Chapter 36: Cough
KPOV
~4 years ago~
Walking into mom's room, I was about to knock when I saw it was opened and mom was sat there on her bed. Sniffling as though she had just been crying. Looking to her, I felt my heart sink and my throat tighten. Her eyes were wet from tears, her body trembling a little but she breathed in a deep breath, straightening her back as she sat up straight and her back was to me. "Hey...are you all right mom?" I asked her as I walked in, my voice soft as I slowly approached her.
"Yeah just...a friend," mom said weakly, sounding strong as she gulped and looked at me with a sad smile. "She's got cancer," she revealed to me with sad hazel eyes. Her hair a puffed out mess as she clutched a scrunched up tissue in her hands and the phone laid beside her on the bed. Sitting down next to her, I felt sympathy for her and knew how hard it must be for everyone.
"Oh my God," I said as I heard the news and quickly wrapped my arms around her. "I'm so sorry mom," I whispered to her sadly as I knew she was fighting her hardest to stay strong. "I just...I don't know what to say," I told her as I didn't know how to comfort her in a time like this other than to be sorry and holding her to me.
"There's nothing to say baby girl," mom said as she gently pulled away and rubbed my back as she hugged me in return. "All there is-...is to do," she told me as she looked to me with sad, wet eyes and a sad smile. "She needs to keep fighting," mom said with a small nod as she kept her eyes on mine.
"But...how do you fight against an illness?" I asked her curiously. It's nothing like a physcial fight. It's more an internal fight and sometimes...things can go wrong and there's never a way to prevent the inevitable. I hope everyone is keeping strong and supportive of each other.
"You just let your body do what it has to but..." mom said as she took my hands in hers. "It takes a lot of courage and bravery to look at it in the eye..." she said with a small smirk, her eyes on our joined hands. "And say 'You're not taking me. Not today. Not now,'" mom said forcefully as though she was the one with cancer as she looked to me with a smile. "You never realize how short life is until it's gone," she told me as a tear escaped her eye.
"Yeah..." I agreed and gently slipped one of my hands out of hers. Wiping away her tear, she shut her eyes and leaned into my touch. A comforted smile on her face as she sighed and placed her hand over mine. "I hope she pushes through it and survives," I said hopeful as mom kept my hand pressed to her cheek, turning her face a little to kiss the inside of my palm.
"Me too baby girl," mom agreed with me as her hazel eyes flashed to look into my blue ones. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" she asked me and with a small, sad giggle at the end of it. I love you so much mom. More than you could ever know.
"Every day," I teased her and she laughed softly. Letting go of my hand slowly, she guided our hands back down to be joined together with the other pair. Clutching my hands in hers as she overlapped them in a ball like shape.
"A lot," mom stated to me. "I love you Kitten," she said with all the love and pride in her heart. Her tone sincere as her eyes were locked with mine. Moments like these are the ones I cherish. She's so strong and shows her weakness at the same time. So strong and brave. I couldn't ask for a better mother.
"I love you too mom," I answered her and this was when she pulled me to her in a hug. "So much," I whispered as we had our hands on each other's backs. Rubbing or just holding each other as we rest our heads on each other's shoulders. Taking our moment to fully comfort and show compassion to each other. She keeps me strong. Her, dad and Carl. They make life worth living.
Present day...RPOV
I was with Judy, spending time with her early in the morning before Kat and Carl would wake up. A faint ticking echoing in the cell block as I rocked and bounced Judith gently. The bell rang and I stopped it before it could wake anyone else. "Carl?" I said as I caressed Judy's head and pulled the curtain a little to see a sleeping Carl laying around in bed.
"Carl," I called to him a little louder. "Come on," I told him with a little gesture with my head. His blue eyes slowly fluttering opened as he groaned and stretched. This was when I heard the footsteps of Kat coming closer to me. She looks more awake than Carl and that's her not getting much sleep because of what happened yesterday. "Good morning," I said to her with a small smile.
"Morning," Kat answered as she came to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Kissing her cheek at the same time, her hands gently slid around Judith and I knew she wanted to take her little sister into her arms. Passing Judith to her, she smiled at the baby and turned Judith to look at her. "Hey baby girl," she said which made me remember Lori with Kat. Kat's so like Lori but...so different.
"I'm gonna head outside," I said as I placed my hands on my hips. Looking to her, as Judith would look around and held onto Kat's necklace which made her giggle at Judith. A smile on my face as I swung my torso a little to look at Carl's cell. "Check on your brother for me?" I asked her as I thought it best if I were to get started. She gave me a quick 'Yeah' and allowed me to go get started on the work we had to do.
KPOV
"Hey Kat...could you hold up a minute?" Carl asked me as dad had left me with Judith but I then passed it to Beth who left for the cafeteria. I was trailing after her, as I was getting myself ready to go out and help dad with the crops. Carl's small quiet footseps alerting me and voice calling out to me as I had my back to him.
"Sure...what's up?" I asked him as I turned around and looked at him. Getting my hands ready for the gloves I would need to be wearing for when I would go out. Something seems wrong. The way Carl is looking at me...he looks troubled.
"I wanted to talk to you about something...something important," Carl said softly, he was wearing a grey shirt and he looked like he had just struggled to get out of bed. Ah...teen years. When you never wanted to leave bed and enjoyed sleep too much to leave and start a new day.
"Okay...what is it?" I asked him curiously as I fixed my hair a little, my gloves were tucked into my belt and my eyes were fixed on Carl as my hands were fiddling to fix my hair. Slipping the hair bobble on and pulling it tightly.
"Well...seeing as you're in the council...you can do something about it," Carl said as his blues looked directly up at me. "You're also...more experienced than me when it comes to life and well..." he drifted a little as he looked down at his shoes. "I was wondering if I should tell dad something or not," he said as he had his hands shoved into his pockets.
"What are you talking about?" I asked him curiously. What's got him so...confused? So worried about what we should tell dad or not. He clearly trusts me enough to come to me first but...I'm confused as to what he's refering to.
"Carol," he said as though it was a statement. His eyes glued to mine as they slinted a little. "She's teaching kids how to fight...how to survive," he told me. I was frozen in place as I felt all the muscles in my body tense up. Oh no...
"Oh..." I said as I felt my mouth dry up. Holy fuck. When did my mouth become the Sahara desert? Carl knows about Carol teaching the children how to use weapons correctly and safely. How to look after themselves...shit.
"Wait," Carl said as he stood closer to me. His brows furrowing as he examined my expression. Fuck! He knows I know! "Did you know?" he questioned me with a hint of anger in his tone directed towards me. Why's he getting so angry with me?
"I-" I went to make an excuse but had none to give him. Shut your mouth and keep silent. Maybe he'll go away and forget about it. Nice try! He's going to go ape shit on me. Probably will hate me for knowing and not telling him.
"Tell me Kat," Carl growled at me as he slit his eyes at me. Giving me a look of pure evil and hatred. "We don't keep secrets," Carl pointed out which made my heart sink. No we don't but...I didn't feel the need to tell you this brother. Please understand.
"Yes," I answered him, defeated. "Carol came to me for advice about it and...I agreed to it," I revealed to him with a small shrug. No point on denying it. I would never lie to my brother but he doesn't need to know everything that happes in the prison. He's not in charge, neither is our dad and neither am I. I'm part of the council, just like Carol is...and Daryl.
"How could you?!" Carl raised his voice at me angrily. I tried to shush him, because there could be people sleeping or people listening in on us. I don't need others knowing about what Carol was doing with the children.
"Because those kids won't know the first thing about survival if they were back out there," I growled back at him as I pulled him back into his room by his arm. "I thought it was right for them to learn," I told him as I forced the curtains shut. "Besides...they aren't harming anyone and it wasn't my secret to tell," I told him forcefully as we looked at each other directly in the eyes. "As for the children...they're not like you," I stated to him as our faces were close to each other. Sizing each other up and trying to be more intimidating than the other.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Carl growled as his nose flared, his eyes dark and his tone murderous. He's being a little dick. He was never normally like this but since he's now in his teens...he thinks it's fun to go against us. To make us look like assholes. To make us the villans in his story books.
"What I meant is that they don't go around killing other innocent children out of fear they could be a threat Carl," I growled at him. Knowing it would hit him where it hurt, telling him the truth as to what I thought. "They also don't know how to take care of themselves or how to survive in this world," I said a little more softly. Giving him a compliment. "You're smart Carl but right now...you're being immature," I stated as I didn't like his attitude.
"You know dad would do something if he found out," Carl said as he glared at me. "You're afraid that he might think that those kids could possibly kill someone like I did!" Carl shouted as he forced himself out of the room and I followed after him. I took hold of his arm and watched as he forcefully pulled his arm out of my hold.
"I was here when i had to kill mom!" he said which made me want to wince. A pain hitting my chest as I felt that go right into my soul. "I had to kill Shane!" Carl screamed unhappy with me. "I killed that kid to keep you and everyone safe!" Carl growled as though this was a justifiable reason for killing Karen's kid. "Not you. Me," Carl said through clenched teeth. Our blue eyes searching each others and glancing to each of our faces to see who would say what next.
I didn't have anything else to say. Couldn't force myself to. Instead, I kept my eyes glued to him and watched as his face dropped and hardened. Turning his back on me, he walked away and left me there. "Carl!" I called after him as I was frozen to where I stood. My heart heavy and mind going in circles. I felt like crying, like letting my sorrow get the best of me but I knew I needed to stay strong and allowed one single tear to fall from my eye.
DPOV
I had heard most of the conversation Carl and Kat were having below my room. Getting up, I slipped on my clothes and listened as the two argued. I didn't like how Carl had treated Kat but I also didn't blame either of them for their argument. They need to fight it out sometimes. That way they can go back to being a happy duo. Frowning a little, I saw how Kat stood there frozen and with her back to me. Her body turned to where her brother had walked through and left her there.
