Flash Universe: takes place after Zoom but Barry never creates FlashPoint. Instead, he promises never to Time Travel again.
Walking Dead Universe: takes place after The Prison was destroyed.
I started writing this YEARS ago, so I'm ignoring a lot of the newer stuff that is out now. This story is incomplete at the moment but I have every intention of finishing it. I'm at the end of my writing and am now comfortable with posting the very first chapter.
WARNING: THIS STORY IS GOING TO BE HELLA LONG! INCOMPLETE OVER 400,000 WORDS RIGHT NOW. COMPLETE IS LOOKING TOWARDS OVER 500,000.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: THIS STORY IS GOING TO HAVE EMOTIONAL FEELS, GORE, MAJOR DEATHS, RAPE, AND SUICIDE.
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They were on the run.
They had no home, no shelter, no food, no water, and no medicine.
They had nothing and they were tiring.
"Ain't gonna last much longer Rick." Daryl told his leader, friend, lover. "People are tired, we haven't got much left."
They were on the open road with abandoned cars that offered nothing to help their survival. They were on a short break to allow people to catch their breath.
"I know. I know." Rick nodded his head. "How are you holding up?"
"Okay." Daryl shrugged. "Better than most. We need food and water. Let me try to hunt or something."
"No." Rick said firmly. "No one leaves the group, not right now."
"Rick," Daryl stepped closer. "We ain't gonna make it much longer. I can at least try to find us some food."
Rick looked back at his man and shook his head. His heart said hell no but his mind knew a different answer. He grabbed Daryl behind the neck and brought the man closer, their foreheads touching one another.
"I can't-" Rick's voice caught. "I can't lose you."
"Not gonna lose me Rick." Daryl tried to reassure his love. "Can take care of myself."
"You know as well as I do, anything could happen." Rick countered. "I know you can take care of yourself but…I need you. After what happened, the prison… I need you with me."
"I understand." Daryl cupped Rick's face. "The want, the need, to protect the ones we love. I feel it. I feel it with them, with you. But Rick, we need food. We can't protect each other if we starve."
Rick nodded his head and looked down knowing he was defeated.
"Okay. Let's go." Daryl said as he tried to pull away, but Rick stopped him.
"Hold up." Rick pulled Daryl back and kissed him gently on the man's lips before parting. "Take Glenn with you."
"Rick-"
"That's the deal." Rick silenced Daryl's protest. "You can go hunting but take Glenn with you. He's quiet and he's fast. He can get into places you can't."
"Alright." Daryl sighed hating this. He didn't want to take Glenn.
"Good." Rick leaned in again and stole a kiss. "Be safe."
"Always."
With that Daryl took off and gathered Glenn. Maggie didn't look to happy about being separated from her husband but accepted it without too much fight. She hugged herself after her and Glenn kissed goodbye. She sent a little glare at Rick but said nothing. Rick didn't mind, he understood. He didn't want Daryl out there anymore than she did Glenn.
He walked off hoping to set up a perimeter not wanting to get caught by surprise, humans or walkers alike.
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Glenn had a knife out and a gun with three bullets at the ready should he need it. Daryl was walking next to him just as armed with the addition of his crossbow. They've only been hunting for 15 minutes and already Daryl had managed to get a couple of squirrel.
Glenn had nothing but he already knew he wasn't here to hunt but to help should something happen. He wasn't here to kill animals though he would if the opportunity arouse. No, he was only here to watch Daryl's back so nothing happen to the man while he focused on bringing food back to the group.
While Daryl kept his head down looking for tracks, Glenn kept his head up looking for anything else. They walked for another 10 minutes and were about to head back when noticed the trees thinning and seeing a part of a road.
"Hey look," Glenn called softly. Daryl looked over. "Let's check this out before we head back."
Daryl nodded and wordlessly started to head in a different direction. He trusted Glenn and his instincts. More times than not, Glenn could always spot something where no one else could, including himself, at times.
