Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Carol lurked through the streets of the city, keeping her knife close and her rifle closer. She had seen the hospital here many times in the past few months but never thought it was sane to get closer or try to make contact. She wanted to just leave them be and find her own way, but they were running this city. They made it impossible to find anything. They had picked it clean, the bones spotless and pearly, and she needed medicine. Badly. For those at home, she needed meds. She had been to every pharmacy she could find, but those hospital hounds had beaten her to it. She was getting desperate. Beyond desperate. If her fever rose any further...
She scouted out the entrance with the scope of her rifle, seeing a few men walking the yard to ensure the walkers weren't pushing through their fence. She noticed there were some weak spots she could exploit in case of emergency, but without tampering, they would hold well. She would have to pick the exact right moment to use that. Or the walkers would be on her. She would have to play it carefully, but with how those men seemed to avoid that area, they wouldn't see it coming. She could lure them there, and they wouldn't know it was a trap.
She lowered the rifle and narrowed her eyes, seeing movement in the distance. It was a ways before the hospital itself, but it was there as plain as the walkers. She couldn't be sure of what this person was trying to do, but they didn't seem to be with these men in the hospital. She wasn't sure if the enemy of her enemy was her friend, but it couldn't hurt to have someone else beside her going into this. An extra gun, a temporary ally, and Carol would need it to help her. If her illness got the better of her while she was away, it would be...
She lifted the scope to her eye and memorized the last movement she had for this stranger then headed out. She shouldered the rifle and hurried out of the building. He was a few miles from the hopsital, so it would be a good twenty to thirty minutes to close the space if he didn't move. She had to avoid the walkers, the people on guard, and this person's barrel. If she was lucky enough to do all of that and not have him kill her on sight, she might just be lucky enough to pull his off without a single hitch. Or no major hitches, anyway.
She padded down the stairs and pushed open the first exit door to the left, peering out at the street. She waited for the pair of walkers to shuffle by before dashing across the street and towards where that person was last seen by her. She wasted no time, rushing through alleyways and skirting around large groups of walkers who were feasting on whatever scraps they could find. She moved with deft determination, keeping her steps as padded as possible and sticking to familiar paths. She had been in this city for a few days now, and she knew it well before then, so this wasn't too difficult. If you take out the walkers, the clock and the people trying to kill or abuse anything to move, it was a cakewalk. Maybe throw in some Moltivo cocktails, and it would be a real party.
She ducked down behind some debris and searched for movement, trying to find the person who was lurking around this area. She noticed a path in the mess the world had made in the streets from where he or she had been coming and going. They weren't smart enough to cover their tracks, but that didn't mean they weren't smart enough to help her get in and out of that hospital. They both didn't have to make it out of there. It might be an awful thought, but with these stakes, she didn't care. She couldn't care. There was too much on the line, so she had to not care.
She spotted a shadow on the upper floor of the building and caught a glimpse of the person inside. The shadow did not belong to a man or a woman, but to a boy. Perhaps a young man, but he couldn't be much older than Beth was. He was a kid running around this city, trying to either break into the hospital or join them. Joining them would be a mistake. The vibe those men emitted were too similar to Ed, to the men he used to bring around, and it would have triggered her were she who she used to be. But she wasn't that person, and they had no power over her. They would die in their own time, and they weren't important. They were weak nothings, and this boy couldn't be caught up with them. Or he shouldn't. He shouldn't be involved in this at all, and she had to make him see that. She had to make him see that world wasn't for him. It wasn't for anyone who wanted to survive. It was a coward's world, and it would crumble.
She heard the door open, the hinges creaking, and the boy stepped out. Well, he was a young man, no older than Beth, and he was wounded. He had bruises on his faces, cuts and a busted lip. He wasn't in good condition, certainly no where near close enough to approach those people. He didn't look the part for the people they would accept. Or worse—he did, and they would use him for demeaning tasks. This world was no place for children, but they would some day make it one again.
"Hey!"
Carol looked up as the boy approached with a gun in his hand, there was a slight shake to that hand, but he held himself confidently. He would do what he had to. She wasn't sure what that was, but she hoped to not be it. "Easy."
"Why are you following me?" His eyes narrowed as his fingers tightened their grip on the gun.
"I saw you surveying that hospital. Why?"
"Why the hell do you want to know?"
"Because I might need into that hospital, and it's important if you tell me why."
There was a low growl to the left of them, Carol shot up and pulled the knife from her belt, but Noah reacted instantly as it drew closer, firing off a single round that tore itself through the eye of the walker. Immediately he cursed at his reflex, and Carol could have kicked him herself. In the middle of the city, with all these walker around and those men were outside, likely patrolling.
"I got to go." He fell backwards. "I gotta go. They're bound to have heard that shot, and they're gonna find me. I gotta go."
"Who?" Carol approached him.
"The people at the hospital. They're after me. I—I managed to escape, but I...left a friend behind in the process." He lowered his eyes in shame and scoffed. "No, I didn't manage anything. She—she got me out. She saved me, and I left her. I just left her."
"I know how that feels—to be forced to leave someone behind. It's a hard choice in this world. It isn't always you or them. It can also be you or you both. That's the choice you had. She'll understand."
"How can she ever understand? I left her behind, and I can't just...go back and break her out."
"You can." Carol met his eyes. "They're bound to be coming, so is there a place nearby we can lie low?"
"Y—yeah, it's in the basement of that building. Let's go."
They didn't waste time crossing the street, the boy showed her inside and down to the basement. It was a small shelter, a pile of blankets in the corner of the room to make a bed, and a few canned items. The boy lit some candles to fill the room with light, Carol didn't sit down, and he faced her. They listened. The basement blocked out most of the nose, but not so much that they didn't hear the low hum of a car. The slamming of two doors, and a few guns were fired. Likely at walkers, or perhaps to bring walkers down on this area to keep anyone who might get by them held down. Or their next meal.
They waited, the car began to hum to life, and whoever was there drove off. Carol and Noah exhaled at the same time, he attempted to share a smile with her, but she didn't meet it. He cleared his throat and sat down on the milk crate, rubbing his legs and trying size her up. He didn't make it very far before she began to speak again.
"Were you ever inside that hospital?" Carol adjusted her gun on her shoulder. "Do you know the layout well?"
"Yeah, I was there for a few years. I know it. For the most part. It's how we got out." Almost we got out.
"Do they have actual medical supplies? Or is it just...a home?"
He shook his head. "It's no home. It's...a hell, but yes, they do have medicine."
"Good." She exhaled with relief. "Good."
"Why? Do you need something?"
"Not me. I...have a friend who's sick. She needs medicine. Antibiotics. She's young. Very young, so this mere cold could kill her." She held back emotion with great difficulty. It was hard to mention death so easily when it was about someone you love.
"I've worked with the doctors. I know what might help if you explain the symptoms to me."
"I know what she needs. I just need a way inside that doesn't get me blown to bits."
He nodded. "Okay, well, then do you have a plan?"
"I can, but you need to describe the layout of the hospital for me. I need details. I need numbers."
"Then you might want to sit." He gestured to the crate beside him, and she moved towards it. "And my name's Noah, by the way."
She found his hand extended out towards hers, and she smiled softly at the gesture, accepting it. "Carol."
"Well, let's...break into a hospital then, Carol." He smiled widely. He could save her. He could get Beth back, and they could go home together. He should show her the gardens and his brothers, let her have a real meal with no charge. He could repay her.
– – –
It was midday when Carol dragged Noah towards the gates of Grady, making a show of it in case they were watching, and if they were smart, they were. She shoved him to the ground but carefully so, ensuring bundles of newspapers and garbage broke his fall, kicking him around when he tried to escape, and she stopped the gate. She looked around at the two men standing guard, their rifles pointed at her, and she merely held up a hand in a gesture of peace.
The men kept their rifles pointed on them, no one made any moves, and it was eerily quiet. Carol glanced at Noah, who cut a look to her in return, and they were about to bust out plan B when the front doors opened. Noah saw Dawn and her lackeys spill out, armed and eyeing. He didn't bother to make any moves, but he did ask Carol to make a promise to him. Now that he was here, he wasn't positive how well odds would favor him, so he needed her word. For Beth's sake.
