AN: Okay... even though I never liked Andrea much, she made me cry SO BAD. She was actually coming around and then they had to go kill her off! I seriously did not see that coming at the end. Poor Milton too :(
Yay! I'm on Spring Break! Everyone's out partying and I'm just sitting in my room writing fanfiction...
Enjoy the finale chapter! I was hoping the finale was gonna be more brutal, but oh well! It was still good. I'm really going to miss you guys... and writing this story. Keep in touch by reading my original story Dirt and Roses and my new TWD story The Reapers Lullaby that has been published along with this new chapter! If anyone would like to add me on Facebook, please PM me and let me know :) I really do love keeping in touch with my fans!
See you guys in 7 months! (Goes into hibernation until October) I love you all and thank you for making my story so big!
Soundtrack: Broken (Ft. Amy Lee) by Seether
Harli's legs bounded as fast and far as they could reach across the ground.
Not once did she look over her shoulder since leaving the run down farm factory. She kept her arms pumping, her legs running, and her eyes forward. No gunshots echoed through her ears and she didn't even know if The Governor and his men were using the time to come after her.
Everything was going wrong.
Harli's eyes found pavement and gradually, her legs slowed to a stop at the edge of the forest. Her chest pumped up and down with air, her lungs trying to catch up with her body. For the first time, she managed to tear her tired gaze over her shoulder and looked off into the woods. Nobody followed her by what she could see. Harli turned back and her legs carried her heavy body in a slow walk, her hand running through her hair as she stared at the dirty concrete below her. Closing her eyes, all she could see was Merle's dying face; blood seeping out of his wounds and the chilling sound of him drowning in his own blood.
Harli dropped to her knees, feeling the concrete scrapping her skin as she fell. Everything caught up to her at once; reality hit her as she dug her face in the palm of her hands, hunching over the concrete. Tears ran uncontrollably from her eyes and she felt a soft, wet object in the palm of one of her hands. Bringing her hands from her cheeks, she stared at the ball of black fabric clenched tightly in her fingers. She realized what it was and she gasped, her clawing fingers loosening and revealing its bloody state. Harli forgot she still held the black rag she had snatched from Merle's pocket to try and stop the bleeding from his chest wound. It was soaked in his blood and stained Harli's hand mercilessly. She wiped her cleaner hand across her cheek and realized more blood stained her than she realized.
Harli began to sob and leaned forward, resting her forehead on her arms, the tip of her nose touching the concrete. Unwelcomed sorrow took over her mind and all she thought about was the situation that unfolded only minutes before. She blamed herself for it; for not doing anything to stop The Governor. She could have easily jumped out of the closet and shot him where he stood. Merle would still be alive if she had done something; but she had to be weak and shake like a beaten dog in the corner, staring in fear at the man that beat her, raped her, and killed her family without a second thought of mercy. The Governor wanted Merle to suffer and he wanted Merle to turn; it was the worst thing he could've done beside kill him. It was even worse for Harli that she didn't end his transformation before it started.
'What am I going to do...? What will I do?' Harli repeated over and over in her head, wiping her hand down her face as she lifted back up to her knees. She stared down the endless road through the blurry veil of her eyes, pondering on what she was going to do when she got back to the prison. What was she going to tell Daryl? How is she going to deal with the pain and loss of his big brother? That was her biggest concern, as well as her own nightmare. It had been a long time since she had to deal with Daryl's unstable state.
Harli held her breath and her eyes popped open once she heard and all-too familiar sound. She lifted herself up and turned her head, her eyes finding a Walker trudging towards her on the road. It hissed and approached her quickly, smelling the fresh blood all over her skin. Its ravenous jaws chomped at the bit and Harli stared as it towered over her. She sat still as the Walker stumbled down, grabbing her shoulders and gripping them tight. Harli stared into its pale silver eyes as its face inched closer to hers, seeing nothing but death and lust in them. She felt the Walker's teeth graze her neck and shoved it to the side with her hands, crawling back on her hands and getting to her feet. The Walker clawed at her while getting to its knees, Harli staring down at it with shaking hands. She couldn't believe she let it get so close to biting her.
"You rotten piece of shit!" She shouted and kicked the Walker's body as hard as she could, watching it fall back to the ground. Harli shoved her foot down on its back over and over, watching it lunge from the heaviness of her kicks. All the anger pent up in her core released all at once and her fingers latched onto the Walkers clothing, yanking it on its back. She slipped her knife from its sheath and jumped onto the Walker, raising her arm up above her head.
Harli jammed her knife into the Walkers head, her skin shivering with delight at the Walkers demise. With a loud crunch, she ripped her knife from the Walkers forehead and rammed her knife back into its head. Harli pulled the blade out again and got lost in her bloodlust, her eyes seeing nothing but red as she felt her hand jab the Walker countlessly. All she could hear were her grunts of frustration and the blade crunching in through the Walkers skull, her arm aching with the knife's reverberations. Slowly, her vision regained composure and she stared at the mangled flesh that once was the Walkers face. Harli continued to pant as she saw its black blood spattered all over her arms; the knife ridiculously stained with its skulls innards. She got to her feet once again and her eyes were glued to the corpse, her feet moving on their own as she took a few steps back.
Harli's eyes narrowed when she felt something leathery in her fingers, moving her eyes down as she lifted her hand. She gasped and dropped the body part to the ground, staring in awe at what she had done in her sane absence. The lower jaw of the Walker's face lied at its feet, Harli's eyes quivering at the thought of her cutting the jaw off its face as some type of trophy. Clenching her eyes shut and feeling her stomach getting queasy, she stepped past the Walker and walked slowly down the road. Her hand moved to the back pocket of her shorts where she tucked Merle's bloody black do-rag for safe keeping. Forgetting about the dripping blood on her knife, she slid it back into its sheath and continued walking, her steps turning into a fast pace towards the prison.
Her rifle thumped annoyingly on her back, the cold steel of her pistol digging into her lower spine, and the knife in its sheath pounding rebelliously against her bare thigh. More anger throbbed through her veins and Harli refused to let her head lose its control again. So her legs broke out into a jog, her chocolate brown hair sliding from around the collar of her black jacket and bouncing against her shoulders. Her boots almost hit the concrete soundlessly; she was going to run the anger out of her, no matter how tired her body became.
.:O:.
Harli stared at the front gates yet again, her tired eyes falling on the fencing that led up to the prison. Walkers meandered about the entrance, their eyes slowly falling on Harli as she marched down the dirt road. Her fingers dug into her front pocket and she pulled out the small ring of padlock keys, fiddling with them until she found the right ones. Her eyes moved up briefly to keep a watchful glare on the Walkers as they moved towards her; some fast and some slow. She stopped and shoved the key into the lock that kept the undamaged corridor safe for travel. A loud snarl erupted from behind her and she whipped around, ramming her boot into a Walker's chest and knocking it to the ground. Harli's hair brushed back against her face as she turned and slipped through gate, slamming it closed just as the Walkers crashed against it. She quickly and carefully wrapped the chain back around the posts, snapping the lock shut and watching the Walkers snap their jaws and chew on the fencing to get to her.
Harli trudged towards the upper gate, hearing her boots crunching against the gravel below her feet. She kept her eyes low and her hand gripped on the strap of her rifle, coming to a stop once reaching the gate after a few minutes. As she slid through the gate, Harli stared up at the guard tower, seeing Rick's familiar face staring down at her. She quickly ignored him and headed towards the cellblock, seeing the heavy iron door waiting for her.
