A/N: Wow so it's been a long time since I updated...my apologies. I got caught up in other things. I'm finishing up chapter 5, should be up tomorrow afternoon. Hope ya like it
Chapter 4
Rick swore as he ran down the steps and rattled onto Daryl's cell first, then Tyrese's, and finally, Michonne's. Glenn was still on watch outside and he needed him to stay there. Groggily, they one by one clambered out of their areas. Daryl knew immediately that something was wrong and didn't question him, just began suiting up and getting his gear together. Michonne followed Daryl's lead, but there was a question in her eyes that demanded to be answered. Ty was even more hesitant, he still didn't fully trust him after he ran him and his friends out in his crazed state. He didn't blame him, he wouldn't want anyone to blindly follow him, though it was comforting to know that Daryl would have his back no matter what. He strapped his gun to his hip and motioned them to follow him into the communal area. There, he began to grab ammo and knives for all of them. He kept his voice low in case there were was anyone from the other block listening in.
"Carl says that Madisyn and her brother were led out into the corridors. They may be leading them into a trap if they think they're with the governor or trying to find the hole that Ty and Sasha came through the first time. Either way, those halls aren't completely safe yet, we're almost done, but I'd hate to lose them on our watch. They came here for safety and we have to earn their trust." Daryl shook his head and strapped his crossbow to his back.
"I find out who led them out there and I'm gonna bust some heads." Michonne smirked at his comment but didn't say anything. Ty picked his weapon of choice, a hammer that he'd become fond of using and motioned towards the hall.
"Are we even going to be able to find them in there? It's dark as hell even in the day, I don't want to be taken by surprise by walkers any more than you want them to be." Rick sighed and shook his head, already reaching for the flashlights in the chest.
"I really hate to use the batteries, but it's our only option right now. Let's get going, I want to find who led them out as well. Carl, you stay here and watch the room like you were and watch for anyone coming back…don't say anything to them though." Carl nodded and went back to his perch in the corner, his face more serious than Rick wanted. He turned to others and started walking to the corridor, he was very agitated that someone would do this, and he was going to be even more upset if it was someone from his side of the camp. He turned on his flashlight and began the trek into the oncoming darkness.
Madisyn was having serious second thoughts about this as she followed the stranger, making sure to keep her brother behind her. She had been fighting sleep, not wanting to let her guard down when this person appeared in the doorway of her cell. She was a very thin woman and had a soft feminine face. She'd been instantly on guard as she'd listened to her, but the more she spoke…well she'd sold her. She told her that there was an opening in the building outside the fence and they could be free. She was holding her machete hostage until they were outside the building and the further they went into the maze of a building, the more uneasy she became. Petey had a death grip on her hand and she knew that he was feeling the effects of the stress and fear, it was like a never-ending nightmare. Not wanting to cause a scene, but Madisyn stopped in her tracks. They'd just turned down yet another hallway and she wasn't going one step further until she knew.
"Hey, how much longer until we get there? It seems like you're just leading us deeper into the prison instead of the outside wall." The woman turned at her voice, no longer smiling, and dread filled her body. She should have just stayed in her damn cell and tried to reason with Rick to let them go in the morning. She had a stubborn streak and she knew it, but she couldn't seem to overcome it. The woman stalked towards her, a scowl on her face. When she spoke, her voice was angry, but also only a whisper.
"Keep your damn voice down! I told you that not all of these hallways were sealed, do you want to bring a herd down on us? It's not much further, we have to keep moving." Madisyn pushed her brother backwards and took a step back herself, her eyes never leaving the woman in front of her or her hand on her weapon.
"I think that we will just go back, Petey is still very tired and I'm sure Rick will let us leave in a few days. I don't want any trouble with them." The woman sighed and shook her head.
"You just couldn't leave it alone, could you? I was going to let the boy go, I don't fancy killing a kid, but you're not a kid. I heard my friends talking about you, how you can conceal your true age. I know you're working with that crazy bastard, and I'm not going to let you run to him and tell him how many of us there are or our weaknesses. He killed all my friends right in front of me, almost killed me! No, I'll kill you before I let you run back to him." Madisyn clenched her fist and made sure to shield her brother with her body completely. She whispered back just as furiously, the whole time moving backwards.
"You're nuts, lady! I didn't almost die outside the gate and almost get my brother killed just so I can spy for that sadistic bastard! He killed your friends? Guess what, shit happens. He killed my entire family right in front of me, my family! Worse, he did it in front of my brother so you can take your high horse and shove it." They were all distracted when they heard shuffling feet. Madisyn knew true terror when she turned her back to make sure they weren't walking into the arms of the undead, but it calmed when she saw flashlights. She looked down at her brother and without thinking, shoved him towards the light.
"Run!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she was tackled to the ground. She hit hard, injuring her wrist to stop the fall. She pushed back as hard she could, struggling to get off her stomach. She cried out when she felt the sting of her own blade hit her shoulder, but she was struggling too much for the woman to aim well enough. It was then she heard shouts and saw feet running towards her. Walkers or no, she just wanted this shit show over with. They came to an abrupt stop in front of her face and the pressure was immediately off her back. Madisyn heaved a relieve sigh that immediately turned into a sob. How much could one person endure and keep going? She was struggling to pull herself up when strong, steady hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. She came face to face with Rick, who looked more concerned for her wellbeing than mad. A scuffle was going on behind her, but she was struggling to stay on her feet. The combination of no sleep, no food, and adrenaline was finally taking its toll on her worn out body. He bent down slightly so that he could be eye level with her.
