Chapter 18
BPOV
The past few days had been exhausting. Almost everything had been moved over to the prison, leaving the bare essentials at the farm. The prisoners were getting antsy and just plain pissed off that we took over C-block. They were also unhappy, stating that they used to get more yard time when they were in regular prison than they did now. Rick was still undecided on what to really do with them… which seemed to be a thing of his; first Randall then the prisoners. Each day started with Daryl and I going out to find some kind of meat for breakfast (I also picked any plants and berries we could eat while we were out), then after breakfast we hauled animals and supplies to the prison. Some people worked on the fence and some fixed up C-block to get it ready for the final move, while others fixed any mistakes that were made with the animal pens and chicken coop. We had to haul water for now from a pond outside the gates for the animals. T-Dog and Andrea usually volunteered to keep watch at night to make sure our stuff didn't wander off.
Eventually we would let the prisoners out to see what was happening and to get some yard time to enjoy the sun. Big Tiny was looking pretty rough; he was sweating bullets and seemed to be in a lot of pain. I kept my distance from the prisoners for the most part, after all they were men that had been locked up for a while. Escorted by Daryl, I had taken plates of squirrel meat to Oscar and Axel for them to share with the others, but quickly left with Daryl to scout around the prison. There were no water mains or any signs of the prison being supplied water which probably meant the prison was supplied by a well. Which was great news for the group if we could get it going, running showers and working toilets was a luxury most people didn't have anymore. It would also make the Greene's more comfortable leaving their home since they never had to do without those things.
The Greene's were split on their decision to like me or not. Hershel seemed to like me a lot and treated me with kindness. Beth had begun spending her evenings with me much to Maggie's disappointment. Not really disappointment… more like pissed the fuck off. She repeatedly voiced her opinion on Beth not needing to learn these things even though it was unwanted. Even after Hershel had stepped in and said that Beth could learn whatever she pleased, Maggie persisted. I had even stooped so low that I convinced Glenn to take Maggie on runs in the early evening just so I wouldn't have to listen to her annoying voice. I stooped even lower when I began collecting condoms to give to Glenn so he could keep her extra busy, if you know what I mean. Daryl thought it was hilarious apparently, watching me with a tomato red face hand a nervous and embarrassed, looking anywhere other than me, Glenn a box of condoms I got while scouting.
Daryl had caught me stuffing the first box into my pack at a house we found while hunting; my face had flamed immediately while the tips of his ears reddened. I sputtered out an explanation as fast as possible; that they were intended for bribery to tame the shrew bitch for a few hours of peace. He had outright laughed his ass off. It was a beautiful sight to see, his whole face lit up with joy at my predicament. His eyes had sparkled and the smile I like so much, a true full blown smile, had made an appearance. His laughter was quiet but soothing in a way I wouldn't have expected when you're the one being laughed at. I had to physically resist the urge to touch his face by clasping my hands behind my back. On our way back his shoulders would start to shake with silent laughter ever so often and he would smirk at me as he thought more about it. "OK Robin Hood, enough is enough" I said rolling my eyes after a while. His head whipped around and stared at me, "Robin Hood?" he asked in a disapproving voice. I laughed a little and shrugged my shoulders, "Sure, you go get stuff to give to the needy and you feed to hungry. Robin Hood works just fine." I said with a sly grin, knowing it would get under his skin. He glared at me then the ground, but it didn't take him long to say with a slight smirk "Nice braid there Everdeen." It was my turn to glare back at him, but then we both laughed it off as we walked back.
Beth was learning fast. Sofia would come out with us, with Carol's permission of course, and learn too. Of course being true to our deal, I learned things from Beth that I didn't know yet. Like how to shoe a horse… then learn to ride one. I never really had a fear of heights before in my life, but there was something about rocking up that high on something with such long legs; but after a few days, I began to enjoy it. Running on horseback was kind of freeing like riding a motorcycle, except you didn't need to go syphon gas. She taught me about canning, I taught her about plants in the forest. She taught me about the farm equipment and I taught her about weapons. It was a give take relationship, and Beth seemed much happier these days.
Jimmy had been spending most of his time with Patricia, all the while receiving dirty looks from Hershel and even more so from Maggie. Hershel had hugged me once again the morning after Beth's incident, and instead of being shocked, I smiled back at him as he offered his quiet thanks. I had begun to see him like the grandfather I had never had. I caught Jimmy glaring at me one day and raised my brow at him. He had looked to the ground quickly and went back to snapping beans. His nose was broken and I noticed Hershel didn't set it very well. Who knew the man could hold a grudge, but then again it was his little girl that Jimmy messed with.
I had not seen Shane in two days. I was beginning to have a little anxiety over it. An enemy you could keep your eye on was better than an invisible one. That night was eerie as a slight fog rolled in and the moon hid behind the clouds. I was getting nervous because of course after the first few days of increased watch, people had started to slack on their duties, thinking it was unnecessary.