"Harli!?" She heard Rick call from atop the guard tower; glancing over her shoulder and seeing him disappear from the railway back into the top room. Harli stepped up the stairs quickly and pulled open the heavy door, the cool room of the prisons lounging area rushing onto her hot skin. Pushing the door shut, she moved down the stairs and past the metal tables, feeling everyone's eyes on her. They all stared at the blood on her clothes and skin, not knowing if she was the one injured or not. Glenn looked to the door, waiting for Merle to move in after her.
"Harli? Are you alright?" Maggie stood up, looking at Harli as she pushed past Michonne and disappeared through another door. Maggie exchanged a worried stare with Hershel; Michonne pushing off the wall and following after Harli.
Harli stopped in the washroom, staring into a broken mirror and seeing her disheveled appearance. Her eyes immediately searched for a towel and she leaned over a deep sink, turning the old faucet and watching the water barely run. Rick only allowed one generator on to conserve energy and fuel. The generator provided just enough power to run a shower or two at the same time.
Harli grabbed the shredded shambles of a towel and dipped it under the water, watching as the fabric's color quickly turned to a darker shade. She draped the towel over one of her hands and began to scrub the damp cloth against her arms, watching Merle's dry blood being rid from her flesh. Her skin began to become irritated from the abrasiveness of the wet towel, Harli dipping it back under the water and moving to her face. Harli halted once she saw a pair of eyes staring back at her in the mirror, her chest slowly lifting from over the sink. Michonne leaned on the wall behind her, her dark eyes boring into Harli's. A pair of heavy boots echoed through the dark hallways and the women both looked towards the door, seeing Rick slowly walking into the room. He gripped his rifle tightly and immediately stared at Harli, his eyes traveling to all the bloody spots on her body as if trying to search for any wounds. His blue eyes moved to hers,
"You alright?" He asked while stepping towards her slowly, Harli whipping back around to the sink and beginning to scrub her chest under her jacket,
"I'm fine." She replied plainly, looking into the shattered mirror and seeing both Michonne and Rick stopping closely behind her. Rick hesitated, but asked the ultimate question,
"Where's Merle? Did he let you go, too?" Rick watched Harli's shoulders freeze and listened to the water run lightly into the sink. Slowly, Harli's arms lowered and the edge of the towel ticked the bottom of the sink. Rick watched Harli shake her head,
"No... He didn't." Her voice mumbled sadly. Rick took another couple steps forward, resting his rifles strap on his shoulder.
"Where is he?"
"Dead." Harli spat out, dropping the towel and gripping the sides of the sink with her hands. Rick narrowed his eyes and stepped next to her,
"What?" Rick asked shockingly while staring at her. Harli pulled her head up, her eyes beginning to redden upon thinking about the situation. She looked at Rick,
"The Governor... The Governor killed him..." Harli breathed, staring into his eyes. Rick's jaw tightened and his Adam's Apple bobbed insecurely upon seeing the disastrous look in her green eyes. Slowly, her gaze moved back to the bottom of the sink, Harli hearing Michonne shifting behind her. "I didn't do anything to stop him..." Harli closed her eyes and Rick saw a tear break away from her eyes and drip into the wet sink. Rick put a hand on her shoulder,
"Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault-"Harli tore herself from his grasp and shoved him away, Rick taking a couple steps back from the force of her hand. Her eyes burned with hysteria,
"I sat there and watched as The Governor beat the living hell out of him, bite off two of his fingers, break his arm, and then shoot him in the chest!" Her voice shouted and her eyes drained the tears from her ducts, "I didn't do a thing to stop him!"
Michonne and Rick only stared at her, both of them not knowing what to say to her. Harli pressed her hand against her eyes and dug her fingers against her eyelids, trying to calm her hysteria. She took a deep breath and lowered her hands, opening her red eyes to face Rick, "What am I going to tell Daryl?" She asked the ultimate question that burned her heart inside and out. Rick only shook his head,
"I don't know."
"I don't think you'll have to say anything..." Michonne voiced and both Rick and Harli glanced over at her. Michonne's face was solemn, holding hints of empathy for Harli, as she let out a sigh, "When Merle let me out... I ran into Daryl. I told him Merle let me go and that you went with him. He told me not to let anyone come after him and ran off."
"You let him go by himself?" Rick turned towards Michonne, staring at her with narrowed eyes. Michonne looked back at him,
"There wouldn't have been anything I could've done." Michonne shook her head, her voice soft with reason. Rick huffed and looked back at Harli, seeing the far off look on her face,
"So... Daryl went?" Harli's mind panicked at the thought and she leaned back over the sink, closing her eyes and dipping her head. A sharp thought of him running into The Governor and his men crossed her mind, making her eyes open and a hand wipe down her hot face. "Rick..." She breathed and she looked over at him, watching Rick take a couple steps towards her, "What are we going to do?"
Rick knew what Daryl was capable of and that he could handle himself. But the thought of his right hand man, and surrogate brother, running into The Governor by himself also crossed his mind. Daryl was smarter than that. But when it came to his brother, knowing that Merle might be in trouble, Daryl was just as unpredictable as the enemy. Rick took an undecided breath and briefly exchanged glances with Michonne,
"If he's not back by dark... we go to the silos to look for him." He looked back to Harli reassuringly and nodded his head, "You finish gettin' yourself cleaned up... I'll go make sure someone gets some food ready for you. You need to get some rest for now if we decide to go look for him later."
Harli took a deep breath and nodded in agreement, looking back into the sink and listening to Rick's footsteps fade back down the hallway. Harli brought her eyes to the mirror and stared at her bloody face, her hand automatically reaching for the towel as she lazily began to dab at her face. Michonne continued to stand behind her, leaning back on the wall and watching her carefully. Harli knew she wanted to talk about Merle,
"What'd he do?" Michonne asked, "After you two got to the meeting place?"
"Shoved me in a closet, made me stay there." She tossed the towel on the side of the deep sink and pulled the bloody bandana-like cloth from her back pocket. She unfolded it in front of her, staring at the bloody dampness of it in her hands, "He began shooting... taking out The Governors men from a broken window. Eight shots... I counted eight shots." She breathed and felt the coolness of the water strike her hands as she began to wash out all the blood of Merle's old cloth. Harli scrubbed it until the water ran clean through the thin veil of cloth, seeing Michonne's eyes lower to the ground through the mirror. Harli shut off the water and squeezed the cloth into a ball, ringing it out and ridding it of all excess water.
Harli turned around to face Michonne, Michonne's eyes glancing back up at her. Harli fiddled with the damp cloth in her hand, looking down at it, "I know you, out of everyone, must've hated him the most... for what he did; tried to kill you, you know? I just wish people saw the side of him I did... then maybe... he'd still be with us."
"I did." Michonne's voice slithered into Harli's ears, making her look back into her dark eyes. Michonne stepped towards her slowly, yet casually, the katana swinging on her shoulder, "I know what kind of man Merle was... what he was willing to sacrifice for his brother and the group even though he didn't show it. I may not have trusted him much... but I long forgave him for what he did."
"I bet he would've liked to know that..." Harli squeezed the black cloth in her hands and smiled weakly, staring back into Michonne's empathetic eyes.
She may have had a hard exterior and didn't talk much, but she was probably the most understanding out of everyone in the entire group. Michonne walked forward and stopped a couple feet away from Harli, "Daryl will be just fine..."
