Chapter 57 - Quarantine, medicine & a sleep-in

Tahlia was on her way to fill up a container of water from the drums when she caught sight of Carol already there, filling a bucket.

"Hiya Carol. How're Lizzie and Mika holding up this morning? It's a lot for them to deal with, huh, losing their dad so quickly like that."

Lost in her head, Carol jumped at the question then cursed as she dropped the bucket to the ground, the water sloshing over her boots.

Tahlia's hand flew to her mouth as she approached then reached for the bucket. "Sorry! Didn't mean to give you a fright. Here, let me-"

"I've got it." muttered Carol. Then firmer, "I've got it!"

Stepping back a little, Tahlia eyed Carol up curiously. "How are you holding up?"

Carol stood up straight and drew a hand over her face. "Fine. Just… just…" She bit her bottom lip in agitation for a moment, then heaved a long weary sigh. "Karen and David died last night."

"Yeah, I heard." replied Tahlia bleakly. "So many people lost to this damn sickness."

"I went to see them." Carol told her, dropping her gaze to the ground. "Late. But they had already turned."

Tahlia gave a slow nod, a slight crease in her brow as she attempted to work out what Carol was really trying to tell her. "You put them down?"

"Yeah. But…" Suddenly Carol flicked her gaze up to Tahlia's and gave a terse shake of her head. "Never mind. I've just got to…"

She went to busy herself with refilling the bucket again, but Tahlia took it from her gently.

"Let me help you."

She set the bucket on the ground and the green of her gaze ran so deep that Carol immediately felt exposed and knew that Tahlia wasn't referring to helping with the water.

Carol wanted to fold in on herself, hide away, shut the doors and turn off the lights and keep Tahlia out, just like she had become so adept at doing for all those years when anyone came too close to discovering her reality with Ed.

But she wasn't that shadow of a person anymore. She could let people in now; she had. And wasn't that part of the reason she was in such a state this morning? Because there were so many people close to her heart now?

And at least Tahlia was the kind of person that, if you allowed her to peek inside your carefully guarded chest of dark secrets, she'd shine a little light and make it seem like perhaps it wasn't so dark after all.

So, thought Carol, maybe I could open up.

She took another deep breath, although couldn't quite bring herself to hold Tahlia's gaze. "They were already gone when I went to see them, but… but if they weren't, then they would have been after I went there." The words sounded far away, like they were spoken by someone else, yet she knew that it was her truth. "That's why I went there. To… to kill them. To try and stop the sickness spreading. And I knew that there were others with symptoms too, but those two were so ill and I just thought that if they were… then maybe no one else would get sick. Maybe I could end all this."

She chanced a quick glance at Tahlia to try and gauge her reaction, and was met with a contemplative nod.

"I get it. There's something bigger than us here that's threatening our family, and it feels like we've got no control. And that's the worst feeling. So, I don't think it's surprising that you felt like that, like you wanted to try and take control."

"But I would have done it, Tahly! No question! And then what? Where would I draw the line? Who do I become?" asked Carol, her voice shaking a little in distress.

Tahlia pulled at her bottom lip with her thumb and forefinger as she thought about this.

"There are people here that I would do anything for. To protect them. There's a whole side of me that I haven't even seen yet and I have no idea of what I'm capable of and that's a scary thought – to not recognise yourself. I think you caught a glimpse of that side of yourself and yeah, I bet that's pretty confronting."

Carol nodded, but there was a spark of distress still shining in her eyes, so Tahlia carried on.

"This world pushes us to do things that would've once been unimaginable, and nothing is black and white. Maybe you wouldn't have gone through with it; maybe you would have. Thankfully, you didn't have to make that choice in the end. Not this time. But I guess the thing to keep in mind is that whatever choices we make, we still have to find a way to live with ourselves, still have to be able to stand up in front of the ones we love. But also, all those ones that you love, the ones that make you feel so fierce? It goes both ways. We're in this with you and you don't have to make those choices on your own. You don't have to carry anything alone."

Then Tahlia embraced Carol tightly and could feel her clutching tight right back, a muffled sniff against her shoulder.

"Ugh." Carol quickly dashed her hand over her eyes as she pulled away. She knew that Tahlia had tactfully remained in the grey with her words of reassurance, but she still felt better and calmer all the same. "Thank you." she told her sincerely. Then she picked up the bucket and quickly filled it. "Better get on with it. Hershel wants the council to meet now and talk about this damn sickness." She gave Tahlia a guilty little look before starting back towards the prison.

