Disclaimer- I do not own anything relating to the Walking Dead.
Shadowoftheblackdeat- I haven't forgotten don't worry, here's another one. I hope you enjoy where this goes.
Oldlonbird- Credit you for some of the ideas in this chapter, thank you so much. She definitely is. I know I'm the one writing it but even I don't think I'd be like her in real life. Thank you for still reading and I hope you continue to enjoy it and leave me great reviews.
Alwaysand- I know but some things come to a realisation in this chapter so you won't be the only one that can see them. I hope you enjoy this chapter and continue leaving your great reviews.
Somethings going down in this Chapter, that completely deviates from the TV series. More than the changes I've already made. I hope it works out the way I hope it does and that you all enjoy it. Shadowoftheblackdeat put some of this into my mind and I couldn't get it out again. It's also something a lot of you keep bringing up and honestly it makes complete sense with how I've written my characters.
Enjoy.
Danny's POV
Michonne has left, she should reach Woodbury before nightfall and then she'll wait for it get dark before sneaking in. I'm terrified of what could happen if she gets caught and I'm seriously second guessing the decision to let her go but Daryl said I couldn't follow her to stop her.
I'm stood off to the side bobbing Riley up and down in my arms as everyone else is gathered around a picnic table, the Sheriff and Carl included. Herschel made them come and surprisingly they've not said a word since they came outside to join us. They've sort of just stood off to the side, just close enough to see the map Daryl has laid out on the table.
On that map is a bullet marking the location of our evacuation location. I don't want people to start dying before people decide to retreat and leave. We should all know when to give up and abandon, this place is not worth losing anymore lives.
"We need to put some emergency supplies in each of the vehicles", Daryl tells them, "in case we're able to get out with the cars. Danny also always has a emergency backpack packed and close by at all times. I think those that don't 'ave one should pack one and leave it reachable." Daryl looks at everyone individually to make sure they know the evacuation plan and route. Daryl went through the route three times, in great detail. Street names and landmarks were given out to try and make it easier. When he gets to Beth I know he notices her puzzled expression, the same goes for Axel's expression.
Daryl stands up straighter, "Anyone got any questions?" He looks straight at Beth.
She looks at her dad quickly who gives her an encouraging nod. "I haven't been outside of the prison since we got here and I don't know if I'll be able to get to that place". Axel Mm's in agreement.
"If we could I would take ya out there, show ya the route but we can't risk it. The best I can do is write down the directions and street names. Keep the paper on ya at all times".
Merle suddenly raises his hand up and waves it a little, like a little kid in school. I smile as Daryl's shoulders sag as he sighs.
"What?"
"Road blockin'..." He pauses for what I can assume is a dramatic pause. "...We should put up blockages on the two roads leadin' here. Make it more difficult for them to get their cars through. Could also put somethin' up by the gate to stop those fuckers drivin' through it again".
I readjust Riley, "You got some ideas?"
"Plenty, we got plenty of fencin' that's inside the compound that we can take the barb' wire off of. If we get enough of it it should be enough to stop cars by tanglin' up the wheels. It would slow 'em down, make us know they're comin'".
"The garage", Oscars starts, "has some cars in it still, could put them out on the road, put the wire between them, it'd make it harder for us to get out with our cars but it'd mean it's harder to get in." Merle and Oscar look at each other, "We can start it as soon as we're done here man, get most of it sorted and ready 'fore dark".
Merle nods his approval.
"We have another problem", Herschel says, he looks at Judith who is currently in Beth's arms. "We're running out of baby formula. I know you said it wasn't safe to go out just yet but if we don't find some soon she'll be out in a couple of days".
Daryl runs a hand over his mouth with another heavy sigh. He's really against any of us taking a trip out. At least until Michonne gets back with information.
"I'll go out", they're the first words the Sheriff has said since coming outside.
I shake my head without even thinking first.
The Sheriff glares at me, "She's my child and I will not let her starve on the off chance that there are people out there. You can feed your child, mine doesn't have that luxury. Ya can't stop me providin' for what little family I 'ave left".
