Chapter 29
BPOV
Heading back to the bunker was slow going; my leg had had all it could really take today and I was trying to avoid running into any dead ones since it was dark out, with only the moon to light the way. It was a big relief to pull the handle for the door into the bunker; the first room was bare, besides the cot in the same spot that I left it the first time. Securing the outer door with the cross bar so it couldn't be opened I moved on to the second door. I was really nervous of what my new living space would be like for some reason, considering some of the things Alice had done in the past without my opinion. Pulling the handle, the door opened much like the first, on an L shaped track, and slid to the left. The first thing that caught my attention was the wall lined with totes similar to the ones they had taken to the prison today. The 'bunk' that I was supposed to sleep on was more of a day bed than a bunk with an exact replica next to it. The walls were stone, but bless Jasper's heart… I knew it was him, considering he was to more artistic out of the pair. The walls had designs carved all around making the whole space look very elegant, like a fancy wall paper.
Alice had picked the same bedding that I picked out when we redid my room, a beautiful teal and white petals bed print. I knew that bed was meant for me, and the other bed was done in the same design, but purple, which Alice knew I couldn't wait to get rid of the purple in my old room at Charlie's. Why I needed two beds, I had no clue, but I'm sure she would let me know in the letter she left. Looking around the space more, I noticed a wood stove and lots of chopped wood next to it in the corner furthest from the door. The floor had beautiful thick rugs covering it, which would be really nice since winter was approaching. There were white cabinets and drawers that I could put some things away in along the wall behind the totes; the counter top appeared to be made out of the same stone that the bunker was in, but beautifully polished. In the corner closest to the door, was a little mini dojo work out station with all my weapons from martial arts and even a mediation floor cushion.
It was all breathtaking. I shouldn't have had a doubt with Alice in charge. The lights were similar to the ones in the front room and lit the room quite well. On the other side of the beds appeared to be a sliding door; opening it I found a bathroom that left me speechless. It should've belonged in a 5 star hotel not in a cave. Even though it was small, similar to the size of the RV bathroom Charlie and I camped in one year, it was beautiful. I couldn't even begin to imagine how they ran plumbing to a place like this. Flicking on the water to the large sink with a fancy mirror above it, I checked for hot water. Holy shit, it wasn't steaming hot but it was warm. Alice had seemed to think of everything as there was a dish drainer for drying dishes and even a washboard for washing clothes. There were even retractable clothes lines over the tub to hang things to dry.
Peeling off my t-shirt, I checked the wound from the letter opener. The bleeding had stopped but I still needed to clean it up better. I looked under the sink and hit the mother load; medical supplies, feminine things, shampoo and conditioner, and soaps lined the one side and toilet paper on the other. After cleaning the wound, I inspected the other damages; some bruises here and there and my lip was pretty messed up, but nothing too terrible. Deciding to go ahead and get cleaned up, I stripped out of my filthy clothes and boot, and turned the water on in the shower. It was heaven to be able to be clean and dry off with the fluffiest towel I had ever felt in my life, or maybe it had just been that long. Walking over in my towel to a bin marked clothes, I pulled out some warm looking sweats (sweats! Thank you Alice!). Under the sweats was another boot. As I unfolded the sweats, a piece of paper fell out that said "PUT your boot ON! 6 weeks!" Rolling my eyes, I put the clean boot over my leg taking some of the pressure off, which I admit, felt a lot better than no brace.
Stopping at the bin marked food, I grabbed a chicken and dumplings MRE off the top deciding to eat before I opened what was sure to be life changing information. Waiting for the MRE to heat after mixing it, I reached under the bed and grabbed the envelope that was taped underneath, an envelope that felt more like a package because it was so thick. Setting it down on the small table that folded down from the wall that was next to the bed, I just starred at it as I ate. And starred at it some more, long after I was done… Anticipation was high, but so were a lot of other emotions cycling around in my head. Fear being one, knowing this was the last package from her until spring when we moved on from the prison, or what kind of crazy shit was going to be in the letter. Excitement and curiosity as well. And my mind circled around to Daryl… I wondered if there was anything inside about him and then I wondered if there was, would I want her to tell me or find it out on my own…
Knowing my thoughts weren't going to change what was already on the paper, I opened the envelope. A few different maps came out along with other various papers. Opening one, I burst into tears as I looked at it. They were drawings done by Jasper, capturing moments of my life in the past year. The one I was holding was of me pleading with him to make Alice stop shopping, another had the day I got my EMT certificate with Alice swinging me around like no girl her size should have been able to do, and another of me sparring in martial arts with my master. Setting those and others I didn't look at yet to the side so I didn't cry all over them, I pulled out the letter from Alice.
