[Rewritten: 3/14/2021]

Chapter 4 - Faces and Fires

By the time we sat down, I had a general understanding of the relationships and the people here.

Rick Grimes is married to Lori, and they have a son named Carl. Rick was in a coma before this, but they found him in Atlanta. Shane is Rick's "best friend." I don't know how anyone could put up with someone so hotheaded. Glenn joined their group not too long ago. Dale owns the RV and is the older looking gentleman. He's kind, but very fond of Andrea. Andrea is the older sister to Amy. Amy doesn't seem like a bad person. T-dog is the black guy, very outspoken and he might possibly like Jacqui? Though that may be a hunch on my part. Morales and his wife, Miranda, and their kids Eliza and Louis. Finally, Carol, her daughter Sophia, and her husband Ed. I need to keep an eye on him. Something feels off.

I took a mental deep breath from running through the information.

How did so many people survive?

"We have an extra tent if you'd like to set up. It should be big enough for the two of you." Lori said, appearing with a bag.

"Oh thank you," I said. "I appreciate it."

She smiled before handing it over and heading back to the table where her and Carol sat with the kids.

"Come on, Dillan. Let's go set up the tent." I smiled.

He looked up at me and smiled. I could tell that he was exhausted. These last couple hours likely wore away at him.

He sat on a log while I set up the tent. It didn't take long to set it up. I laid out my bags inside.

"Why don't you take a nap, bub?" I suggested.
"Is it okay too?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, don't worry. Nothing will happen."
"Promise?" He held out his pinky.
"Promise." I smiled, locking pinkies.

He crawled inside the tent and I zipped it up before heading towards the RV.

Shane sat out front, leaned back in his chair.

I stood in front of him looking down.

"Can I help you?" he asked, though it wasn't a sincere question.
"My revolver. Give it back." I ordered.
"Sorry. I can't do that."
"You have no right!"
"Actually I do." He said, standing up.

I glared at him as he stood there. I could tell he wasn't going to budge.

"Asshole." I muttered under my breath before walking away.
"What was that?" he called after me.

Don't let him see he's getting under your skin. I thought to myself.

People like him enjoy prodding at things. They're sick and twisted. They're more dangerous than the freaks that wander around.

I sat outside my tent and tried to cool off.

***

I found myself sitting down by the water. It was dark out and the only light I could make was the moonlight shimmering off the water.

It was peaceful. Quiet.

It was nights like these that left me inside my own head.

"R-Run."

It was never a good thing.

The gravel behind me crunched causing me to lurch back.

"It's just me." called Glenn—he looked like a dark blob.

He sat down next to me and looked out at the water.

"Why aren't you up there with the welcoming party?" I asked, sarcasm laced every word.
"Things are getting heavy up there with Ed and Shane." He replied.

We sat in silence for a while.

"So what's your story?" he asked.

What a question.

"Sorry," he rambled. "I realize that was incredibly insensitive."

I let out a long sigh before falling back into the sand.

"It's not much of a story," I said quietly. "Everything was ripped from me, except Dillan."
"I know how it is. Life felt still. Like a rut." He concurred, staring at the water.
"A rut," I paused. "Yeah. I was almost through college."
"College, huh? I was in a very underachieving job."
"Really, you seem like you're smart."
"Cause I'm Asian?"

I started laughing.

"No, not even close. It's because you have common sense." I smiled.

"Well, it's getting cold. How about we go up there and join the fire. You're brother is up there with Sophia now." he suggested.
"Okay fine, but only if I can get a seat next to you." I retorted.
"O-Oh, yeah." he laughed.

We made our way back to the camp silently. As we got closer I could make out their conversation.

"He won't be happy once he hears he's been left behind." I could make out Dale saying.
"I dropped the key, I'll tell him." T-dog replied.

Left behind? I wondered.

"I cuffed him, that makes him mine." Rick added.

"Let's not make this a competition or about race," Glenn interrupted, pulling a chair next to him. "But it'll likely come better from a white guy."

I sat down in the chair next to him, crossing my legs.

"I did what I did." T-dog stated.
"And what did you do?" I finally asked.

They all got silent and looked between each other.

"If I'm being forced into this group, I might as well know." I stated, rather loudly.

"We left a man behind in Atlanta." Rick spoke.
"Atlanta? You mean in the city?" I asked, awestruck.
"Yes, he was a danger to us and himself."
"Well he's likely as good as dead now."

"No," T-dog interrupted. "I padlocked the door. None of those walkers will get in."
"Okay, but you guys cuffed him?" I asked again.

"It was the only way to keep others safe." Rick stated.

"We could lie." suggested Amy.
"No, we tell the truth." replied Andrea.

"So who is this person you left behind?" I asked.

"Merle Dixon," Answered Glenn. "A real asshole."
"Bigger than him?" I whispered under my breath towards Shane.

"His younger brother Daryl is out hunting. He doesn't know yet."
"Well, if Dillan," I started, smiling at him as he talked to Sophia. "Was left behind. I would kill anyone responsible."

My smiled disappeared quickly as I looked around at everyone.

"He did what was necessary though," Andrea argued. "Merle was out of control and would have gotten us killed. It is nobody's fault but his."

"So what? You tell this Daryl guy that?" I asked, slightly amused.

"There won't be a rational discussion had about this." Dale sighed.

"Dixons alive. I chained the door shut and that's on us." Concluded T-dog.

He stood up and walked away towards his tent.

"I'm turning in as well," I announced. "Come on Dillan, bedtime."
"Do I have to?" he asked sadly.
"You can talk to Sophia tomorrow. She isn't going anywhere. Come." I smiled.

He waved to Sophia before coming to my side.

***

I rolled onto my back inside the tent.

Another sleepless night.

Dillan's soft snores could be heard beside me, acting as white noise.

My thoughts crashed against each other.

"Glenn seems nice enough." I whispered to myself.

Though who is this Merle Dixon.

I laid there imagining myself stuck on a roof. Alone. Trapped.

I don't know what exactly I'd do. If I were this Merle, I'd come back here and wring their neck. If I were this Daryl guy, I'd likely beat them to it.

Daryl Dixon.

"What kind of name is that? Never head it before." I muttered, rolling over.

Well whoever he is, when he returns, he will not be happy.

[Word Count: 1,235]