"Hey," I said, alerting her of my presence. Her long, brown curls were now in a pony tail and tumbling down her back. I always did like her hair like this. Suits her when its long. Her figure was firm and when she turned to look at me, she had wiped at her face and gave me a small smile.
"Morning," she answered me with a small smile. Acting as though nothing had happened. Gripping my crossbow a little tighter, I walked down the steps and kept my eyes glued to her. "What's up?" she asked me as I finally got to the bottom. Her hands were in the back of her pants pockets.
"Thinking about going out hunting...want to join?" I asked her curiously as I walked closer to her. She took a few steps to meet me as we stood at arms length appart. The proximity was a little too much to handle so early in the morning, I couldn't keep still and would shuffle around a little.
"No," she said with a small shake of her head. Great...I just got rejected by her. Wouldn't surprise me to get rejected so often by her if I was stupid enough to ask her for anything. Not gonna be stupid enough to ask or take anything of her. "But thank you for the offer," she said politely with a small smile on her lips. "Think I'm going to stay around here and help dad with the crops and Carl," she said as she slid a hand out of her back pocket and tapped the gloves that was tucked to her side in her belt.
"All right," I said with a small nod and gulp. Her blue eyes looking up to mine as she kept our gaze locked. "Was you know...thinking about going out there," I said after a few seconds of us just looking into each other's eyes. My gaze shying away and falling to the floor. "To not let it be just your dad who feeds mouths," I stated as I thought about the crops he had been tending to for months. "It can't always be him," I told her. Shut up Dixon! You're rambling.
"It can," Kat said which made me look up at her curiously. The hold on my crossbow was a little looser as I had my eyes trail up her frame. So small but strong and...she's always had a nice figure. It's not pornstar, fake material or every man's dream but...it's not something that a man would say no to. Still remember when Merle would speak about her in his fantasies when he was high and he thought no one was around.
"But...it's not just him," Kat said as though it was a statement. What does she mean? "It's you too," she said kindly as her eyes gleamed in the gentle glow of the morning sun. She's so beautiful. So strong and smart. Merle would think you a pussy for either thinking about her like this or about not trying to get her in your bed. She doesn't need me. Doesn't want me. Besides...she deserves better than me. She deserves the world and all that's good. Not this hell whole and having to share it with me.
"Well...there are times you come along with me," I stated to her as she giggled and slowly nods. The way she looked at me, I knew it was going to be a kind type of teasing coming up. She's so cute when she tilts her head a little like that. When the few strands of loose hair trail down her neck and her eyes gleam in that teasing way.
"Yes...but you're the better tracker," Kat pointed out with a small smirk. "We all appreciate what you do here," she told me with a grin as she looked at me directly in the eyes. "I'm always thankful for you being here," she revealed with a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Without you...we might all end up being starved or having to go out continously for runs," Kat said with a cute giggle at the end.
"Stop," I growled at her. She's being cute and giving me compliments. I can't stand when people give me compliments. I'm not used to it. Much less having compliments from the girl I want. The girl I would do anything for. The one I put my life at risk so many times in order to keep her safe.
"Fine," Kat said firmly as though she was defeated. "But you can't keep hiding the truth," Kat stated with a raised eyebrow. "You're respected and loved here," she told me as though I hadn't already heard this before. Carol's told me. Rick's told me and now her...wow. "I know I feel comfort for you being here," she said as her eyes looked down while she ducked her head down, she pursed her lips shyly and a pinkish color flamed beneath her cheeks.
"Comfort huh?" I asked her, my eyes squinting at her a little as a small smirk was tugging at the corner of my mouth. She feels safe with me? Is that what she means? "You sound like some silly teen, instead of being a 21 year old," I teased her and she laughed.
"Whatever...go do what you gotta do and I'll do my own thing," she said as she began to walk backwards. Pulling out her gloves, she kept her eyes glued to mine as she walked away. A smile growing on my face as I watched her turn her back on me and her hips swaying as she walked away.
"Whatever," I called out loudly after her. Hearing her small giggles echo off the walls as she left. The smile on my face was hard to restrain as I shook my head and fixed my crossbow a little. Moving my way around, I went to search for the supplies I would need for my hunting trip and began placing them in a backpack.
KPOV
We had just refreshed our face with water, waking us up and preparing for work. Dad and Carl were carrying an empty bucket in our hands. I too carried one and watched as Michonne walked with Lucky towards the gates. "Careful out there," dad warned her as we walked towards the crops.
"Always am," she said as she looked to dad, walking past us with Lucky's reigns in her hands. "Any requests?" she asked us. "Books?" she asked mostly to me. "Comics?" she asked directing it to Carl. "Some stale M&Ms?" she questioned which made me giggle.
"You're the one that likes stale M&Ms," I told her with a smirk as I thought of how we would make runs and she would happily eat stale M&Ms. She would always tell me that 'The taste is not the same, once you go stale, it might make you pale, but oh holy grail!' What a silly friend I have.
"Then I'll definitely looking for some," she teased with a smile as she looked to me and winked. "I'll look for some stuff you both like, too," she said as she looked to me and Carl. "Why don't you wear your hat anymore?" she asked Carl a little curiously.
"It's not a farming hat," Carl informed her which made her nod, the three of us turning our heads to look at her as we kept walking. I could see the smile forming on dad's face as he kept walking ahead of us. Me and Carl looking at each other with a smile but slowly it dropped when we looked to each other. He's still mad at me.
"See you soon?" I asked Michonne as I looked towards her. She stopped and watched as we kept walking towards the crops. Gloves on and our hands gripping onto the handles of the buckets. I hope she ends this searching soon...
"Pretty soon," she told us as she gave me a smile and kept walking. Heading towards the gate as we went to start some farming. I need to make things right with Carl but...he too needs to learn to be sorry. We've both said some hurtful things and we need to learn to move past this. Together. As a family.
RPOV
Kat and I were digging our hands into the muck while walkers were growling and the fence was creaking. Walkers pushing their weight onto the fences as we focused on the task at hand. Digging our hands in and removing worms from the soil and placing cucumbers into another bucket. Kat throwing the cucumbers in one bucket and I throwing the worms into another.
"They only took out one cluster yesterday," Carl informed us. "Probably gonna need more people today," Carl suggested. Oh no...don't tell me he's going to say what I think he's trying to say. "Maybe we could help," he said as I and Kat looked to each other, sharing the same glance as we both continued to work as we seperated the worms from the cucumbers.
"I got other plans involving dirt and cucumbers," I said a little too forcefully. He's just dying to kill something and...I do too but...it's not how we should be. We need to get back to who we were. Staying strong and remembering that there was a human, considerable and kind person to us. Not just the survivor. "And keeping people fed," I told him as I thought of the purpose to this small farm we had created as a family. As a group of individuals.
"Well, if you don't want to, maybe I could," Carl suggested as he was trying to sound kind and innocent. "Could I?" he asked which I could tell Kat was getting just as tense as I was. A fist full of worms in my hands I as I squeezed them a little and then let it go a little.
"We have other plans," I told him as I got up to my feet and straightened up. "That's what I should have said," I told him as I began to walk past him. Kat following my lead as she too straightened up and took a bucket from Carl. Taking the bucket, I chucked the food onto the wooden hog trough. Gently slapping the pigs asses as they grunted happily about their food.
"Besides...I'm sure Kat can handle it...right?" I suggested. Looking up to her as I took the next bucket from her and she gave me a small smile. Nodding vigorously as she kept her head low and wiped her hands a little. She's a little...tense. Maybe she had a flashback about Zach. Who knows what this girl is thinking anymore.
"Yeah," Kat agreed with a soft voice. "Sure thing dad," she said as she gave me a reassuring smile. I know she can handle herself. She's proven it time and time again. She's strong, smart, skilled and knowledgable. Her ideas are sure as hell better than anything I could ever come up with.
"Dad... I'm sorry," Carl said as I handed him an empty bucket and took the last one from him. Feeding the pigs as I glanced up at him and saw him looking to me a little sadly. "I've been trying," he said and I knew he was. He's trying to be a good man. To go back to who he once was. So much has change. So much has made him stronger but...it's made him different.
"Yeah, I know," I told him with a nod. Kat's eyes focused on her brother as she too held an empty bucket. "And I'm proud," I declared to him. I am proud. He's changing and he's smarter. He's back to who he used to be. He's just...troubled. Like me.
"We both are Carl," Kat said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. He tensed at her touch and looked up at her. Kat's eyes were kind and gentle. Something's wrong here...something's making them slightly distant. What could it be? Did they have an argument or something?
Slowly, Kat pulled her hand away from Carl and sighed. "When can I have my gun back?" Carl asked me and Kat as his eyes glanced between us. Looking to Kat, I saw the same look in her eyes as I possibly mirrored back to her. It's a little too soon.
Giving a small chuckle and sigh, I looked away and looked to the hog trough. "Worms will give them some extra protein," I informed them and this was when we heard the familiar sound of distant gunfire echoing inside a cell block. Shit.
KPOV
The sound of distant gunfire echoing in the cell blocks made me tense up. Looking to the direction it came from and saw two girls run towards others. "Stay close," dad told me and Carl as he went towards the gate. Opening it, me and Carl moved out of the sty and looked to the distance.
"Help! Help! Please, come quick!" two girls screamed and pleaded as more gun shots were fired. Oh my God. What is happening?!
"Cell blocks?" Maggie called down at us. Both me and dad completely clueless as to what was happening. Judging by the sounds...I think it is the cell blocks. But...I swear they're cleared?!
"I don't know!" dad told her as we both pulled off our gloves and I reached around me for my weapons. Machete...check. Knife...check. Gun...check. Bow...nope. Quiver...nope. Arrows...nope. Got to have to deal with just the knife, machete and gun.
"Carl," I called to him as I took his shoulders into my hands. My gloves thrown to the floor and I was ready to run after dad. "Get in the tower with Maggie," I instructed him. "Don't argue, go!" I told him as he gave me a quick nod and we ran in different directions.
