Chapter 53

The Prison was lively again in a different way than the first. At first, we felt safe and secure, like we found someplace to be. But now we were in war, and the Governor knew about our attack since apparently we were closer than we thought to Woodbury when we saved Merle from his little trip down suicide lane. Glenn went out last night to spy from a tree, looking into the village to find them gearing up for war, learning that the day after tomorrow, they would attack my prison group. So when Glenn got back this morning he came straight to my cell, waking Daryl and myself up.

"Katie, I have news." He said from behind the curtain. "Katie wake up."

I didn't know who was talking at first or what was going on. I was so tired as I clung to Daryl's biceps, my head resting in between his shoulder and neck.

"Katherine, I'm coming in. You two better be fully clothed." The curtain was moved as I pried one of my eyes open, giving him the stink eye. I was not a morning person and even the apocalypse didn't change that about me.

Daryl groaned as his arms wrapped tighter around me. "Are ya dissruptin' everyone this mornin'?" He snapped. He was a morning person but he just hated when people ruined the scarce time that we spent together.

"No but…"

"Then leave me and my woman alone." He grumbled.

"Your woman just happens to be my leader and I have information about Woodbury." Glenn retaliated. "Also this isn't comfortable on my part, seeing as you two are not fully clothed."

I groaned this time, rolling my eyes. "First of all, you're a hypocrite. And second of all, we are clothed...just in a blanket so stop staring at me with judgemental eyes. And third, go downstairs. I'll meet you in the common room in a minute."

He nodded, moving the curtain to the side and stepping out.

"Do ya have to?" Daryl mumbled into my hair.

I hummed a form of yes, tilting my head up and kissing his cheek. "Babe, you have to let go of me."

He shook his head, he grip tightening. "Don't think I do."

"I need to get up."

"Don't think ya do."

I rolled my eyes, trying to pry his hands off of me.

Five minutes later I was dressed and sitting at the picnic table, a crappy cup of coffee in my hand, but coffee none the less.

"So what did you find out?" I asked.

Glenn shifted, massaging his shoulder. "They're going to attack tomorrow at noon."

"How many are we talking?"

"About forty. Everyone other than the disabled, elderly, and young children are fighting. Katie, he has teenagers, some younger than Carl, fighting."

I couldn't help but cringe at the news. Forty people were going to attack my eleven. Well, eight since I obviously was excluding Carl, Judith, and the crippled Hershel. I linked my fingers together and placed them on the back of my head. "We need a plan. We need a good one, one that they won't see coming." I looked down at the table, trying to think of a way to get out of this mess. But my head went blank and I couldn't think of anything that would rid us of the Governor or give us time. "Glenn, can you call a meeting for everyone to meet in the outside courtyard in ten minutes?"

He nodded, getting up from his seat. He turned around before he stopped in his tracks. "If there's anyone who can get us out of this, it's the Grimes siblings." Then he continued walking to go and give the announcement.

About nine minutes later, everyone sat in the prison courtyard, leaned against the walls or sitting at the picnic table. They looked at me for help, for knowledge, and to be honest that scared the crap out of me. I stood up taller in the area that everyone could see me.

"Tomorrow we're going to war against Woodbury. Tomorrow is the day when we are tested to see how much we really can do, how much of our humanity we've lost. We can't win this unless we are bound together." I took a deep breath, noticing all the faces of my group. They had been through so much, seen so much pain. "I've tried to be your leader, a good and successful one. But I've come to realize that this world can't do with The Governors or the Shane's. We need to be together, unified as one. And if you wish, I will remain to be your leader. But if not, I will willingly step down and allow someone else take my place. This is our group. Not mine and not Rick's."

Everyone stood in silence for a bit, all staring at eachother, not sure on what to do next.

"I don't know 'bout anyone else," Merle started. "But I do know that you ain't no Governor. You think of yer people first, think through ya decisions, and ain't a secret psychopath."

Maggie nodded, a slight smile on her face. "I agree."

"Me too." Michonne said from her isolated corner.

Soon there was everyone nodding or saying some form of agreement.

"What if we do somethin' else?" Beth asked. "We keep Kate as our leader, of course, but we re-vamp it a bit."