"Not if he finds Merle..." Harli shook her head and stared at Michonne for a few moments, "I didn't end him after he died..." She then broke the gaze and turned around, leaving through the hallway back to the cellblock.
.:O:.
Daryl walked through the darkness, the moon lighting him a path down the dirt road leading back to the prison. His eyes hurt, his chest hurt, and his legs hurt. He'd been walking for hours, his pace sluggish and weak as he walked down the road aimlessly. His crossbow patted his back as he walked, trying to comfort its master as it knew that devastation laid wake through Daryl's core. Daryl's blue eyes looked up through the corridor of trees, seeing the prison standing proudly behind its broken gates. He noticed the little black specks of Walkers meandering about in the prison yard, quickly noting none of them had inhabited the driveway leading to the top gates.
Daryl's boots crunched against the gravel as he made his way up towards the gate. He could hear Walkers snarling and hissing as they began to take notice to his delightful smell, exchanging annoyed glares at them as he passed by. He swiped the keys Rick had given him before he left from his pocket, reaching his hand out and grabbing the collar of a Walker. He gritted his teeth and yanked the Walker back, shoving the key into the padlock and stripping the chain from the post. Daryl felt a hand grip his leather sleeve and a low growl escaped his throat as he turned and kicked the female Walker in the chest. It fell with a grunt and Daryl slipped through the gate, Walkers beginning to crowd around as he locked it shut.
Daryl wiped the back of his hand against his eyes, feeling the hot tears sting his cold skin as he approached the cellblock. He huffed and regained his composure quickly so that he could avoid any unwanted questions. All he wanted to do was be alone; to mourn the loss of his brother and mend the deep wound that was left in his heart. He chewed on the inside of his cheek and yanked open the heavy iron door, seeing a soft light in the commons of the cellblock. He came to an abrupt stop as he saw Rick and Michonne, bags and guns on their shoulders, stopping upon hearing the door. Slowly, Daryl stepped out of the shadows, his eyes glaring at them as he stopped atop the stairs.
"Daryl..." Rick felt a hard lump wage war in his throat, "We were just gettin' ready to come look for you..." Rick's voice was soft and Daryl stepped down the stairs lightly, his boots barely audible through the room. Carol sat on a bench, feeding Judith a bottle, and Glenn sat with Hershel on another, all their eyes staring at Daryl.
Rick watched as Daryl stopped in front of both him and Michonne, Daryl giving an icy glare to both of them. Daryl pushed past Rick and everyone else, fading into the shadows of the cellblock. His fingers grabbed onto the railing as he pulled himself of the stairs to the upper cells, turning the corner and walking across the catwalk slowly, careful not to wake anyone below. He stopped in the doorway of his cell, staring at his bed in which was occupied by another being. There Harli lied, passed out on the lower mattress with a crossbow bolt lazily clasped in her fingers. Daryl stepped back, keeping a watchful eye on her to make sure he didn't wake her up. He turned back around and left the catwalk, walking back down the stairs and through the cellblock.
A rush of the cool night air hit Daryl's burning face as he yet again, left the cellblock. He walked slowly out into the yard, glancing up at the deep blue sky briefly before letting his gaze fall. His blue Dixon eyes fell upon Merle's motorcycle as it sat lonesome next to the silver Dodge. With a deep sigh, Daryl walked up to the motorcycle, yanking the black crossbow off his shoulder and setting it down next to the bike. He wheeled around and sat on the concrete, leaning back against the motorcycle and letting out a sigh of relief. Daryl rested his head on the gas tank and closed his eyes, feeling warmth of yet another breakdown crawling up the back of his throat. He took a deep breath to calm himself, wanting to avoid the unwelcome sorrow of possibly the biggest loss of his life. Choking down the grief, he opened his eyes when he heard the heavy door to the cell block opening and closing quietly.
His keen eyes quickly deciphered the face as Harli's as she approached slowly, her long tan legs stretching out from under the bagginess of a sweatshirt. She was barefooted and she walked quietly, her pace slowing as she got closer to him. Her chocolate brown hair waved in a soft breeze, her bangs exposing her face as her green eyes glistened in the moonlight. Harli stopped a couple feet in front of him, letting out a sigh of relief upon seeing his untouched condition, "I'm glad you're alright..." She mumbled down at him, seeing his eyes move away from her gaze.
"Yeah... well I ain't." His gruff voice whispered and Harli's eyebrows creased on her face. She swallowed dryly as she saw the look on his face and felt the coldness in his presence. Harli's lips parted with hesitation on her tongue, but ultimately, they managed to slide off quietly.
"Merle... he... he-"
"I killed him." Daryl's voice cracked and Harli's heart dropped through her ribs into the pit of her stomach. Daryl shook his head, "He was already Walker when I found him... took a bullet to the chest." She watched Daryl's hand wipe over his face quickly and Harli crossed her arms, bringing her fingers to her mouth as they rested on her lips.
"Daryl... I'm so sorry..." Harli choked out and closed her eyes, "I tried to do something... but I just couldn't." She saw Daryl look up at her and the unknown look in his eye started to scare her. She choked down the tears that were trying to dispense from her eyes.
"Tell me what happened." Daryl's raspy tone demanded and Harli shifted uncomfortably on her feet. For the first time in a long time, she wished she could avoid Daryl's cold gaze entirely.
"After he let Michonne go... we went to a marketplace and gathered Walkers. I didn't know exactly what the plan was at the time... but when he started driving towards the meeting place, keeping the Walkers hot on our tails, I had some idea." Harli tucked her bangs behind her ear and stared at the motorcycle that Daryl leaned on, "We got to the silos... ditched the car and went into one of the buildings. He shoved me into a small closet, told me to keep quiet and stay put. I watched through the crack of the door... he started shooting Woodburians left and right. A Walker came out of nowhere and attacked him; he managed to kill it but blew his cover. The Governor got a hold of him..."
Harli glanced back at Daryl, seeing nothing but his piercing eyes pressing her forward to continue. Harli closed her eyes as she relived the carnage, her skin crawling at the sight of The Governor in her mind, "He started beating him mercilessly... Merle fought back but couldn't keep up. I... I pulled out my pistol and aimed it at The Governor, but my hands started shaking. I didn't want to risk hitting Merle... so I just sat there and watched. It was so..." Harli's voice cracked and a tear managed to escape between her eyelashes. Daryl's jaw tightened as he watched Harli rub her cheek,
"Animalistic... the way The Governor was attacking him. He snapped Merle's arm and stepped back... Merle said he wouldn't beg for his life so..." Harli's fingers flinched as the gunshot echoed in her head and she watched Merle fall to the floor all over again. "He shot him." Harli opened her eyes when she heard a heavy sigh sound through Daryl's lips and he hunched over, resting his forehead in the palm of his hand. His foot began to bounce anxiously and she saw his free hand ball into a fist on his knee.
"Daryl... I am so sorry..." She shook her head and took a couple cautious steps towards him, "I didn't want The Governor to kill me... or make me wish I were dead all over again. I ran when I should've ended it. I'll stay away from you, out of your way, but please, please don't hate me for this."
Daryl reached his hand out and grabbed her fingers, Harli staring at him a bit shocked. He shook his head and tugged at her fingers, pulling her towards him. Harli followed his pulling hand and she hunkered down on his lap, feeling the coolness of his clothing on her bare legs. "Don't say that." He voiced and she avoided his gaze once again, "It ain't your fault it happened. Sittin' here blamin' yourself for the matter's not gonna bring him back or change anything." He shook her arm, causing her to look back at him and stare into his watery eyes with her own, "Wouldn't have mattered either way if you would've killed The Governor. His men would've gunned you and Merle down without a second thought." Daryl turned his head and looked off into the dark abyss, "Then I would've lost more than just Merle."