"Ok! Well, probably don't suggest killing anyone!" Tahlia called after her in jest, laughing as Carol flicked a horrified glance at her over her shoulder.

"Too soon?" asked Tahlia innocently, and if that had come from anyone else, Carol might have taken offence, but as it was, Carol couldn't help but chuckle as she shook her head and made her way back to the main buildings, glad that she had decided to open up to Tahlia, feeling lighter already.

By the time Carol arrived in the library, the rest of the council were already gathered there, the mood tense and Hershel's expression grim.

"Things aren't looking good, I'm afraid." he started. "We've had three more deaths overnight, and everyone from that cellblock is now sick and deteriorating quickly. We've had to quarantine everyone in individual cells and keep the doors shut, just in case. We need medicine and we need it fast otherwise we're going to lose a lot more of our people, if not everyone, eventually." Spreading a map out on the table in front of him, he pointed to a circled area. "There's a veterinary college about 50 miles out, the meds for animals are much the same as for humans, so perhaps we can get what we need from there."

Rick opened his mouth to volunteer, but Hershel held a hand up. "Not you, Rick. People still look to you as a leader. They need to see you around here. Makes them feel a little more secure."

"I'll go." offered Daryl. "Go right now. Just gimme the map."

"Thank you, Daryl. I've made a list of everything we need."

"I'll come with you." Michonne stepped forward, and Rick flicked a worried look over to her.

She gave him a reassuring smile. "We'll be back in no time."

"Let's go then." Daryl jumped up from his perch on a desk. "Get Tahly on our way out, she'll come too."

"There y'are!" called Daryl as he saw Tahlia heading towards him in the vehicle bay. "Get your stuff ready, we're goin' on a run for medicine." Slamming the bonnet of the car shut, he was wiping his hands on a rag when he realized that Tahlia was just standing there, gazing at him.

He frowned. "Get your stuff."

Tahlia shook her head. "I'm not coming."

"Why not?" Daryl propped his hands on his hips.

"I'm needed here."

"Needed for what? The sick? Naw. You stay away from the sick. You're comin' with me."

"Somebody has to look after the people in quarantine."

"Not you!" protested Daryl. "They got Dr. S., Hershel!"

Tahlia sighed. "Dr. S. is sick now, too. Hershel can't look after all those people on his own. He's spent a lot of time teaching me over these past months, now he needs help and I've got to step up."

Daryl closed the gap between them, grabbing her shoulders, fear in his eyes.

"Naw. Ya seen how fast this thing spreads! What if you get sick too?"

Just arriving at the car, Michonne called out, "She's probably got the strongest immune system out of all of us with all the time she spends with you!"

Tahlia laughed at that, then gave Daryl a sassy smile and a hard slap on the butt. "And just in case, you'd better move your damned ass and go find me some medicine!"

"This is fuckin' serious, Tahly!" barked Daryl, his irritation barely concealing his worry.

"I know it is." she told him softly. "Our friends are dying. And just like you know that you have to go on this run to help them, I know that I have to stay here and look after them."

Staring at her for a long moment as her words sank in, finally, Daryl acquiesced. "'Kay, then." He wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Gonna be back 'fore dark. You'd better not be fuckin' dead."

Tahlia let out a laugh and kissed him. "Shit, you say the most beautiful things to me, Dixon."

He still couldn't summon up a smile for her, but managed to steal one last quick kiss before she turned away and headed towards Michonne.

The two of them high-fived, then hugged.

"Don't get bit!"

Michonne nodded. "Don't get sick!"

As Tahlia headed back up the hill, Michonne folded her arms and arched a brow at Daryl who was still staring after her, apprehension etched across his face.

"You know, that would've been a really good time to declare your undying love for her." she said lightly, a twinkle in her eye.

"Huh?!" Daryl's gaze snapped to hers at that. "How do ya know I ain't…?"

Michonne gave him a withering look. "We talk."

"She told ya that?"

"Well, I asked her and she told me. So, what's the hold up?"

Daryl responded to the question with one of his own, concerned. "It botherin' her?"

"No, course not. I just want to know why you haven't said anything yet when it's written all over your face every time you look at her! It's just three little words, Dixon!" teased Michonne. "I'm sure you can manage that!"