They walked over to the tree line and looked out cautiously. It wouldn't do if someone saw them and tried to take a shot, or worst there was a herd of walkers out there just waiting to see fresh meat.
"Well, I'll be damned." Daryl lowered his crossbow and stared at a beautiful sight.
"I can't believe it. This wasn't on the map." Glenn said breathlessly. "We would've noticed."
"It could be something new. It was an old map after all. Shit like that needs to be updated regularly, right?" Daryl commented as he pointed to their salvation.
It was a building; a big one. It was a store to be precise and it looked untouched by anyone. It must of got run down early in the whole end of the world bit. Daryl's shoulders sagged in relief. He was so worried about his people and he was ashamed of the small amount of meat thrown over his shoulder. It wouldn't even feed five people comfortably let alone twelve.
"We need to get back to tell Rick." Glenn said. There was hope in his voice and a spring in his step when he started walking back.
"I agree." Daryl walked with him, hope in his chest too though he didn't voice it like Glenn. Who knows what could be in store for them when they searched it.
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"Are you certain?" asked Rick in shock. Daryl and Glenn had just got back from their hunting and not only did Daryl have meat with him but also the best news they had in quite awhile.
"More than certain." Glenn pushed.
"It's there Rick." added Daryl. "Saw it myself. It's there and it looks like no ones touched it."
"It could be a gold mine Rick." Glenn waved his hands to prove his point. "I saw some of the items in there. There's food at the very least, so there's got to be water, maybe even medicine. We can't pass this up."
"Ok, ok." Rick held up a hand to calm Glenn. But the guy had a point. It was too good to pass up. It out weighed the risk of another group conflict. They were too low on supplies to pass this up.
"Did you see anything else? Any signs of people, or walkers?" he asked.
Glenn shifted and Daryl looked down.
"I'll take that as a no." Rick sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Okay, we all go but only a few of us go into the store just incase someone else is already there. We can't have the whole group exposed and if we do run into trouble, we have back up."
It sounded like a good plan in theory but in this world anything could happen and even the best of plans fall through.
"I'll get the others." Glenn ran to the other people in the group happy to spread the news of the store.
"You okay?" asked Daryl coming closer. "You look tense. This is a good thing Rick."
"I know, but that's what I'm afraid of." Rick started. "Every time we get a break, able to get a head, we always run into trouble. One step forward, two steps back."
"Can't think like that." Daryl rubbed his love's arm. "We start thinking like that then we're good as dead already."
"That's why I'm only telling you and not the others. Can't afford to look weak in front of them like that."
"Jesus Rick, they're family. They ain't gonna over throw you if you show an ounce of weakness."
"Aren't they?" asked Rick giving Daryl a look. "They may be family but they also consider me their leader. They've put their lives in my hands, having faith that I'll lead them to the right path; the path that keeps them alive. If even, for a second, show signs that I don't know what I'm doing, people will go insane, will try to do their own things. Some will try to lead and fail; others will just be stupid and make mistakes. I fear that every damn day. That, I'll fail them."
"Damn Rick…" Daryl pulled Rick into a supporting hug. He wasn't much for igniting physical contact but Rick needed this. God, he didn't know! He didn't know that Rick was carrying such a dark burden that his own family would turn on him at the sight of weakness.
"Sorry," Rick's voice was muffled. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't've said that."
"No, no, no." Daryl hugged tighter not wanting to let Rick go. "I'm glad you said it. Now I can tell you how stupid you are. I can assure you Rick, that that's not gonna happen. Will there be mistakes? Yeah. But I can damn sure tell you that we are family and we'll never do that. People can get angry but we will never fault you for leading us. Hell, you're the reason we've gotten this far. I'm proud to call you my leader."
Rick squeezed his hunter hard one final time before pulling away.
"Thank you. I needed that."
"No problem partner." Daryl let his arms fall completely from Rick. "Now let's hit that store."
