A/N: Sorry if this chapter stinks; I really want to get to the farm part of the story. I hope you still like it though. I do have a question however. I'm going to be making a few changes to the storyline one is the scene involving Otis, I want Riley in there somewhere, so I was thinking of having her go in place of Shane, or having her go along with Shane. What do you guys think? As always reviews are awesome. I truly want to know what you guys think. Thanks!

On To Something Better

After the Walker Massacre it was decided that the woods were no longer a safe place to call home. It also just held to many reminders; Amy and Ed's death and Jim was bit and was now quarantined in the back of the RV. The decision was made to try our luck at the CDC. Which we were all foolishly hoping would be Jim's best bet for survival. So we packed up our belongings and headed down the highway.

Some of our group were packed into the RV while a few others were in a separate car. I of course was riding with Daryl in Merles truck.

"You know the CDC ain't gonna save him" Daryl said looking over at me. I simply nodded my head and continued to stare out the open window. I heard Daryl sigh before looking back at the road. I knew Daryl was getting worried about my lack of communication with him over the past couple days but it was for a good reason; I needed to ask him a question but this question could change everything and I wasn't sure I was ready for the answer. I took a chance and cast a quick peek over at my brother he was sitting with one hand on the wheel while the other held his head up. I took a deep breath and looked back out the window I couldn't look at him when I asked.

"Do you blame me too?" I mumbled. Daryl turned his head to look at me fully the fear of crashing not a thought on his mind at the moment.

"No" he replied with such force that I knew it was the end of that conversation. Before I could even think of a way to change the subject or question how he knew what I was talking about the RV in front of us was slowing to a stop.

Rick got out of the car he was driving and walked over to Andrea. They talked for a few minutes before Rick disappeared into the RV. He came out a few minutes later saying that Jim wanted us to leave him behind. He's body couldn't take anymore and he wanted to see his family. We left him in the shade of a tree each of us saying goodbye in our own way. For Daryl and I that was a simple nod in his direction. After that we all started off back on the road. We got to the CDC just as nightfall was approaching.

"Everybody say alert….Daryl, Rye I want you to take up the back" Rick spoke up as we slowly made our way to the front entrance. As we approached Daryl started yelling about it being a dead end, no on was here the shutters were down and Rick led us into a death trap. Walkers started to pop up all around us. Shane tried to talk Rick into leaving and handing for Ft. Benning. As he talked I made my way up to Rick. I was only focused on the camera that were attached to the door. As I got closer to Rick the camera moved

'It moved…" I mumbled to Rick gesturing with my head to the camera. Rick waited and watched and then it moved again

"It moved…the camera we saw it" Rick explained he started to shout out

"You have to help us, your killing us, we have kids" he yelled while looking at the camera. Shane started to rush to Rick trying to get him to quiet down and return to the cars. Rick glanced over to me and I shook my head I was standing my ground. Daryl came over to me telling me we were leaving. Just as he was about to pull me away and Shane with Rick the shutters opened blinding us in a bright white light.

We all rushed inside to be meant with one doctor. He asked if any of us were bit Rick responded with a no and the doctor told us to get our stuff cause once the doors were closed they stayed closed. That statement made me worried.

The doctor whose name was Jenner told us that we needed to submit to a blood test if we wanted to stay. We all agreed. Afterwards we were led to a kitchen with actually food and alcohol. We all sat down and started to enjoy our first proper meal in weeks. Everyone was drinking. I however was sitting on a counter top in the corner not drinking; I've seen, felt and experienced what drinking can do so I declined. Daryl noticed looking at me from across the room, I simply looked back telling him not to start. I watched as Carl tried a sip of wine repulsed by the flavor it was actually kind of cute. I smirked when Daryl told Glenn to keep drinking wanting to see how red his face would get. The mood was then sobered up by Shane who asked where everyone else was. Count on Shane to always be the buzz kill. Jenner explained that he was it; everyone else left to be with family or "opted out". As Jenner finished talking he led us all down a hallway, he then told the children about a rec room but to not plug anything in 'what fun' I thought. Then he said the words that made everybody smile "go easy on the hot water if you shower". 'Hot freaking water' I silently repeated. After that statement everyone retreated to a room and dispersed for the night.

As I walked into my room Daryl walked by me "goodnight Rye" he said as he walked into the room next door "night Daryl" I replied. Once inside I dropped my bag and slumped against the door. It's amazing what actually feeling safe can do to a person. I pulled myself up however the thought of hot water too strong and made my way to the bathroom. Once inside I striped down and looked at my body. My back was littered with scars and burns most of these Daryl and Merle didn't know about. I remember the threats my father would give 'you tell your son of a bitch brothers about these and you won't have to worry about just scars anymore'. I then looked into the mirror, my bright blue orbs taking up most of my small face. Daryl told me they were the same blue as my moms, he said that I was a spitting image of her; I would never know though dad got rid of all her pictures. I then took my strawberry blonde hair out it's pony tail; it reached a little pass my shoulders now. With one last glance I stepped into the showers. The water felt amazing. As I stood under the water watching the tub turn brown I thought about a lot of things mostly Merle. If he was alive; was he thinking about me and the last words he spoke. Was he sorry, did he miss me and Daryl? I tried to shake the thoughts from my mind and finished washing myself, when the water ran clear I turned off the shower. I dried off and walked back into my room. I changed into a pair of dark skinny jeans and a old Johnny Cash t-shirt, throwing my black hoodie over my head as well. I put my boots back on and sat on the bed, most people would find it weird that I sleep in actually clothes but you learn the hard way that sometimes it's better to be fully clothes and prepared for whatever life throws at you. I ran my fingers through my hair and threw it up in a high pony tail. I then sat cross legged on my bed and tightened my crossbow. At some point in the night I must of fallen asleep because before I knew it morning arrived.

As I entered the kitchen I was meant by hangover central. Glenn and Rick feeling the worst. Eventually Dr. Jenner joined us and we were brought back down to reality by him leading us to his control room. He proceed to tell us about how when a person dies from being bitten, they come back as a Walker. It was nothing we didn't know before but it was weird seeing how the brain reacts to the change. What happened next though was a crazy turn of events. Dale asked what the countdown clock on the wall meant. Turns out it meant that when it reaches zero the building will self destruct, with anything or anyone in it. Words were said threats were made. Until Rick spoke and was able to explain to Jenner that we didn't want this. Jenner opened the door and we were free. Jacqui and Andrea wanted to stay behind. I tried to get to Andrea and explain that Amy wouldn't want her to do this but Daryl grabbed me and pushed me out with him. As we reached the front entrance we remembered what Jenner said that these doors would not re open. Carol sweet Carol though; remembered that Rick had a grenade in his pocket the first night at camp when she did the wash. Luckily it worked and we were able to crawl out of the rumble.

Everyone ran for their vehicles. Just as we got into the truck Daryl pushed me down to the floorboard and threw his body over mine we then heard and felt the CDC imploded. As we sat back up we saw Dale and Andrea stand up from the ground both covered in ash and dust. 'Dale got her out' I thought. I was shaken from my thoughts as Daryl pulled me fully into my seat asking if I was okay.

"I'm good" I said "you?" I questioned

"Good" he replied. As Rick started up his car, Daryl started the truck we then heard the RV kick into life and we started back down the highway in hopes of a better tomorrow.