I'm going through withdraw, and it's hitting me hard. Two days before Christmas I got the Walking Dead Compendium One; the first 48 graphic novels. Already done
: ). So this is my next step! I'll probably integrate both the graphic novel and the television show with my own ideas. Enjoy! And warning you now, plenty of spoilers for any of you who aren't caught up yet. Reviews and flames welcome!
Tugging my shirt over my head, I let my black locks fall onto my shoulders, beats of water falling onto my orange shirt. With a smile, I shake my head back and forth, creating natural curls and sending water onto the walls of my room.
"Lillian!" My father's voice traveled down the hallways, echoing off the bare walls.
"Dad?" I called back, uncertain. He wasn't much of a yelling man. Even though our accommodations were large, he always walked around to find me; said it was more civil.
"Come here!"
Unsure what was going on, I pulled my pack onto my back and jogged down the halls to where I knew he would be; the control room. "What's up?"
Without a word, he pointed at one of the larger monitors. There, just outside our main door, stood a group of people, with the infected moving closer. One man fired a gun, and I winced for him. That would do no good but bring more upon them. Another man repeatedly beat on the door, screaming something at the camera. The camera had been damaged long ago, and the ability to hear was lost. But the fear, the pleading, was evident.
"We have to let them in." I reached towards the button.
"No! It's not safe!"
I looked back at the screen. "I count two kids. I'm not letting kids die." I reached closer and he grabbed my wrist. I turned and locked eyes with him. "What if it was me?" He released my hand and I pressed the button which controlled the main door.
Reaching under the table, he grabbed a shotgun and passed me a pistol that I was becoming familiar with. "Follow." He growled, and I didn't like it. Though, I loaded the gun and took off after him.
We made it to the entrance of the building just as the people piled in, unsure what was going on. My father raised his gun, and I decided to do the same. They all cared weapons, one even held a crossbow. No harm in being prepared.
"Any of you bit?" He called over his shotgun.
The one with the crossbow and the one who started shooting in the yard moved by the door and picked off any of the infected that got too close. "One was, but he didn't make it." The one who beat on the door lowered his gun and looked almost pitiful. "Please, we have women and children. We can't go back out there. We'll die."
"You can't-" My father began, but I lowered my gun and placed my hand on his.
"Get your stuff. You can stay here. We have plenty of food."
I felt my father bore his eyes into the back of my head. "But you all must give us a blood sample. Price of admission." An odd request, but if that's what it took for him to save these peoples lives.
"Fine, yes, of course."
"Better hurry it up Rick!" The gunman at the door called over his shots, and the one with a crossbow switched to a pistol.
"Get your stuff, but once that door closes, it stays closed."
I ran down the stairs and towards the door, lifting my gun. "I'll cover you, just hurry." A woman stumbled towards the men who ventured out to gather supplies, and I sent a bullet through her head with one shot. Haven't done this a lot, but I felt no pity or remorse. Not in this world.
They all ran past me and I stepped in, shooting another walker. "Vi! Close main doors!" I shouted at the ceiling, and the metal doors fell down quickly.
"Main doors locked." The woman's robotic voice called down and I sighed, flicking the safety on my gun and placing it into my waistband.
Turning to the group, I saw they were huddled together while my dad awkwardly held his shotgun at his side. "Well…welcome to the CDC." I held my hands up in a shrug. "I'm Lillian and this is my dad, Dr. Jenner."
They went around and said their names in turn.
"Rick."
"Lori, and our son Carl."
"Carol and Sophia."
"Glenn."
"Dale."
"Andrea."
"Jacquie."
"Shane."
"T-Dog."
"Daryl."
"Big group." I mumbled and nodded, grabbing the straps of my bag and tilting my head towards my dad. "Come on, we'll show you around."
I sat on one of the chairs and twisted slightly back and forth as they looked around the control room. "So…you're the only ones left?" Lori asked timidly, holding her son tightly to her as if we were a threat. Two against twelve, not likely.
"Yeah. Many left to be with their families. Once the national guard showed up and were overrun, many couldn't take it. Some tried to run out, ended up not even making it out of shouting distance of this place. The rest…opted out." My father's eyes glazed over as he spoke of the memories that still haunted both of our dreams.
"We've been here doing the best we can to find a cure but…" I sighed. "We're not the most qualified."
"Are you both scientist?" Carol asked, barely a whisper. She hung on the outside of the group, her daughter clutching her hand tightly. Something was up with those two.
"Well he is." I pointed at my dad. "I was going to be one, but only really interned here."
Shane scrunched up his face at me on that way. "Ain't no way yer in college."
"I was." I hugged myself. "But you're right. I'm fifteen. Skipped a few grades."
"Ya some sorta genuis?"
"No."
"Yes." My father answered at the same time I denied it.
