Day 285
I woke up the next morning, just as the sun was rising up. I moved onto my back and stretched out, forgetting that Daryl was right beside me until I stroke him with my elbow in the head. He flinched and pried open his eyes, letting a low growl of pain escape his lips.
"Shit, I'm sorry," I apologized immediately, moving to my side, touching the spot on his head gently, but he swatted my hand away.
"Hell, what the fuck, woman?" He crocked in his morning voice, which made me shiver a little bit and wet my lips. I propped my head on the arm and bit my cheek.
"I'm sorry, Big Boy."
"I knew ya'll kill me in sleep one day," He joked, smirking slightly and jawning.
I looked around, noticing that the rest of the group was still sleeping. Daryl put his arms under the head and glanced at me, his eyes roaming my face.
"I guess there's no way to convince ya to stay behind today?" He asked me, nibbling at his bottom lip.
"No can do, Dixon."
"Can ya try to stay by me?"
I cocked my head, gently touching his cheek for a second, and a soft smile crossed my face when he didn't pull away from me.
"You can't get rid of me, Daryl."
He grunted in reply and sat up with a small sigh escaping his lips. I watched him stand up and walk away, to the fence, to relieve himself. I buried my face in the backpack, and after the second, I searched for a notebook. I took it out and opened it on the last used page. I marked another passing day. As a day that we move inside the prison, and hopefully, our lives improved.
"Ready?" Hershel asked us. We stood by the gate that Rick shut yesterday. I left my bow with Carol, and now had a firm grip on a machete. The sheriff looked over his shoulder, checking on us and then unclipped the carabiner and opened the gate. T-Dog rushed through it first, quickly followed by the rest of us. I was between T and Daryl, and I swiftly stabbed the next walker in the head when he approached us.
We formed a circle, so there was no side uncovered while we were crossing the courtyard.
"Get tight!" Glenn yelled while we moved forward, slashing and stabbing at upcoming walkers. The remaining group members were shouting and rattling at the chain-linked fence, to get the attention of as many geeks as possible to make it easier for us.
I slashed off the walkers' brains, blood splatters landing on my face and clothes, but there was still more coming. We had to get to another gate that led to the second courtyard. Then we would have the main prison grounds and access to the cellblocks. That was the goal for today.
We moved in unison until T-Dog spotted something on the ground, to our left, and he took off.
"Don't brake rank!" Rick growled at the black man, but that didn't stop him.
"We need that," T replied and reached for clear riot shield, pushing an approaching walker with it, Maggie ran to him and stabbed the geek. We got to the doors leading inside, but we had to be sure that the fence is secured first, so Rick just checked the door, and pressed forward, rounding the corner.
There were many walkers on the other side, and the gate was open so they could get to us at any moment unless we deal with that. But that wasn't the biggest problem. Four geeks, in full riot armor and helmets, were coming right at us.
"Rick, we need to get the gate!" I told the sheriff urgently, and he nodded at me, while Daryl sent a bolt at riot walker, making it bounce off.
"Really?" I asked him sarcastically, did he really think it'd work? I pushed forward to the two by the further wall kicking at the first walker. It stumbled back and fell down, on top of the other. I quickly lifted the helmet's shield and stabbed the geek in the eye. Rolling him of the second walker, I repeated the process. I wiped my sweaty forehead and turned around to see the rest banging at the helmets and Rick pushing at towards the gate, calling out for Daryl.
"Under the helmets!" I yelled, catching the attention of Maggie, who struggled with the armored geek. Rick managed to shut the gate and lock it with carabiners, but I was focused on the woman who was getting surrounded.
I ran towards her, but by the time I got there, she already managed to stab the dead one under the chin, into an exposed part of its skin. T and Glenn quickly did the same with the last one, leaving only a walker who wore a clear gas mask. Rick kicked that one in the knees, sending it to the ground and pulled off the cover. The walker's skin peeled off along with the plastic, leaving exposed jaw and muscle lines; milky eyeballs now exposed gave it even more disgusting view.
I patted Rick on the shoulder, and moved towards the gate, watching geeks gathered on the other side. Glenn and Maggie wanted to go and get the rest of the group, but sheriff stopped them.
"Well, it looks secure," The Asian man commented, look of confusion on his face.
"Not from the look of that courtyard over there." Daryl pointed at where I stood, and then to the ground. "And that's a civilian."
"So the interior could be overrun from walkers from outside the prison," T stated, smacking his lips.
"Well, if there's walls down, what are we gonna do? We can't rebuild this whole place." Glenn asked.
"Maybe that walker was visiting someone, while everything happened?" I told the rest. "We won't know until we check."
