The prison was daunting at first. Alice had never been to such a place and it unnerved her. The weather was warming up though so she was thankful for that at least. Rick had all of these plans and it was nice that they were able to have their own space but then once again, tragedy struck.
Alarms were screaming out around the prison, scaring the living daylights out of Alice and Beth who had been talking between themselves. Rick immediately started yelling orders, Daryl springing into action. Alice barely registered as Beth was dragging her towards her father and Glenn, the whole group ending up going in different directions. They managed to shoot out the speakers in the courtyard but still, walkers were streaming in, the gate having been opened somewhere along the line. Hershel managed to jam their gate shut, the four of them, stood there, eyes wide and hopeless. Alice's eyes shot around the yard not being able to see her mother anywhere.
"Stay put!" Daryl yelled at them, taking out the final walkers in the yard before running after Rick.
"Did you see my mom?" Alice questioned in a panic, her eyes searching every corner just in case.
It was a while until the prison fell silent. Beth was trying to reassure her but what were words in that day and age? Rick appeared, Axel and Oscar behind him. Alice's heart dropped when Daryl didn't follow, Rick gesturing to them that it was safe to come out.
"What happened?" Hershel questioned but Alice pushed forward, eyes wide.
"Where's my mom?" Daryl appeared at that moment and Alice's eyes immediately fell to what he was clutching in his hand. "Where is she?" Her voice came out as a whisper.
"Carol and T-Dog didn't make it," Daryl uttered to the group. Glenn hung his head slightly, his hand going to his forehead, just wanting Maggie to appear now. Alice couldn't believe it, it couldn't be true. She couldn't lose both her sister and her mother, it wasn't fair.
"Oh Alice," Beth pulled her into her arms but she couldn't react, she was trying to wrap her head around it but it wasn't happening. A cry sounded out nearby, their attention shooting to the other side of the courtyard. Maggie appeared, a baby in her bloody arms, Carl following close behind.
Alice sat in her cell, leaning back against the wall of the bottom bunk. She held her mother's pillow to her chest, hugging it tightly whilst just staring off into space. Rick had barely been there for the group since he learnt of Lori's death; Beth was the one mainly looking after his daughter.
They had left Alice alone. They checked up on her every once in a while but the girl had lost too much for any words to make a difference. It was late when Daryl appeared in her doorway, hesitating a second before sitting on the bed with her, his hand going to her knee. He didn't say a word, nothing he could've said would have made a difference but his mere presence was enough. Alice eventually looked at him. She kept the pillow gripped to her before scooting closer to him enough so that he could wrap his arms around her, holding her against his chest. She broke in that moment, tears hitting her in waves as she gripped onto Daryl with all her might whilst squeezing her eyes shut. With a strangled cry she curled into herself and Daryl scooped her up further, holding her tightly against him and rocking her slightly.
Maggie and Glenn appeared, about to offer to make her something to eat though they were both surprised to see Daryl there already. He had heard their footsteps but merely gave them a slight shake of his head which thankfully they accepted; not asking questions of what he was doing there.
Daryl didn't want to move her, she had finally quietened, just clutching onto him and the pillow, hiding her face into his top. A mixture of Carol and Daryl was surrounding her senses, calming her until a fresh wave of tears tried to rise up, she only just managed to swallow them down.
"How's Carl?" She whispered, her throat hoarse. He looked down in surprise at the sound of her voice.
"Coping. He's focusing on the baby."
"He or she?"
"She - lil' ass kicker," He grinned making her laugh slightly.
"Can I meet her?"
"Now?" Alice nodded her head and Daryl released her from his embrace. She shakily stood, placing her mother's pillow down on the bed before wiping at her eyes.
She followed Daryl to the end of the walkway of cells, coming to Beth's. He stopped short, gesturing for her to go forward and attentively she did, already hearing the soft cooing of the baby.
"Hey you," Beth spoke softly, smiling warmly as she saw her friend.
"May I?" Alice asked, her voice almost non-existent as she stepped into the cell. Beth nodded, gesturing for Alice to sit on the bed before she passed her the little bundle.
Immediately Alice couldn't help but tear up as she looked down at the baby – a baby in all of this, it was like a tiny taste of salvation had been handed to them. She was a sign of hope.