Chapter 4

SARAH 

Finding a way to arrange sleeping quarters for everyone that night hadn't been easy. There were so many of them, and they all needed to rest close together, but they couldn't all fit inside the RV.

Once Lori managed to coax Carol away from the guard rail, they agreed to let her rest in Dale's bed. They made T-Dog lie down on the seat of the RV next to the table, insisting that he not take a shift to keep watch.

"Me and Glenn will take the first watch," Rick announced. Lori let out a sigh at his words.

"Rick... I think you should rest," she said, placing her hands on his chest.

"How can I, Lori?" he replied, his frown deepening.

"It's been a long day for you too," she insisted. Rick was clearly exhausted from his time in the woods. He felt responsible for what had happened to Sophia, but he needed to recharge. They would need him at full strength in the morning.

"We can manage for one night," Sarah chimed in with a small smile, stepping forward from between Glenn and Dale.

"I could take watch with Glenn," she offered, drawing everyone's attention. Shane had his hands on his hips while Daryl observed her, biting his bottom lip. She waited for him to speak, but instead, Glenn moved closer.

"You sure?" he asked, glancing between Rick and Sarah, who nodded.

"I can't shoot, but you can," she said confidently. "And two pairs of eyes are better than one." A silence fell over them. The men typically preferred to take on protective roles, but this situation was different. They all needed to pitch in, and Sarah hoped everyone felt the same way.

"Yeah, why not?" Shane said after exchanging a look with Rick, causing Nicki to take a deep breath and nod.

"I want to help too," Andrea added, stepping forward, and the two men nodded in agreement.

"Okay, but no gun," Shane stated firmly. Andrea scoffed at that, but he ignored her.

Then Sarah noticed Shane looking behind her back, and following his gaze, she noticed him looking at Nicki, who was sitting on the hood of a car next to Carl, waiting for them to decide what to do. Sarah frowned a bit just before Shane spoke.

"What about you, Nicolette?" he asked, making Nicki look up, surprised to be called.

"What?" she replied, confusion clear on her face.

"You put on quite a show, according to Rick," Shane said, a hint of challenge in his voice.

"What are you up to?" Sarah felt a swell of protectiveness, stepping between Shane and Nicki.

Carl had told Sarah how Nicki had rolled out from under the car they were hiding in when they heard the walkers approach. Spotting one trailing behind Rick, who was trying to reach Sophia, Nicki had launched an arrow right through the walker's head.

"She's got skills; she could help us," Shane insisted, but Andrea rolled her eyes.

"She's just a child," Andrea said dismissively. Sarah shot her a glare. It was true that Nicki was young, but Sarah didn't like the way Andrea had said it. Ignoring Andrea, she turned back to Rick.

"She saved my life," Rick said. "Maybe we should let her learn how to be out there with us." Sarah glanced at Nicki, who was silently observing the scene, gripping her bow tightly. Sarah couldn't gauge what Nicki wanted; she didn't know if her sister wanted to try or if she preferred to stay safely in the car.

"I don't know if I'm okay with this," Sarah admitted honestly. After what happened with Sophia, unease gnawed at her.

"She could help us," Shane said. "At least she could learn how to."

"It could be safer for her, too," Rick added, looking toward the woods. Sarah hated the idea of Nicki taking watch at night, but on the other hand, Nicki knew how to use a weapon. Maybe in this world, it was the right decision to let her learn.

"She wonder 'round a lot?" asked suddenly Daryl making Sarah turn in his direction. A little frown appeared on her face.

Daryl suddenly asked, drawing Sarah's attention. A small frown formed on her face.

"She's responsible," Sarah replied. "If she wanders, it's always where someone can see her."

"Right," Daryl said, then turned to Nicki. "Hey!"

"Yeah...?" Nicki asked, surprise etched on her face.

"I'll wake you when it's time," Daryl said before looking at Rick. "We take the last shift." He then walked away, nodding at Sarah as he passed and heading toward a nearby car to lie down in the backseat.