"Walkers in D!" Glenn screamed to us as we all were starting to gather around on the courtyard. Running towards the others as, seeing Carol with Lizzie and Mika. Glenn holding his weapon at the ready. The girls looked frightened as they clung to Carol.
"What about C?" I asked them loudly as I thought about what was going on. Both me and dad running around, unsure of where to go and what was going on. Both of us worried about Judy. Please let her be all right. She needs to be. Fuck. Beth better be taking good care of her!
"Clear," Sasha told me which made both me and dad slightly relieved. "We locked the gates to the tombs," Sasha informed us. "Hershel's on guard," she stated as I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. There's still walkers in D. We need to save people before it's too late.
"It ain't a breach!" Daryl shouted to us as everyone began to run towards cell block D. Carol following behind as I pulled out my machete and followed after Daryl. Dad was lagging behind as he was pacing around, unsure where to go and what to do.
"We followed the plan," Sasha informed me. It was the plan that we had made if there was ever an attack like this. Could it be the Governor? Did he find a way in here? Bring little friendly walkers of his to trying and destroy us from the inside? How the fuck would that be possible?!
CPOV
Hearing Michonne's whistle, I knew she was coming back and was coming to save us. Pulling on the ropes as I ran towards the guard tower, the gates creaked as they opened. When I looked to Michonne I saw she had got off the horse and that two walkers were following after her. Shutting the gates behind her and the two walkers, I saw Michonne reach for her sword but she gave up when she saw the walkers get too close.
Grabbing onto her and making her struggle against them. Running towards her, I found a gun and took it. Dad's going to hate me for this...so is Kat. Fuck. But I have to. I need to save Michonne. Not just for Michonne, myself and the others but...for Kat. "Hold on!" Maggie shouted to Michonne as she ran down the guard tower steps.
Michonne was being pushed around, falling over the rope she fell to the ground with a loud thud. Kicking off one of the walkers, Michonne screamed and struggled against the one that was on top of her. Aiming, I shot and watched as the walker's head exploded to the shot. Oh my God. My heart pounding in my chest. My mouth dry. My hands sweaty. My breathing coming in quick. Kat and dad are going to kill me.
Michonne kicked the other walker off of her and screamed. She looked like she was in pain. Her leg was weirdly twisted and I could see her ankle was slightly swelling. Maggie pulled opened the gates and pulled out her gun. Aiming it at the walker, she shot and pulled Michonne to her feet and slung Michonne's arm over her shoulders. "Come here," Maggie said as they made their way inside. It was either killing that walker...or letting Michonne die. I won't let anyone else die. Not if I can help prevent it.
KPOV
Running into the cell block, it looked like hell on earth. Walkers snarling as they ate people. Survivors shooting at walkers as best as they could. Dad took the gun off the man and threw it to me. Telling me to take it. Grabbing the gun, I cocked it and began to shoot at any that were too far away and close to biting someone.
People screaming as gunfire was shot everywhere. Running, hiding, getting eaten and crying filled my ears. Following after Daryl, I watched as he ran towards a kid, shot at a walker with his bow and picked the kid up. Ever the hero. Dad was leading people safely out who weren't bit. Saving them and screaming questions at them.
"Karen! Karen!" I could hear Tyreese scream as I shot at walkers and cursed when there were no bullets left. Grabbing my machete, I sliced and killed as many walkers as I could. Carol was leading people to safety, Glenn, Tyreese, Sasha, Daryl and myself killing off walkers. Dad was leading people out of the cell block and to safety.
"Are we clear down here?" dad screamed in worry, the cells were now quiet and there was only the sound of sobbing, panting and the hurried steps of those of us who were alert and worried. "We're safe?" dad asked as everyone that was around him told him 'Yeah'.
"Up here!" a man shouted to us from up the stairs. This made me and Daryl slowly creep up and look out for walkers. Glenn following closely as he went ahead of us and checked inside the cells. A walker growling at him as Glenn screamed as was pushed against the wall by a walker.
"Get down!" Daryl shouted to him as he raised his bow, pushing me to get behind him and he readied the bow. Glenn did as he was told and ducked down. Daryl shooting, the bolt going inside the walker and killing it instantly.
"Thanks," Glenn told Daryl as he was out of breath. Dad was closely behind us, his knife in hand and he went to offer Glenn a hand to get him up from sitting on the floor. Poor Glenn. He'll be fine. At least he wasn't bit or scratched. He's only been a little startled by the walker jumping him like that. Fuck...what a mess this is. Walkers, dead bodies and crying people everywhere.
"Oh, it's Patrick," Daryl mumbled as he looked to the boy he had just killed, in order to save Glenn. We all looked down at the body and looked at him surprised. Blood covered his face, ran down his eyes and around the sides of his face. This doesn't look...normal. "That's all of 'em," Daryl said as we realized that there were no more walkers in the cell block.
We all stood there for a few moments, looking down at Patrick and trying to regain our breaths. Poor Carl...he's just lost a friend. I hope he takes it better than I did when it was...Andrea. I miss her every day. The Governor will pay for what he did. I swear it. Daryl sighed as he looked between me, my dad and the girl that lay dead on the floor. "I got it," Daryl whispered as he stepped in and raised his bow. Shooting it and then pulling the bolt out of her head.
"I'm going to go find Hershel, Bob and Dr.S. Find out what's happening here and help those who may need amputation. Something in my gut tells me something isn't right here," I tell dad honestly as I felt my gut twist and turn as my eyes landed on Patrick. I feel like I've seen this before...but...where?
"Stay safe," dad told me as I went to walk away. He pulled me back by taking my arm firmly into his hands. His eyes soft and sincere as he asked me to take care of myself. This is how he reminds me of the man I know and love. The man who cares about me, Carl and Judith. A man who cares for his family.
"I will," I told him with a pursed smile, nodding my head and looking back up at him. "You too," I told him with all the worry I had for him. This must have been difficult for him. Being back into a room with walkers and having to make fast decisions. He gave me a nod and a kiss to my forehead, letting me go, I walked down and went searching for the others.
RPOV
Kat had later returned with Bob, Hershel and Dr.S. Myself and Daryl searching upstairs for any walkers or dead bodies. Kat, Glenn and Sasha down stairs searching the other cells and possibly helping any others who might have gotten bit or worse.
Looking into one of the cells, I saw Daryl exit his and with a bloody knife. My breath shook as I realized I had to kill again. To kill people and walkers. I wish I didn't have to do this all the time. Looking to him, he gave me a look of respect and sadness. He knows this is difficult for me and he respects it. I can also see how he looks at Kat.
How he protected her just then...he cares. More than cares. At this stage, it wouldn't surprise me if he was falling in love with her. She is beautiful. Smart, charming, funny, sweet, strong and everything Daryl clearly wants. I always knew I would have to keep guys away from her but...I don't think Daryl would ever want to harm her. He'd probably kill himself before he could ever do such a thing.
I should be worried as I don't know Daryl's real age but...he's a good man. Me and Carl see that. We see how he looks after Kat. How he makes her smile and happy. We can see how she changes him too. He's a man since he's met her. Since he's known me too. Since Merle has been gone, Daryl has changed. He's no longer that reckless, foul mouthed and illtempered boy we met at the camp.
He's strong, kind, thoughtful, good and...he's wise. If he makes my baby girl happy, safe and if he knows how treat her right...then he is more than welcomed to the more imediate family of ours. I sometimes see him as a brother, I can see he looks at me like that too but...if he wants to get to know my daughter better. If he wants to hold her, care for her and learn to love her...then he can. I won't say no. I might not be fully happy because...she's my baby girl. But...she comes first. Her happiness is what comes first before my protective father side.
Daryl gave me a look which told me to go ahead. Deciding I would, I gave him a nod and pulled out my pocket knife. Going in, I stabbed the man in the head with prolonged hesitation. When I pulled my knife out, I looked down at it and took in a shaky breath. All I see is red. Morgan's words popped into my mind. Stepping out, I saw Daryl look to me sadly. He's a good man.
Walking to the end cell, I saw a walker shuffle his way towards me. His eyes on me as I saw something I had seen on a walker outside the fences. Blood running down its eyes, down around the sides of his face and all over his mouth. He died...what the hell is happening?!
KPOV
"No bites. No wounds," Dad said as he looked down at Charlie who had been killed in his cell. Except, he was a walker. Blood had poured out of his eyes and ran down his mouth. "I think he just died," Dad said as he made a quick conclusion as to what he saw.
"Horribly, too. Pleurisy aspiration," Dr.S told us as I looked between the two men who knew medical terminology better than I did. I'm only just getting good at medical stuff. There's no way I can keep up with every term they have in their medical dictionary.
"Choked to death on his own blood," Hershel told us simply. "Caused those trails down his face," Hershel explained as we all looked down at Charlie's now walker, blood stained face. I've seen this before.
"I've seen them before on a walker outside the fences," Dad said as it made me remember the walker that clung to the fences, his face covered in blood and his eyes stained with marks of bloody tears. That's where I've seen it but...I've seen it another time too.
"I saw them on Patrick, too," I agreed with a nod as the others looked up at me. Fuck. I hate when they all look at me like that. Makes me feel targeted and squeezed between too many men. Hershel, Bob, Dr.S, Daryl and dad.
"They're from the internal lung pressure building up," Dr.S tried to explain to me and the others. "Like if you shake a soda can and pop the top," he said as he gave us an image of what it all looked like in this medical perspective. "Only imagine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat are the top," he told us. Shit.
"It's a sickness from the walkers?" Bob asked a little curious as to where this all came from. If it were from the walkers...we would all have it by now, surely. It can't be walkers. It must be something else.
"No, these things happened before they were around," Dr.S revealed to us. Making us all look to him a little worried. "Could be pneumococcal," he told us. Holding back the urge to roll my eyes like a bratty teenage girl. Here we go with the fancy jargon again. "Most likely an aggressive flu strain," Dr.S explained to us.
