The Bargaining Chip

Everyone was quiet, except those who were crying. Carol didn't want Sophia to see Ed, and she didn't want him buried. He was a mean, violent drunk, and she wanted him to burn. Jim was dead, and Andrea was lying over Amy's lifeless body, saying how sorry she is and waiting for her to turn. She would be the one to put her down. She said Shane was a mistake. She was so sorry. Shane heard a growl and some movement behind him. He saw a walker, who was newly killed, with long red hair, naked, and her throat slit. He took out his silencer, and put her down. He looked around, and nobody was watching. Alex didn't see what happened, but Lori and most of everyone else did. The four year old boy was scared, and started crying. "Where's mommy?" he asked. "I want my mommy."

Bobby went over towards his mom, Andrea, and said he was hungry. She told him to go away. He said "Mommy..." and tried to hug her. She turned around and pushed him over. He fell to the ground with a thud, and started crying.

Daryl came over to pick him up. "Hey bud, let's get you some food." He took him into the RV, and Lori, who was mourning Connie, gave Bobby a hug. She saw everything. She had Bobby sit with Alex, Mika, Luke and Judith and gave them all breakfast. Carol came in with Sophia and Duane, and Lori started breakfast for them too. Rick, and Morgan entered the RV.

"I checked everyone. They're all okay, but shaken. We need to find someplace else. Half the tents are torn to shreds." said Morgan.

Rick nodded. Dale had a map in the RV, and they saw a CDC facility about an hour away.

"Nah. We need to go to Fort Benning. They have security, military, food, water and shelter." laughed Shane.

"The CDC could have an answer to what's going on. Maybe a cure. Maybe a vaccination." said Lori.

"I still say Fort Benning."

"Shane, you have two children you need to think of. Those two boys are your kids. It's not just you anymore." said Dale.

"It's early in the morning, and we need to decide. I say the CDC." said Lori.

"Me too" said Carol.

"Same here." said Dale.

"Dumb fucks are gonna get yourself killed." Shane said as he left the RV and slammed the door.

"Miss Lori, who is that?" asked Alex.

Lori looked at Rick, not knowing what to say. Rick sat down next to Alex and said "his name is Shane, and he was a policeman. Just like me."

"Cool! Can I ride in your car?"

"If I find one, you bet!" Rick said with a smile.

Alex smiled and wrapped his arms around Rick to gave him a hug.

Carol went to talk to the others; Andrea, Sophia, Merle, Daryl, T and Glenn, and told them that Rick thought the best option would be to go to the CDC. It's closer, and maybe we could get some answers. Andrea asked where Shane was, Carol said she didn't know. Bobby, her son, was in the RV if she wanted to say hello. Andrea rolled her eyes and started looking in the tents for Shane. She found Shane, being punched and kicked by Rick. Shane was on the ground, Rick kneeling above him, punching him relentlessly. When Andrea yelled and ran up to them, Rick had wrapped his hands around his former friend's throat and said that he ever touched Lori again he'll throw him to the walkers and watch as he's torn apart.

Rick stopped into the RV's bathroom and used the trickle of water to wash Shane's blood off his hands. They had funerals for Amy, Connie, Sindy, Donna and Jim. Everyone mourned someone. Lori was trying to be strong but cried over her sister. Allen mourned his wife, and three year old Billy and Ben mourned their mother.

Soon, all the camping equipment was packed away, and they were ready to go. He got out and got into his car, leading the way, with Lori, Carl, Judith, Luke, Mika, Sophia, Carol, Alex and Bobby. Morgan took his SUV with Duane, Jenny, T and Glenn. Dale took his RV with Daryl, and Merle. Shane, his face still bloody, took Andrea in his jeep.