"Come on, Sarah," Glenn said softly, nudging her with his shoulder.

"I'll be right there," she said, walking over to her sister.

Nicki watched Carl hop down from the car, following Lori and Rick into the vehicle they had traveled in. Sarah felt a pang of uncertainty; she had always been able to read her sister, but now Nicki seemed like a closed book. When life had been simpler, Sarah often found herself advocating for Nicki, talking their parents out of strict decisions on her behalf. Nicki could be stubborn, but she rarely engaged in arguments. Instead, she would retreat to her room, leaving Sarah to interpret her feelings.

"Are you okay with this?" Sarah asked, stepping closer to Nicki, who looked up silently and nodded.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," Sarah offered, searching for her sister's gaze.

"No, it's fine," Nicki replied, hopping down from the hood of the car and grabbing her bow.

"You sure?" Sarah pressed, a small frown on her face. Nicki turned to her, affirming with a nod, then adjusted her quiver on her shoulder and began walking toward the RV.

Sarah watched her sister for a moment, then took a deep breath and climbed the ladder to the RV where Glenn was waiting. He reached the top first, extending a hand to help her up.

"We should sit down," Glenn said, a hint of anxiety in his voice. Sarah nodded silently, following his lead. They settled down on the roof, the cool metal grounding them amid the chaos below.

"Hey," Glenn said, sitting next to Sarah on the edge of the RV. "It's going to be alright, you know."

Sarah managed a slight smile, her gaze drifting to the car where Daryl was resting. She didn't fully understand Daryl Dixon, but one thing she was certain of: he would protect Nicki. He had stepped up during the herd and immediately joined the search for Sophia.

"I remember the first time Nicki got her bow," she said, taking a breath that turned into a wistful smile. "She was, like, six or something." A soft laugh escaped her. "It was one of those plastic ones with suction cups instead of tips. Christmas present from our grandparents. She was so fascinated by it. Just held it in her hands, completely silent, and then she got this huge smile."

Sarah could picture Nicki, dressed in a red dress with her black hair tied in pigtails adorned with huge red ribbons. "I remember how she complained about those ribbons," she added, chuckling at the memory.

"In our living room, there was this still life painting, you know? She came to me and said, 'Watch me, Sarah. I'm going to hit that apple.' And she did!" Sarah laughed again, hearing Glenn chuckle along with her. "God, our mom was furious, but we all knew she had some kind of gift. That's how it all started with her and archery."

A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "Every time she used that bow, I could see how happy she was, even if she missed, even if she lost a competition. She didn't care." Taking a deep breath, she added, "I never thought that passion would put her life on the line."

Glenn watched her, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I know it's not easy for you," he said gently. "And with everything going on with Sophia..."

Sarah nodded, feeling the weight of it all. "It just feels so overwhelming."

"But Nicki made a difference," Glenn said, shifting slightly to look her in the eyes. "She saved Rick's life. I really think she can help us. And we need all the help we can get."

Maybe he was right. Sarah considered the idea of learning to defend herself, just like Nicki had. If Nicki could take this step, maybe she could, too.

"And she hit it right through the head," Glenn said, making Sarah chuckle. "She is a monster!" She nudged him playfully, bumping her shoulder against his.

Maybe she was overthinking it. Nicolette wouldn't be alone that night; Daryl would be there with her, and the rest of the group would watch over them during the day.

"What about you, Pizza Boy?" Sarah asked, looking at her friend. "How are you holding up?"

"Scared shitless," he admitted after a deep breath.

"Yeah, same here," she confessed. "I feel like I'm becoming an anxious old lady." It was true; she felt constantly on edge, always scanning her surroundings, terrified that something would happen to one of them. And today, something had.

"Do you think we will find her?" Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

That question hung heavy in the air, painful to even utter. She hoped and prayed for Sophia's safe return, for someone to find her and bring her back home. For Carol's sake, and for all of them.