The anger in his words doesn't bother me, if the roles were reversed Daryl would be out of that gate without even mentioning where he was going. The shake of my head wasn't because I wanted Judith to go without but because I can help.
I look down at Riley, I can give Judith what she needs. "I have a pump, we don't have anywhere to store any of the excess milk that I provide. I am more that willing to give it to her, it's what she needs". Honestly, I'm not sure why it hasn't been thought of before now.
I cast a glance at Carol, who's got the smallest of smiles on her face, before looking back at the Sheriff. It takes him a moment but finally he nods.
"Thank you".
Carl immediately groans and with a huff storms away, he doesn't like the idea and that couldn't be anymore obvious. The Sheriff watches him go before deciding to actually follow after his son.
Daryl turns to face me, "Are ya sure you're okay with it?"
"Yes, why waste any of it when she needs it. It gives us some time before we have to worry about feeding either one of them".
"Are we short on anythin' else?" Daryl addresses everyone.
Carol shakes her head, "No we're good." She then looks at Herschel in case they need anything.
He thinks for a moment. "No, I think we'll be okay for a bit. But hidin' in here can't be a long term solution as we're bound to need stuff soon".
"It ain't gonna be a long term solution", Daryl says a little roughly, "It's just until we find out what's happenin'. Is there anythin' else anyone wants to bring up?"
When nobody says anything he mumbles 'alright' and then proceeds to fold the map back up.
Everyone starts to disperse until it's only Merle, myself and Daryl left. Merle comes closer. "I got an idea".
I just stare at him, waiting. If he's waited until everyone's gone then it probably means it's not that bright of an idea but I wait to hear him out.
He quickly looks around him to make sure no one is in ear shot, "One way to help would be to lock officer friendly and his little psychotic son up." I was right. "That way we ain't gotta worry 'bout what he's doin'".
I cast a side eye glance at Daryl for a quick reaction check, to see what he's thinking and it honestly looks like he's contemplating the idea.
I scoff, "Seriously Merle. I get it, fully understand but we can't just lock him in a cell. We have no idea how the others would react and Carl is still a child. No matter how he's currently acting." I pause for a second and then shrug, "However if the Sheriff keeps unravelling then I guess it would protect him and us. Honestly I don't think we can keep him inside of these walls". I think he'll make any excuse to get out there, to go to Woodbury and make this entire situation ten times worse, but I don't agree with locking Carl up. I think it'd do more harm than good. He already hates me with a passion I don't need to give him any more reason to make that hate grow.
Merle nods his head and then taps the end of his nose and leans his head a little closer, "Ya let me know when ya want it to go down, until then I'll with Oscar", He strokes Riley's head with a finger, "Laters". He then starts walking over to the garage.
I turn to Daryl who's still meticulously folding the map up so its completely flat. "You think we should do that?"
He shrugs, "I think it could come to it if he keeps as he is. But we'd need complete backin' from everyone and I don't think we'd get that".
Herschel definitely wouldn't agree with it and I'm fifty fifty on whether Glenn would. I don't even know if I would. "You think it would work?"
He shrugs, "Don't think 'bout it. We'll know what to do when the times comes." He shoves the map into his back pocket and reaches out for Riley. "Why don't ya go get some rest, Doc says ya supposed to be restin'". I hand Riley over, I'm not gonna argue about being to told to nap because I am really tired and honestly still pretty sore.
"Fine, but wake me when Michonne gets back... Please". He places a kiss against my forehead.
"I will".
The sound of running feet wakes me up and then Sophia's running into my room.
"Michonne's back" She says a tad out of breath.
I sit up and shove my feet into my boots as quickly as I can. I follow after her through the still dark cell block and out the door into the cool night air. Michonne is just turning the car engine off as I get outside. I go and stand beside Carol who's currently holding my sleeping baby.
I try and wait until Michonne's fully out of the car but my sudden impatiences gets the better of me. "What happened?"