I decided to stay out for a while longer remembering Alice's warning of a foggy night. It wasn't very long when I heard the telltale shuffling of a dead one. It seemed to be just one, so I didn't think this was the night we would lose the farm. I tracked it by sound and eventually saw Dale standing with his rifle next to a ripped open cow. He didn't even hear the zombie coming up behind him, but he heard it thump to the ground as my arrow found its mark. He stumbled over the cow and his rifle shot into the air, alerting everyone on the farm of trouble.
Everyone had rushed out, some not even armed… like what the fuck. Someone fires a shot and you're going to run out here with no weapon in you pajamas? Dale just kept staring at me throughout the explanations going around. Apparently Carl had been throwing rocks at a walker by the creek while he was out wondering around by himself… with a gun he stole from Daryl's tent while he was gone. Carl went on to explain that it wasn't fair everyone else got to learn stuff while he was stuck inside with his mother and Carol making supper and doing laundry. Kid had a point but really… throwing rocks at a zombie, luring it here. Ricks head was in his hands as he realized that Carl would have to grow up a little faster than normal but hopefully he would take on teaching his kid. I wouldn't have the patience to teach him when he was acting like a smart mouth little brat with no respect.
I stopped Rick when everyone was just starting to disperse, "It's almost time to leave the farm for good… I would say we have another day or two tops before the herd comes, so everyone needs to be ready. We need to move the rest of the stuff to the prison along with the more fragile people in the group. Where was the watch tonight? Why was Dale the only one out here?" I asked getting frustrated. After everything I've told him and been right about, he lets the group slide on something that could save people's lives. He ran his hand through his hair and over his face looking worn out and responded "Everyone's been tired with all the extra work at the prison and we haven't seen any walkers around here before so they stopped taking watch. I'll …" he went to continue on but I interrupted him feeling my frustration boil over "After everything I've told you and helped you with, you still don't believe the farm will fall?" I said in disbelief.
He was quick to say "Now I'm not saying that, but I've had Shane scouting the perimeter of the farm and he hasn't seen any groups larger than 2 or 3 walkers…" "Shane? Really? So that's where he has been all this time... Rick I told you what's going to happen." I said throwing my hands up, "This farm is going to fall whether you believe me or not. The next foggy night everyone better be ready to leave. I know it's not what you want to hear with the prison not being fully functional yet, but it's going to happen. It's better for them to do without running water for a few days rather than be dead." I all but growled at him, my anger getting the best of me. Plus I had spent too much time with vampires and wolves in the past few years, I pretty much growled back at them when I was pissed.
I was about to turn to walk off when Rick grabbed my arm. I glared at his hand then his face as he appeared to be angry too. "And just how do you know what going to happen, Huh? You never once said anything about how you knew where to be or the things you just seem to know" he said in a low voice. It took everything in me to not let my temper get away from me and bust him in the face. I knew he was frustrated tonight with his son, and his wife for not watching their son, and all the other stresses that come with being a leader. I took a deep calming breath, then as nicely as I could said "Rick, let me go. I gave you a choice, one of which you could believe me and accept my help, or forget everything I said. I'm trying to help the group, but if you keep pushing me on this I can just go. I probably wouldn't go far since I like some people here, but I would only help when the matter pertains to them instead of the wellbeing of the group. Now, Let. My. Arm. Go." I hissed the last part through my teeth.
I was getting tired of people trying to manhandle me, and though Rick was a smart opponent, I could take him down if it was necessary. I knew all the cop tricks, but I could combine them with other things good cops really wouldn't know about. My face and body had healed up mostly from everything I had been through, with just slight yellow staining my face from the healing bruise. The ointment in my medical kit from Alice had made the scar from my gash all but disappear. He finally released me and I turned, quickly walking away. When I made it back to the tent, Daryl was once again awake smoking. It was almost like he was waiting on me to get there before he went to bed… no that's probably not it. After removing my boots I turned to the wall of the tent and spoke to the darkness "Tomorrow, you need to pack up whatever you want to have at the prison. We're going to lose the farm to the dead soon, but not tonight." I then pulled the blanket over my head and let some of the angry tears fall.
I had always hated that I cried when I was angry, and I didn't want anyone else to know that. I thought Rick trusted me, but come to find out, he really doesn't. Daryl didn't say anything that night, for which I was grateful. I didn't want to ignore him if it came down to it but there was no way that I would be able to say anything without sobbing. That night I had terrible dreams of dead ones being everywhere killing all the people here that I had grown to care about. I knew I shouldn't have gotten close to these people… it's a weakness, but yet when It came down to it, I couldn't really regret it. Yea I regretted putting so much trust in Rick, but most of the others, no. It felt good to have friends, people to talk to and laugh with instead of being alone all the time. Tomorrow I would need to take a few things into my own hands, reveal some information to certain members of the group; then, take care of Randall myself. He was bound to have heard something about the prison by now the way people around here talked about it. There was no way I was going to let him escape in all the chaos when the farm went down.
Don't worry if I don't upload for a couple of days! Like I said before, I will finish this story! Also RealCherryBomb, Sorry to say Bella won't be building her own community. She's eventually headed back to Forks.