Harli never really thought about it before, but Daryl was right. Killing The Governor where he stood, still with Merle in his beaten condition, there was no way they would've been able to avoid the Woodburians and Walkers. The two would've most likely been killed on the spot in compensation for Harli killing their leader. She shuddered at the thought of Daryl handling both hers and Merle's death at the same time. Harli pressed her hand against Daryl's cheek, feeling the scruff of his facial hair tickling her palm. He leaned his face into her hand and sighed at the coolness of her touch; it was soothing and comforting. Harli leaned forward and rested her forehead on his, feeling the heat of his skin against hers and feeling the anxious pulse under her fingers.
"I shot The Governor..." She whispered and she opened her eyes to see Daryl staring at her,
"You shot him?" He asked doubtfully and she nodded, pulling back to stare into his eyes comfortably.
"The Woodburians found me after... Merle died. I ran out through the other side and he was waiting for me. He got a hold of me and I fought like hell; I wasn't going to let him do anything else to me as long as I was still breathing. We wrestled around on the ground and I pulled the trigger. When I got up to run, I saw him holding his stomach... I may not have killed him but he's not going to be able to fight at full capacity."
"You need to be more careful..." Daryl stared back at her, his eyes burning with the thought of The Governor's hands on her once again.
"I know... I try but trouble seems to find me anyways." She couldn't help but smirk to herself and fiddle with the zipper of Daryl's jacket. Harli leaned forward and gentle pressed her lips against his in a warm kiss. Daryl's worries locked themselves up in his head for that mere moment as he pressed back. The two broke briefly and Harli's hands clasped around the back of his neck, her fingernails lightly scraping his skin. Their lips synchronized once again, her toxic lips making his emotions numb. Harli pulled away softly, feeling his face trail after her as he wanted more,
"We should probably go inside. You should get some sleep Daryl... we don't know what's in store for us tomorrow."
.:O:.
Harli shoved her clothes back into her backpack. Folding up her blankets, she stacked them on the edge of her bed and moved to the corner of the cell. She grabbed her bow and placed it on her bed, along with the quiver full of arrows. Harli stopped once she picked up the black handkerchief hanging on the post of the bunk bed. It was now dry since she had washed the blood out of it yesterday. It was a soft piece of cloth; worn out over weeks and possibly months of nonstop use. Harli sat on the edge of her bed and rested the cloth on her knees, beginning to fold it from corner to corner. Once the cloth was folded into a thin line, Harli rested her wrist in the middle and pulled the edges over her skin. With the awkward use of her other hand, she double tied the cloth around her wrist comfortably and staring at the makeshift bracelet. The black cloth she took from Merle was now her keepsake of the older Dixon brother.
"Need any help?" Harli heard a soft voice ask and she looked up to meet the bright blue eyes of Carol. Harli stood to her feet and looked at the many items crowding her bed,
"Yeah. Thanks." Harli nodded and Carol walked in, grabbing the two blankets and lumpy pillow from the edge of the blue mattress. Harli shoulder her backpack and quiver, grabbing her bow and stopping upon seeing Carol staring at her,
"How's he doin'?" She asked, referring to Daryl. Harli sighed and shook her head,
"I haven't talk to him much this morning. But last night... he seemed pretty far off." She said disappointingly and Carol's lips drew into a thin line.
"I hope we don't lose him again. Not in a time like this." Carol voiced as the two woman walked out of the cell and towards the stairs. Harli looked to Carol,
"I won't let him pull away... not now. Besides, I think his heads in the game right now. If The Governor's coming then there's nothing but bloodlust for him."
"That's what I'm afraid of..." Carol said while glancing back at Harli behind her. Harli stopped momentarily, thinking about what she said. With an internal sigh, she pressed forward and out into the courtyard where the Hyundai waited patiently while being loaded.
Harli stopped at the back of the SUV, pulling off her backpack and tossing it in the back. She stuffed her arrows under some blankets to avoid them spilling everywhere. As for her bow, she rested it in the corner, saying a silent goodbye to it as she didn't know exactly when she would use it next. Harli gripped the strap of her AR-15 and turned around to see if anyone needed any help with their things. But as she walked past the motorcycle, she heard a scramble and looked over to see Daryl sitting next to it. He was readying his gear to move the bike down where the other vehicles had been taken. Harli walked up to the back of the bike, seeing him fiddling with his poncho.
"How you feelin'?" Harli asked and he looked over his shoulder, seeing her standing behind him. He looked back and folded his poncho,
"Fine..." He said plainly. But he soon stopped and stared at the ground for a moment. Looking back at Harli, he met her green eyes, "You know... Merle never did nothin' like that in his whole life."
"He gave us a chance..." Harli's voice was soft and firm, staring down at him with a soft smile. She extended her hand down to him, Daryl staring at the black bandana bracelet on her wrist briefly before taking her hand. She helped him to his feet and squeezed his hand reassuringly with a nod, sliding her fingers out from his. Daryl watched her walk away, his gaze falling to the ground as he began to chew on the inside of his lip. Turning and reaching down, he reached down and picked up his poncho, quiver, and crossbow. He tossed a glance at Merle's motorcycle, stopping and staring at it for a few moments. He nodded towards the bike, 'Thanks, big brother.'
Harli returned to the courtyard with a few more bags in hand. She was ready for today; it was the day of reckoning. No, they weren't running from The Governor. They were going to face him head on. It was Rick's idea to hide all the cars, load up all their gear, and make it look like they turned tail and ran. But in fact, they were going to scare away the Woodburians, and if worse came to worse, they were going to fight to their last breaths. They worked too hard to capture this prison, too many of their loved ones died in its depths, and it was either them of The Governor. Everyone was done watching each other die and they were ready to raise a heavy fist to protect what was theirs. Harli was glad they were staying to fight; she didn't want to run and hide like a mouse afraid of the cat.
"That's all of it." Glenn tossed the last bag into the Hyundai and shut the back door to the SUV. Rick nodded,
"Alright, Hershel, Beth, and Carl... you're gonna take the car down to the rendezvous point and wait for us down there." Rick glanced at Carl, who stood staring at his father with an angry look in his eye. Rick then looked to Daryl, "As soon as you get your motorcycle parked down there, meet us back up here and we'll get ready for the assault."
Daryl nodded and jumped on his bike, Hershel, Beth, and Carl moving to the Hyundai. Maggie and Harli ran to the gate as they heard the engines of the two vehicles roar to life. Maggie unlocked the gate and Harli yanked it open, the Hyundai and Daryl racing past them and hurrying through the crowd of Walkers. Harli pushed the gate shut and locked it, the two women jogging in after Rick, Glenn, and Michonne as they disappeared into the cellblock.
Daryl took no time in joining them and he appeared in the cellblock, standing over the table as they all stared at the mass of military grade weapons. Rick, Daryl, Carol, and Michonne loaded up on flash bangs and grenades as well as extra magazines for their rifles just in case they were cornered into a fire fight. Rick looked up at his comrades; he refused to think of them as his soldiers, "Alright... me, Daryl, and Michonne will head down to the tombs and cut off The Governor if he goes that way, which he will." Rick stated concisely, knowing The Governor better than anyone in the group. He knew the thought process that went on in his psychotic head.
