really was an idiot, she thought to herself.

Although her laughter soon went away when in the rear view mirror, Karen caught the sight of Annie looking upset, sitting down at the bottom of the RV making Karen sigh as thinking about what Annie had gone through was making her think about what they had all been through.