"If I don't make it out of here," Noah said under his breathe, "I need you to get someone out for me."
"You'll make it out."
"Carol, please, just get my friend out. Her name is Beth. She has blonde hair, and she's about the same height as me. I promised her we'd get out. Don't make me break that promise."
"Beth?" Carol was about to ask probably a million questions that bubbled up on her tongue, but she had to swallow them as the officers neared. She shoved Noah to his knees as they closed the space entirely, and she lifted her chin, eyes guarded.
"Who are you?" The woman who stood confident and tall barked, letting her men hold them at gunpoint, eyes on Noah's defeated posture on the ground. "And why are you here?"
"I need shelter. I've been looking this place over for a few weeks now, and I want to be apart of this group. I noticed this rat escaped, so I thought I'd bring him back." Her lips curled into a dark smile. "As an ice breaker."
She chuckled once. "You want to be one of us? You think it's that easy?"
"I work hard. I carry my own load. I like space. I won't get in anyone's way, and I'm a hell of a shot." She bore her eyes into Dawn's. "If you want the best, I'm it."
The woman inhaled and ran her eyes over the older woman, seeing nothing but hardened will and unbruised skin. She hummed softly then nodded her head, the men grabbed Noah up and dragged him inside, and the woman guided Carol into the building. Carol had to let them rough handle Noah and not show that it bothered her. She had a bigger goal. They both did. They knew it wouldn't be easy. They would grin and bear it, but once they were done, Carol wasn't going to grin. She wasn't going to bear it. She'd kill them if she had to, if they hurt him or Beth. If they intervened with her mission. She wouldn't hesitate.
Dawn turned the tour and what would be expected of Carol to Shepard and went to handle Noah, and Carol kept her eyes peeled for any medicine. She saw other patiences wandering the halls or hovering outside their rooms. Some of them looked to be in good condition, but the others reminded her too much of herself. Victims, abused by the world and by circumstance, and worse—by men. She almost prayed that Noah's Beth and her Beth weren't the same girl. She didn't know what these men would do to her. She was beautiful, young, and she was inexperienced with men like these. She could fight, but that would make it so much worse. It would make everything so much worse.
Shepard scratched the side of her nose and explained how the system worked, looking over the faces of the people around her, and Carol could see they were happy to see this woman. They weren't afraid. They weren't cowering away. They smiled and nodded their heads at her. They were friendly. She was good to them, and they trusted her. It was...nice to see, how kindness can grow with such hostility. Hmm, funny, that's exactly how Sophia thrived. A flower in the dark. She was the loveliest thing Carol had ever seen. If only she could have bloomed.
"We'll have to clean out a room for you, but that'll take some time." Shepard cut a look to her. "Likely by the end of the day, we'll have a room ready for you. Until then I'll get your work assignment in order. What else can do you? Do you have any medical skills? What was your career before all of this?"
"I have minimal nursing abilities," Carol replied. "I'm better suited on guard rotation. I was a stay at home mom before all of this. I know how to keep the peace."
"Okay." Shepard nodded and ran her eyes over her. "Your kids didn't make it?"
"I had a kid," Carol replied. "A daughter, and no."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. We've all been through losses like that." She set a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "You're home now. Once you get into the flow of how things operate, you'll see that."
"I'm sure I will."
She removed her hand. "You'll need to speak with Gorman about guard rotation. I'll show you where he is."
They started down the hall, Carol ran her eyes over the layout of the building, and she spotted where medicine might be held. It was locked, but there were ways around a lock. She had learned a thing or two from her family. The people they picked up learned a lot of skills—pick-pocketing, lock picking, ect. It sounded like a video game, but it did work. She just needed a few supplies, but she could manage. She only had to figure out how traveled this area was and when the best time to return would be. It shouldn't be too hard. If she could convince Gorman to let her be on rotation. She had a feeling from the way Shepard said his name he wasn't a friendly man.
Shepard paused in taking Carol to speak with Gorman to speak with another resident, Carol leaned against the wall across from the room and studied the area, and she saw movement from the room. Someone passed Shepard to leave, and she glanced at them, avoiding eye contact at the woman in scrubs, and Shepard returned to their task.
"After we speak to him, I'll let you shower and change. We'll wash your clothes, but we'll give you something to wear. Likely scrubs. Or a uniform, depending on how we sort you."
"All right."
"Depending on your placement, you'll likely report to me or Bello, just let us know if you need anything. If you have any problems, take them up with Dawn."
"I won't have any problems."
A soft, disbelieving chuckle. "Sure."
"And even if I do, I'm sure I can resolve them myself," Carol added at the woman's tone, and this seemed to catch her attention, because she stopped and made eye contact with her. "What?"
"We don't tolerate justice warriors around here. You do your work, keep your nose clean, and your time here will be easy. If you make trouble, we will shut it down, and you'll be out on your ass. If not worse."
Carol arched a brow. "I've lived through worse."
"Nobody should be able to say that." She inhaled. "Let's get your room assignment settled."
They continued onward, Shepard radioed ahead to let Dawn know she would be by with the newcomer shortly, and she guided Carol to the showers. She took her size and got an outfit from a young man who took over Noah's position, and advised Carol where to leave her old clothes. She left her to her allowed ten minute shower and spoke with a doctor about the recover of their older patients. She was worried about his health and stability. He reminded her of an old friend, and she didn't want to thrown him away like the others. There was still a chance. There had to be.
Carol left her clothes behind and showered, almost losing herself in the warm water, and she washed the dirt and blood off her body, watching it swirl down the drain with the soap bubbles. She inhaled and closed her eyes, letting the water run over her scalp and down her shoulders. She closed her eyes and played the layout of the building over in her mind.
The front doors were locked with a key only two people had access to, the hallway to that door was constantly patrolled by two uniforms, and the patients who were a higher risk were on the floor, so there were half hourly patrols in that hall to see if they were walkers or still alive. Beyond that were the rooms of the uniforms and this Dawn, the next floor seemed to belong to the workers who owed a debt. The rest was just the cafeteria, the roof and empty rooms according to Shepard. It wasn't a home. It was an endless cycle of debt, like a credit card. It lead nowhere good, and the price to be paid was much higher than you could ever have guessed.
The medicine had to be on the same floor as the high risk patients, but she hadn't seen much of that floor. She had to get another look, to see if it was locked up or simply behind a glass cabinet door with a guard. She didn't have time to sit around and be a guest here. She had a goal, and the lock was ticking. It wouldn't slow, and it would never stop, so she had to get to that floor and soon.
She dried off and changed into the scrubs, glancing at the door briefly before pulling at the rough, blood soaked seam of her old pants. She pulled the X-acto knife out and tapped the cap back into locking on and slipped it into shoes they'd given her. She straightened as the door pulled open and Shepard nodded her out.
She took her to see Dawn to be interviewed for her main occupation here, leaving her at the door to speak with another uniform about any vacancies. She wanted this woman to take over some shifts, to keep an eye on...both the patients who stayed here and the uniforms who patrolled. She couldn't be the only one against them. Not when it'd gotten so bad last year.
The door opened, Carol turned to greet Dawn and instead found the jasper eyes of Beth Greene and gasped softly, inadvertently. Sapphire eyes drank in that pale and scarred face, seeing bruising along her neck and swelling at her jaw that made Carol want to pull that knife from her shoe and end the life of anyone who had anything to do with those markings.
"Beth," Dawn barked, "move. Let her inside."
"Y—yeah." She moved aside and lowered her eyes, moving back to straightening up the pile of notes the doctor had given Dawn. They were to determine if the patient would be worth the expense to save them. It was disgusting, but Dawn seemed to take no pleasure in it. Though did the devil enjoy his work after so many years of doing it?
"Carol, right?" Dawn was stepping off an exercise bike. "Come in. Close the door."
She shut it behind her and stood at the door. "So, my assignments?"
"I've got your room. It's by Beth's." She waved vaguely to the young woman organizing her things and wiped sweat from her neck. "I hear you want to guard. Why would you want to do that?"
"Because I'm good with a gun, and I don't shy away from numbers or danger."