"Get off my damn case!" snapped Daryl as he threw his pack and crossbow in the trunk, slamming it hard.

He knew that Michonne was just messing with him, but she'd touched a nerve and his hackles had shot straight up.

It should be that simple, he knew that much. But it wasn't. Of course it fucking wasn't, not for him, the overthinker. Tahlia had spilled her heart to him and managed to make it sound big and genuine and so her, and he didn't know how to do the same. He thought that there'd come a moment where it all just seemed right and he'd find a combination of words that would encompass the depth and expanse of it all without sounding stupid. But the right moments were only ever visible to him once they were in his rearview mirror. And what goddamn words would he even use anyway? Trying to translate his thoughts into speech seemed an impossible task. He'd recited those three little words so many times in his head that they had lost all meaning and now seemed totally disingenuous and small and ineffective. So, everything remained tangled up like an old ball of yarn in his chest, the harder he pulled to try and get it out, the tighter it knotted and snarled.

Michonne looked on as Daryl drummed his fingers hard on the trunk, obviously mulling something over, a pensive look on his face.

They had always given one another a hard time in jest, but she was starting to feel bad because, although she hadn't meant to, she'd clearly upset him with this subject. Tahlia had steadfastly maintained that the way Daryl treated her and looked after her spoke volumes so she didn't need words from him, but Michonne couldn't help but find it curious that in everyday life, Daryl was comfortable speaking his mind and could be very frank, yet he was struggling with voicing something that was so blatantly obvious.

She was about to apologise, but Daryl spoke first, his tone hard.

"That's just it, though. Like three little goddamn words could even begin to cover it. Ain't enough. Not even close. Ain't got no words big enough to even touch the sides."

Michonne's eyebrows shot up at his raw honesty and depth of sentiment.

She wanted to tell him: That. Why don't you just say exactly that to her?

Because, damn, he didn't even realise that that alone carried the weight he was looking for.

But before she could say anything, Daryl ran a hand through his hair.

"Gonna go find someone else to come with us."

And then he was gone.

"Hershel! Open up!" Tahlia rapped on the viewing window in Cellblock A.

After a few minutes, Hershel's face appeared.

"No, Tahlia. You can't come in here." he told her firmly from the other side of the glass.

"Hershel! What kind of student would I be if I didn't get any practical experience? Doesn't it make up like 50% of my final grade?" she joked, beaming at him.

He just gave her a pointed look. "You could get sick, my dear. It's not safe."

"Nothing's safe anymore!" she countered, raising her eyebrows at him. "I just saw Maggie. She told me what you said, about how we risk our lives every day and we just need to decide what we're risking them for. That you said helping the sick to feel better was enough to risk yours. It's enough for me too, so let me in!"

Hershel sighed. "Darlin', I-"

Tahlia cut him off and held a bunch of round pinkish-purple flowers up to the window.

"She also said that you were making elderberry tea because it's a good flu remedy. Well, in that book you gave me, it said that red clover is great as a detox tea for respiratory issues. So, I went and got some. Thought we could mix it together and make a superpowered tonic!"

With an impressed nod, Hershel said, "Good thinking, Tahlia. That will certainly help."

"But!" she interjected quickly. "I'm holding this clover hostage until you let me in."

Then she tied a piece of cloth around her mouth and nose, her eyes shining with a bright smile.

A tiny flicker of amusement sparked in Hershel's eyes as he gazed at her through the murky glass, then with a sigh of resignation he opened the door, squeezing her arm affectionately as she came in.

"We can do good here. We can make them feel better. We can give them hope."

Tahlia nodded. "And we will. We'll do everything we can. We'll pull them through."

Sitting on the side of his bed, Glenn succumbed to a fit of coughing, certain that he was only moments away from throwing up the nothing in his stomach. His head was burning, beads of sweat tickled a torturous trail down his neck and his teeth were clenched as shivers coursed through his body.

"Glenn." Tahlia greeted him softly as she entered the cell, holding a mug of tea. "Brought you something to drink. It's not whiskey, but it's the next best thing."

Still coughing, Glenn held a hand up, but Tahlia sat next to him and patted his back gently until the coughing subsided, then handed him the mug.

"Drink this. It'll help."

Taking a sip of the steaming liquid, Glenn croaked, "Maggie. How's Maggie?"

Tahlia arched a brow and nudged him lightly. "Pretty pissed at you for getting sick."