"What about us?" Glenn asked, looking up at Rick as he shoved the magazine into his rifle. Rick looked to Maggie and Harli,
"You three will hold up the rear. Whether they run or stay and fight, we're gonna need your three to surprise 'em. Hershel, Carl, and Beth will be our last resort..." Rick tossed the strap of his rifle over his shoulder, as well as Daryl,
"How many of 'em do you think are comin'?" Daryl asked and Rick looked to him,
"Every single able-bodied man and woman that can hold a gun. It doesn't matter to him." Rick shook his head,
"Can we take out all those people with just the six of us?" Carol asked doubtfully and Daryl looked to her,
"We can and we will." He nodded. Maggie turned to Glenn,
"If we're gonna be backup... I think we should at least dress accordingly."
"How do you mean?" Glenn asked and Harli knew exactly what she was talking about,
"The riot gear. The vests and helmets will protect us from bullets, and if it comes down to it, Walkers too."
"That's a good idea." Glenn nodded and looked to Rick, "Are there any riot uniforms left in the armory?"
"I thought I saw a few last time I was in there."
"Can't be hard to find." Harli voiced and stepped forward, tossing her rifle's strap over her head and resting it on her neck. "Come on."
The three young adults walked through the cellblock and in through the dark hallways, keeping a close eye and ear out for each other. They pulled open a heavy door and Harli immediately recognized the armory, seeing the empty shambles of shell boxes and tattered clothing. "Here we go." Glenn said and stopped, pulling the gear out of a metal bench set up along the wall. He pulled it up and rested the suit against his chest, "One size fits all, I guess."
"Let's get this stuff on... we don't have any more time to waste."
.:O:.
The tight black outfit sucked against Harli's skin comfortably, the scraped up helmet resting under her arm as she followed Maggie and Glenn back to the cellblock. The black tactical vest was heavy on her shoulders as she walked, her rifle thumping against the small of her back in the march. As they moved into the cellblock, Harli stood by the table and tossed her hair up in a messy bun, tying her hair tightly with a string. She caught Daryl's eyes staring at her, not knowing exactly if he thought her being in the outfit was arousing or unsettling.
"Find somewhere to take on the Woodburians; avoid being out in the open without cover for too long. We don't need any more casualties..." Rick ordered, emphasizing the end of his sentence over all the rest.
An incredibly loud explosion sounded through the cellblock, everyone freezing and looking to one another. Daryl quickly jumped up the steps towards the door and slid it open just a crack, peering through as he saw the farthest guard tower on fire. He looked back at Rick, "They're here." He shut the door and stepped down the stairs quickly, his hands snatching his rifle from the table. Rick nodded and looked to the three young adults in front of him,
"Be careful... all three of you. Keeps your eyes open and watch each other's backs." Gunshots echoed through the prison yard and reached the walls of the prison. Another deafening explosion became closer, Harli swearing she felt the ground shake lightly under her feet. "Let's get going." Rick ordered and put a reassuring hand on Carol's shoulder, nodding at Michonne as the three turned to leave into the tombs. Harli heard Glenn and Maggie quickly run through the cellblock towards the back way leading to the courtyard.
Harli and Daryl stared at each other, Harli grabbing her helmet and tucking it under her arm. Her jaw tightened and she let out a deep sigh, "This is it..."
Daryl nodded and walked towards her, stopping a few inches from her. She stared into his blue eyes, "You keep out of trouble and give 'em hell." Daryl said and Harli nodded,
"I will... and you be careful." Daryl shook his head at her,
"No... you be careful." He pressed his lips against hers and she felt his hands slide the helmet out from under her arm. He pulled back and placed the helmet on her head, tapping it softly with his fist. The two turned once they heard the looming truck outside getting closer. Harli looked back at Daryl through the dirty shield of the riot helmet,
"Good luck..."
The two parted in the opposite direction.
Harli ran into the room where she knew Glenn and Maggie were waiting. They stood next to the door, staring through the crack as they watched the Woodburians begin their assault on the prison. Harli knelt down next to them and looked at Maggie with a whisper, "What's going on out there?"
"They broke through the gate... they're in the courtyard right now." Maggie whispered back while throwing quick eye contact at Harli. Harli crawled underneath Maggie and stared through the cracked door, watching as the men chained a hook to the front of the old Bronco and latched it onto the fenced corridor leading to the cellblock door.
With one swift kick of the accelerator, the Bronco jolted back and along with it, the fenced door. The men rushed in and the three young adults stood to their feet, staring at one another. They were unsure of the situation unfolding and one of them might even die today. But they couldn't afford to think about that now; that's what will get them killed. "We wait for Rick's signal to attack..."
"And what's that?" Harli asked and Glenn's dark eyes looked to her through the riot helmets fiberglass mask,
"They're going to turn on the prison alarm. We wait a few minutes after that and if we hear gunshots... we go in."
Harli took a deep breath and began the waiting game between the three. They could hear the heavy cellblock door open, but not their footsteps through the thick concrete walls. It was heart-wrenching sitting in the semi-dark room and waiting for The Governor and his men to push through the prison. The only thing Rick didn't address was the fact that if his men made it to Harli, Maggie, and Glenn first, instead of running into Rick, Daryl, and Carol in the tombs, what were they to do? Fight. That was their only option and the three young adults came to terms that they might die in that prison and join their fellow friends wherever they might be.
"If anything happens guys..." Harli said and Glenn and Maggie looked at her. Harli nodded, "I'm really glad I met you two."
"Me too." Glenn nodded and Maggie smiled,
"Me three."
The three looked up and jumped slightly at the sound of the blaring alarms. The lights twisted and turned with a red glare and the three turned, running towards their designated areas. Maggie followed Harli up a set of stairs and Harli burst through the door into the sunlight. The two women crouched down behind the metal tables and wooden pallets set up on the caged cat walk, hearing shouts and screams from inside their cellblock home. Harli cocked her rifle and exchanged glances with Maggie, their hearts pumping heavily against their chests.
Suddenly, a rush of shouts echoed through the outside of the prison and Harli heard Glenn shout before pulling the trigger on his gun. Harli and Maggie jumped up simultaneously, seeing the crowd of frightened Woodburians scrambling about in the courtyard of the prison. Harli quickly took aim with her rifle and pulled the trigger, watching her bullets hit the concrete below their frantic feet. They jumped and screamed at the sound of Harli and Maggie's enemy fire, taking refuge behind their vehicles. Some even took off running to the prison yard where the rest of their vehicles waited to leave. Harli jumped back behind the table as she felt bullets piercing the cage around her. She panted with adrenaline and jumped up to return fire, her finger freezing upon seeing the face of the deadliest man she's ever encountered: The Governor.
She gritted her teeth and pulled the trigger, nothing but Merle's dying face and The Governor's smug smile clouding her mind. The recoil of the gun bounced against her shoulder and she became infuriated when The Governor dodged her bullets. He shoved his own gun against his shoulder and took aim at her, the rifle's barrel bursting as a spray of bullets pierced the pallets and tables. Harli jolted and fell back behind the metal table, rubbing her hand against the helmet as she felt a bullet graze it. The bullet had cracked the helmet, but didn't pierce the heavy plastic, and more importantly, her head. She saw Maggie jump back behind the barricade and dust blow up from striking the wooden pallets. Harli and Maggie's eyes met and Harli lifted her hand, counting down from three with her fingers.
3... 2... 1...
