Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 60

How had it come to this? Thought Rick in shock as he watched his family, his people one by one walk over to the train car, hands raised in a universal gesture for surrender looking utterly defeated. One moment they'd been so hopeful, they'd at long last found somewhere they could live and at least be moderately happy not just survive on the run then it had all gone so very wrong. He had thought it was some sort of sick joke when they were first asked if they'd take to a cannibalistic lifestyle until the gunfire started. The assortment of weapons was lying on the floor, their knives, two guns, and a crowbar. He didn't understand why were they doing this? He thought as the voice told him that he was to go in next. With no other choice, Rick walked on shaky legs into the train car labelled 'D' his stomach churning, how was he going to get out of this situation intact? As soon as the door slammed shut he was over there and trying to open it he was unsuccessful.

Slamming his fist against he door in frustrated anger, only when he turned back around did he realize that his group weren't the only people in the car. There was a couple huddled in the corner shaking in fear, they didn't even react to the fact they had been shoved in alongside them. The man had his arms wrapped around the girl, he was extremely thin, shocking head of blonde hair, that was in complete disarray and he looked to be in his mid-to early twenties. The girl had long brown hair, same age as the guy, they'd probably came to Terminus together looking for sanctuary and had the same reaction to them about the question Gareth raised. He noticed the girls leg was improperly set, and she had a tattoo on her lower leg, she had an almost hippy look about her. Who wore a skirt in these days? Too much skin with the danger of being scratched or bitten easily. She did have a pair of sturdy boots so she was completely clueless.

Lori stood in the corner with her son wrapped in her arms, utterly terrified not able to see a way out of this. How long were they going to be kept in here? What about her baby? What if she went into labour and gave birth here? And Carl, her son, her wild eyes looked around as if hoping for a miraculous hidden exit to appear.

"What are we going to do?" T-Dog said asking the question that was on everyone's mind.

"We fight back, overwhelm them, grab the guns and get the hell out of here," Rick said determinedly, "They don't know who the hell they're fucking with."

"Fight back with what?" Beth squeaked out, hugging her father in fear.

"Everything, anything," Rick said, but it was Maggie who got them moving, as she began to tear into the car, bit by bit prying wood to make a wooden stake to fight back with. Rick removed his belt, wrapping it around his fist, keeping the belt buckle at front, pumping his fist in the air a few times before nodding grimly. It seemed to get most people's attention as they too tried to find something, anything to use to help the group, to help themselves.

Even Carl left his mothers side to help them in their latest mission, the only two people not doing anything was Beth and Lori, and of course the two people in the corner that remained mostly catatonic.

"Can you hear me?" Hershel asked the, worry clear in his blue eyes - that's if anyone had been able to see them surrounded in the dark as they were. He was useless here, he couldn't fight, he was an old man, the best he could do was see if he could somehow snap those two our of their state and get them to aid them all in the fight, the more people they had the better their changes of survival. As long as Bethy, Jimmy and Maggie got out of there alive that was all he cared about. He loved his daughters, loved them more than his own life. He was still reeling over his own emotions, one minute he had just begun to relax and feel safe when 'bang' it was the exact opposite. "Hello?" he crouched down, slowly checking the woman's pulse. It was erratic, which didn't surprise him, they were all probably like that.

"Can you fight?" Rick said going over to the couple beside Hershel.

Fearful blue eyes rose and met Rick's, his face a bloody sight of punches as if he'd been beaten within an inch of his life, he seemed startled as if he honestly hadn't realized anyone else had been placed in here. He shook his head, knowing that resistance was futile; it certainly had been for the last group that had fought back when they first got put in here. Part of him wanted to convey this but it was useless, he had lost his voice a long time ago. Time was meaningless in here, it could have been a few days or months he honestly had no clue and had no desire to know. He hadn't liked people before the apocalypse, and had loved them for a brief time after…now they disgusted him.

He could have said yes, should have kept them safe, then they could have ran, should have been smarter about it.

"Help us fight," Rick said determinedly, silently urging him to stand up and take a stand. "Together all of us can do this," trying not to give in to the overwhelming despair he could feel crawling up his throat. Threatening to choke him, but he had people relying on him, his son, his wife and her unborn child, they had to overpower these people by any means necessary. He wasn't quite ready to admit defeat.

