NICOLETTE

"They should be back by now," Nicki heard Amy say anxiously, glancing at the road.

Glenn, Andrea, T-Dog, Jacqui, Morales, and Merle had left for Atlanta early that morning.

Glenn had already been back in the city a few times. He told them that it was full of walkers and that it was not easy to go unnoticed. That was why they had decided to go in so many, to have more chance to defend themselves and to try and take as many things as possible so as not to go back in there for a while.

"I'm sure they're fine," Lori said, placing a comforting hand on Amy's shoulder. Of course, Amy was worried; her sister was out there. Nicki believed that it would only feel worse with the passing of time.

"Any news, Sarah?" Shane asked suddenly, turning to Nicki's sister, who was holding the radio.

"I wish, Shane," Sarah replied.

Just moments before, a man had spoken to them over the radio, catching their frequency. He mentioned he was heading to Atlanta. Amy tried to warn him against it, but he couldn't hear her response. This led to a brief argument between Lori and Shane. Shane insisted there was no point in searching for other survivors; they simply couldn't afford the risk right now. As they stepped away to continue their discussion, Sarah attempted once more to adjust the frequency and reach the man. When Shane returned, he let out a long breath upon seeing her working on the radio.

"Let it go then," he said, hands on his hips.

"It's not like I have better things to do," Sarah replied, looking up at him with a smile.

Nicki chuckled softly.

"You won't let it go, will you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope," Sarah said, turning her focus back to the radio.

If Shane thought he could change her mind about anything, he was mistaken.

Two hours went by. 

Nicki was sitting on the steps of the RV with one of Dale's old books. It wasn't that bad, but Nicki had never read that much in her life.

Suddenly, an angry groan made her look up from the pages.

"Given up?" she asked as Sarah settled down on the ground beside her.

"Don't laugh at me, please," Sarah replied, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Not you, too."

"Shane wasn't laughing at you," Nicki said, closing the book and studying her sister. Sarah seemed to be staring ahead, lost in thought, her expression distant.

"Just... I thought I could get through to him," Sarah murmured, her voice trailing off. "What if he needs help?"

Nicki nodded, sensing her sister's disappointment. "You tried. That's what matters." She nudged Sarah gently. "Want to take a break? We can go check on the others."

Sarah sighed but gave a slight nod, grateful for the distraction. Nicki could see the worry etched on her sister's face, and she wanted to help lift that burden, even just a little. They might be surrounded by chaos, but they still had each other.

"Do you think I've been stupid?" Sarah asked softly.

"No," Nicki replied firmly, shaking her head.

The thought of a lone man walking straight into the city was chilling. If she were in his shoes, she'd want someone to warn her. If their parents were in danger, she'd hope someone would try to help them, too. It might not seem like much, but it was something.

"Nicki," Lori's voice got her attention, making her look up. "Can you keep an eye on Carl while I'm gone?"

"Where are you going?" Sarah asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"Just looking for some more mushrooms with Shane," Lori replied, showing them the little basket in her hand. "I won't be long."

"Alright," Nicki said quietly as Lori walked away.

It had become a habit lately—adults asking for Nicki to keep an eye on the younger kids. She was starting to feel like a babysitter. Usually, she would sit nearby, looking at them from time to time, playing, running around, or studying. Most of the time they kept doing their own things, they had stopped asking her to join their games. But she could tell that Carl didn't like to be watched over very much, especially by her.

And indeed, as he walked toward her, Nicki braced herself for his inevitable comment.

"I don't need to be watched over," Carl said, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Trust me, I'm not living my best time either," she replied coolly. "But apparently, this is my chore now, so just bear with it for a while."

Carl let out a frustrated sigh and plopped down in the spot he'd occupied earlier.

"You two sure talk a lot," Sarah chimed in with a small laugh. Nicki just shrugged her shoulders as she glanced towards Carl.

The two of them never really spoke, only exchanging words when the other children were around.

"I don't think either of us wants to talk that much," Nicki said. She had come to know that Carl's father had died not so long before, so he often got quiet. He usually played with Sophia; they had become friends quickly.

It reminded her of how Sarah and Glenn had become close. Nicki had overheard Jacqui discussing it with Dale, speculating that they might even like each other. In their small group, rumors spread quickly, but neither Sarah nor Glenn seemed to notice the whispers swirling around them. 

Nicki wondered if it was even possible to find love amidst all the chaos surrounding them. She had never experienced that kind of affection; it seemed like a distant dream. Sarah had a boyfriend during her last year of high school, but they broke up when it was time to leave for college. Nicki couldn't imagine falling in love in a situation like this.

