Sorry for the very late update. I had exams and I wanted to focus on that so now I will have time to write.
I just kept digging and digging until rick made an appearance. I paid little attention to what him and Daryl were talking about. I had a job and I was going to do it even if later on I'd collapse into my sheets. Although I did hear Daryl saying to rick he earned his time off as leader. I guess everyone reaches their limits more so now. It was quiet everywhere apart from the gentle moaning from beyond the gates. Everyone was collecting their thoughts after the attack. It was then when that somber, morose tone changed at a click of a finger. I heard a wail coming from the fences. My head snapped round and there were walkers everywhere, each of their faces blurring into the next. A young woman screamed at rick and Daryl to run over. Rick took off like a bird but Daryl turned and nodded me on with them. It looked as if they could use anyone available now.
The rotting bodies piled up against the chain link fences and it began to bend inwards, towards us. I kept stabbing through the decaying skulls as others tried to hold it up with all their might. Dark, murky blood covered my sleeves and some splattered on my face, I deserved a shower after this ordeal for sure.
"BACK OFF!" Someone yelled so we did. Everyone heaved a breath taking in the situation.
"We got anything we can prop up against this, hold them off a bit?" I asked generally. Rick's head turned round to the farm I've seen him tending to. One structure stood out, one that had poles that would be strong enough to hold the walkers a bay for now. It was a rush to collect the poles, carefully untying the rope that bound them to each other. Once or twice I saw rick sigh forlorn at the destruction of his pea pods but we live in the moment and there was a greater need than a few greens.
"PUSH THEM UP AGAINST THE FENCE!" I finally saw who was dictating the orders out and it was Daryl. We all pushed the poles up against the fence and it seemed to be holding it up slightly more than before and we only needed some time to think of another solution. My eyes felt to the ground out of exhaustion but I noticed something peculiar on the ground. It fell out of place, fresh blood amongst the black blood. I followed its trail with my eyes and it led me to the rear end of two rats. Just the rear end. I gasped, what freak feeds walkers?
"Rats, there are rats. Someone has been feeding them rats." In my mind this was hard to comprehend. After all these monsters have done to loved ones, how many 'safe' places they've destroyed and how many lives ruined by them someone still feels as if they need to be fed but they're hunger is eternally growing. They fed off us, but it's not just the flesh and bones it's the fear, the fear of the end when we are not quite ready.
Everyone was shocked as their beady eyes looked at the half eaten rats. I could tell they were as confused as I was.
"Who'd do something like that?" The young woman, from before, said but was quickly interrupted by a leading Daryl.
"I don't know but we don't have time to think right now. We gotta deal with this." He said gesturing towards the walkers whom still persisted to collapse the fence. "We gotta draw them away."
"I've gotta idea." Rick said once again looking over at his flourishing farm with pigs, the pigs. He face grew sadder as he look at the pigs. I knew he was giving up a great deal today, this farming life he's had for however long but it had to be done. It all comes down to safety first because it's all well and good having food but if you're constantly being chased by walkers then food won't do you much good until you can take a breath and eat.
Daryl took flight to a pickup truck and rick coaxed his pigs into their death. Daryl drove the truck out the gates and towards the hoard.
"GO!" Daryl yelled at rick that took the message and grabbed the first unlucky victim. He paused for a brief moment as he held it in his hands but any feeling of remorse was shook away when walkers turned their heads to the new prey. He sliced the pig's leg open and it wailed and screamed as it was thrown to the ground. It was piercing to the ear but it was soon over when eight walkers surrounded it and began to feed. The truck moved a good distance away before the next pig was offered upon the walkers. Rick face was still and nothing showed he just did what he had to do and moved on. The walkers moved after the next and the next and then it was over. The truck drove back into the prison and a possible crisis was averted.
We all collectively sighed in relief, I sure as hell did. I walked along the dusty path back to the graves but I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder.
"Hey, you new? I haven't seen you round here." The pretty young woman spoke like silk was flowing from her mouth.
"Fairly I guess. Names Nat." I extended my hand to which she held and we shook jokingly. Her smile was beautiful and it glittered in the sunlight as well as her demeanour which was warm.
"Well, thanks for helping out, I'm Maggie. You met Glenn?" I nodded to her question but I didn't really know where she was heading with this. "Oh cool, he's my husband." Wow, he sure did well I mean damn.
"Oh, that's cool." I faked an adoring smile for the sugar sweet Maggie. She said bye and ran off no doubt to find her husband.
I was ready to just let the cold, refreshing water pour over me and wash away the troubles and grime. It felt good and I felt good for the first time in a while, even though my muscles ached. Nightmares had dissipated into thin air pretty much as soon as I got here and I could sleep, really sleep. I could almost say I was happy and I saw these people as my lifeline because if I was still out there grudging on through the muggy forest I know personally I would've ended it. These people gave me more than protection and peace of mind, they gave me a purpose.