"They can't," Hershel said as he stood, moving Rick away from them. "They're barely functioning right now." with a sad glance at them, knowing they'd long ago given up, retreated into themselves.

The part for Sophia was still in full swing, her presents had been opened, and the children had had a chance to listen to some music and eat the breakfast and lunch Carol made for them, as well as the very rare treats (cupcakes) which had been demolished. While nearly everyone was singing 'Happy Birthday' to Sophia Harry suddenly hunched over with a groan, his hand grasping a hold of the counter, his fingers going white as he gripped so tightly. Nobody noticed since the others were sitting around the table, looking at Sophia as they wished her a happy birthday.

Luna immediately stood in front of Harry, not in a bid to make sure nobody could see him but out of concern. Probably left over fear after seeing him having fits during their Hogwarts years when Voldemort came back and somehow made some sort of bond flare up between them letting Harry see some of Voldemort's actions. She'd gotten used to shielding him along with Hermione and Ron when those things happened. Not that she thought Voldemort was back, the idea was laughable, no, and she was just concerned and also trying to keep the attention away from Harry. She knew he wouldn't be best pleased with people constantly asking him if he was alright. He couldn't handle attention, or more accurately people being concerned about him. He'd never learned how to accept it let alone handle it.

"Are you alright?" Luna whispered, as Harry straightened himself up, his face still tense and screwed up in pain.

"Headache," Harry grunted, wincing still, knowing even rubbing it wouldn't make it go away. "Carl's in danger, and it's not stopping." it wasn't the first time the spell had alerted him to Carl being in danger, but it was the first time it had lasted more than five seconds before it abated.

Daryl closed his eyes and barely refrained from groaning, he knew what was going to happen as soon as Harry told em. Not that he would wish death on any of them, he just didn't want Harry to be the one ending up in a sticky situation because of Rick and the others. Harry, his brother and him had been written off early in the outbreak by everyone, but others in the group that began to take their survival seriously had began to realize they were goin' about it right. Trusting em to leave the rest of the group, the only one reluctant had been Dale but he came cus o' Andrea and Amy, and had not regretted it. It ain't like Carl had a choice though.

"Then let's go," Luna said, Harry would never leave them in danger when he knew about it, especially not a kid and not Carl. Harry had been fond of the boy, not as much as he was with Sophia, but it was different, Sophia had been with them longer now. Neither would she come to that, and she hadn't dealt with even a quarter of the shit the trio in front of her had.

"You ain't going without me," Merle grumbled, he couldn't care less about the others, he wasn't going to leave Luna to fend for herself in whatever situation officer friendly had gotten himself into.

Harry and Luna looked at each other before shrugging; they'd just be wasting time trying to convince Daryl and Merle to stay behind. Time they might not have as a matter of fact, so without more ado they turned swiftly, and with regret Harry called out, "Michonne, Andrea, you're in charge," Harry was still on the move as he spoke, grabbing his daggers, guns and compound bow as he passed the doorway where all the weapons were spread out. Everyone took Harry's rules seriously, they never went anywhere without a weapon not even to the toilet. Turning back, he ruffled Sophia's hair in a silent apology and to reassure her he'd be back without words. He didn't even wait to listen or answer any of their questions, Merle, Luna and Daryl hot on his heels, with their own weapons of choice.

The others all just stared bewildered wondering what the hell was going on, Big Tiny who had gone with them to open the gates returned not even five minutes later. Big Tiny didn't even manage to get inside the room before Andrea was asking him questions.

"What did you see?" Andrea asked, perplexed, it was very unlike them to act that way. "Is someone there?"

"Nothing," Big Tiny admitted scratching his head, wondering what the hell had just happened.

"There's nobody out there? They're not just getting rid of the walkers at the fence?" Carol questioned, righting her daughters hair, which Harry had completely messed it up much to her and Sophia's amusement.

"They've driven out," Big Tiny informed them as he reclaimed his seat. As if the hounds of hell were on their tail, but he didn't say that. It was very peculiar.

"We'll find out soon enough," Michonne informed them, curious too but not truly wondering at it, she hadn't been there long enough to know how very odd it was that Harry and the others would just up and leave. They planned everything, right down to the smallest detail ahead of time. Even who was going to be looking after the kids, it was just the way it was, and it kept them running a tight ship so to speak.