A smirk crossed her lips, and she chuckled, lifting her head to meet Carol's eyes. "I do like that in our guards, but you're new. You'll be tested like the others. I don't know you. I don't trust you, but you did return Noah to me, so...maybe we can shorten the hoops."
Beth's hand twitched over a file at the mention of Noah and being returned, her eyes falling to the corner that been previously splattered with blood. It was her first duty that morning, and it had been his, hadn't it? His blood. His pain. And by Carol? What was going on?
"I don't care much if you trust me—I care about staying alive," Carol informed her, eyes steeled, shoulders back. "Your men look like children at Halloween. I know I can keep myself alive—them, too, if I have to. If I'm going to stay, I need to know children aren't running with scissors, which it seems they are."
Dawn ran her tongue over her teeth and grunted softly. "Show me what you got. Thirty minutes, meet me downstairs, and we'll consider your assignment." She tossed the sweaty towel at Beth. "Take this to the wash and show her to her room."
"Yeah." Beth held it by her fingertips and rolled her eyes once her back was to Dawn, opening the front door. "Come with me. It's not far."
Carol shut the door behind her, the pair walked in silent, and Beth dropped the towel into the trash, glancing around at the roaming patients and workers. She inhaled and glanced back at Carol once more before spotting the empty exam room and pulling her inside, shutting the door and hugging her tightly in one quick movement, knocking them both back, sneakers squeaking on the floor.
"You're alive." Beth nearly cried at the familiar warmth and pressure of Carol's hug, laughing quietly. "I was so worried about y'all."
"Beth..." Carol closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of the long lost young woman in her arms. It as mostly of cleaner and flowery bleach from the laundry, but beyond that was her. The happy child who sang to upraise their spirits, to sooth Judith's bad dreams, to while away the dull hours of her watch. The child who slowly grew into a beautiful young woman who could clearly hold her own and survive, even when alone. "Hi."
"Hi." She pulled back to look at her face and cupped it with both hands, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones and the light wrinkles near her eyes, tears falling free. "This is real. You're real, and you're here."
"And you." Carol gingerly thumbed the edge of her finger across Beth's oldest appearing scar. "What happened to you?"
"It's a long story, but I'll explain everything." She snuffed, hands moving to Carol's shoulders. "But first—why did you bring Noah back? He got out. He should have stayed out."
"He wanted to come back for you. I didn't know it was you, but he owed you his life, and he wanted to give anything—perhaps even that life—to save you."
"Noah." She smiled sorrowfully and shook her head. "Then wait. Why are you here? If you didn't know I was here, why? You wouldn't just help a total stranger. I mean...not in this way."
"I need medicine. Someone's very sick, and if I don't get medicine, they will die. I can't let that happen."
"Oh, no. Who's sick? Maggie? Glenn?" Her hands tightened on Carol's shoulders, her lips parting as her breathing increased, and her eyes shined anew with tears. "Is it Mags? Please, just be honest with me."
"No, no, it's not them. It's someone else very important to me. I have to save her."
She swallowed and bobbed her head in agreement, inhaling to calm the emotions and questions brewing inside of her. "I can help. I know where they keep the medicine. Dawn has a key. I can get it, just let me know what you need."
"Here." Carol pulled the note from her pocket and handed it over to the young girl. "I need all of it, and a syringe. Possibly several."
"I'll get them, but you need to get Noah." Beth tucked the note into her pocket. "You can show Dawn how good you are, and she'll let you be a guard. You can find out where they have him, and we can all leave together. We'll have to be quick—for the sake of your sick and Noah. Dawn will make him regret trying to leave, and I won't let her continue to hurt him."
"Two days. We'll be out of here in two days. Can you do that?"
"Yeah, I can. Can you?"
"We just need an escape plan, but I have an idea about that. If Noah's hurt, this idea is all we have."
"Let me know tonight. No one comes by our rooms after dark, and we can make a plan." She looked back at the door. "We should go now. I don't want them to know we know each other. They might try and keep us apart."
"We'll be gone before anyone suspects anything," Carol vowed.
– – –
Beth skipped her scheduled lunchtime to tend to Dawn's office, Dawn was inside with Gorman, and Beth watched them interact. Dawn wasn't happy with him, but after the O'Donnell incident, she had no choice but to keep him close. Beth wanted to take all of them out, but she couldn't. She wasn't that person, even though it was her fault O'Donnell was dead. By accident, but still she played a part. It was only three months ago, but she'd moved on. She had to, especially now. She had to get that key. Dawn didn't leave them lying around, so she'd have to make up an excuse, perhaps play on Dawn's dislike of germs and how tightly she'd been holding onto them. She might count them afterward, but if Beth can provoke her in some way to have Dawn flustered and send her away, she'd have nothing to worry about. She could do it. She was a younger sister to two. She could do it. She had to.
As Beth drew closer, she could make out the conversation between the two, and she kept her head down, ears wide open.
"...care how "good" you think she is, no."
"I saw her shoot, and she's good. She even went out into the yard and took out the walkers to help Lennie repair the fence. She's better than good. She's been out in the world, and she survived it."
"Then why come here?" Gorman argued. "Why not stay out there and knit the walkers some sweaters?"
"It's damn near impossible to survive alone. She found that out the hard way. She lost her family, nearly her mind, but she came back. She found us. She's on the guard patrol."
"You're a dumb ass. She's gonna get someone killed."
"No, I believe that you and Bello last week. We lost four men, Gorman. We can't afford to lose men like that."
"We can't afford to—"
"Tanaka, Myers, Lamson, Jamison, O'Donnell," Dawn cut him off, eyes burning into his as she lifted her chin. "The list keeps going, and so must we. She stays. Deal with it."
He scoffed. "I'll deal with it, all right. She won't last the week."
"If you so much as try anything," Dawn warned.
"You said to deal with her," Gorman smirked, "so I will. On my terms." He stormed out, smacking the door with such force it shook and slammed against the wall.
"Asshole." Dawn tossed the keys down onto her desk and plopped down into her chair, cracking her neck and closing her eyes for a moment of peace to forget the mood Gorman always seemed to put her in. She inhaled and spread her fingers out over the smooth surface of the wood, opening her eyes to find Beth standing in her doorway. "What do you want?"
"I came to see how you were doing."
"A sweet lie, but still a lie." She leaned back in the chair and ran her eyes over the girl. "I won't tell you anything about Noah. He wasn't as fortunate as you."
She fisted her hands and glared, holding her tongue.
"You'll see him out and about in a month or so. He needs to be properly punished for what he did. I made sure his return was a taste of what's to come. I don't have time for him now, so I'll let him stew a bit, see what comes out."
"You're disgusting," Beth spat. "He's a human being. He isn't some marinating meat! He isn't a toy for you to play with. He deserved that freedom!"
"He still owes, and after this morning, he owes even more. I don't have time for your forlorn cries. Occupy someone else's space."
"You can't just get rid of me as easily as Noah. I'll be right here in your face every single day to remind you," Beth closed the space between them with each word, leaning over the desk to be in Dawn's personal space, eyes searing, "that people like you don't win. You'll get yours, and it won't be pretty."
"Is that a threat?" Dawn leaned forward towards the girl.
"Not from me," Beth promised, "but from the world. You think you know how it works, how to survive, but this hell isn't surviving, and it will crumble. You will crumble, and I won't be here to savor every second of it."
"You're right—you won't be here." She stood up to be towering over Beth, but Beth didn't flinch or back down. "Keep this up, and Edwards will be sewing up your jaw, not your cheek."
"Guess we'll see who ends up on a gurney next." She pushed off the desk and walked out of the office. Her goal was incomplete, but she did give Beth an idea of how to get that medicine.
Meanwhile Gorman was forced to show Carol the ropes, Carol could tell he didn't want her anywhere near this rotation, but she didn't give him a choice. She even made a point about their glaring blind spot above the left building. It wasn't likely someone would target them from that alley, but walkers did roam heavily through there. They should keep an eye on it, and it seemed to impress Bello and a few others who were on the roof to survey the area. Carol just smirked and felt his eyes narrow at her.