"I hope so," Glenn replied softly.

Sarah often observed Nicki, Carl, and Sophia. They brought a semblance of normalcy to their chaotic lives when they played, laughed, or even argued. Just being together seemed to uplift their spirits. They deserved to live without fear, to feel safe and happy. They shouldn't be out in the woods at night, running from shadows.

As they continued their conversation, Sarah lost track of time. Hours slipped by until Shane and Andrea called up from below.

"Everything good?" Shane asked, hands on his hips, his expression a mix of concern and authority.

"Yeah," Glenn replied. "All good."

"Alright," Shane nodded. "Go to sleep. We got it covered."

The two of them climbed down from the ladder. Glenn handed his rifle to Shane and followed Sarah inside the RV. T-Dog lay on his back on the seat, snoring softly. Dale was seated in front of him, arms crossed and fast asleep. Nicki was curled up on the ground, her arm tucked under her head, her bow and quiver resting beside her.

"Where do you want to sleep?" Glenn asked in a whisper.

"I'll take the floor," Sarah replied with a small smile.

"You sure?"

Sarah nodded, gently nudging him toward the seat next to Dale. She preferred the ground. During high school sleepovers, she and her friend Lucy always spread out on the living room floor. Lucy insisted on taking the sofa after one too many nights of waking up with a sore back. She was always dramatic about it but made up for it with cookies and cupcakes. Lucy had been generous like that.

As soon as Sarah lay down, fatigue washed over her like a tidal wave. She turned onto her side and yawned, suddenly aware of how exhausted she truly was. Just as she started to drift off, she heard a faint sob from Carol. Trying to stay awake to comfort her, Sarah fought to keep her eyes open, but sleep quickly overtook her.

In her dreams, Sarah found herself with Amy, Jacqui, and Jim, all alive, sitting around a fire with Sophia. Laughter filled the air as they shared stories, Dale's voice weaving humor into the mix. Carl and Nicki bickered nearby, while Rick and Lori chatted contentedly. She sat beside Glenn, laughter spilling from her lips, and glanced over to see Daryl not far away, eating peacefully, just as he had at the CDC. It felt safe, warm, and blissfully normal.

But then, chaos erupted. Walkers surged forward, attacking the group. Screams pierced the joyful atmosphere, and panic gripped her. She tried to run to Nicki but felt a sharp pain in her neck as a walker bit down. Turning in horror, she saw Glenn fall to the ground, lifeless. Someone yanked her back, and she watched Daryl get bitten on the arm by another walker. Tears streamed down her face as she cradled him, calling his name as he slipped away. Despair consumed her; everyone was gone, and she was utterly alone.

Just as she was ready to surrender to the nightmare, Sarah jolted awake, gasping for breath. She sat up, disoriented, her heart racing. Her eyes darted around the RV, landing on Glenn and Dale still asleep nearby. Relief flooded over her—she was safe; they all were. But where was Nicki?

She quickly scanned the room, panic rising when she noticed her sister's bow was missing. Nicki had left the RV. Walking towards the door, she stopped when she heard Daryl's voice outside.

"Scared, girl?" Daryl asked, his voice low and steady.

"Why are you asking?" Nicki replied, her tone barely above a whisper, as was her habit.

A moment of silence hung between them before Daryl spoke again. "Saw how you looked away before."

Nicki didn't respond, her eyes downcast.

"That was a lucky shot, right?"

"How...?" she started, but Daryl cut her off.

"Not looking so proud like you usually do."

Nicki chuckled at that. "I'm not used to moving targets. I have to learn. I have to be good like you all want me to be."

Daryl's expression softened slightly. "If that was a lucky shot, you ain't got nothin' to worry about."

Sarah couldn't help but smile at Daryl's words. She could hear Nicki's quiet gratitude, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit.

But then, a scoff interrupted the moment. Sarah turned to see Andrea sitting just outside the entrance to the RV's 'bedroom.'