Ch 12 Quarry Camps End.

As more walkers kept coming more people kept making mistakes in panic. Jim was on top of the RV with another hunting rifle with Dale and Morgan. Kids are all locked up in my truck with the girls. Rick, Daryl, Merle, Shane, Glenn, Morales, and I just did our own thing. I had a bit of fun destroying the walkers knees tripping more walkers giving us room to breathe. But for some reason other people were just being stupid. Some ran into the woods or kept using a bat to hit them in the torso making my eye twitch at the stupidity of it. So they died just like in canon except the kids and girls they had.

"We're almost through with them guys hold up a bit longer." I bark out as I stab another walker in the head while backing to the others.

"This is easy don't worry." Says Merle with a cocky smile.

"Shut up and keep shooting." Barks Daryl at his brother. Merle just laugh but listens.

"Daamn how did so many get this close? What happened to the traps and alarms y'all set up?" Asks Glenn as he slices another head off a walker with a bit of awkwardness.

"Someone probably did something to it my money is on that waste of space. If I see him I'm ending him." And just as I say that, the last walker to come meet its end comes into view.

"Well damn it was you." I chuckle. Because he was wrapped around with a bit of the wire still and a few cans. "Damn I can't believe you turned to a walker." I state walking around him. Everyone quiet as they can see how angry I was and just chilled out for the moment. Then I stopped and came a scene with Michonne came into my mind so I went with it.

"Hey Glenn lend me the katana please?" I asked. And he tosses me the blade in its scabbard as he asks me what's the plan.

"I wanna do an experiment real quick." I answered. Then quickly sliced off walker Ed's arms and lower jaw and it just stands there with complete silence. Everyone was stunned and starts asking questions. I put the walker on its knees. And it does so with no resistance.

"Why do this to him why not kill him?" Asks Dale trying to figure out what I wanted.

I look at him with pain in my eyes throwing everyone off. Then answer him.

"Because every child should at least be able to say goodbye to their parents before moving on." I state. Then boom realization hit everyone I wasn't doing this for me but for the ex wife and daughter.

I experiment more by poking fun at it hugging it head butting it but nothing just kneeling there.

"Why you messing with it like that?" Asks Daryl in confusion.

But before I could answer it was Merle. "Because the kid may wanna hug her daddy one more time. How this worthless piece of trash can help make something as cute as Sophia I'll never understand." Surprising everyone around at his answer and they look at me I just nod and sit next to walker Ed.

I bring my hand up to my ear after taking off my glove and gave an order. "Cora let everyone know we're safe. Tell them the casualties and inform Carol and Sophia to come out and tell them Ed is now a walker but don't tell them anything else I'm gonna remove a heart demon." I add the last part in a tone that makes everyone question my sanity.

I look at them and say "Ok look this guys a piece of shit but no reason to let his old fam suffer so I plan to tell Sophia a story. So please just go with it." They nod in understanding and Dale sees me in a new light while Daryl still doesn't understand.

"Cora reroute some water for the outside shower." I ordered "Yes master." She responds. I look at everyone and tell em if they want a warm shower there's an outside hose in the box on the driver side of the truck. Cora helps Morgan find it with Jim and they also spot a quick release valve and a clamp they can use to set it up and a small yet tall automatic tent that sets itself up when unrolled for privacy. As the others go have fun with the showers and helping others hop off the truck Carol and Sophia find me sitting next to walker Ed.

Carol cries with Sophia in her arms and looks at me. I nod confirming it's ok. She guides Sophia with me and I take the kids hand. While Amy stays in the truck with my twins as they sleep on my bed.

"Sophia daddy went on to another adventure but the virus took over and now he's like this. I start. He told me to tell you he is sorry he hurt you he just wanted you strong because the world is dangerously evil now." I start telling her a story. He told me he wanted one more hug from you but didn't wanna hurt you so we talked and came up with this." I point my thum to Ed with no arms and jaw. And afterwards he can sleep happy knowing Daryl will keep you safe." I state with a sly smile making Daryl look at me with disbelief and gives me a look that says 'what the hell you talking bout jackass?'

I wink back at him with a cocky smirk as if saying 'carols free now's your chance.' He scoffs at me and walks away collecting the rest of his arrows he used in the defense. Making Merle chuckle at the situation.

"Sophia it's safe to hug daddy if you want to say your goodbyes so daddy can rest for his next adventure." I say as I put a hand on her shoulder in silent comfort and support. Carol looks at me with gratitude and whispers a silent thank you. Because she knows her husband the best and knows what I'm doing for her daughter.

After their heart felt grievances and goodbyes I take Sophia back to the truck and ask Amy to wash her up and put her to bed while we get the camp organized and I store all the gear into my inventory from the fallen campers. It's like the world fate or its order has to somehow correct itself. An experiment for another time because now I'm just a bit exhausted.

'Master your stamina is basically in the yellow but mentally you're exhausted.' Cora informs me of my body's status. And I agree then thank her for it.