Elbowing her back, Glenn took another mouthful before swirling the liquid in the vessel. "Everyone who got sick yesterday… they're dead."

Tapping the base of the mug to indicate he should keep drinking, Tahlia nodded. "Yeah. They are. But you've only been sick since today, and you're not dead yet, so don't start talking like it."

Silent for a moment as he stared at the rising steam, Glenn then said, "Tahly? I'm not feeling so good about this. Don't know if I can get through it."

"Can't get through a damn cold?! Of course you can. You've been through so much more than this!"

Glenn wanted to joke with her like they normally would, but his anxiety far outweighed anything else.

"What about Maggie? I don't want to lose her, leave her."

Tahlia tucked an arm around his shoulders. "And you're not going to." she declared with certainty.

"Don't, Tahly." Glenn said quietly. "Don't give me that optimistic bullshit. If something happens-"

"Glenn, nothing is happening except for you getting better and going to tell Maggie whatever you want to tell her yourself."

"Tahly!"

"Glenn!"

She replied with such indignation, that Glenn couldn't help but let out a choked laugh. "I swear, if I make it through this, I'm going to kick your ass."

Tahlia grinned. "You might be surprised to know that's not the first time someone's said that to me."

Weakly nudging her thigh with his, a smile flickered across Glenn's lips before he quickly grew serious again. "Please look out for her. If anything happens."

"Of course." she said with solemn reassurance. "Always. But I won't need to, coz you'll be around to do that. Now drink."

And then gently pressing the mug of tea to his lips, she coaxed him to take another sip.

Despite the fact that the day had been a bit of a rollercoaster and they weren't back within the prison fences yet, Michonne was ready to tentatively say that the run had been a success.

They'd recruited Bob and Tyreese to come along with them, the latter of whom had been devastated by Karen's death and then further crushed when Sasha had been quarantined with the sickness early that morning, and he had been chomping at the bit to get out and do something to help.

The run hadn't gotten off to a great start as they'd only been halfway to their destination when a random transmission about a place called Terminus had come over the radio, but they'd lost the frequency before garnering any further information, and had then run into a massive horde of the undead, crashing the car and being forced to make a run for it through the woods.

It quickly became apparent that Tyreese was not in a good space after his recent loss, and was acting like a reckless, bloodthirsty maniac which forced the others to keep a watchful eye on him and had them seriously on edge. Bob was, as always, cheerful and positive and had worked hard to smooth the tension between Tyreese and the others, but, after they'd gathered all the items on Hershel's list and narrowly escaped death at the hands of a group of walkers at the college, they'd found that all Bob had bagged was a bottle of whiskey. For a fraught moment, Michonne had thought that Daryl was going to throw him straight off the roof and into the waiting jaws of the walkers below, but he'd managed to leave it with a heavy threat, and finally they'd been able to start on the journey home.

But even after all of that, this seemed like the hardest part yet.

Night had descended, quiet and bleak, and the road stretched out in front of them, empty and endless.

In the passenger seat, Daryl jigged his leg and drummed his fingers impatiently on the door.

"Quit it." Michonne scolded from behind the wheel.

"Takin' fuckin' forever to get back."

She gritted her teeth. "It's taking as long as it takes."

"Whatever." mumbled Daryl sourly, even though he knew there was nothing more to be done except keep driving and drowning in worry for their loved ones back home.

Holding onto the hope that they wouldn't run into any more problems. Hope that nobody else would be sick. Hope that the ones that were wouldn't be too far gone by the time they got there.

Rolling back through the gates, Michonne had barely stopped the car before Daryl was out the door with the packs in his arms, setting off at a sprint up to Cellblock A.

Banging on the visitor's window, he shouted for Tahlia, but only Hershel appeared looking weary and completely drained.

Daryl dropped his hands to his side, fearing the worst. "She sick?"

Hershel shook his head. "She's fine, son. She's in with Glenn."

All the fear and worry that had been building like a pressure cooker inside him was released in one sharp exhale and he rubbed a hand hard over his mouth and nodded.

"Ok. Ok. Got everythin' y'asked for. It's all right here."

"Ah, wonderful, thank you." said Hershel, relieved, then gestured for him to go. "Best if you still stay clear of this block for now. I'll take that in and send Tahlia out to see you."

The moonlight cloaked Daryl's shoulders and he felt like he'd been pacing up and down outside Death Row for an eternity, although really it had only been a few minutes, when a soft, "Hi." stopped him in his tracks.