"Whatcha talkin' 'bout blondie?" Merle asked.

"Something like a form of Government. Like have a council, with Katie as the head of it."

Another pause of silence, everyone going over this in their minds.

"I like it. I really do." Carol said. "I think it's a great idea."

"All in favor of creating the committee?" Hershel announced. I couldn't help but be a little shocked when every single hand went up. He turned back to me. "Congratulations."

We then discussed the members of this council, deciding Hershel, Daryl, Michonne and I were all members. My brother refused to have any leadership position but something was different in his eyes as he looked up at the catwalk. His eyes no longer seemed haunted, like he could no longer see the ghosts of his past.

In that moment, we were one community, one group, one people. And these people weren't going to let anything get in the way of our family.

"I have an idea." Rick suddenly said, a big smile on his lips. "And it might get us out of this mess."

The next day we were evacuating the prison, packing up our bags and hiding them in the cars. As I surveyed the premises, a bit of my heart broke. The place that we made our home was gone, empty. I walked outside and threw mine and Daryl's duffle in the back of the car. I then found Carl with Judith, sitting at the picnic table. I crouched down next to them, giving him a week smile. "Hey, don't worry, alright?"

"You'll have the riot gear on, right?"

I shook my head. "Nope, sorry kiddo. That's Glenn and Maggie's."

"Then I don't want you to fight."

"If your dad's plan goes the way it should, I won't need to. Besides, I'm a Grimes and Dixon. I'm practically indestructible."

He smiled at that one but the worry was still placed in those blue eyes.

"I need you to promise me something else."

He didn't meet my eyes, staring down at his shoes. "What?"

"I need you to promise that if anything happens to me or your father or anyone else in the group, that you won't try to be a hero, that you and Hershel will go find some place safe. I need you to protect Judith, alright?"

"I can't without you."

"But you can. You are so strong and so brave and I couldn't be more proud of you. You don't need me."

A single tear slipped from his eye. "But I do need you. I need my mom."

I wiped his tear and kissed his forehead. "I will always be here. I promise baby, I will always be here. I will never leave you completely. I will always at least be here." I said, touching his heart. "Always. Now I need you to promise me. Can I count on you?"

He nodded, wiping away another tear. "I promise."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned around. "Katie, they want you in the common room. We're ready to go." Rick said, glancing between the two of us.

I stood up and smiled at him. "I guess it's now or never." I squeezed his hand before meeting up with Daryl by the door. He wrapped his arm around my waist and looked at me. Mostly today everyone gave eachother sad smiles. But that wasn't Daryl. My husband just looked at me as if it might be the last time he'll ever see me again.

"Come on." He mumbled, staring into my eyes. "We gotta do this thing."

I nodded, opening up the door. Everyone that was prepared to fight other than Rick was in there, staring at me. "I love you guys." I said to them. "You've all became my family and I am honored to fight among you."

We all walked around saying goodbyes just incase if our plan didn't work. I fought back my tears as I hugged each and everyone of them before they left to go to their positions. When it was just us two I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"We'll be alright. Ricks plan is well thought out and it should work. It should."

"How come it sounds like yer tryin' to convince yerself other than me?"

And then the tears that I was holding back were released. And he just held me, smoothing my hair. I couldn't help but be reminded of when we lost Amy and he did the same thing.

"I'm scarred Daryl." I told him, clinging to his shirt. "I keep on telling Carl not to be afraid of losing me, when I am absolutely terrified of losing him, you, Rick and Judith. I can't do it. I can't."

"I know baby. I know. I'm scared too."

"Daryl, I love you…"

"Don't. Don't say yer goodbyes to me. You ain't leavin' my sight. I ain't gonna let ya die. Nobody's gonna die."

"Dare…"

"Katherine. Stop."

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him with all I had. "Then I guess I'll see you soon."

"I'll see ya soon."

"I love you."

"I love you more." He gave me one last kiss before picking up his crossbow and walking out the door.

I looked around and grabbed my flash-bangs, gas mask, and assault rifle. It was go time.


Author's Note: First chapter of the new year! I hope you all had a great New Year's Eve/New Year. One of my resolutions, to post more frequently. Make sure you leave a review and let me know what you are thinking!