[b]Jessalyn - Leaving Haywood[/b]

After a lot of arguing it was decided that Abram would be coming with her. Jess was torn on that front. In a way she glad to have the added eyes and gun, but she was also not very happy about who it was. She knew she shouldn't blame Abram, but in the back of her mind he was the reason she and Floyd got seperated. HE had insisted they leave without Floyd and then HE had been the one to refuse to go back for him. It was something she was going to have to work to get over, but it would take some time.
It wasn't just Abram's fault and she knew that. She also blamed herself for leaving Floyd behind. It was something that ate at her heart every day.

Baby Ben made a gurgling sound and she looked down at her little man. He was the only thing that could make her smile. When she looked at him, she felt her heart heal a bit. Everything she had gone through for him had been worth it the first time she'd held him in her arms. He was her world, but Floyd was her sun, moon and stars. She need him in her life, needed him to be with her and with Ben. In her mind Floyd was the perfect father figure for Ben. He wasn't perfect, but he tried and he had good values. His actions came from a good place. He was a good man. The kind of man she wanted her son to become.

"Shh," she told the baby, pressing a kiss to his forehead. They had only just left Haywood, but you never knew when a stray walker could be wandering around. Jess wondered why Abram had wanted to come with her. It was more dangerous traveling with her now then when she had been pregnant. It was highly likely he would attract walkers. You really couldn't control the sounds a baby made. Maybe he felt responsible for her. He hadn't been himself since Emma had left, perhaps he felt guilty about not being able to keep Daniel's sister with them. But it had been her choice and he couldn't control her.

[b]Katie - Baton Rouge - Tyler/George[/b]

When the old man had appeared Katie had run to hide behind her daddy, scared of the gun in his hand. But soon it was clear that he would not hurt them, he even gave them water. Katie was very thirsty and it was hard not to drink more then a few sips. The water felt cool in her empty stomach.

When the old man took out a chocolate bar Katie's mouth nearly started watering. It had been a long time since she'd had chocolate. Her eyes stared at the candy wanting it so badly, but afraid to ask.
Her stomach grumbled again. She slipped her hand into her daddy's, holding tightly and shaking it gently. "Daddy?" she asked in a small voice. "I'm really hungry," she told him in an apologetic voice, as if she was sorry for being hungry.
---

[b]Heather - Road - Others[/b]

Heather narrowed her eyes at DeSean's comment and his laughing. It would no secret that she and Hank did not get along and the reason behind was no secret, but she still did not appreciate joking about it at her expense.

"I'll agree with what makes sense," Heather said pointedly. "There's no reason to go to the coast unless we're sure there is a boat there. Otherwise we might strand ourselves between the walkers and the ocean. I also do not agree with traveling. What I really think we should do is find a place and make a permanent settlement there. Traveling too much and with no real destination is not safe in the long run. Travel wears down the body, makes a person tired and weak. A permanent settlement would provide stability, which is important for survival."

She knew her opinion would not be a popular one, but he had asked for it so she had given it. She turned her head to stare out the window in silence. she had said what she wanted, there was nothing else to add.

DeSean was getting to be a problem. She could recognize the signs. It wouldn't be long before there was a fight for the leadership role. At this point she wasn't sure who should be in charge. She sure as hell didn't want the job, but she didn't know who would be the best. They had survived so long under Hank so she would continue with that for now.
But, in all seriousness, if it came down to a fight between Hank and DeSean, Heather knew she'd side with Hank, if only because despite his faults he was very levelheaded. DeSean flew off the handle too much, jumped to conclusions and did things without really thinking about them. That kind of attitude was dangerous.
She was going to have to say something to Hank about this soon. She didn't want o start trouble, but Hank should be made aware of what was brewing. Maybe he could head it off and stop it before it became a really bad situation.

Lost in thought she didn't even notice they had stopped until she heard Hank's voice talking about the roadblock. DeSean had a point, but so did Hank. She wasn't so much concerned about noise as she was for how much forcing their way through would take out of them. They needed to conserve as much energy as possible, especially since they didn't know how long they would be traveling.

Heather got out of the car just as the decision was made that Hank would lead a small group to scout things about and DeSean would stay behind to protect everyone else. Going to the back of the SUV, Heather opened the trunk area and starting putting a few basic medical supplies in a backpack.
"I'm going with you," she informed Hank. "You'll need a medical person, just in case anything happens."
Her tone told him that she wasn't going to back down from her decision. She loved Aaliyah dearly but the girl was too young and inexperienced to be put in a tense situation that they might encounter, where she would have to work quickly and calmly. Heather was used to it, having worked several years in a high-trauma emergency room. Plus she was not about to send someone she cared about into a life-threatening situation. She would rather do it herself. Aaliyah was a doctor. She had more medical knowledge. She could do more complex procedures. That made her more important then Heather. Heather was expendable.