Just a heads up guys, I don't have a lot of time for editing anymore and I need to move the plot a little faster for differing reasons, so the writing might be a little rougher from here on out; as well as a few more spelling mistakes and stuff. Also I might skip some things that canonically happen in ssn 3 if they're really not important, in favor of my own more important scenes. They will still happen unless specified otherwise but I'm not gonna write them out/writing Eve into them anymore. It just takes too many words and I'm not up to it anymore, and you know plenty about the characters and how they think now so it's really not even necessary anymore. Dw The witty thoughts will still continue and all that jazz, it's just gonna be more plot driven from here on out.

Also, this chp is almost 3800 words, so buckle up.

We went out with the intention of finding food, and came back with a couple of rabbits and a new destination.

Rick explained to the others what we found and we didn't see any holes in the outside fence when we walked around it, so that's where we're going.

The sun will be down in a couple hours, so we gotta do this fast.

It'll take all of us to get inside this place, so we parked the cars on the other side of the canal that runs along one side of the fence, where there's a little wooden bridge/dock thing that goes across it. Not big enough for vehicles but there's a road bridge across it farther down.

The entire group took only what we need for the night, just a few backpacks and we left everything else in the cars.

All of us kept guard around Rick while he cut a hole in the fence to the fenced-gravel pathway that separates the prison yard from the outside. A nice and long, wide path convenient for letting all of us run worry-free from this side of the fence to the gate area by the road. Where we'll bring the cars in through after we see if we can actually do this.

Maggie & Glenn took out a walker coming from our right along the fence while I got the one that mosied over to say hello from the left.

"Watch the backside." T reminded as Rick got the fence open finally and those closest to the fence started slipping through.

"Got it." Lori claimed the watch and I nodded at her, letting her know I'm good to go last.

Everyone else slipped through, taking the bags through with them; mainly the guns.

Daryl and Glenn holding the fence apart so it'll be faster while Lori carefully passed through, being careful of her baby-belly.

As soon as she was through Rick sternly whispered, "Hurry." at me and T-Dog.

T-Dog went first while I slashed the jaw off of one last walker. I could've left it but Rick still has to go through after me, I don't want to risk it grabbing him. Also we need time to seal it up behind us.

I ducked through smoother than a skipping rock and Rick was right behind me. The second he was through, Daryl and Glenn set to work on binding up the gap with some thick orange cord we've been carrying around for a few weeks.

This way nothing will be able to follow us through.

All of us stood around panting, waiting in this safe space until they were finished, and as soon as they were done, we started jogging away from this watch tower at the end here, towards the front entry towers of the prison.

It was a brisk little run but not too bad. I actually like how long the run is, how much space there is. It's nice having unobstructed sight all around me.

Daryl got to the gate first, and opened it to the little security check point where they would check under cars and stuff before letting a vehicle into the prison.

The grassy yard looks much bigger up close than it did on that hill from the tracks.

I expected there to be more weeds and things growing through the gravel road and paths here but there isn't really. Bizarre.

There's a prison bus thats tipped over right on the inside of the vehicle gate. The walkers on the inside of the fence all have dirty denim-blue jumpsuits that look like they were made out reject bed sheets but there's not actually that many of them.

I'd have expected more given the size of this building. Maybe it's just that there's a lot of space and they're kinda spread out, there's not a single one that's within 10 feet of another one, even as they're all starting to make their way towards us and the fences.

There's still enough to be risky though. Each one of us will have to take out several to even think about going in there but there's another problem.

I stood so close to the fence my nose is almost touching it. I can smell the dirty chalky metal like a weightlifter's barbell.

The gate farther up that leads into the paved courtyard, is open, and there's more walkers coming out of it.

Not so many that it will significantly worsen our odds & risks here but enough — and at a steady enough pace — that it concerns me on a number of levels.

Like how many more walkers are in that yard up there that we can't see. How fast they're moving, if they're heading this way already, if they know we're here, etc.

I shared a look with Daryl, then Rick. Looks like all 3 of us are aware of the problem.