He whirled around to see the face that he'd been waiting for, looking exhausted but glowing all the same, and in the next moment he strode over to her and grabbed her so tightly in his arms he heard her gasp for air.

"You good?" he asked her gruffly, his voice a little choked.

"I'm good. You good?"

"Yeah. I'm good."

"Good." Tahlia laughed, hanging her arms around his neck. "Good."

She pulled back a little and smiled gratefully. "You guys did amazing today. You got everything we needed."

Daryl just shrugged. "Everyone's done their bit to get through this. How were things today?"

Tahlia rubbed a hand over her face wearily. "Full on. People went downhill really quickly. Lost at least six more. Couldn't keep on top of it and put them all down before they turned - had a few pretty hairy moments with walkers on the attack again. Glenn passed out and nearly got bit, and now he's been on the air bag for the past couple of hours. I've gotta go back in there and monitor him for a while, check that he's responding to the meds, hopefully have him breathing on his own. But fingers crossed we're through the worst of it now."

"Damn." Daryl gave a hard swallow at the thought of all the close calls today. "I'll come and help ya."

Tahlia drew her thumb gently over his cheek. "No, you need some rest. You've done more than enough today."

"Ain't gonna be able to rest while you're still in there."

She smiled. "Well, just keep the bed warm for me then."

"Tahly-"

"Daryl." Her voice was firm. She didn't want him taking any unnecessary risks. "Please. Rest."

There were times to push back and times to just leave things be, so begrudgingly Daryl nodded. "'Kay. Get outta here when ya can."

"I will." promised Tahlia. "Oh, but first, tell me - how did it go for you out there today? Everything ok?"

"Few run-ins, but alright."

"Michy all good?"

"Yeah, she's fine." Then Daryl thought of something and his brow creased. "Hey, y'know what, this mornin' when we were 'bout to leave, Rick came to see us off and him and Michonne they… they kissed. Like a kiss. Think maybe they're a thing."

Tahlia let out a delighted laugh that he'd finally caught on. "Well, fancy that. That is some real cute news."

Daryl guessed it must have been around 3am by the time Tahlia crept into their cell. She'd barely made a noise, but he'd woken immediately anyway.

"How's everyone doin'?" came Daryl's voice in the semi-darkness as he sat up.

"Oh no! I was trying not to wake you!" whispered Tahlia apologetically.

"Weren't really sleepin'."

"Oh, ok." breathed Tahlia as her eyes adjusted to the gloom and she made her way across the room. "Well, it's looking good. Everyone's stable. Carol's taken over for the rest of the night then I'll go back in the morning."

Then she kicked her boots off and otherwise still fully dressed, face-planted across the bottom of the bed.

Daryl chuckled. "Get up here."

"Think I'm good like this." replied Tahlia, her voice sleep-slowed already and muffled by the blanket.

Crawling down to her, Daryl rolled her over and undid her jeans, gently tugging them off before managing to carefully remove her shirt as well, fairly certain she was already asleep.

"C'mon." he murmured as he lifted her up and tucked her into bed. Then he pressed his hand to her forehead for a long moment, and when he was satisfied that she wasn't running a fever, he curled up next to her.

Over the next couple of hours he continued to check Tahlia intermittently, unwittingly stirring her each time.

After being awoken by Daryl propping himself up next to her and laying his hand on her head for what felt like the millionth time, Tahlia couldn't stand it any longer and smacked his hand away then caught him in a headlock, securing him against her chest with one arm and gripping the offending hand firmly with her other.

"If I catch you doing that one more time, I'm kicking you out!"

"Sorry!" he said sheepishly. "But ya been in with them sick all day. Gotta check y'ain't comin' down with nothin'."

"One of the symptoms is very loud coughing and spluttering, so if I'm sick, you'll damn well know about it! Now go to sleep!"

Daryl bit back a smile at her irritation, but was happy enough with this arrangement because at least in this position he could hear her heart beating a steady, comforting rhythm in her chest, so he settled in against her and finally allowed them both to fall into the deep sleep that their bodies were aching for.

Daryl knew that it was well past sunrise before he had opened his eyes.

And when he also realised that Tahlia was still lying next to him, shut-eyed and unmoving, he sat bolt upright and grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her up into his arms.

Her eyes flew open and she gave a startled gasp. "What? What is it?!"