"Someone locked him in just in time," Hershel said as though it was a relief.
"No, man," Daryl spoke up to Hershel. "Charlie used to sleepwalk," Daryl explained to us. "Locked himself in," Daryl informed us of how Charlie ended up being locked in and not roaming around like the others. "Hell, he was just eating barbecue yesterday," he said which made me look at him a little confused.
"How could somebody die in a day just from a cold?" I asked a little stunned at the fact that they both were perfectly fine yesterday and were suddenly dead. Something isn't right. Something in my mind keeps bringing me back to 'swine flu'.
"I had a sick pig, it died quick," dad revealed to us. Swine flu it is! May I please have a million dollars to wipe my ass with. Put a cap on me and a pipe in my mouth. I just cracked the case. Elementary my dear Watson. "Saw a sick boar in the woods," dad explained further.
"Pigs and birds," Hershel mumbled. Hah! Bird flu. Ain't this great? Not only are we fighting the dead, but we're now fighting a God damned flu. As if the walkers and Governor weren't enough. "That's how these things spread in the past," Hershel informed us. "We need to do something about those hogs," Hershel suggested seriously.
"Maybe we got lucky," Dr.S said hopeful. "Maybe these two cases are it," he said equally as hopeful as he did a second ago. I hope he's right but...we can't take our chances. We have people to protect.
"Haven't seen anybody be lucky in a long time," Bob mumbled depressingly. "Bugs like to run through close quarters," Bob informed us, as though he knew everything anyone could about insects. "Doesn't get any closer than this," Bob said which made us all look to each other.
"All of us in here, we've all been exposed," Hershel pointed out. Making us all look at each other worried. Carl...Judith. We need to keep them safe. Judging by dad's look towards me, it showed me that he too believed that we should both keep away from them. Daryl's eyes a little sorrowful as he looked to me and I glanced at the ground. We've got to do what we've got to do to keep Judy and Carl safe. Even if it means keeping our distance from them.
RPOV
"Hey, you might want to stay back," I went to say as both me and Kat left cell block D and saw Carl make his way towards us. Michonne and Maggie were walking together. Carl and Maggie looked like they were supporting Michonne to walk towards cell block C.
"Carl," Kat warned as she raised her hand to stop him, to make sure he didn't come any closer. But it was too late. Carl had already pulled us both to him in a bone crushing hug. Both me and Kat wrapping our arms around him and around each other. Making a small cocoon in our tight family hug.
"Dad! Kat, I'm sorry," Carl sobbed into our clothes. He was worried and we could both feel him trembling against us. Kat sighed and held him tightly. She doesn't like seeing him cry. Neither do I. "I didn't see you both come out," Carl said as he was worried about us. Good God...he was worried for our lives.
"It's okay. We're here. We're fine," I reassured him as we slowly let him go. Watching him as he took steps away from us. Myself and Kat walking away from him as we kept our eyes on him. I don't like being far from him or Judy but...we have to be. For them to be safe and well.
"But Carl, please back away," Kat pleaded him as tears were building in her eyes. I could tell she wanted nothing more than to comfort him, tears streaming down his face as he looked to us. He's so vulnerable right now. Maybe he didn't like the thought of his sister dying and the last time he spoke to her it was while they argued. I know he didn't like when Lori died and all he could feel was regret for how he treated her.
"I had to use one of the guns by the gate," Carl hiccuped to us as he hand his hands wiping against the sides of his pants. "I swear I didn't want to," he said with a shake of his head. Tears running down his cheeks. He means it.
"I was coming back," Michonne made an excuse for him. "I fell," she told us honestly, judging by the limp in her walk and how she needed to be held by both Carl and Maggie. "They came out and helped me," Michonne explained which made Kat look at her a little worried.
"Are you all right?" Kat asked Michonne a little worried. Michonne gave Kat a small nod and pursed lipped smile. I admired their friendship. Nothing like mine and Shane's but...it's a little more like me and Daryl. Or me and Hershel. We respect each other. But...Daryl, Glenn and myself...we're brothers. Just like Kat and Michonne are sisters.
"What happened in there?" Maggie asked us curiously as she looked behind us and towards cell block D. How do we explain it without making any of them worry as to the symptoms and as to what could possibly kill us all if we weren't careful. As though on cue, a woman carrying a baby walked out and sobbed. Making them realize what had actually happened in there.
"Patrick got sick last night. It's some kind of flu. It moves fast," I explained to them as best as I could. I don't want to give them nightmares.
"We think he died and attacked the cell block," Kat explained to them. "Look, we know he was your friend and we're sorry," Kat said as she looked to Carl sadly. "He was a good kid," she said respectfully about Carl's friend. "We lost a lot of good people," she said as her eyes hid away and locked themselves on the ground.
"Glenn and your dad are okay, but they were in there," I told them. She needs to keep away from them if she wants to stay safe. Maggie's eyes sad as she realized what I had meant about her staying away and as to what could happen to her if she got close to Glenn or Hershel...or myself and Kat.
"You shouldn't get too close to anyone that might have been exposed, at least for a little while," Kat stated as she tried to explain to them what was in their best interests. "Carl," Kat said as she gave a nod to Carl. Her eyes locked on him. "All of you," Kat suggested to them. She would have made a great leader.
DPOV
"Patrick was fine yesterday, and he died overnight. Two people died that quick?" Carol questioned as we all sat silently around the table. "We'll have to separate everyone that's been exposed," Carol suggested we do as the solution to our problem. Don't sound like a solution to me.
"That's everyone in that cell block," I stated to her. "That's all of us. Maybe more," I pointed out as I let my hands and fingers fiddle with the top of my chair. Sitting like Merle used to sit whenever he was discussing something serious. It was a usual position I took after him, especially at council meetings as they were always about serious things that I would rather have a barrier between me and the problem than deal with it head first.
"We know that this sickness can be lethal," Hershel explained as he twiddled his thumbs a little. "We don't know how easily it spreads," Hershel stated to us. "Is anyone else showing symptoms that we know of?" Hershel asked all of us as he looked to us curiously. I was sat between Sasha and Carol. Glenn was sat beside Glenn and Kat was sat between Carol and Hershel.
"We can't just wait and see," Kat told Hershel and the rest of us calmly. "And there's children," Kat said with all the pain in her heart. She's thinking about Judith and Carl. About the other vulnerable children that could be in danger of this flu.
"It isn't just the illness," Carol started her sentence. "If people die, they become a threat," Carol told us as we all looked to each other a little worried. She has a point but...we can't just kill everyone who was exposed. It would mean having to kill all of us here on this very table too.
"We need a place for them to go," Hershel said desperately. "They can't stay in D," Hershel said, already crossing out a place we could of let them stay. "We can't risk going in there to clean it up," Hershel stated which left us with not many options.
"We can use cell block A," Kat suggested which might not sound so appealing to the people here. Death row. My body tensed at the thought of being in that place. Yeah...I wouldn't like to sleep in there. But what other choice do we have?
"Death row?" Glenn questioned her as though Kat had officially lost her mind. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I didn't like how he spoke to her but I didn't want to say anything and accidentally put my foot in where it wasn't called for. "I'm not sure that's much of an upgrade," Glenn said a little dryly. He doesn't like the thought of people sleeping there either.
"It's clean," I pointed out, noticing Kat glance at me. Our blue eyes connecting for a moment as she realized I was taking her side on this. "That's an upgrade," I said knowing that it was as good as the people were going to get. "Think that'll work for Dr. S?" I asked as I looked to Hershel, knowing he was the one who was closest to Dr. S.
"I'll help Caleb get it set up," Hershel said with a small nod. This was when we all heard a woman coughing and stood at an alert. Heading to the door, we all scrambled out as we saw two figures make their way down the hall.
"You okay?" Tyreese asked Karen as she gave him a polite 'Mm-hm' as though she was holding back the urge not to cough in his face. Looking up at him as we all got out of the room and saw them head into cell block C. Oh no. Bad idea!
"You sure? You don't sound so good," Carol asked as she was the first of us to speak up. A look in her eye told me she didn't like the thought of Karen entering our cell block either. She can't go in. If we can't...she can't either. Especially not with Ass-Kicker and Carl in there. Kat would flip if they got sick.
"We're just taking her back to my cell so she can rest," Tyreese said as he caressed his hand up and down Karen's back, comforting her as he tried to reassure us that it was all fine. We can't risk her turning and eating Carl or Ass-Kicker. Rick would lose it if anything happened to them or Kat. I don't even want to think about Kat and how she would react if that was her brother, father or sister being munched on. I don't even want to picture Kat dying in any way. It makes me...feel funny.
"Tyreese, I don't think that's a good idea," Kat said as she took a step closer. Her eyes looked wild as she would glance to the cell block. She's scared for her brother and sister. She wants them alive more than anything. She won't let anyone go close to them who could be a threat to them.
"Why? What's going on now?" Karen asked as she looked around at each of our faces startled. She doesn't know. Neither does Tyreese. Shit.
"We think it's a flu or something. That's how Patrick died," Glenn explained after we were all silent for a few moments. Feels like telling people about the bite not being the only thing that makes people become walkers. That it was also if you died, you would still come back as a walker.
"Judith was in that cell block. She's vulnerable," Kat said with a slightly pleading voice. Her voice trembling a little as she spoke. Is she about to cry? "Anyone that may be sick or even exposed should stay away," Kat told them a little firmly as she was trying to prove a point. She wants her family safe. She wants Ass-Kicker safe.
"It killed Patrick?" Karen asked as her voice stuttered a little. Worry and shock in her expression as she looked around us and saw that what we were saying was no lie. She's probably scared for her own life now too.
"She's gonna be okay," Tyreese said as though what we were saying was nothing. "Now that we know what Patrick died from we can treat it, right?" Tyreese asked as he looked to each of us. If only it was that easy brother. It's not just your usual cough cold.