"You got it." Rick smirk. "We're gonna be fine."
"You're damn right we will be."
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It didn't take them long for all of them to get to the woods edge leading to the clearing of the store.
"Damn…" Rick said in awed. He didn't want to say it out loud but he had his doubts about this store that Daryl and Glenn had found. But it turned out for the better. What they said was right. It looked abandoned and there was little sign of people milling around.
However, what he did find was not people but walkers. Not many but it was enough to be more cautious than before. For if there were walkers outside there was a good chance there were more of them inside.
"Up ahead." he motioned.
"I see 'em." Daryl answered back as he aimed his crossbow.
"No," Rick stopped the bow man. With a hand his lowered the bow. "Not now. They haven't noticed us yet. If they are people in the store they're gonna notice us taking them out."
"How do you wanna do this then?" asked Daryl as he glanced at his leader. "Can't leave 'em. We don't know what we're up against."
Rick looked back at the group behind him. There were too many of them in one spot. They needed to split up and circle back.
"We go around." Rick finally said as he turned back to his people. "Me, Daryl, Glenn, Michonne, and Carol are gonna go around back and see if we can see a way in. The rest of you need to stay put and be ready to leave at the first sign of trouble."
"Alright." Michonne moved towards them both.
"The hell we will." argued Maggie. "I'm not letting you take my husband and then tell me to leave if things get dice-y."
"Me too dad." Carl piped up "I want to come too."
Others started voicing their opinions too not liking one bit about the plan.
"Quiet!" Rick hissed. "You're gonna draw walkers!"
That got them to shut up.
"Listen," Rick pushed a hand through his hair and rubbed his face. "I know that most of you don't like this plan but it's the best one we have. We go in and things go wrong, we're gonna need the rest of you to carry on! Carl, if something goes wrong you have to look after Judith and Maggie, you have a sister who loves and needs you as well. I also need you to look after everyone. You're one of the best we have and you need to step up if things go bad."
"What about us?" Sasha asked, her brother and bob standing behind her. "We not good enough?"
"It's not that." Carol moved and stood closer to Rick and Daryl. "Our group works best with each other. No offense but you haven't been with us long enough. We know each other's moves, the way we think. It's just easier with just us."
Rick nodded confirming Carol explanation.
"Go then." Tyreese pressed forth passed his sister. "But make sure to come back with or without supplies."
"Oh, we plan to come back." Daryl left, Michonne following him.
"And with supplies." Glenn finished as he followed the hunter swordswoman.
"Carl," Rick knelt and hugged his son. "Be safe and be careful. Look after Judith."
"I will dad." Carl hugged his dad. "But you're coming back."
"I'd like to think that yes." Rick took one last look at his son and nodded before going. He stepped up to Beth who was holding Judith and rubbed her tiny head with love. He smiled and gave her a kiss.
"Take care of her for me."
"Always." Beth smiled as she hopped Judith up and down not wanting her to start a fuss. "Take good care Rick and come back alive."
Rick nodded and left hoping it wasn't the last time he was going to see his family. Carol was beside him trailing after him; a comfort in its own right. Carol had come a long way since he'd first met her and it was relief to have her by his side, to help him make the tough choices when he couldn't.
"It'll be okay." Carol spoke. "We are the best at this. If we are going to come up on top, it'll be us."
"Thanks Carol."
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Getting around back was easy and there were fewer walkers than in the front. Daryl and Rick took point with the others close behind them. They found a couple of door and checked each one.
There was only one that was open. The others were locked.
Rick and Daryl shared a look. That wasn't good. It meant someone was already in there or at the very least they had been.
"Continue?" asked Daryl.
"Yes." there was no hesitation in Rick's voice.
Daryl nodded and they were in.
The hall way wasn't lit but flashlights took care of that problem. It may have been day light outside but there were areas where they were no windows and electricity was like a myth in this new world.