"Hey, you're safe and so is your brother. Can you walk?" Unable to find her voice, Madisyn simply nodded which he gave a small smile to before moving around her to address the group behind her.
"Karen, what the hell did you think you were doing?! We promised them sanctuary just like we did for you and your group!" Karen was struggling against Daryl's hold on her, but he held her firmly.
"You are blind because she seems frail. You just let a snake into the nest and she will not hesitate to sell us out. He is cunning and charming and he knew that we'd open the doors to someone like her and her brother. She jumped at the chance to leave when I gave the option!" Rick looked down at his feet and he appeared to be fighting for control over his own anger.
"She jumped at the chance to leave because she's in shock and she's been traumatized. I'm afraid our reaction to hearing the governor is our backyard made things worse and anyone in her position would want to run. You, though, you tried to lure her down here to kill her? We heard what you said and you know the rules." Karen stilled at his words and Madisyn watched, she was afraid of these rules. Karen spoke through her teeth at him, like she wanted to spit.
"You're going to throw me out, over her? You don't even know her, Rick!" Rick shook his head and didn't answer her, instead he looked at Tyrese.
"I don't want any trouble from you, Ty, I know you've gotten close with her. You also know the rules, however, and this is a banishable offense." Ty clenched his jaw and nodded.
"I know and I'd like to talk to her a bit more and see if something can be worked out. It's your house and your rules, however, and I'm never okay with killing…something she knows." Rick nodded and turned back towards where Madisyn was standing with Petey, who had walked right back to her side. He stopped next to her and gave her a hesitant look.
"Let's get back to the block, we need to get you looked at." Madisyn didn't argue this time, just pushed herself off the wall and began to walk. He seemed relieved that she wasn't going to put a fight this time. He was leading the way and she'd walked maybe five paces when she stumbled. She knew it was happening, it was only a matter of time. Her body was shutting down from malnourishment, dehydration, and fatigue. She heard Petey call her name, but her vision was fading and she couldn't focus. She felt herself start to fall, but she didn't hit the ground. She had the sense of floating, and she saw Rick's face floating in front of hers, but she couldn't hold onto her consciousness as it faded to black.
When Madisyn started to come to, she felt panic and started to rise up. She was pushed back down, but that only caused her to panic even more. She knew that she was in the middle of a panic attack, but even knowing doesn't stop it from happening. She needed to make sure that Petey was okay and she needed to get out of this damn prison. When her vision finally focused she could see that her brother was fine and at the foot of her steel bed. She settled down finally as the panic began to pass and her eyes focused on the two people that were holding her down. Rick stood behind her, trying to be as gentle as possible as he held her shoulders down. Hershel sat next to her, also applying pressure to her sternum. She cleared her throat, her voice dry as sand paper.
"It's okay, you can let me go now, I won't struggle anymore." At her voice, Hershel smiled gently and nodded over at Rick who instantly let go of her shoulders. Rick came to stand next to Hershel who was stirring something in a bowl. He kept stirring as he looked up at her, his eyes kind and concerned.
"You need to eat so I've got something that won't overload your system. It's simple oatmeal, bland enough to keep from upsetting your stomach. Once you can keep a couple of bowls of that down, you need to double your caloric intake to start putting some weight back on. I heard you say that you are a doctor, so you should know better than anyone how crucial it is that you rest." Madisyn closed her eyes and fought against the tears that she felt coming.
"She was going to kill me, that's what she said. She was going to kill me and force my brother to go out there by himself." She heard Rick sigh and was surprised when she felt his hand lightly on top of hers.
"She's being dealt with, Madisyn. We don't tolerate that kind of behavior here, and I'm sorry that it happened. My son, Carl, saw the two of you being led out and came to get me. I don't blame you for trying because you were very scared, but you're lucky you weren't met with walkers. We've been working very hard to clear them out, but that's why we keep that door closed at night." Madisyn nodded and took the bowl being offered to her from Hershel. She would get her strength back and then as soon as she was well enough, her and Petey were out of there.
Rick left the cell resigned, he could see it on her face. Her survival instinct had kicked in so she wasn't going to refuse the food anymore, but he could tell she was still planning on leaving the first chance that she got. He walked over to the stairs in their block and sat down heavily. Daryl was up top on the perch and walked down to greet him, sitting down next to him. They didn't speak for a few moments, Daryl seemed to know that Rick was worn out and needed a moment to himself. He had to ask though because any other person that went to that length to leave, he would have let them. So, why was this girl so special, surely not because she was a doctor, but he maybe that was it. Finally, unable to hold his tongue anymore, he glanced over at him cautiously before asking.
"So, are you doing your best to keep them here because she's a doctor? I mean, I know it's better for Maggie if she's here, but I think Hershel can keep it under control." Rick grinned over at his best friend, he knew him a little too well these days.
"That's part of it yes, it would be nice to have an actual doctor here that knows more than a veterinarian would when it came to something like this. We've got Caleb and Rheda, but they're more worried about their people from Woodbury which isn't a terrible thing, but I think Maggie would be more comfortable with a woman than a stranger or her dad down there. If she agrees to stay than Carol can assist her when the time comes. Daryl nodded and kept a straight face when he answered him.
"Okay so I'll accept that answer for the time being, but when you feel ready, you can own up to the real reason."