"Don't panic," Hershel tried to reassure them. "We're going to figure this out," Hershel said determined to get results to this issue. "But we should keep you separated in the meantime. We'll have Caleb take a look at you. I'll see what we have in the way of medications," Hershel said as he was giving them reassurance but Karen was clearly in slight distress at the thoughts that were running through her head.
"David from the Decatur group, he's been coughing, too," Karen informed us which made Glenn sigh, look down and shake his head. We're all taking this a little too hard. It's something we can fix. Only a flu, that's all. We'll get through this. I know we can.
"I'll get him," Glenn said as he began making his way towards the exit. "There's some empty clean cells in the tombs, right?" Glenn asked Sasha as he looked to her. They know the prisons better than any of us. They're always the ones doing perimiter and inside the cell block checks.
"Yeah, we'll meet you there," Sasha said as she gave Glenn a nod. Glenn running off towards the tombs to find empty and clean cells for David and Karen. "Okay. Come on. Let's get you settled," Sasha told them as she gently guided Tyreese and Karen out of the building.
"Have to call another meeting later," Hershel said to me as he turned to look at me. His eyes darting behind me and watching as Karen, Sasha and Tyreese left. There are too many meetings now if you ask me. Seems theres lots to be doing and not enough time.
"All right. I'll get to burying the dead ones," I said with a nod of my head. Best I do this. That way we can get things fixed. Get bodies respectfully in their final resting place. They deserved a better death than to a flu. Swinging my crossbow to rest on my shoulder, I held onto the strap and saw how Hershel looked to me slightly concerned.
"You wear gloves and a mask," Hershel informed me. That way I don't get the infection huh? What a shit way to die. Fight all this time and survive only to be killed off by some stupid animal flu. Not how I want to go. Rather die fighting. Especially for a good cause.
"Uh-huh," I told him with a small nod, agreeing to whatever he said and watched him walk away from us. "You two all right?" I asked Kat and Carol as they were hidden by the corner, both of them looked lost in their thoughts.
Kat gave me a quick nod, her eyes shutting as she did and then opening when she heard Carol's voice. "I'm worried about Lizzie and Mika. They were around Patrick," Carol told us. Her eyes sad as she would look between me and Kat, then back to the ground.
"We all were," Kat told her bluntly. Kat has a point there. We're all infected for all we know. We don't know when it starts or when it ends. All we know is it's lingering and it could be around us for all we know.
"Karen and David are gonna be separated till they feel better," I said as I nod to Kat once, looked to Carol and agreed that what Kat said was true. Pussy. You agree with whatever comes out of Kat's mouth. She says 'Jump' and you'll just ask her 'How high?'.
"You're both right," Carol said slightly defeated and with a small pursed smile appearing on her lips. I feel like there is something else troubling her. I won't ask but...I can't help but be curious what's going on with Carol. She's like a mother figure to me. And Carol knows that.
"Are you okay?" Kat asked me as she looked directly at me. A look of curiousity and concern plain on her face. She cares about me but...it's only because she respects me. And because I've saved her and her family's lives more than once. She doesn't care if I died or lived for another day.
"Mm-hmm," I hummed as I chewed on my bottom lip. Her bright blues were enchanting to me, I could never keep my eyes away from her and staring at her would make my body do things I wasn't entirely comfortable with. Her soft pink lips were small as she pursed her lips in a kind smile. "Got to be," I told her as I nod, turned my back and walked off to get to work. Time to dig holes for our dead. I have to be good. Not just for myself but...for her. I need to be fine in order to protect her. I'd do whatever it took to keep her safe.
KPOV
"Carol?" I called out to her as she leaned off the wall and was about to leave me alone. Daryl had walked away and I noticed how he was siding with me during the council meeting. He's always so kind and sweet to me. It makes me wonder if he does this because he cares or because he's afraid of my dad in some way.
"Yeah?" Carol asked me as she turned to look at me. Her blue-ish grey eyes looked to me curiously. The way her face scrunched up, made me think that maybe she knew what I was going to talk to her about.
"I need to tell you something," I started, unsure of how to tell her what was running through my mind. "Carl's come to talk to me about you," I told her. "About the lessons you've been giving the children," I revealed to her. "He asked me if he should tell dad," I stated to her as I thought to the argument we had this morning.
"What did you say?" she asked me a little worried and I saw the lump in her throat travel down. She's worried that I've told Carl to tell on Carol. She can't think I would do that. I encouraged her to do it because it was her idea and a good one.
"I couldn't say anything," I said with a sigh. "He found out I knew about it," I said as I felt my heart break. Remembering the look he had in his eyes and how he made me feel like he hated me. "Got angry with me," I told Carol sadly. "Maybe now...he'll understand but," I trailed off as my eyes hid away to look down at my feet. "I think he needs to talk to you," I said as I glanced up at her from under my lashes.
"Why?" Carol asked me with furrowed eyebrows. I know my brother. I know what he's like and how he takes things.
"Because I know my brother," I stated to her bluntly. "The people he has something against is the people he needs to talk to. The people he needs to talk to are the ones who can explain themselves and make him see sense," I explained to her how my brother worked. "It's the only way it works with him," I told her honestly. It really is the only way.
"I'll have a word with him," Carol said with a small nod, her lips pursed as she gave me a small sad smile. "Thanks for telling me Kat," she said with kind eyes, her eyes glancing at me up and down. As though she was examining me.
"No problem," I say as I nod and shoved my hands into my back pockets, feeling a little awkward about the whole situation. "After today...I think you're doing right by teaching these kids how to defend themselves," I tell her as I felt a little sad about all the people we had lost. It's a damn shame we lost so many good people.
DPOV
From the distance, I could see Rick making his way towards me. There were moments that he would share with his family that would make me chew the inside of my cheek. He's a good man. A better father to his kids than my father ever could be. He cares about his children more than he cares about himself and his dick. "Glad you were in there," I tell Rick as I saw him come closer to me.
"Wasn't much use without my gun," Rick said as he stood over me, glancing around at the fences and keeping watch. There were times that he would look at me, probably catch me staring at his daugher and last night...fuck. Last night he caught me hugging her. Hell was that awkward. If he knows...I'm surprised he's not here to chop my balls off. Maybe that's what he's here for. To give me an ear ache and tell me to keep the fuck away from his daughter. I wouldn't blame him. I wouldn't want me anywhere near her. I'm no good for her. Just some white boy trailer trash.
"No, you were," I disagreed with him as I pulled off the mask I was wearing so I wouldn't breath in the flu. "All this time you've been taking off, you earned it," I told him truthfully. "We wouldn't be here without you," I stated as I thought back to the time when we were under his leadership. Feels like so long ago now...
"It was all of us," Rick said trying to correct me but he must have known he was wrong. It might have been all of us but...not without him guiding us this way. Without him telling us what to do and how to work as a team. He was our leader. Our defender and our protector. He still is. He just doesn't know it.
"No, it was you first," I said as I pointed to him. "You gonna help us figure this out?" I asked him as I saw him grunt and pick up a shovel. He has to be back. We all know he's changed. Truthfully, Carl, Kat and Judith have been putting him back together. Making him realize things.
"I screwed up too many times," Rick said as though this was the perfect excuse for him not to help us. "Those calls you got to make, I start down that road...I almost lost my boy. Who he was," Rick said. Putting others before himself. He's back. I know it. I can feel it. "Whatever else this place needs, I'm here for it," he told me.
"Like I said, you earned it," I said as I continued with my work. "But for what it's worth, you see mistakes," I started trying to explain my views on what he was doing and what he did. "I see when the shit hits, you're standing there with a shovel," I told him as he stayed silent.
"Rick! Daryl!" Maggie screamed as she came up towards us. Shouting for us in the distance. Waving her arms, gesturing for us to come quickly. Looking to the distance, myself and Rick saw what was happening.
"Oh, shit," Rick cursed as we saw the growling walkers pushing against the fence. Making it cave in. The fence bending as the walkers began to pile up against it. Getting out of the grave, I threw my shovel and grabbed my crossbow. Rick was already running towards Maggie.
"The noise drew 'em out and now this part's starting to give," Maggie screamed over the snarling, the rattling and grunting of her killing walkers. Stabbing them in the heads with whatever weapons we had hanging around on the fences, Rick following her lead. Sasha, Glenn, Tyreese and Kat running towards us as we all began to kill off walkers.
KPOV
The walkers were snarling as we would stab them in the heads with the ends of our weapons. We should be out there. Tight formation, bringing them away from the fences and killing them off. I then heard a yelp and someone falling to the floor. Looking to the side momentarily, I saw Maggie fall flat on her back, Glenn going over to help her but kept his distance.
"Don't. We're supposed to stay away from each other," Maggie growled at him as she got to her feet and kept killing walkers. All of us putting in a team effort as the began to pile up even more. Holy shit...it looks like there are thousands of them.
"Are you seeing this?!" Sasha asked out of the blue as we all looked to her, seeing her stand over something and making us walk to see what she was talking about. Rats. Mice. Food. "Is someone feeding these things?" Sasha concluded as she looked around confused and startled. Yes. Someone is...but who?
"Heads up," Daryl said as we saw the fence beginning to cave in. Sasha and the others running towards the fence as Daryl stood next to me. All of us killing as many walkers as we could. Oh my God...this is going to cave in on us any moment now. How are we going to fix this?!
"This part of the fence, now!" I ordered as everyone did as I shouted at them. Daryl kept an eye on me from the corner of his, he probably didn't think I knew he was watching me. But I did. Why is he keeping an eye on me? He should be focused on the walkers. We could hear the fences creaking.
Making us all look up, we saw how walkers were now somehow climbing the fence. Pushing the fence further into the prison. "It's gonna give! It's gonna give!" dad shouted as we all pushed against the fences, keeping an alert mind on where our hands were as we pushed as hard as we could. Screaming, grunting and pushing against the walkers.