She looks at me. "She didn't believe me to start with, thought I was just holding some grudge against the governor but I told her about you guys and convinced her to come with me as I snuck over to a group meeting. They were talking about raising an army, they've convinced people that you guys killed one of their own and the only way for them to feel safe is to eliminate the problem. He's planning on killing all of you and destroying the prison".
The silence is loud, deafening in fact. I look down at Riley sleeping peacefully and know that the option we were all deliberating earlier now has to be done, without question. I can't stay here if it puts my baby at risk.
"Andrea's going to try and talk to the governor, get him to sit down with us and find a common ground", Michonne continues but I know longer care.
"We have to do it" I blurt out. Daryl's head snaps round to look at me, his eyebrows pulled down in confusion but I don't let him speak. "We can't stay here".
"We can kill him", Merle offers.
I just shake my head. It's too late, if we kill him how do we know it will stop the others. They could take revenge. If their whole town agrees with getting rid of us then we are seriously out numbered."
"Dan..."
I carry on speaking over Daryl. "This prison was never really fully safe. There will always be Walkers inside the walls because we can't exactly rebuild the entire front of the prison. We're visible behind these fences." My voice gets louder the more adamant I get. "What if Walkers start realising we're in here or a herd appears. They could take down those fences and now this... We have to be constantly living on edge waiting for an attack from Woodbury. We don't know when it will happen. They could be on their way right now and we wouldn't know it". I look around at everyone, and I can easily tell some people aren't convinced. "We hoped this place would work... It hasn't. It's time to move on. I can't stay here". I put a lot of emphasis on it as I give Daryl a pleading look.
He suddenly stands up straighter. "We're movin' on, who else is comin'"?
Merle, Carol and Sophia immediately all say they are in unison. No hesitation. I want everyone to come, I want everyone to stay safe but if only these four people said they were coming then I would be more than happy. It'd mean the five people in my life who mean the most to me can be safe(r).
Glenn and Maggie whisper to one another before quietly saying they're coming. From where I stand it looks like they're purposely avoiding looking at the Sheriff.
Herschel lays a hand on the Sheriffs shoulder who is wearing a look that could kill. "I think we have to think about this. I know you think we could make this place work but if everyone else is leaving then I think it's something you should really consider... for your son and daughter. We can't split up like this. This place is too big for the three of you. It would be too much for you to make safe". Without out rightly saying it Herschel has agreed for him and Beth to come to. It makes sense, his eldest daughter is leaving and there's no way he'd want them to split up.
"NO!" Carls voice echoes around us as he shouts. I didn't know he'd come out to join us. "You are not in charge of us, you cannot make us leave. My mum died here and I'm not leaving this place".
The Sheriff doesn't look like he has plans to say anything so I do instead. "I know and you can't imagine how sorry I am that that happened. But you have to think of Judith".
He scoffs, "I am thinking of her. You aren't her mum no matter how much you try to be. You don't know what's best for her".
I shake my head a little in surprise, completely taken aback by his comment. I've not tried to be her mum... I don't think.
Daryl's hey is drowned out by the Sheriffs Carl. The Sheriff takes a step closer to Carl. "She isn't tryin' to replace Lori".
"Yeah right, she's even offering to feed her, that's something only mums do for their own children. Deal with your own baby and leave my sister alone."
The Sheriff now stands right in front of Carl and places his hands on his shoulders. "She isn't trying to take Lori's place, she's trying to help keep Judith healthy, her doing this for us would mean Judith doesn't have to worry about runnin' out of Formula just yet". The Sheriff looks at Herschel and Glenn in turn before bending his knees so he's the same height as Carl. "I don't want to leave either, I think we can defend this place but if Danny goes, so does everyone else and we can't defend this place by ourselves."
"We could".
Sheriff shakes his head. "We couldn't".
Carl sends a glare my way, "But why does she get to call the shots? You're meant to be in charge, we followed you".
"I tried and failed, they all want to follow Danny so we have to as well, its the only way we can stick together".
"I hate her".
The Sheriffs shoulders sag and he suddenly looks so defeated. "I haven't said this and I know I should have from the start, but she isn't responsible for your mums, death. No one here is. You need to understand that".