"Shit, Tahly!" Daryl stared at her. "Ain't never seen ya sleep-in before! Thought ya were goddamned dead!"

Tahlia gave a wry laugh. "Not much chance of that with you poking and prodding at me every five fucking minutes!"

Still half sitting, she dropped her head against his chest and shut her eyes again.

"Y'ain't gettin' up?"

"Sleeping." she mumbled, "If you'll ever let me."

He chuckled and slowly lay back down, holding her gently against him.

That morning was the longest they'd ever lain in bed together after sunup, and although Daryl tried his best to let Tahlia sleep, he was having a hard time keeping his hands off her, but she didn't seem to mind. At all. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself so much that Daryl was certain he'd be able to convince her to abandon her usual dawn risings in favour of doing this a little more often.

"Hey," he asked at one point, "Wanna go away for a lil bit?"

"Away?" she repeated in surprise. "Where?"

"Dunno. Maybe just to that olive place we were at the other day?"

"What for?"

"Said ya liked it there."

"You said it wasn't safe."

Propping himself up on his elbow, Daryl shrugged. "Well, we just cleared it so it's at least safe enough to spend a couple days there. Y'know, me and you."

Tahlia gave a dramatic gasp and sat upright. "Are you suggesting we go on a mini-break?!"

Daryl screwed his face up. "The hell is a mini-break?!" Then he flicked at her arm. "Just thinkin' that if everythin' settles here then maybe we could head out for a little while."

"Sounds a lot like a mini-break to me." grinned Tahlia.

"If ya keep sayin' 'mini-break' then I'm just gonna go there by myself."

Tahlia laughed as she dropped back down onto the pillow. "Let's do it. When?"

A sudden sense of foreboding thudded deep in Daryl's belly and an urge to sweep her away this instant washed over him. "Now. Today."

"Now?! But I don't even have any pants on!" protested Tahlia lightly.

He smiled and ran his fingers down her thigh. "Won't be needin' pants. We'll just take a car and go."

She gave a happy hum. "Awesome! Pants-less mini-break. Can't wait! But there's still a lot to deal with around here, so maybe see how things are in a couple of days?"

And despite the bubble of apprehension inside him, he knew she was right, so he tucked his arm around her and pressed a kiss onto her shoulder in agreement.

Eventually, reluctantly, they decided they should get up and face the world outside their cell. As Tahlia went to find some clean clothes, she caught sight of a cluster of hearts in varying sizes drawn around her right hip. Running her fingers over the black-markered shapes, she glanced up at Daryl who was just buttoning his shirt.

"Please tell me this was you!"

Daryl caught his smile before it spread, but it glittered in his eyes all the same.

Earlier, she'd dozed off for a little bit and he'd taken that opportunity to decorate her with something that felt especially appropriate this morning.

With amusement, she asked, "What prompted this?"

He let out a long, slow exhale then crossed the floor to stand in front of her. Chewing his lip for a second, he gazed at her intently, then gave a little shrug. Taking one of her hands in his, he brushed a tender kiss against the back of it. And then a second time.

And then out came the only three little words that were available to him in that moment.

"Get dressed, girl."

By midday, Tahlia had done the rounds several times in Block A, satisfied that everyone was now on the mend and certain that they were out of the woods with this illness.

Perched on a desk in one of the cells while Glenn and Sasha - still looking peaky but recovering fast - reclined on the bed in front of her, Tahlia was laughing at Glenn's retelling of a story about a pizza delivery gone wrong when Maggie came in to join them.

"Hiya guys! How're you feeling?" Maggie asked as she crouched in front of Glenn.

"Like a million bucks." he grinned back at her, taking her hand.

"Well, you don't look like that many, but you're certainly on your way there." teased Maggie, her relief palpable. Then she glanced over her shoulder at Tahlia. "Daddy been back around here yet?"

"Nope, haven't seen him." Tahlia replied. "Figured he'd be resting after such a long day yesterday."

Maggie nodded. "Must be. I know him and Michonne went out to get some more elderberries this morning, but he must have gone for a lie down after that."

Gently she shoved Glenn over a little so she could sit next to him, and the four of them chatted easily for a while, their mood light and spirits high.

And then, all of a sudden, a massive explosion boomed and rocked the very foundations of the buildings around them.

To be clear, in this version of the story Carol didn't kill Karen and David, but had intended to.