"Okay, look. I have a photographic memory. Easy to get through school with that."
"What about Vi? That person you talked to?" Rick asked hopefully, and it broke my heart to shake my head no.
"Sorry, that's the computer system. Without her, we'd never be able to keep this place running."
"Great." Andrea muttered, kicking the table softly with the toe of her boot.
"Come on." My dad pushed off the table and stood.
"What?" They all asked in unison.
"We've got something that will cheer you up."
I placed the food on the table as they passed around the wine bottle, clinking glassed. Once it reached Daryl, he put down the glass and kept the bottle. Worked out, because the glass did not look like it belonged anyone near him.
Everyone ate the food, but at this point, there is only so much food their shrinking stomachs could handle. I perched myself on the counter with my food as I watched them.
"Mom, can I have some wine?" The boy, Carl, asked as he reached for a glass that had accidentally been poured for him.
"No." Lori clamped her hand over his glass while taking a sip from hers.
"Come on." Rick laughed. "Come on."
"Fine." She let go of the glass and he drank it, scrunching up his face. "Gross."
"That's my boy." She smiled, kissed his head, and poured the wine into her near empty glass.
"What 'bout you?" Daryl gave me a look and held up the bottle. I laughed and waved him off.
"I'm with the kid. That shit sucks."
"Lillian!" My father snapped, and I waved him off as well, taking another bite of my instant potatoes.
"How about you, Glenn? I wanna see how red your face can get."
My father had disappeared to the lab once more, and I was fine with it. He's never been a people person, and preferred to be locked up alone than with people. I've only had him to talk to for about a month, and am sick of it.
"So, these are all of the rooms. All same size, got lights and AC and all. This one's mine." I tapped the first door we passed. "There's a playroom straight back, all sorts of toys and books back there. Just don't use anything that uses electricity. Save electricity when you can, but you're good to use it. Oh, and showers are down the hall and to the right. I'd tell you to keep the hot water to a minimum but…I'm not stupid." I stopped and turned to them, smiling. "Just enjoy it." I toyed with the tips of my hair, and felt that it had completely dried by now.
"Thank you Lillian." Rick smiled and I nodded, laughing softly.
"Don't worry about it. I'll be in my room if you need anything." I opened the door and turned back to them. "Oh, each room is stocked with clothes and towels and toiletries and all. Use 'em. No one else will."
"Thanks." They all left, going to find a room of their choosing. Slipping into my room, I sat down on my bed and took my pack off my back, letting it drop to the ground. Unzipping it, I pulled the flap back and pulled out the first book my finger tips brushed.
"Ah, Shakespeare, how I love thy. Let me count the ways." I smirked and settled into my single bed, ready to just pack it in for the night and sleep.
My door flew open and I froze, peeking over the edge of my book and saw Glenn swaying at my door. "Glenn?" I asked, lowering my book as the shock wore off.
"Oops, 'ought dis was da showers." His words slurred and he scrunched his face, unsure how to proceed.
"It's okay." I smiled and stood, walking over to him. After slowly spinning him, I placed my hands on his back and slowly led him back into the hall. "Come on."
"You're pretty." He flashed me a smile and I rolled my eyes.
"Alright, you're drunk." I laughed softly and saw someone walking out of a room farther down the hall, towel in hand. "Hey! Daryl?" God, I hoped that was his name. There were just so many to learn.
"What?" He grumbled and turned, sloshing the bottle of wine in his hand, then took yet another swig.
"Great, another drunk." I sighed to myself, then pushed Glenn towards him. "Take him to the showers, will ya? He's too drunk to find it."
"Whatever." He grumbled and passed, letting Glenn fall into step beside him.
"I love you!" Glenn shot over his shoulder and I laughed, turned, and shut my door. I had an idea.
Walking into the play room, I smiled and waved at the two moms and their children. "Hey, just wanted to give the kids something, if that's okay." They nodded, turning back to running their fingers over the spines of the books, smiling and giggling like school girls.
Moving to the side, I opened and drawer and pulled a zip lock bag out and moved over to the kids and knelt, extending the bag to them. "Here you go. Don't eat it all at once now."
"Candy!" They both cheered and took the bag, pouring it out on the ground and plopped next to it, beginning to sort through it.
A smile crept onto my face and I stood, but saw the mothers smiling brightly at me. "What?" I gently asked, confused.
"You didn't have to do that…" Carol whispered, always seeming defeated.
"But you just made their month." Lori added.
Shrugged, I itched my arm, not used to being thrown back into social situations. "We had a few scientist with diabetes. Always had a fresh stash of candy around." I paused at the doorway. "Keep an eye on the boys though. Daryl seems a little tipsy, and Glenn can't handle his drink."
They both laughed and nodded, seeming unsurprised. "Thanks, will do."
