Chapter 31-The prison
It's been seven months since the fall of the farm and four months since the death of Jo. The group had survived the winter. They had moved from house to house to survive. It was now spring, and Lori was ready to have her child. This was the day they found their next home.
Daryl kicks the house's front door open. Daryl shoots the first walker in the head with his supposed pistol. T-dog comes in and stabs the second walker in the head. Merle and Shane follow T-dog in. The men start to move through the house. Shane and T-dog go upstairs. Shane opens the door to a room. There was a female walker in the room. Shane walks up to the walker and stabs it in the head. Daryl was downstairs searching the house. He slowly walks to a door and grabs the door before he swings it open. He is met with a crossbow in his face. Merle smiles and lowers the crossbow. They both nod at each other. T-dog and Shane come downstairs. Daryl nods to T-dog, who walks to the back door as Merle goes upstairs. T-dog walks to the back door and whistles. The group starts to come inside. Everybody gathers in the living room and sit down quietly as Merle comes downstairs with an owl. Everybody stays quiet until T-dog looks out the window and sees a herd coming towards them. T-dog whistles once more. Everybody gets up and leaves the house heading for their cars. Maggie grabs an ax and throws it in the truck as Merle starts the bike and drives the group following him.
The group stops on the road. Everybody gets out of the car. Daryl looks at Carl Beth Nick and Jane. "You four are on watch first," Daryl says to them as he walks over to the front of the truck where Jim was laying the map down.
"We got no place left to go," T-dog says to him.
"When this herd meets up with this one, we'll be cut off. We'll never make it South," Maggie tells them.
"What would you say? That was about 150 head?" Bobby asks.
"That was last week. It could be twice that by now," Glenn tells him.
"This river could have delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through there," Hershel suggests.
"Yeah, but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way," Alicia tells them as she points on the map.
"So we're blocked," Daniel says.
"Only thing to do is double back at 27 and swing towards Greenville," Shane says.
"Yeah, we picked through that already. It's like we spent the winter going in circles," Ofelia says.
"Yeah, I know. I know. At Newnan, we'll push west. We haven't been through there yet. We can't keep going house to house. Need to find someplace to hole up for a few weeks," Daryl says Shane nods agreeing with his friend.
"All right. It cool if we get to the creek before we head out? Won't take long. We got to fill up on water. We can boil it later," Victor says.
"Knock yourself out," Daryl says.
"They can't take much more of this moving about," Hershel tells Daryl while looking at Lori.
"What else can we do? Let her give birth on the run?" Daryl asks.
"Do you see a way around that?" Hershel asks before he walks away.
"Hey, while the others wash their panties, let's go hunt. That owl didn't exactly hit the spot," Merle says to his brother, who nods.
Daryl and Merle walk down the train tracks looking for any animals. They stop as they see a prison that was overrun with walkers.
"That's a shame," Merle says, not seeing the grin on his brother's face.
Merle and Daryl when back to the group and told them about the prison. "Look, maybe we all shouldn't go," Lori says.
"She's right. There's too many of us. We'll take ten people of our choice," Daryl says to the group who nods. Daryl and Shane walk away for a moment to talk. They come back a few minutes later. "Shane will be staying back here in case something happens to us. Me Glenn T-dog Maggie Charlie Madison Victor Chris Amy and Morgan will head to the prison and clear the yard. Get the guns and meet me back here," Daryl says everybody nods. Daryl walks to the back of the truck and grabs a rifle that he wraps around his back. Everybody that was going gathers up. Alicia kisses Daryl, who kisses her back. "I love you," Alicia says to him.
"Love you too," Daryl says to her. Amy kisses Lori before they leave.
They get to a part of the fence that leads to the prison. T-dog cuts the fence with bolt cutters. Everybody goes inside as Glenn and Victor close the fence back up. The group starts to run to the entrance. The walkers push themselves up against the fence. They get to the entrance of the field.
"It's perfect. If we can shut that gate, prevent more from filling the yard, we can pick off these walkers. We'll take the field by tonight," Daryl tells them.
"So, how do we shut the gate?" Madison asks.
"I'll do it. You guys cover me," Glenn says.
"No, it's a suicide run," Maggie says.
"I'm the fastest," Glenn points out.
"No, you, Maggie, Charlie, and Amy draw as many as you can over there. Pop 'em through the fence. Victor, go back to the other tower. Madison, you go with him. Morgan, you and T-dog take this tower. Chris and Amy shoot them from here. I'll run for the gate," Daryl says. Everybody nods and starts moving. Once everybody was in position. Daryl nods to Amy, who pulls the gate open. Daryl runs into the field, His pistol in his hand he shoots a walker in the head. He gets to the gate and kicks a walker back. He closes the gate and locks it. Daryl then opens the door to the watchtower door and shoots two walkers.
"He did it," Madison says.
"Light it up!" T-dog yells. Everybody nods and starts shooting the walkers. Daryl shoots the last walker in the head. Everybody heads to the gate. Daryl pulls out the radio.
"Were good," Daryl says.
"We'll see you soon," Shane says. Everybody cheers as they walk into the field. The rest of the group get there soon.
Night
Everybody was around the fire Daryl was sitting by Shane and Alicia. Alicia had her head on his shoulder. Everybody was eating."Tomorrow we'll put all the bodies together. Want to keep them away from that way. Now, if we can dig a canal under the fence, we'll have plenty of freshwater," Dale says.
"And this soil is good. We could plant some seed, grow some tomatoes, cucumbers, soybeans," Hershel tells them.
"This'll be a good place to have the baby. Safe," Beth says to Lori, who smiles at the girl who was sitting by Nick.
"Bethy, sing Paddy Reilly for me. I haven't heard that I think since your mother was alive," Hershel says to his daughter.
"Daddy, not that one, please," Maggie says to her father.
"How about "The Parting Glass?" Hershel asks his daughter.
"No one wants to hear," Beth says.
"Why not?" Nick asks.
"Okay," Beth says. "Of all the money. E'er I had. I spent it in good company. And all the harm. E'er I've ever done. Alas, it was to none but me. And all I've done. For want of wit. To memory now, I can't recall. So fill to me. The Parting Glass. Good night and joy be with you all," Beth sings.
"Oh, all the comrades. That e'er I had. We're sorry for my going away. And all the sweethearts. That e'er I had. Would wish me. One more day to stay," Maggie and Beth sing. "But since it falls unto my lot. That I should rise, and you should not. I'll gently rise. And I'll softly call. Good night and joy. Be with you all. Good night and joy. Be with you all," Beth and Maggie finish.
"Beautiful," Hershel says.
"Better all turn in. I'll take watch over there. Got a big day tomorrow," Daryl tells the group.
"What do you mean?" Glenn asks.
"Look, I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win. But we've got to push just a little bit more. Most of the walkers are dressed as guards and prisoners. Looks like this place fell pretty early. It could mean the supplies may be intact. They'd have an infirmary, a commissary," Shane says.
"An armory?" Merle asks.
"That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far away. Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine. This place could be a gold mine," Shane tells him.
"We're running low on ammo. We'd run out before we make a dent," Hershel says.
"That's why we have to go in there hand to hand. After all, we've been through. We can handle it, I know it. These assholes don't stand a chance," Daryl tells them. Everybody starts to head to bed. Daryl was about to stand up. Merle stands up before he nods to his brother and walks away. Daryl lays down beside his girlfriend. Daryl goes to sleep. The group was scared about tomorrow but also excited to have a new home. If only they knew of the problems this prison would bring.
Here is the next chapter will be Thursday. Thanks for reading, and once again, feedback would be great so excited for the rest of season three have a great day guys.