Harli and Maggie jumped back up with one last assault, Harli trying to keep The Governor in her sights as much as possible. The Woodburians raced down the graveled path with their tails between their legs, jumping into their vehicles and starting their engines. Harli lowered her rifle and stared at the scurrying mice; some limped from being shot in the legs from ricocheting bullets. The large army truck filled with its civilians broke out of the gates first, disappearing into the trees and off down the road. One by one, the vehicles circled out of the prison yard.
Maggie lifted her riot shield to watch them leave in such a hurry, Harli pulling off her helmet and holding it lazily in her gloved fingers. Looking at Maggie in both confusion and disbelief, Maggie stared back at her with the same expression, "We did it!?" The two women looked down to see Glenn stepping out of the cubby he was firing from.
"We did it..." Glenn was unsure of himself as well, "Come on down!"
Harli and Maggie panted with blood rushing through their veins as they retreated through the door that they had come through before. Harli shook her head through the dark hallway, "I can't believe it was so easy... they barely even put up a fight."
"I think we scared them. They must've thought we left." Maggie replied and jumped down the steps, now in a jog. Harli's legs broke out in a soft jog after her friend and they ended back up in the cellblock.
But their rejoice was brief as the two ended up back outside, seeing Glenn standing in the gateway that had been broken down. Maggie and Harli stood next to them, taking notice to the Hummer that had been incapacitated by the spike strips that Michonne and Harli had rigged. Harli took in the bitter scent of gunpowder and looked up at the guard towers that had been blown up by the grenade launcher. The small flames flickered in the wind and light smoke blew off the burning post, being taken away by the wind.
"Did we really do it?" Glenn asked doubtfully and looked to Maggie, who offered him no answer. The three turned upon hearing footsteps and found Daryl, Rick, Carol, and Michonne walking towards them. They stared out at the minor devastation that had laid wake through their prison yard. They, too, were surprised to see The Governor and his men turn tail and run away so quickly.
"We did it." Rick voiced with confirmation, seeing no enemy vehicles coming back for more, "We drove 'em out."
"We should go after them." Michonne stated while looking at Rick. Daryl nodded at him,
"We should finish it."
"It is finished... did you see them high-tail it outta here?" Maggie asked and looked at Daryl. Harli shook her head,
"The Governor isn't one to run away so easily. He wants to kill us; there won't be any stopping him."
"They could regroup." Michonne stated and Glenn looked to Rick,
"We can't take the chance he's not going to stop."
"You're right... we can't keep living like this." Carol breathed and Maggie continued to argue,
"And take the fight back to Woodbury? We barely made it back last time."
"We don't care..." Daryl shook his head and began to pace with anticipation. Rick nodded,
"Yeah..." He pushed through the group back towards the cellblock, "Let's check on the others."
The group jogged back in and Rick immediately headed out through another door to signal the rest to come back into the cellblock. Harli rested her rifle on a table and slammed her riot helmet down against the steel. She began to peel off her riot gear, tossing the vest and other pieces of protection on the table. She fixed her boots and grabbed her jacket from a dark corner, looping her arms through the sleeves of the black fabric and letting her hair out of its rebellious bun.
The iron door pushed open and Rick stepped through. Harli stood to her feet and watched Beth walk in with Judith, Carl and Hershel close behind her. Harli pushed past them and ran to the SUV with Glenn, beginning to unload their supplies from the back of the vehicle. Soon, Michonne, Carol, and Daryl joined in and without breaking a sweat; they unloaded the gear and refilled their home with living supplies.
"Harli, you gonna come with me to get the other vehicles?" Michonne asked and Harli threw down a large bag with a nod,
"Yeah... let's go do this."
.:O:.
Harli and Michonne loaded up the silver Dodge with guns and supplies. They were headed to Woodbury and it was now or never. Daryl pulled up with his motorcycle and Harli walked up as he handed her a bag; Harli turning around and loading it up in the cab of the truck. Daryl killed the engine of his motorcycle and stepped off, seeing Rick standing with a questioning look on his face. He finally turned, handing Michonne his rifle as he passed the truck, and headed over towards Carl.
"You goin' to Woodbury with us?" Daryl asked while tossing his crossbow strap over his shoulder. Harli pulled out of the truck with a nod,
"Gonna need all the help you can get..." Harli stated and wiped her hands on the flaps of her jacket. Harli knew he wanted her to stay behind and protect the others, not wanting anymore danger to come to her. But she refused; she had a bone to pick with The Governor just as much as the next person. Harli looked over his shoulder at Rick, who knelt down in front of Carl, "Carl's turning cold."
"No. Just doin' what he thinks is right to protect the group..." Daryl defended and Harli looked back at him, her green eyes bright and alert. "I would've done the same thing to protect my own."
Harli glanced back over her shoulder and watched Carl walk away. Rick got to his feet and made way back to everyone as he was ready to go to Woodbury. Glenn and Maggie turned to Rick, rifles in their hands, "Rick... we're staying. We don't know where The Governor is. If he comes back... we'll hold him off."
"Just the four of us?" Daryl asked and nodded his head, tossing the strap of his rifle over his head to rest on his shoulder, "Alright."
"Well I appreciate you staying." Rick nodded and pushed through them. Harli walked up and hugged Maggie,
"You guys be safe..." She pulled back and Glenn nodded,
"We will. You keep an eye out for each other."
"Of course." Harli nodded and wheeled around on the heel of her boot, hearing the engine of Daryl's bike and the Dodge roar to life. Daryl revved the engine,
"You ridin'?" He asked and Harli stopped before getting into the back passengers seat. Harli gripped Daryl's thick shoulders and threw her leg over the back of the bike, taking a seat and resting her feet on the pegs.
Maggie, Glenn, Beth, and Carol immediately took to the gate and rid of the Walkers crowding around quickly. Maggie and Glenn lifted up and the gate and pulled the broke fencing open, Daryl kicking the bike in gear and speeding past them. With the Dodge fresh on their heels, the bike jolted forward and sped through the prison yard out onto the open road.
The prison was far behind them as they continued through the cool air, Harli's hair snapping at her face like a Walker. Once again, all her worries disappeared on the back of the motorcycle for as long as she sat on it. The trees blew by in a wide, green blur and the looming clouds above them restricted the warm sunlight from shadowing the trees. For the first time in a while, Harli restrained herself from grabbing onto Daryl as they rode. He was in war mode and there was only one thing on his mind: avenging Merle's untimely death. His colored poncho flapped around Harli's body, shielding her from the harsh wind generated by the bikes speed.
Harli felt the bike slowly coming to a stop and looked over Daryl's broad shoulder to see a caravan of vehicles sitting in the middle of the road. She soon realized that they were the Woodburian's vehicles and with them came an array of Walkers crouched over one another. They ate the flesh of their fellow comrades and ignored the motorcycle and truck approaching them quickly. Daryl came to a stop, pressing his feet down on the concrete and reaching over the gas tank to shut off the bike. Harli stepped off first, keeping her eyes on the Walkers sitting happily down for their meals as Daryl posted his bike on its kickstand. Rick and Michonne were close behind them and Harli heard Michonne's katana slide out of its sheath.
A Walker took notice to their presence and snarled with a mouth full of innards. With a sharp swoop, a crossbow bolt pierced its head and it snapped back to the ground. Harli pulled out her long knife and gripped it tightly in her hand, watching Michonne's sword swipe gracefully through the head of a Walker, putting it out of its misery. Harli stepped forward quickly and snuck up behind a Walker, smashing her knife through the top of its skull. A low moan blew from its lips and it fell to the ground as her knife retreated back in her hand, looking at Rick as he took one out with his own knife. The four stood around and looked at each other briefly before glancing around at the carnage that lied all around them.