"It's perfect."

—I'm sorry, what?

I stared at Rick.

That is not the word I would have chosen. Potential maybe, but this is a far cry from my definition of 'perfect'.

Maybe my standards for perfection are just a little bit higher than yours, Mr. Officer.

"If we can shut that gate, prevent more from filling the yard. We can pick off these walkers." Rick pointed around the fences of our little safety square where it's becoming mighty noisy. Fence shaking, growling, weird breathy noises that sound like someone's trying to hack up a loogie and failing, or making those "crowd" noises with some loud exhaling.

"We'll take the field by the night."

If not, we can just stay in here. I don't exactly feel safe right here but we can camp out for 1 night and finish off the rest of them tomorrow if we need to.

"So how do we shut the gate?" Hershel stepped forward, squinting against the sun.

"I'll do it. You guys cover for me." Glenn volunteered.

"No. Suicide run." Maggie immediately shot it down, shaking her head trying to catch her breath from the run.

"I'm the fastest." Glenn argued. I'm surprised you have the guts to say that when I'm standing right next to you.

"No, you, Maggie, Randall, and Beth draw as many as you can over there." Rick pointed to the other side of the pathway we ran up to the side that leads up to the next tower on the corner of the prison. "Pop 'em through the fence."

"Daryl, Eve, go back to the other tower. Carol, you've become a pretty good shot. Take your time we don't have a lot of ammo to waste."

People started moving but I stayed put, poking my tongue into my cheek. Oh I know where this is going.

"Hershel, you and Carl take this tower."

"Right." Carl nodded and he & the old timer did as told.

Rick finally settled down, staring at the gate. "I'll run for the gate."

I pulled my knives and Rick looked at me. I motioned to the both of us and jerked my chin towards the gate. Two runners is better than one, besides I'm lighter on my feet and quite frankly better than anyone else here at hand-to-hand combat.

I'm the deadliest close-range member we've got and there is no room for argument there. I've been this way even before Rick joined the group, so he doesn't have a choice.

Rick knows this. So it's unsurprising that he nodded in thanks/approval and got ready.

"Ey"

I turned.

"Be careful." Daryl gave me a pointed look. He's been really on edge about me being more careful lately. I don't blame him and I do try, but shit happens.

I nodded and hesitated before giving him a quick peck. I'm still getting used to this. It's only been a few weeks since we mutually agreed that hugs & stuff aren't cutting it anymore. So to avoid a catastrophe of impatience, we've …upgraded.

He and Carol headed for their tower and I moved up in front of Rick, Lori grabbing the gate into the yard.

We're lucky this bus is blocking the view of us from the yard or this plan wouldn't even be possible.

I signaled at Rick for him to let me take the lead here and he nodded, prepping his gun with the improvised flashlight silencer.

I breathed deep, tensing and rolled my shoulders, warming up for quick strikes before nodding at Lori.

She nodded back and quickly but carefully slid the rolling gate open, just enough for the two of us to slip through.

I moved fast, knives ready and immediately coming around the front face of the bus, I sank my knife under a soft chin straight up into a brain.

I yanked it out quickly and moved fast. The fences rattling with the others shouting and most of the walkers stacking up over there getting whacked through it.

My heart pounded, eyes flying between everything that's moving in our path to the gate. Most of the walkers are on the left side of the path though, the opposite side to the fences where they're being taken care of.

'Faster.'

I picked up the pace, running up the gravel path and only jumped slightly when a bolt sank through the head of a walker barely 6 feet from me.

Rick shot the ones around us that are getting too close to us, while the others in the towers were taking care of most of that group on the other side of us; gunshots ringing off all around and spiking my adrenaline.

It feels like being in a warzone.

I sliced through a walker directly in our path, gaining the attention of the 3 others in our way.

I heard something hit the dirt behind me and Rick's presence felt farther away but as soon as I slowed down to look, he appeared next to me and I heard what sounds like Carol call out "Sorry".

I'm not gonna think about what she has to apologize for. I've got a pretty good guess.