They started checking rooms; one by one by one.
"Clear."
"Clear."
"Clear."
It went on and one. They got into the main employee room of the back of the building when they paused. With several flash lights, they searched the large room before deeming it safe. Rick and his crew were about to push on when he saw Glenn ligering in the back. He stopped causing the others to hold up as well and went over to the Asian.
"Something up, Glenn?" he asked shaking Glenn out of some trance.
Rick noticed that a woman who was decaying on the floor with a bullet wound to her temple. Off in the corner, he say a young boy who couldn't before more than sixteen years old. He head two head wounds; one, that looked like a gun shoot and another, a knife that finished the job the bullet couldn't.
"Uh, no, no. Just-" Glenn sighed as he looked down at the paper in his hands. He handed it to Rick.
Rick took the note and read it.
My Dearest,
I have finally found you. We will be together soon. All of us. God forgive me!
"She opted out." Glenn said in sadness. "Taking her son with her."
Rick shook his head. It was horrible, this world, but it was theirs' and they had to live in it now.
"Don't let it affect you, Glenn. You know how bad it is out there. Some people just can't take it. Everyone had their breaking point."
"I know." Glenn looked down. "But it still hurts to see it sometimes."
"Trust me, I know." Rick dropped the letter to the ground. "Let's go. We have a job to finish.
"Right."
With nothing in their way to stop them they preceded to the main area of the building; it was quiet. There were no walkers.
"Holy fuck." whispered Daryl as he saw shelves and shelves of food.
"I can't believe it." said Glenn. "It looks like we were right."
"Well," Carol made a face. "Mostly."
Neither were right or wrong. The store was mostly stocked, but not fully untouched. Many items were gone or smashed on the floor, or rotten.
"It's more than we've seen in a long time." Michonne sheathed her sword ready to start gathering everything she could carry.
There was a crash and section of food fell on the floor.
Everyone in an instant raised they weapon and Michonne took up her sword once more.
They were not alone, and it was no walker.
"Come out where we can see you!" Rick hollered when no one came forth. "We know you're there!"
They heard rustling and tensed. In a heartbeat moment Daryl caught movement from the corner of his eye and spun around.
"Hold it!" he shouted as he leveled his bow at the two figures running away.
Whoever they are, didn't listen.
"Stop or we shoot!"
That got their attention. Both figures stopped and straightened knowing they were fully and utterly caught.
Rick stepped closer.
"Turn around." his command absolute. "Slowly."
There was a moment before they hesitantly did so. They both turned slowly and they saw who they were taking to; a man and a woman. Both have seen better days. They looked tired and hungry, and most off, scared. Both looked very young looking, no older than mid 20's early 30's.
The man had stepped in front of the woman slightly as if to protect her, but Daryl could see that the man, was not only scared but he was trembling slightly. The guy was terrified but was willing to take the hit first if it meant the woman would have a chance to run away.
Daryl lowered his bow some, aiming at the waist instead of their heads. He knew bad people when he saw them and he could tell they weren't such people. They didn't look hardened by the world; just simply surviving in anyway they could, like trying to find food.
"Rick." he made a point to look at his lover, his leader, to tell him that these new people didn't seem like killers, just people trying to survive.
"You sure?" asked Rick and Daryl nodded. Rick sighed not completely knowing what was going to happen now.
"Hey, look man-" the new guy tried to talk but the woman pulled him back, probably scared that they'll be provoked into shooting them.
The man turned and they both started whisper harshly before the woman sighed and stepped back a little. The man cleared his throat to talk, still clearly scared shitless.
"Look, we are just trying to find food and medicine. Probably the same as you." the man started. "We know how hard it is out there, just like you. We can share and then go on our separate ways, deal? No need to shoot anyone."
"And if we don't?" asked Rick, his gun still raised high. "What's stopping me from shooting you and your friend and taking everything?"
