'Lookie here boys...looks like our almighty creator sent us a little play thing.' Mickey turned towards the voice as 3 men stepped out of the thick green foliage. It had been day 2 since the outbreak of whatever it is pretty much wiped out the entire world. Or at least Atlanta, as far Mickey knew. The three men were all filthy and had twigs in their hair. The youngest looked about 19, maybe even in his early 20's. She stood staring at them, also analyzing the situation. She only had a few choices.
A) Play it cool and try to avoid confrontation.
B) Try to make a run for it and loose them somewhere in the woods.
C) Kick some ass.
She made a list in her head. The two oldest men looked at each other, the corners of their lips twitching with a sadistic smile. The youngest was staring right at Mickey. Just staring. No expression,nothing. With an unspoken agreement they all started walking towards her as she backed up, close to the woods if she needed it. 'Now lissen 'er girly. We don't wanna hurt ya so how bout you come over here with us and We'll make it quick.' When she didn't give them an answer they began to slowly advance towards her.
She fingered the handle of one of her knives for reassurance. She waited until they crept a little bit closer until she yanked it from its holster and held it in front of her. 'Back off' she said. The youngest one let out a jackal howl of laughter. All the while Mickey was taking tiny steps backwards. Now she just had to wait. 3,2..
She pivoted on her heel and took off through the woods, hearing the heavy footfalls of her pursuer. She a few small throwing daggers from her boots and flicked them behind her, satisfied when she could hear the tear of fabric followed by a loud 'Oomph!'. She was sure she could out run them until she came crashing down when one of the guys tackled her. The other two right behind him.
'How bout we save 'er for Randall eh?' said one to the other. They beckoned the youngest forwards and he fell upon his knees and began ripping Mickey's shirt open. He was so close she could see the bright red line where her dagger sliced open a long gash across his ribcage. Arms and legs pinned down she bucked and thrashed, nearly going into a panic attack. It finally paid off when her head collided with the forehead of one of her attackers causing him to release her arm. She punched the other right in the jaw causing him to fall over as she wriggled her leg free and kicked the man named Randall in the face. Mickey hopped onto her feet and took off running. Not looking back.
Mickey woke up in a cold sweat with the blankets twisted around her legs and torso. She knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep soon so she quickly slipped out her door and into Daryls room. She was just going to sit until she felt calm again. His presence alone would help her, she was sure of. Walking across the floor she took a seat in a chair facing his bed and sunk backwards onto the slightly uncomfortable wooden back.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but left when Daryl began frequently tossing. She didn't want him to see her because she knew he would be able to read her like an open book. She peeked into the ajar door of Glenn and T-Doggs room on her way back to her own and saw them both sleeping soundly. Both were snoring much to her amusement.
TWDTWDTWD
Mickey got bored when she couldn't sleep, so she went to the kitchen to see what snacks there were. She was surprised to see Dr. Jenner sitting at the table, clearly deep in thought about something, however he glanced up when Mickey walked in. 'Couldn't sleep?' he asked her. She sat down at the table. 'Not exactly..you?' 'Ive been awake..working on things' she knew what he meant. Suddenly he got up and rummaged around in a drawer until he pulled out..crossword puzzles? He got two booklets. One for himself and one for Mickey.
'6 letter word for crazy' said Mickey aloud. 'Ah, insane' Jenner smirked at her across the table. They carried on, occasionally making short conversation. Overall it was relaxing to both. Out of the blue Jenner asked a random question.
'Mickey do you know what your blood type is?' She put down her pen.
'No..they never told me when I was in the foster system and I never went to the doctors.'
He put his hand under his chin. 'I was looking over the blood samples I took from everyone today..and I noticed that everyone else s blood was..insignificant compared to yours.'
'Insignificant?'
'Your blood type, is type O Rh Positive. Only one in three people are known..were known, to have this blood type. Your blood is very special.' Mickey recalled something she read in a book at the library.
'Because my blood is the type that can be distributed to anyone.'
'Yes' said Jenner. An idea popped into Mickeys head. 'Are you saying that my blood can somehow be used to create a cure?' Then Mickey saw something in his eyes that she hadn't seen in what seemed to be a very long time. Genuine hope, happiness. 'Too bad my times almost up..' he said in a whisper. 'What?' Mickey asked.
'Nothing. Im going to go back to the lab. Feel free to stay here if you'd like.' Mickey completed her booklet as well as Jenners booklet of crosswords. She still wasn't tired at all so she went to the drawer that Jenner left open and found several more. She brought them all to the table.
