Dead love in my hands (Troy Otto story/ Fear the walking dead/ ftwd)

She will believe

I woke up in complete silence. When I left the room, I didn't see Dean on the couch where he slept at night. It bothered me. When I opened the door to the street, I didn't see a car. Panic began to take over my whole body. From head to toe, I was covered with goosebumps. There were no supplies either. Dean didn't even leave me any water. I was fighting for his life, and he just left me here, knowing I wouldn't even be able to get to the ranch....

For twenty minutes I just tried to realize that it was real. But I didn't believe he could do it. More precisely, I didn't want to believe it. However, it was true. He's gone. It was a good thing I had at least my knife.

I walked along the asphalt towards the ranch. Most of all, I didn't want to ask for help from Troy. I wasn't even sure he would help. But there was no choice. It was already hot outside. After half an hour of walking, every step was already given with incredible difficulty. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand and looked around for some shade. Nothing. Sitting right on the hot asphalt, I was wondering what to do. Nothing came to mind.

***

I saw Della leave the house and go to the ranch. I was glad that she decided to go there after all, it meant that I was not a complete person in her eyes. She believed that I would help her. And I will help. Even sooner than she expects. I had to wait about an hour and then go after her. In this heat, she was already exhausted during this time. That's where I'll show up.

***

I do not know how long I sat there, but it seemed to me that an eternity had passed. Forcing myself to stand up was another challenge. After a couple of steps, an unpleasant taste of iron appeared in my mouth, as if I was running. I wanted to drink water more than ever in my life. I had no idea how I was going to get to the ranch. But I'm not ready to give up.

After walking about fifty meters, I suddenly heard the sound of an approaching car. Taking out my knife, I prepared for the worst, but still hoped for the best. After a couple of minutes, the car caught up with me. Because of the tinting, I couldn't figure out who was in it. But there was a feeling that it was a car from the ranch. She stopped. Troy came out of it.

"What are you doing here?!" I tried to hide my joy, but I think it was impossible.

"I was looking for you in that house. I thought you and Dean were there, but when I arrived, you weren't there. I decided to go back to the ranch and bumped into you... By the way, where is he?"

"You were right!" I spread my hands.

"What do you mean?" Troy raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

"This Dean... He left me! Alone! Without a car, weapons and supplies! He didn't even leave any water! I thought I was going to die in the desert and only get to the ranch as a walking!"

"Hush," Troy came up to me and handed me some water, "here, drink it," he took the knife from my hands and put it in his pocket, "you won't need it yet."

I drank greedily. Water has never tasted so good to me.

"Dell, I'm sorry. I'm ready to look for your family. Right now. I was too busy with ranch problems, that's why it turned out that way. But I'll give it up for you. I'll give the ranch to Jake. Do you want us to leave again? Just the two of us. You and me. Do you want to go to that house in the woods? I'm ready for anything, just give me a chance to prove it."

"Are you seriously ready to give up the ranch?"

"Whatever you say."

"I don't know if that's true, Troy, but I'm not in a position to argue. I need to go to El Bazar. Help me find my family and the Clarks. And then we'll decide."

Otto nodded.

***

I definitely wasn't going to leave the ranch. Especially in order to transfer control to Jake. But Della wanted to hear it. And I said it. I just need her to believe in me again. And she will believe.