She turned and smiled sweetly at him, taking the rifle from Bello and following him to where she would be spending the next few hours. He wanted to keep an eye on her, and Carol felt it was more welcome and less...invested than the look Gorman had given her. She would have to keep an eye on that and speak with Beth. If worst came to worst, she could use this to her advantage. If other events had played out, it wasn't going to be a gentle exchange.
Bello put his hands on his hips, smiling warmly at Carol, and Carol returned it, turning to look at the overview of the city, and Bello spotted Gorman whispering to Jackson. He knew he shouldn't, but he faced the same direction and ignored it, instructing her on how to best wield the rifle, though she chuckled at the notion.
"What, you a big shot out there?"
"No, but I do know my way around a weapon."
"I'd hope so," Gorman said from behind her, and Carol didn't flinch at his breath on her neck. "If you get scared, I'm right over there."
"Thanks." Carol cut a look at him over her shoulder, the hue of her eyes almost black as she did, and there were no emotions there. "I'll be sure to remember exactly where you are."
He moistened his lips and flicked a brow, walking away to return to his post.
"Don't let him get under your skin." Bello crossed his arms and met her eyes. "He's just...a bully on the playground."
"That's not what I'd call him," Carol replied, not shy about the read she got off him. "How close is he to Dawn?"
"They go way back. Before...all of this." He sighed deeply, looking at the state of the city before him and somberly lowering his head. "Hard to remember a time before all of this."
"Then don't."
"Easier said then done." He smirked at her nevertheless. "Hell, I may have a thing or two to learn from you."
"You just might." She smirked back. "So...care to give me some back story here? I think Gorman and his gaggle are going to start spitting seeds at the neighboring roof, and I'd rather drown out their mocking."
He chuckled and rubbed his jaw. "Yeah, it's...been slow. They've earned that rest."
"No one really rests, but sure." She lifted a leg onto the ledge of the building and leaned over, checking out the perimeter through the scoop. They had a patched up fence to the north exit, likely where Noah made his escape. They could just bust through it with a truck. They just had to get keys. Hmm.
"I guess if you want the backstory," the man muttered beside her, "guess it all kinda started...after the emergency warnings..."
She glanced at him and lowered the rifle, recalling a stand where keys could be released to an officer. She didn't have enough standing, but it was likely Bello did. She might want to listen to this story, get a handle on who he was and exactly why he was going to taking that SUV out tomorrow night.
Across the roof, Gorman sat on the edge of the roof and looked over at Carol and Bello, lips pursed into a sneer, and Jackson tossed a rock onto the neighboring building, exhaling boredom. He spotted Gorman watching the others, and he chuckled, shaking his head and picking up another rock.
"You're really considerin' that?" Jackson smoothed his thumb over the surface of the rock. "Damn, son, you must be desperate."
He scoffed and glared at the man. "I wouldn't be if Dawn hadn't closed in on Beth."
"You're on fault, man. You shoulda just...played it cool and made your move in a less...obvious space." He puffed out a breath and took a peek at her once more. "I can kinda see it, but still."
"She's actually easy on the eyes," Gorman added. "And that ass... Damn, I'll take that first."
"Tssh." He snorted a laugh. "Good luck. Seems like Bello has her all caught up in golden tales."
"Well, if I show her a little kindness, she'll return the favor. They always do." He smirked darkly at the outline of the woman across the building. "I had a feeling today would be a good day."
"Wait till you get that ass then see how good a day it is."
"True that, brother." He stood up and turned to face the neighboring building. "I'll make the rounds now, check in on the brat and see how empty the second floor is."
"You know Dawn lurks there, especially since her little escapee was brought back."
"It's a good thing there's extra duck tape down there then." He winked at him and headed inside, saluting to Carol and Bello on his way. At least this way he didn't have to worry about condoms.
––
Carol was yanked into Beth's room by the woman and grabbed immediately by both arms and looked over. Carol assured her she was okay, but Beth wanted to be sure. Carol had no clue why, but at the tender fear and scrutiny in her eyes, she felt like she might as well have worn a target on her back.
"What's going on?" Carol guided Beth over to the bed and sat her down. "Did you hear something?"
"Yeah—from Edwards. He's a rat, but he told me...Gorman's targettin' you." Beth gripped her hands. "We have to get out of here before he tries somethin'."
"I know he is, Beth. He made a show of it when he took me onto the roof."
"He's dangerous," Beth urged, eyes wide and alert. "He... When I first got here, a girl killed herself trying to get away from him. He...raped her, Carol—repeatedly—and he wanted... He tried to get to me, but Edwards kept an eye on me. Then Dawn. If he wants you—"
"He won't get me," Carol assured her, smoothing down her hair and smiling at her genuinely. "I escaped men just like him all my life, and he won't. I may be able to use him, but he won't use me. I know how to handle myself, and I have...someone I have to get back to. We both do."
She nodded and returned her smile, a light returning to her jasper eyes, and she held her hand tighter. "We're gonna get out of here."
"We're getting out of here." Carol stroked her cheek. "You, me, and Noah. I'll use Gorman to try and get a location on him. Can you get the medicine in the morning?"
"Yeah, I have a plan for that. What else do I need to do so we can haul ass outta here?"
"How flexible is your schedule?"
"I'm with Dawn in the morning then I'm pretty much free. I clean some places, but mostly can roam anywhere. Why? Where do you need me?"
"After you get the medicine, go downstairs to the first floor with some sheets. Get some scissors and cut head holes into three sheets."
"What for?"
Carol's nose scrunched. "So we can wear them out."
"Out?" Beth's brows met, and she opened her mouth to question but instead groaned. "Wait..."
"Yes. I'll leave a key above the supply closet. Lure in one walker and cover the sheets in its guts. I know you can do it. It's a small gap, and I'll misfire to draw them to the other side of the building around two."
She nodded. "What will you be doing?"
"Getting Noah and a car."
"We both have tall orders." Beth inhaled. "Can we really pull this off?"
"Hey, you already got out once, and I'll make sure no one is watching you closely. We'll leave the next morning when the patrols are switching, I'll give you the key to head out to the car then Noah and I will join you. Okay?"
"Why not tomorrow night?"
"They close ranks on the second and first floor at night. We'll have to time that morning perfectly. Trust me, okay? I've thought this through all day."
She nodded. "I trust you." She hugged her. "I get to see Maggie again. God, I can't wait."
"Yeah." Carol rubbed her back and exhaled, feeling guilty about leaving that part out, but the truth would reveal itself on the drive back. She would be sure of it.
Beth told Carol of her plan to get to the medicine, Carol described the car she would getting keys for, and they reviewed their plan. There would be no practice runs. There would be no second chances. It was a one shot with adrenaline pumping and cool expressions only. They had to work together flawlessly if they were all going to escape, and they would. They both vowed silently to themselves that they would all see the next sunset as free people away from this hostile hospital, and then they would be home. All of them.
Beth fell asleep in Carol's arms, sleeping more soundly than she ever had, and Carol played with the strands of her hair, thinking over the plan and using the detailed patrol schedule Bello had written out for her at request. Shepard and Jackson would patrolling that morning, but Jackson was a slacker. Shepard was by the book, but she couldn't stand Jackson. She would likely hurry the scan up just to get away from him, and he would linger, but not in the hall they needed, so they simple had to move around him. It would be easy, and if they ran into trouble, a well placed knock to the head would solve that.
As for Noah... She didn't like this part of the plan. She would have to use Gorman to get his location and situation. She would have to get close to him, close to what he wanted from her, and she had to get rid of him. He wasn't due on schedule for the rest of that night, so it wouldn't be too difficult to do that. Jackson or his other buddies might look for him, but if his planned work, she could use that for her advantage.
Now the car keys. Bello didn't have any out of the hospital work anytime soon. She could sense he was afraid of the outside world, of what seeing it would do to his precious memories. It would appear what he had seen had already tainted him, so she would have to play another angle. He did perform maintenance on the cars weekly to ensure they ran. She could work that with the keyholder. All they needed was a story, a good story, and it would sate their curiosity. Just like children. All they needed was a good tale spun before them to keep the darkness of the world at bay, and she would spin delightfully for them. If it meant getting home sooner.