"Right now, we can't risk a blind spot. This gate is shut. We push in into the cell blocks." Rick ordered and walked towards the chained walkway, leading to cellblock C. When Daryl slide the door open, we slowly walked in. Rick pushed the first gate open; we all walked down the stairs to the common area. It was messy, with rubish and disregarded trays all over the floor, some towels and sheets were hanging from the railing.
I made my way towards the guard tower, silently climbing up with my blade ready, but the only body I saw inside had its brain shot with a gun still in man's cold hands. I took the weapon from the deceased guard's grasp and put it in my belt. I noticed a set of keys on the desk and quickly grabbed it. There was a second set on his belt, and I took that too, showing them to Rick and Daryl, who waited by the gate leading to the cells.
I passed both sets to the sheriff, and he used one to open the entrance to our new home. At first glance, it was empty, some bottom cells open, but I followed Daryl, who walked towards the stairs while the others checked this floor.
He let me go first, and I turned left to the closed cells, putting machete into my left hand; I grabbed a hunting knife out of the holster on my thigh. Slowly, I crept forward when I heard clattering in one of the cells. I stayed closer to the railing once the hands of a walker started to reach from behind bars, walking to the last cell, which was empty.
Daryl and Rick quickly killed two geeks in remaining rooms and sheriff pasted the spare set of keys to the hunter.
While Maggie and Glenn went to get the rest of our people, Daryl unlocked the cells, and together we pulled the bodies out, lifting them out and throwing them over the railing. Down there, T-Dog waited to get the corpses out of the cellblock to the courtyard.
"What do you think?" Rick asked, walking down the stairs when the others walked in, carrying our things. I climbed down the stairs to get my gear from Hershel, taking Dixon's pack at this same time. Carol sent me a knowing smile and a wink, making me roll my eyes. I was just going to drop it off with him, nothing more.
"Home, sweet home," Glenn commented, going into one of the bottom cells. Lori looked around her, softly caressing her swollen belly.
"For the time being."
"It's secure?" Carol asked, making me sigh gently.
"For now. This cellblock is. But we'll have to gradually swipe through the rest." I told her.
"Yeah, in the morning, we'll find a cafeteria and infirmary," Rick added. He looked so much more confident, almost like a man I met all these months ago in the quarry.
"We sleep in the cells?" Beth asked, making me giggle a little.
"Better than the cold floor."
"Found keys on some guard. Daryl has a set, too." Rick stated, so everyone would know who to speak to if we want to leave the cellblock. For now, we'll keep it locked, so we can't be surprised during sleep.
"I ain't sleepin' in no cage," Daryl huffed. "I'll take the perch."
Well, I guess here it goes my routine. But I understood where Daryl was coming from, he would feel trapped. Besides, in the open space of a perch, he had a better view at the entrance and a better chance of escape if something happened. I sighed under my breath and climbed the stairs, dropping Daryl's bag on the top and walked into the cell from which I could still see him. Maybe that would be enough. It had to be.
There was a bunked bed, simple sink with a tiny shelf above it, and toilet in the corner. Some blood splatters covered the floor, making me wonder what exactly happened here. How did they get to the point where everyone inside just turned? If, in fact, there aren't any other survivors, this prison will be a bitch to clear. Especially without a power, corridors won't have windows, so it's going to be dark as hell.
"Cosy?" Carol asked me, passing by my cell, leading Lori to another one, where both of them could sleep.
"Bedroom and bathroom in one room. Luxury," I said dryly, making her laugh and disappear further down the landing.
I threw my bag on the top bunk alongside with machete and spare gun I found today. I undid the holster belt, taking it off and putting it next to the other items. I unclasped my reins, pushing it off my shoulders, holding onto one of the knives before placing the rest on the top bunk.
I looked down at myself, my hands were covered in blood, and so was my front. It didn't matter at the moment, though. We finally had a chance to sleep without worrying. At least for a little while. It was still early, but we all were tired, not sleeping much in the past few days, stressing, being always in a fight or flight mode.
"Ya got yurself a fancy cell?" I heard a hoarse voice behind me, and I slowly turned around to face Daryl.
"Even got my own fucking toilet. I may need some painting or something to make it cozier." Dixon snorted at my sarcastic remark, smirking at me.
"Tired of me?"
That question, coming from him, actually surprised me, and I think it showed because he automatically grew more serious.
"I thought, you may be tired of me," I told him quietly.
"Nah, but I get it. Sleep well, El." After that, he turned around and plunged himself on a mattress he must've pulled from one of the other cells. I furrowed my brows, not sure if I understood what just happened. Looking around the small cell, I made a quick decision.