"Who's up for cake?" Carol said, taking the candles that Sophia had just blown out from the cake; she began to cut it up and divide it equally between everyone, making sure to set aside four pieces for the others when they returned. instead of putting the candles into the bin, she replaced them in the plastic container they'd came in, even if they don't get used in a cake again, they might come in handy for light. Anything remotely and possibly reusable was kept.

It was a testament to the trust Sophia had in Harry's abilities and his promise to always come back if he could, that Sophia began to enjoy her party again. She knew Harry would be back; he always did return and always before it got dark.

Harry drove like a maniac until he was away from the prison before driving the car to a stop, flinging up a notice-me-not at it as he got out, preparing himself for the worst. Unlatching his trunk he got out some weapons a hand held machine pistol and two additional magazines which Merle promptly took with a dark grin on his face. He took out three more, as well as a sniper rifle, and magazines for the hand held pistols they used daily. In his search he had removed the miniaturised army tank and shrunk his trunk before remembering it, he just hastily put it in his pocket along with his trunk.

"We don't be seen or heard," Harry explained, as he tapped their heads with his wand, knowing it was working by the fact they shivered like eggs had been cracked open on them. "I've made us invisible and as soon as we get there I'll silence the area, I don't know if it will stop the walkers or not so be on your guard." he was the only one who would be vulnerable since he was having to Apparate them so he couldn't keep a gun at the ready. He hoped he wasn't going to regret this, he thought as he took hold, making sure the three of them were attached, wrapping his magic around them he Apparated nearby.

"Alright, then," Harry said looking around slightly confused as to why the hell the spell had went off on Carl he couldn't see anything remotely dangerous. Just a few walkers at the entrance, so they had found a sanctuary to make their own that was good, he'd known Rick had the ability to be a good leader.

"Snipers on the roof," Merle murmured quietly, wondering if Luna and Harry could see him and Daryl or if they were invisible to everyone. He couldn't see where the others were although he could sense them, it was honestly quite odd.

"Three o em," Daryl added, his green eyes piercing the rooftop, "Ain't any of em from the old group." the might have taken people in.

"They can obviously take care of themselves, why are we still here?" Merle asked.

"The damn spell's still going, that's why," Harry grouched, rubbing his forehead where the persistent pain continued to thrum through him.

"Incoming," Luna said noticing movement as a group of men walked out of the building, making their way directly to a train car? Arching an eyebrow in sync as one climbed on top, and released the contents of a canister and thrust it inside.

"Tear gas," Merle stated thoughtfully, those on the rooftop were at their guns ready to defend the abandoned train maintenance yard. He'd just turned back when the door was yanked open and familiar people jumped out trying to fight, it was the most pathetic scene he'd ever witnessed in his life unfortunately for them, and they were knocked out quite quickly from the tear gas. Carelessly dragged away into the building after being hog tied. Rick, T-Dog, Glenn, Maggie, Beth and two that he was unfamiliar with.

"Well that explains the damn warning that keeps blaring in my head," Harry muttered, "What the fuck have they gotten themselves into?" had they let the wrong people in or had Rick and the others been captured?

"We goin' in or not?" Daryl questioned, they were just wasting time.

"Who's best with sniper rifles?" Harry asked, not ashamed that he wasn't overly fond of them, having to concentrate on the one thing at a time, instead of getting a whole overview of everything.

"Me," unsurprisingly it was Merle who spoke.

"Luna, you take Merle and get up on the roof, meet back here when we're done, preferably without them finding out," Harry stated sharply, getting into leader mode. He would rather his own group find out about magic first. "Try and make some sort of commotion, draw them out while we get the fucking idiots."

"What about the others?" Luna questioned if they set out a commotion they would need to get the others out surely. "I can get them; Merle can have my back after we've taken care of the others on the roof,"

Harry groaned, "I suppose…I'll get Merle down and Daryl can get the others to fence." flicking his wand melting two ends of the barbed wire causing them to fall uselessly to the ground. "Right Luna, Merle you're up. Remember to release the spells." he added as an afterthought, watching the top of the roof, the three men were taken down before they even knew anything was happening. They both shimmered into view, Merle already taking up position ready to defend the three of the people he cared about most.