As the girls sleep with the kids Daryl and I help the rest sort out the dead walkers in one area and the campers in the other. I tell him to help Carol if he wants. While shooting a knowing smile, he scoffs but doesn't comment just takes my advice and goes off to find her. He helps lay Ed down while she goes ham on his skull while crying.

Daryl just standing besides her for comfort as awkward as he felt but let her work through it but she ends up hugging him throwing him off a bit but holds her anyway. As a silent pillar of support and comfort. Carol growing bolder just looks up at him and just gives him a kiss throwing him off guard again.

Cora still in high alert, but with more vigor now that the sun has come out and charging up all panels. And stays on guard. Gotta love an AI that doesn't need to eat, sleep or anything else haha I mentally laugh at the situation. And Cora agrees.

It's just a little past noon and we gather up together again. Campers are buried, walkers burned. Thanks to the rebreathers I gave everyone for the process so no one will get sick. We left the kids in my truck allowing them to play games or watch tv while we discuss our next move.

"Thanks for helping distract the kids man." Says Morales as he comes up with his wife. Everyone else agrees with him at that. I just waved it off saying no problem.

"The world isn't a good place anymore they need a safe space while we plan and exchange ideas. This helps everyone involved not just my girls." They agree.

I look at Rick and Shane along with everyone else. Merle and Daryl just chilling with us drinking some low quality cold beers I had passed around to everyone. Not enough to get buzzed but enough to relax while we sit around in the shade enjoying the moment while we can. We try to figure out what's next.

Morales and his wife want to look for family I didn't argue or anything about it. He dumb as shit anyway for leaving talking about what's best for his fam. Dumbass. Didn't he see the hell we went through not to mention the terrors of human nature when meeting and person. I shake my head in disbelief and disappointment. I give him 2 APs with basic supplies. Flint, military grade shovel (spade type, adjustable), basic first aid kit (IV bags in a cooling container, bandages of different kinds, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, several antibiotics, some flu shots, tetanus shots etc.), fresh cold water with ice so it can stay cooler longer in the hydration system, food, snacks for kids. Vitamins and supplements for healthy growth for the kids. Ammo, daggers, two pistols with ten mags each a hunting rifle with a 4x scope, a semi automatic rifle with adjustable stock for close quarters and two sets of grenades (frag and flashbang).

"Morales if need be, use only cold weapons on walkers and the guns on people if possible. And remember to keep in contact with Cora if you get lost or get into trouble." I instruct him. He nods in agreement and understanding. They give their heart felt goodbyes.

I kiss the kids on their heads and give them three kids a small bag of snacks and tell them "Ok kids save em till you are really really hungry and only a little at time understand?" They nod in agreement and I hand them all a color powered game boy Cora created with Pokémon crystal in it and a few other games. Earning a grateful hug and smile from Maria (Moarles's wife).

I'm not worried about the ear buds or the gear falling into anyone else's grasps because Cora can just detonate them if need be. I kept that little tidbit to myself.

We gear back up finished packing then loading and start to mount up. Amy, Andrea, Carol, and Lori all in my truck with the kids. I lock them in as they chill in there beds drinking water bottles watching tv or playing games or whatever they do while I hop in the drivers seat Rick in the passenger and Glenn in the middle talking with Cora looking over a map and planning stops. T-Dog and Jaquie in a small SUV type car with tents and blankets all loaded in the back. Dale, Jim, Morgan and Shane in the RV with Dale driving. Shane and Jim cleaning the guns religiously while Morgan looks at the map relaxed as his son is safe in Valhalla as he talks to Dale and Glenn over the ear buds about possible safe routes.

Daryl and Merle driving new badass solar powered motorcycles that Cora made from dismantling the old motorcycle they had the frame is reinforced titanium steel and the body is made up of material to absorb solar energy. They're stronger faster and can run on gas for a 100 miles if need be with no extra issues equipped with saddle bags and an extra seat. One side of the bags is a cooling container on its own mini solar panel for their drinks on each bike of course. Gotta love Cora's abilities. And the other has a map and compass. With a crossbow and custom arrows. 30 on each bike making them both happy.

Merle is leading in front with Daryl, followed Dale in the RV, then T-Dog in the crappy looking SUV, then me in Valhalla bringing up the rear.

I look over at Rick he looks back at me I nod my head in confirmation for him to start. He brings up his hand to his ear bud and speaks through to everyone.

"Ok everyone." He begins. "Let's be on guard not just for walkers but other people as well. Merle and Daryl if you get ambushed look for cover IMMEDIATELY." He advised them. "The bikes can take an RPG no problem with Cora's modifications so don't worry about them just get to cover." He instructs. Surprising the brothers that they can hear him clear as day through the ear buds.

"If you spot anything let us know immediately, we got the back with Cora's sensory range but only up to 200 meters in a 360 degree radius. But even that may not be enough." He informs everyone of our capabilities so they can be comforted to a degree. I nod in conformation. "Make sure everyone has a weapon with a silencer ready to shoot if anything happens. Keep your heads on a swivel. Heads down eyes up. We got this everyone."

He encouraged everyone as he ends his speech and gave us some bit of hope as we roll down the highway to our next destination. Our new adventure.

Next time on The Walking Dead (deep DBZ voice)