More than a memory: Dale and Sophia
The minute Dale heard shuffling around just outside of the RV, he knew it was Andrea moving to gather up a few weapons. What on Earth had she gotten into this time? Standing on top of the RV was a pretty good way to keep watch for any walkers that might be in the area and so far, everyone in the group had gotten pretty lucky. Hershel's farm had provided them all a safe haven and they had actually been able to rest comfortably, which was something that nobody had been able to do in god only knows how long. Getting to his feet from his sitting position on top of the vehicle, the older man made his way to the edge and peered down over it.
"Andrea, what do you think you're doing?!" Concern immediately jumped into his voice as he stared down at her. The woman was like a daughter to him and here she was, getting ready to go out walking the grounds in the pasture from the looks of it. "It's not safe out there," Trying to talk her out of it was no use. When she had her mind made up there was no arguing with her.
"I've got to help make sure the farm stays safe."
Andrea's words didn't actually register in Dale's mind what exactly she meant at first. "Well, let me at least come with you." He'd already started to climb down the ladder of the vehicle so he could join her. If anything were to happen to her, he would never forgive himself. Also, he knew that not everyone would be too thrilled about it, particularly Sophia. It was kind of neat how Andrea and Sophia had managed to form some sort of female bond between the two of them and truthfully it was great to watch.
"No, Dale. You need to stay here. I'll be fine by myself."
She sounded so confident it was almost unreal. Opening his mouth, he started to protest before he sighed softly. Nodding his head softly in agreement, he knew as well as just about anyone that Andrea was fully capable of taking care of herself. The chances of something actually happening out there were slim to none, but it was still always better to be safe than sorry. While he wanted to go with her to help make sure she was alright, he knew he had an obligation to everyone at the ranch house and in the RV. He had to make sure they stayed out of harm's way up here while Andrea made sure the fields were safe.
For a few moments everything seemed to be going over just fine until he heard it-- a sound that made his heart drop into the pit of his stomach. It was Andrea's frantic screaming, followed unmistakably by a growling sound that was normally emitted from a walker. No. It couldn't be. Not Andrea. Immediately climbing down the ladder, he dropped to his feet and took off running as fast as he possibly could. The rifle he normally carried with him was strapped over his shoulder the way it normally was if he wasn't using it. He could only assume that everyone else, or almost everyone else, was right behind him.
Reaching the field, Dale's eyes widened as the sounds were drawing closer. "Andrea!" The name slipped through his lips in a concerned tone as he stopped briefly at the barbed wire before forcing his legs to start carrying him again as fast as he could possibly make them move. Shouts were heard from all around him, letting him know the others had followed after him but at the moment he didn't care. All he was concerned about right now was Andrea and if there was anything that could be done to save her, he would do it in a heartbeat.
Once he reached the young blonde, he grabbed the rifle and used the butt of the gun to knock it off and away from Andrea before he took aim and fired a shot into its head, killing it for good. Normally he would have preferred to keep the noise down to a minimum as much as possible, since noise seemed to attract these things, but he just didn't have a choice right now. Turning quickly, his heart sank into the pit of his stomach even more when he noticed the shape Andrea was in. "Andrea, no.." Walking over to her, he dropped to his knees right beside her, fresh tears already filling his eyes. "No," Shaking his head, he didn't want to believe that any of this was happening.
"T-Tell... S-Sophia... I-I... L-Love... H-Her..."
From the weakness in her voice, Dale knew Andrea's life was quickly coming to an end. She had to be in excruciating pain, something he couldn't relate to, at least not on that level. He knew he should have done something, anything, to keep her from coming out here alone. If only he hadn't listened to her, then none of this would be happening. "You're gonna be alright, just hang in there," Of course the words slipped through his lips and as much as he wanted to believe them, he knew there was nothing that could be done to save her. All that was left now was the task of finishing her off.
"S-Sorry... D-Dale... I-I... T-Tried..."
Shaking his head, he refused to give up hope. Even though he tried to hide the tears that threatened to fall, a few of them trickled down his cheeks without him noticing until he felt a little moisture on his skin. How the hell was he going to explain this to Sophia? The girl was going to be absolutely devastated over this and he couldn't say that he blamed her. He, himself, was devastated over this.
Hearing some movement beside him, he looked up to see Rick and Daryl standing there. Each of them looked surprised to see Andrea on the ground in the condition she was in, but there was nothing they could do about it. There was nothing anyone could do about it. It was one of the hardest things Dale had ever had to experience in his life, next to losing his wife and family due to the outbreak. This felt as though he was losing his daughter all over again and the pain didn't make things any easier.
Slowly, the older man got to his feet after giving Andrea's hand one last affectionate squeeze. It would be the last time anyone would see her alive. While Rick and Daryl discussed over who would do it, Dale had to think of a way he could break the news to Sophia as gently as he possibly could. How was that going to happen? It was already a well known fact that the girl was close to Andrea, how could he tell her that she was gone? Finally, it was Daryl who took the gun from Rick, aiming it at Andrea's head for a few moments before squeezing the trigger.
Immediately, Dale closed his eyes tightly, knowing Andrea was gone. There was no getting her back and there was no easy way to tell Sophia about it. "I've got to tell Sophia about this," The words were barely over a whisper as they slipped through his lips. "And I can't let her come down here," That was another thing he had to worry about. The minute he'd tell her that Andrea was dead, the girl might try to come running down here to the field to see for herself what had happened. He couldn't let it happen.
Dragging his feet through the field, he reached up and scratched at the back of his neck. "Sophia, I don't know how to tell you this but, Andrea's gone." He muttered under his breath. It might not be the best way to break the news to her, but it was better than nothing. She deserved to know the truth, no matter how much it might hurt.
He hadn't even realized he'd gotten back to the farmhouse until he nearly stumbled onto the front porch steps. Looking around for Sophia, he took a deep breath slowly letting it out. It was better to tell her now rather than wait for later. Finally, he spotted her and made his way over to her. When he was close enough, he sighed heavily. "Sophia," This was it, the moment he'd been dreading. "There's no easy way to say this but," He paused, swallowing back a few sobs as he fought to keep his voice from cracking. "Andrea's dead."