"That's our cue," Harry said, keeping them concealed for the moment. Harry quickly made his way over the fence, waiting until Daryl got over and both of them made their way into the building, their arms touching the entire time so they knew where each of them were. The first room they entered made Harry pale drastically, and heave in disgust. "Cannibals." he croaked out, staring at the dead body that had its neck slit on a steel morgue table, its body was already beginning to marble it had been dead for at least twenty-four hours. "Let's get it done and get the fuck out of here." Harry hissed out his disgust, "Nobody survives."

Daryl snorted, as if he would have taken pity on anyone here he'd seen a lot of shit in his life but this was by far the worst. Blinking when Harry simmered into view beside him, his wand pointed at him, he took it that he was now visible too. Together they ran trying to find everyone; the next room they went into was packed with peoples personal possessions. Harry absently picked up a teddy his stomach lurching in disgust. He knew this was the people's belongings who they'd captured and killed. There was a table filled with nothing but jewellery, another filled packed with clothes, another toys and the last one had guns, Harry moved over and undid the magazine, just as he suspected no ammunition. Shrinking everything down he stuffed them into his pockets, not picking anything miniature that fell as he did so.

Quietly sneaking from room to room, until they heard the sound of people talking echoing off the walls, they were getting close.

Merle's blue eyes zoomed around the area, keeping an eye out for anyone that Luna might miss, his smart girl was keeping an eye on the building itself since he couldn't actually see down that way, as she made her way to the train cart. It was times like this he was vividly reminded of his time in the service. The time he'd punched his CO in the face, bloody fucker had deserved it. He didn't care that he'd ended up being given a dishonourable discharge. No Dixon was going to take crap from anyone, let alone him. At least he'd had the time to teach his little bro the ropes, considering the world they were in now it was vital to survival.

Luna yanked open the door, backing away before anyone came at her like the others had. "Quiet!" she hissed out, putting her finger to her lips, "Come on let's go!" quickly she helped Carl get out, giving him a hand as he jumped, then Hershel, who looked pale and shaken, no surprise since his daughters had been taken. "Daryl's getting them." she quickly reassured the older man. It eased some of his concern, but not all of it. It took all three of them to safely get Lori out of the car, taking extra care of her due to the baby.

"We don't have long, straight ahead over the fence!" Luna whispered hastily, as she shepherded them all along, she kept her guns up and aimed at the front just in case anyone came out and surprised them.

The group that had been selected were all tied up and gagged in front of a trough, terror was written on every line of the bodies. Glenn glanced behind him, watching two guys come up to them; one had a machete and the other a baseball in their hands. All of them jumped in fright as the first in the line were whacked loudly, the sound reverberating around the room. Then his hair was grabbed and his throat sliced almost in half, the blood began to pool heavily in the trough.

"Stop don't do this," Glenn protested, his voice muffled by the rag that had been stuffed into his mouth. He glanced at Maggie heartbroken and terrified for her.

They didn't listen, instead they continued on to the next person, the girl who had been in the cart with them. She received the exact same treatment. T-Dog was closest to the end where they had begun, and he remained stoic, refusing to cry or show fear to those who were hurting them. Unlike the guy next to him in the front, the guy from the cart, he was shaking, whimpering in distress, as if he had been in a freezer for too long. T-Dog did feel every move as if it were him, as the blonde was smashed across the head and his throat slit, the blood spatter actually got onto him, and T-Dog shuddered a little.

"Hey, guys what's your shot count?" Gareth said coming into the room just as T-Dog braced himself for the bat clipboard and a pen in his hand.

"38," the guy with the machete said automatically.

"HEY!" Gareth snapped when the baseball lifted ready to whack T-Dog. "Shot count?"

"I'm sorry man," baseball guy said, apologetically, he had forgotten to count but in his defence it was his first roundup.

Gareth glared coldly, "After you're done here, go to your spot and count the shells," his arm dropped the clipboard hanging loosely from his side, "Kaylee won't be..." was alll he got out as all of them ducked on instinct when a loud bang surrounded far too close to home. Not long after they began to smell the smoke. Gareth ran from the room, calling out to the others on the radio trying to get answers.

The others were standing there too worried to deal with the others; Rick began to remove the wood he'd stashed up his sleeve, trying to undo the binds holding his hands captive.