Rick shot the two walkers farther up while I kicked in the knee of the one in front of me, grabbed it's arm and swung it into the cluster of them clamoring up to us.

I grabbed the gate as Rick was trying to close it and helped push it shut, digging my heels into the dirt to hold it closed while Rick used a makeshift lock made of two giant carabiners and a tough little chain to chain the sliding gate to the non-moving portion.

I kept my eyes over my shoulder sweating more and more as those walkers are getting back up and getting closer until Rick finally turned to start running

I threw my knife at a walker and grabbed the back of his sweat-soaked shirt to stop him from running straight into that just in time.

"It's too late!" I yanked him back, pulling out my gun and shooting until my clip was spent.

"In here!" Rick grabbed my arm and yanked me to the side, making me miss my shot before yanking open the toxic-waste orange tower door right by the gate and shot what was inside before we both dashed in and pulled the door shut behind us.

I almost tripped on fresh dead limbs and smashed my hands against the dark wall to catch myself.

Pounding on the door drowned the breathless pants in the small room.

I swallowed, trying to restore some kind of moisture to my throat.

"Let's go." Rick motioned at the stairs and took them two at a time to the top. I playfully rolled my eyes but followed, taking them 3 at a time, just to be a show off.

When I got to the top, it was like that moment you come up from underwater. That deep breath of fresh cool air.

The late spring wind rushing around me like mischievous wind sprites welcoming me to a secret place.

Rick stood at the railing, sporting a smile bigger than I've seen since the day he found his family. With a trusty rifle in his hands.

I checked my empty clip and the chamber on my gun with a smile just as big, and walked behind him around to the side where the door is and used my last shot to get one of the boys at the door before going back around to the side where the door to the inside is, where the stairs down are. I sank down, sitting criss-cross and letting my butt squish into the grated metal floor like it's the finest chair in all the land and kept watch on the stairs while everyone squeezed off round after round until the field was finally empty; aside from the few boys at our door.

The others shouted and whooped as they collected in the yard, the first few running into the field, not concerned at all with the few walkers left up by us.

I looked over just as Rick let out the biggest sigh of relief I've ever heard in my life.

"Finally." he stared at the field. I haven't seen the cogs behind his eyes turn like that in a very long time.

He needed this win more than anybody.

I spun around and hung my legs off the side, underneath the rail, staring out at all the open space that now belongs to us.

I can't wait to just lay in that grass. I don't even care if I get itchy bug bites. I'm gonna lay in it and anyone who tries to stop me is gonna get pulled down next to me.

Randall waved from down below and I grinned, throwing up a peace sign.

The fire crackled as we all sat around it — well, almost all of us. Daryl's pacing around on top of that bus by the gate keeping watch, Rick's wandering the fence line over and over like a caged wild animal, checking for holes. And I'm laying in the grass staring up at the thousands of stars in the sky.

Maggie took charge of dinner for a change, grilling the rabbits. The rifle Carol used today hurt her shoulder pretty bad; she's been rubbing it every few minutes all evening.

She got up a few minutes ago after the first rabbit was done to take some to Daryl, knowing he won't eat if someone doesn't.

I'd do it but it was her thoughtfulness so it's only fair. And no I'm not just saying that because I don't want to let my warm skin off this cool grass any time soon.

"Mmm" Glenn hummed. "Just like mom used to make."

I smiled, a few chuckles gracing my eardrums as a rabbit bone went flying across my vision into the night, never to be seen again.

"Tomorrow we'll pull the bodies together. Now if we can dig a canal under the fence we'll have plenty of fresh water." T-Dog has really become quite a survivalist.

He's really good about keeping track of our water situation. It's a little bit freaky, it's like he knows exactly how much water all of us use.

Not just drinking, like it's easy to approximate how much water a person needs a day, but water is useful for all sorts of things. The most water gets used for cleaning up, even if we're only using washcloths to clean our skin or for rinsing a pot we used to make a meal so it doesn't get gross.

It's impressive.

