Survival

The Greene Farm

The night we had arrived on the farm. Shane came back to the farm with all the medical supplies Hershel had needed to save Carl, but without Otis, the man who had shot Carl and Hershel's longtime friend. Hershel operated on the boy with not a minute to spare. They were moments away from operating without the medical supplies.

We waited for Shane to get back and for Hershel to operate. Hershel's friend and colleague, Patricia, had sewn up the gash in T-Dogs arm, saving his life. T-Dogs recovery would be much easier for her efforts. Glenn paced for hours between T-Dog and the anxious parents waiting for their son's life to be saved.

When the operation was over, and we were sure Carl was going to live, the rest of us tried to sleep. Hershel offered me the sofa, assuring me it would provide a cozy place for me and my baby until the rest of our supplies arrived. I drifted to sleep that night, clutching my son in my arms, thanking God that he was still breathing and out of harm's way.

~~~

That morning, I waited for my only friend. Ian played on the lawn, often stooping and digging in the grass, babbling to himself.

"Hey," Lori called from the porch.

"Hey," I called back, walking toward her at a slow pace. "How's Carl?"

"He woke up for a bit," Lori smiled. "Hershel says he's stable."

"Amazing!" I smiled, glancing at my son. "You must be relieved."

"He asked about Sophia," she sighed, running a shaking hand over her face. "I lied to him. Told him she was just fine." She shifted on her feet, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "He's going to hate me when he gets up and realizes she's not here."

"We'll find her before he does." I walked up the steps and sat down on the porch, monitoring my son. "And if he's up before then, we'll say he misheard you or something, still loopy on those surgery drugs."

"So, lie more?" Lori shot an amused glance my way.

"Hey." I stuck my hands up in defense. "My kid is only two. I lie all the time." I chuckled. "No, baby, this isn't chocolate. It's spicy. No baby, these toys aren't for sale, they're just to look at. No, Ian, these are yummy veggies. They taste like candy."

Lori chuckled as she dropped beside me. She looked out at the vast expanse of fields on Hershel's land.

"It's hard being a mother now-a-day," she wrapped her arms around her waist, leaning forward, lost in thought. "It was hard being a mother before. Now it's ten times harder."

I was about to respond, but my response stalled in my throat as I heard a faint rumbling coming closer. I shot up off the steps to get a better look. My smile shined as I saw the black motorcycle driving up to the farm. I wiped my hand across my mouth to hide the smile. I rushed down the steps and scooped Ian into my arms as the three vehicles approached.

"Vroom Mama!" Ian pointed towards Daryl on his bike.

"That's right, vroom." I said to him. I watched as Daryl drove closer, hiding my smile as best I could. Ian giggled in my arms, still babbling about the noises the bike made as it approached. When Daryl pulled up right beside the giant tree, I rushed over. Ian giggled as the bike roared. "He likes the noise it makes." I smiled as Ian wiggled in my arms, reaching out to Daryl. Daryl smirked and grabbed him from me. He sat Ian on the bike in front of him and revved the engine. Ian kicked his little feet and giggled like crazy. Daryl gave it two more revs before cutting the engine.

"Mama! It vroom!" Ian cried. I smiled and laughed with him as Daryl stood with my son in his arms.

The RV and a green car pulled up on the other side of the tree, everyone piling out of their vehicles and rushing to Lori on the porch. The rest of the group and Hershel's family came wandering out of the house.