A loud slam echoed through their ears and Daryl jumped back from a truck's door, Harli yanking her rifle off her shoulder and aiming it as she saw a woman's face staring out at them. Daryl tore open the door and pulled the woman out, shoving her along and staring into the truck to make sure no one else occupied its cab. Rick and Harli walked forward, guns drawn as she turned around to face them all, her hands raised in the air and her eyes frightened.
"P-please... don't shoot me." She plead and Rick kept his gun aimed at her head,
"What happened here? Where's The Governor?" Rick took a look around cautiously and brought his eyes back to the woman.
"He's gone... he killed everyone. Gunned them all down."
"Why?" Daryl asked demandingly, his crossbow dangling from his hands. The woman gulped and continued to stare at them all, frightened,
"We ran after your assault. He wanted to stay but we were all too scared to. He just opened fire and killed everyone... all my friends." She added and Harli noticed her hands were beginning to shake.
"How come he didn't kill you?" Harli asked curiously and the woman's dark eyes flickered to her,
"I... I hid under a body so he couldn't see me..." She expressed shamefully and took a deep breath, looking back to Rick. Rick's blue eyes gazed over at Harli and he nodded for her to lower her rifle, so she did. Rick lowered his gun and held it tightly in his hand,
"What's your name?"
"Karen... please don't kill me. I'll help you in any way I can." Her eyes began to well up in tears as she begged for her life, Rick looking over at Daryl. Daryl didn't offer him an answer and it was solely up to Rick to decide what to do with the woman. Michonne and Harli kept their eyes closely on Karen if she decided to run while Rick made his decision.
Rick finally slid his Python back into its holster and nodded, "We'll take her with us and use her as leverage if need be... let's hurry to Woodbury. It's starting to get dark."
.:O:.
Darkness overtook the sky and not even the moon offered the gun toting group a lit path to their destination. Rick kept Karen at his side, making sure she didn't run off to Woodbury to alert her people of their whereabouts. They kept low quiet, stepping quickly with their guns tight against their shoulders as they were ready to return fire to the enemy. Finally, the lights of Woodbury came into view and they quickened their pace on the streets, passing a large white gazebo and heading towards the gates.
A clay pot exploded next to Rick from an enemy gunshot, Daryl and Rick immediately returning fire. Harli grabbed Karen's arm and pushed her against the car to keep her safe, the five taking refuge behind the shambles of the cars frame. A spray of bullets erupted against the cars steel and Harli jumped up, shoving her rifle through the cars window and pulling the trigger. Numerous bullets flew against the barricades of Woodbury, her ears ringing after Michonne opened fire with her semi-automatic shotgun. The air grew stale as they each waited for one another to fire at the other, Karen jumping to her feet,
"Tyreese! It's me don't sho-!" Rick grabbed her and shoved her back to the ground behind the car,
"Get down!" He breathed and Harli looked through the shattered car window, seeing minimal movement behind their barricade of tires.
"Karen!? Karen are you okay!?" Tyreese shouted back loudly and Karen tore herself from Rick, jumping to her feet and raising her hands in the air,
"I'm fine!"
"Where's The Governor!?" Tyreese shouted back and Karen shook her head,
"He fired on everyone! He killed them all!" Another long, quite pause came from both sides, Rick letting her speak as it might have been their chance to get into Woodbury without having to break in. Daryl leaned forward and Rick looked back at him,
"Are you with them!?" Tyreese shouted and Karen nodded,
"They saved me!"
"We're comin' out!" Rick shouted and Harli looked to him confusingly. Daryl shook his head at Rick, thinking that they were going to surrender to this place. Rick nodded at them to lay down their guns and Daryl huffed, swinging around the back of the car as Rick stood to his feet,
"We're comin' out!" Rick raised his hands in the air and Harli huffed as well, stepping to her feet and raising her hands in the air, following after Rick cautiously. Her rifle hung from her shoulder as they walked carefully towards the front gate, Harli now seeing the barrels of the enemies guns pointed at them. There were two, only two.
The front gates opened and two Woodburians stood, waiting for them to enter. Their guns were propped against their shoulders cautiously, but their barrels pointed at the ground to mean them no harm. Rick lowered his hands and stared at Tyreese's familiar face, remembering him from their brief encounter at the prison.
"What're you doin' here?" Tyreese asked calmly,
"We were comin' to finish this..." Rick said plainly, staring back at Tyreese with determination, "Till we saw what The Governor did."
"He... he killed them?" Tyreese asked with disbelief and Rick nodded, looking at the ground,
"Yeah..." He looked back up at Tyreese, "Karen told us Andrea hopped the wall, goin' for the prison... she never made it."
Harli looked at Rick, narrowing her eyes at the new information. Rick nodded his head, "She might be here." Tyreese looked to the woman standing next to him and she nodded her head, looking to Rick,
"Where would she be if she were here?"
"There are underground chambers The Governor built just for the purpose of holding people." Harli said and stared at the woman. Tyreese looked at her shockingly, "If The Governor cut off Andrea... she'll be down there... dead or alive."
"Show us." Tyreese motioned them inside and the woman shut the gate behind them. Tyreese looked to her,
"Sasha... you stay here and guard the wall. I'll go with 'em."
Sasha nodded and Rick pulled everyone along, Karen running towards a building and disappearing within its depths. Harli stood beside Rick as they marched through the empty streets of Woodbury, brief flashbacks of the warzone that had taken place weeks before. They ended up at the back of Woodbury, Rick taking the lead and opening to door to a small, run down warehouse. As they stepped down the stairs, Harli remembered the room, feeling herself kill her fist living victim as a Woodburian thug tried to recapture her. She took a deep breath and pursued after everyone,
"This is where he had Glenn, Maggie, and Harli." Rick breathed, keeping his tone low just in case The Governor had been down in its depths.
"The Governor held people here?" Tyreese looked around at the creepy surroundings, seeing the makeshift walls and doorways leading into other rooms. Rick nodded with his pistol pointed in front of him,
"He did more than hold 'em."
Harli's eyes found the room she had been kept in and she stopped, staring at the closed door. A hand gripped her shoulder tightly, bringing her back to reality, "You alright?" Daryl asked and stared down at her worryingly. Harli nodded her head,
"Y-yeah... I'm fine." She pressed on and Daryl kept in front of her to keep her comfort.
As they turned another corner, they slowly dropped their guns and stared at a large puddle of blood seeping out from under a steel door. Rick slowly stepped forward and Michonne slid her sword out of its sheath as they all stopped and stared at the puddle of blood. Michonne looked at Rick, "Will you open it?"
Daryl and Harli pulled up their rifles and Rick leaned forward, grabbing the lock and unlocking it, "One... two..." He shoved the door open on the silent three and they all pointed their guns at the dead Walker lying on the ground next to a bolted down medical chair.
"Andrea!" Michonne jumped through the door and leaned down, seeing Andrea curled up against the wall. Harli knelt down on the other side of her, Rick dropping to one knee in front of her. Michonne pulled Andrea towards her and leaned her back on the wall, Harli's lips parting upon the sight of her bloodshot eyes.
"I tried... to stop him..." Andrea looked at the Walker on the ground. Michonne pressed her hand against Andrea's shoulder,
"You're burnin' up."