Grabbing my knife, a flat pillow, and a blanket, I walked out towards Daryl. I threw the cushion next to his head, making him open one eye and smirk with a corner of his lips.
"What 'bout yur fancy room?"
"Hm, it can serve as our storage, move," I told him and layed down next to him when he made a space. Daryl stretched one of his hands, so I put my head on his shoulder, wrapping one hand around his middle.
"Plus, I don't think I can sleep without your snores anymore." I teased him, and his fingers dug deeper into my hip.
"Shut up, woman."
Day 286
I searched through a small office in the common area, just moments ago I pushed the body of dead guard out. T-Dog then took it outside where we were collecting the corpses, in one spot.
I was searching for some sort of map of the prison. There was one framed and fallen down on the floor with a gloss smashed all over the floor. I pulled the paper out, careful to not cut it or myself in process. There wasn't much more in here, I believe that we would have to find main offices to find out where the armory is located. According to this map, the administrative part was on the other side, next to cellblock A. It could take us days to even get there.
I walked outside to find T and Rick searching the guard's bodies. They had an empty duffel with them, loading possible weapons in it, but that's not what I was interested in.
"What about the gear?" I asked Rick, catching his attention. He looked between me and the bodies on the ground.
"Not a bad idea."
"It could give us extra protection," T-Dog added and started working on one of the guards, while I moved to the other.
The process of stripping walkers of their riot gear was long and disgusting. In places, it was peeling off the skin from their bones, sticky almost boiled, from exposure to Georgia's sun. It made me gag a couple of times before my nose and brain got used to the horrid stench.
"Not bad," Daryl commented once he saw the bag on the table in the common area.
"Flash banks, CS Triple-Chasers," Rick stated what we found outside, alongside with some side guns and riot batons. "I'm not sure how they'd work on walkers, but we'll take them."
Daryl picked up a helmet, which was still full of walkers goo. "I ain't wearing this shit."
"We could boil them," T stated.
"There ain't enough firewood in the whole forest, no."
"Chest pieces are better, they wore clothes," I told them, for a moment I even considered putting one on, but then I wouldn't be able to get my throwing knives. And they go where I go. But those batons - I picked up two, extending them simultaneously, rotating my wrists and weighing them. Not too heavy, but not necessarily the best solution in close quarters. I spun around, twisting one arm, the other following movements of my body. Maybe if I could somehow sharpen the ends, they actually could be useful.
Rick cleared his throat, and I stopped, dropping my hands down, gingerly glancing back at the other people in the room.
"Havin' fun, princess?" Daryl cocked his eyebrow, but I could see how he shifted his stance, and looking into his eyes, I saw his pupils dilated. Interesting.
"Is there any weapon that you don't know how to use?" Hershel asked me, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Um, explosives?" I said in a small voice, putting the batons back onto the table.
"That's not what ya told me when ya nearly blew us up!" Daryl crossed his arms, glaring at me.
"Actually, I said I know what I'm doing, not that I'm good at it."
Daryl looked like he wanted to reply, but Carol came into the room, calling out for Hershel.
"Everything alright?" The sheriff asked her, and she nodded, but her lips were pressed tightly, and she stood way too stiffly.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about."
Rick looked after her, unconvinced, and then glanced at me.
"Did she lie?"
"I'm sure that it's nothing, Rick," I told him gently, avoiding his question. "If something would be wrong, they'd tell us."
It took us another hour to actually move out. I had a machete in one hand and the flashlight in the other. Glenn had some old spray paint can, and he was marking the direction we came from. It was easy to get lost in the darkness and unknown corridors.
Carl wanted to go with us, but Rick convinced him to stay, look after the group in our absence. Instead, we took Hershel. I wasn't sure if it was such a good idea, but he insisted. Said that when we found infirmary, he'll know best what we need.
The corridors were dark, the only light coming from our torches as we moved slowly, deeper into the prison. There were bodies on the ground, shot down, guards probably tried to control what's happening before it was too late.
We came across another set of cells, all of them open, corpses spread on the floor, some of them half-eaten. We checked each room, one by one. Walking further, we came into the end of the corridor; we could either go left or right. The right was a dead end, so we turned left, following behind Rick and Daryl.
The sheriff rounded the next corner, and I could hear groans but couldn't see from where I stood.
"Go back! Go back!" Rick whisper-yelled, making us turn around, following the arrows that Glenn painted on the walls. But when the young couple reached the corner we came from, another group of walkers appeared. My heart was beating faster, while we jogged into the unknown direction. We ran the corridors, deeper into the prison, T-Dog pushing me forward, so I don't get lost.