Suddenly, the thought struck her: would she ever have the chance to experience it? With everything that was happening, her priorities were clear—staying alive and keeping her sister safe. That was no time of fairytales.

"So deep in thought," Sarah said, nudging Nicki. "What are you thinking about?"

"What normality will mean from now on?" Nicki replied, feeling her sister's eyes on her as she sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"No idea," Sarah admitted.

As the hours dragged on, their anxiety grew. Glenn's group still hadn't returned, and everyone was trying their best to distract themselves from the unease settling over the camp. Sarah stood up and walked over to Dale and Jim, who were busy tinkering with the RV. The two men were bent over their tools, surrounded by a jumble of hardware, their brows furrowed in concentration.

"Can I help?" Sarah asked, her smile brightening the atmosphere.

"Don't worry, dear," Dale replied sweetly.

"Please," Sarah insisted. "I need to focus on something other than worrying about them not coming back, and I'd like to be useful."

The two men exchanged glances before nodding, and Sarah's smile widened in response. Nicki watched as her sister tied her brown hair back into a ponytail, eager to absorb everything Dale was explaining.

Nicki smiled, observing her sister getting curious, asking questions, and listening closer to the answers.

"Nicolette," the girl turned as Shane placed a hand on her shoulder. "How about I show you how to make a knot?"

"A knot?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Shane nodded, gesturing toward Carl, who was standing not far away.

"I was about to show Carl," he said. "It could be useful. Let's give it a try." 

Nicki looked up at Shane with a small smile before nodding and following him over to where Carl was.

The three of them sat on the ground, intently watching Shane's hands as he demonstrated the knot. It was surprisingly interesting, and Nicki found herself having fun. She attempted to tie her own knot, but it slipped loose as she pulled the rope. Letting out a snort, she stared at the limp string hanging from her fingers. Carl laughed at her mishap, but soon, he struggled with his own knot.

"How is it possible?" he complained, chuckling at his failure.

"He made the right movement," Nicki said, determined to try again.

"You have to put this part around your finger first," Shane explained patiently.

"Like this?" Nicki asked Carl as he looked at her rope.

"I think, maybe higher," Carl suggested, watching her closely.

Just as they seemed to be getting the hang of it, a crackling voice burst through the radio, drawing their attention and making their hearts race.

"Hello, can anybody hear me?" They all looked towards the radio as Shane quickly got up, placing a hand on Carl's head before striding toward the RV, where Dale was already rushing to grab the speaker.

"It's T-Dog. Can anyone hear me?" Nicki and Sarah exchanged worried glances as T-Dog's voice came through, but the signal was distorted, making it hard to make out the details.

Dale responded immediately, trying to clear up the static, but all they could catch were fragmented words: "trapped" and "department store."

"Trapped?" Nicki muttered.

"He said they're trapped" said Shane ruffling his hair with his hand. After that they couldn't hear anything else. Silence fell inside the camp as the only noise they could hear was thunders above their heads. 

Trapped. With those monsters all around.

"He said department store," said Lori, looking at Shane.

"Can't we do something?" asked Sarah, getting closer to Amy, who was pale.

"No way. We do not go after them," said Shane, shaking his head as Lori moved closer to him. "We do not risk the rest of the group. You all know that."

"So, we're just going to leave her there?" Amy exclaimed, looking at Shane with wide eyes.

"Amy, I know it's not easy," he began to explain.

"She volunteered to go," Amy answered back. "To help the rest of us." Sarah and Nicki looked at each other. They understood Amy completely.

"She knew the risk," Shane said. "And if she is trapped, she is gone. We just have to deal with that."

Nicki wondered how he could do it, remaining distant and cold; easly saying that there was no hope for them was rushed. Glenn was there. Their group was out there. Was it really the only thing they could do? Cope for their loss.

"She is my sister, you son of a bitch!" Amy exclaimed before running away.

"Shane," Sarah said, stepping forward. "Glenn saved my life and my sister's. I can't just leave him out there. This is a group; shouldn't we protect each other?"

"That's what I'm trying to do, Sarah," Shane replied, his tone steady but frustrated.

She bit her lip, torn between her loyalty to the group and her concern for Glenn. "I won't be able to cope with that," she said before turning and running in the direction Amy had gone.

Glenn had been so kind to them; how could she bear the thought of doing nothing while he might be in danger?

But what could she do?

Nicki was fourteen and had never had to learn to defend herself. How could she possibly help the person who had saved her life? How could she help Jacqui, who always made sure she had eaten something? Or Morales, who had his family waiting for him? Or Andrea? Or T-Dog?

The thought weighed heavily on her.

