A redneck's willow
Chapter Eight
The morning arrived, everyone was asleep for the first time in months. Daryl was the first to look around and see everyone peaceful. He had to walk down the stairs to check on Willow, worried about the seclusion.
A blanket hung over the door, preventing the light and peering eyes to enter. But Daryl being who he is, moved the blanket aside. Willow laid on the floor under the bunks.
"Willow," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Why are you on the floor?"
"Because I wanted to. Why are you checking on me?"
"Wanted to see your side."
Willow moved into the open space of the cell, and stood looking at the redneck.
"I'm fine. Really. I can stretch and move."
"Don't over do it," he ordered. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Look, some of us will go into the rest of the block, make this place secure."
"I'll go too."
"No, we need to have one fighter here in case anything happens. Please, for this group," he begged, totally out of character.
She nodded, giving up on arguing. Sure, Willow understood Daryl's thinking; but she knew that if she was the only fighter, no one was going to watch her back.
"Use the spray paint to mark your turns," Willow suggested to Glenn.
Daryl walked over to Willow and nodded at her.
"Make it back in one piece," she said to him.
"Everyone will make it back."
"Carl. You're in charge, but listen to the others," Rick said, giving his son the keys.
The group consisting of Rick, Daryl, T-Dog, Glenn, Maggie, and Hershel left the cells and entered into the tombs of the block. Carl locked the door and the remaining group went about distracting themselves.
"Willow, can we talk?" Lori asked before the other woman walked away.
Willow nodded, walked up the stairs, and over to Lori. Lori sat on her bunk while Willow sat across from her at the small desk.
"You are a critical part of this group, Willow," Lori started. "I'm sorry that I've treated you so horribly."
"It wasn't that horribly; I mean I've endured worse than silent treatments and cold shoulders."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, Lori." Willow looked at the windows across from the cells. "Wish I was with them."
"Wish this never happened. Life would be normal, taking Carl to school and friends; shopping."
"And the baby wouldn't grow up knowing only about fear and running; wouldn't have to struggle to survive."
Willow looked at Lori, and then stood.
"Come on, let's for a walk down stairs."
Lori nodded and gave a weak smile. The pair walked down the steps just as yells were heard.
"Open the door!"
In came Rick, pushing a cart with Hershel; Maggie and Glenn following closely.
"Lock it!"
"What happened?" Lori asked as Beth and Carol started to work.
"He was bit, had to save him."
"Where's the others?" Willow asked, moving to the door.
"Don't go over there!" Rick ordered. "T-Dog and Daryl are fine, just dealing with prisoners. Survivors."
He left Hershel in the care of Carol, Beth, and Lori; Willow stood against the wall, listening to Rick and the prisoners make a deal.
"We'll help you clear out your own cell block, in exchange fro half of the food and to never see any of you. Is that a deal we can agree on?"
"yeah, sounds good," Tomas said after looking at his group. "When do we do this?"
"Now."
Rick, Daryl, and T-Dog led Tomas, Andrew, Big Tiny, Oscar, and Axel to Cell Block B to help them clear it.
"Where's Carl?" Lori asked Willow.
"Said something about looking for supplies. There he is."
"Hey, look what I've found," he said joyfully.
"Don't go off like that anymore, okay?"
"I'm all right. Thought we could use this stuff," he argued, pulling gauze, alcohol, and other medical supplies out of his bag.
"Thank you, but your mom is right," Carol said accepting the bag. "I need your help," she whispered to Glenn.
"Rick said to stay with Hershel."
"I can help you, Carol," Willow spoke up.
"Alright. Carl, can I borrow your keys?"
"Sure." He handed them over and watched as Carol and Willow left the block after locking the door.
"What do you need help with?" Willow questioned when she and Carol started walking the dirt path.
"I need to know how to do a c-section if something happens to Hershel."
"Okay, which one do you want?"
"That one," Carol said, pointing at one of the walkers.
Willow nodded, drew it in close, and then stabbed her in the head. She pulled open part of the hole to drag the body in.
"I'll wait in the field; if you need help, just call me over."
Carol waited until Willow was gone before getting started to practice.