Carl went first, then the between Hershel and Luna they managed to get Lori over - she was bloody huge. Luckily her feet had just touched the ground when an almightily explosion rocked the entire area, the fire was so intense that Luna wondered if it was possible to get burnt without being touched with the naked flame. "GO!" she demanded of Hershel but he wouldn't hear of it, instead of wasting time Luna quickly made her way over and thankfully Hershel did too only less smoothly and his dismount was abysmal but he got there.

Luna looked around, trying to see Daryl, Harry or Merle and as of yet she couldn't see anyone but there were walkers descending on the area real quick.

"My god!" Hershel whispered in horror as he watched the scene in front of him, how were his daughters going to get out of this?

"Hey," Luna said, pressing her hand to his arm in sympathy, "They'll get out,"

"You can't know that," Hershel said, hope mingling with defeat as he stared, praying for his daughter's safe return like he hadn't prayed in a good long while.

"Is…is Harry okay?" Carl asked, not able to look at Luna, he'd been mad at Harry for leaving as well as mad at his parents.

"He's fine," Luna said to the young boy, smiling as he turned to stare at her his relief plain as day.

Daryl glanced around the corner, pausing briefly at the explosion, hoping that it had been Merle to set it off. Harry had told Luna and Merle to create a distraction, but that didn't include blowing the place up, Harry was already heading up for brother to keep the way clear for him and the others. Three people, guns raised he shot the two with the more dangerous weapons then the third shot was off before the other with the baseball bat could turn around fully.

Holstering one of his guns he quickly made sure the room was empty before he knelt down, removed his dagger and swiftly cut the cords that were keeping everyone bound. They were completely and utterly astonished to see him, he'd bet they would have been gaping if they hadn't been gagged. He handed Rick his python revolver giving him a serious nod, there were now bullets in it.

Daryl grunted when Beth in gratitude flung herself at him, hugging him closely not caring that it wasn't returned. "Thank you," she choked out, she didn't care that he'd left she was just so glad to have been found by him. Maggie more composed, patted him on the arm squeezing it in gratitude. "We gotta get out of here."

"Where's Harry?" Glenn asked as they bolted for the exit, well technically it was the front of the building. Accepting the gun that Daryl gave him feeling relieved that he wasn't empty handed.

"Getting us outta here," Daryl answered, the area was crawling with walkers, picking up his machine pistol, and he shot at anything that got too close not wasting bullets either.

"I'm not leaving without the others!" Rick argued, trying to get them to go in the direction of the cart.

"Luna already got them out," Daryl hollered over the gunfire, jerking to the left as more walkers advanced, there was no other gunfire coming from the roof what the hell had happened? What if something had happened to Harry and Merle?

"DAD!" Carl called out, a gun in his hand shooting walkers through the fence with Luna.

Daryl was almost relieved to hear Carl's voice it meant they were getting close; he was hoping that they were at the fence, if anything happened to Merle and Harry he'd never forgive himself. He reloaded and began shooting as everyone climbed over the fence, safe from the walkers. With moments indecision Daryl climbed over himself.

"Where's Harry and Merle?" Daryl immediately asked Luna, looking around hoping to see them Apparate between the trees or something - anything than just not knowing.

Luna immediately looked up her heart pounding, "Stay here!" Luna said seriously, before she bolted away from the group, only Daryl really picked up on the soft pop that signalled her Apparating away.

"Where's she going? The place is surrounded it's a suicide mission!" Maggie said, worried for Luna.

"Don't matter," Daryl said, "I'd do the same," the only reason he wasn't, was because Luna hadn't given him a chance.

"Merle! Where's Harry?" Luna called out as she ran towards Merle who was busy shooting down at the other side of the building (the wrong side of the building) from where he had been earlier.

"Get him I'm running out of bullets!" Merle said testily, shooting another group of walkers, he'd bloody shat himself when he heard Harry exclaim loudly as he Apparated onto the roof, the resulting explosion had caused him to bodily fly off the roof, Merle hadn't had a chance to grab him. Harry was unconscious on the floor bloody bleeding. Having to trust that Daryl would be alright as he continuously kept walkers from Harry. He was literally surrounded by walkers at all sides, dead ones he'd already dispatched off.