Andrea dropped her head and Andrea gripped the flap of her bloody jacket, pulling it away from her neck. Harli gasped upon the sight, resting her hand over her mouth at disbelief upon the sight. A mashed and bloody bite mark overtook Andrea's neck, a dry gasp escaping her lips from the pain of using her muscles. Rick turned his head and rubbed a hand down his face, not believing what he had just witnessed,
"Judith... Carl... the rest of them-"
"Us... the rest of us." Rick replied at Andrea and she stared at him hopefully,
"Are they alive?" Andrea choked out. Michonne rubbed her hand across Andrea's head, moving her bangs from her face. Rick looked up at Daryl, whose face stayed solemn as he stared down at Andrea's condition,
"Yeah. They're alive..." Rick said and Harli watched a smile cross Andrea's cheeks. She turned to Michonne and patted Michonne's knee,
"It's good you found them." Michonne nodded at Andrea, her tears staining her cheeks as she stared at her dear friend. Andrea leaned her head back at the wall and stared up at Daryl, "No one can make it alone now..."
"They never could..." He shook his head and Andrea looked back to Rick, a small smile still plastered on her face. She was happy in her time of dying,
"I just didn't want anyone to die..." She sighed and shifted in her painful and uncomfortable state, knowing what needed to come next, "I need to do it myself."
"No!" Michonne was quick to argue with the thought of her closest friend ending her own life.
"Oh... I have to..." Andrea breathed and her tired, bloodshot eyes found Michonne's, "While I still can." Michonne's lips began to quiver and she dipped her head, grief and sorrow overtaking her. Andrea looked to Rick for solace, "Please?"
Rick looked up to Andrea from the ground, seeing the fatigued look in her eyes. Andrea rolled her head and smiled, "I know how the safety works." Wordlessly, Rick bowed his head and reached into his holster, pulling out his Python and resting it in Andrea's hand.
"I'm not going anywhere." Michonne said, staring down at Andrea and planting herself on the ground, refusing to move.
"Me neither." Harli said, Andrea rolling her head to look at Harli. She smiled and nodded, looking back to Rick in front of him,
"I tried..."
"Yeah... you did." Rick's eyes were getting red as they began to water and he pressed into his feet, "You did." Rick got to his feet and looked to Daryl, who turned around and left the room with one last glance at Andrea. Rick followed behind him and shut the makeshift door in their wake, Harli looking back to Andrea once the men left.
Andrea tucked herself up against the wall and looked to Harli, her green eyes beginning to water. She couldn't help but smile, "Never thought you, of all people, would cry for me." Harli smiled and rubbed her bangs from her face,
"Guess I'm just sad that I won't have anyone to argue and fight with..." She laughed, feeling her watery eyes soon turning into tears descending down her cheeks. Andrea laughed to herself and turned her head, looking at Michonne's hysteric face. Her smile dropped and she paused for a moment, gripping Michonne's hand tightly,
"I'm sorry... for everything."
"Don't be..." Michonne choked out and Andrea looked down at Rick's python in her hand. She looked back over at Harli as Harli wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. Andrea smiled as her hand lifted the heavy pistol shakily,
"I still don't like you much..." Harli looked back at Andrea and slowly, a smile formed on Harli's face as well. Harli grabbed Andrea's knee and squeezed it, shaking her head,
"I still don't like you much... either." She watched Andrea bring the gun up and pressed the barrel up under her chin. Michonne tightened her grip on Andrea's hand and Harli bowed her head, not wanting to watch Andrea's eyes roll into the back of her head in death. Harli's ears heard Andrea's weak voice breath her last words,
"I'm coming... Amy."
The gunshot echoed through the room, Andrea's hand falling to the ground and the Python's cold steel sliding across the concrete.
.:O:.
The cold morning air of Georgia blew through Harli's hair as the familiar trees around the prison came into view. Daryl blew past numerous Walkers crowding the sides of the road, paying them no mind and keeping his eyes ahead. Rick stayed close behind them in the Dodge and blowing in behind them was a large bus. Tyreese, Sasha, and even Karen plead for Rick to take them back to the prison. If The Governor showed back up at Woodbury, they might just as well kiss their lives goodbye. Rick agreed to help the Woodburians; women, children, and men left behind alike. It was only proper to steal The Governor's people after everything, and everyone, he stole from the prison.
And with them, Andrea's body lied dormant in the back of the Dodge where she would be buried in her real home.
Harli watched the broken fencing of the front gates pass by them and looked forward, seeing Glenn and Maggie standing with the gate open. The motorcycles tires met concrete and Daryl slowed it to a stop in the back corner of the courtyard. Daryl kicked the stand down and slid off the seat, turning around and extending his hand out to Harli. Her soft hand pressed into his and he helped her off the motorcycle, leaning down and pulling his crossbow off the front. The two walked up to the bus as it came to a stop, looking over to see the rest of their group stepping into the morning sun to greet their fellow survivors. They all stopped and stared at the bus as the doors opened, Tyreese and Sasha stepping out and helping the Woodburians settle in.
Harli saw Michonne sitting in the passenger's seat, leaning over her knees with her dreadlocks covering her face. As Daryl moved to the tailgate where Andrea's body lied in a blanket, Harli turned and walked towards Michonne. She placed her hand on Michonne's shoulder and gripped it, Michonne's head slowly moving up to face her. Harli smiled softly, seeing fresh tears rolling down Michonne's face, "It's going to be alright... you're not alone anymore." Michonne stared at her for a few moments, and eventually, she nodded and stepped her feet out of the truck. The two women walked to the edge of the truck and stared at the Woodburians, who all flooded into the cellblock to seek refuge.
Harli looked past everyone, seeing Daryl standing and staring out through the fence, his crossbow loyally at his side. Harli moved around everyone, keeping her green eyes focused on Daryl and watching his fingers grip against the fencing. Slowly, she walked up to him and he turned his head upon hearing her. Watching her come to a stop next to him, he looked back off into the prison yard, "Tryin' to find a good place to bury Andrea."
Harli at him and watched his tuffs of air get caught in the soft breeze. She nodded and hooked her finger into the welded wire, "At least she's home with us now."
"Yeah..." Daryl looked down at the ground and Harli looked back at him,
"Merle will be, too..." She said and upon hearing his big brothers name, he looked at her, "We'll make him a cross next to Andrea, wherever we put her. We'll remake Lori and T-Dog's, too. He deserves that much."
"Thanks." Daryl breathed with a nod at her. She may not have known Merle for very long, but she was determined to honor his memory and deeds. "Things will be different now."
"Yes they will..." Harli nodded and she turned, grabbing his hand and lifting it to her lips. She placed a kiss a top his hand and his hand gripped around hers, pulling her in close. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Harli pressed her body against his, feeling the warm skin of his neck on her cheek.
"Thanks... for being there." Daryl's raspy voice mumbled in her ear. Harli smiled and shook her head,
"I'll always be."
"Daryl! Harli!" The two heard their names being called and pulled apart, seeing Glenn waving his hand towards them, "We could use some help over here!"
Harli and Daryl exchanged quick glances and they moved back towards the bus, ready to help in any way possible. They started grabbing bags from some of the older women and helped them into the cellblock. All the children sat around, unsure of their surroundings and staying out of the way while the adults settled in. There was no longer a 'Woodbury', no longer a dictatorship, and no longer the fear of a corrupt leader. The prison members had lost loved ones along the way, but it was the sake for the others survival in the end; their deaths were not in vain.
New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.