She looked down at Beth in her arms and kissed her forehead, a weight gone from her body. She worried about the young girl for so long, but she was here in her arms, warm and breathing. She was still the same girl Carol always knew and a woman that Carol couldn't wait to meet and nurture as they continued onward together. She could make sure that Beth would survive this world in Maggie's place. She would honor Hershel and Maggie with that promise. Whether Maggie was alive or not, Carol would honor this silent vow. As she always intended.
Beth shifted slightly, snoring softly as her lips parted and mumbling a few words before dozing deeper. Carol knew she would have to get back to her own room to avoid any late night or early morning check ups, but for now she would grant Beth the peaceful rest of knowing a loved one was beside you. It was the least she could do.
In the morning Carol had already gone to tend to her duties and Beth began her part of the plan. She had only a brief window to do this, but she knew how to play the people here. After three years here, of course she did.
"Hey." She jogged over to Edwards and smiled. "Good morning."
"Yeah, morning." He cleared his throat. "You look rested."
"Aww, thanks." She smiled and crossed her arms, walking down the corridor with him. "You too. It's a shame too, 'cause I'd be worried if I were you."
"What do you mean?" He avoided the uniform stomping through the ward and studied the young woman, eyes now glued to her face. "What do you know?"
"That woman? The one they just brought in?" He nodded her on. "She's a doctor. I heard her talkin' to Henry about his condition, and she's good. Sounds like my Daddy, actually."
"What?" He came to an instant stop, running a hand through his hair and stuttering. "W—wait, wait, how do you know? I mean, aside from Henry."
"I talked to her." She gestured to the stitches marring her face. "Kinda needed a second opinion on these."
"Uh, um, what—what did she say?"
"She's a war vet. You should see her with a gun. It's impressive." She smiled. "But hey, don't worry. She wants to be on patrol, so no worries."
He narrowed his eyes. "Then why tell me?"
"Because I need a favor, and pressure helps them along." She stopped smiling and locked her eyes in his. "I need a key to the medicine supply before lunch."
"What? Why?"
"Because I just do."
"Is this...about Noah?" He searched her face. "I know you care about him, but Dawn will keep his wounds clean. He won't need—"
"I don't trust Dawn with anythin', now get me that damn key, or I tell Dawn about our good friend and her skills," Beth snapped. "Before lunch, got it? I don't want to do this, but I will if it puts his life in danger."
"Fine, fine." He glared. "Tss, you do fit in here."
"I've had practice." She turned on her heel to head to Dawn's office.
"Jesus H." Edwards exhaled and looked back at the girl, shaking his head. "Fuck."
Beth smirked at the sound of his panic and headed into work, and Dawn was in the middle of chewing Jackson out. Beth avoided eye contact and continued in her duties, spotting a set of car keys on the desk, and she glanced up when Dawn struck the man.
"You do it again, and—"
"And what?" Jackson cut her off, eyes glistening under the light with cockiness and amusement. "You'll lecture me again, Mom? Tssh, you have no control her, Dawnie. Get a grip." He strolled out of the room like he hadn't just gotten chewed out and abused.
"Little prick." Dawn grabbed the keys and threw them at Beth. "Take those down to Murry."
Beth caught them and met her eyes. "I should finish—"
"Go now!" She shouted, lunging at her, and Beth tilted her chin, almost willing Dawn to smack the other cheek, and she huffed. "Get out. I don't need you here today."
"Fine." She closed her fingers around the keys and headed out as Edwards slipped in. She cut him a look, and he returned it with a barely there nod, pocketing the keys and heading down to "return" the keys to Murry.
She caught Shepard eyeing her as she made her down to the lower levels, but she played it cool and moved forward, refusing to stop or divert from her goal. She would need to find a bag to store the medicine in. She had nothing but her pillow case, so she'd need several of them downstairs. She wasn't sure how she'd get them back upstairs, but hey, she was growing girl. She was getting bigger every day in all parts of her body. And if someone commented on her hips width, she'd play offended and stomp off like any lady.
She waved at Murry and leaned over the counter. "So, Jackson took a car out without permission, huh?"
"What's it to you?" He was an older man, reminded her somewhat of Otis, and he really didn't care much for his job. He wanted to be on the roof, but Dawn said his eyes weren't good enough to look through a scoop, only to check keys in and out.
"Just wonderin'. Dawn's pissed, but she'll eventually bring the key down."
"Great, so I'll get hassled by Gorman while she takes her sweet time returnin' my key."
"Sorry." She glanced at the door that would lead to their sweet escape. "What did he take?"
"The damn rust bucket stick shift." He shook his head. "I'm stunned it turns out. Thing's older than me."
Oh, great. "Wow, that's interestin'."
"Yeah, bet you couldn't even drive that thing." He narrowed his eyes at her. "You even learn how to drive before this?"
"Actually, yeah, and I can work a stick just fine. My...daddy taught me."
He nodded. "Not that I don't like the company, but don't you got duties?"
"Not right now. Dawn's in a mood."
He groaned. "When ain't she?"
She laughed. "Right?"
"Shhh, shhh." He smiled. "Don't let 'em hear. Especially that Shepard. She's a fireball."
"That's right," Shepard confirmed, coming off the steps. "I am."
Beth turned to her and crossed her arms. "I was told to come here."
"Did I ask?" She stepped closer to the young girl. "Walk with me."
"Why?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Because I can make you, or you can just move your legs and join me." Her hand hovered over her night stick. "It's too early for the hard way, but adrenaline always made for better coffee."
"All right." She glanced at the clock behind Murry's head and counted the hours she had. If Shepard didn't put her on another assignment. "Let's hurry. I have to clean a couple rooms before noon."
"Just walk, Greene."
Beth sucked air in and hoped Carol was having better luck with her half of the plan.
––
Carol glanced back behind her once more, seeing that nobody was following her, and she rounded the corner, finding herself being spun back against a wall by her arm, and her eyes met the curious and amused eyes of Gorman. She knew he'd been lurking nearby, so she wasn't surprised when he grabbed her, which judging by the searching in his eyes this reaction fully surprised him. He was less amused and more bemused. That could be dangerous in the right hands, and they weren't his hands.
"What are you doing, roaming down this dark hallway all alone?" he inquired, his right arm blocking her path back to "safety" and making it so she'd have to walk around him, leaving an open opportunity for him to try something.
"What makes you think I'm scared of the dark?" Carol challenged, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Isn't everybody?"
"Well, I guess I'm not everybody." She untucked a hand from her chest and placed it on his, pushing him back and away from her. "Try and invest in a nightlight, Gorman." She walked away without looking back, but she didn't get very far before his hands were on her again.
"We're not done." He held onto her forearm and kept her in place, standing behind her so close that their shoulders touched. "Now I've kept my word to Dawn and let you onto our rotations."
"And that means what exactly to me?" Carol didn't bother to look at him, feeling the blade she kept her shoe heavy against the length of her foot.
"It means you should be nicer to those in charge," he said into her ear. "We can help each other out, you know. I scratch your back...you scratch mine."
"And if I don't want to scratch your back?"
"I wouldn't be so sure about waking up in a safe, warm bed."
"So, what you throw me to the dead?"
"People disappear all the time when there's nobody there to protect them."
She almost laughed in his face, but she couldn't break face just yet. She inhaled and set her hand over his on her arm. "You'll protect me?" She flickered her eyes over to him, viewing him through her eyelashes and almost smiling at him. "How?"
"Any way you need." He smiled back at her. "Dawn can be iffy, but me? I'm like a rock. I don't change my opinion, so it's best to stay in my good graces. But you know that, right?"
"How can you protect me when you're Dawn's lap dog?"
He bared his teeth. "I am no one's dog."
"Oh, yeah? You come when she calls, tend to her discarded things, and you...pretty much just lack the collar. Do you wipe her ass too?"
"I try and keep the peace, but I don't tend to anything." A flash of pride washed over his face as he pulled her back against him to whisper, "Noah just rots in the nutty ward. Like I'd waste the medicine on the welp anyway. He can't even run properly. He'll die from the damage and turn. I'll leave Dawn to deal with that."
"Hmm. So powerful to let another deal with your mess."