TWDTWDTWD
T-Dogg made his way to the kitchen to make breakfast, as he thought he was the only one up. He walked into the kitchen and flicked the lights on and jumped a little when he saw Mickey, alert at the table with several books on the table around her, stacked one atop the other. Crosswords it read.
'Morning T-Dogg' she said,scribbling fiercely into the book. He made his way to the stove and turned it on before looking around at all the cupboards and drawers for pans. 'Morning. How long have you been here/'
'Last night. Couldn't sleep.' He nodded before walking over to a random cupboard of his choosing. Before he touched the knob Mickey spoke.
'3rd cupboard on the right hand side for pans. Eggs and everything else is in the fridge. Utensils in the drawer underneath pan cupboard.' He blinked a few times. Damn.. 'Oh okay thanks.' Soon he had eggs going on the stove and set out plates for everyone. Mickey had moved and organized the books into neat little piles around her feet and on the table so he could set plates for people. Funny, he hadn't even heard her moved.
More people filed into the kitchen. Mickey too absorbed in her puzzles to notice. Glenns moaning was starting to irritate her a bit. Once you get Mickey started on something, her mind sets into autopilot until whatever it is is done. And right now, she was determined to complete all 15 of the thick crossword books. She ate as she worked. She heard T-Dogg make an exclamation about Shane's neck or something, but was too engrossed to pay attention.
Daryl second to last one in, followed by Jenner. He took one look at Mickey and said 'Jesus Christ kid' Everyone else gave him looks like 'I know right' Jenner only laughed aloud. Daryl took an open seat next to her. 'Mornin kid, how long you been 'er?'
'Mornin, and last night. Couldn't sleep.' she left out the part about the conversation between her and Jenner. She felt like it wasn't her place. Everyone was startled out of their quiet conversations at the sound of a pen being thrown onto the table. They stared with wide eyes as Mickey placed the last of the puzzle books onto the already tall pile on her right hand side. She was done and gave a smile at Daryl who ruffled her hair while shaking his head. She noticed Jenner talking to Rick in the corner and knew that he had told him what he he discovered when they kept looking back at her. After breakfast everyone headed into different areas to find things to occupy themselves. Mickey settled for playing cards with Glenn, T-Dogg, and Dale while Daryl lounged against the wall and watched. Making comments now and then. Jenner was busy in the lab.
Later they all found themselves in the lab as Jenner showed them a replay of what he called TS19. Mickey felt bad for Andrea when she noticed that the talk of death was obviously bothering her. After it was over Jenner looked back at Mickey and grim realization dawned on her. He couldn't do it. He couldn't figure it out. He sunk into his seat as Vi explained how the building would explode. The air set on fire. Daryl immediately lept to the door with all the other men as Mickey walked over to Jenner and got down on his knees so he looked down on her as she spoke.
'Please. Let us out. We don't want to go like this.' He started sadly into her eyes. 'I failed. My wife...all of you..the world' 'So what if you couldn't figure it out! Its been a day! you cant give up now!' Rick watched their interaction and almost dropped the axe he was carrying when he heard. Mickey was too engrossed with Jenner that she didn't see or hear Shane stomping towards them holding a rifle.
'Mickey move!' yelled Glenn. Daryls head snapped back as he threw the axe to the ground and came and stood right in front of Shane. Pissed beyond all reason. Mickey quickly stood as Glenn grabbed her and pulled her towards him. Arguing ensued as the clock ticked down .Some like Andrea and Jackie, sat, defeated onto the floor. Finally Jenner allowed the doors to open and everyone hustled through the door. Before Rick left he grabbed him by the arm and whispered something in his ear. Jenner then Mickeys arm and handed her her drawstring. She threw her arms around him and he hugged back equally fiercely with the silent message. I have faith for you. Fix this.
Daryl grabbed Mickeys wrist as he ran with her out the door. She saw Dale lingering behind and almost stopped dead in her tracks. 'Dont you even think about it!' said Daryl. She looked behind one more time before allowing Daryl to partially drag her away. He left her to go and try and break the glass still enclosing them. Carol clutching Sophia as she cried out 'The glass wont break?' Mickey didn't even bother trying. Shane fired a few bullets only to have them reverberate back. It wasn't until Rick set off a grenade Carol was keeping in her purse from his uniform that the glass finally shattered. Daryl lifted himself off Mickey and pushed her behind him as he fired arrows into a few walkers walking around blocking the cars. They knew the CDC was bound to explode any second so she hopped into Daryls truck just in time to see Andrea hurrying towards them with Dale in tow. Jackie had decided to stay behind with Jenner.
Daryl tucked Mickey safely into his chest as the CDC blew up. When it was over she quickly looked up and saw Glenn pulling both Andrea and Dale inside. She sighed. They made it.