"Rick…" Daryl couldn't believe what he was hearing and neither could the rest of the group. No one wanted to believe that Rick was so far gone that he would kill innocent people because he didn't want to share supplies.
The two new people froze eyes wide and about ready to piss their pants.
"Cisco, let's just go." the woman started pulling on the man back again.
The man, Cisco, wouldn't have it. Somewhere along the line the guy grew a pair and stepped forward not back like the woman wanted him to.
"We are not leaving." Cisco told the woman before turning to them.
"Nothing." Cisco said. "There's really nothing we can do if you guys choose to kill us. But we're not leaving, not without the things we need at least."
"Then, it's agreed." Rick said. In a swift motion he put his gun down making Cisco flinch slightly thinking he was going to die. "We'll share."
Both groups relaxed some knowing that the impending fight was postponed, for now.
"My name's Rick." the leader started first. "And this is Daryl, Michonne, Carol, and Glenn."
"Cisco." Cisco pointed to himself. "This is Caitlin."
Caitlin gave a small wave still nervous.
"Nice to meet ya." Rick said.
"So are we good?" Cisco gave them a look. "Like no killing, or shooting, or any bodily harm to us what so ever?"
Rick smiled and damn it was a nice sight to see from Daryl's point of view.
"Yeah, we're good."
"Cool." Cisco gave a thumbs up and continued on his way like they didn't almost kill the both of them. "What do we need Caitlin?"
"Here, here. I made a list of everything we need." she waved a crumpled piece of paper with wording on it.
"Daryl," Rick whispered. "Watch them."
The hunter nodded as the rest of his people went about getting the things they needed as well. He didn't join them; he bluntly just stared at the new people and watched as they collected their things.
Occasionally, they'll look up at him but he didn't falter under their stare. In fact, Daryl was having a heck of a time watching these people do their thing. Cisco, in his mind, was down right hilarious and his presence just screamed nerd and dork. Caitlin, on the other hand seemed uptight and everything had to be in order.
Two very opposite personalities. Daryl wondered how they came together in this world.
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"He keeps watching us!" Caitlin whispered. "It's creepy."
"Dude, Cait, he's just trying to make sure we don't do any funny business." Cisco tried to amend.
"It would be less intimidating if we were the guys that had the weapons to back up that claim." she pointed out. "We don't even have a gun anymore."
"Well," Cisco shrugged. "Not that kind of gun anyway."
Caitlin rolled her eyes. "Like it would work if we tried."
"Hey! Most of the things I make work thank you very much Cait!"
"It doesn't matter." Cait waved her hand. "There's too many of them anyway."
Cisco slumped. "Yeah, you're right."
"Come on." urged Cait. "We still have stuff to get."
"Like what? Seems we have a lot now." Cisco motioned to the huge duffle bag of food and supplies.
"Not nearly enough. That's, what, gonna last us three days maybe a week tops. You know that Barry needs a lot to sustain him! Especially now!" Cait harshly whispered. "He could die if we don't get him enough food to eat."
"I know! I know!" Cisco paced back and forth. "We have enough for now. We can go and come back."
"You know we can't!" Caitlyn pointed to the group across from them. "If we don't get what we need now, they'll take the rest and if they don't others will. We need this stuff more so than anybody."
"Okay," Cisco stopped and waved his hand. "What else do we need?"
"Grab another bag and start packing it with more food." instructed Cait as she started to walk away. "I'm going to grab the medicine."
"Hey, hey, no!" Cisco jumped in front of her. "That's a bad idea. The pharmacy is on the other side with them. They might kill you if you cross over to their area."
Caitlyn took a shuddering breath.
"I know." she breathed. "But we won't last in this world if we don't have proper care. Barry might be able to heal fast but he's not invincible, as we've seen. Those bites are effecting more than I like and we are just humans."
"Technically, I'm a meta too, so…"
Cait rolled her eyes.
"Stop it. You don't have healing powers and we need that medicine. I'm willing to try."