"Everybody back! Come on, back, now," Daryl ordered of us, his hands reaching out to pull me back first, then he pulled my dad back and kept us all pushed up against the opposite fence. All of us looking to the fences as our hearts were pounding. My body sweating and my mind going around in circles. What do we do?
"The fence keeps bending in like that, those walkers are coming over it," I told them worried, looking to Dad I saw how his eyes glanced behind him and then to the walkers. Following his line of vision, I saw him look to the pigs and back to the walkers. Is he going to do what I think he is?
"Daryl, get the truck," Dad told Daryl as he rubbed at his face, the same way when things got too out of control. When it made dad have to over think his choices and make a quick one out of thin air. "I know what to do," he informed us which made everyone curious as to what dad would do next.
CPOV
I was fixing crosses for the dead. Remembering the time I did it for Kat, Andrea, Mom and remembering how I practiced it doing the cross for Sophia. Thinking of Sophia, the closest woman that could be to her came in. "You know if Patrick was Catholic?" I asked Carol as I looked up at her.
"He said he was a practicing atheist," Carol informed me. I guess no cross it is then. "Did you tell your dad what you saw in the library yesterday?" she asked me. What you should be asking is if I told Kat but...at this point, it wouldn't surprise me that you already know.
"Nope," I said, popping the 'p' as I began to dismantle the cross I had made for Patrick. It's a shame he died but...we all eventually die. Mom, Shane and the others were proof of that. People we cared for and learnt to respect and love. People who were our family. Gone.
"Are you going to tell him?" Carol asked a little afraid. She's afraid dad will put a stop to this...isn't she? "I have to keep teaching those kids to survive. You know that," Carol told me which made me sigh softly.
"Did you tell their parents?" I asked her. Looking over my shoulder, I saw her stand over me, looking at me curiously while I kneeled on the floor making crosses for the dead. Dad would want to know if it was me in those classes. He would probably stop Carol from teaching me. From teaching the children how to fight and use weapons correctly.
"No," Carol answered bluntly.
"Are you gonna tell them?" I questioned her. Looking at her, I saw she was a little shocked and scared. Is she afraid more children would end up like Sophia? Is this why she's doing this? So that way the children don't have to be afraid of walkers? That they can know how to survive.
"If I do, maybe after this they'll understand," Carol told me with a small tremble of her lips. "But maybe they won't," she said as she gave a small shake of her head. "I don't want to take that risk," she informed me. She's afraid...but of what?
"That's between you and them," I told her. Nothing to do with me. Nothing to do with Kat. I see that now. I was so stupid for treating Kat like that. It's not her fault. She understands people. It's what I've always loved about her. She understood me and anyone who needed to be understood. Kat's a good person. She didn't deserve me talking to her like that. I hurt my sister. I'm such an asshole.
"No," Carol said as she took a seat. "It's between you and me," she told me as she leaned in to look directly at me. To get as close and personal as she could. She means it. She wants me to hear her. "If you tell your dad, he'll tell them," Carol said, concluding what my dad would do if he were to find out. "And like I said, maybe they'll understand, maybe they won't," Carol spoke a little sadly.
"I don't want to lie to my dad," I told her a little upset about lying to him. I won't lie to him ever again. Not after he talked to me about the boy I shot. Not after what has happened between us. He deserves the truth. Especially coming from me, if dad heard I said a lie...he wouldn't trust me again. Kat wouldn't trust me but...I know they both will always love me. I don't want to lose their trust.
"I'm not asking you to lie," Carol said as though this was a firm fact that I couldn't argue against. "I'm asking you not to say anything," she pleaded with soft grey-ish blue eyes. So that's what she means. Don't say anything and I won't have to lie to dad. That dad doesn't need to know. I can't help but feel he needs to.
RPOV
I was reluctant at first to make the choices I had to make. The choice to start killing walkers again. The choice to stop people from coming back to life after they had died. The choice to keep Carl and Judith away from me. The choice to get the pigs ready to be eaten by walkers. They were all hard decisions that I wasn't sure I was ready to make. But I had to. I have to keep the ones I love safe.
The gates opened for us as I had the pigs ready in the box. Daryl driving the truck as I sat in the back with the pigs. Ready to do what needed to be done in order for us all to survive. "Ready?" Daryl asked me as he turned his head towards me. Looking over his shoulder as I was looking out to the walkers that were snarling at Kat and the others or at me with Daryl and the pigs.
Standing on my own two feet, I watched as the walkers noticed me and the truck. They began to walk towards us, a few walkers were still clutching the fence. Kat was watching us as I glanced in her direction. Glenn and Sasha were worried and watching us too. "Let's go," Daryl said as he pulled me out of my thoughts. Nodding, I moved to the box and pulled out a squealing pig.
Slicing it's leg, I watched as the blood flowed from the cut I had given it. The squealing grew louder and it broke my heart. Such sweet pigs. All the work we had put into them. We killed them before this. We did. I'm sorry that we had to do this. There's no other way. Placing the pig on the ground, I saw the walkers come closer but then fell to the ground to eat the pig. "Go on!" I ordered Daryl as I sat back down.
Looking to the distance, I saw how we drove away from the walkers and from the fence. Kat was killing the walkers that were clawing at the fence, Glenn and Sasha working together to put wooden logs up on the fence to keep it stable. "All right! Hold up!" I told Daryl as we drove further out. Walkers still following us as they were hungry for the pigs and for myself and Daryl.
When Daryl stopped, I pulled out another pig quickly, the pig squirming and flopping around as I held it. Grabbing my knife, I cut along it's leg and made sure it couldn't run away anymore. The squealing echoing in my ears. What a painful sound. I can't stand it. "All right, go. Go!" I shouted when I had left the pig on the ground, the walkers getting closer as they dropped to their knees and tore the pig apart.
The crying squeals of the pig echoing in my ears as the growls came closer. Killing the final pig, I had more blood all over me and the pain in my heart felt real. All the work we had been putting into these animals fed. All the stupid things we did that only made them sick. All our time...work...wasted. It feels like I'm killing one of my own in order to save us all. It hurts. It's exhausting. Driving back, we saw that Glenn and Sasha had done their work while Kat made sure that no walkers were pushing the logs while they were trying to make it support the fence. Kat could tell I was in distraught. Her expression sad as she too knew what this meant for us all.
DPOV
"Daryl," I heard a small voice call to me, turning I saw Carl walk towards me but kept his distance. I had left Kat and Rick alone. Kat was killing off walkers that clung to the fences and Rick was breaking the pig sty to pieces. Carl's eyes looked sad as he had his hands in his back pockets, much like his sister did whenever she was nervous about something. Come to think about it...Lori did that too.
"Yeah," I said as I got closer to him but gave enough space, knowing that he might not of had the same illness as the others. That he still might not be as exposed as we were. His blue eyes were firm as he looked to me and then behind me. Possibly to his sister and where she was.
"When you see Kat...can you tell her that I'm sorry?" Carl asked me with sad blue eyes. His expression showed me sincerity. He's sorry about the argument that they had this morning. It's sad that they can't speak about this alone. So that they can hug it out like they normally do. They're so different to me and Merle. If I ever tried to hug Merle, he would probably just call me a pussy and push me away.
"Yeah. I will," I said to him with a small nod. Chewing the inside as I thought about having to talk to Kat about this with her. Why didn't Carl ask his dad instead? Is this something he doesn't want his dad asking questions about? Possibly.
"That...when this is all over, I want to talk to her to say it myself," Carl continued to give me more things to tell her. "That...I want to give her a bear hug and let her hold me after this whole 'flu' is over," Carl said with a small smile as his eyes would flash from me to his sister in the distance. He loves her. And she loves him. That's clear enough for everyone to see. They're a good duo. They have their moments of anger but they always find a way back to each other. With a nod, I gave him a tiny smile and walked off to do what needed to be done.
RPOV
"Not this time," I warned Carl as he made his way towards me. The sound of clattering wood falling to the ground as I was breaking the pig sty we had made. All this hard work...for nothing. Only to make people sick and to make us work hard to keep the infection from spreading.
"Think the pigs made them sick?" Carl asked me as he looked to me and what I was doing curiously. His blue eyes wondering as he kept his distance. I don't like having to keep my distance from him but...it needs to be done. It's not going to be easy for Kat either, seeing as she gives them more comfort than I ever would know how.
"Or we made the pigs sick," I said as I stopped destroying the boards that once held the pigs inside. "I think we should stay away from Judy a while," I told him as I looked between him, cell block C and behind me, towards Kat. Kat was killing walkers that got too close from the fences, never tiring and killing as many as she could. "Just in case," I said as I knew none of us could take the risk of Judith getting sick and dying on us.
"Okay," Carl agreed calmly. He's taking this better than I thought. At least he sees sense in this. I just hope he can make amends with Kat. It's breaking her and I can tell. She doesn't normally get this aggressive towards walkers like she is now. Maybe she's just doing it to protect us and let off any tension she has.
"I don't like it, but-" I went to say to him. Stacking more boards on top of each other. Kat will be fine. I'm worried about Judith, Carl and Kat. Kat and Carl were both near Patrick. Kat was the one who went in fighting along side me. She's been exposed.
"We have to protect her," Carl said as we were refering to Judith. He cut me off before I could finish my sentence. He's smart like this I just wish he would stay like this. Especially after his mom died and Kat got tortured by the Governor. He hated me for some time and...he hated Kat a little for her leaving us like she did. I don't blame her...but I don't blame Carl either.
"Yes, we do," I agreed as I looked to him. Nodding as I continued with my work. Breaking the boards and stacking them into a wooden mountain. Need to burn this. Need to burn my blood stained shirt too. Can't risk spreading the infection.
"Hey, Dad," Carl called to me a little timidly. He's got something to say to me. I can feel it. In my gut. It's something that's been troubling him. Is it what happened between him and Kat?