Tensing further when he saw Luna down there, he was half leaning off the building, so none of the damn walkers snuck up on him now them as Luna was down there with him. Popping off another few rounds, he sighed in relief when Luna Apparated back up onto the roof with the unconscious wizard.

"He's badly burnt, probably has a few broken bones too," Luna muttered wide-eyed, checking his head he found no injuries that was one less thing to worry about. "Rennerverate!" she quickly cast. The burns were on his shoulder and chest.

Harry screwed up his face groaning in agony his body stiff as if he had been petrified. "That fucking hurt," sighing in relief when Luna applied a cooling charm to the burns, which only took the edge off really. "What's happened? Where's Daryl?" sitting up urgently, his own pain forgotten.

"He's outside the fence, he's safe for now, but we do have to get back without anyone seeing," Luna said, and Harry couldn't Apparate them in his condition, thankfully though she knew where exactly to Apparate too. "I'm going to Apparate us out of here, are you going to be alright to go?"

"Here," Harry said handing over the miniaturised truck, thank fuck he'd accidentally left it out, he hadn't thought ahead of needing bloody transport for Rick and the others so they could get safely away. "You'll need to just go ahead, slash the trees in the sign of the Deathly Hallows we'll meet you at the first road."

"Done," Luna answered before Merle could speak.

"Then do it," Harry said bracing himself, the pain was excruciating but he was working through it, he was used to pain. Harry bit his tongue so hard; the Apparation had been harder and more painful than anticipated. "It's getting dark, you have to go." they'd never stayed out after dark the others were going to worry themselves sick.

"Can you even stand up?" Merle snorted at Harry's stubbornness, grasping a hold of Harry's good arm and standing the dizzy wizard up.

"M'fine," Harry keened lowly, he wasn't walking anywhere, and his leg was fucked.

"Daryl!" Luna called out, "Daryl get over here!"

Of course it wasn't just Daryl that appeared but he was the first, Luna deftly slid her wand back into her wrist holster without a single clumsy moment.

"Merle and I are going to look for a van or something that will hold everyone; you're going to have to help him. We'll be back as soon as possible," trying to subtly indicate that they had a vehicle already they just needed to make a scene of looking for one. Harry's bleeding heart wouldn't see them abandoned with transport to get to safety.

"Alrigh'," Daryl agreed, unable to hide his concern, wincing at the state Harry was in, he hooked Harry's good arm around his shoulders and basically held on until Harry's feet were barely touching the ground. By the time they started walking Luna and Merle were already gone, quickly looking for their exit path.

"That doesn't look good, son, he'll be going into shock soon," Hershel said getting a look at the wound wincing at the pain Harry was in. He was pretty much out of it already, his head lolling to the side; Daryl was the only thing keeping him upright. "He's going to need pain killers, ibuprofen, and penicillin if it gets infected which is a high factor in severe burns. It needs to be covered over to stop any infections first and foremost."

Daryl nodded grimly he knew, but he also knew with potions Harry was going to be just fine, it was just until they got him back to the prison he was going to be in pain and he didn't like seeing Harry that way. He was always so strong, capable and determined, fixing others as soon as they were hurt but when it came to himself he didn't damn well care to fix himself right away. He ignored everyone else as he walked, wondering at the markings Luna had drawn into the trees, it was the same sign of the pendant she wore around her neck, and it belonged to her dad apparently. Hershel, Beth, and Maggie had all thanked him for saving them, and he appreciated that. He had a good idea the others were following him and Harry cus they had the weapons to deal with any walkers in the vicinity while they had fuck all.

Either that or officer Friendly thought he'd be able to get them under his thumb again. That ain't gonna happen, the only time they ended up the shit creek without a paddle they were always involved...well not always, there was the Woodbury Gov.

Yeah i know everyone survived it's disapointing lol I wanted to kill off at least one of them...but i didnt even have the nerve to do that either damn what is it with me? I've only killed off like two characters! :D anyway there we go a little longer chapter for you all :D I hope you enjoyed it! I'm also trying to decide whether to have Rick antagonistic towards Harry and trying to bait him despite the fact he just saved his family (mostly cus he feels like shit for leading them into it) or to have him truly thankful but still wanting to be a leader and shot down every time he tries...hmm which one would you prefer? :D R&R please