"Just ten minutes ago you were trying to pull me to leave and now you're trying to willingly interact with them?"
"That was before…" Cait started walking closer to the other group.
"Before what?"
"Before they showed that they're good people."
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Daryl watched the two people talking, grabbing things, talking some more, and then arguing.
Interesting. They were fighting over something, and over something stupid too if they're actions said anything.
Then, they were coming over here. Well, the girl was any way. The guy, Cisco, was trying to stop her but she wouldn't have it. There was determination in her step and a hardness look in her eyes, like steel, that wasn't there before.
"Rick," Daryl called to his leader. "We've got company."
Everyone in his group stopped and watched as the new comers came closer to their space. Everything became quiet and the only sound there was, was the groans from the walkers outside.
Rick and the others came forth like a shield preparing to back each other up if need be, should things go south.
Caitlyn and Cisco tensed as the crossbow man called out to Rick getting everyone's attention. Cait gulped and swallowed her fear. It was for Barry, she told herself.
It was for Barry.
That thought alone sealed her determination to get that medicine.
They watched as the others from the group stepped forward and it was nerving to see them all staring at them, tense and ready to draw their weapons if trouble arose.
"Hi?" Cait started not knowing where to begin. "Look, I, uh, um, I need to, uh, get over there?"
Her statement came out more like a question because of her nervousness while she pointed her finger to the other side of the room.
"No." Rick said as he made a show of putting his hand on his gun. "We agreed to share but this is our side, you chose where you wanted to be so stay there."
Caitlin bit her lip. It was for Barry, she kept saying over and over in her head.
"We need the Pharmacy. We need medicine." she stated. "I won't take all of it. We'll share like we agreed on. You can even watch to make sure."
Daryl looked over to his leader and shared a look with his group.
"You a doctor?" asked Rick.
"Well, not really that kind of doctor but I know what I'm doing. I'm a scientist." Caitlyn edged back some into Cisco more fearful now than before.
"I am too." Cisco stood in front of Cait. "We both are."
"Interesting." Rick tilted his head. "Do you know how all of this happened then? Why people are coming back to life? Were you apart of it?"
"Dude, no!" Cisco scrunched up his face. "We aren't that type of scientist, well ok, maybe Cait is, but just a little bit!"
Cait glared at Cisco and shook her head. He was digging their grave with each word that was coming out of his mouth.
"But that's like weaponizing the T-virus. Yeah, no, we don't do that. That's bad guy stuff. We don't create stuff like that. We're the good guys."
Daryl smirked. This guy Cisco was one of a kind for sure.
"T-virus?" Glenn spoke. "What's a T-virus? Is that what created the walkers?"
"Walkers?" asked Cait.
"The dead people that come back to life." Michonne said. "It's what we call them."
"That!" Cisco pointed to the black woman. "Right there is an awesome name for them. Better than zombies."
"What's a zombie?" asked Carol confused. She was getting a headache trying to keep up with this newcomer.
"Oh my god…" Cisco's voice was horrified and stricken. "How-How, just how? How do you not now what the T-virus is and what zombies are?!"
"Want to fill us in?" Rick's voice was tense and threatening. He did not like how this was panning out. They were wasting time.
Cisco was about to answer when Caitlyn stopped him.
"Cisco," she hissed, jerking him around. "Has it gotten through to your head that maybe they don't know it, it's because it doesn't exist here! Stop messing where you shouldn't be messing."
"Hey!" Rick yelled. He hated being ignored. "Are you gonna answer my question or what?"
"My bad, ok?" Cisco's attitude did a 180. "It's just a movie I saw, you know, before and I was referencing off of that but you guys clearly don't know what it's about or even what it is so I'm just going to drop it, ok? Ok."
Daryl huffed. This guy sure liked to ramble a lot. But as Daryl looked at the man, he saw no lie, so it probably really was just a movie reference that no one got but Cait. That's wasn't too surprising since they were both scientist and probably watched the same weird science-y bullshit that other normal people wouldn't.
