The story is going to take a new turn; will it be possible to turn the lights back on? You know our heroes will do everything they can to find a way to bring electricity to the town and surrounding areas. The town close to McAllister Mountain will now be named Adair.
Disclaimer: TWD owns all rights to their characters and I own nada. I hope you like the new twist to our story and please read and review.
Let There Be Light
Carol and Daryl wound up unloading their share of today's run and only time for a shower before the house filled up with cold and tired workers who had spent their day working on the new house. Carol made a huge pot of vegetable soup while the supplies were stored and everyone got cleaned up after working outside in the cold and dirt. They discussed today's run and how well the house was going as they devoured hot soup and sandwiches. Carol looked around at this large extended family that she loved so much and was glad to be home. They celebrated the successful day by drinking coffee around the wood stove in which a low fire kept the house toasty warm.
Alyssa and Allen came in after dark with Emily and Joaquin. They had already eaten but were glad to have a cup of hot coffee. Daryl asked how the dam was going. It had been and warm and dry autumn and they had been working long hours trying to get as much work done as possible before winter set in.
Joaquin was happy to report that Alyssa was heading a group that was finishing up the turbine and he was heading the crew that was working on the dam. He was a capable dam builder but Jamela had the knowledge to make the turbine work. Joaquin watched the heads all turn in his direction with the thought that someday the lights would come back on.
Jamela took over the conversation and gave an outline of what they had done and what was still undone. They were close but they were missing equipment that they needed to actually turn the electricity on.
Daryl asked, "Do you know where we could find those parts"?
Jamela sighed, "We could probably find them in the storage facility for the company that was supplying the equipment to the dam. I have looked at the paperwork; they were scheduled to send the rest of the parts the next week. Then the ZA hit. The facility was right off I-77 near the North Carolina-Virginia border.
There was silence as everyone mentally considered all the obstacles between Adair and the North Carolina-Virginia border on I-77. Daryl said, "We need to go around all the cities and big towns".
Rick commented, "Maybe we should travel in as few vehicles as possible. I think we can find trucks once we get there and we will only need fuel for the trip back.
Jamela said, "I'll have to go, I know what we need."
Allen jumped in, "I am going if Jamie is going.
Carol sat quietly as her family decided to go on their most dangerous run. The distance was farther than they had ever traveled and there was no promise of success. She knew that they would never forgive themselves if they didn't try to do everything to restore electricity to the town of Adair. She thought about having enough electricity to operate the hospital and the businesses in town. The new facility would be able to provide electricity to McAllister Mountain and to the farms in the valley. This place would become a beacon to a dark world.
The talk went on and on, but Carol didn't say much. She let the others do the talking; she concentrated on thinking about what needed to be done before they left. Winter would be here soon and they still should be gathering in food and supplies. Daryl would go; it was his nature to risk himself to help others.
Daryl watched Carol's face; she was deep in thought. She would never ask him to stay, but he really wanted to stay here with her. Together they would get ready for winter and plan for spring and the baby that would come before summer. He would go because having electricity would improve life for all those people sitting in the dark worrying about the coming winter.
Andrea looked at Rick and knew that he would go. She would stay here and keep the children safe. Judith needed her and Carl as well. She recognized that being accepted as a warrior sometimes meant staying home and protecting those you love. They had food, supplies, and a warm place to live; there were bad people out there that would try to take what they had. She and Carl would be needed here. She hoped she could convince Carl of that.
Michonne knew that she was going and that meant Tyreese would go too. Tyreese could run any piece of machinery that existed and she could fight. They would go.
Jamela looked at Allen and shook her head. Allen should stay home and take care of Alyssa if she didn't make it back. Allen held her gaze; he wasn't letting her go without him to watch over her. He had spent two years getting ready to be her defender and he wasn't quitting now.
No big decisions were made that night, and soon Emily and Joaquin went home. Daryl and Carol took Canary out for a walk and they talked about the run today. They should go back soon and finish getting the food and supplies from the outdoor store.
Michonne and Tyreese were playing chess when they got back and Carol could tell that it wasn't going well for Michonne by the way she was biting her lip. Andrea was helping Carl with his homework and Rick was rocking Judith. Allen and Jamela were talking with Alyssa quietly. The mood was low key but harmonious. They were in the here and now mode. She and Daryl went into their room and got ready for bed. They turned the light out and talked quietly for a long time. They fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms; it had been a long day.