There was nothing she could do.

She could only pray that Shane was wrong—that they would come back.

It was nearly sunset, and the camp was still in a tense wait. Sarah and Lori had managed to calm Amy, who now sat beside the RV, working on a shirt. Dale was on watch while Lori cut Carl's hair and engaged in conversation with Shane.

"You okay?" Nicki asked as she approached her sister.

"Not so much," Sarah replied, glancing at Shane. "I can't believe we're just going to keep living, knowing they might be gone." Her voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes. "I can't do that."

"I know," Nicki whispered, trying to provide comfort.

Suddenly, a car alarm pierced the silence, echoing through the valley. The two sisters exchanged a glance, adrenaline surging as they dashed toward the gathering crowd. 

"Talk to me, Dale," Shane urged, squinting up at the man on top of the RV, who was peering through his binoculars.

"Can't tell yet," Dale replied, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"It's getting closer," Nicki said, her heart racing as the noise grew louder.

"Is it them?" Amy asked urgently, hope lacing her voice. "Are they back?"

No one could answer that question, though everyone wished they could.

"What is it?" Sarah inquired, looking up at Dale.

"Stolen car, that's my guess," Dale said, keeping his gaze fixed on the road.

Moments later, a red sports car rounded the corner and skidded to a stop. The alarm blared incessantly, filling the air with tension as they all waited to see who would emerge.

"Oh god," Sarah muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as Glenn stepped out of the car, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over the group.

Nicki's lips curved into a wide smile, disbelief flooding her as she realized Glenn was alive.

Sarah dashed forward, enveloping him in a tight hug. "You're back!" she exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.

"Turn that damn thing off!" Dale shouted, frustration creeping into his tone as Glenn, still wrapped in Sarah's embrace, stammered, "I don't know how!"

In a moment, he was surrounded by questions as the alarm was still ringing. Nicki didn't know why, but she couldn't help but laugh at the scene. 

Shane finally silenced the alarm by disconnecting the battery wires. The group erupted into a flurry of questions; Amy was already peppering Glenn with questions, frantic for news about Andrea. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

Meanwhile, Sarah leaned in closer to Glenn, her concern evident. "Did you get hurt? Are you alright?"

"She's okay!" Glenn assured Amy, then turned to Sarah. "I'm alright. Everybody's fine."

"That's a miracle," Sarah murmured, relief washing over her as she noticed Amy's bright smile.

"Although..." Glenn hesitated, his expression growing serious. "Merle, not so much."

"Merle?" Sarah frowned. 

Was Merle Dixon dead? 

"Are you crazy to driving this wailing bastard up here?" exclaimed Shane pissed "Are you trying to draw every walker for miles?"

"I think we're okay" said Dale.

"You call being stupid, okay?" Shane was really pissed, but thankfully Dale was able to maintain a calm discussion.

"Well, the alarm was echoing all over these hills" Walkers seemed to be attracted by noises, but Dale was right, maybe it was not easy to find the source of the noise.

"It wouldn't hurt you to think things through a little more carefully next time, would it?" Dale then said turning to Glenn who was looking down.

"Sorry, got a cool car" 

Nicki didn't care about all of that in that moment, especially when the others arrived. Amy ran to Andrea, hugging her close, while Morales embraced his wife with fervor. T-Dog walked over to Dale, and Sarah wrapped her arms around Jacqui, relief evident on their faces.

But as the joyful reunions unfolded, Nicki noticed Lori gently leading Carl away from the scene. The boy's eyes glistened with tears as his mother spoke softly to him, and Nicki's heart ached for her own family. She wished more than anything to see her parents running toward her, the warmth of their embrace a distant memory. She could imagine how difficult it could be for Carl to see families reunited when his father was dead.

"How did you get out from there, anyway?" Shane asked, breaking the momentary silence.

"New guy," Glenn replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "He got us out."

Nicki frowned. A new person? 

So, it was possible to find new people.

Everyone was surprised to hear those words.

"Hey, helicopter boy!" Morales shouted.

A man dressed as a cop stepped down from the truck they had just arrived in. He looked exhausted, but as he moved toward them, Nicki noticed his eyes widen, filling with tears.

"Dad!" Carl's voice rang out, and in an instant, he sprinted into the man's arms, sobbing as they embraced tightly.

It couldn't be possible.

Nicki watched as the two clung to each other, the world around them fading away. The man then turned, still holding Carl, and embraced Lori, who burst into tears of joy.

They were together again. It was more than a miracle.

A smile spread across Nicki's face as she took in the scene. For the first time, she felt a flicker of hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for all of them.