"Alright," Rick let it go too since Daryl didn't call bullshit on their story. "So, let's get back on track then. You know about medicine and can help the sick if need be?"
"Yes." Cait stood up taller. "I've helped many people before and after this whole thing, though I'm not a real medical doctor, I'm a bio-engineer scientist so I know a lot about the human body."
"You're not going to kill us or kidnap us now are you?" Cisco couldn't help but ask. In this world, a doctor was considered priceless and most people would kill to have a doctor in their group now.
"No." Rick shook his head and finally took his hand of his gun. "But we need to talk, if it's alright with you."
Cisco and Cait shared a look before looking back at the other group.
"Ok."
"Shoot." Cisco winced. "Sorry, bad choice of words."
Most members of Rick's group cracked a smile at the joke.
"How many walkers have you killed?" asked Rick.
Both looked uncomfortable at the question and avoided their glaze. Cait looked at Cisco and shook her head subtly. They couldn't know the truth.
"How many?" Rick pressed.
"Five." Cait answered first, honestly.
"Two." Cisco muttered out, a total lie. He had killed way more than that, but not by normal means. They couldn't know that though so hence the lie.
Rick and his group were taken back at the answers. Usually, people couldn't tell them how many; probably killed hundreds, if not thousands. And here these two people had survived the end of the world for so long only killing seven walkers between them? How?
"How many people have you killed?" Rick asked the second question.
Both of them shook their head no, shocking the group again. How?!
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?" asked Cisco.
"Why didn't you kill people?" Carol asked. "We ask these question before we let anyone in our group but usually we get completely different answers. People have killed hundreds of walkers and yet you only have killed seven between you. People have killed people for survival; some have killed for even less. How is it that you have such little experience? Are you lying to us? Do you think us dumb?"
"No!" Cisco raised his hands to calm her. "No we don't. It's just uh, well, you see…"
Cisco was torn between telling her that Barry had done most of the killing or saying nothing at all. It wouldn't do to tell them they had more people, would it?
"No, we don't." Cait spoke. "We don't kill because killing is wrong. But that doesn't mean we aren't capable of it. We know how hard it can be out there."
"So, why haven't you?" asked Rick. "Why is your kill list so small?"
"Never thought I'll be in trouble because I didn't kill someone." Cisco ran his hand through his hair. "I can't believe this."
"You have another person in your group." Michonne said watching the two for their telling signs.
Both tensed and both looked away. Guilty.
"You do." Michonne stated fact. "Why isn't he here? Is he dead?"
"Or is he waiting in hiding to let our guard down?" Carol was grabbing her gun again.
Rick was the only one to stop her.
"If he were here, we would've noticed by now." he said as he turned back to the two. "Where is he?"
"Some where's close." Caitlyn said. "He's not well; sick and exhausted."
"Our friend," Cisco jumped in. "He's our fighter and he protects us when we can't ourselves."
It made them sound weak. Having to rely on Barry because they themselves couldn't do what was needed to survive. It wasn't entirely their fault though. Barry didn't want them to have to kill. He didn't want them to change like others had to in their world; twisted and dark, cold and uncaring.
It was hard not to lose yourself in this world.
"Where is he?" Rick was firm in his question.
"I'm not just going to tell you were my sick, exhausted friend is and risk having you kill him in his sleep." Cait snapped back.
Rick put his head down to think for a moment and then raised his eyes back at her.
"Fair enough." Rick stepped down no longer feeling like these people are a threat to him and his group. "Your friend got a name?"
"Barry." Cisco answered. "And if it's not too much trouble, we really need to get these supplies back to him, so can we get our share of the meds?"
Rick looked at the others and nodded while waving a hand. "Let them through. Glenn, go with them. Make sure they're doing what they say they're doing."
Glenn nodded.