"I get you over a table, and you'll see how much power I have."
"Right." She stepped forward, he tightened his grip on her arm, and she smirked teasingly at him. "C'mere."
He narrowed his eyes at her, his fingers loosening on her arm, and she opened the door to the abandoned exam room. She closed and locked the door while he removed his belt, and she glanced at the belt for a moment, seeing no gun, only a nightstick. He likely removed it in case she tried to make him eat a bullet. Sadly for him it wouldn't be so gentle.
"I have a question for you." She sat down on the gurney in front of him, fingers only inches away from his belt.
He chuckled. "Guess you better ask now before your mouth is full."
"Why me? Why not someone else? Like...Beth?"
"Edwards is all over that girl, and now she's Dawn's pet project after her little escape attempt." He traced his finger across her lips. "She would have been mine, but there's you now. With age comes experience."
She wasn't able to respond due to his thumb forcing its way into her mouth, and she dug her nails into the mattress.
"I looked at the schedule, and you have nowhere to be." His lips twisted upward darkly, disgustingly. "And I don't have any duties today, so you can just...take your time." He ripped his thumb out of her mouth, his nail catching on her bottom lip and cutting it open, blood pooling over the line. "Oops."
She wiped her lip off and stood up, pushing him back against the counter roughly, and he barely caught his footing. He was about to snap but she dropped down to her knees and unbuttoned his jeans. He leaned against the counter and flatten his palms against its smooth surface, groaning softly at the gentle yet firm touches against his member.
He closed his eyes at her touch, the blood in his body shifting downward delightfully at the feel of a woman's soft flesh, and his parted as a lustful moan escaped. He had waited months for a decent piece to come through after Joan jumped off the roof and Beth became permanently attached to Dawn's ass. Shit, he didn't think it'd come, but the world had a way of balancing itself out. Sooner or later he would have little bitch, looking like a blonde Sally or not. He knew she was untouched, and he would her deep with his seed. Fuck, he couldn't wait for that moment when her little bubble of security popped harder than her cherr—
A strangled gasp escaped through his lips, his eyes slowly opening as short shaky breaths escaped him, and his hand flew to his side, finding a wet heat there. He looked down to find the edge of some small little pencil shaped object sticking out of his side, the woman's other hand turning it sharply, and his body was no longer his own. He had no control as shock took over, his knees giving out, and she ripped the object out of him as he fell to the floor.
Carol exhaled deeply and bent down beside him, shaking her head at him. "This is for every girl who couldn't fight back and for Beth. Nobody threatens or tries to force themselves on my girl, you small...weak nothing." She gripped the hilt of the knife and stabbed it through his skull so he wouldn't come back. She didn't want to trip over him on the way out.
She knew the way to the psych ward was locked. It was in the lovely tour that Shepard gave her, but if Dawn did leave him in charge of Noah, he had to have a key. She rifled through his pockets and found a set of keys that were marked with numbers. There was only a four, a zero and then one was an R, which had to be the roof. The zero was likely the psych ward since nobody was supposed to be on that floor. The four looked like it belonged to a locker, probably something he had in his room.
She also found a couple pieces of gum, a few old mints and condoms in his pockets, which she left where she dropped them. She had one goal here: saving Noah. The rest was background noise. She would get his room and prepare him to be moved tomorrow. She didn't know what schedule Dawn had for him, so she couldn't move him just yet, but she would first thing tomorrow morning. He would be the first thing grabbed, Beth would get the car ready, and they would be gone before breakfast. There was no other option. They had to be gone by morning. There could be no delays or errors. She'd already been gone too long...
Carol stood up and turned the sink on, rinsing the blood off her hand and the X-acto knife. She broke the handle to the exam room and tossed it into the trash, casually rejoining the people of Grady. She spotted the door to the psych ward and conversation Dawn and Shepard were having in front of it. She would have to come back later, or perhaps just get him tomorrow in one quick burst. She didn't want to do that. She wanted to see the damage Dawn had done to him and apologize and give him the pain meds some old man traded her with for her strawberries. She wanted him to be okay. She shouldn't have put him in that position, but he volunteered, and they had no choice. For her to be so welcome, they had no choice. She hated those words. She truly did.
"Psst!"
Carol looked over as an older woman waved her over. She looked around to be sure the woman meant her, and when she realized she was, she approached her. "Can I help you?"
"Not me, but the girl." She leaned against the door frame to her room and crossed her arms with such effort it was clear the woman was on something. For her own good or for recreation, Carol wasn't sure, but it as clear she wouldn't remember this conversation or herself by this evening. "Beth has...keys."
"Keys?" Carol narrowed her eyes.
"Jingle, jingle," she muttered, staring at the light reflecting off the metal of the doorknob. "They go jingle jingle. Like Christmas."
Carol simply nodded and slipped away. She didn't want to seen lingering, and she didn't want the hope flooding through her to be ruined. Beth had the key to the medicine cabinet or locker or whatever. She had the key, and she would get the medicine. That meant two out of four were done already today. Beth had a difficult two out of two to complete, but she would get it done. That girl had strength by the bucket loads, and she wanted to save Noah. That would drive her. That, and...wanting to see her family again.
Carol sighed softly and lowered her eyes, her feet stopping by the stairs that lead to the roof where she was stationed for that afternoon. She didn't have the heart to tell Beth. She had no clue where their family was. She had lost them after the prison fell. She wasn't even sure when it fell, but by the time she had to go back, it was gone. They were gone. She tried to track them, but nature covered their way. She had nothing to go off of, and...there was nothing left for her there. She had to keep moving forward, and she found a home. It wasn't just her home, and she would to explain that to Beth, too. Explain and apologize.
"Hey." Bello called to her. "You're late. Get up there."
"I am. I just need my gun." She didn't make eye contact with him, and she knew he noticed. "Is it up there already? Or do I have to—"
"Hey, you okay?" He drew closer to her, trying to study her face, but a mask was up. A lovely mask, but he didn't care for lovely. In this world lovely meant lies, and lies meant you were dead soon. He'd had enough of that ill logic.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just...not used to sleeping in a bed or waking up safe to a meal." She cleared her throat. "It's...interesting."
"If you need a minute—"
"I don't."
"I know adjusting isn't an easy process, but you'll find a home here. You'll learn who to trust and who to avoid, and it'll be... it'll become normal. It'll be...good. You can be happy here. I promise you can."
"I suppose I'll have to see." She turned and padded up the stairs towards the roof without another word and swallowed around the lump in her throat. It felt as though it were becoming a permanent fixture, but she'd been ignore it since she first saw the girl. It would seem she would choke before it would be gone.
Downstairs Beth scanned the hall once more before bending down and unlocking the cabinet. She ran her eyes over the labels and pulled what was on the list. She took a few extra that would ease pain and infection, slipping them gently into the pillowcase, the bottles hitting the syringes she had in there as well. She shut the cabinet door and tied the pillowcase, collecting the spare uniform she'd been given after dirtying her current only, nonchalantly walking away and tucking the case in between.
"Beth." Dawn stopped in the hall at the sight of the girl.
She faced her. "What?"
"Meet me in my office in ten minutes. Clean yourself up."
At the sound boots behind her, Beth nodded. "I'll be there. You can count on me."
"Don't." Jackson brushed by the girl and neared Dawn. "I need to have a word with you. It's important, and you can talk to her anytime."
"Why would I want to waste perfectly good air on you?" Dawn didn't even look at him.
"Because it's important, like I said, and if you don't listen to me, you'll come to regret it."
"I highly doubt that. Beth, ten minutes."
"Make it five," Beth shot back.
"Damn it." He huffed and sent a harsh look to Beth before chasing Dawn down to try and change her mind.
Beth smirked to herself and headed to her room. She changed out of of her messed uniformed and into the clean one, tucking the pillowcase inside of her pillow. She tugged the slit closed and carried her dirty scrubs to their designated area, avoiding eye contact with the new guy there. She couldn't look at him. It would remind her of Noah, and she couldn't go there. He would be out of here soon. They all would. That was what she had to focus on. The now. The future. Her future. It was in no one's hands but her own.