"Bethy, sing Paddy Reilly for me." Hershel asked. "I haven't heard that I think, since your mother was alive."

"Daddy not that one, please." Maggie asked before Beth could even respond. I'm gonna guess happy memories that have become painful, judging by the tone of her voice.

I tilted my head back, looking up at everyone upside down.

"How about uh.. Partin' Glass?" he suggested instead.

"No one wants to hear." Beth refused.

"Why not?" Glenn asked.

"Okay."

Pfft, well that was easy.

I get the feeling that she likes to sing but she thinks we all find it annoying.

I can't speak for everyone but for me at least it's quite the opposite actually, if I had an instrument I'd accompany her.

Almost right as the thought crossed my mind, Maggie suddenly joined her and Glenn looked at her like not even he knew she can sing.

I propped myself up on my elbows and turned so I can see her better as Daryl and Carol came back over. I can even see Rick coming back down from the hill by the courtyard.

Daryl sat right behind my head and I let my neck rest over his thigh as he leaned on his hand, the other one picking at the overgrown weedy grass.

"Beautiful." Hershel complimented his girls, and I couldn't agree more.

"Better all turn in. I'll take watch over there. We got a big day tomorrow." Boooo. Rick you spoil sport. Do you know how long it's been since we heard music? At least wait a minute before bringing up unpleasant stuff will ya?

"What do you mean?" Glenn asked.

"Look, I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win."

Oh great, here comes a speech.

I blew air out of my mouth, looking up at Daryl who glanced down at me. He knows what's coming too.

"But we gotta push just a little bit more."

I knew he was gonna say that. You really don't know the meaning of the word moderation, do you?

"Most of the walkers are dressed and guards and prisoners. Looks like this place fell pretty early. Could mean the supplies may be intact."

Ok, I admit it, you have a point there. But one more day won't kill any supplies that are still usable. We don't even have a strategy for how to safely get to the stuff yet.

"They'd have an infirmary, commissary."

Oh, he's thinking about the baby. Ok yeah, I'm smart. That might be a damn good reason to hurry up and establish a safe base.

"An armory?" Daryl asked, interest peeking his voice.

"That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far. Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine." Rick listed. "This place could be a gold mine."

That'd be nice but I wouldn't count on such luck.

I turned over to face him and the others a little better.

"We're dangerously low on ammo." Hershel reminded. "We'll run out before we make a dent."

"That's why we have to go in there… hand to hand."

"After all we've been through. We can handle it, I know we can." Rick stressed tiredly. He's exhausted too but he— gosh, he wants this real bad.

I don't blame him. Given the choice I wouldn't sleep on this ground longer than I have to but I would rather sleep on this ground than go in there before we're prepared.

"These assholes don't stand a chance." Rick tried to get a reaction out of Carl but it didn't do much. Carl hasn't been on very good terms with his parents, the whole Grimes family are kinda strained with each other right now.

That's why he's been hanging out with me and Daryl and surprisingly Randall, more.

It's nice to see Randall and him getting along. Sometimes I look at them and think they could be brothers. Randall's become a lot more comfortable through the winter, he doesn't run his mouth anymore which turns out was the reason most of the group was annoyed with him.

He, Beth, and Carl started hanging out together — being the only kids here even though Randall is only a few months younger than Maggie his maturity is still that of a teenager. But I don't have much room to talk in that arena. Which is why I've also been hanging out with the kids.

Carl and Randall are really far apart in age but it's good for him to have a younger boy he can talk to and hang out with. I felt kinda bad for him before, especially after Sophia…

Rick stood and walked away and Lori got up, they're probably gonna fight again but I admire her tenacity. She hasn't given up, she's been bearing a lot more stress than the rest of us. I've been trying to take some of it off where I can but that's just been sitting with her sometimes, and most effectively, freeing up Carol so she can go be with her. Carol's got a lot more experience in this area than I do. I can only listen.

I sighed and readjusted my head as I rolled back to look at the sky some more.

Tomorrow's gonna be fun as pop rocks & mouthwash.