"Thank you." Cait said as she and Cisco walked passed the wall of people with one Asian trailing behind them.
They made quick work of finding the remaining supplies, though little it was a hell of a lot more than most places had.
"So, your friend, Barry, right?" Glenn started. They nodded listening. "How sick is he?"
Both Cait and Cisco shared a look. They couldn't tell the truth, could they? Cait shook her head. No, no they couldn't. At least not now.
"Very." she said. "He's malnourished, dehydrated, and exhausted."
"And yet, you guys look fine. A little on the skinny side and in need of a shower, but fine." the Asian commented giving them a disbelief look.
"Look, I don't know what you're implying but if you think we let him get like this, then you're wrong." Cait swirled around to glare at the other man.
Glenn raised his hands surrendering.
"It just seems odd is all."
"Barry," Cisco sighed. "Barry likes to put the world on top of his shoulders with no help and doesn't even ask for it. He would always take watch stating he was fine, skip a meal or two to help ration better, and probably put stuff back while we weren't looking. It's just the way man he is and it finally became too much for him and he crashed."
"Sounds pretty heroic." Glenn commented.
"You have no idea." Cisco smiled, acting like there was an inside joke that Glenn wasn't aware of. "Barry is one of a kind. He's a fight and a protector; it's what he does."
"Then I can't wait to meet him then." Glenn said. "We could use people like Barry on our side if he's anything like you say he is."
"He is." Cait said firmly. "And he'll be glad to help your group like you're one of us."
"What she said." Cisco pointed to his female partner.
"Good." Glenn nodded his head. "That's good."
They stopped talking for a period of time and started to do what they actually came over here to do; get medicine. Of course Caitlyn was truly the only one who was the most experience with this so she was in charge of finding the things they really needed.
"Can one of you guys help me?" asked Caitlin. "If we're going to divide the medicine evenly I'm going to need one of you to hold one of the bags."
"Do you want to do it?" asked Cisco. "You know to make sure everything is evenly divided."
"I would but I don't know how I feel with a man on look out with only two walkers under his belt." Glenn spoke. "If we're gonna be part of the same group we're gonna have to trust each other at one point. I'm gonna trust you to divide the meds equally."
"Are you sure?" asked a shocked Cisco. "Cause I can totally look out. I might not have as much experience as you but I won't get us killed, if that's what you're worrying about."
"No offense but I'm not gonna trust you with that. I'll take look out and who's to say I won't look at the bags later to make sure it was divided." Glenn gave a look that told Cisco he was going to check, no ifs, ands, or buts.
"You got it." Cisco went to help his friend and left Glenn to be look out.
Glenn shook his head as the two scientists collected the meds. The next couple of days were going to be quite interesting learning about the duo soon to be trio.
"Here, here." Cisco held out a bag to help Caitlin. "Let's get it on."
"Ok." Cait started and was sorting everything out. She was fast and précised. She was the best to do this; knew what was what and what was useful and what wasn't.
She was almost done when she came across a certain section of medicine. She slowly took a hold of one of the many bottles and read it twice to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her; adrenaline. Next to that were Ritalin and Adderall; both energy enhancing drugs, however, both very addicting.
She looked at Cisco and showed him one of the bottles. They locked eyes and an understanding came between them. They couldn't share this, at least not half and half. They were about ten bottles of each drug, it would be five and five but that couldn't happen. They needed this more.
Cait dumped two of each in their bag and two in the others'. Between her and Cisco, they pocketed the rest. The other group didn't need it as much as them; they would never know, even if they checked.
A couple of minutes later and they were done.
"Ok." Cait straightened up. "We're done. Everything's divided."
Glenn looked back and nodded. "Everything is clear here, let's get the meds back."
They both nodded and off they went.
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I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter of my story! Please like and comment! I'm also looking for a BETA READER! You can only read a 400,000 word story for so long before needing a second pair of eyes!
Thank you!