I opened my eyes slowly and cursed softly as I realised I had fallen asleep. I tiredly rubbed my eyes, figuring that the medicine Hershel gave me was what was causing my drowsiness. Dad would kill me for falling asleep surrounded by people I don't know. Someone cleared their throat next to me. I hadn't even noticed that I wasn't alone. "Strike 2 Liv," I thought to myself bitterly. He was sitting in the dark corner of the room. Cell, I internally corrected myself.
"Hello?" I called out.
"What's your name?" he asked, showcasing his southern accent. I could tell that this was the same man that saved me. I propped myself up on the pillow.
"Liv, and you?" I answered.
"Rick," he replied quickly. "Where'd you come from?"
I bit my lip, contemplating how to reply. Should I trust him and tell him the truth, or lie? I didn't want to risk putting my family in danger. I sat up straight and turned to face him. "I got separated from my group. It wasn't really a group. Just me and my family." I revealed to him. I paused as I thought about my next words carefully. "Are you…are you going to kick me out? I asked, cutting to the point. If he was going to send me out to the mercy of the Walkers, I'd rather know now than have it drawn out. However, all I really wanted to ask was where my weapons were, but I didn't want to push my luck.
"No, I'm not going to send you out, but first I have to give you a test before you can become one of us," he responded. I nodded.
"What kind of test?" I questioned trying to keep my voice steady. Rick leant forward in his chair, staring at me. He had blue eyes similar to that of the boy who helped save me, messy dark hair that looked as if it hadn't been properly washed in a long time, and to be honest it probably hadn't been. In the light coming from the window, I could see how serious and intimidating he appeared. I couldn't explain how, but everything about him radiated leader. Even if he wasn't referred to as the leader by the rest of his group, you could easily tell that he was the one making the decisions.
"Don't worry, it's only three questions." He reassured me.
I narrowed my eyes confused. Three questions? That's the big 'make it or break it' test? Questions? How these people survived so long I have no idea. I could be a fricking psychopathic murderer but as long as I say what they want to hear, I'm in.
"Okay, ask me anything," I said, throwing him a fake smile as I waited for whatever questions he felt like asking me.
"How many walkers have you killed?" he asked, staring directly into my eyes.
"I lost count once I hit double digits," I said regretfully and he nodded slowly as he contemplated my answer.
"How many people have you killed?" he inquired, and I chewed my bottom lip. I could feel his eyes on me as I thought about my response.
"I can't remember," I lied, avoiding his gaze as I mumbled my answer. Suddenly everything in the room was more interesting than him.
"Why?" he asked, his voice stern. Why does anyone kill someone in a world like today's? Because they're a threat, or because they simply have to. What kind of question is that? I did what anyone in my position would do. It's kill or be killed. I showed no emotion. I used the training I've been given my entire life to school my features into that of a calm, collected person.
"Because I had no choice," I explained, returning his gaze. After a moment he nodded and rose from his chair, proceeding towards the cell door silently.
Just as quickly as Rick left, I was greeted with a familiar face, "Hershel!" I cried cheerfully, "When can I get up, I'm going crazy being confined to this bed." I exaggerated. I needed to start making a plan but first, I needed to meet the other inhabitants of this prison.
"Okay you can walk around," Hershel relented but quickly spoke up as I started to move, "But take it easy and don't do anything to open the wound again or you will be back in this bed before you can speak." He limped over to my bed as I ripped off the covers and swung my legs over the bed much too quickly for Hershel, who held his arms out in front of me as I stood up.
"Be careful and take it easy," he ordered, and I nodded excitedly. All I wanted was to get out of that restricting cell. We walked slowly and once we exited the cell, I spotted two girls. One was a girl who looked to be around Cassie's age. She had dark brown hair and was standing next to a blonde girl, slightly older than me. They were both smiling at me. I had no idea why, but I put it down to them both being friendly people.
I pushed through the pain that flared up in my stomach every time I moved. Letting go of the bars, I stumbled forward. Hershel supported my weight until we reached the two girls.
"I'm Beth, nice ta' meet you. This is my sister Maggie," the blonde girl told me with a soft country accent that suited her well. I smiled at her. She returned it, and then I turned to face her sister. She smiled a half smile at me. Now that I was closer I could tell that she had short brown hair, which came down to just below her shoulder and she was wearing a dark green shirt, with black worn down trousers. She was wearing a holster around her waist with a gun strapped into it. We continued walking but I looked behind me at Beth who had been walking at a slower pace. I think she wanted to walk behind me in case I fell backwards. I was not going to allow that to happen. I wanted to appear weak enough so that it seemed like I wasn't much of a threat but not so vulnerable as to seem like a burden or liability.
"I'm glad you're okay," Maggie said truthfully. "You really had us scared when the others brought you in." She had an accent similar to her sister's, but it was much heavier.
"Carl especially," Beth added, sending me a secretive grin, her ponytail swinging behind her.
"Thanks for helping me," I said honestly, and Maggie laughed softly, nodding her head. We ended up in a never-ending hallway. It was probably a lot shorter but with my injury, it felt like walking a marathon. I stopped suddenly, feeling like I was going to pass out, but I wasn't about to tell them that. They all crowded round me, bombarding me with question after question. I could only nod as half their words sounded slurred to me. I pressed forward as they followed my lead, continuing until we reached a set of double doors. Beth moved from behind me to walk ahead and pushed the doors open.
I could already see it. While slightly blurred, I could make out a lot of figures. I trudged forward, ignoring the ache in my body. All I wanted to do was collapse in bed but I continued. I needed to know what I was up against. From the ones I'd already met, they seemed like nice people but I needed to be sure. Like Grandfather always said, "Knowledge is power."
When we entered the room, the chatter and murmuring slowed to a stop and everyone turned to look at me, the stranger. Some smiled while some looked confused or narrowed their eyes suspiciously.
But that only concerned what I'd already begun to suspect. This place felt like a home. Most importantly, these people felt like a family. People who would do anything to protect each other. I smiled inwardly.
"Liv, come meet the rest of the group," Hershel beckoned me forward reassuringly as he turned back to face me. I looked from him to the large group of people filling the room. I threw on a happy mask as I scanned the surrounding crowd.