Bella,
I would say I hope you like your new home, but I know you love it. Yes, plumbing was a bitch… and you know I don't say that often but it was. The septic drains down about 3 ft and then we had to drill to the other side of the rock cliff. Then we had to carve out a hole in the rock for a septic tank to go… it's all hidden very well and insulated so it doesn't freeze up. The insulation serves a second purpose, keeping the sound of running water hidden too. The water is sourced from a well that we drilled; it too is insulated and sound proofed. It runs on solar power and if there isn't enough power to run it when you need it, a backup generator kicks on. You have barrels of fuel to fill it with gas as you need to, the location will be on one of the maps. Everything is run with solar, from the lights to the water heater. In the winter time when it gets really cold, you will be better off heating big pots of water on the wood stove. Days that are not sunny enough to charge the solar power, there are lots of candles and lamps in one of the totes so you can still see. The bunker is properly ventilated so no need to worry about suffocation if you need to stay inside for days at a time.
The wood stove will heat this space nicely and the stone will retain the warmth once it's hot enough. You'll want to move the fuel drums and the extra totes to the other room, and don't worry about anyone being able to get in. There are keys in the envelope to lock the handle from the outside when you're gone. Not all of the totes are for you to keep, the ones labeled with D-block will be for later; they can go into the next room too. There is a dolly to move the fuel drums and the D-block totes have wheels, just take it easy on your leg. Your wounds are going to start healing a little quicker than normal…. Nothing bad is happening, it's just because of your bite from James. It might be kind of hard to explain to people though; keep the boot on for 6 weeks so your leg heals up properly.
One of the maps is for Glenn or Daryl, either one is fine. It has the location of some wood stoves and all the material required to install them, along with a large supply of fire wood for them as well. They will need them this winter, especially with the baby coming. There are also some propane grills and large area rugs in the same location for the prison. You have a small propane grill along with extra canisters of fuel in one of the cabinets. You have enough food to last you until it's time to leave as long as you hunt sometimes, same goes for the prison. They will still need fresh game to make their supplies last.
Some things are going to happen that are out of even my control. Like Lori… She has the baby and lives for about 3 weeks after. The brain aneurysm can't be stopped; she smoked too much when she was younger and the stress on her body from the pregnancy made it unpreventable. Carl will do a lot of growing up quickly and won't be as much as a little trouble maker due to the death of his mother. I have already stocked some of the totes with diapers and formula along with other things needed for a baby. Rick… he will get worse after the death of Lori, but he will come out a better leader once he processes and mourns. They will be looking to Daryl like you said, he may not like it or understand it, but he will be busy. He will also feel the weight of all of it on his shoulders as he's only really been responsible for himself in his life.
Making the prison safer is one of the first things that need to get done. Digging large pits in front of the fence will help prevent a collapse. I have mapped a location to a backhoe to use; the manual is in one of the drawers. You'll need to know what you're doing to get it to the prison. It's about 1 mile away, at a location where they were going to build an extra storage building for the prison; the keys are in it and extra diesel is on site too. Dig the pits staggered, in multiple layers about 10 feet away from the fence; then when they get full, the bodies need to be burned.
In about 6 weeks, after your boot can come off, you'll come across a woman with dread locks. She will be very injured and need medical assistance. You will need to bring her back here to let her heal; she will do ok with you but not with all the people at the prison while she is injured. She is a good person and will be with you for the move back to Forks.
There is a place called Terminus, where all the rail tracks meet. They broadcast on the radio 'All who arrive survive'; they don't survive, in fact they are used to help the other people survive. They are cannibals. They lure people in, then stick them in rail cars while feeding them powdered milk until they need to butcher them. Unfortunately, you will need to be in top shape to get rid of them so you can't do anything until your leg heals fully. They have not started yet as they still have a large food supply. They will start with their own people, people they don't consider strong enough to be in this world. I have a map along with the layout of the property I sketched to help. Directions on the best way to handle the situation will be on the back… I'm sorry you have to be the one to do it but if the others know, Rick tries to take charge and messes everything up.