– – –
It was midnight, all the clocks read as such, and by how neither Carol nor Beth slept, it had to be. Beth had been caught up with Dawn for rest of the night, and even when it was done, Dawn walked her to her room personally. She didn't have time to make the walker ponchos, so they would have to just fight them off. It shouldn't be too much. Jackson went out there and beat most of them with a metal rod out of anger when Dawn wouldn't listen to his concern. Beth didn't know what was under his skin, but there was nothing now. In the heat of his beatings, he got bitten. Bello didn't hesitate.
Beth had the car keys and the medicine, but they had no sheets, no idea what condition Noah was in, and they would have no sleep for this plan. With freedom so close, how could they sleep? It made sense, even if her brain was going off on her for not trying to sleep. She paced the length of her bed and made sure the key was still in her bra. Once the metal warmed, it felt like it wasn't there. She kept checking. It was still there. The meds were still there. The plan was still on. It was okay. She would be home. She would be in Maggie's arms soon. God, Mags.
She covered her mouth to stop from either laughing or wailing at the thought, and she closed her eyes to pray for this escape plan to go right. She hadn't prayed in so long, but she had to now. With Daddy and Ma up there... Shawn and Patricia and Otis... Lori and Andrea... everyone... It would be heard. She knew it would be. She felt it. Like a hand on her shoulder, she felt it. They would get home.
She opened her eyes as sunlight poured into her room, and she blinked slowly, using the bed to help her stand. She pulled the meds from her pillow and opened the door to find Carol already there. They didn't speak or exchange any looks. They simply passed each other as the sun began its leisure rise.
Beth passed the few patients who had insomnia and couldn't be drugged due to poor reactions, her shoes silent on clean floors, and she didn't look back. She gripped the medicine tightly in her hand as she blew by Dawn's office. She smiled as she did so and felt an urge to run. It wasn't out of fear. It wasn't out of anything other than the desire to be out of that building quickly.
The front door squeaked open, her eyes were blinded by the light, but she adjusted and dodged the walker coming for her. She moved against the wall so that if any person were early to their morning shift, she wouldn't be seen. She spotted the black SUV all ready for her, and she peeked at the roof before running over to it. She couldn't kill these walkers, but thankfully they were slow and had to move around the bodies of their fallen dead. She had a easy access to the SUV and climbed inside, setting the medicine in the passenger seat and making sure the key fit. She couldn't start it—not yet—not until Carol and Noah were in sight.
She gripped the steering wheel as more and more walkers crowded around the car at the sight of her and began to smack against the door and the hood to try and get her out. It had to be drawing attention to the car, and she couldn't let Carol and Noah come out to a walker covered car. It would be problematic. More than. She had to get this car running and let the consequences be what they were. If worse came to worst, Carol had a car in the city. They could use that. Or just hike it back home. Either way she wasn't going back in there. No fucking way.
There was a sudden blare behind her, she flinched at the unexpected noise and noticed the walkers were drifting over to it. She twisted in her seat and saw another car alarm had been trigger, and she spotted movement. She unlocked the doors and climbed over the console to open the backdoor, smiling when Noah and Carol appeared.
"Take him." Carol was panting and didn't waste anytime dropping Noah on Beth and running around to take the wheel.
Beth struggled somewhat to pull him into the car, seeing a walker snarling towards her. She yanked him one last time and slammed the door shut before the walker could stumble any closer and held him close as Carol started the car. She closed her eyes as Carol backed up, the sound of crunching and groaning came before the car screech off and busted through the gates. Beth didn't hear as single gun fire until they were speeding down the street, and by that point, they were out of range from their snipers.
She opened her eyes. "Carol?"
"We'll be out the city before noon." She sped up, checking the gas once more and glancing back at the rear view mirror. "Buckle in."
"Yeah..." She adjusted herself in the middle of the backseat, Noah half sprawled over her leg, and she held him close like a human seat belt once she was buckled in herself. She couldn't see any of his wounds, but she knew he would have plenty of bruises and scars, too.
"Carol?"
"We'll can't stop by his shelter or my old car to get the cans I had or he had. We have to keep moving. We'll stop once we're out of the city to try and get some food and some first aid, but we can't stop. I barely got him out. I had to improvise and use that elevator shoot." She didn't want to know how much walker goo was on her. "They should've had it locked up due to your escape, but... it wasn't locked. There were chains and everything, but it wasn't locked."
"Carol." Beth set her hand on the seat by Carol's shoulder, unable to reach her while buckled.
She exhaled. "Yeah, Beth?"
"We're out." She laughed as tears filled her eyes. "We made it out."
She returned her smile. "We made it out." She chuckled. "Thank God, right?"
"And Shepard."
"What?" Her eyes locked in Beth's in the rear view mirror.
"Yeah, so... I didn't work alone," Beth confided, explaining the entire situation.
––
"That's right," Shepard confirmed, coming off the steps. "I am."
Beth turned to her and crossed her arms. "I was told to come here."
"Did I ask?" She stepped closer to the young girl. "Walk with me."
"Why?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Because I can make you, or you can just move your legs and join me." Her hand hovered over her night stick. "It's too early for the hard way, but adrenaline always made for better coffee."
"All right." She glanced at the clock behind Murry's head and counted the hours she had. If Shepard didn't put her on another assignment. "Let's hurry. I have to clean a couple rooms before noon."
"Just walk, Greene."
Beth sucked air in and hoped Carol was having better luck with her half of the plan, falling into step with Amanda. "What do you want?"
"I said walk with me, not talk to me."
"What—?"
Her hand smacked against Beth's collarbone, knocking her back into an open closet door, and Beth tripped, falling back into a pile of sheets. Shepard surveyed the area and closed the door, kneeling over and locking her eyes in Beth's. "I know what you're doing, Beth."
"What I'm doin'? You just knocked me into the trash!"
"Shh!" She dropped to her knees and covered her mouth. "I want to help. Okay?"
Beth complained against her hand.
"I know you're planning another escape. I know you know that woman who came in. I don't care how or why. I want you gone. I want her gone. But most importantly I want Dawn out."
Her brows furrowed, and she stared at Amanda. "Huh?"
"I can't stomach her leadership anymore. I need her gone, but to do that, I need to use you. And you need my help if you're going to get out of here with Noah and medicine and a car." She lowered her hand. "I have a plan. A coup. I need your help to make it work, and you need my help to make your plan work, so it evens out."
"Why help me now?"
"Because I didn't survive the end of the world to become a victim to assholes who don't like to hear no. I didn't survive to let the dead be better than us." She shook her head. "I can't let this place continue on like this. With O'Donnell dead, it's getting worse, and I need to nip this in the bud right now. There's not a lot of us left, and if Dawn continues to lead, there won't be anything left within six months."
"I don't trust you."
"And you don't need to. You just need to move and be quick. I need...favors. If you can...ease them along, I'll get you a car full of gas and give Noah some food and meds tonight."
"What favors?"
"I need Gorman and Jackson killed by you or Carol. It doesn't matter which. I just need them gone. I can use them to turn the people against Dawn, and I can use you to turn uniforms against her, too."
"I'm not going to kill—"
"Then let Carol kill. Or play into their ego or anger. I don't care how. I just need them dead, and not by my hand. All right? It's all I need from you, aside from getting the fuck out of my hospital."
"So I leave and get rid of them, and you help us?"
"Yes."
"You're full of shit." Beth climbed to her feet, eyes burning into Shepard's. "It's never been easy in this world, and you're gonna make it easy all of a sudden? It's bullshit."
"Killing two men is easy for you? What kind of world do you live in, little girl?" She rose and searched her eyes. "I don't want your thanks or your trust; I want you gone. I want her and Noah gone. But I need my hands clean from this to turn this place around. This is my home and trust that I want to protect it. Trust that I want it to thrive and survive and be a home again. Trust that I want good leadership and the blood stains to stop. Trust that...I'm human, just like you. I was a coward. I held my tongue, but that's over with. I'm done cowering. Help me...help you get the fuck out of my home."
She studied her closely, her eyes wide and bright, and there was no room for lies in those sorrowfully orbs. She nodded slowly and asked her what her plan was for this. Amanda smiled softly and thanked her, handing over the keys to the SUV that had a spare wheelchair folded in the back and a small supply of food and water as a sign of good faith.