"Yeah?" I asked him as I stopped and arched an eyebrow at him. If it has something to do with Kat...maybe he should talk to Kat and not me. I understand if he wants to tell me what's been going on and maybe to get some advice but...it's best to sort it between brother and sister. It's what my dad always told me about him and his siblings.
"Carol's been teaching the kids..." Carl began but then sighed as he looked down. "How to use weapons. How to kill," Carl revealed to me. "Their parents don't know and she doesn't want you to know," Carl informed me. Well shit. "I think you should let her. I know you're gonna say it's not up to you. But it can be," Carl told me as though this was the whole point of the conversation.
"Dad?" Carl called for me, curious as to what was going on in my mind. Pouring gas all over the boards that were stacked. I'm going to set fire to this. Playing farmer isn't good enough for Carl. He wants me to play leader. To put us back under a Ricktatorship. It's not going to happen.
"Thank you for telling me," I told him kindly. He looked defeated, as though he had tried hard to get some sort of reaction from me. I won't give in to what he wants. Carol is in the council, so is Kat. Wait. Is this why they were distant?
"Yeah," Carl mumbled as he lowered his eyes away from my gaze. Throwing the gas to one side, I looked to Carl and rested my hands on my hips. Looking to Kat and seeing her grunt, kill and sweat under the fading sun.
"I won't stop her," I told Carl. "I won't say anything," I spoke to Carl as I looked to him and back to Kat. I walked forward, finding a matchstick and set fire to it, placing it on the stacks as I watched the fires flicker up, licking the sky as it began to rise. Hiding Kat from my vision. "Carl?" I called to him as I walked to a tool box I had been keeping in a safe place. Away from Carl.
Opening the box, I pulled out Carl's gun and handed it to him. Unfolding it from the cloth that kept it clean and safe. Out of sight...out of mind they say. Rubbing at my face, I saw how Carl watched me lift my belt out from the box. Fastening it around my waist and picking up my gun. Checking the amount of rounds I had, I looked to Carl and placed my gun in my holster. I just hope we can keep our humanity after all of this...
After a few moments, Carl returned back to cell block C and left me alone. My shirt was burning in the fire. Hopefully it stops the infection of the flu that killed Patrick and Charlie. Kat was making her way to me, my shirtless body warm from the fire that burned."Hey dad," Kat said as she came closer to me. "I cleared off as many walkers as I could," Kat informed me as I knew she had been killing walkers off the fences.
"All right," I said as my eyes glanced away from the fire and towards the fences. It looked less packed. Not many walkers but...if they all heard the shots...there will be more walkers surrounding us by morning. "Good job," I said to her with a small smile.
"Thanks," she said with a small grin. "So...we're going to have to stay away from Carl and Judith?" Kat asked me after a few moments of silence. Her expression was one of slight sadness but strength in knowing it was what needed to be done. She's not going to argue about it. Not like Carl would.
"Yeah," I said trailing off for a second. Looking around to see walkers and if others were still out and not in their cells. "For now...until we can figure this out," I told her with a nod, my hands resting on the top of my belt.
"We will," she said hopeful and firmly. "I know we will," she told me, her voice full of faith and hope. Ever my hopeful little Kitten. "I just..." Kat held in her breath near the end. Sighing, she looked down and a few stray hairs moved to graze against the sides of her face. Her blue eyes hidden from me. "I hate being far from them," she said as she ducked her head down sadly.
"I don't like it either but...it has to be done," I told her as I could feel her pain. Her pain is my pain. As is Carls and Judith's. They're all what keeps me sane and alive. They keep me happy. Keep me in check. I don't like needing to be away from them but...part of me is happy I'm not doing this alone. Kat's with me.
"I know," Kat agreed as she raised her head and looked up at me. "We protect them no matter what," she stated firmly. Nodding her head as she kept her eyes directly looking into mine. My baby girl. So strong. So smart. She's a woman and...I'm proud. She should have taken my offer and become the leader but...she's smarter than that. Knows that more minds are better than one when it comes to running a place.
"Sometimes...I wish you weren't there," I told her. Sighing, ducking my head and looking to the burning piece of cloth that was now turning into nothing in the flickering flames. "That way I could protect you too," I said as any other father would to their daughter who could be in harm's way.
"Dad..." Kat started as she took a few steps closer towards me. I didn't need to move away from her as I knew that she was already exposed. Just like I am. "Thanks for that but...I wouldn't let you do anything alone," she said as she slowly slipped her hand into mine. Comforting me like this.
Her blue eyes bright as we looked to each other. Giving her a small smile, I squeezed her hand and raised it to kiss the back of it. Much like how Lori did which would soothe her. Kat's smile warm and appreciative. She knows I'm doing what Lori did. She's thankful for this gesture. Just like I'm thankful for her support.
"You knew about Carol and the kids," I stated as I looked to her after a few moments silence. "Didn't you?" I asked her as I looked to her. She lowered her head and shut her eyes as though she was pained or fearing this moment. "That's why you and Carl have been a little...distant to each other," I realized and said it out loud as I looked to her. They argued about it.
"Yeah," Kat said as she wasn't going to deny me that I was in fact right. "I couldn't tell you," Kat said as she pulled her hand out of mine. "I wanted to but...I didn't know how you would react," Kat said as she paced a little, her back to me as she crossed her arms over her chest. "It's not my call to tell you or say no to Carol," Kat stated as she turned to face me with honest eyes.
"I know," I said as I walked closer to her with a nod. "I just wish you didn't have to feel like you need to keep things from me," I told her a little pained that she wouldn't feel the need to tell me. "I'm your father," I reminded her. "I'll protect you," I began to list. "Listen to you," I continued to list. "I've told you before...don't shut me out," I pleaded to her as I raised a slightly bloody hand that was now dried blood to caress the side of her face. "You can talk to me about anything," I said as I looked into her eyes, cupping her face in my hands and making myself level to her. Indicating to her that I meant what I said.
"I know," she said as she gave me a sad smile. Her hands reaching up to run her palms along my bare arms. "Just didn't feel the need to sticking you into my own problems," she explained as she examined my face. I understand but...it still hurts a little.
"What kind of father would I be if your problems weren't mine?" I teased as I gave her a small smirk. Her problems are my problems. Just like mine are hers. It's like a package deal. Especially when you're a father. Whatever effects your children will always effect you.
"A bad one," Kat teased in return making me chuckle and herself giggle. "And you're not a bad dad," Kat said as she looked up at me. Directly into my eyes, telling me that she believed what she said. I believe her. "Never were and never will be," she told me with a small smile. "This isn't even a problem I just...I don't know," Kat said as she carefully pulled my hands off of her face. "If anything happens that I can talk to you about...I will," Kat told me with a nod of her head.
"Promise," Kat said as she looked to me. I know she keeps her promises. I trust her and believe her. I just...can't help but worry about her sometimes. Especially in times like these where we're all weak and vulnerable.
"I'll hold you to that," I chuckled as I finished up the few things I needed to do and saw as Kat stood there. "Come on," I told her as I went back to her and rubbed her back comfortingly. "We got to get ready for our new cells," I sighed out. We too have to use cell block A.
"Talking about that," Kat said as she stopped me from walking towards the direction of the cell block. "Can you sleep in the same cell as me?" she asked me softly, timidly as she looked around shyly. "I just..." she paused, taking a gulp and looked back up at me. "I don't want to spend the night alone," she told me sadly as she kept the best composure she could.
"Yeah," I said after a few seconds deliberation. Nodding as I rest my hand on her shoulder, my arm around her back and leading her back to the courtyard. "I know it hurts you too...being away from Carl and baby Judith," I tell her as I too knew how it felt. "I'm here Kat," I told her as I saw her look to me. "Always," I stated with a small smile.
"Thanks dad," Kat said as she stopped. Both of us stopping to look at each other. This was when she made me stumble a little with the quick force of a hug she gave me. "I love you," Kat said as she rest her head on my bare chest. Her hands clasping each other as they held me to her.
"Love you too Kitty Kat," I replied after a moment hesitation. Wrapping my arms around her and kissing the top of her head. My brave and strong little girl. She's just needing comfort and is trusting me to find it. It's going to feel like sleeping in the same bed with my little Kitten. We haven't done that in years.
KPOV
I was singing and strumming the same song that I knew comforted Judith. The same song I sang her to sleep with each night. Using the baby monitor, so that she could hear my voice and so she could fall asleep, enjoying the sound of the familiar song. I suddenly stopped when I saw Daryl had caught me. Dad was in our cell asleep, or possibly waiting for me to finish up and go to bed with him.
Slowly strumming, I saw Daryl watching me, glancing at me from behind his cell bars and slowly stepping out from the shadows. His face illuminated by the light of the moon. He always looks so calm in times like these. I don't know how he does it and...I can't deny how my heart is beating fast at how he looks right now. Espcially with those toned arm muscles. I think I've gone crazy. I've got a Daryl Dixon arm fetish.
"Why'd you stop?" Daryl asked me as he slowly came closer to me. I was sitting on a stool beside the baby monitor. Hearing the soft whimpering of Judy as I felt my heart break a little. "Ain't that your mom's song?" Daryl asked me as I knew he was observent. I'm surprised he remembered.
"Yeah," I answered with a nod of my head. "Lucy Rose's 'Be Alright'," I informed him feeling the need to say the title and continue the song. My eyes shying away as I felt the heat in my cheeks rise. Judy's whimpering were getting a little more aggitated. She wanted me to continue, until the very end. Daryl sat oposite me, watching me as he pulled up his own stool and was nibbling on his thumb. "I sing it her every night," I stated to Daryl. "It comforts her and puts her to sleep," I said as I thought of the sweet baby Judith's face as she was sound asleep after I would sing to her. I miss Judy.
"Go on," Daryl said after a few moments, my eyes on the baby monitor as I saw the light flashing. Indicating the soft whimpering and gentle crying of Judith. Daryl indicating to me and my guitar. "Sing for her," he told me as I blushed and looked down. Pushing my hair behind my ear, I began to strum and sang the song. Seeing how Daryl would watch me, relaxing as he listened to me sing and strum. When I finished, I heard Judith's soft snoring and smiled.