In about 3 weeks, some people show up at the prison through the back tombs that took damage when the prison went down. Tyreese and his sister will bring survivors from a place called Woodbury. They need a safe haven away from the governor, the man with the eye patch. That's why it's important to leave in the spring because he will track them there eventually and want to take the prison for himself. He will die shortly after you all have left the area so there is no need to get rid of him. Someone new takes over the town and it becomes a safe haven for people once more.
Not too long after the baby is born, a sickness comes. Similar to a bad flu, it starts with a cough and fever, and then progresses to an infection of the lungs like pneumonia. Antibiotics will work for this, so everyone already has the supplies they need; including you, if you take your medication and stay hydrated.
It will be a long journey home, but it will be worth it. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but it's the best outcome for everyone, including you. You know I love you like a sister, I would never put you through things that wouldn't make your life better nor thought you couldn't handle. There will be difficult times, both mentally and physically, but you will get your long, amazingly happy, life Bella; the irony being a long human life like Edward wanted.
Daryl…, once again you will have to figure him out yourself Bella. Don't take the bad things to heart is all the advice I can really give. He's a good man, and I know you like him. That's a good thing Bella. I am sure you have noticed that your wings match his. It will take work because let's face it, you are both scarred in different ways. He will be concerned about his brother when it is time to leave Georgia. Merle has his own directions and will be there around the same time you all arrive, a new and improved version on Merle that is; not perfect by any means, but improved.
In about a week, while you're hunting, you will come across one of Randall's old group. They were hit hard by the sickness and started killing people off when they got a fever. Only about 6 men remain right now along with 5 or so women. All the men are bad and need to be killed; the women can be taken back to D-Block. The supplies for D-block can go after the women are rescued as long as Daryl is in charge of its delivery. Carol will be a big support to the women who come in since she has also been abused before. None of them will cause you any trouble and will be grateful to have a safe warm place for the winter.
In the spring, some of the D-block will leave to go get closure about their families. They can leave without any risk to you all. Everyone should be well off for the winter months as I found shoes, coats, and clothing for each person, along with other personal items in the totes. I even provided them with a laptop with movies on it. There are solar charged power banks to keep them powered. You have one as well under your bed; it has some personal things on it, just for you during hard times.
Jasper has also left you a special present in the wooden box next to the laptop with his own letter explaining it. The drawings are something he did while we spent time together to pass his time. He didn't want them to go to waste in a drawer when he knew you would appreciate them after we were gone. He did his best on the bunker to make this a place you would enjoy; he was extremely pleased to know you appreciated it in my vison. He loves you so much, and if I didn't know the kind of love he feels for you, I would be jealous.
Go and visit the prison, and visit often. Sofia, Beth, Amy, Hershel and Glenn will really be glad to see you. You will see Daryl around hunting but he will also be busy trying to keep the prison in order until they come up with a better system. Please don't shut down Bella, take care of yourself. The map labeled spring is the route you need to take to the next bunker sight, the green X's being safe houses along the way and the red X's being places to avoid. Stay strong.
I love you Bella,
Love,
Alice
Well… at least I had a few days to relax and process all this before getting back out there. Too tired to look through anything else tonight, I just reread the letter from Alice over and over again until I fell asleep; leaving the maps, drawings, and other things for another day. I passed out with the lights still on, not yet ready to be in the dark again after the events that took place this afternoon.
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Meanwhile, in a bunker much smaller than Bella's, near the Georgia/South Carolina border, was a man that had reread the crinkled piece of paper on the table hundreds of times; still unable to comprehend it's contents. Staring at it with his head in his hands, he decided. Decided to do what needed to be done.
So, a letter from Alice finally! And a gift to come soon from Jasper with his own letter! Let me know what you all are thinking about this so far! I have changed some things up, like with Tyreese's entrance to the plotline. Thank you for the reviews, you are all so amazing and inspiring; without the support, I probably would've gave up this story long ago. More Bella and Daryl interactions coming soon. ;)
Tried to upload earlier, but website doing some kind of server migration… Sorry!