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I do not own TWD or any of the characters other than my own.


As they approached the prison Finley tensed at the walkers surrounding the gate. How did they expect to get in? Finley heard a whistle ring out from inside the prison yard, followed by people running to the far side of the fence. The group began to bang and yell loudly, drawing the dead away from the entrance of the prison.

Daryl and Rick took off at a slow jog, motioning for Finley and Ben to follow. After they entered the prison yard, the clanging stopped and the small group ran to Daryl and Rick.

"Who are they?" An older woman with short, salt, and pepper hair asked.

"They're okay Carol. I knew them before the turn." Rick said.

"Did you ask the questions?" A younger brunette girl interjected.

"Yeah. They're good." Rick responded. "This is Ben and Finley." He said, motioning towards them.

"Ben and Finley, this is Carol, Maggie, and Glen. Carol and Glen are on the council. That's how we run things here, it's more of democracy. Maggie's father, Hershel is on the council too."

"Well I guess I'll call the council members; we'll meet in 15 minutes?" Carol asked.

"Sounds good." Rick said.

Daryl fell in behind Carol as she made her way up to the prison.

"Why do you need a council meeting?" Finley questioned Rick, once the others walked away.

"It's just how things are done here. I understand your hesitancy but it's just a precaution. If you make it past the fence, you're fine. Since I vouched for you, I have to attend the meeting." Rick turned away from the pair, scanning the yard. "Carl!"

A boy younger than Ben ran up. "What's going on?" He asked.

"I have a council meeting. This is Ben and Finley; I knew them before the walkers. Can you show them around?"

"I don't remember them."

"I knew them when you were a baby. That's why you don't remember. I'll be back soon."


Rick entered the library, dragging a chair to the table.

"Okay, now that everyone is here. We'll begin. Rick, you brought in two new people. Who are they? Why did you bring them in?" Hershel asked.

"They're just kids. I thought it was best."

"They don't look like no kids." Daryl said gruffly.

"Well, they were kids when I knew them. I guess Ben is about 20 now and Finley is about 25. I wouldn't ask them to come back if I wasn't positive they were good people. I have Judith and Carl to think about, I would never risk that."

"How many walkers have they killed?" Sasha asked.

"Ben, 15. Finley, lost count around 30."

"How about people?"

Rick paused, unsure of how to answer. "Ben said none."

"And Finley?"

"She said 11, but Ben said 3." Rick said seeming unsure of the situation.

"Why do their stories conflict? Is she trying to seem tougher or is she unhinged?" Hershel asked.

Daryl shifted in his seat, "She's definitely not scared. She had a blade to Rick's neck when I showed up. She carries to smaller axes and I saw a gun tucked in her waistband on the way here."

The council paused, looking at Rick. "I don't know why their stories conflict but Finley is older than Ben. The first time I met her she was practically shielding Ben with her body from, everything."

"You're not making much sense, Rick." Glenn commented.

"When I first met the Norton family it was for a funeral procession. William Norton, their dad was a war hero. He died serving overseas when Finley was about 9. Ben was young but he still knew what was going on. Finley just watched over him constantly. Honestly, that's another benefit of having them here. Their parents were Marines; they taught the kids a few things. It's probably why they've lasted so long."

"That was almost 20 years ago, Rick. They could be different people by now." Carol stated.

"I kept in touch with them over the years. It's not my story to tell but trust me; I wouldn't invite them in, if I wasn't positive."

"Let's vote." Hershel said.

Rick raised his hand followed immediately by Glen and Hershel.

"Might as well. World's gone to shit anyway." Daryl muttered before raising his own hand.

Carol and Sasha looked to each other before also raising their hands.

"Okay. It's settled then." Rick said, as he rose from the table, exiting the library.


Hours later….

The sun had just set when people living in the prison gathered around a fire outside. A pig turned over the fire, filling the air with warmth and the smell of charred fat. Finley could instantly feel her mouth water. It had been a long time since they had eaten fresh meat. Finley took a seat on the packed dirt, near the fire. She welcomed the warmth as it washed over her body. It wasn't freezing cold yet but with winter growing nearer, the temperature was dropping more and more. Finley silently thanked god, Buddha, or whoever was out there that they had been accepted into the prison. It wasn't ideal and Finley would remain guarded but it would protect them from the harsher weather conditions.

"Hello? Earth to Finley." Glenn called as he took a seat on the other side of Maggie who had taken a seat beside Finley.

"Oh, sorry. What?"

"Want some pig?" Maggie asked, offering her a bowl.

"Has Ben got some yet?"

Finley looked around the circle, searching for her brother. She spotted him sitting a few people down from Maggie talking with Carl and a young blonde girl.

"Who's that?" Finley asked, nodding to the trio.

"The blonde? That's my sister, Beth. Don't worry, she's harmless. He's eating, now will you eat?" Maggie asked while shoving a small bowl into Finley's hands.

Finley checked the circle again, which did not go unnoticed by Maggie.

"It's okay. Everyone's got some."

Finley's eyebrows rose in response. Was her face that easy to read?

"It's okay, really. Everyone feels like they're taking more than they're giving when they first get here. It'll even out. Now, eat up. We'll put you to work tomorrow." Maggie said, smiling.

Finley smirked in response before popping a bite of pig into her mouth.


Daryl watched from across the circle as he sat by Carol and Tyreese. He always watched everyone, since Merle died trying to be a hero Daryl realized he needed to be more vigilant about watching people and their emotions. Ben seemed to be adjusting fine; apparently Beth and Carl liked him well enough to invite him to their nightly game of Jim Rummy. Daryl moved his eyes to Finley. He hadn't taken the time to look her over. She was staring into the fire and didn't seem to notice when Maggie and Glen took seats beside her. She had the same dark brown hair as her brother; it was pulled into a long braid that reached halfway down her back. He knew from earlier that she was short and petite and she had a bad attitude. It was an attitude that would get them killed. The only reason Daryl didn't banish her himself was for Rick. Rick acted like he knew her well enough to judge, so he let it go. He watched as Maggie offered her food which she rejected. Figures, he thought to himself, too good for roasted pig. Daryl scoffed into his bowl and continued to watch. Finley's eyes scanned the circle, finding her brother before turning to Maggie again. They spoke and then Finley's eyes searched the circle again, scanning each individual person. Her examine was interrupted as Maggie shoved a small bowl of pig into her hands and gave her a smile. To Daryl's surprise, she smirked back at Maggie before shoveling a piece of pig into her mouth.