"She's asleep," I said awkwardly as I saw Daryl keep his hooded eyes on me. Rubbing his finger and thumb as though he was thinking about something. I think he knows Judith is asleep. He probably is holding in a laugh at your stupid singing and guitar skills. Talk about pointing out the obvious to him and making yourself look like an idiot to him. "I was thinking that-" I was cut off as me and Daryl spoke over each other at the same time.
"I wanted to talk to you about-" he was going to say but he too stopped when he realized we were both talking at the same time. Feeling my cheeks burn, I looked away and bit my bottom lip. How awkward. This is like some stupid chick flick where we go 'You go first' 'No. You,' cliche.
"I was thinking that we will probably need to go and make a run," I said when I realized neither of us were going to talk out of fear of us speaking over each other again. Daryl watching me intently as I spoke and I watched him as I began to speak. "Find medicines that could possibly stop this infection from spreading any further," I explained as he gave a nod.
"Yeah..." Daryl mumbled in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing too," Daryl agreed as he shuffled a little on the spot, getting himself in a more comfortable sitting position. "Flu and sickness doesn't exactly stay on one person and die with them," Daryl said to me cleverly. He's well informed. I'm pleasently surprised.
"My point exactly," I stated. "We need to fix this before more people die and turn on us," I said as I thought about the vulnerable like Judith and Carl. "We should sleep on it and see what happens in the morning," I told him as I began to get to my feet. Turning off the baby monitor, I smiled at the final quiet snoring of Judy before it turned silent.
"Yeah," Daryl said as he got to his feet and looked to me. "I want to tell you something too," Daryl began which made my heart stop for a second in slight worry and excitement. Is he going to tell me something bad? Or something good? "Carl says he's sorry. That when all this is over he wants to cuddle and talk to you about whatever happened between you two," Daryl explained as I smiled at the thought of my baby brother coming to his senses.
"Thank you Daryl," I spoke softly, keeping my voice calm, kind and respectful. He's sorry. I'm sorry too and...I'm just glad he's willing to work things out with me. That he's not mad at me any more. "Good night," I told him as I placed the guitar to one side and walked to my cell. Daryl was at the door of his, he looked to the ground and then to me.
"Good night Kat," he answered with a small nod, his head slightly ducking as he looked to me from the side of his shoulder. His blue eyes dark in the light of the moon. He's sweet and handsome but...he doesn't want anything to do with me. I don't blame him. Probably thinks I'm too clingy to my family. Too over protective of them. With a small smile, I stepped into my cell to see dad laid out on the bed. He had a quick shower, cleaning off the blood and sweat. I too did the same and we were now in fresh clothes.
Sitting down, I slipped off my boots and felt dad move a little on the bed. As though to give me more space so I could lay down comfortably. When I laid back, I looked to him and saw he was still awake. "Good night Katherine," dad whispered lowly as he smiled and laid his arm around my waist. He looked happy about something. Pleased. What's running through his mind?
"Good night daddy," I answered, feeling like a child again as I nuzzled my nose with his. Making him chuckle softly, the smile he wore reminded me of the dad that would always spend the night with me whenever I was sad or afraid of 'monsters'. It feels too real now. Never knew how much I needed my dad to support and comfort me. Turning around, I rest my back against his chest as we curled up and held each other close. Falling asleep and curious as to what would happen in the days to come...
RPOV
I had heard the conversation between Kat and Daryl, feeling the comfort of Kat's voice as she sang her sister to sleep. Reminding me of Judith, of Lori and of how life used to be. So much has changed. I had to hold in a laugh when I heard the pair outside talk over each other for a moment. They're like some romance novel. It's just they're both stubborn when it comes to not wanting to reveal their emotions to each other.
When they had said good night, I saw Kat come in and a smile was on her face. She looks so happy. Like she's...falling in love. I can tell. Nothing can be more surer to a father than when they see a smile like that plastered on their daughter's face. If he treats her right and cares for her the way he should. There's not a price in the world I could give to see that smile stay on her face. Makes her look...stunning.
When she laid beside me, I held her to me softly and for a flash of a moment, it felt like the time when she was young. Her form completely flashed before my eyes, back to her younger self. Her bright, blue doe like eyes looking at me. Her small face stetching to that toothy smile she would give me and her beautiful, long curls a neat halo around her head. When she nuzzled her nose to mine, I snickered as I remembered how we would do this and smiled.
Saying our good nights it felt as though when it was just her, me and Lori. When she was young. When she turned her back, she morphed back into the 21 year old I had helped turn into such a strong, smart and powerful woman. A woman that had more than half of us wrapped around her little finger. My baby girl...what would I do without you? Probably lose my mind. I missed moments like these. Holding her to me, we cuddled up and fell into a deep sleep...
Hope you liked this chapter! It took quite a while to write this and...I hope you've enjoyed it! Please may I have 10 reviews for this chapter? It gives me more time to make them lengthy like this and enough time to plot everything carefully!
Now...questions and then replies to reviews!
1) What do you think is going to happen to Kat in the Governor's attack
2) Do you think I'm rushing or forcing too many Karyl scenes?
3) What did you think about the scene between Carl and Kat arguing?
4) What did you think of the Kat and Carol moment?
Replies to reviews now! Remember! I want 10 REVIEWS FOR THIS CHAPTER PLEASE!
Guest: I'm glad you liked the hug. I felt it was a little forced between them. Thanks for the review dear! x
likea . witch: No it's not sad! I find that really sweet that you got excited for their hug. I hope this chapter was to your liking!
Panboa: Yes. Kat is 21. Daryl well...no one knows how old he is. That died with Merle and is kept hidden by Daryl. Daryl's not the type of man to tell his age or much about his past. It's just not who he is. He reveals things to Kat because he knows she doesn't judge. She respects him and...as Rick said. She's falling for him. Just like he is falling for her. As for Daryl getting jealous, maybe. But not this season at least. Maybe next. Carl and Rick both think the same, as does all the others. They know they like each other but they won't ruin it by making it awkward between each other. They want Kat and Daryl to reveal it to each other rather than state the obvious and making them both feel awkward or to end up staying away from each other. Rick and Carl are happy as long as Kat is happy.
Guest: Glad you found them adorable. They're my favourite characters to write about. They're going to be having plenty of moments in this season. Just...don't forget she has family too!
EastDenise: Oh! Dear! Don't skip the 'cannon' parts! Especially not every chapter I write! I spend too damn long just for it all to be ignored. There are parts about Daryl and Kat in there too! Especially in their thoughts like Carl, Kat, Daryl and Carl! Please read them or you're possibly going to be reading very little of the story only to get to 'the good parts'
Complete-Global-Saturation: We'll have to see who she leaves with. Although, I already know and know where I'm going to go with this story. Kat and Daryl are going to be well...I know what's going to happen. As for their kiss...I already know when it will happen! You don't know how happy it makes me feel to know that Karyl is your OTP. In my eyes, they are my OTP too. Caryl and Bethyl wasn't right. At all. Karyl all the way!
jojollynn12: Haha! I can see that too! I'm not sure but...we'll see about it. To have Daryl claim her I don't know exactly if they would allow Kat to join their group. Seeing as to me it looks like no women are permitted to be in their group. As far as the Daryl/Rick confrontation goes...you may be right. We'll have to see! Thank you for your review and kind words dear!
Starlight: It was a mixture. Thank you for your kind words dear! Mmm. I understand. I don't like how people completely forget Carol and Daryl's relationship. For me, I think Daryl only sees Carol as his mother. As a figure that resembles much of his mother seeing as she was beaten by her husband, much like he was beaten by his father and he can connect to her in that way. Zach was a fun character to write about. I wished he lived too! Maybe he would of one day guessed it right. Daryl and Kat are my little treasures. I love doing little scenes like the one outside the Big Spot. Beth was a strange character for me. I understood her like you do but...I feel that one day she was going to be the soda can, keeping herself bubbling and bubbling until one day the cap popped and the whole drink fizzed out. Much like her tears and emotions. As for Clara, I'm so glad you pointed out what I was trying to show. Rick was struggling seeing her lose everything. He too was much like Clara when Lori died and he's glad that his family are around, they are what keep him alive and sane. Kat has been exposed...we'll have to see if she becomes ill, becomes reckless or ends up doing other things that could be life threatening. Thank you very much for your review dear! I hope to read more from you after you've read this chapter!
kayley . docherty: I'm glad you liked those Karyl moments. Hope this was enough! As for more...we'll see! Thank your for you're review dear
boo1403: I'm very glad you like this story. I work very hard to keep my readers pleased while making sure I do justice to the characters. I'm thankful you like Kat. Daryl is my favourite person to write as he seems always so distant but wanting to be closer to Kat at times. Months have passed here in this season and they've been through a lot of moments that sadly haven't been known here or to the other members of the group. They're best friends but with deeper feeling for each other. I really hope Norman would be proud. I hate reading fics where people think Daryl would jump right into a relationship and that he would make the first move. It's completely unlike Daryl. Daryl is awkward at times and he shows his affections in very subtle ways. Thank you for your review dear!
kellie: 1) I'm glad you loved the chapter. As for Carol and Daryl. I love their teasing and how they are close like a mother and son type relationship. As for Clara, I too kind of wished she survived. Except...she needed to die in that chapter so you could see what Rick thought about the whole ordeal. 2) I know everyone wants more Karyl moments. I'll see what I can do about Glenn and Kat. Maybe in later or sooner chapters. We'll see! 3) Hmm...Daryl claiming her. I can see that as possibly happening, getting found by Joe and his group will happen. Just not how everyone expects it to be. As for her getting sick like Glenn...we'll have to see! 4) I'm glad you loved their moments together! I love writing #Karyl moments!
Now...until the 10 reviews...I won't post the next chapter!
Much love!
HeroJustInTime90 xx