"First of all...I need you up Dawn's ass," Shepard whispered. "I need them to think you're planning this escape together, and Dawn never lets you out of her sight for long. Play on that. Heavily. Let people know you're hers..."
– – –
Beth sat beside the small river with a semi-conscious Noah resting beside her. She wore her old clothes, the ones she'd gotten from the golf club and had from the prison, using a torn piece of scrub to clean the dried blood from the reopened wound on his chin. She placed his head on her lap, carefully tending to this last wound of his and looking over at Carol.
She had cleaned up and wore the outfit she entered in as well, filling the emptied water bottles from the trunk with river water. She hadn't spoken to Beth since Beth told her of Shepard's part in their escape. She knew Carol wasn't happy with it, but no one was following them. There was nothing wrong with the car. They had some food and water and clothes. They had the medicine, plus the kit left for the drivers while they roamed the city and outskirts. They were in the clear—knock all the wood.
"Are you gonna talk to me?" She smoothed ointment over his chin as he stared up at the sky, still medicated and high as a kite.
Carol sighed loudly and twisted the cap shut, looking over at the girl. "I'm not angry with you."
"Then why are you ignorin' me?"
"It... It's not something you did." She straightened and placed the water bottle back into the black milk crate and lifted it off the ground. "Let's load up the car and...then have a talk, okay?"
"We can talk once we're home. I want to put all the miles between that hell hole and us." She wiped her finger on the remaining scrub and smiled at Noah, urging him to stand up. She assisted him in standing, arm around his waist. "We can talk on the road, if you want."
"Okay then."
They loaded up the car with items and themselves, Beth gave Noah more painkillers to let him continue to rest on the way home, and Carol gripped the wheel tightly, pulling onto the dirt road that would eventually lead them home. It was silent for many miles as Beth watched Noah sleep easily with the medicine and Carol tried to find words that wouldn't break the girl's heart. It wasn't so simple, but luckily child-like wonder was. Beth adjusted her seat belt and closed the water bottle, taking it from Noah gently and looking through the windshield at the beauty of nature before her.
"I've missed the trees and the green." She smiled. "The wild flowers... It's all so lovely. Reminds me of the farm."
Carol shared her smile and nodded. "I loved the open area and the nature of the farm. The grove reminds me of it."
"The grove?" She peered at her. "Is that where we are now? Well, they are now?"
"It's where I found a new home," Carol replied, eyes forward, turning down a marked path only her eyes could recognize, and she inhaled, rolling the windows down to let the warm air in. "There are peaches and pecans overflowing, some animals that come through for them, and a well. The house itself has no power, but the stove is gas. There are plenty of lanterns with oil and candles. It's warm, and it's...home."
"Peaches?" Beth hadn't had fresh fruit in so long. Rick's crops took so long to grow, and they were burned down before most of them could be eaten. It was a shame. She didn't eat anything from the hospital that cost too much. Fresh fruit was in high demand, so she avoided it unless she needed to bargain, but even then it wasn't going into her mouth. "Mmm, I can't wait to have some."
"Yeah, I picked some before I left. I made some jam. You'll have to try it on the oat cakes Denise makes. They're delicious."
"Denise? Is she new?"
"Yes, I met her more than three years ago. She's...been great. A real friend when I...needed one." She lowered her eyes and opened her mouth to confess, "Beth, listen, I—"
"Is that it?" Beth gasped, cutting Carol off and viewing the house coming into view.
"Yeah, that's it."
The house was lovely and kept in good condition. The rails were covered by vines and plants, some of them planted vegetables and other herbs for medicinal and cooking properties. There were beautiful yellow flowers blooming along the house, and it brought a touch of life and warmth to the house. It felt like a home, and Beth couldn't wait to go inside and be a part of their home again. The only downside to the cozy home was the a creepy and crumbling shed. She would be sure to avoid that.
The front door opened to armed blonde woman, her apron covered with blood, and Carol's heart stopped at the sight. Beth had a feeling this was Denise and climbed out of the car to make introductions. At the sight of Carol in the front seat, Denise lowered the gun back to its holster at her hip and removed the apron to greet her and their guests.
"I'm sorry I'm a mess." She brushed hair out of her face and came off the porch with a smile that spoke in greetings and relief. "I just killed a chicken for dinner, but it's kind of a fat one, so we'll have plenty."
Oh, thank God. Carol climbed out of the car and embraced her tightly. "Everything's okay then?"
"Yeah, yeah, it's okay." She rubbed her back. "Especially now."
"You're right." Carol stepped back and grasped Beth's hand to pull her closer. "This is Beth Greene. She's family from before my previous home fell. Beth, this is Denise Clyod."
"Hi." Beth shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you from Carol, and I'm...glad you're safe now with us."
"Me, too. Um, I should get Noah into a bedroom."
"Noah?" Denise's brows rose. "Another one?"
"He helped save us," Carol replied. "He need to be looked over. Can you do that while I unload everything?"
"I want to be with him while you do. It's...my fault it happened, and I want to know he'll be okay. I'll meet everyone else later." She jogged over to the car and waved Denise over to give her a hand.
"Are you sure you want me to take care of him first?" Denise eyed Carol. "The fever—"
"It's fine. I know what to do, but thanks for the concern. He needs you more, and I can take care of her."
"I'll check in on you as soon as I'm done."
"I appreciate that."
Denise and Beth helped Noah into the first bedroom down the hall, Carol unloaded the medicine and food and water while Denise exmained the young man and found several injuries, and Beth stayed by his side. Denise had some supplies to help ease the pain he'd feel in his right sprained wrist, the two cracked teeth in the back of his mouth, the bruising to his jaw, the break in his left forearm. Beth almost cried at the damage done to her friend, but he would be all right, so they were happy tears. The sorrow had no room right now. She wouldn't let it.
Denise closed the bedroom door as Noah continued to rest and Beth passed out. The adrenaline had come and gone, and now it was time for rest. She'd leave them to it. She had someone else to check up on then she would make dinner for them. Their...huge family now. First there was one, and now...five. She didn't know she could have such a large family again, but there it was. It would only grow and strengthen. She'd make sure of it.
– – –
Cries. Crying. Someone was crying. No, it wasn't crying. It was wailing. Someone was... No, a baby. A baby was wailing. Judith. Hmm. Judy. Her eyes lids twitched at the sound of a small child's cries. Her body reacted before her mind, and she woke herself up, the body beside her still and snoring softly. She smiled weakly and pushed off the bed, stumbling down the hall to find Judith's crib and to not disturb Rick in the process.
It wasn't until Beth was standing barefoot in a living room did she wake up and realize she hadn't seen Judith in over three years. She smiled at the realization that Judith was there and crying, and she hurried through the door to the kitchen, seeing the back door was open. It was late at night, the kitchen smelled of chicken and herbs, and through the door she found Carol—not Rick.
Carol was standing in the cool night arm with a child too young to be Judith in her arms, wrapped in a golden knitted blanket, small back being rubbed in the light of the moon, and Carol softly hushed the tears and hiccups away. She rubbed the child's cheek and kissed its forehead, the dark brown locks curled over small shoulders, and a pale face rested scrunched up on Carol's shoulder. The child was out cold at this point, but Beth was wide awake.
"Carol..." She stepped onto the porch.
"Shh." Carol brushed hair back from the face of the child in her arms. "You'll wake her. She's a light sleeper with this fever."
"She...who? Why is she so upset?"
"Fever nightmare." She adjusted the three year old in her lap. "The meds helped, but dreams can't be."
"I hear that." Beth drew closer to see the child's face and her heart felt an attachment for the child already. "Wow, she's so beautiful. What's her name?"
"Thank you." Carol smiled at her, a fatigue painted all over the gesture and reflecting in her eyes. "It's been a while since I got a compliment. Denise says she looks like me after all."
"Thank...?" Beth's eyes lit up. "She's yours?"
"She's Charlotte." Carol brought the blanket up to cover her daughter's shoulder as she drifted further into a light sleep on her shoulder, and she kissed her daughter's brow. "My daughter."