Finally, Rick urged us in some office, and we all crouched down, hiding from the geeks that were following us. I was panting heavily, listening, and waiting for them to pass.
"Where's Glenn and Maggie?" Rick asked after we realized that they not with us.
"They must've been cut off," I told him, peeking through the glass window, checking how many more walkers waited outside.
"We have to go back," Hershel stated, worried for his daughter.
"Which way?" Daryl asked, looking at the old man.
"Where we came from, to the right. They were behind me." I said, noticing that there was just one geek left, lingering behind. Rick nodded, trusting my sense of direction. He stood up and gently opened the door, turning right immediately, leading us back to hopefully where the young couple was.
I followed behind the hunter, Hershel, and T behind me.
"Maggie!" Hershel kept calling his child in a hushed voice, but we still didn't see them. We came to a crossroads, but it was empty, no walkers, no signs of two people we were missing. Rick pushed forwards, calling out for Glenn.
"Mag?" I heard Hershel whisper behind me, but I didn't realize that he turned back. None of us did, not until we heard screams of pain, making us spin around and ran back. My heart was racing, sweat slowly dripping down my spine. All anticipation, constant watch for walkers, Glenn and Maggie missing. I was on edge, and that yell for help kicked my adrenaline into a higher level.
I pushed past T, and when I came from around the corner, I saw Hershel lying down on the ground. The walker that was sitting, propped against the wall, had a death grip on man's ankle, biting down on it. Not hesitating for a second, I swung my machete, slashing through the air and walker's brain.
"Hershel!" I got to him, checking where the bite was, hearing Rick and others behind me. Glenn and Maggie popped out from in front of me, finally finding their way back.
"No!" The woman sobbed, crouching down next to her father, tears slowly rolling down her face.
Rick and Glenn helped Hershel stand up when we saw walkers making their way to us. From both directions.
"This way!" Sheriff ordered, pointing at the empty part of the corridor, Maggie was leading the way. At the same time, Daryl and I watched the back, my blade high, ready to stab whoever comes at us.
We found some locked doors at the end of the corridor, and T quickly rushed forward, using his fire poker to snap the chain.
"Go, go!" Everyone was shouting, and Daryl pushed me in front of him to let me go first.
"Shut the door!"
Once Dixon was inside the room, he and T-Dog pushed the door closed, leaning on them, stopping walkers from breaking in.
"T, your poker!" I told him, making him nod sharply. I watched him lodge the rod between metal handles, so the doors won't open. When I was happy with the entrance, I turned around to the rest of our group.
Hershel layed down on the floor, pale and shaking from blood loss and pain. Maggie was next to him, holding his hand sobbing quietly, trying to tell him that everything will be alright.
"We need to cut it!" I told Rick, making him look me in the eyes, but I wasn't bothered. I reached out and cut through the fabric of Hershel's trousers, so I could see the wound.
"You sure?"
"Fuck knows, but it's either we try that, or he's dead," I told him sternly. After a second, he nodded, clenching his jaw.
"Hold him down!" Rick ordered, unfastening his belt. Maggie pulled her father onto her lap, caressing his hair gently while Glenn, next to her, was holding man's hands. I pushed my hands onto Hershel's bleeding leg, holding it still, and Daryl did this same with the other, so the man couldn't move.
I looked over at Hershel feeling a stinging pain in my heart at his misery. "I'm so sorry. It's the only way."
He didn't say anything, just took another sharp breath, moaning in pain. Rick wrapped the belt above Hershel's wound tightly and secured it.
"We have to try," Rick stated firmly, picking up his clean hatchet and, without hesitation, brought it down onto Hershel's legs.
I closed my eyes, pushing the old man's leg down when he flinched and screamed in pain. I took a deep breath and opened them back up, while Rick took another swing, breaking through the bone.
It took about seven hits to severe Hershel's leg, the man passed out after the third one, from shock and pain. Rick stood up and dropped his ax, shocked at what he's done.
"He's going to bleed out!" I said and quickly shrugged off my flannel, exposing my knives. I folded the shirt tightly around the leg, but it soaked so almost immediately. In the corner of my eye, I could see Daryl, and his expression changed from worried to the one on edge.
"Duck," He breathed out, merely a whisper. Trusting his instincts, both Rick and I leaned forward, covering Hershel.
Daryl stood up in swift motion, pointing his crossbow at something behind us, and when I peeked above my shoulder, I saw what got him so alarmed.
Five men, all in prisoner uniforms, stood behind the kitchen cage, staring at us in disbelief.
"Holy shit."